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  • Southern, Middle Belt leaders seek end to rising poverty, insecurity

    Southern, Middle Belt leaders seek end to rising poverty, insecurity

    Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF) have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle the rising poverty and insecurity in the country.

    The leaders said this in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting attended by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark (National Leader), Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Leader of Afenifere), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide), Dr. Pogu Bitrus (National President of Middle Belt Forum, and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien (National Chairman of PANDEF).

    On the economy and the falling standard of living, the SMBLF said the rising poverty was putting the federation at great risk.

    The communiqué reads: “From its recent ranking as the ‘poverty capital of the world’, it is disheartening to note that in the past few months, things have worsened as most Nigerians are virtually living on hand-outs.

    “In another respect, the Nigerian naira has fallen uncontrollably to levels that were never imagined and the situation is getting worse daily.”

    Read Also: Oyo will soon achieve energy sufficiency, says Makinde

    Commenting on the worsening insecurity in the land, SMBLF said: “In all parts of the country, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent groups have taken over our cities, villages, and highways. Most recently, Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, and Benue states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have become some of the most dangerous places to live in.  

    “It is inconceivable that criminal groups can come in and out of our communities, yet those who are responsible for safeguarding the society cannot get into the same hideouts or anticipate their activities.” 

    The group reminded President Tinubu that the primary duty of government is to protect the life and property of the citizens, adding that the buck stops at his table as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. 

    The SMBFL expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of members of the security services, but urged them to redouble their efforts and restore peace to the country.

    The statement added: “The worsening state of insecurity again reinforces the call for a rejigging of the security architecture; in particular the urgent need for more Federal Government interest and encouragement towards ongoing state and community policing efforts around the country.

    “We vehemently condemn the setting up of an ethnic militia by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore a fortnight ago in Lafia, Nasarawa State. We hereby advise that the Federal Government should not condone actions that would force other ethnicities into setting up their ethnic armies, as that will lead to national disintegration. We welcome the agreement for state police in all states of the federation.”

    The SMBLF also reiterated its call for restructuring, saying the nation is currently fractured, divided and retrogressing “because of the faulty federal system being practised”.  

    The forum urged President Tinubu to muster the courage to lead the country into the proper practice of federalism as obtained all over the world.

    It added that Mr. President had carved out a name for his efforts in fighting for true federalism in the country. 

    SMBLF urged President Tinubu to set in motion the machinery towards eventual constitutional amendment by implementing the 2014 National Conference Report and the El-Rufai Committee Report on True Federalism of 2018 set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    The forum condemned the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, saying the government action has implications for peace and security in the Southeast.

    It advised the government to ensure that the rule of law is allowed to prevail on the matter by obeying all court rulings. 

    On the situation in Rivers State, the SMBLF expressed its concern that it had been allowed to fester for so long. 

    It added: “While appreciating President Tinubu for his quick intervention in trying to broker peace, it is clear to all, especially with the court judgments and counter-judgments that peace is far from the state.

    “The meeting, therefore, urges President Tinubu to re-examine the decisions which were taken to ensure they are in compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and are capable of bringing lasting peace to the state.”

  • Southern Sun Ikoyi hosts clients

    IN appreciation of it’s loyal customers for their patronage, Southern Sun Ikoyi recently treated its customers to an exclusive mid-year quarterly corporate cocktail, which also marked the unveiling of the hotel’s newly added meeting and boardroom facilities.

    Celebrating the refurbished new look of the hotel and speaking fondly about the support from clients and partners at the corporate VIP cocktail event, Mark Loxley, the hotel’s General Manager, thanked guests for their continued business support and patronage to the hotel and prayed for a better second half of the year.

    He reiterated that the cocktail event is a simple gesture to the local business communities and clientele of southern sun Ikoyi in appreciating the support provided to the Hotel within the business environment in which they operate.

