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Tag: strengthen

  • Institute to inductees, fellows: strengthen ties with your skills

    The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Concilliators (ICMC) Nigeria has inducted new members and conferred Fellowships on other members writes Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

    The President of the Institute of  Chartered  Mediators and Conciliators’ (ICMC) Nigeria,   High Chief Emeka  Obegolu, has urged new members  and Fellows to use their  mediation and conciliation  skills to improve themselves and the country.

    Obegolu spoke at the induction of new members and conferment of Fellowship of the institute on members  at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    He said: “Our training have equipped you with knowledge, life skills and unique insights into  mediation works.

    “It is up to you now to utilise these skills in all aspects of your life  to strengthen your relationship, develop better work relations, build better families; and by extension, better societies.

    “This is only the beginning of your quest to ensure peaceful and harmonious coexistence in Nigeria, and the world beyond.

    “You are therefore challenged by this induction and admission into the Institute to take up the gauntlet and support the efforts of the institute to mainstream mediation and conciliation as the primary means for addressing disputes in Nigeria.”

    Chairman of the occasion, the Amanyanabo of Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, urged members to see their training in mediation and conciliation skills throughout the year as “life”.

    “Mediation is life and in fact mediation should be taught in all our schools at different levels.

    “I see the need for peace builders association of Nigeria. Nigeria is a big country and should lead other countries in Africa on this Alternative Disputes Resolution Mechanism,”  Diete-Spiff said.

    Chairperson of the Institute’s planning committee, Mrs.  Margaret Nwabor, urged members to be peace ambassadors, “taking peace to all the nooks and crannies of this  country.”

    The institute’s Registrar, Mr. Segun Ogunyannwo, said the Mediation Skills Accreditation and Certification training programme of the institute involves candidates with practical life skills for building and sustaining relationships.

    According to him, the course is a rich blend of legal and therapeutic disciplines, creating an inspiring learning experiences.

    Ogunyannwo added: “It offers a practical approach to dispute resolution and enables participants have skills in human relations, which help to improve institutional performance and productivity.

    “We have continued to receive feed-backs from participants that it  is a life-transforming course, a life-changer.

    “It deepens ones’ knowledge and understanding of human nature and helps in lubricating relational motion, making room for more harmonious relationships.

    “It is indeed a great finishing  school.”

    “A  bald-headed man cannot claim to have medicine that will make hair grow.  He will certainly be asked why he is yet to apply same in his case.  We cannot claim to be mediators if we cannot deploy the skills in building our own relationships.”

    He encouraged the inductees and Fellows to continue to put their skills to daily use during social intercourse “at home, at work  and in the society at large.

    “We are very encouraged by the wonderful and inspiring testimonials we have been receiving from participants. The impact has being phenomenal,  I am sure you all have great stories to tell about the application of the principles.”

    He commended the ADR conference which held at the centre earlier in the day.

    According to him, “The topic for this year’s ADR Conference is very instructive at this challenging time in the history of our dear nation: ‘The Mediation Dilemmas in Complex Emergencies: 2019 General Elections in Perspective’”.

    He quoted African Union panel as saying that ‘Elections are the hallmark of representative democracy, allowing the peoples’ regular input in  choices about their  leaders and their  policies. Yet they are also competitive processes, unleashing conflict and tensions that, if not constructively managed, could potentially destabilise the fabric of states and societies.’

    He urged members of the ICMC to  draw inspiration from a 13th century Persian poet, Jalabuddim Rumi, when he said ‘Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field,  I’ll meet you there’

    The Registrar added: “Mediators are lubricators of relational motion, I am therefore, confident that after the ICMC Mediation Skills Accreditation and Certification course you are imbued with skills to transform into cooperation, mistrust into trust, and alienation into meaningful human connectedness – thereby helping in building and sustaining harmonious co-existence in your domains.”

    The institute appreciated the enormous contributions of Messers Ben Odo and Isa Fisayo to the programmes of the institute.

    Among those conferred with the Fellowship of the Institute were Prof. Dakas CJ Dakas (SAN), Ambassador Amaka Okoro, Steve Abar, Theodore Mayaki, Chijioke Oham Emeka, Adaobi Edozie, Basil Aguigwo, Clifford Iloegbune Okoye, Efe Etomi, Danladi Kifasi and Abimbola Kayode.

