The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tasks

  • CBN tasks varsities on research

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate,   Okwu Joseph Nnanna has challenged universities and research institutes to find solutions to challenges confronting the agricultural sector.

    He spoke in Uturu, Abia State at the weekend, while delivering the 26th Pre-Convocation Lecture of Abia State University titled: “Diversification of the Nigerian Economy through the Agricultural Sector”.

    While acknowledging that much had been done by various institutions in developing improved agricultural technologies, he noted that a lot more research still needed to be done to in developing and adopting technologies and innovative ways to combat issues relating to pests and diseases in addition to new techniques in biotechnology for agricultural activities.

    The Deputy Governor also noted the crucial role played by the private sector in economic diversification through access to affordable credit facilities and other opportunities that support innovation and exploitation of untapped resources. In spite of this, he regretted that Nigeria still lacked the human capacity with entrepreneurial and innovative skills to drive the economy to the height of industrialised economies.

    According to him, universities remained knowledge and innovation hubs where fresh ideas could be developed and used in industry for economic transformation, adding that research and development were invaluable in the transformation of agricultural systems, increasing productivity and driving innovation in economies across the globe.

  • Tasks before Osun governor-elect

    Sir: Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun terminates on November 26. As the outgoing governor takes a bow after ‘eight years of enviable stewardship to his people’, Nigerians can only wish him the best that life offers henceforth.

    In his congratulatory message to Adegboyega Oyetola, President Muhammadu Buhari urged the governor-elect to “always remember that the the electorate expects an unreserved commitment to delivering results that directly impact their lives and families.”

    Oyetola will be taking over the mantle of leadership as a prominent erstwhile member of the outgoing administration. We can safely say, therefore, that the governor-elect has his job well cut out for him. A time like this presents the administration with an opportunity to give the electorate what they ask for, reward them with what they hope for; even surprise them with what they have not asked for, but considered expedient. Basically, there is an urgent need to continue and sustain the tempo of development attained during the Aregbesola-led administration. The immediate task therefore is how to consciously design a template to reunite old folks where necessary, reconcile warring factions where applicable, fine-tune strategies where feasible, make adjustments where achievable, tamper with current narratives where such is needed, and encourage participations where expedient, all with a view to deepening a people-focused government.

    Next on the list is the issue of workers’ welfare, which is very important. While the challenge is no doubt national in shape and size, civil servants and pensioners in Osun will expect some policy pronouncements targeted at this embarrassingly knotty issue towards ensuring that modulated salary structure never raises its ugly head again in Osun!

    Once upon a time in the history of Osun, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) dropped to as low as N300m per month and allocations from the federation purse was in the negative. They are just picking up. Thanks to the doggedness and the financial ingenuity of the state government. One can only hope that the incoming administration would sustain this positive development. While payment of workers’ salaries and pensioners’ allowances is a-given, that should not translate into stoppage or abandonment of existing projects; or the initiation of new ones, if and where necessary.

    One major challenge of our Nigerianness is the collapse of our reward system. Conventionally, political appointments are treated not only to reflect a state’s geo-political idiosyncrasies but also as empowerment strategies which trickle-down effects are immense. Fair is fair: revisiting the issue of political representation with all the vigour it demands will help Oyetola’s government.

    Since no one talks just because he likes the sound of his voice, a government that gives room for positive criticisms and healthy debates will likely be a responsive government; and such will be a plus for the incoming administration.

    If time and resources permit, the recently concluded Osun governorship election may be reviewed with a view to inculcating the right and time-tested values in our youth. Though the people have spoken with their thumbs in favour of a candidate with the right credentials and moral rectitude, nothing can be too much to give the leaders of tomorrow a sense of direction in a world and society easily sold to easy virtues and philistinistic tendencies. As a matter of fact, yours sincerely is still at a loss on how some parents who spent so huge an amount of money to give their children the best education in the land succumbed so carelessly to the wiles of vengeance, vendetta, and democracy of the stomach. Sad that it is happening at a time the international community is urging Nigeria to embrace interventions that can help reduce the number of ‘out-of-school children’!

     

    • Abiodun Komolafe,

    Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.

