The Nation Newspaper

Tag: security

  • Nigeria seeks UN Security Council seat

    Nigeria seeks UN Security Council seat

    President Goodluck Jonathan insisted yesterday that Nigeria deserves a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 2014-2015 session.

    He told world leaders and other delegates at the opening of the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, United States, that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) had already endorsed Nigeria for the position.

    According to him, the global community should also be assured of Nigeria’s commendable performance when it held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.

    Jonathan, in the statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering.”

    “We have, in previous membership of the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key Council responsibilities.

    “I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

    We, therefore, urge this august Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council,” he added.

    Stressing that Nigeria and other developing countries were concerned about the lack of progress in the reformation of the United Nations, Jonathan called for quick action towards the democratisation of the Security Council.

    He said: “I believe that I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We believe strongly, that the call for democratisation worldwide should not be for States only, but also, for International Organisations such as the United Nations.”

    “That is why we call for the democratisation of the Security Council.

    This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world,” Jonathan said.

    On various global challenges, Jonathan called for a renewed and concerted effort by the international community to effectively resolve all issues that currently impede global peace, stability and progress.

    “Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.”

    “We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.”

    “We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail”,” he stated

    Jonathan also restated his called for the international community to confront the menace of global terrorism with greater resolve and determination.

    He said: “Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the capacity for sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a major challenge to national stability. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.”

    “The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together,” President Jonathan said.

    Commending Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the United Nations Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development, he said: “The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our Organisation’s more endowed members.”

    He congratulated UN member-states on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty.

    “Our hope is that upon its entry into force, the ATT would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of nations,” the President said.

    While condemning the reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis, he welcomed current diplomatic efforts to avert a further escalation of the crisis in the country.

    He also urged world leaders to adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew the world’s environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.

  • Securities regulators move to check cross-border crimes

    Securities regulators move to check cross-border crimes

    he International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the umbrella body for capital market regulators, has strengthened its information-sharing and cooperation framework to curb cross-border financial services misconduct that can weaken global markets and undermine investor confidence.

    IOSCO has adopted measures to encourage non-signatory members to sign the IOSCO Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation and exchange of information, which was established in 2002, to fight the cross-border financial misdemeanours and encourage cooperation across jurisdictions.

    IOSCO approved a resolution that calls for gradually restricting opportunities of non-signatory members to influence key IOSCO decisions due to the limited support they can provide to IOSCO´s enforcement efforts, noting that as long as jurisdictions remain outside the international enforcement regime of the MMoU, they offer potential safe havens for wrong doers and create gaps in IOSCO´s global enforcement network.

    According to the resolutions, all outstanding non-signatory members will be restricted from nominating candidates from their organisation for election or appointment to leadership positions as from September 30, this year.

    Also, as from March 31, 2014, all outstanding non-signatory members in leadership positions will be asked to step down while the participation of non-signatory members in IOSCO Policy Committees will be suspended as from June 30 2014.

    The voting rights of all remaining non-signatory members will be suspended as from September 30, 2014.

    Additionally, the resolution suggests that members take precautions when exercising their authorisation or supervisory and enforcement responsibilities in respect of entities or individuals linked to non-signatory jurisdictions.

    Some IOSCO members already have measures to that effect in place. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, for example, expects an overseas company seeking a listing on the local exchange to be incorporated in a jurisdiction where arrangements are in place to ensure reasonable regulatory cooperation. India requires foreign investors in Indian mutual funds and equity shares to fulfill criteria, including being “resident in a country that is a signatory to IOSCO´s MMoU or a signatory of a bilateral MoU with” the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

    The resolution may lead members to think carefully before deciding to cooperate with non MMoU signatories and to consider whether to request additional assurances or conditions before assisting non-signatories or providing information.

    IOSCO had in February published a list of members who had not yet signed the MMoU. IOSCO also pledged to provide a comprehensive program of technical assistance and political support to non-signatory members who required it.

    The MMoU provides a vehicle through which securities regulators share with each other essential investigative material, such as beneficial ownership information, and securities and derivatives transaction records, including bank and brokerage records. It sets out specific requirements for the exchange of information, ensuring that no domestic banking secrecy, blocking laws or regulations prevent the provision of enforcement information among securities regulators.