    Mr. Loxley said: “We are excited to showcase the recent enhancements to the hotel, with the addition

    of one board room and two meeting rooms which was a necessitated need due to growing demand for

    exclusive business meetings at the hotel”.

    He further stated that “the new development was a perfect opportunity for valued long-term partners and new guests to experience our dedication in delivering the Southern Sun Ikoyi signature in comfort, hospitality and brand values.”

    Ensuring that the taste buds of guests at the corporate VIP cocktail event were not left disappointed, Chef Alex and his team treated guests to a delicious array of sweet and savory bites, including fresh prawns, juicy steak burgers, fine wine and champagne alongside assorted cheeses and much more, as they relaxed and networked over glasses filled with finely blended juices.

    Also in attendance amongst the special guests from the diplomatic community gracing the evening’s occasion included Mr. Azwianewi Mbedzi, the Vice Consul Political from the South African Consulate General in Nigeria, who particularly expressed great delight at the opportunity to meet and mingle with esteemed individuals from Lagos thriving business community.

  • Southern, M’ Belt leaders reject Fed Govt $1bn support for herdsmen 

    The Southern and Middle Belt leaders yesterday rejected the $1bn approved by Federal Government and the Council of States to support agriculture and livestock farming.

    The leaders called on the federal government to cancel such financial intervention, arguing that the Council of States that issued the approval was not a body charged with such financial expenditure under the 1999 Constitution.

    Their position was contained in a communiqué after their meeting at the Dappa-Biriye Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    Stakeholders drawn from all the Southern and Middle-Belt states attended the meeting.

    In attendance were Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Tonye Graham-Douglas, Turner Isoun, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Prof. Tim Menakaya, Dr. Walter Ofonogaro, Dr. Bala Takaya, Maj. Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd.), Air Cdre Dan Suleiman (retd.), among others.

    They further called on the Federal Government to take the war against insurgency more seriously and put an end to it.

    They also appealed to the Northern elders and leaders to decisively intervene to end the unwholesome activities of Boko Haram elements.

    The gathering condemned the murderous activities of herdsmen and called on the federal government to use the security agencies to put an end to the menace.

    The leaders asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that a mechanism was put in place to enable the registration of all eligible Nigerians to avoid disenfranchising any part of the country.

    They also cautioned against the registration of the under-aged and non-Nigerians.

    They insisted restructuring of the federation would definitely address the series of national security and developmental challenges being encountered by the nation.

     

     

     

     

  • When southern governors met

    Great expectations attached to the much-talked-about October 23 Lagos summit of the Southern Governors’ Forum have not been misplaced at all. All the expected states graced the occasion safe for the Imo delegate. Issues germane to Nigerian re-federation were fully brainstormed with no-hold barred.

    The social media, the newspapers, the radio, the TV were full of its reports the day after, totally upstaging the Nigerian Governors’ Forum meeting which held same day at Abuja. Perhaps it was because the Abuja summit has largely become routine; while the Lagos event has resurfaced phenomenally.

    The summit was a bold affirmation that the southern states, firmly united by their geographical contiguity may just now begin to gather the momentum to be united in purpose, aspiration and in pursuits.

    Their counterparts from the 19 northern states have apparently proved to be more united and more able to sustain a forum that hold regular meetings.

    While the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) meetings appear to be regular, borne out of apparent unity or compulsion, it is essentially ceremonial. It has over the years constituted itself into a bulwark for the preservation of the nation’s status quo. It hardly asks probing questions on the state of the nation or any questions concerning the constitution on which the realm stands.

    Antithetically, the Southern Governors’ Forum, hitherto very trite in unity, appears to be constituting itself into the avant-garde against provisions and statutory proclamations that it claims hinder national development. The SGF has increasing turned itself into a forum for advocating correction of the many wrong provisions in the Nigerian constitution.

    All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu, one of the founding fathers of the SGF had as early as 2002 led Lagos State to get the Supreme Court to abolish special funds illegally created by the federal government for funding its special projects – not from federal allocations – but from the common Federation Account.