  • Tasks before new Industrial Court chief registrar

    Olurotimi Williams Daudu has assumed duties as Chief Registrar (CR) of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) following his confirmation by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). Eric Ikhilae writes on the tasks before him.

    Until his confirmation by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) on March 8, Olurotimi Williams Daudu acted as Chief Registrar (CR) of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), following the exit of John Iyorngee Targema last July.

    Since his confirmation, members of the legal community have continued to eulogise him, with many arguing that his appointment conformed with Section 37 (1) of the NIC Act, which stipulates, among others, that the FJSC “may from time to time, appoint a fit and proper person to be the Chief Registrar of the court …”

    A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), said Daudu’s appointment was well-deserved.

    Kayode, President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), was optimistic that, with his track record, Daudu would surpass expectations.

    He said: “As a chartered mediator, who has undergone several capacity building trainings, locally and globally, on courses relating to court administration, case management, labour and industrial relations law, practice and procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, (ADR), who is equally adequately equipped with high level of proficiency in the use of modern day technology, his wealth of knowledge is of great essence to NICN.”

    The ex-AGF was further quoted in a congratulatory message issued by ACCI’s Media and Protocol Officer, Lubem Gena, as saying: “It is therefore, with great joy that I received the appointment of Dauda Esq. as the substantive Chief Registrar of the NICN. I view this appointment and a well-deserved and also a timely one.

    “With the track record of achievements and the niche he has carved for himself, I have no doubt that he will perfectly perform the duties and responsibilities of his office consequent upon which justice administration in this critical area will be positively affected.”

    Others have also observed that his law background and training as a consummate court administrator would be of great benefit to the court, because Daudu mounted the saddle at a time the NICN was beginning to attract enhanced attention in view of the 2017 decision of the Supreme Court, which cleared the air on the earlier assumption that there was restriction on the right of appeal in relation to the court’s decisions.

    Before the judgment, the general impression had been that Section 9(1) & (2) of the NIC Act and Section 243(2) and (3) of the Constitution (Third Alteration) Act 2010 limited instances of right of appeal from decisions of the NIC.

    But, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, in the judgment delivered last June 30, in a majority decision of four against one, held that the Court of Appeal was with exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all decisions of the NIC.

    The apex court held among others, that the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to hear and determine all civil appeals on decisions of the NIC was not limited to only fundamental human rights.

    Justice Centus Nweze, who read the lead (majority) judgment, identified the key issue to be determined as, “Whether the Court of Appeal, as an appellate court created by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has the jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court of law in Nigeria, to hear and determine appeals arising from decisions of the NIC.”

    Justice Nweze held: “The lower court, that is, the Court of Appeal, has the jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other court in Nigeria, to hear and determine all appeals arising from the decisions of the trial court. No constitutional provision expressly divested the said Court of Appeal of its appellate jurisdiction over all decisions on civil matters emanating from the trial court.

    “And, as a corollary, the jurisdiction of the court to hear and determine all civil appeal on decisions of the National Industrial Court is not limited to only fundamental human rights.These shall be the opinions of this court and shall be transmitted to the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal for its guidance in determining the appeal before it.”

    Justice Kumai Akaahs, however, gave a minority judgment disagreeing with the majority opinion. He believed that leave of the Court of Appeal was required to hear an appeal against NIC’s decisions on strictly civil matters.

    Justice Akaahs said beside criminal and fundamental rights decisions, there was need for leave of the Court of Appeal to appeal purely civil cases.

    The judgment of the apex court was on an appeal marked SC/885/2014, filed by Skye Bank Plc, with Victor Anaemem Iwu as respondent, as a referral from the Court of Appeal, Lagos on constitutional questions.

    Being NICN’s CR

    A Chief Registrar of the NICN is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the court’s five core departments, namely Personnel, Litigation, Finance & Accounts, Procurement & Stores and Library.

    He works closely with the court’s President and must ensure the court’s seamless functioning.

    The CR’s functions is further spelt out in Section 37 (1) of the NIC Act.

    He is seized of custody of the court’s records and “shall perform such duties in execution of the powers and authorities of the court as may, from time to time, be assigned to him by Rules of Court and, subject thereto, by any special order of the President of the court.”

    The man Daudu

    Daudu obtained his first degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in 1997. He was called to the Bar in 1999.