    IOSCO stated that the resolution would encourage national governments and parliaments to adopt the measures that support securities commissions in their efforts to comply with the MMoU. Twenty-eight members still need to sign the MMoU, and the list of members who have formally expressed their commitment to seek the legislative and administrative changes necessary for achieving the MMoU compliance is 23.

    The Institut Nacional Andorrà de Finances [1] (INAF) and the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC),had last week formally signed the MMoU, bringing the number of signatories to 97 out of a total of 125 eligible IOSCO members.

    Nigeria is a member of the board of IOSCO. The board is the governing and standard-setting body of IOSCO and is made up of 32 securities regulators. Other members included securities regulatory authorities of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Ontario, Pakistan, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and the United States.

     

  • Kwara Speaker to police: withdraw my security

    Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Razaq Atunwa may have joined the fray between the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency.

    In solidarity with his leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, the Speaker yesterday said he had notified the police command to withdraw his police security.

    Atunwa condemned last weekend’s withdrawal of Saraki’s security detail by the police.

    He said the Assembly yesterday passed a resolution condemning the police action.

    The Speaker urged Police Commissioner Agboola Oshodi-Glover to immediately reinstate Saraki’s security personnel.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Atunwa said: “Besides the resolutions by the Assembly today, I, as Speaker, have notified the police commissioner for the Kwara State command that by Friday, September 13, he should relinquish the police security attached to me until the police security of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki is restored.

    “Senator Bukola Saraki is a former governor of Kwara State, having served meritoriously for two terms between 2003 and 2011.

    “By virtue of Section 2(3), Paragraph H of the Third Schedule of the Kwara State Governor and Deputy Governor Payment of Pension Law 2010, Senator Saraki is entitled to the provision of police security as part of his pension entitlement. That was a law validly enacted by the Kwara State House of Assembly.

    “It is quite disconcerting and perturbing that the police command ordered that the police security of the former governor as provided for by law to be withdrawn. This constitutes a clear breach of the law.

    “I understand that the police were compelled to take that action following ‘orders from above’.

    “However, as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, which enacted the law, it would be utterly improper for me to sit indolently and do nothing in the face of such flagrant violation of the law.

    “If the police command does not deem it fit to protect a two-term governor and senator, then it is duplicitous to seek to protect a Speaker.

    “I would like to thank the police commissioner and all his officers for their efforts in combating crime and maintaining law and order throughout the state. I continue to have confidence in their ability to protect all the residents of Kwara State.”

     

  • IG beefs up security for Flames tie

    IG beefs up security for Flames tie

    •Deploys officers from neighbouring states

    As Nigeria Super Eagles and their Malawian counterparts fine-tune preparation for Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has directed Commissioners of Police from neighbouring States of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Abia to deploy more officers and men to beef up security in the Cross Rivers State capital.

    Speaking on the security arrangement ahead of Saturday’s cracker, the Police Officer attached to the Eagles, CSP Abubakar Alhaji Baba told SportingLife that the Police had already mapped out strategy for the success of the match.

    “I don’t think there is any problem security wise. Police had made adequate arrangement and liaised with all other security agency in maintaining law and order on Saturday,’’ Baba told SportingLife in Calabar.

    ‘’There will be no problem and no cause for alarm. Police is working hand-in-hand as a synergy with other security agency before, during and after the match.

    ‘’ The inspector General had already put everything in order. Apart from police in Calabar, there was reinforcement of police from other neighbouring states. Police had already mapped out strategies for the success of the match.’’

    Baba added: “My duty here is to ensure that the team is safe and the stadium areas are well protected. Also, to see that the teams are covered and escorted to the training to and fro.’’

  • Huge presence of security personnel at Kwara council poll

    The rerun local government election in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State took place yesterday under huge security.

    A combined team of plain- clothed and mobile policemen, officials and men of the Department of State Security Service, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) ensured that it went troubled-free.

    Human and vehicular movements in and outside the local government were restricted.

    Vehicles coming from Osogbo in Osun State to Offa and Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State were diverted to other routes.

    The Police Commissioner, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, was on ground to monitor the conduct of the election.

    He told reporters that the huge presence of security operatives was as a result of the drafting of personnel from other divisions

    Oshodi-Glover said: “We don’t want to disclose the number of policemen that are here but we have enough manpower.

    “We have deployed all our resources and manpower for the smooth conduct of the election.”

