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  • Tension in riverine communities as flood threat grows

    Millions of Nigerians living in coastal and riverine communities across the country are bracing up for further flooding following the September 14 warning by the  Nigeria Hydrological Services  Agency (NHSA) that tougher days were around the corner.

    Many have already fled their homes ,not wanting to be caught napping, according to an investigation by our team of reporters.

    Some farmers have hurriedly harvested their crops to minimize their losses.

    The Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has set aside over N1.5 billion to take care of provisions for victims of the floods,its chairman Alhaji Sani DoDoDo said in Birnin Kebbi,the state capital.

    The Director General of the NHSA, Clement Nze,had warned that river water from six of the eight countries that make up the Niger Basin had arrived Nigeria, increasing the risk of flooding in 10 states,.

    He named the states as Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa , Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa.

    Already,some families in flood prone areas of Anambra State have relocated to the Udama Primary School,in Anambra West Local Government area,  designated as an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

    More residents are expected to relocate following the advice of Governor Willie Obiano.

    The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said  places like  Ayamelum, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Awka North, Onitsha North, Onitsha South stand the risk of being flooded.

    Many houses in Inoma community in Anambra West are already  submerged.

    A resident, Edojor Ekwembili, said he has  lost all his farm produce for the year.

    He was similarly hit in 2012.

    The Anambra State Chairman of Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Professor  Peter Katchy, told The Nation that his organisation was ready for the floods.

    Katchy said Red Cross was not taking any  chances in making sure that the victims were taken care of, adding that the care unit would work with the Police and other para-military outfits to keep victims in good condition.

    However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  had expressed worry over  the adamant disposition of victims of flood disaster in the state to relocate to safe and higher grounds to avert impending disaster.

    The agency attributed most erosion flood cases in Nigeria to the refusal of people living in riverine communities to heed warnings from relevant agencies in disaster management.

    NEMA’s Acting Director General, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu,  spoke at Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Arearea, after assessing the level of flood at Odekpe and Atani communities.

    He wondered why flood victims would insist on safeguarding their homes rather than fleeing for their lives.

    He maintained that it was only the living that could claim possession of  his or her abode.

    He said: “How will someone say it’s my ancestral home and wants to die there? This is not a time to defend whether the area is your ancestral home or not.To be able to push the narrative, you need to come out first and get saved before defending whether it’s your ancestral home or not.”

    40 Edo communities under threat

    No fewer than 40  communities spread across  three Local Government Areas of Edo State may be affected by the floods.

    Sources said flooding has become almost an annual occurrence in Udaba, Ofukpo, Agbaburu, Osomegbe, Ukpeko, Ugochi, Ifeku island and Anegbette. Others are Uneme-Ekwuekpele, Uneme-Ogwoyo, Uneme-Ukpeku, Uneme-Ogbethaya, Uneme-Yeluwa and Uneme-Unubu, all of which are in   Estako East, Estako Central and Esan South East.

    Last year, some residents in 14 of the communities refused to move into the resettlement shelter and five other centers provided by government. During the flooding period, schools and health centres were shut down.

    In Udaba, the residents claimed they could not leave their ancestral land to go and live off government.

    But the  Commissioner for Youth, Hon. Damian Lawani, who hails from Udaba, said the people have been sensitised on the need to temporarily relocate as the flood water rises.

    “They are ready to move and they will move. This year will be  difficult. We have sensitised them and I have inspected the camp they will be taken to,” he said.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, said IDP camps in some areas have been fully furnished and fumigated in case they have to move the people to higher grounds.

    “Everything is in place. We have medial facilities, boat operators and divers to help bring people out,”he said.

    Another Special Adviser to the governor, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said shelters have been built where the affected flood victims are to stay pending when the flood water recedes.

    His words: “We are proactive. We have been taking measures to tell people living in flood-prone riverine communities to move upland and take refuge in safe havens that have been provided in selected local government areas across the state.

    “This is to alert people living around river banks and riverine areas across Edo State that water levels are rising as a result of downpour.

    “Government has prepared the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IGP) camps for possible evacuation of residents living in these areas. They should be ready to relocate to the camps when the order is given by the government.”

    Fear grips Yenagoa residents

    Residents of Yenagoa have appealed to the state government to clear the drainage channels to allow for easy flow of rain water and save them from flooding.

    Mercy Abali of  Captain Ayeni Street , Yenagoa said: “The problem about this street is that  if there is a rainfall for close to two hours, the place will be flooded because there is no good drainage system.

    “In fact, the drainage does not lead to anywhere, so when there’s heavy rain the street will be flooded.For three to four days there will be  no movement.That’s what we go through here.”

    A resident of Igbogene  does not want to experience what he went through during last year’s flooding.

    Desmond, as he simply identified himself, said: “We don’t have good drainage system in Yenagoa. You can imagine a capital city without planned drainage. Most of the streets don’t have drainage. So even before flooding, everywhere is waterlogged. No government has paid attention to the perennial floods.

    “I think the government knows better; they know what to do better because when it rains the whole place will get flooded and our houses will even get flooded and we don’t know what to do about it, which is why I think the government knows better.”

    Niger clears waterways, drainage

    Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State    has directed the relevant agencies to clear all waterways and drainage of refuse.