    In 2000, he obtained his first Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) from OAU, and another LLM from the University of Calgary, Canada (2008) under the Government of Canada funded research programme.

    Daudu, a certified Mediator by the Henning Mediation Centre, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A, is a Fellow of the Weinstein International Fellowship in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

    He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association (IBA), the IBA Committee on Academic & Professional Development Associate, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – UK & North America, among others.

    Daudu was an active student unionist in his undergraduate days. He represented the faculty of law at the Students’ Representatives Council (SRC) between 1993 and 994; was the Chairman of the old Ondo State Students’ Union, OAU in 1994 and served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Great Ife Students Union’s Caretaker Committee in 1995.

    His career path

    Daudu began his career in private practice at Chief Adeniyi & Co between 1999 and 2000 when he joined the Ondo State Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel. He rose to the position of Assistant Chief Legal Officer. After obtaining his second LLM, he worked in the capacity of Legal Support at the Calgary Prosecutors Office, Alberta, Canada.

    On his return to Nigeria in 2010, Daudu joined the NICN as the Special Assistant to the Court’s President. He held this position until his appointment in 2017 as the Acting Chief Registrar.

    He ensured, for the first time in the court’s history, the organisation of an end-of-year party and award night to appreciate members of staff.

    Bula Shuaibu Gajere (from Gombe State) of the Accounts Department, was honoured as the staff of the year at the well-attended event, which held last December 19.

    Daudu’s speech at the event gave staffers a peep into his mind. He did not only appreciate them for their dedication and sacrifice to work, Daudu promised that the court would continue to provide them with a conducive work environment.

    He assured them that their welfare would to be of top priority to management and urged them to improve on their commitment to duty.

    Daudu further assured them that the end-of-year award night had come to stay.

    This, among others, perhaps, accounted for the enthusiasm with which the court’s staffers received Daudu’s confirmation as the substantive Chief Registrar.

  • Tasks for presidential committee on N/East

    As the war against the deadly Boko Haram terrorist insurgency approaches its end, expectations from the people traumatised by this irrational and cockamamie war is now sharply focused, among others, on the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative (PCNI), for the rehabilitation of the millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the reconstruction of their destroyed schools, hospitals, homes, markets, bridges, roads and other infrastructure. The insane insurgency has affected most parts of the North-east, especially northern parts of Borno and Yobe states, that have long been in decline in many indices of human development, and areas bordering the dreaded Sambisa forest. The condition of the towns and villages, even prior to the insurgency, were not the best of models. There was very low enrolment of children to formal schools.  Agriculture was medieval. The implementation of any multibillion naira intervention project, complementary to the overwhelming efforts of the state governments, such as those by the Presidential Committee of the Northeast Initiative, PCNI, may have to consider revolutionary plans to reposition such towns and villages for sustainable modern development, peace and progress.

    Members of the PCNI are carefully chosen and well known men and women of proven integrity, who have excelled in their careers. They would not award contracts, as is the practise these days, without strenuous scrutiny for selfish reasons.

    Whilst there were enough schools and even basic facilities across most of the places affected, these were never fully occupied even before the lunacy started and got worse to this astonishing level. Enrolment is now at its lowest ebb and classes in most schools in the hard hit areas barely have children. Most of the children are involved in farming and hawking for survival, as well attending the madrassas but they hardly go to formal schools even when registered in the records.

    More than the rebuilding of infrastructure, the committee has to set aside special allocation, under a dedicated subcommittee to facilitate the enrolment of all children in those areas where going to school is a weighty issue. Incidentally, those areas are usually the poverty-stricken areas, where the insurgency thrived and grew like wild fire. Studies have shown that the problems are multifaceted. Heads of traditional institutions in those areas, who use to monitor the progress of the teachers and students and were involved in enrolment of their villages children, and who gave advice before the holidays are pronounced, no longer relate with the schools like before. Even the local government officials, such as the education secretaries, are not dedicated as they use to be.

