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  • Waiting for Dangote refinery

    Many are waiting to see the effect the massive Dangote refinery will have on the economy and job creation. But they have to wait until the end of next year, according to this report by Reuters and Our Reporter.

     

    AFRICA’s largest oil refinery will not be finished until the end of 2020 due to problems importing steel and other equipment, executives at Dangote, which is building the facility in the Nigerian commercial hub of Lagos, told Reuters.

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, imports virtually all its fuel due to sclerotic and underutilised refineries, and even the state oil company is looking to the 650,000 barrel per day (bpd) Dangote refinery to help address this.

    Price caps force NNPC to import nearly all its gasoline at a significant cost and periodic fuel shortages are common.

    Despite the delays at the congested Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos, a Dangote executive said the company could start using the refinery’s tank farms as a depot to warm-up operations.

    “We will be able to complete the (refinery) project by the end of next year – mechanical completion,” said Dangote Group Executive Director Devakumar Edwin, who oversees the project.

    The company expects fuel production within two months of completion of the refinery, which could transform Africa’s biggest crude producer from a fuel importer into a net exporter, upending global trade patterns.

    Billionaire Aliko Dangote, who built his fortune on cement, first announced a smaller refinery in 2013, to be finished in 2016. Dangote then moved the site to Lekki, in Lagos, upgraded the size and said production would start in early 2020.

    Industry sources told Reuters last year that fuel output was unlikely before 2022.

    Trading plan

    Edwin also said during an interview at his office in Lagos that Dangote is setting up its trading desk, with a senior team of three people and a staff of roughly 30 who will monitor international commodity prices.

    “We are setting up a complete trading desk here with us. In the next three months the full desk will be set up,” he said.

    Giuseppe Surace, the refinery’s chief operations officer, said the refinery’s tank farms will be finished this year and could be used as a warm-up for operations.

    The tanks will be connected to five “single point mooring buoys” (SPMs), which will allow the refinery complex to pump crude straight into tanks from large ships at sea and pump products back out onto boats of any size.

    The SPMs will be the primary method of supplying oil products from the refinery, Surace said, adding that the team were considering using the tanks as training or as a depot before the refinery’s production starts.

    “We might do that. We will be ready to do that,” he said, though he added that no decision had been taken yet.

    The team is in talks with NNPC, two other international oil companies and two large oil traders, all of whom are interested in supplying crude and buying products, Edwin said.

    Edwin said the crude unit for the refinery, which set sail from China last month, would arrive by the end of October.

    The trains at a fertilizer plant on the same site will start up by the end of this year, the executives said.

    The planned products to be produced at the refinery

    The planned annual products of the refinery include 10.4 million tonnes of gasoline, 4.6 million tonnes of diesel and 4 million tonnes of jet fuel. Others to be produced annually are 0.6 million tonnes of polypropylene, 0.5 million tonnes of carbon black feed, 0.24 million tonnes of propane and 32,000 tonnes of sulphur.

    According to the owner of the refinery, Aliko Dangote, the enormous project will cost between Us $12m and Us $14m. Facilities at the Refinery Complex, the building and shipment of the atmospheric tower are indeed considered a major and significant feat; yet there are other units of the refinery left to be sourced. Among the units to occupy the refinery and petrochemical complex are mild hydrocracking (MHC) unit, residual fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC), naphtha hydrotreater, RFCC gasoline hydrodesulfurisation (HDS) unit and alkylation units, and others.

    The refinery complex will also possess infrastructural facilities like access roads, administrative building, pipeline system and tank storage facilities, among others. Importantly, the facility will have a fertiliser plant to be served by the refinery by-products as raw materials. Conclusion The atmospheric tower is supposed to be a piece of major equipment at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex. It is expected to process crude oil into fuels including gasoline and diesel.

    World’s largest atmospheric tower

    On July 29, the atmospheric tower, a piece of equipment that will process crude oil for the refinery set sail from Sinopec Corporation’s factory in China.

    “On July 29, the world’s largest atmospheric tower built by Sinopec slowly left a wharf in Ningbo. Following the Maritime #SilkRoad, it will travel to #Nigeria and be installed at the world’s biggest single-train facility – Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery,” Sinopec said in a tweet.

    The atmospheric tower has a diameter of 12 meters, a length of 112.56 meters and a unit weight of 2252 tons.

    “It is the largest diameter, longest length and the heaviest single-unit equipment in domestic export equipment. It will be installed in the world’s largest single-series refinery – the 32.5 million tonnes/year Dangote refinery in Nigeria,” the Chinese firm said in a statement on its website.

    The atmospheric tower is the primary unit processing crude oil into fuels, according to a Citac analyst, Jeremy Parker.

    “This is a major milestone, but there is still much work to be done, both in terms of sourcing the other units and interconnection at the site,” Parker said of the atmospheric tower shipment.

    Dangote Industries has awarded not less than $368m worth of contracts to 120 local contractors for the refinery and petrochemical project to help local content development initiative.

    Edwin noted that the refinery would lead to significant skills transfer and technology acquisition opportunities in the country, adding that the refinery could meet the country’s requirement of all liquid products, such as petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel, and would have a surplus of each of the products for export.

    Read Also: Dangote Refinery gets key component

    NNPC-Dangote deal

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Dangote refinery are partnering to make the refinery a success.

    NNPC MD Mele Kolo Kyari said the refinery would be a win-win for entrepreneur and country.

    “Ultimately, it will be a contract to supply crude,” Kyari said. The NNPC boss added that the state oil firm intends to be a “supplier of first resort” for the Dangote refinery.

    Speaking during a visit to the NNPC headquarters, Dangote said there would be no competition between his refinery and NNPC’s.

    A statement issued by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, quoted Dangote as saying there would be cooperation.

    Dangote Refinery can refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. NNPC’s four refineries, according to the corporation’s latest operations report, is 445,000 barrels per day.

    Dangote said: “The most important thing for us is to see how we can partner with the NNPC; it is not to see how we can compete with the NNPC. We would like the NNPC to be part of us and we also want to be part of the NNPC. I think that is the only way we can achieve a win-win situation.”

    Kyari said the national oil firm was not in the contest for market share with the forthcoming Dangote Refinery, adding that the corporation would support it to boost in-country refining capacity.

    Transforming the economy

    Addressing guests at the Dangote Special Day at the 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair, the foremost industrialist said his other businesses- Dangote cement, salt, sugar refineries as well as food products would ensure food security and improve lives for decades to come.