    He blamed flooding on indiscriminate  dumping refuse in  drainages.

    The governor,speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Minna, said a massive sensitisation was  on to discourage residents  from dumping waste  in drainages.

    He said: “Flood in most parts of Niger State is being caused by dumping of refuse and building on waterways. We have set out to mobilise and ensure that the people stop dumping refuse in the drainage channels.

    “These drainage channels were built and cost a lot of money. If we invest a lot of money in drainage  and we turn them into dumping bins, then we should expect the flood that we get. We have to discourage the people from dumping wastes in drainages.”

    Kwara too

    A similar clearing of drainage channels is in progress in Kwara State, particularly  Ilorin,the state capital, to avert disaster.

    The Permanent Secretary for  Environment, Amosa Al-Amin said: “Kwara State falls within this axis and this administration felt compelled to officially alert the people to this development and to appeal to Kwarans to cooperate with the state government on the various measures to mitigate the effects of what is often a combination of natural phenomenon, human activities and failure to heed warnings.

    “Government hereby appeals to communities located in and near flood plains and other vulnerable areas are to relocate to safer locations.

    “Identified communities in Edu local government areas such as Iyeluwa,Belle Gbako, Liptata, Edogi, Chewuru are specifically advised to relocate to safer places for a while.

    “Communities in Jebba and Bacita are also urged to take this very seriously for safety reasons. Farming along riverine areas should be discouraged for now.

    “Resettlement centres located at Godiwaji in Patigi constructed by the Federal Government could be a safer place during this period.

    “Residents of communities in Kwara Central like Isale Koko, Dumon, and

    Abata Sunkere, among others, are advised to heed this warning.

    “Government urges residents of the state to avoid dumping of wastes into river channels or drainage to allow for easy flow of water,while illegal structures along water ways should be demolished.”

    Kogi residents on red alert

    Many parts of Kogi State, including  Lokoja/Kogi, Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu, Idah, Ijumu and Dekina, are flooded already and further flooding is expected.

    The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Julius Mejiyan, told The Nation that the authorities have already alerted  all those living around flood prone areas to evacuate.

    His words: “The prediction was that there might be flood.The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) brought their seasonal rain prediction that we were going to have light rain at the beginning, then, maybe heavy rain towards the end, and it’s not likely to flood, but they’re not ruling out flood.

    “ Flooding may come due to excessive rain from the Sahel zone, but within us, at least Kogi axis, the rain might not be much, but unfortunately, we started having even flash flood before the end of the raining season, and now, we are expecting flood. The water level is above 10metres now and is already Red Alert.

    “KOSEMA (Kogi State Emergency Management Agency) is already preparing all the camps. We have gone round to see some of those areas, especially the river plains, where they normally have flooding.

    “There are about nine LGs. The KOSEMA people are there liaising with the local organising committee and seeing what they have in place. At that moment, we now mobilise our people; profile them and relocate them to camps, and then, we now invite NEMA, if it is getting out of hands. But, as it is now, it is still within the range of what the state government can take care of, and we are doing the best.

    “We cannot permanently put affected persons in any secured area. IDP camps are supposed to be temporary. So, as soon as the flood is over, everybody will want to go back to their former abodes, especially where flooding has receded and there is no much damage.

    “If we discover that there is much damage, that stage we call recovery stage. At that stage, we take care of whoever is homeless, and before we get to that stage, immediate response, quick action; profile them, relocate them, put them in a camp and give them the necessary initial support.”

    Ahead of the impending flooding, stakeholders in emergency management have called on the  state government to begin preparation towards mitigating victims’ suffering, should the disaster hit the state.

    The stakeholders, in a communique issued in Lokoja, urged the state government to immediately begin the renovation and cleaning of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, in readiness for the impending flood, most particularly in all the affected local governments.

    In their communiqué, they said that schools should be provided as camps, where necessary, with health facilities and welfare packages provided for all the camps.

    It’s wait and watch in Delta

    Many residents of Otu-Ogu community, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta  State,  say they are seeking God’s intervention to stop the rapidly rising River Niger from causing  havoc.

    And they have no immediate plan to relocate.  Many said they heard the warning from government to relocate to higher grounds  on radio, but are prepared to wait until the last minute before moving.

    Octogenarian farmer, Pa Edward Ogu, said: “I have heard about the impending rise of water on the River Niger, but what can I do without money? My family will not relocate yet. But if the water rises too high, we will move in  with our relations.”

    Another resident, Nnamdi Nwachukwu, said: “I have heard on the radio that the river will overflow its banks, but we are continually praying that God  should intervene and stop the water from entering our homes. We are praying that it does not exceed this level.”

    But Dennis Ogu, chairman, Asaba Community Policing (ACP), said the option open to residents when the river threatens is to relocate to higher grounds.

    He said any community on the side of a large body of water must be prepared for any eventuality, stressing that although many homes are being threatened by rising water, residents will wait until the last minute.

    According to him, the River Niger, from experience, will continue to rise until middle of October, but should it not recede, families near the banks will have to relocate.

    The state government plans to  establish 10 camps for those likely to be displaced by the floods,according to Information Commissioner Charles Aniagwu.