    Other serious challenges facing primary education in the zone include shortage of committed, qualified brilliant teachers. The few who do get trained at the teachers’ training colleges are mostly those who could not make it to the universities. If Nigerian students have their way, no college of education or polytechnic would get students to train! Ironically the same teachers go ahead to teach the future doctors, lawyers and pharmacists. Whilst in some countries such as Turkey, education courses are only offered to the best students, those with the highest scores in the qualifying examinations. In Nigeria, students go for courses that may guarantee them very good remunerations!  The first choices for those with highest scores in JAMB are for courses like medicine, law, engineering, pharmacy, accountancy and architecture, and hardly ever education.

    One of the fastest ways to implement effective and near total enrolment is to involve the traditional rulers, especially in the North-east. Our traditional rulers know members of every family of their domain. Providing free breakfast in the schools has also been suggested, especially in the hardest hit, poverty endemic regions, but this may not be sustainable in the present economic circumstance. Another factor that militates against effective primary schooling in the zone is the lack of serious commitment by those who have benefited from the system, the old boys or educated elite from the areas.

    When therefore the PCNI sets out to rebuild the classes and other infrastructure in all those places that the insurgents have destroyed, in the long run, less than half of the key problems are permanently set to be resolved.

    The PCNI may also consider injecting fresh new approaches to the reconstruction of destroyed classrooms. In this 21st century, the concept for the construction of classrooms remains the same, except for roofing materials that have undergone some transformations from zinc roof, still used in some state schools, to aluminium roofing sheets and now stone coated roofing materials, pre-colonial blackboard still remains the same.  In some cases, these were made with concrete, making them difficult for the teachers to write on and the students to see well. A few school heads now include modern cardboards in project designs.  In many developing and even less endowed countries basic interactive boards are in now vogue. They expose their children to modern facilities from primary one! Different categories of these boards abound depending on the budget and level of the class.

    Research designs conducted by our architects are never tried to redesign our classroom concepts to make them safer, more comfortable and even cheaper to build and maintain at all times.

    The PCNI may also consider provision of solar energy for all infrastructure in the areas covered for rehabilitation in their plan. This, if done properly, lasts longer and provides power to supply water and light classrooms for studies in the evenings. There are also cheap and rugged laptops for use by primary school pupils that have been tested and found to be of immense importance.  PCNI may reduce the scope of their mandate but they should please not just plaster and repaint those burnt classes with all those billions. Nigerians expect excellent work, that is similar, if not better than the defunct PTF projects executed by our amiable President.

     

    • Prof Geidam writes from Maiduguri, Borno State.

  • Tasks before CAF and FIFA presidents

    SIR: Many times, I wonder about the criteria used for the selection of World Footballer of the year as well as African Footballer of the year awards.

    In South America,  to be voted player of the year, you must play in a South American country for six months. That is why unknown South American players are voted the South American player of the year and not the Lionel Messi et al who ply their trade outside their continent of birth.

    In the past few years – football fans have been wondering what the criteria was for picking the best players in Africa, Europe and even the whole world are.

    For example, in 1998, there was uproar when Mustapha Hadji was named African player of the year instead of Austin ‘jayjay’ Okocha on account of two matches both in the African Nations cup and, the World Cup. Some critics believed that Hossam Hassan deserved to win the prize on account of his superlative displays during the African Nations cup that year where his country Egypt won the most prized trophy.

    Soccer fans have been wondering why footballers who play in Europe seem to be having a greater advantage than those who play in the African continent.

    Remembering that the prize is called “African player of the year” leaves many in wonderment. In 2004 – Austin Okocha was the better player in the African Nations cup that was held in Tunisia that year according to analysts but Samuel Eto’o Fils who had a poor tournament by his usual standards was still selected as the best African player because of his exploits in the colours of Barcelona.

    In 2008 Emmanuel Adebayor was crowned the African player of the year over Mohamed Aboutrika of Egypt who had contributed much to his club side Al Ahly and his country Egypt winning both the African club championship and the African nations cup.

    Its time CAF stopped underrating African football. In the last ceremony that crowned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-  as the best African player of 2015, Yaya Toure in anger lashed out at CAF claiming that he was denied the crown, in spite of the fact, that he had contributed immensely to Cote D’ivoire  winning the African nations cup whereas eventual winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang- of Gabon crashed out in the group stage of same competition.