    Investigations revealed that sufficient ballot papers did not arrive on time in some polling wards.

    The Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC), Dr UthmanAjidagba, advanced reasons for the development.

    He said: “In the process of dispatching them (ballot papers) some officers did not wait enough to collect the sufficient ballot papers.

    “Those areas that initially did not get sufficient ballot papers have been sufficiently addressed.”

    The chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Saheed Popoola, said: “So far so good, the conduct of the election has been devoid of any hitche save initial short supply of ballot papers. What we want is that the collation centres should not be rough.

    “We want the a situation where security agents will concentrate on the ward collation centres and local government collation centres and the declaration of the result for the councilors at the ward collation centres and the chairman’s result declared at the local government secretariat, not Ilorin.

    “The election is taking place in Offa and it must be declared here. If the election result is collated and declared here the way it is going on definitely I know it will be fair enough.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prince AbdulwaheedOlanipekun, described the conduct of the election as smooth and peaceful

     

  • NSITF wants Social Security act amended

    The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund is seeking an amendment to the enabling Act establishing the fund in order to reposition it to fully carry out its mandate for all Nigerians in line with global best practices.

    This, it said, is in line with the recognition of social security as a basic human right as enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Social Security Convention Recommendation.

    To this end, the fund is preparing a draft proposal that would give impetus to the new Bill which it plans to submit to the National Assembly.

    According to the fund, the Act that established social security system in Nigeria is different in many ways, due partly to the Pension Reform Acts in 2004 and also the fact that the Acts establishing it only takes into cognisance a negligible population of the working class in the public and private sectors as against the global best practices of accommodating all the citizens.

    It therefore cited examples of countries where similar schemes have been successfully implemented to include South Africa, India, United Kingdom and United States of America, saying that everyone, as a member of the society, has the right to social security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age and other lacks of livelihood in circumstances beyond the control of an individual.

    Consequently, the proposed Bill has, as its focus, the need to give relevance to the mandate of the NSITF which states that “it shall provide social security insurance services other than pension to all Nigerians. It also seeks to respect the role of the fund in the administration of the employee compensation fund created by the Employee Compensation Act of 2010 and finally to give the requisite statutory backing to the adoption of the ILO Social Security Convention and Social Security Act of 1952.

  • 2014 World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria guarantees security

    2014 World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria guarantees security

    The Nigeria Football Federation and the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, on Wednesday dispatched to world football-governing body, FIFA, a detailed security guarantee and comprehensive plan for security for next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles and Flames of Malawi in Calabar.

    In the letter signed on the IGP’s behalf by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Philemon I. Leha, the Nigeria Police assured “all stakeholders and lovers of football that the Force will provide adequate security to ensure a conducive environment before, during and after the match between Nigeria and Malawi scheduled for 7th September, 2013 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State.”

    The 12,000-capacity stadium has hosted several international matches involving Nigeria in the past, including previous 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Kenya, as well as 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda and Liberia. But the Football Association of Malawi, inexplicably, scurried to FIFA to express unfounded fears.

    NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, alongside Secretary of the NFF Security Committee, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, spent the better part of Wednesday at the Force Headquarters perfecting the security guarantee with top officers.

    The guarantee explained that apart from routine police lead escorts and back-up vehicles for both teams and match officials from point of arrival to point of departure, all hotels and training grounds to be used would be adequately fortified; anti-bomb squad would be deployed to sweep and maintain all hotels and training pitches; anti-bomb squad would sweep and secure the entire stadium along with Police elite squad (Police Mobile Force/Counter Terrorist Unit); adequate security would be provided on match day in the entire vicinity of the stadium and hotels of teams and match officials and; there would be police escorts for teams and match officials to and from stadium on match day, among other measures.

    The letter also informed FIFA that ACP Gideon Akinsola, FIFA National Security Officer in Nigeria, would be on duty at the big match.

    Next month’s game has assumed some importance as only two points separate the Super Eagles from the Flames at the top of Group F, with the Eagles needing only a draw to reach the 10-team final elimination round and the Malawians needing a win.

    FIFA had written to the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday to provide a letter of security guarantee from the appropriate authority in Nigeria as well as a detailed security plan for the qualifying match.

  • Anambra unveils social security scheme

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yesterday unveiled the Unique Social Security Scheme for indigent Anambra elders above 75.