    Over the years, Lagos State has also singly won the battle for the state to control the management of its environment; the control of the management of its urban and physical planning. It has won the control of the registration and running of its hotels and restaurants and that of its waterways that were all before then under the control of the federal government.

    All these are battles fought and won by Lagos State alone but which are now freely enjoyed by all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Lest we forget, Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu also hosted an SGF summit in Lagos in 2005. The main plank of that meeting’s struggle was to get the federal government to concede a fraction of income accruing from a natural resource derived from any state back to that state. This has eventually led to the releasing of 13 per cent derivation fund to states throughout Nigeria where resources are tapped.

    The SGF today waves the 13 per cent derivation fund as fruit of struggle of southern governors of yesteryears, which all Nigerians now enjoy. And by that feat of the 2005 summit, the SGF has become more emboldened to confront some of the constitutional monstrosities and federal practices that have over the years’ imperilled national progress.

    Now, the SGF has asked for the big one: true federalism. By this demand they want the federal government to divest itself of all vestiges of authoritarianism imbibed from the military era of 1966–1999. The unitary military command system replete in our democratic constitution is being asked to be jettisoned.

    True federalism will reflect in every aspect of our life. States will control the resources in their land and pay taxes to the federal government and a Federation Account from which fellow-states can benefit.

    Federal government will control foreign affairs, armed forces and the para-military forces. But the governors want state police in order to participate in the process of securing their states, not leaving the control in the hand of a boss in Abuja who apparently has bitten more than he can swallow.

    True federalism synonymous with ‘restructuring’ and ‘devolution of power’ is truly the big one. The southern states believe it can end the fiscal strictures each of the states faces now. They believe it will strengthen the economy and enable states to develop at their own pace depending on their peculiarities.

    It is also believed that true federalism will foster equity, fairness and justice in our plural society. That it will call for a redesigning, reconfiguration, revitalizing and reinventing of the nation’s federal essence.

    Above all, that it can create a productive citizenry as opposed to a people raised to laze around waiting for hand-out. The federal government waits for the oil companies to bring in the petro-dollars, the governors wait on the President to release their states’ allocations and the people wait on the governors to hand-out the state’s shares for the citizen to receive their own portion instead of working for good income and prosper.

    But true federalism is not all that the southern governors demanded for Nigerians to have a better Nigeria. They also demanded for more infrastructures in the South.

    They want the states to be allowed to keep the Value Added Tax collected in their domains. They want devolution of power by which the six geopolitical zones of South-west, South-south, South-east, North-central, North-east and North-west will become power centres or regions.

    Each region will assert political authority and control the resources within its exclave, paying taxes to the federal government. It is believed this will curb the excesses of the federal government by the humongous resources stacked upon it which it only wastes, leaving its functionaries to pillage them as they choose.

    Now we know it doesn’t matter how frequently some governors meet if they don’t seek to find solutions to any of the myriad of problems assailing the nation.

    Yet our ears are on the tingle whenever some other group of governors meet. It is because we know they are constantly brainstorming on solutions to Nigeria’s many problems. Especially because they do not see any area of our national life as a no-go area.

    It is particularly commendable that every solution they midwife is for the benefit of the entire country even when they are called the Southern Governors’ Forum.

    Albeit, credit for the huge success of this latest conclave of the SGF must primarily go to Barrister Tunji Bello, the Lagos Secretary to the State Government (SSG), its organizer; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, its sponsor; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, its originator and     think-tank; and the governors that graced the occasion.

    It remains cumulatively incumbent on all of them to put more effort to ensure regularity of the summit and ensure deserved success of its agenda to re-federalize Nigeria.

     

    • Amupitan writes from Isolo – Lagos State.