    Aniagwu said five camps will be immediately established in Asaba, Patani, Kwale, Ozoro and Ashaka, and  as the flood intensifies, government will find suitable sites for the five other camps.

     Kebbi earmarks N1.5billion for  possible flood victims

    The Kebbi State Government  has earmarked N1.5billion to cater for the needs of those likely to be affected by the floods.

    The Chairman of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Sani DoDoDo, said in Birnin Kebbi that apart from the money, the agency was also stockpiling  food items,and other essentials for victims.

    “We are  fully prepared for   emergency  at any time and all necessary  items are fully in place in case of any eventuality,” he said.

    He said the agency has met with stakeholders and traditional rulers on the need to get residents of flood prone areas  fully prepared for any possible emergency.

    Rivers farmers begin harvest of crop

    Following signs of possible  flooding,farmers in Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni,have started harvesting their crops before they are washed away.

    Mr. King Abbey, a farmer in Abua/Odual, said: “As you can see, the floods are beginning to come, but what we cannot say now is whether or not it will increase to the level that we will begin to look for safety on higher grounds and camps.

    “There are signs that it will increase  because rivers have begun to wash out big fish  and crabs, which is one of the obvious signs that there will be flood.

    “Already, the  communities’ residents are harvesting their cassava and other crops to save them from the flood.”

    The executive chairman of Ahoada West, the LGA, Mr. Hope Ikiriko, and his counterpart in Ahaoda East have already constituted a Flood Disaster Management Committee to manage and oversee the preparation, prompt evacuation of victims to safe places and the   coordination and provision and distribution of relief materials to those that will  be  displaced  by the flood.

    Canals and drainage in the communities have also been cleared to  minimize the impact of flooding.

    The South-South Zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Mr. Walson Ibarakumo Brandon,  told The Nation in Port Harcourt that a massive public education has been launched to avoid unnecessary losses in the event of any emergency.

    “We have been on sensitisation outreaches to high risk communities and LGAs in the zone, comprising Rivers and Bayelsa since the forecast of the year’s flood was released early this year, to prepare them for evacuation when the need arise,”  he said.

    “We have visited each of the council areas and the main communities that are flood prone to inform them and instruct them on what they need to do at the community, LGA and state levels by engaging in constant  desilting of the canals, gutters and waterways to at least shift the doom’s a bit forward.

    “We have equally urged them to go round their communities and villages and identify higher grounds where they can possibly run to safety when the water comes to the unbearable level, while NEMA and the Governments come to prepare them  to a habitable state.

    “The sensitisation lectures also include health and general environmental sanitation lectures in order not to contract or disseminate communicable diseases in the camps.”

    “Basically, NEMA is ready to receive the flood if it finally comes and equally ready to evacuate affected persons.

    “But for now, we are monitoring water levels in all the rivers around the zone in readiness for response.  We are visiting communities in Ahoada East,  Ahoada West, ONELGA and Abua/Odual for possible   evacuation of displaced persons,  where the need arises.”

    Lagos residents cry out

    Residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Somolu and Bariga council areas of Lagos State have urged government to save them from the looming danger of floods.

    A resident of Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Wasiu Malami, said: ’’Our environment is very bad. Whenever it rains, many houses are submerged and we would have to swim in and out of our houses. We don’t have a good drainage in my area and our roads are in terrible conditions too.

    ‘’Many houses have been abandoned or deserted as a result of the effect of flooding, we want the state government to come to our aid by providing good collector drainages and passable roads.’’

    A resident of Amukoko, Bukola Ayoka, said: “Life is usually hellish here when there is a downpour.

    “The gutters are usually overflown with flood water to the extent that we would not be able to go out.

    “We are calling on the state authorities to provide better drainage system that can contain the flood water.

    A trader, Paul Uzor, who lives in Somolu,  said he does not have sufficient  money to move his family out of his one room apartment despite the perennial flooding in his neighbourhood.

    “Life has been so horrible and challenging for me whenever it rains here, water flows into my room and destroys all my properties. I am usually scared whenever rainy season approaches.

    ‘’Last year was a very bad experience for me. I was sleeping when flood water swept through my room destroying my properties.

    An aged woman in Bariga, Madam Florence Adekunle, recalled how she was almost sacked from her residence by flood last year, saying: “I run helter skelter with my five children whenever it rains because my room is usually flooded. The flood was a very horrible one last  year. I never pray for such this year.”

     

  • Kosegbe? No, these buildings must give way for the safety of all

    The new general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency is a certain Mrs Abiola Kosegbe. Those who know her attest to her brilliance and commitment to the job of helping to minimise avoidable deaths in the state through building collapse.

    Collapse of distressed or poorly constructed buildings is a nationwide phenomenon. What makes Lagos case special or different is the nature of how buildings had sprung up, especially since the 70s, particularly in central Lagos which has had more than its fair share in incidents of building collapse.

    In several cases, nowhere are buildings rules and regulations breached more than on Lagos Island. There, recalcitrant and greedy house owners and developers put up structures that reasonable people see from the very start as disasters waiting to happen. And rather than being dissuaded by building control officials, they are compromised to look the other way, ostensibly after receiving dubious gratification.