    Dangote, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Strategy and Government Relations, Mansur Ahmed, noted that the gains of the huge investments in the different sectors by Dangote have moved the nation’s economy forward and complemented government’s effort in no small measure.

    According to Dangote, the Group continues to be the largest employer of labour in Nigeria, with over 50,000 direct and hundreds of thousands of indirect employment opportunities.

    “The Rice Mills established in some states, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Enugu, Zamfara, Kano and Niger states would also ensure self-sufficient in rice production. We are doing everything possible to ensure Nigeria moves from an importing country to an exporting country.

    “We have succeeded in making Nigeria exporter of cement, earning hard currencies for the country and contributing to lifting the country from recession.

    “The feat is achievable because of the three Dangote Cement factories at Obajana in Kogi State, Gboko Cement factory in Benue and Ogun states because they are not only producing enough cement for local consumption but also export,” he said

    President of Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) Dr Farida Muheeba Dankaka, lauded Dangote Group for its contribution to economic growth.

    Dr Farida said the huge investment by the conglomerate is responsible for over 10 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP). “KADCCIMA is proud to be associated with the conglomerate,” she stated.

    The refinery, analysts believe, will assist Nigeria to achieve the 1.095 million barrels per day (bpd) domestic refining target that will make it self-sufficient in refined petroleum products.

    In his capacity as NNPC Chief Operating Officer, Upstream in April this year, Bello Rabiu explained how this would be achieved at the Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    Speaking on ‘Upstream Opportunity in the Oil and Gas Sector’, Rabiu commended Dangote for his commitment to the downstream sector.

    According to him, the coming on stream of the Dangote 650,000 bpd Refinery and efforts by the NNPC to revamp the country’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri with a total capacity of 445,000 bpd, would help to achieve zero importation of refined petroleum products. Speaking during a technical session on “Infrastructure as a key enabler for opportunities in the oil and gas sector,” the Executive Director, Dangote Group, Ahmed Mansur, said private sector investment and execution capacity in the gas sector needed to complement government’s efforts in the industry.

    Mansur said the Dangote Group catalyses private investment to supplement the Federal Government’s onshore gas development agenda. He added that the company is building pipeline infrastructure that would augment the natural domestic gas supply and add an estimated 12,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity to the power generation capacity.

    Mansur said the first phase of the project is expected to deliver gas for use by Dangote Industries including the proposed fertilizer plant in the refinery complex and other identified industrial and power plant users.

    “The pipeline infrastructure will create a corridor for evacuation of trapped gas from offshore platforms in Nigeria for utilisation and monetisation.

    “The project is expected to improve gas supply security for use by power plants, fertiliser production and other industrial factories. It will complement the existing gas supply system in the country and also complement the Nigerian Gas Master Plan,” he added.

    With works on the refinery being intensified to meet the completion deadline, Mansur said: “We have bought 1026 trucks and tippers to improve the capacity of the local logistics. We have set up the world largest ready-mix concrete capacity at any given location to produce ready mix concrete including 72 concrete pumps and 141 transit mixers since the annual concrete manufacturing capacity in the country is inadequate.”

    He said the company is currently training 200 artisans selected from the Ibeju Lekki host communities in the areas of masonry, carpentry, air condition electricians, plumbing, welders, iron-benders and auto mechanics in collaboration with the Nigerian Directorate of Employment and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    Delay is not denial

    Though the take-off of the project has been delayed, analysts are still convinced that the country’s economy would gain a lot from this gigantic project, which is expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians and foreign experts. Dangote believes it will rake in $26.2 billion for Nigeria annually.

  • Govt lawyers seek protection

    LAWYERS on the payroll of the federal and state governments have expressed concern over heightening insecurity in the land. They are seeking protection.

    They argued that, by the nature of their duties – involvement in the prosecution of high risk criminal cases relating to terrorism, kidnapping, high profile corruption, among others –  they were mostly exposed to security threats and could easily fall victim.

    The lawyers called on their employers to urgently put in place measures to secure them from harm while carrying out their official responsibilities.

    These formed part of deliberations at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    In a communique issued on Monday, the lawyers said: “NEC observed with dismay the tedious task and burden of law officers in prosecuting high risk security, criminal and high profile civil cases at the federal level and in different states of the federation, and drew attention to the vulnerability of such unprotected Law officers.

    “NEC called on all the federal and state governments to take action and assign security protection to law officers as well as security allowances as it is obtainable in other climes.”

    LOAN stressed the need for all to ensure the sustenance of judicial independence and argued that it was impossible to effectively fight crime “without adequate safety and protection of prosecutors, judges and magistrates.

    The communique further reads: “NEC noted with concern the state of insecurity in the nation. It condemned the wanton destruction of lives and properties orchestrated by terrorists, herdsmen, kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers and the like in the nation and called on the Federal Government and security agencies to put in place measures to curb these anomalies.

    Read Also: Faces of new lawyers in incoming cabinet

    “NEC urged all Nigerians to be security conscious and proactive through timeous report of security threats and security breaches to the appropriate security agencies.

    “NEC re-committed itself to the rule of law and restated its belief in the sanctity of the independence of the judiciary as the bedrock of democratic society.

    “NEC encouraged other arms of government and security agencies to give the judiciary free hands and the needed independence to carry out her constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour.”

    The communique, sighted by The Nation, was signed by LOAN National President, Yusuf Abdullahi and General Secretary, Joseph Jebba.

    The group called for enhanced welfare for its members and said priority be given to its senior members in the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    It stated: “NEC observed that the positions of DPP, DCL Ind SG/PS are positions of high professional standing in the legal profusion. ll. NEC recommended that the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) should give priority to these law officers in the award of SAN-ship.

    “NEC observed that some states of the federation are yet to implement the harmonisation of the salaries of law officers.

    “NEC resolved that a letter of commendation from LOAN be sent to states that have implemented the harmonisation of salaries of law officers and made significant strides in the welfare of law officers; and appealed that states yet to implement the harmonisation of salaries and peculiar allowances of law officers should do so.

    “NEC resolved that the provision of vehicles to all law officers by the federal and state governments was imperative and called on the federal and state governments to action to meet this need as a matter of priority for the safety and security of law officers.”

  • EFCC traces cash to Kwara ex-governor’s wife’s account

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced some of the looted N2 billion for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) in Kwara State to the account of a former First Lady in the state.

    The First Lady, who has so far refunded N3 million, has refused to report to the anti-graft agency for interrogation.

    She told EFCC that she was indisposed but silent on the nature of her illness. She also has not presented any medical report.

    The commission might stop her from traveling abroad under any guise.