    Paradoxically,  Yaya Toure was selected as the 2013 African player of the year over John Mikel Obi of Nigeria who had a far better tournament than him and who had also won the Europa cup with Chelsea Football club whereas Yaya Toure won nothing both for club and country that year. Incidentally, Nigeria won the African Nations Cup that year.

    FIFA is left out of this controversy. In 2000 Zinedine Zidane was crowned the best player in the world by FIFA over Luis Figo who had been crowned the best player in Europe. In 2001 Luis Figo became the best player in the world and Michael Owen became the best player in Europe. Many football critics believed that Michael Owen performed better than Luis Figo who won no trophy whereas Owen had won three trophies.

    These discrepancies forced FIFA to merge both the European player of the year with FIFA player of the year. Now we have only one player of the year called the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

    This hasn’t stopped controversies. In 2010 – critics were outraged when Wesley Sneijder – didn’t even make the short list that year. Sneijder had won five trophies, scored five goals in the World Cup that year which contributed to his country Holland being runner’s up to eventual winners Spain and had been voted the second best player in the tournament.

    Lionel Messi who had won only one trophy that year and had a very poor tournament by his usual high standards was voted the best player in the world that year.

    In 2013 Frank Ribery who had won five trophies that year was voted third and the main prize was given to Christiano Ronaldo who hadn’t won a trophy that year.

    Could CAF and FIFA look along the lines of implementing stringent rules to the types used by the South American federation and give us rancour free awards?

     

    • Essien Idiong,

    Port Harcourt.

  • Edo tasks Akwa Utd to win Cup tie

    Edo tasks Akwa Utd to win Cup tie

    Recuperating Akwa United defender, Namso Edo has charged his teammates to win for him at Congolese side Vita Club Mokanda.

    The Promise Keepers’ strongman picked up a muscle tear against Nasarawa United in the Kaduna’s leg of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 tournament.

    The Federation Cup and NPFL Super 4 winners will be the guests of the Central African side in CAF Confederation Cup first leg clash today in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.

    Edo charged his side to go for a comfortable result that will ease their work load in the reverse fixture in Nigeria.

    “I did not travel with my teammates for the clash against Vita Club Mokanda in Congo. The coach preferred me to rest to avoid complication on the thigh injury so that I will be 100% fit for the reverse fixture.

    “I wish the side well against the Congolese and I personally charged my teammates to shine in my absence and win for me. Most of the players have been waiting for this wonderful opportunity for quite some time, so they must make the chance count positively.

    “Even if they don’t record an outright win or draw they must not concede goals but score to make the second leg work easier. Continental competition is quite different from domestic duty so they must come back with a result that will help usto excel in the competition,” said Edo to supersport.com.

    Edo is already training and will be fit for the reverse fixture in a fortnight at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

  • Baraje tasks Akwa United players to beat Rangers

    Baraje tasks Akwa United players to beat Rangers

    Akwa United head coach, Zachary Baraje has challenged his players to go all out for the three points against Enugu Rangers on Sunday in their Glo Premier League Week 36 tie as they seek further points that will take them off the drop zone.

    The Promise Keepers are 13th on the log with 43 points from 35 matches and after surviving a tough league tie at home to Sunshine Stars last Wednesday Baraje has charged his players to get their survival battle sorted before the end of the season.

    Baraje admitted that Sunshine Stars made the game very tough for them and that they were fortunate to secure all points judging by the spate of injuries to some of their first team regulars.

    The veteran coach revealed to SportingLife that some of his players had to play against the Akure Gunners with injuries just for them to achieve the objective of getting the three  points.

    He said his players have been told to continue to exert themselves for the progress of the club adding that their major priority is to ensure that the Promise Keepers escape relegation at the end of the season.

  • Handball coach tasks schools on grassroots development

    Handball coach tasks schools on grassroots development

    Dikko Danjuma, a retired handball coach on Tuesday advised the Lagos State Sports Council (LSSC), Schools Sports Federation and Federal and state ministries of Education to collaborate in promoting the development of handball in schools.

    Danjuma, who retired from LSSC told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the promotion of handball in schools would develop the sport at the grassroots.

    “It will also facilitate the faster identification budding talents. There is need to go back to schools if we are serious about the development of handball. Most of our players are aging and there is the need to replace them. The raw talents can be identified from  schools,’’ he said.