    Reacting to their induction,  Amb. Okoro remarked that she would use the new skill acquired “for peace education, peace networking, peace sensitisation  and peace evangelism.

    “I will also like to open  a peace  college where the skills of mediation will be thought from young  age.

  • How to strengthen ECOWAS court, by experts

    Legal experts and activists believe that making the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States more effective will enhance rights enforcement in the sub-region, writes Eric Ikhilae .

    Human rights violations remain a recurrent challenge globally, moreso in Africa. The situation is not helped by weak institutions and disregard for rule of law.

    There are institutions established to provide remedy where violations occur, but most of them are hobbled by poor funding and lack of operational facilities.

    One of such institutions is the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court).

    Its President, Justice Edward Asante (from Ghana), said the court is underfunded, leading to lack of adequate facilities and personnel.

    He said the court’s position is made worse by the unwillingness of most West African leaders to enforce its decisions.

    An example is the court’s October 5, 2016 judgment declaring unlawful, the detention of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, by the Nigerian government.

    Till date, the Nigerian government is yet to obey the order that Dasuki be released.

    But, to the court’s Chief Registrar, Tony Anene-Maidoh, Nigeria has done better in the area of compliance with the court’s decisions, when compared with other member states.

    Asante and Anene-Maidoh spoke on October 19 while receiving a group of lawyers and rights activists, led by Chima Williams, in Abuja.

    Drawn from 10 countries in the continent, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso, the visitors said they were members of the Public Interest Lawyering Initiative of West Africa (PILIWA).

    They said they were visiting the court to learn about its operations and how they and other citizens could benefit from its activities.

    The visitors, who hailed the court for its jurisprudential accomplishments so far, were disappointed by the condition under which it operates. They particularly, noted the evident dearth of necessary operating facilities.

    The court has a single courtroom, that could sit less than 40 people at a time. Its major structure is a converted residential property donated to it years ago by the Nigerian government.

    Asante, who noted that the number of the court’s judges has been reduced from seven to five, assured that the court will do its best to ensure that cases are expeditiously determined.

    He said priority will be accorded human rights related cases in view of the fact that human rights violation is a serious issue in the continent, “because as at today, there are so many governments and heads of government, who are still inflicting all forms of rights violations on citizens.”

    He added that it was the duty of the court to uphold citizens’ rights, particularly journalists, who are endangered because they expose the atrocities of those in authorities.”

    Asante, however, noted that the court faces a major problem in the area of enforcement of the judgments, for which he sought the visitors’ assistance to impress it on member states to see the need to always comply with the court’s decisions.

    He noted that the problem is so bad that so far, only three or four countries have taken the initiative to enforce the court’s judgments.

    Asante expressed the hope that all member states will comply with the new provision in the court’s amended protocol, which requires each state to set up a system for the enforcement of the court’s judgments.

    He noted that the number of judges in the court was inadequate. He said even though the number of cases was rising, ECOWAS recently reduced the number of judges from seven to five.

    The decision, he said, needed to be revisited, because for now, about 106 cases are awaiting hearing, while the court has reserved judgment in 12 cases, to be delivered before the year ends.

    Anene-Maidoh said the court was originally established to adjudicate on interstate disputes and to assist in realising ECOWAS’ economic agenda, including economic integration of the sub-region.

    The Chief Registrar said the court’s human rights jurisdiction, for which the court has become renown, was donated to it by member states in accidentally.

    He added that the jurisdiction, contained under Article 9(4) of the 2005 amended protocol, which allows the court to determine cases of rights violation that occur in member states, “was inchoate, fluid and indeterminate.

    “First, we did not have a catalogue of rights to be enforced.  The protocol did not tell us the scope and nature of that human rights mandate.”

    He said the court was only left to, on its own, chart its course in determining how to execute its human rights mandate.

    On the issue of access, he noted that it was currently expensive for individual litigants to access the court. He noted that since the court only has its registry in Nigeria, litigants are required to covey all their processes to the registry in Abuja.

    He said: “We recognise two weaknesses in the system. The first is that of distance, which is because we do not have sub-registries in member states yet.