  • Southern governors and true federalism

    Governors of 17 states of the southern part of the country recently held an historic meeting in Lagos at the end of which they reiterated their commitment to true federalism and the indivisibility of Nigeria as well as devolution of power to the states. The meeting was historic because it marked the second time the governors would be meeting under aegis of the Southern Governors’ Forum in 12 years. It will be recalled that the first summit of the forum took place in 2001 while the very last prior to the latest one took place in 2005. While scheduling its next meeting to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the forum equally made governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Seriake Dickson its co-chairmen.

    The forum’s stance on true federalism is, no doubt, a welcome development to all advocates of fiscal federalism in the country. Giving a hint on the subject in his opening remarks, Governor Ambode said: “There is certainly a lot to be done about true federalism, an issue that requires urgent, meticulous and proactive attention from the forum. No less disturbing is the failure to undertake the periodic review of the revenue allocation formula as provided for by the 1999 Constitution to reflect evolving realities. This is another critical matter that ought to engage this forum in order to enhance the viability of the state and local governments as well as their capacity to fulfil their developmental roles in the polity”. Governor Ambode further noted that the current trend where states over rely on handouts from Abuja is a reflection of the constitution that burdens the federal government with activities and responsibilities that rightly fall within the jurisdiction of the states.

    Globally, the distinctive feature of a federation is the constitutional dissection of powers between the central government and the federating units. In a unitary system, total powers flow from the centre while in a federation, powers are detached between the centre and other federating units. Federalism is supposed to be a mutually evolved system where none of the federating units is inferior to another but each deriving its powers and exercising them within the framework of the constitution.

    Federalism is normally considered a better political option in view of certain factors. For instance, it is politically expedient for a country with a huge land mass, big and heterogeneous population, complex cultural and language diversities to operate a federal system of government as a way of accommodating the diverse ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic interests in the country.  Thus, federalism becomes the viable option for a nation, like Nigeria, with diverse interests in order to exist in a mutually binding framework. It is, however, not an avenue for any of the federating units to bully the other. It is not a system that makes states governors’ school children while the President acts as their headmasters. No! Rather, it is a system that calls for mutual respect and fairness among all federating units.

    Unfortunately, because we have been practicing a defective version of federalism over the years, individuals and institutions that advocate the practice of true federalism are often labelled as rascals, rebels or in some cases secessionists. It is, therefore, pleasing to note that eminent individuals and organisations in the country have, in the past and of late, been canvassing for the enthronement of true federalism in the country. While delivering a lecture at the Sixth Annual Oputa Lecture at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in Toronto, Canada, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, described what is being practiced in the country as ‘feeding bottle federalism’.

    Perhaps, the most eventful period in the country’s political history was when true federalism was practiced as reflected in the regional experience of the pre-independence and immediate post-independence era. This was the period when the defunct Western Region under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo made giant strides that are till date second to none in the region. In same era, the defunct Eastern Regional government was also able to record several landmark legacies depending solely on revenue from palm kernel among others while in the defunct Northern Region, the Ahmadu Bello administration equally laid the foundation for the socio-economic evolvement of the region.

    If we are to go back to this glorious era in our socio-political history, we need to evolve a new constitution that will truly reflect the principles and sprit of true federalism. The present constitution is lopsided in its power-sharing at the expense of other federating units. For instance, Part one of the Second Schedule of the Constitution listed 68 items in the Exclusive Legislative List on which only the central government has control, while in Part two, it listed 30 items in the Concurrent Legislative List on which both the central and states could exercise control. In a true federal arrangement, there should be no need for local government creation to require consequential provision of the National Assembly. Equally, the inclusion of Police, Mines and Minerals, Railways, Stamp Duties, Taxation of Incomes, and Value Added Tax (VAT) in the exclusive list is also uneven.

    Similarly, a situation that warrants states to wait endlessly for the federal government to fix so-called federal roads in their domains is not too tidy. Equally, it is imperative that a new revenue sharing formula that will be fair to all federating units be put in place. It is only in a unitary system that such an uneven arrangement in which the federal government takes 52 per cent of the total revenue while other federating units share the rest could take place. Similarly, some Ministries, Departments and Agencies that exist in Abuja shouldn’t be in place in the first instance because their duties are better performed by other federating units. In a proper federation, what the central government does is to focus on central federal matters like foreign affairs, economy, maritime shipping and security.