    Also, a royal father, who was given N78 million out of the N2 billion, might be arrested for refusing to refund the slush funds.

    It was learnt that one of the market women used a share of her illicit allocation to organise the disruption of Tradermoni outing in Ilorin by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The ex-First Lady had illegally collected cash from the N2 billion which she diverted to her foundation.

    But detectives discovered that instead of using the cash for SMED, she converted it to promote herself.

    The objective of the foundation is to “initiate and implement strategies to deal with Cultural, Socio-economic, Health and Wellbeing issues militating against the development of Children, Youth and Women.”

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Our detectives are on the trace of the ex-First Lady. We accorded her much respect but she has been avoiding interrogation.

    “Without honouring our invitation, she later sent the director of her foundation to refund N3 million to EFCC. But we need her to come for interaction on the looted funds traced to her. She is claiming to be sick but no evidence of any medical report.

    “If she does not appear before EFCC detectives, we are going to watch-list her and prevent her from traveling abroad.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Some of the suspects already quizzed have implicated the ex-First Lady. There is also evidence of allocation of funds from the N2 billion for SMED to her account.

    “Selected and influential market men and women across the 16 local government areas of the state received N5 million each as loans, but did not payback.

    “One of the market women used a share of her illicit allocation to organise the disruption ofTradermoni outing by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Read Also: EFCC charges Atiku’s lawyer with $2m laundering

    “About 50 percent of the controversial loans were shared by highly placed individuals and selected businessmen and women at the expense of other beneficiaries.”

    As at press time, there were indications that a First Class royal father, who collected N78 million out of the SME bazaar, might be arrested for refusing to refund the cash.

    The source said: “There were no justifiable reasons for the allocation of the N78 million to the ruler. The money was also not used for farming which he got it for.

    “The traditional ruler has been running around for soft landing. But the issue at stake is about public funds. We may arrest him any moment from now.”

    The EFCC has so far arrested the Director-General, Kwara State Bureau of SMED, Segun Soewu, over alleged N2billion fraud.

    Some of those arrested were: Ogudu Samuel of Brightway Micro-finance; A.K. Imam of Magajin Garin MFB;   Adeleke M.S. of Sincere Micro-Finnace Bank(MFB); Yusuf Muideen of Balogun Fulani MFB; Issa Abdulrasheed of KCMB Mfb, and Oyebode Asimiyu of Apels MFB.

    Others include Lawal Ayo of Omu-Aran MFB; Tope Eniola of Iludun MFB;  Lawal Folashade of Stockcarp MFB; Yusuf Tajudeen of First Heritage MFB;  and Olawoye E.O. of Offa MFB.

    The EFCC began the probe of the N2 billion following intelligence reports alleging fraudulent misappropriation and mismanagement of the cash to assist market men and women across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

    All the MFBs failed to follow due process and the SME cash was also distributed to highly-placed politicians, and prominent people in the 16 local government areas in the state.

  • Shiites leaders, operatives ‘escort’ El-Zakzaky to India

    THE Federal Government on Monday allowed a 10-man delegation to accompany the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, to India on medical trip.

    The delegation is made up of four IMN (Shiites) leaders and six security operatives. The IMN also spoke on El-Zakzaky’s trip.

    An IMN member gave the names of its leader’s family members on the trip as Zainab and Hassan Bala. The name of the accompanying doctor was given simply as Rahamat. But the security operatives were not identified.

    They flew out of the country on Emirates Commercial airliner yesterday via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to India. The IMN leader and his wife are to receive medical attention for undisclosed health challenge.

    According to investigation, the government opted for delegates from both sides to “ensure a transparent medical procedure.”

    A top source said: “The government decided to allow four leaders/ members of the Shiites to follow El-Zakzaky to demonstrate its commitment to a fair and transparent medical procedure.

    “The government did not want to leave any gap for misrepresentation of the medical treatment.  All these delegates will be part of the process.

    “The government felt there was need to build confidence between the two sides. This is a sensitive trip.”

    It was also learnt that the Federal Government “mitigated the legal course, especially the conditions attached to the trip” based on security reports and to show good faith.

    The source added: “The conditions set by the court were acceptable to both parties and the Federal Government deliberately mitigated further legal hurdles at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to show good faith.

    “Security reports also indicated that there was no basis for dragging the legal issues on the conditions further. The agencies advised against aggravating the situation.”

    The list of delegates was kept under wraps last night for “security reasons.”

    The IMN on Monday released the details of El-Zakzaky and his wife’s departure for India.

    It said the wife could only make it to the airport on a wheelchair.

    Read Also: El-Zakzaky, wife released to travel for medicare

    The IMN gave the details in a statement by the Chairman, Free Zakzaky Campaign Committee,  Abdurrahman Abubakar Yola.

    The statement said: “The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife have at last just left Nigeria for India alongside some family members and security operatives.

    “This followed the granting of the couple’s application for leave to seek medical attention in New Delhi, India last week by Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court.

    “In spite of the attempted efforts at frustrating this emergency medical journey by the Kaduna state government, which tried to unilaterally put conditions to the journey even though it lacked such powers, the journey has gone on without hitches.

    “This emergency medical journey is consequent on the facts that both the Sheikh and his wife are known to be clearly very ill in detention, sequel to the brutal wounds unjustifiably inflicted on them by the state agents in the name of Nigerian army, the resultant prolonged dehumanising detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the obvious poisoning of the Sheikh.

    “As a result of all these physical and psychological stress, the Sheikh suffered series of mild strokes and is at the risk of further recurrences.

    “At the same time, he lost one eye following the military attack and is at a severe risk of losing his sight completely in the other. He is now found to have more than twenty times the toxic levels of lead poison in his body!

    “Similarly, the wife has been under excruciating pains with shrapnel deeply lodged in her body for all these years of inhuman conditions in detention. She now is able to ambulate only with the use of a wheelchair, even to the airport.

    “They have been battling ailments that could not be treated in Nigeria, as posited by the foreign medical experts that earlier in the year assessed their health condition. Undoubtedly, both risk losing their lives had the medical journey been further delayed or denied.

    “We wish to use this opportunity to thank all people of conscience, particularly the team of lawyers being led by Femi Falana, SAN, some very senior citizens, diplomats, human rights activists and organisations, journalists and the general public who doggedly stood by us in the campaign for justice for the victims of Zaria genocide. Thank you and God bless.”

    The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and DSS that had been working behind the scene to resolve the impasse triggered by the detention of Shiite leader have advised the presidency on the appropriateness of obeying the court orders since some foreign interests including the Iranian government have sought a diplomatic approach in managing the issue.