    “We have spoken about the need for this court to have a sub-registry in every member state, so that lawyers, irrespective of their location, within the sub-region, can file without having to come to Abuja.

    “The second problem is the absence of funds, in the form of legal aid funds, with which the court could assist indigent litigants, who cannot afford the cost of hiring a lawyer and pay for other logistics while in Abuja.”

    On the issue of enforcement of the court’s decisions, Anene-Maidoh noted that, although the 2005 amended protocol places, on each member state, the responsibility to enforce the court’s judgments and appoint a national authority to coordinate such enforcement, only five out of the 15 member states have complied.

    He gave the names of the five that have complied as Guinea, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Togo. He said the failure of the others to comply has made it difficult for the court to provide accurate data as it relates to enforcement of its decisions.

    Anene-Maidoh also identified the challenge of language. He said because the court operates in three languages – English, French and Portuguese – proceedings take a while, because court   processes and additional exhibits brought in one language, must be translated into the other two languages before hearing is conducted.

    He said the reduction of the number of judges to five makes it impossible to constituted a panel of three judges, who speak and understand any of the three languages.

    Anene-Maidoh however noted that the court’s story is not all about challenges. He said the court also has some advantages, particularly in its power to adjudicate on cases without the applicant having to first, exhaust local remedies before approaching the court.

    According to him, under Article 10 of the court’s protocol, individuals can bring complaints before the court, but subject to meeting three key conditions – the applicant must not be anonymous; the case must not be pending before another international court and that the nature of the clam must be international.

    Some of the visitors expressed delight about the court’s activities. They promised to help promote the court’s activities in the sub-region and even beyond. They urged member states to live up to their obligations to enable the court function effectively.

    Williams urged member states, who are yet to do so, to urgently set up the required system for the enforcement of the court’s judgments in order not to turn it into a toothless bulldog.

    He also advocated for enhanced funding to enable the court meet its obligations and provide the facilities needed for its operations, among which is a befitting court complex.

  • ICAEW, ICAN to strengthen accountancy profession

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a leader in the global accounting and finance industry, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the accountancy profession in Nigeria.

    Both organisations have committed to work together to promote a sound and sustainable accounting and finance industry by sharing their knowledge, improving professional and intellectual development and advancing the number of members of accountancy bodies.

    The agreement was signed by ICAEW President Nick Parker and ICAN President Alhaji Isma’ila Muhammadu Zakari, during an official ceremony in Lagos.

    Speaking on the MoU, Alhaji Zakari said: “A strong financial sector is the backbone of any economy; so we look forward to working closely with ICAEW in future to develop a number of exciting initiatives and to share experiences and expertise for the benefit of the profession in Nigeria. It is essential to establish linkages of this nature so that both bodies will be able to leverage upon each other’s strengths.”

    Parker also said: “We are pleased to sign a mutually beneficial alliance with ICAN and are looking forward to aligning our visions and sharing our expertise to strengthen and support the development of the accountancy profession in Nigeria.”

  • ‘How to strengthen ECOWAS court’

    Stakeholders have identi fied ways to strengthen the ECOWAS Court of Justice, such as increasing the number of its judges and creating an appellate division.

    They include activist-lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN), the court’s president Justice Jerome Traore,  Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) president Emeka Obegolu and Nigerian Coalition for the International Criminal Court Chairman Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu.

    Speaking at a two-day consultative meeting on Strengthening the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Enhancing Access to Justice in the West African subregion in Abuja, they noted that the reduction in the number of judges would have adverse effects on justice delivery in the sub-region.

    The meeting was organised by the Nigerian Coalition for the International Criminal Court and TrustAfrica as part of efforts to improve the court’s service delivery.

    Falana said while the court has recorded remarkable success, especially in upholding human rights, reduction of its judges was “regrettable” and would lead to congestion and delay.

    Justice Troare agreed that the reduction would slow the court down.

    “If with seven, the court is encountering some challenges, what will it do when it is reduced to five?” he asked.

    Speakers called on the ECOWAS leadership to revisit the decision, while Troare recommended that each member state should be represented on the court’s bench.

    Speakers faulted states who disobey the court’s judgments and orders, saying such action threatened its existence.