    Perhaps, most importantly, states and local governments in the country need to identify areas where their Internally Generated Revenue’s base could be boosted. It is only when all the federating units are financially buoyant that the prosperity that the country once enjoyed in the Awolowo, Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello’s era could be replicated. The present arrangement where states readily queue, cup in hand, at Abuja before they could sort out routine issue such as payment of salaries isn’t tidy enough. Lagos, under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was partly able to stand its ground in the celebrated local government fund seizure matter between it and the then Obasanjo-led federal government because its leadership had creatively evolved a sound economic base for the state.

    On a final note, it needs to be emphasized that advocacy for the enthronement of true federalism in the country should not be misconstrued as promotion of secession. It is not and cannot be. If we are unable to aggregate and articulate concerted efforts to entrench true federalism, all our aspirations for a better a country where institutions work and where fairness and equality reign supreme might continue to be mere hallucination

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
  • Southern, Middle Belt leaders urge Buhari to actualise restructuring

    Southern, Middle Belt leaders urge Buhari to actualise restructuring

    Some leaders of Souhthern and Middle Belt states yesterday in Abuja condemned what they called the deployment of troops to quell agitation.

    They praised President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising the agitation for restructuring in his October 1 speech but urged him to set machinery in place to actualise it.

    The leaders met in Abuja under the umbrella of the  Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Forum.

    Among those who attended were: Prof Jerry Gana, Banabas Gemade, Ayo Adebayo, Olu Falae, Dan Suleiman, Chief Edwin Clark, Mrs Stella Omu, Idris Wada, Tunde Ogbeha, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Ferdinand Agu, Chief Chigozie Ogbu, among others.

    In a communique read by John Dara, the delegates said: “In furtherance of the successful Meeting of the Leaders from the South and Meddle Belt of Nigeria held on July 15, 2017 to layout an orderly process of finding viable solutions to the rising agitations for a fair, just, equitable and balanced restructuring of our federal system, a follow up Meeting was successfully held October 5, 2017, with delegates from the South West, South East, South South and from the Middle Belt States comprising, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, Adamawa, Southern Kebbi, Southern Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Southern Borno and FCT.

    “After an extensive consultative session, delegates resolved to issue the following communique; We remain convinced that as a multi-ethnic country Nigeria can only enjoy lasting peace, development progress and happiness under a federal system which allows all the Federating Units to develop at their own pace under full cultural expression. We therefore restate our commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria as one entity under God.

    “However, we firmly believe that Nigeria is not a proper federation, as the structure is over-centralised, unjust and anti-development and therefore unacceptable. There is no gainsaying the fact that this is at the core of the many agitations across the country with some delving into separatist feelings.

    “Nigeria must therefore be grateful to those of us speaking in demand of restructuring of the federation for the restoration of the Federal principles enshrined in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions as a middle course between those who want to sustain the present unjust structure that is driving Nigeria into the edge and consequently attracting agitations for break-up and those who are calling for break-up of Nigeria.

    “Forum was full of regrets that the National Assembly did not make maximum use of its last constitutional amendments exercise by voting down devolution of powers and functions to the federating units. We believe tension would have gone down considerably across the country if the National Assembly has decided to vote for reform.

    “We call on the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency revisit its decisions as promised by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representative and resolve the matter in a way that we can have a new fiscal formula that will move Nigeria away from the current over dependence on oil and gas revenue to a diversified economy where all section of Nigeria are encouraged to develop their abundant natural and human resources for regional and national development with all constitutional impediments removed.

    “Forum deplored recent developments in the South East, which led to deployment of troops against agitation in the region by IPOB leading to avoidable loss of lives. We equally reject the hasty tagging of IPOB as terrorist organisation in the face of contrary evidence.