    The Kaduna State government had after the court order given fresh conditions which include:

    • the confirmation of his appointment with the hospital by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
    • an undertaking by the defendants to produce two prominent and reliable persons as sureties, one being a first-class chief/emir of national repute and the other a prominent person within Kaduna State, who shall undertake to produce the defendants whenever they are needed.

    The Kaduna State government which has shown respect to the court’s ruling on medical leave, however, disagreed with the premises on which it is based.

  • Row over minimum wage payment delay

    WHAT is delaying the implementation of the “Consequential Adjustment” of the N30, 000 new minimum wage?

    The Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) Chairman, Chief Richard Egbule, blames it on the unrealistic demands by Labour unions.

    But Josiah Biobelemoye, a member of the Joint National Public Negotiating Council on the adjustment, accused the government of stalling the process.

    Explaining why the Federal Government cannot accede to Labour’s request, the NSIWC boss said the workers’ demand would push the total wage bill too high.

    He said: “Labour is asking for consequential adjustment and government in its wisdom had made budgetary provision for an adjustment of N10, 000 across board for those already earning above N30, 000 per month.

    “However, the Unions have refused this offer, saying that because the increase in minimum wage from 18,000 to N30, 000 was 66 per cent, therefore they want 66 per cent increment across board.

    “We told them that the minimum wage was not raised from N18, 000 to N30, 000 through percentage increase but as a result of consideration of economic factors including ability to pay.

    “However, we said that if they want consequential adjustments in percentage terms, we will use a percentage that when applied will not exceed what has been provided for in the budget.

    “The computation based on percentage which government had given to labour, was 9.5 per cent from level seven to 14 including level 1-6 of those salary structures that did not benefit from the minimum wage.

    “And then five percent from level 15 to 17. Labour countered the offer and proposed 30 per cent increase for level seven to 14 and 25 per cent for level 15 to 17.

    “One point  we keep repeating is, it will be unfair that because you gave the person earning minimum wage N12, 000, you give a level 17 officer almost N100, 000 if you apply 25 per cent.”

    Egbule said that at the last meeting between the Federal Government and the Labour unions, the government proposed a 10 per cent increment for level seven to 14 and a 5.5 per cent increase for level 15 to 17.

    He urged Labour to come to a compromise because government had so far been magnanimous in agreeing to increase salaries without any threat of downsizing.

    Egbule said: “Labour is currently stretching out and eating up the time that people could have used in benefiting from the adjustment because the new minimum wage was implemented since April.

    “My advice is for labour to accept the terms for now and prepare to fight for the harmonization of salaries that is coming up. Harmonisation of salaries will take care of this issue.

    “The committee has already been formed and awaiting inauguration. I want them (Labour) to know this and liberate us from this unnecessary log jam.”

    Egbule reiterated the commission’s commitment to giving sound advice to the government on the portion of national income that should be devoted to the payment of salaries and wages.

    Biobelemoye, who is the National President of Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU) and National Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), said what the government was offering as consequential adjustment for workers from levels 07 to 14 and those on levels 15 to 17 was ridiculous.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, Labour minimum wage talks deadlocked

    According to him, the N10, 000 which the government claimed to have included in the budget was done without consultation with union leaders, pointing out that the figure was not cast on stone as a supplementary budget can be made to accommodate the demand of workers.

    He further said that between 2011 and 2017, there was no salary adjustment, hence the fact that the demand of workers or consequential adjustment right now cannot be met by the government, adding that with the cordial relationship between the executive and legislature, it will be easy to pass a supplementary budget to accommodate workers demand.

    He wondered why the government team would rush to the media to accuse Labour of delaying the conclusion of negotiation, stressing that it was not the intention of the workers representatives to delay the entire process.

    Biobelemoye said: “The difference between the N18, 000 and the new minimum wage of N30,000 is 66.6 per cent. But we have been considerate and asked for a 30 percent consequential adjustment for levels 07 to 14 and 25 percent for level 15 to 17. But the government is offering 9.5 per cent and 5 percent respectively and that is ridiculous.

    “What that means is that while we are asking the government to add about N85, 000 to the salary of a director who is the highest paid civil servant earning about N400, 000, the government is wants to add just N22, 000 to him and that is not good enough.

    “What we are saying is that the government should do the right thing. They are lying to the President that there is no money to implement the new wages and they are the same persons proposing salary of N140, 000 for workers in other sectors. What justice is that?

    “In 2010, there was a salary adjustment which raised salary of workers to N17, 100. So, when the minimum wage law was passed in 2011 making it N18, 000, we just assumed that what was added was just N9, 000. But between then and the time the N30, 000 minimum wage was announced, there was no salary adjustment.

    “However, we are having a meeting of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council with the Government team on Wednesday and so, I don’t understand why they had to rush to the media. Since they have done that, we can as well tell the whole world our position”.

    The NSIWC boss also explained how the Federal Government saved over N400 billion by stopping Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) fraud and other illegal allowances in public institutions.

    He said: “Some board chairmen are in the habit of pushing the chief executives to pay what is not appropriate or authorised by government.”

    Egbule claimed that some government furniture allowance yearly. Such allowance, he noted, ought to be paid once every four years.

    He also alleged that civil servants often raise a night allowance of N35, 000 due to a minister to as high as N150, 000.

    “Also, you won’t believe that staff schools which are the concern of universities and tertiary institutions have also been abused.

    “These universities establish primary and secondary schools, collect school fees from pupils, but place their teachers as staff of the universities that the government pays.

    “In fact in many of them, teachers collect salaries as much as a professor. So, all these things we discovered and put a stop to it.”

  • 2023: El-Rufai under fire over call to end zoning

    KADUNA State Governor Nasir El-Rufai came under fire on Monday over his suggestion that zoning of political offices should be de-emphasised.

    Senior lawyers and rights activists believe that El-Rufai is flying a kite so that the North will retain power after the expiration of President Muhamamdu Buhari’s two-term tenure in 2023.

    Senator Shehu Sani, who took on those mulling the idea of the North retaining power in the post-2023 era, said it would amount to ingratitude not to allow power to return to the South.

    He spoke during a Sallah visit to elder statesman and Second Republic Governor of Old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

    El-Rufai stirred controversy last week when he said Nigeria could not continue on the same path of zoning political positions based on regions.

    The governor made his position known in a prologue titled: “Defeating a determined incumbent – The Nigerian experience”, which he contributed to a book – “Power of Possibilities and Politics of Change in Nigeria” – written by the Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) Salihu Lukman.