    “Notwithstanding the commitment of the court to fight impunity by protecting human rights under the rule of law, compliance with decisions of the court by some of the member states has not been encouraging,” Falana said.

    He identified Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia as some of the offending countries.

    Falana blamed the absence of an appellate arm as well as alleged inconsistency in several decisions for the disobedience.

    He urged the ECOWAS commission to commence the process of establishing the appellate chamber,  which he said was approved by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers at its 56th ordinary session in Abuja.

    Speakers said the establishment of a legal aid to assist victims who cannot afford a lawyer or afford the trip to the ECOWAS Court in Abuja would enhance access to justice in the region.

    “The court should not be for the rich alone,“ Troare added.

  • $9b interventions strengthen naira, forex market

    Dollar injections into the economy estimated at $9 billion since February have helped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to achieve long-term naira stability and curb volatility in the foreign exchange (forex) market, The Nation has learnt.

    The CBN has, in the last nine months, sustained its weekly dollar interventions in the forex market; a large part of it goes into the interbank market, bureau de change (BDCs), Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) and wholesale spot.

    The dollar injections were made to enable stakeholders secure enough forex for their operations, and in the process boost naira’s stability.

    The gap between official and black market rates started to shrink since February 20, when the CBN resumed dollar interventions in key segments of the economy. Industry sources said the CBN has injected over $9 billion in the last nine months into the market.

    The CBN’s Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Joseph Nnanna, said the introduction of the Investors’ & Exporters’ (I&E) Forex Window was targeted at increasing forex supply; and allowing the timely settlement of transactions helped to achieve the current exchange rate. He said over $10 billion has been attracted to the economy through the I&E Forex window, adding that the window’s success rate exceeded stakeholders’ expectations.

    In line with its intervention policy, the CBN had, at the weekend, injected $287.89 million into the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS).The intervention was in continuation of its resolve to guarantee liquidity in the foreign exchange market.

    Data received from the CBN revealed that the figure was in favour of the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors.

    The bank’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, confirmed the figures, noting that the releases were targeted at sustaining liquidity in the market as well as boosting production and trade.

    He reiterated that the bank remained committed to ensuring liquidity in the inter-bank sector of the market and would continue to intervene in order to drive growth in the economy and guarantee stability in the market.

    With Friday’s rates hovering around N359 and N360/$1,. Okorafor, was upbeat that the bank’s forex intervention had effectively checked speculations around the Naira. He, however, disclosed that the bank would continue to ensure enforcement through utilisation report and market intelligence.

    It will be recalled that the CBN had last Monday, also intervened in the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to the tune of $210 million comprising of $100 million for the wholesale segment and $55 million each for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and invisibles segment.

    Although the naira maintained its steady rate against major currencies around the globe, exchanging for N360/$1 in the BDC segment of the market on Friday, there is growing anticipation that the objective of the CBN to achieve rates convergence might be met before the end of December 2017 through a combination of factors such as Diaspora repatriation of funds and continued accretion to the country’s reserves.

    Market sources said the naira’s stability will continue in the coming months due to the CBN’s increased dollar sale to BDCs, the intervention for SMEs and favorable forex policy for investors, exporters and end-users.

    Also to boost naira’s position is the rising oil prices and production volume, which would translate to higher dollar earnings for the economy and improved foreign exchange reserves.

    But JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Renaissance Capital have said the naira rally, sparked by increased sales of foreign-exchange forwards and looser capital controls, are contingent on the CBN continuing to sell down its foreign reserves.

  • Fish: Firm trains 620 to strengthen aqua culture

    Nigeria’s plan of achieving self-sufficiency in fish production has received a boost. Aller Aqua Limited  trained over 1000 catfish and tilapia farmers on proper feed management. This is to boost local production and reduce the country’s yearly import bill of N238 billion

    Aller Aqua Nigeria  Limited, a subsidiary of Denmark-based fish feed producer, Aller Aqua Group, is  working with the government  to empower  fishermen to learn profitable aquaculture.

    Its Regional Sales Manager, Mr Foluso Dada, said the agro firm has  trained 620 fish farmers this year, in its ongoing “free training’’ to further drive the Federal Government’s plan to strengthen aqua culture.