    “We call on the Federal Government to always exercise restraint in the deployment of troops in quelling civil agitations, which is the responsibility of the police in any democracy. Consequently, we call on the Federal Government to reconsider similar operations that the Army is embarking on in the South West and South South zones, which are peaceful areas.

  • Southern dealers?

    On June 19, some “Southern leaders” gathered in Lagos.

    The group comprised eminent South West, South East and South-South personages; and their business was to react to the Arewa “Northern Youths’” ultimatum to the Igbo living in the North to vacate that region by October 1, on account of Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB’s clamour for Igbo secession from Nigeria — a most unfortunate diktat.

    But no less unfortunate was the sabre-rattling by these “elders”, gathered in Lagos.  Any attack against the Igbo in the North, they declared, would be taken as an attack against all “southerners”.  Really?

    And if any attack indeed took place, as that riposte seemed to suggest, would these “elders” ensure a tit-for-tat?  And if it came to that, how many “southern youths” could they press into service, against the so-called “northern youths”, in the emotive-driven belligerency to come?

    If the mythical “youths” lose their heads, must the elders do too?

    First, to the Igbo leaders in the assemblage: which of them was publicly quoted to have warned Nnamdi Kanu for his explosive hate messages and threats against other Nigerians, in his Biafra project?

    If they didn’t — and silence could be presumed to be consent, even if it could also indicate neutrality — how can Kanu be right and the equally rascally “northern youths”, reacting to his hostility, be wrong?  So, they were either complicit or indifferent, until a counter-threat hit their own kith-and-kin? What sort of elders are those!

    As for their Yoruba ensemble, what was the basis of their gamely declaration that “an attack on the Igbo is an attack on all of the South”?  To be sure, an attack on any citizen, in a country run by law, and supposed to guarantee the security of all, is something to be decried.

    But that principle runs from the premise that everyone submits himself  or herself to due process: and part of due process is not to threaten others with hate speeches and torrential curses, no matter the provocation.  So, on what basis were these Yoruba leaders grandstanding over attacks?

    Could they have been privy to Kanu’s hate messages?  And if they were not — and they couldn’t have been, for the Yoruba are among the victims of Kanu’s scalding hate — why this comical southern pseudo-column against Arewa attack, using mythical “Yoruba youths” as shield, when they were never party to the original provocation?

    Elders should be wise.  That is why they are elders.  At least African custom and tradition decrees it so.

    So, instead of this needless media grandstanding, which could further worsen an explosive situation, they should join Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in his consultations to lower the political thermometer and roll back the discourse from combustible emotions to clinical reason.

    The acting president could be doing his chore by law.  But such chores could have been averted had South East elders done what elders should do: warn their youths against unbridled rascality.  Clearly if the South East elders had done that, millions of innocent, peaceful and law-abiding Igbo in the North would not face this avoidable peril?

    Elders should do their traditional duty: talk sense into rash youths.  Following youth to issue own version of threat is not elderly at all.  It is rather elders doubling as leaders dealing in avoidable chaos.

    That would be a wide and merry way that drives all to perdition.

  • Quit order: Southern leaders seek sanctions against Arewa youths

    Some southern leaders yesterday urged the Federal Government to address the quit order issued by some Arewa youth groups to the Igbo to vacate the North.

    They spoke after a meeting at Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s house in Lagos. It was attended by leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by its President Nnia Nwodo, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Chief Albert Horsefall and former Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ikiweý (rtd).

    The leaders said the ultimatum was been handled with levity, adding that it was a threat to Southern Nigeria.

    The communique of the meeting read by Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “We the people of Southern Nigeria, comprising Southeast, Southwest and Southsouth of Nigeria, decided to come together to forge a common and formidable front and sustenance of sound principles of national development ,equity, fairness, social justice and political emancipation.