    Danjuma said that a large number of schools in the state had teams that represented them at the grassroots competition, IBILE and DAWN Games, organised by the LSSC.

    “Handball is not new to some schools in Lagos; some schools had teams that participated at the IBILE and DAWN Games. The sports council just have to encourage schools to develop the game by organising competitions and providing technical support,’’ Danjuma said.

    NAN reports that the all the south west states participate in the DAWN Games.

    “There is the need for more handball competitions at the grassroots, because previous IBILE and DAWN Games held, indicated that we identified many potential talents. It is obvious that the only way to identify more of these talents and encourage them accordingly is to organise series of age-grade competitions.

    The coach also urged the LSSC to collaborate with various local government areas and the development centres in Lagos to initiate competitions among schools.

  • Tasks before the judiciary, by lawyers

    The four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos have set a 17-point agenda for the state judiciary, stating the challenges confronting the justice system and proffering solutions.

    Speaking at the Bar and Bench Forum as part of activities to mark the new legal year, NBA Ikeja branch chairman Mr. Yinka Farounbi, said a discussion of the challenges is fuelled by the desire to get things right.

    Mr Farounbi, who spoke on behalf of Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Ikeja branches, listed the issues lawyers face to include lack of notification when courts would not sit, delay in delivering judgments, difficulty in obtaining copies of judgments, stringent bail conditions which defeat the purpose of bail and late sitting of courts.

    On the appointment of judges, he said: “Information to the Bar comes very late, leaving the Bar with no time to scrutinise the list.” According to him, the Bar should be notified on time.

    “The Bar proposes that the Lagos judiciary website be upgraded to include a link that will host judgments of the various High Courts as well as seminar papers and notable speeches,” he added.

    The association further requested for a periodical review of High Court Rules, the commissioning of the Badagry High Court and the relocation of the Ojo Magistrates’Court from Apapa to Ojo because of the chaotic traffic situation in the area.

    The NBA canvassed continuous training and legal education for judicial officers as well as courteous treatment of NBA members by judges and magistrates, while bemoaning the dilapidated state of some courtrooms.

    “More Judicial Divisions are needed in the state,” Mr Farounbi said, adding that the welfare packages for Magistrates needed to be enhanced.

    The NBA lamented the difficulty experienced by lawyers and litigants in the course of executing judgments, “particularly from the angle of procurement of police assistance.”

    “We urge the authority of the Judiciary to liaise with the Commissioner of Police with the view of having, at least, a Police Post within the High Court premises both in Lagos and Ikeja,” the NBA chief said, adding, “The Bar decries the attitude of Court Sheriffs who continue to extort lawyers and litigants before effecting service of court processes.”

    “The Bar urges the Chief Judge to immediately license courier companies and law firms to undertake service of processes as prescribed in Order 7 of our Rules.”

    Other items highlighted by the Bar include reform of the Probate Registry, review of the E-Filing System, implementation of the NBA seal project and review of Order 2 Rule 3 of the Magistrates’ Court Civil Procedure Rules which makes a summons void if not served within three months.

    The Bar and Bench Forum is organised every year as part of the new legal year activities of the Lagos State Judiciary. This year’s event had in attendance Judges and Magistrates of the Lagos State Judiciary, including the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, as well as lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

     

  • Agbakoba tasks new Customs boss on improved revenue generation

    Maritime lawyer, Dr Olisa Agbako (SAN), wants  the newly-appointed Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) to secure the nation’s borders against smuggling.

    Agbakoba, told the  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that  the task of ensuring a well-secure border is critical to the growth of the economy.

    Every other important assignment being carried out by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),he said, will rest largely on a  secured border.

    He said: “the new CGC must have as paramount, the task to ensure a secured border because it is on that basis that the local economy can grow.

    “He needs to do this, to restore confidence in the customs because there is no confidence in them now.”

    He said that a secured border would encourage investments, wherein people would be confident that sub-standard smuggled goods would not chase them out of business.

    Agbakoba also asked the new CGC to   triple the current N1trillion generated by the organization.

    Agbakoba said that achieving enhanced revenue would mean plugging off all revenue leakages.