    He said the  figure included trainings in Asaba, Warri, Benin and Port Harcourt. “The training is focused on increasing efficiency and production of fish farmers, using efficient fish conversion,” said Dada, adding: “With this, a catfish farmer with 1,200 pieces of fish can make 24.7 per cent profit margins, having three production cycles of four months each and a tilapia farmer with same pieces of fish will have 37.5 percent profits.”

    According to him, the outcome of the training since it commenced in 2016, has propelled the firm to extend its activities to the South-West cities such as Lagos and Ibadan. “The training is going to be in three parts, to bridge the gap in the aquaculture sub-sector deficit in optimum profitability. The first part of the training will be for those, who own fish farms on managing practices, to build farmers’ capacity and opportunities for making profits.

    “The second phase, which is a technical part, will be on Economics of Feeding and Feeds Efficiency for farm owners and managers. The third is on Tilapia production, focusing on feasibility studies of how to set up tilapia farms and how to make profits,’’ Dada said.

    Managing Director, Amolese Aquaculture Nigeria Limited, Tiamiyu Nurudeen  underscored the need for organisations to help  small fish farmers overcome various problems  they  face.

    Tiamiyu, who is also the national npresident of the Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria, believed the sector’s performance was crucial to income generation and poverty alleviation, calling for an enabling pro-growth policy environment for the sector.

    Nurudeen said the fisheries and aquaculture sector has been making an important contribution to the country’s economic growth. In the workshop, presentations highlighted key prerequisites for success in fish farming business using feed. The presentations also identified concrete managerial issues which should be addressed to ensure the sustainability of  fish farms.

  • ‘How to strengthen oil, gas industry’

    The Federal Government should reposition the oil and gas sector for growth by designing implemen-ting good policies, industry stakeholders have said.

    The stakeholders include the Chairman, Schlumberger in Africa, Mr. Sola Oyinlola, Head of Oil and Gas, Renaissance Capital, Ildar Davletshin and ExxonMobil Production Company President , Mr. Neil Duffin.

    The sector, according to them,  has suffered stunted growth due to problems of theft, pipeline vandalism and poor investments. The development, they said, has resulted in divestment of assets by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and  movement from onshore to offshore fields in order to survive.

    Oyinlola said the government can help solve the problems by providing a well articulated policy framework to guide operators in the industry. He said good policies were lacking in the sector, which also caused problems for the operators and the government.

    He said the laws and regulations guiding the industry were outdated and needed to be overhauled to encourage growth. He urged the Federal Government to implement policies that would spur growth in the sector.

    Oyinlola said: “The Muhammad Buhari led administration is trying to give direction to the sector by ensuring that operators play in line with the rules guiding the industry. We  are optimistic that the challenges in the industry would be tackled expeditiously to provide a new dynamic investment destination.”

    He said there were untapped opportunities in the sector despite the successes recorded by some of the operators. He then advised the government to formulate and implement policies that would enable operators maximise gains of investments and further achieve good profit margins.

    According to him, when good policies are in place, operators would execute projects, bring in new investors and spur the growth of the industry.

    Duffin said ExxonMobil was able to execute Erha North Phase II project because there were good policies in place. He said the project was a deepwater development located 60 miles offshore of Nigeria in 3,300 feet of water and four miles north of the Erha field.

    Duffin said: “Executing successful projects such as Erha North Phase 2 ahead of schedule and under budget results from ExxonMobil’s disciplined project management approach and expertise. It was as a result of a well implemented oil and gas policies. Based on this, we have been able to create additional shareholder value by optimising existing infrastructure, which reduces capital spending requirements and improves capital efficiency.”

    He said Erha North Phase II project has since 2006 delivered additional 165 million barrels of crude to Nigeria with a peak production of 65,000 barrels per day.

    Davletshin urged the government to use its mandate to implement the much-needed reforms in the oil and gas sector since the industry is the mainstay of the economy.

    “While it is unlikely that Nigeria will escape its dependence on the sector, there is clear potential for the country to strengthen its oil and gas industry and develop a more diversified and balanced economy, following the successful models of resource-rich countries such as Canada, Norway and Australia,” he said.

  • Switzerland to help strengthen prisons

    The Swiss government after several consultations with the leadership of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) has developed a human rights training manual and human right trainers guide.