    When gnashing of teeth occurs due to building collapse which had been caused by developers and compromised officials of state, families begin to count losses of lives and damage to limbs and properties, and members of the public begin to proffer solutions that everyone knew about but which do not hold water with culprits.

    Too many lives had been lost and a lot of deformities done to several. It is time therefore for government to find permanent panacea to this recurring problem. The LABSCA big boss name is Kosegbe, which means “Immoveable”. But given the terrifying dimension building collapse has assumed over the years, she must be ready to move those structures that pose grave danger to lives and properties, lest her own position in government is threatened.

    In tackling this worrisome problem, the government and the governed must come to a common agreement that the inevitable must be done. Government must lead this crusade by increasing the equipment needed to voluntarily bring down distressed or poorly constructed structures without doing damage to the fabric or texture of the surroundings; and upping the degree of sanctions on the owners of the affected buildings and the compromised officials that turned the Nelson’s eye to the infractions committed before the bubble of building collapse burst.

    Government ought to do more in the area of urban renewal and lead positive development in that regard, instead of abdicating its statutory responsibility to the citizens.

    Community leaders, led by traditional heads, must do more sensitization to get citizens support to save their own lives and properties and prevail on callous owners and developers not to deliberately put people’s lives in jeopardy.

  • Fed Govt approves N600bn assurance facility for power sector

    The Federal Government has approved a N600 billion assurance facility for the power sector until June next year.

    The amount, which is contained in the 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), is as a result of the failure of the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP).

    The document added that additionally, an accountability framework has been finalized by the Federal Government which will guide the drawdown of a $2billion World Bank facility to support the implementation of the PSRP over the medium term.

    The document said the Federal Government may consider a tariff review over the medium term, subject to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

    According to the MTEF/FSP: “A N600billion payment assurance facility extension has been approved by the Federal Executive Council until June next year.

    “In addition, an accountability framework has been finalized with conditions, precedents which will guide the drawdown on the $2billion World Bank facility (of which $1billion is a performance-based loan) to support the implementation of the FGN PSRP will be finalized over the medium term.

    “Tariff review shall also be considered over the medium term, subject to NERC’s review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO).”

    The document also revealed that the Federal Government currently maintains a N20billion balance in the Ecological Fund for emergency response in the event of an unforeseen natural disaster in any part of the country.

    “Aside flooding, there is no imminent natural disaster warning for Nigeria from any of the relevant agencies monitoring such. Nevertheless, the FGN maintains a N20billion minimum balance in the Ecological Fund account for immediate emergency response in the event of a natural disaster in any part of the country,” the MTEF said.

    The MTEF/FSP document noted that the Federal Government as a result of the failure of revenue generating agencies to meet non-oil revenue projection is working on collection efficiency of major revenue generating agencies to be improved upon.

    Read Also: NERC to justify tariff hike decision

    The Federal Government, the document said, is carrying out ongoing efforts to improve Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) through a Performance Management Framework whilst reviewing their operational efficiencies and cost-to-income ratios.

    “The FIRS is working to increase the tax payers’ database from the current 20million to 45million before the end of 2019.

    “In addition, efforts are ongoing to improve GOEs revenue performance by full implementation of a Performance Management Framework for the GOEs whilst reviewing their operational efficiencies and cost-to-income ratios and generally ensuring they operate in more fiscally responsible manner,” the document said.

    On tackling insurgency in 2020, the Federal Government said it shall deploy its strategy of dialogue and military force in the event of upsurge in major security breaches.

     

  • Atiku: Any enquiry into God’s work?

    The presidential election tribunal, by a unanimous decision of 5 – 0, has ruled that President Muhammad Buhari’s re-election is valid.

    But the main contender challenging the decision, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is still not giving up, indicating immediately after Wednesday’s judgement that he was appealing it at the Supreme Court.

    My goodness! Is this love for the rule of law or an obsession for power for its own sake?

    I am not a lawyer, but my little understanding of litigation is that it is not commonplace to have a Supreme Court upturn a unanimous decision of an Appeal Court. You never can tell; maybe Atiku’s case will be radically different from the norm.

    If that happens, we wait to see where that takes the nation to. But if it doesn’t, then Atiku, who covets the presidential throne so badly, will have to take his case to Almighty Allah.

    I do not know why the serial presidential contender couldn’t accept his fate on this matter and prepare himself for another time but I do know that, like Haruna Ishola once sang: there’s no enquiry for God’s work or desire. If I were Atiku, I will lay the matter to rest and wish the President hearty congratulations.

  • Credibility, power and leadership

    The media report that a Nigerian senator called it an insult for Nigerians to criticize the senate for its decision to buy  jeeps or SUVs  for senators in the National  Assembly sets the ball  rolling for our discussion today. To  me the senators anger or seeming indignation is misplaced, if not mischievous and it is certainly  an insult  to Nigeria’s democracy  for a senator to  say  that sort of nonsense  in an age of transparency and accountability in the world’s  democracy.