    “The meeting held against the backdrop of the ultimatum given by the Arewa youths to the people of Southeast and by extension to all southerners to vacate the North by October 1, 2017 and the refusal of the Nigerian state to activate the law against any of them, giving us the impression that these youths are not acting on their own, but with the backing of their establishment.

    “We consider the need to avert the impending danger arising from the ultimatum given by the Arewa youths.

    “We agreed that there is a growing demand by our people and other Nigerians to form a stronger federation in which principles and practice of true federalism are upheld. We observe that the cry for self-determination will continue unabated and become much more stringent unless the Federal Government sincerely address the issues of restructuring of Nigeria.

    “We, therefore, resolve that we reject the attempt to, reduce the current crisis in Nigeria, flowing from the unresolved nationality question to an Igbo and North affair. The meeting, therefore, insists that any further discussion on this crisis should be between the entire South and the North of Nigeria. The Southeast is advised to consider any further meeting where the Southwest and Southsouth are not involved as southern Nigeria because the issues involved affects all of us.

    “We also demand that Arewa youths and their sponsors must withdraw the quit notice given to the people of the Southeast as failure to do so, will be taken as an ultimatum given to the entire Southern Nigeria to quit their region and any attack against anybody from the South, will be considered an attack against the Southern Nigeria.

    “We advise the Federal Government to take seriously and live up to the primary responsibility of any government, which is to protect the lives and property of every citizen of Nigeria wherever they may reside.”

    The leaders said the consistent attack by Fulani herdsmen on communities in the Southwest was heating the polity, noting that government must stem the tide.

    “Now, we also resolved on the need for the restructuring of Nigeria and to uphold the principles of true federalism as agreed by the founding fathers of Nigeria and practiced effectively in the years before the first military coup in Nigeria.

    “Now we also resolved on the need for the restructuring of Nigeria and to uphold the principles of true federalism as agreed by the founding fathers of Nigeria and practised effectively in the years before the military took over power in Nigeria.

    “We affirm and resolve in the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference aimed at complete transformation and restructuring of our country and to build and confederate Nigeria unity through peaceful and harmonious unity, progress and genuine development.”

  • Still on the Southern Kaduna crisis

    SIR: We are watching with breath taking amazement the level of reported destruction of lives and properties going on in the Southern Kaduna which has claimed about 808 lives while about 57 others suffered life-threatening injuries as at the last count in the hands of some suspected heartless Fulani herdsmen. And more surprising was the body language from the Presidency in which the President has not uttered any word of condemnation on the reported mass killing that can be likened to genocide.

    However, it was the Sultan of Sokoto who has reportedly frowned at the wanton destruction of lives and properties in the area. The respected traditional ruler and head of the Muslim community in Nigeria –Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III has even advised President Mohammed Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai to put an end to the crisis in the area.

    Presidential Spokesperson Femi Adesina was quoted as saying that there is no need for the President to speak on the matter since the Governor, El-Rufai is on top of the matter as the Chief Security officer (CSO) of the state. This is a governor that Rev. Father Paul Jatau has accused of being complacent in the handling of the contentious matter. In fact, the Rev. Father went ahead to allege that it was the refusal of the Southern Kaduna residents to turn their lands into grazing reserves of the Fulani herdsmen that is the bedrock of the crisis.

    About 808 human lives reportedly lost in a particular section of a Federating Unit within the Federal Republic of Nigeria and yet the Presidency has not deemed it fit to utter a single word or condemnation whether it means it or not! We are talking of human lives here and not those of livestock or chickens. And even if such lives belong to other animals other than humans, what does it cost the authorities concerned to condemn  such unwarranted destruction in unmistaken terms before going ahead to investigate the matter with a view to getting to the roots of the matter and put a final step to such ugly occurrences? Since the Sultan and the President of the NSCIA has strongly condemned the destruction and went ahead to advise both the President and the governor on what to do, there is no need to further over flog the matter since the concerned authorities have their own living consciences too.