    Unveiling the programme yesterday at the Women Development Centre, the governor said the law setting up the State Indigent Relief Law was passed in June and signed last month.

    He said the initial N1 billion made available for the project covered July to December.

    The governor said the state has a special account for the project in which his administration has provided enough money for the project till December next year.

    Obi said the aim was not to burden his successor.

    Assuring the people that his administration is hinged on sound planning, he said the measures were put in place to enable his successor to take off seamlessly.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, said Obi’s decision to start assisting the elderly not only showed him as a good father, but also a visionary.

    He appealed to those in charge of the project to have the fear of God and humbling spirit to render services without hindrance.”

  • Sultan cautions elders on insecurity

    Sultan cautions elders on insecurity

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has warned Nigerians against fanning the embers of insecurity and violence in the country.

    The Sultan gave the warning when he hosted a 20-man delegation of the Kaduna-based Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria at a fast-breaking dinner.

    Abubakar noted that in time of crisis, the sons and daughters of the down-trodden Nigerians were always the victims of violence and mayhem.

    “These poor and vulnerable youths get killed or maimed while their colleagues in the wealthy and elitist families are often sent abroad for studies.

    “This is another form of injustice against the weak, indigent youths and it must be urgently stopped,” he added.

    Speaking on 2015, the Sultan stressed the need to pray for the country’s leaders “who will take us out of our present predicaments as a nation’’.

    He said traditional rulers are not politicians but,” fathers and leaders in the political field…who would continue to pray for Nigeria and her leaders to lead the nation to the promised land.”

    Abubakar praised members of the foundation, dedicated to peace building in the north and Nigeria generally, for doing a very patriotic job.

    “This is a group of youths from Islam and Christianity who are doing what the elders are supposed to be doing for the country to have peace, unity, security, stability, cohesion and understanding among all Nigerians,” he added.

    The monarch urged the youth not to allow themselves to be used by some selfish leaders as “preys”.

    The leader of the delegation, Mr Solomon Dalong, a lawyer and human rights activist, said the problems currently facing Nigeria were artificial.

    “These problems like insecurity, corruption and poverty, among others were not created by God.

    “We had lived peacefully with each other before and the situation now is unacceptable,” he added.

  • Aspirant advised on security

    Arenowned pharmacist, Mr. Ugochukwu Okwuosa has enjoined a governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Ugochukwu Okeke-Enyioha, to address the issue of insecurity in order to reduce violent crimes and other heinous vices in the state.

    Okwuosa, who is also the Managing Director of KP Pharmaceuticals Limited, gave the advice when Mr. Okeke-Enyioha and members of his Enyioha Campaign Organisation paid him a visit in Ogidi, in Idemmili Local Government Area of the state.

    Okwuosa told Okeke-Enyioha: “It is a good thing that you have taken up the challenge to contest for the governorship position in the state. If and when you become the governor of Anambra State, please endeavour to look critically into the issues of security of lives and property and the nagging problem of kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery. I must say it is gladdening that youths have shown interest in solving the myriad problems facing our state.”

    Earlier, Okeke-Enyioha said he decided to contest after realising that in the Igbo traditional setting, it is the youth who are usually sent on errands, stressing that since it is popularly said that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, “today is that tomorrow we have been waiting for.”

    Assuring his hosts that “change has come to Anambra State,” Okeke said he had already started meeting with experts on the best strategies to stamp out kidnapping, even as he regretted that community policing has not been exhaustively experimented upon by the authorities.

    He further said that his wide consultation has continued to take him to every Anambra citizen irrespective of political divide, pointing out that the task of developing the state requires collective action, which he said, does not respect such narrow sentiments of religion, gender and party affiliation.

    In an interview with newsmen, Okwuosa noted that though Governor Peter Obi could be adjudged to have performed creditably well in office as governor, security of lives and property remains a nagging issue in the state. He pointed out that while former governor Chris Ngige evolved his own methodology of battling crimes, Obi decided that he must depend on government agencies to ensure security.

    Okwuosa, whose elder brother was once a victim of kidnapping, explained that Governor Obi’s style of direct release of funds to communities and organisations has made it impossible for his administration to record any abandoned project, the governor’s promise that he would leave behind about N27 billion, is evidence that he was a good governor.