    The  equivalent of the Nigerian senator’s outburst on the global  stage in terms of braggadocio and arrogance are  namely  the boast  of the Iranian Foreign Minister that it would be  a total  war if the US or  Saudi  Arabia retaliate  against the charge by both nations   that Iran was responsible for  the  drone and missile attacks on Saudi  oil facilities  this  last week. If   you add  to this innuendos on the  Nigerian   President’s  actions on institutions managed by his Vice  President  and  the  conclusions   of friction between the powers that be in Aso  Rock,  then  you will  see that mischief is abroad  in the governance  of  Nigeria and is an illwind that bodes no good.

    Let me start by taxing the credibility in the three events by exposing the fallacy in their respective emanation and origin. In  the first  case of the  furious senator, he conveniently forgot  that he is  an  elected official  responsible to his constituents and Nigerians  at  large who  have a right to question  the running  of the senate as well as the perks  and emoluments that a senator  takes home.

    No anger or calculated outrage can obscure or mask that fact of accountability and responsibility. In the case of the threat of total war on the US and Saudi Arabia by the Iranian Foreign Minister, it is a clear   case of   the leopard incapable of changing its spots. This is because   Iran’s opponents have always accused it of sponsoring terrorism globally and its threat of total war does little to create any credibility for its denial of the charge that it sent the drones and missiles that destroyed the Saudi oil facilities.

    In the case  of the aspersion being cast on the  activities of the Vice President while he held  fort for the President during his many absences  I think  it is a case of giving a dog a bad name  in other to hang it, as I feel this Vice  President is  like Caesar’s wife  above reproach on most  of these matters and he cannot  in any way  be compared to Nero, the ancient  Roman Emperor  who  fiddled  while Rome burnt  like his detractors would have us believe in these  past  few days  of  his vilifications.

  • Court orders forfeiture of funds linked to Oyo-Ita’s alleged associate, ONSA director

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of various sums of money estimated at over N1billion allegedly owned by a government official, Titus Okunrinboye Thompson and a former Director of Communications at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Haruna Wando Mohammed.

    Details of the money include about N550million allegedly found in two Zenith Bank accounts belonging to Thompson, who the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed acted as a front for the immediate past Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    The other chunk constituting $287,500 and N291,367,914.35 was said to have been recovered from Mohammed, in relation to a surveillance contract awarded sometime in 2012 by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to a private firm, RTCOM Limited. The contract was said to have been code named – Falcon Eye (FE).

    While the court ordered that the money recovered from Mohammed be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, the one being held in Thompson’s two Zenith Bank accounts is only temporarily forfeited.

    On Thursday, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo granted the order of permanent forfeiture in the Mohammed case after EFCC’s lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar, argued the motion he filed to that effect.

    The two orders granted in the case, marked:FHC/ABJ/CS/694/2019 are:

    *A final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the sum of N291,367,914.35 recovered from one Haruna W. Mohammed in the course of investigation to be transferred to Recovered Funds Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Bank seeks forfeiture of senator’s school over N150m debt

    *A final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the sum of US$287,500.00 recovered from one Haruna W. Mohammed in the course of investigation and which has been transferred to the Recovered Funds Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    In the case involving Thompson, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo could not hear a similar motion filed by Abubakar.

    She noted that although the court had earlier in July 2019 ordered the interim forfeiture of the money and directed that the EFCC publish the order in a national daily, the respondent (Thompson) was absent in court and was not represented.

    Abubakar said the EFCC complied with the order and caused a publication to be made in a national daily on July 8, 2019.

    He noted that since the publication was made, neither Thompson nor Oyo-Ita (who he is suspected to have acted for) responded to the order, by making claim for the money, a development Abubakar said, informed his motion for final forfeiture.

    Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo then adjourned until October 7, 2019 for the hearing of the motion for final forfeiture and ordered that hearing notice be issued to Thompson in relation to the next hearing date, scheduled for the hearing of the motion for perManent forfeiture.

    The EFCC said, in court documents, sighted by The Nation, that Thompson was an accountant in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties, when Oyo-Ita served as the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

    It was alleged that the money traced to Thompson’s two accounts in Zenith Bank (one containing over N500m, while the other has over N50m) were public funds allegedly  siphoned through a project called – Group Life Insurance – which was ostensibly meant for some staff of the ministry.

    In the case of Mohammed, the EFCC stated, in a court document, “that it received intelligence, sometime in 2017 “in respect of cases of defence contract/procurement fraud, gratification and money laundering against the former National Security Adviser (NSA), alleging conspiracy and criminal misappropriation of public funds involving the huge sum of money.

    “Preliminary investigation conducted by the Commission revealed that Ambassador Haruna Mohammed Wando was the Director of Communications at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    “Our investigation of the case further revealed that sometimes in 2012, the ONSA contemplated putting in place an ICT driven surveillance and security platform to check illegal activities within the Nigerian territorial waters. This was to enhance the security of Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

    The project was meant to cover Nigeria’s coastline stretching 420 nautical miles from East to West including the territorial sea and the EEZ of the country.

    “In order to actualize this dream, a committee was set up to carry out an assessment of the country’s maritime security architecture and assets vis-à-vis the desirability and viability of the proposed project.

    “The Committee which mandate includes sourcing for relevant and reputable companies for the project was headed by the then Director of Communications of (ONSA), the said Amb. Haruna W. Mohammed.