    Fulani herdsmen again? Their issue has become a recurrent decimal in our National Security discourse and it has even become a national phenomenon. It is either they are involved in human lives and properties destruction or destruction of farmers’ crops kidnapping for ransom and sometimes armed robbery.  We thank God that the Sultan of Sokoto- himself a foremost   Fulani man and scion of Othman Dan Fodio has used several forums to condemn and distance himself from the activities of these rampaging Fulani herdsmen. It was revealed that these culprits are foreigners and not Nigerians. And if indeed they are itinerant / migrant Fulani Herdsmen from foreign lands, should the government at whatever levels continue to watch as they systematically disrupt the peace of our nation or any part thereof? This should be a food for thought for those that are concerned.

    The year 2016 might be a wailing year with a lot of gory tales for the people of Southern Kaduna as their loud cries and agonies were not considered loud enough to attract an appropriate response from those that should be concerned, but they should be rest assured that the Heavens have noted their plight and will intervene on their behalf by moving the hearts of those in authority to render the respective justices due to them and their assailants.

     

    • Gbemiga Olakunle, JP,

    gbemigaolakunle@yahoo.co.uk

  • Southern Kaduna’s endangered species

    Sir: the level of ethno-religious intolerance in the polity is quite worrisome. We pride ourselves as a nation with impressive number of religious men and women who have won global acclamation, yet same can hardly be felt in our social interactions. Sadly, the younger generation are fast catching up with this culture of needless antagonism of persons with different ideals, beliefs, culture and norms. This is regularly on display on different social media platforms where name calling is now the order of the day.

    With the alarming spate of killings in Southern Kaduna, which could have called for a declaration of a state of emergency in other climes, it is evident that lives do not count for anything in this part of the world. Hence, it is understandable that the Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina can declare that President Buhari must not speak on everything happening in the country.

    Of note, when an important member of our nation dies, we have condolence messages from the Presidency, but when hundreds of peasants are massacred, we find excuses. Admittedly, President Buhari must not speak on everything. We do not really expect some empty threats, or vain promises. But a proactive government would take necessary actions to curb this menace promptly before the tribal and religious differences put a chasm among its citizenry.

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai declared that the attackers are foreign Fulani herdsmen, who were avenging past attacks on them and their livestock. However, concerned Nigerians have rightly expressed their disappointments with the state and federal governments’ manner of handling this seemingly endless bloodshed, precisely due to the ethno-religious undertone.

    Remarkably, the United Nations (UN) had earlier this year reiterated the urgency for concerted efforts to curb the illegal trade in wildlife products that are threatening the planet’s biodiversity. This is in conformity with the principles governing wildlife management which aims at protecting wildlife species such as: elephants, rhinos, turtles, whales, lions amongst others hunted, killed and smuggled for their meat, fur, skin, and tusks. The level of poverty in the country had made many to now resort to the animals once regarded as prohibited for daily meals and trade for survival. Regardless, there can be no justification for cheating nature. Likewise, the despicable level of ethno-religious intolerance has made many become preys to their fellow humans.

    Hence, in an effort to take stern action to protect wildlife resources and for sustainability of the planet and species that are under threat for future generation, President Muhammadu Buhari had recently signed the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Amendment Act 2016 into law to address the cases of illegal hunting and trafficking of wildlife and to bring the penalty provisions in line with economic realities.

    Of note, it is important to appreciate that the average Nigerian is endangered due to inability to access the basic necessities of life. Precisely, residents of Southern Kaduna have become endangered species requiring succour lest they be devoured by their adversaries.  The least of our worries should ordinarily be security as we bid farewell to 2016 and the accompanying bitter recession, but that has recently become our top priority as evident in the numerous ethno-religious crisis and upsurge of crime in our polity. It is expected that urgent measures would be taken to curb the killings in Southern Kaduna since some persons now pride themselves as having a right to deprive others of their right to life without any legal consequences.

    Michael O. Ogunjobi,

    Lagos