    He writes: “Even with our success in the 2015 elections, there is room for improvement. Barriers to political equality, such as our seemingly entrenched though informal rule for zoning candidacies according to regions of origin, need to be de-emphasised and ultimately abandoned in favour of an emphasis on qualification, competence and character.”

    Those who spoke on the issue in separate interviews include former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), a constitutional lawyer Ike Ofuokwu, and a group of Igbo lawyers, the Otu Oka Iwu (Law Society).

    Sani recalled how the support of southerners, particularly the Southwest facilitated President Buhari’s victory in 2015.

    Sani said: “My view on that is very simple; it is an act of ingratitude for any northerner to think that by 2023, he or she should aspire for office in the view of the fact that, Southerners, particularly the southwest did everything possible to support the northern candidate to emerge as the president in 2015.

    “It will amount to changing the rules of the game at half time, when you are leading two zero. It can also be likened to removing the ladder after you have plucked the fruit.

    “The North should appreciate the support of progressive-minded nationalists from the southwest or the southern part of Nigeria who worked tirelessly to remove the PDP from power in 2015.

    “We have not forgotten that President Buhari had contested three times without becoming President and on the fourth time, with the support of people from the South, he emerged the President of the country.

    “It would be unfair after eight years, for us to think of continuing to hold the grip and levers of power in Nigeria.

    “Another point is that, in an ideal society where ethnicity, religion and other interests play no role, we can think of that in the farther future, but where all these issues continue, in a political scheme of Nigeria, we can’t shy aware from them.

    “What we need to put into perspective is the fact that it will be a serious threat to unity and peace of our country if one part of the country will continue to dominate the political sphere of the country due to its demographic majority and land size.

    “I’m a socialist and I believe that the one who should preside over the affairs of the country should be competent, but is it competence that brought the ruling party to power in 2015?

    “I think we should be very frank to ourselves and it will also be good for the President that he should rein in people in his party, to caution them against dropping such kind of discourse while at its infant stage now, before it overheat the polity.

    “After President Buhari, power needs to rotate to some of these major geopolitical zones; you cannot close the door after you have gone inside. SouthWest has helped us to be where we are today.

    “You can’t talk of competency when you have not produced an Igbo president. Are they not Nigerians? You cannot continue to punish them for the offence which they are not architect of? That is my view.

    “And for the North, it is important for the President to set a policy agenda in the next four years to address the socio economic and security problems facing the northern part of Nigeria.

    “The president must invest in the North in agriculture, education, infrastructure for us to prepare for a restructured Nigeria. Northern governors must complement that.”

    Elder statesman Tanko Yakassai, said: “It is up to the APC, because neither Nasir El-Rufai nor Shehu Sani can speak for the APC and the North.

    “They are expressing their individual opinions, because they do not have the locus standi to speak for the North on the issue of zoning. But one thing I can say is that they are members of the APC, which has embraced the zoning arrangement since President Buhari came to power. So, it is up to the party whether to retain the zoning arrangement in 2023 or abandon it.

    “I doubt if the APC as a party would subscribe to El-Rufai’s view. In fact, the position of El-Rufai would not auger well for the APC as a party in 2023, because it would undermine the party’s standing in the South. It would be counter-productive for the party to adopt such a position, given the interest of its members from the South who supported the North to grab power in 2015 and retain it in the last general elections.

    “Though it is not backed by the constitution, zoning is a reality of the Nigerian situation, so sooner or later it has to be adopted as part of our laws, because it provides for the stability of the country.”

    He noted that El-Rufai’s statement had sent a wrong signal, because APC members in the South would think twice on whether to continue supporting the party or not.

    “This is because APC members in the South will not see it as a statement by an individual; they would regard it as those of a clique in the North determined to hold on to power.  Therefore, it would be a danger signal for the South to continue supporting the APC”, he said.

    The National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the idea of a northern president in 2023 will not fly.

    He said: “I have always had the position that Nigeria does not have constitution that has provided for rotation of power. But, at the same time, the rotational arrangement has become conventional. It is that rotational convention that made it easier for President Buhari to defeat a sitting president in 2015, because 2015 was widely perceived as the turn of a northerner to become president. Since President Buhari towered above every other person from the North, he won.

    He added: “In the build up to 2019, the UPP as a party – the party I lead – we knew that any person running for president from the South would be swimming against the tide. So, we decided to allow the North to complete its eight years, by not fielding a candidate for the presidential election, and that was what happened.

    “It is that same convention that Nigeria would observe by 2023. Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop any person from the North wishing to run, but the person will never be able to win the presidential election. Such persons will be like those southerners who ran in 2019 and never stood any chance of winning.

    “Owing to the fact that it is not a law, anybody can run. The likes of El-Rufai can run, if they wish to do so. But, if El-Rufai is able to win Kaduna State, he should thank his stars. Buhari with all his qualities and following in the “North was not able to win on three previous occasions. But when Nigerians said it is the turn of the North, forces came together to mobilise support for him. In the South, the Southwest especially played a key role in making sure that he won.

    “If for anything, the contest for leadership in 2023 will be between the Southwest and the Southeast. But, if equity has anything to do with politics, it should be the turn of the Southeast, considering the fact that the region has not produced any elected leader since independence.

    “Anybody who believes that the next president would come from the North, based on what El-Rufai is insinuating, is indulging in wishful thinking. I can tell you categorically that the idea of a northern president in 2023 will not fly.”

    Lagos APC chieftain Lanre Razaq dismissed El-Rufai’s comment as divisive and undermining Nigeria’s unity.

    He said nobody should toy with the unity the country was enjoying through the political arrangement put in place.

    Razaq said: He said: “Some people don’t know the value of Nigeria being together. A situation where you consider some segment of the country not entitled to the presidency is the most vicious act that can befall the country.”

    Agbakoba is of the view that zoning does not matter in ideal societies, adding that it will take time for Nigeria to attain such democratic maturity.

    He said: “In a truly organised state, the ideal is to place competence and character at the heart of the minimum standards for public service.

    “Unfortunately, we are far from an ideal Nigeria and we will have to struggle to get the balance right as this policy is entrenched in the Constitution and designated federal character.”

    Ngige said while El-Rufai is entitled to his opinion, he should have canvassed such position in 1999.

    The senior advocate said: “Ordinarily, his view is supportable where all things are equal, but in the peculiar circumstances of our political evolution, the three or four major ethnic groups should be allowed to have a feel of that office before abolishing the concept of zoning.

    “To do so now will be most unfair. For now, rotation of the presidency is still vital for our national unity, cohesion and equity.