    “Between April and June 2012, the committee invited relevant reputable companies to forward technical and financial proposals; companies which submitted proposal to that effect were however not awarded the said contract.

    “A company called RTCOM Limited which was not invited to submit proposal in that regard eventually ended up getting the job which job was code named Falcon Eye (FE).

    “Stamford International Limited (SIL) was considered as the proffered bidder and was first awarded the contract on 11th April, 2013. They applied for a mobilization fee of US$5.0 million which was not given to them, while on 10th June 2013 RTCOM Limited applied for the same amount and for the same purpose.

    “On 30th April, 2014 ONSA signed a contract with RTCOM Limited for the implementation of the Falcon Eye (FF) Project at a contract sum of $459,369,500.

    “40 per cent of the contract sum, amounting to $183,758,585 was paid by ONSA to RTCOM Limited on the 29th May 2014.

    “Investigation has linked RTCOM limited with bribery and corruption in the build up to the award and execution of the FE project which explains why the shady deals went through.

    “Further to the foregoing, investigation has established that RTCOM Limited has paid the sum of about US$1.0 million (in structured periodic cash payments) to the said Amb. Haruna W. Mohammed while he served as director at ONSA and Chairman of the Committee on FE as bribe and/or kickback.

    “Amb. Haruna W. Mohammed admitted in his extra judicial statement to have converted some of the USD received from RTCOM to naira and deposited it in his Eco Bank account number 0129640537 while 0129640544 had some of the USD balances.

    “Further to the foregoing, a total sum of N291,367,914.00 and USD 287,500.00  have since been refunded voluntarily by the suspect, Amb. Haruna W. Mohammed to the EFCC.

    “The sum of USD 287,500.00  was transferred to the EFCC recovery account through the OAGF FGN Asset Recovery US Account.

    “The sum of N291,367,914.00 was refunded by suspect through several bank drafts submitted by the suspect to the EFCC through the OAGF FGN Asset Recovery US Account.”

  • Lawan seeks reduced intervention in budget process

    PRESIDENT of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Friday called for reduced political interventions in the budgetary process.

    Lawan, according to a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, also said that there is need to have a budget reform that would include a law on timely budget passage.

    He spoke on “Reforming the Budget Cycle: A First Step in Our Journey to the Next Level” at the “Government Meets Business Dinner” of the Institute of Directors Annual Conference.

    “We can reform our budget cycle if there is a law on timeliness for budget passage,” Lawan said.

    The President of the Senate also called for the amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007, adding that “we are of the firm belief that the Act has not provided the intended efficacy it should produce.

    “Related to this is the need to match budget projections with fund release, if accountability is to be appreciable.

    “Proper documentation of financial activities and reduced political interventions in the budgetary process are additionally important steps to follow.

    “We should try to reduce frivolous items on the recurrent expenditure list to increase our disposition to produce, ensure judicious expenditure process and to guarantee value-for-money,” Lawan said.

    Lawan said timeliness and deadlines would give leaders focus and make them more definite on deliverables.

    Reports, according to the Senate President, have shown that countries like the United States of America, Canada, Austria, Brazil, France and India have more definite budget cycles through legislation.

    “We have resolved to be reform minded in the ninth National Assembly and improving the budget cycle is one area of focus.

    Read Also: Lawan congratulates Buhari, APC over victory

    “Our attention will be on the areas where enhancements are needed and we are surely not going to look away from them in the interest of national growth, development and wellbeing of our people,” Lawan said.

    The Senate President said it is also important to improve on the database showing the social economic conditions of the country.

    He said that a database would be more helpful for the appreciation of financial projections notwithstanding the current efforts by the National Bureau of Statistics and some multilateral agencies showing the sectoral performances of the economy.

  • Trump, Johnson: Nigeria not alone in poor leadership

    Nigeria will be 59 in a few days. For more than five decades, the industrialised West had called her names, some of them unprintable, and denounced her leaders — whether military or civilian, elected or imposed — as incompetent, sociopathic and megalomaniacal.

    For a long time, Nigerians and the rest of the world saw the insults as justified and even fitting. Starting out approximately from the same economic and social pedestals with many Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Singapore and the two Koreas, Nigeria had held out hope that, like its competitors, she would amount to something spectacular in the world, not only because of her inestimable human resource endowment but also for her abundant, almost incomparable economic resource base. Nearly six decades down the line, that potential has remained almost completely unrealised. Worse, it had seemed as if Nigeria was nearly alone in propping up and projecting bad leaders.

    It has, however, taken less than a decade — indeed, well within five years — of the emergence of many right-wing leaders in the so-called First World countries of Europe and America to put the lie to the isolation and incomparability of Nigeria’s laggardness. It turns out that bad leaders are not the exclusive preserve of Nigeria and countries like her in Africa and Central America. In Donald Trump, who was freely elected some three years ago by a supposedly educated and highly enlightened electorate, the United States has produced, tolerated and projected a match to Nigeria’s very worst, someone who appears to combine all the elements of the most disgraceful kind of leadership without the redeeming grace of good, humane and sensible leadership attribute. He was a rank outsider in the US Republican Party and a repudiator of the moderate conservatism of the party, but he bluffed, blustered and jousted his way into winning the party’s candidacy and national diadem, preying on the fears and apprehensions of Americans over immigration and dilution of white control and supremacy.