    The manual, according to the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Eric Mayoraz is aimed at improving the system and modernize the operations of the NPS in the field of human rights.

    Mayoraz while presenting the manual to the NPS Controller General (CG), Dr. Peter Ekpendu at the formal launch said based on an overall training curriculum development by the United Nations (UN), office on drugs and crime.

    He said the manual will also help enhance the human resources capacity of the NPS so that the treatment of prison inmates would comply with international human rights law and UN standards and norms on the treatment of prisoners.

    His words: “In 2011, the Nigeria and Swiss governments jointly decided to strengthen their collaboration in the field of human rights consultations. Over the years we have been working closely together to building the capacity of NPS staff to comply with international standards in the treatment of prisoners. The Nigerian Prisons Service and Switzerland together with the implementing partner UCHEFEM consultants have successfully integrated and mainstreamed a stronger human right emphasis into the NPS training syllabus.”

  • Security expert urges Muslims to strengthen relationship with Allah

    Renowned security expert and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni has enjoined Muslims to maximize the rewards that come with the month of Ramadan and sustain the virtues taught by the holy month afterwards.

    Mumuni, who contested for governorship election in 2011 under the defunct Congress for Progressives Congress (CPC) in Lagos state, in a Ramadan message, urged them to use the month to strengthen their relationship with Allah.

    Mumuni, who described Ramadan as a rare opportunity that is rife with Allah’s forgiveness, blessings and emancipation from hell-fire, said that the month calls for serious engagement in acts of worship.

    The Aare Jagunmade of Lagos said: “Ramadan is about fasting with sincerity to attain piety and the pleasure of our Lord. It is a college on its own where our faith and soul could be easily nurtured and filled with piety.

    “Essentially, the fasting is not merely restricting oneself from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset alone, it transcends that. We are expected to use the month to strengthen our relationship with Allah through numerous righteous deeds. Our mouths, eyes and every other parts of our body must be grossly engaged in remembrance of Allah. This is how we can feel the impact in our souls.”

    Mumuni, who authors Global Terrorism and its Effects on Humanity stressed that the month was meant teach mankind how to live in peace with their fellow beings irrespective of their creeds, and extend hands of love and brotherhood to fellow brethren.

  • Strengthen democracy or face political instability, Jonathan warns African leaders

    Strengthen democracy or face political instability, Jonathan warns African leaders

    President Good-luck Jonathan yesterday urged African leaders to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in their countries or face continued threats to political stability and societal peace.

    Addressing the Parliament as part of activities marking his visit to Cote d’Ivoire, President Jonathan said the present generation of African leaders must rise to the challenge of managing contests for political power in a manner that assures greater collective security and peaceful co-existence.

    Leaders of emerging democracies, he warned, must not succumb to the lure of dictatorship, which is the surest way of bottling up grievances and dissent in their countries.

    His words: “We are ourselves daily confronted with the multiplicity of demands and expectations that are the hallmarks of multicultural societies.

    “There are some, here and elsewhere, who might think that the straightjacket of a dictatorship is the surest way to bottle up these grievances and dismantle dissent.

    “That is wrong. Nothing strengthens a society more than openness and a leadership courageous enough to understand the inherent positives that flow from these contending demands. As African leaders, we have to, calmly and dispassionately, harness these energies and utilise them to serve the best interest of our people.

    “Indeed, it is self-evident that people, who feel secure and free, governed by the rule of law and not by the whims of men, are less likely to go to war with each other, either within or across borders, than those who do not.

    “We therefore risk the very institution we are trying to build if we exclude the people who voted us into power in the governance process. That is why we have to build strong institutions and allow the rule of law to take root. Democracy without strong institutions defeats its own objectives.”

    He also maintained that political leaders in Africa must do more to alleviate and ultimately eradicate abject poverty from the continent as it de-empowers people and retards growth and development.

    “We must assiduously promote the welfare of all citizens and create the enabling environment in which they can fully realise their aspirations and potentials.

    “This would enable them, as stakeholders, to invest in the protection of peace and stability of our countries. And this is achievable,” he added.

    The President also called for the loosening of the “bolts of bureaucracy” that currently stifle trade in the sub-region.