    “In so doing, the zone or section whose turn it is to produce a President must ensure that their first eleven are presented as candidates for the office, thereby giving Nigerian voters multiple choice of capable candidates to pick from.”

    Read Also: El-Rufai threatens to sack commissioners

    Ngige noted that since the return to civil rule in 1999, no Nigerian has been precluded from contesting for the highest office in Nigeria on account of where he comes from.

    He said: “In 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo secured the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu secured the ticket of All Progressives Party (APP). Strangely, overnight the ticket was surrendered to Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, who ran a joint ticket of AD/APP with Chief Olu Falae of AD.

    “In 2003, more political parties were registered, enabling candidates like Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Jim Nwobodo, Arthur Nwankwo, Chris Okotie, Tunji Braithwaite, Gani Fawehinmi, Balarabe Musac Olopade Agoro, Pere Ajuwa and others to contest without let or hindrance. Obasanjo of PDP won that election, though in controversial circumstances.

    “In 2007, more parties were registered and these same candidates also contested freely. In 2011, 2015 and 2019 candidates for the presidency also emerged from different parts of the country and Nigerian voters made their choice.

    “So, in effect, realistically speaking, rotation is just in the minds of the electorate as nobody has been precluded from contesting for President on account of where he comes from.

    “It is just one or two of the major political parties that promote the concept of zoning and has succeeded in doing so because they fielded popular candidates.

    “If the other parties had fielded candidates more popular than the victorious candidates, they could have won thereby rendering El-Rufai’s views academic,” Ngige said.

    Mike Ozekhome (SAN) believed the Kaduna governor was “flying a kite”, adding that El-Rufai was fronting for the “northern elite” which understand power better than “the southern establishment.”

    According to him, northern power brokers would not be willing to give up power after President Buhari’s tenure ends in 2023.

    Ozekhome said: “Southern politicians will have a shocker coming to them, because the north will not let go of power.”

    Another SAN, Chief Emeka Okpoko (SAN) said the timing of El-Rufai’s call was suspicious. He wondered if “there wasn’t a selfish motive” behind the governor’s suggestion.

    Okpoko said: “If it was said because they (the North) have exhausted their term, it becomes something else entirely. Politicians should be elected based on competence, no doubt about it.

    “But is the call genuine? Is it bona fide? Is there anything behind it? Is there any intention that is unclear to us behind it? I don’t see him (El-Rufai) as a straight shooter. There could be something behind it.”

    Okpoko suggested that if the call for abolishment of zoning of the Presidency is implemented at this time “without letting the Presidency rotate, without allowing it to go round” it would not make sense….”

    He noted, for instance, that the Southeast had not tasted the Presidency.

    “For me, he (El-Rufai) didn’t say it bona fide, he may have a selfish purpose.”

    Ofuokwu, an Anioma leader of thought in Delta State, believes El-Rufai’s views were selfish.

    He said: “Mallam El-Rufai is only laying foundation for his selfish desire to contest for president in 2023.

    “I concede to the fact that qualification, competence and character should be the emphasis. However, due regards and consideration must be given to the other sections of the country.

    “We the Anioma people are irrevocably committed to zoning of the presidency. To suggest otherwise as El-Rufai just did, is hopelessly quixotic.”

    The Otu Oka Iwu (Law Society), in a statement by its President Chief Chuks Ikokwu, said the tussle for President will not be so fierce if power is devolved to the regions.

    The group said it was instructive that El-Rufai chaired the All Progressives Congress (APC) committee that recommended restructuring as the best governance model for Nigeria.

    “It is very disappointing that Governor El-Rufai has abandoned his committee’s report so soon after the national elections. This would seem opportunistic. His current preoccupation with the zoning formula is clearly a needless distraction.

    “We urge Governor El-Rufai to focus on encouraging the Federal Government to revisit the restructuring agenda which was on the front-burner during the national elections, and which has virtually been endorsed by all zones of the country as the only way forward.

    “A restructured Nigeria with devolution of power to the federating units will practically make the current fierce tussle for the centre needless.

    “Nigeria needs a re-engineering of its foundation; otherwise any structure put on it will not stand. It is futile to talk of zoning of political offices or otherwise when the structure of the federation is faulty.

    “It behoves on Governor El-Rufai to channel his efforts towards delivering the noble and all-important restructuring agenda,” the Otu Oka Iwu said.

  • Tasks before new Federal High Court CJ, by lawyers

    As Justice John Terhemba Tsoho settles into office as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, lawyers and other patrons of the court’s services have identified areas that should attract his attention, ERIC IKHILAE reports

    The baton of leadership changed hands at the Federal High Court on July 26, 2019, when Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad inaugurated Justice John Terhemba Tsoho as the head of the court.

    Justice Tsoho, now the court’s 10th Chief Judge (albeit in acting capacity), took over from Justice Adamu Abdu Kafarati, who retired on June 25, on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65.

    Expectedly, attention has shifted to the new helmsman, with many stakeholders looking up to him to address the myriad of challenges plaguing the court.

    The challenges include the perennial delay in justice dispensation, the seeming lethargy/lassitude in ICT deployment to court’s operations and systemic corruption and questionable personnel policies, among others.

    The man Tsoho

    Born on June 24, 1959 in Mbaduku, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Tsoho attended St. Anthony’s Primary School, Chenge-Mbaduku (FSLC) (1967 -1972); St. Michael’s Secondary School, Aiide, from where he obtained his West African School Certificate, WASC (1973 – 1977).

    He attended the Murtala College of Arts, Science and Technology, Makurdi for the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Examination, IJMBE, (1978 -1979) and graduated from the University of Lagos with a Bachelor degree in Law (1980 -1984). He was at the Nigerian Law School in 1985.

    Tsoho was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court on November 12, 1998 having served in the Benue State Judiciary in various capacities after a brief stint in private practice in Gboko, from August 1986 to October 1986.

    He served as Inspector of Area Court, Benue State Judiciary, between January 1986 and 1987, after which he served as Magistrate and later Chief Magistrate between January 1988 and March 1996. He was Acting Chief Registrar in 1997 before his appointment as a judge of the Federal High Court the next year.

    Tsoho’s predecessors

    Tsoho’s predecessors are: Justice S.O. Lambo, Justice T. A. Phil Ebosie, Justice F.O Aanyaegbunam, Justice M. B. Belfore, Justice R. N. Ukeje, Justice A. Mustapha, Justice D. D. Abutu, Justice I. N. Auta and Justice A. A. Kafarati.