    Europe has always portrayed itself as multicultural, liberal and ethical. But with the rise of right-wing governments in Austria, Italy and Hungary, and the relentless march of populist parties in Germany, Estonia, Denmark, Bulgaria and Finland, among many others, the condition in which the mind of Europe has long been ensconced is festering and mutating radically. Indeed, everywhere there is a major cultural or economic challenge in Europe, politicians and parties have veered very badly to the right, exploiting populism to fetch easy votes, erect huge ramparts against outsiders, and demonise their perspectives.

    Indeed, there was a brief moment during the last elections in France when the right-wing seemed poised to cause a huge upset. Establishment parties had frayed and the electorate seemed bullishly and instantly regicidal. How France escaped the populist onslaught has not been fully explained. If France was lucky, Britain has not been quite as lucky. There is of course no stretch by which the Conservative Party in Britain could be described as right-wing, but the politics of Prime Minister Boris Johnson is definitely populist, if not next door to right-wing, and Brexit a frightening ogre whose ultimate implications still defy punditry.

    Merely describing a government as right-wing does not, however, justify the policies and politics of Messrs Trump and Johnson, both of whom are appalling, incompetent, vituperative, unconscionable and megalomaniacal. Nor do they excuse the damning trajectory of Hungary’s Mr Viktor Orban and the insufferable and sanguinary excesses of Philippines’ Mr Rodrigo Duterte. Mr Trump runs a divisive and chaotic administration, one which is unashamedly racist, loud, and unfeeling. With countless senior officials of government throwing in the towel not too many months after assuming office, the Trump White House has come to symbolise and embody everything contrary to the most respected of American ideals, ideals tested by years of political and ideological refinement, and the leadership and guidance of the most studious, nationalistic and far-sighted founding fathers any country could have.

    Mr Trump’s most recent blunder in which he instigates a foreign government against a highly placed American political rival, former vice president Joe Biden, is not only a case in point, it is also an indication of how sadly American politics has accommodated and indulged the president’s reckless and provocative brand of politics. Having yielded remorselessly to his unethical governance style, winked at his lack of private scruples, and indulged his braggadocio, it is no surprise that Mr Trump has stretched the frontiers of bad governance to its elasticity limit.

    If care is not taken, he could once again very well get away with murder, an indulgence he has become accustomed to and, given the solidity of his base and their unquestioning loyalty to him,  even feels has become either indispensable to his presidency or integral to American politics. The US is great today more because it had for centuries identified great and noble ideals, embraced them, and made their promotion a lifelong assignment. America is not great because of sheer military muscle, for if that were so, surely they know it is a question of time before the Barbarians march on this hypothetical Rome.

    Whether it is mischievous mimicry or not, Britain’s Mr Johnson has postured inelegantly like Mr Trump, talked carelessly and recklessly like him, undermined the rule of law flagrantly, attempted to strangulate the parliament by proroguing it, and has ridden roughshod over both his inferiors and betters, with equal passion, indiscreet statements  and matchless ferocity. He has not been able to deliver Brexit on terms that either align with his self-induced scepticism or not mock his inflexibility and disdain for parliament. There is in fact nothing to indicate that he will be able to deliver it, despite a law forbidden him to exit the European Union without a deal, let alone empathise with and placate the fears of Europhiles. Self-willed, slightly arrogant and impatient, Mr Johnson has not given any indication that he recognises and therefore needs to protect centuries of British democracy and parliamentarianism.

    Few ever thought the US and Britain could ever sink so low as to enthrone leaders whose fundamental outlook and logic war so violently against the ideals that have stood Europe and America well for centuries. But for their indomitable institutions that continue, with perfect equanimity, to bear the excesses of right-wing European countries and the US, both Mr Trump and Mr Johnson would have unreflectively engineered the destruction of their countries which are still entranced by their sorceries and talismanic zealotry.

    In contrast, and this is where Nigeria has fared very badly, there are no strong institutions to serve as a bulwark for Nigeria. With a succession of bad leaders, most of them so incompetent that they should be completely banned from ever participating in public affairs, Nigeria has groaned under the weight of incompetent leadership and undisciplined governance. The country, it is now known, is not alone in this classic display of underachievement. It may have produced a slew of incompetent rulers and despoiled its land, it must, however, take consolation in the fact that it is definitely not alone. This is a horrifying consolation to take, but better clutch at straw than drown in a shallow pool of its own disgraceful fouling and making.

    Mr Trump has no clue whatsoever about the ennobling and ethical role the United States plays in mediating conflicts in unstable countries and regions, and in policing and projecting liberal values all over the world. Since the US has now seemed to abjure such noble virtues, and there is no other country strong enough or sufficiently gingered to protect human rights and all other rights, countries like Nigeria have been encouraged to clamp down on their peoples regardless of the provisions of their constitutions. Nigeria was for decades eternally poised on the edge of political and economic disaster, without US prodding, it now has free rein to commit excesses that are certain, on a hypothetical tomorrow, to entrap its promoters.