    The Federal High Court

    The court came into existence on April 13, 1973 as Federal Revenue Court, via Decree No.13 of 1973. It was renamed the Federal High Court on October 1, 1979 with the coming into effect of the 1979 Constitution.

    Regarded as the court with the most jurisdiction in the country, issues and disputes on which the Federal High Court has powers are spelt out in Section 251 of the Constitution, in addition to terrorism and pre- and post-election cases.

    At inception, the court had five judges including the head judge, who was then referred to as the President. The number of judges rose to 32 with the promulgation of the Federal High Court (amendment) Decree No. 4 of 1990.

    When the court’s Act was amended in 1992, the number of its judges rose to 50. It again rose to 70 in 2007. The National Assembly, by a Bill passed by the Senate on May 17, 2012, raised the number of judges of the court to 100.

    Since the number was raised to 100, the court has been unable to engage that number of judges. But, as at today, the court has about 82 judges, some of whom would retire before the year runs out.

    Number of judges

     

    S/N                  Year                  No of Judges

    1                       1979                           5

    2                       1990                          32

    3                       1992                          50

    4                       2007                           70

    5                       2019*                         82

     

    • The National Assembly raised the number of FHC judges to 100 by on May 17, 2012. But the court has been unable to engage that number of judges.

    Challenges of the FHC

    Arguably, delay in justice dispensation remains a major challenge of the court system, with the Federal High Court attracting a greater attention given its broad jurisdictional space, which accounts for the volume of cases it is expected to attend to.

    Delay in court processes, however, is occasioned by many factors, including, but not limited to, the number and quality of judges, the quality and quantity of work tools available to the judges, the quality and number of support staff, the availability of a conducive work environment and sufficient remuneration.

    These identified issues, lawyers and other patrons of the Federal High Court say, should attract the attention Justice Tsoho, should he be interested in making an impact.

    The way to go

    To address delay, stakeholders suggested that the current leadership of the court should begin the process for the recruitment of more judges.

    They added that in view of the length of time required for the recruitment process,  a short-term measure should be adopted to ensure that some judges, who are seen to be less productive, should be redeployed to jurisdictions where the volume of cases to be attended to is less.

    It has also been suggested that the new leadership in the court should evolve measures to encourage enhanced deployment of technologies in the operations of the court. This, observers argued, will not only reduce the stress judges go through while manually recording proceedings, but also reduce the time spent on cases.

    Observers are also of the view that there is the need to evolve ways of addressing corrupt practices within the court system, a development which is blamed for the eroding public confidence in the court’s ability to dispense swift and ‘untainted’ justice.

    CJN’s agenda for Tsoho

    CJN Muhammad was the first to set agenda for Tsoho while administering the oath of office on him.

    He advised the FHC Acting CJ to sustain the tempo of activities and work more to improve on what he was inheriting.

    In terms of appointment, Justice Muhammad advised Justice Tsoho to go for the best, because “we always want the best and the best for the Judiciary.”

    Justice Muhammad also advised Justice Tsoho not to limit his physical presence to the court’s headquarters in Abuja, but to always visit other divisions across the country to enable him have a first-hand knowledge of what the problems are in those divisions.

    He said: “Do not just sit down and be a hearsay person, visit all divisions of your court to know their challenges and think of solutions to the problems. More grease to your elbow and I wish you success and God guidance.”

    The preponderance of opinion is that effort should be directed at speeding up the pace of justice dispensation, by ensuring efficient utilisation of time by judges through effective case management skills.

    Falana: FHC must adopt case management systems

    In a recent presentation, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, stressed the need for courts to adopt case management systems to address delay in the face of growing volume of cases.

    Falana said with the increasing patronage of courts by the citizenry, courts should device case management systems to enable them cope effectively.

    An approach to case management, he said, requires the court to merge cases on similar issues and of similar facts, and then decide one, while the other will abide by the decision of the court on the decided case.

    He added that with the growing number of cases, particularly at the Federal High Court, “the National Judicial Council (NJC) needs to ensure that we have a full complement of the court all the time with regard to the increasing volume of cases in that court. But on the part of the leadership of the court, there is an urgent need for case management.”

    Falana argued that if the FHC Chief Judge conducts monthly visits to all federal detention centres as provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), there would be no need for many detention cases pending before courts.

    He contended that since the elite form the bulk of users of court services, they could lose hope in the system, which accounts for why the Federal High Court may wish to learn from Lagos State, where a number of cases are settled at the pre-trial stage.

    FHC judges must shun manual recording of proceedings, says Kafarati

    Falana’s position was supported by many other stakeholders, who urged the Justice Tsoho to promote the court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, which is one of the last projects inaugurated by Justice Kafarati.

    Justice Kafarati, while inaugurating the ADR Centre in Abuja on July 5, 2019, was optimistic that the centre would help to reduce the large case volume and aid the overall administration of justice.

    “The centre will no doubt help to determine cases with arbitration clauses in their agreements which were not explored before parties rushed to court,” he added.

    Although the court had, before now, employed stenographers who are deployed to most courts, most judges of the Federal High Court still record proceedings manually.

    Incidentally, while most of the courtrooms, particularly at the headquarters, are fitted with computers and large electronic screens, court records are still kept manually.

    “Why will a judge still be allowed to engage in manual recording of proceedings in this time and age? The court should make it compulsory for every judge to ensure that court proceedings are recorded electronically to save time’’

    What to do with ‘lazy’ FHC judges 

    According to Kafarati, some FHC judges are “lazy”. He advised that “the new head of the court should also look at the issue of lazy judges. Some of the judges are lazy and devote time to issues other than the administration of justice.

    “Judges should be committed to the job. Those who are seen to be lazy should be redeployed to other jurisdictions where the volume of cases is low.

    “The use of technology for case management and efficient administration of justice is the only sensible option now. The court’s management should deploy pervasive technology for case management and efficient administration of justice.”

    A Senior Advocate, who spoke in confidence, said: “The deployment of technology should not be limited to recording systems; it should be extended to taking evidence. I am convinced that cases will be handled and disposed off  faster and efficiently with the use of technology,”

    ‘Pay attention to corruption’

    Another lawyer, Dr. Steven Yusuf, was of the view that it would amount to merely stating the obvious when “one begins to set agenda for heads of institutions in Nigeria. This is because, they know what to do, but will hardly see the need to do the right thing because of self  interest.

    “While I congratulate him and pray that he be made a substantive head of the court, I will only advise him to pay attention to the endemic corruption within the court system. He should also ensure continuous training for staff and judicial officers of the court.

    “These, to me, are the key steps to ensure that the court functions efficiently under his watch. We wish him well.”