  • Buhari’s team divided over P&ID

    Since the news broke on August 16 that a British court had given Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) approval to seize Nigerian government’s assets worth $9.6 billion, President Muhammadu Buhari has not hidden his desire to get the matter investigated .

    The President wants Nigerians whose hands were soiled in the failed project to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State’s capital, punished. In New York few days ago, he came hard on the project, dubbing it a scam.

    He is determined to know who played what role in Nigeria getting into the trap of P&ID, why the contract terms were not properly vetted, and why no one seemed to care about its execution.

    It has come to light, however, that members of the team constituted by the President to investigate the matter are divided over what approach should be adopted by the country to get over saga. While some members of the team share the President’s passion about investigating the matter, getting to the roots of it and punishing the culprits, others believe that investigation is not only time wasting but could lead the country to nowhere.

    The other group is, however, miffed by the proposal, wondering how anyone could be talking of a deal with “facilitators of a dubious contract.” They believe that Nigeria has a good case and should push on with the ongoing legal battle in the hope that the court will quash the judgment awarding $9.9 billion damages against the country.

    Although the team put together by the President appears to be forging ahead going by the go-ahead given Nigeria few days ago by a United Kingdom court to challenge the judgment, SENTRY can reveal authoritatively that all is not well with it. If the pro-arbitration option had their way, those rooting for thorough investigation would have been dropped from the team and   sent home from London where the team relocated to early in the week.

  • The other side of Big Brother Naija

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    NO reality show on television has received wide condemnations and criticisms like the Big Brother Naija reality show. Many are even calling for its ban. Many parents have even banned their youths and young ones from watching the show.

    Sexual immorality remains the major reason many people have asked the Federal Government to stop airing the programme on any of the Nigerian television stations. The epic reaction from popular evangelist, and Founder of Mount Zion Ministries, Mike Bamiloye, in 2017 comes back to mind, shortly after Efe Ejeba walked away with the 25 million naira grand prize. On his social media handle, he said “They kissed, they romanced, before the cameras of Africa, and they were honoured and glorified. At times, the glory of this world makes the children of the kingdom look stupid. I hope some Kingdom children will not begin to envy this type of worldly glories.

    “What does this teach our youths now? glamourizing and glorifying immorality before the cameras of the world can fetch you millions and make you a celebrity overnight? I hope some pastors will not begin to make reference to this as a work of God’s grace.”

    A Nigerian politician,  Segun Adekoya, also called for its ban in 2017, saying that Nigeria, despite her development, remained a conservative society, and as such, allowing ‘immoral’ shows like the ‘Big Brother Naija’ to aired on television could corrupt the minds of the younger generation, especially teenagers.

    But there are arguments that show some advantages of the reality show, that the critics are not seeing. A few may include:

    It remains the “realest” and richest reality show on television. Unlike other reality shows where contestants rehearse how to live their lives, the ‘Big Brother Naija’ show is one where housemates come as they are, and live their lives all in the open, for the period they remain in the house. There are many cameras to capture every moment and every housemate, so there is no place to hide for anyone.

    Again, the stakes get higher every year the show is hosted. From the winner getting 25 million naira in 2017, to walking away with 45 million naira in 2018, and 60 million naira up for grabs for the winner in 2019, no show on television beats the Big Brother Naija show financially. This is apart from other juicy prizes housemates will walk away with from winning tasks and challenges, during the course of the show.

    It has produced successful friendship and marriages: In 2014, Nigerian Kelvin Chuwang-Pam, got married to Tanzanian, Elizabeth Gupta, and they have a child in their marriage. They met in 2009, as housemates of the then “Big Brother Africa”. In 2017, Olurishe Deborah Ebun (Debbie-Rise) and Bassey Ekpeyong met in the Big Brother House. Though they are not married, but they remain close friends till date.

    Read Also: BBNaija: Seyi becomes Head of House again

    And most recently, on September 7, 2019, Tope Adenibuyan aka Teddy A and Bamike Olawunmi, popularly called BamBam had their introduction, as the world waits for their white wedding. They officially got engaged on August 4, 2019. They met in the Big Brother house in 2018.

    Every participant of the reality show is an instant celebrity. It is always a thing of pride for one to feature in the Big Brother Naija show. That calls for the reason why millions of youths scrabble to get into the house, during the auditions.

    New cultures and exciting things are learnt in the show: One major aspect of the Big Brother Naija show is the Thursday night presentation show. Here, Big Brother brings a task for the housemates, asking them to showcase the cultures and lifestyles of various cultures of Nigeria , and other parts of Africa. This is an avenue for viewers to learn one or two things they never knew from other cultures of the world.

    Now hosted in Nigeria, the show will be contributing to the Nigerian economy. Though it is focused primarily on entertainment, it has an effect on other industries with significant impact on Nigeria’s GDP, which is currently worth $397.472 billion.

    Again, MultiChoice has always insisted on an all-Nigerian production crew, which means, jobs will be created for Nigerians, courtesy, Big Brother Naija.  With foreign cameramen, and DJs, artistes and journalists flown in to the country to perform and cover the event especially the eviction weekend, Nigerian hotels would be smiling to the banks.

    But are the critics seeing this?

     

    Akintunde, an online journalist sent this piece from Lagos.