  • Sanwo-Olu: I’ll be open and transparent

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to preside over an open and transparent administration that will be the pride of the Centre of Excellence.

    He said: “I must continue to raise the bar of performance. We need to get to the next level that is better than yesterday.”

    The governor told reporters at the State House, Marina, at the weekend that, at the end of four years, Lagos will not remain the same, stressing that his administration will be decisive in its determination to fight poverty and create opportunities for businesses to thrive.

    Noting that last Saturday marked his 74 days in office, Sanwo-Olu said “it has been 74 days of ups and downs, 74 days of essence of governance, 74 days of rebirth of me and glorious things happening in Lagos State.”

    Reiterating his determination to make a difference, he added: “It should be better. People are watching and conscious of what you do. I thank the media for support. I thank God for being at the helm of leadership of the City State of Lagos.”

    The governor described the journey of administration as a long marathon, recalling that he got the first baptism from the media when he went to Abuja, only to realise the second day that the least aspect of the short interview with him about his lost weight was reported.

    Sanwo-Olu said the last 74 days were characterised by pressures, hard work, assessment and strategic interaction with the civil service to know the state of affairs and challenges.

    He said his choice by Lagosians and the conferment of a popular mandate on him were not lost on him.

    Sanwo-Olu promised to do what will delight the media and sustain the confidence of Lagosians in his ability to deliver the dividends of democracy.

    He added: “At the end of the four years, Lagos will not remain the same.”

  • ‘Kwara needs reforms, says AbdulRazaq’

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday urged the people to support his push for reforms.

    He said the 2019 polls have led to a paradigm shift, adding that the people voted for development and prudence, instead of waste and underdevelopment.

    Speaking at the 2nd Annual Grand Durbar ceremony organised by the Ilorin Emirate Council in Ilorin, the state capital, AbdulRazaq advised the people to refrain from behaviours that could stall progress.

    He was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi.

    The governor commended the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Kolapo Sulu Gambari, and the Ilorin Emirate Council for the historical cultural event.

    He said: “We must embrace reforms, which are often tough at the beginning. We must make tough choices in our decision to move our state forward.

    “I have made my personal decision along this line. I will not use public funds to enjoy or gratify myself at the expense of the people. Public resources will only be applied strictly to public projects and overheads approved and budgeted for.

    “We will not entertain excesses of any sort. With the people’s interest as the guiding principle, we will do things differently and purposefully to get more impactful results.

    “I appeal to our people to unite behind this agenda for the progress of our community and generations yet unborn. Anything short of this will keep us moving in a circle and that would defeat the purpose of our people standing in the sun to vote the way they did.”

    AbdulRazaq reiterated his resolve to institutionalise the cultural activities in the state to boost tourism and economic growth,.

    He described the Durbar as the heritage of Ilorin people and a testament to the bravery and valour of their forebears, especially the royal lineage of Sheikh Alimi.

    The governor said prudent management of resources was necessary to drive growth.

    He added: “Let me clarify this too. Kwara is immensely blessed with abundant natural and human resources, as the quality of attendance at this Durbar shows.

    “Kwara is, however, not so rich in monetary terms.  But, that was not the reason for the slow development. The problem was that the little resources Kwara had was not going into building sustainable future. This is what we need to change, this is what we are changing, and that requires the support of all of you.”

    The Emir thanked the guests for their attendance and gave a chieftaincy title of Danmazani of Ilorin to the Durbar Committee Chairman, Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa.

    The Grand Durbar was attended by prominent guests, sons and daughters of Ilorin from across the country and beyond. They included Senator Ibrahim Yahya Oloriegbe; Chief of Staff Alh Adisa Logun; Olusin of Isanl-Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede; Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Moshood Mustapha; Lukman Mustapha; Mallam Olaolu Ali (SAN); former Vice Chancellors of University of Ilorin, Professors Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem and Abduganiyu Ambali; and Mallam Soliu Mustapha.

  • States to the rescue

    •Resolve to use forest guards, drones to fight herdsmen banditry

    Many states, including Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Kaduna have indicated active interest in deploying drones to fight all forms of banditry. In addition, states in the Southeast have agreed to hire not less than 1,700 ‘Forest Guards’ and install CCTV at strategic points in the region, as well as clear bushes around highways up to 50 metres, inside, to improve visibility for motorists in areas with thick and deciduous forests.

    In all, there are three strategies on the plate of states to fight crimes, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and other life-denying forms of banditry in rural areas of many states perceived by many governors as victims of a failed or failing security system. For effectiveness, each of the states ought to adopt all the strategies to deploy technology and community members to assist in intelligence gathering that can prevent crime and identify criminals before they become too dangerous to unarmed citizens. In other words, states that have put emphasis on establishment of forest vigilantes and those who put emphasis on use of technology should share strategies to fight criminality in the forest of states and along inter-state roads.

    Undoubtedly, that states need to resort to new measures to defend their rural communities is an indication that the existing security architecture in the country has failed to protect citizens and their property as demanded by the country’s constitution. While failure of existing federally controlled law enforcement and security maintaining agencies may be seen by many as incidental, we consider the festering of insecurity in many parts of the country in the last few years as a symptom of flawed philosophy of securing a large federation of diverse cultures.

    It is, however, reassuring that many states have accepted the inevitability of multiple systems of maintaining law and public order that can create space for subnational governments to design security architecture to meet their special needs in the various cultural zones.  It is also remarkable that states are calling for an integrated police system that will allow for synergy between national and subnational policing. State and community policing systems that are popular in other parts of the world are good models for Nigeria to consider as it looks for better ways of securing citizens and their property.

    Furthermore, the rhetoric about the imperative of multilayered policing is at present justifiably high. But states must be prepared to move the rhetoric to policy and implementation levels in good time. Hiring forest guards is doable and should not take inordinate time to achieve. States with forests in the country used to have forest guards to prevent deforestation. Such template can be enlarged to protect the lives and property of citizens in the forest areas, and those who understand the nuances of the specific communities should be hired and trained before the current insecurity problem gets worse.

    On the side of the central government, red tapes ought to be removed for states wishing to obtain license or approval to import and use drones and other technological devices to protect the roads and forests. Similarly, the central government should provide leadership for the use of technology to fight crime by providing state-of-the-art anti-crime technologies to federal security agencies that can collaborate with states to rid the country of crimes.

    We encourage states to use local farmers, hunters, fishermen, and local  people in other occupations  to participate in  joint  civilian task forces, through efficient intelligence gathering, to prevent and combat criminality in the land, just as the country has been doing in the last few years.