The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

  • How billions were moved to Jonathan’s residence from CBN ahead of 2015 elections

    More details have now emerged showing how billions of naira and hundred millions of dollars were illegally removed from the public till by the Jonathan administration specifically ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.

    The information came on the tail of the denial by Jonathan’s spokesmen that any money was taken illegally out of the Nigerian treasury and shared by Jonathan and his aides.

    The information was given by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to illustrate how grand corruption has been doing great havoc to the Nigerian economy. He said weeks to the 2015 election under the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan about N100B was released and embezzled. He also disclosed that about $289m was disbursed illegally about the same time.

    Now, there are some new details of how some of the funds were illegally transported from the Central Bank to the private residence of the former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former NSA, Sambo Dasuki personally supervised the physical transfer of the money from the CBN vaults to the private residence of the former President.

    In one particular instance over N70 billion was released in parts from the national treasury between January 8 and February 25, 2015. The over $289M which was also referenced last week by the Vice President is said to be included in this particular series of illegal transactions.

    in another illegal disbursement, the minutes of the Central Bank board meeting of 25th August 2014 indicated the board’s approval of another N60B requested by the former President and released later by the Central Bank.

    A Presidency source said the sum which was okayed by the CBN board was not tied to any project or procurement, and was meant and disbursed purely for campaign purposes, through the office of the then NSA and the SSS leadership at the time.

    Specifically that N60 billion that was okayed by the CBN on August 25, 2014 was said to have been shared between the two security agencies thus: N40B went to the NSA while N20 billion was released to the State Security Services (SSS).

    While some of these newly emerging fund disbursements have been traced to the former NSA, there are indications that some of the funds are unconnected to the ongoing Defence contract trials of the former NSA,while some might.

    It has now been revealed that the $289m mentioned by the Vice President was released on February 25, 2015.

    Documents including cash vouchers indicate that $289,202,382 was released in cash to the NIA by the Central Bank of Nigeria from the Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call Account No. 000-0000-11658-366 of the NNPC/NAPIMS with JP Morgan Chase Bank, New York, USA.

    At the exchange rate then of $199 to a naira, $289m is equivalent to about N60 billion. But had the money not been stolen, it would be at today’ s rate over N104B.

    Further findings showed that in yet another set of illegal fund withdrawals under one week between January 8 and 16, 2015, the sum of N1.5 billion was released in three tranches of N300m, N400m and N800m respectively.

    “This money was released from the MEA Research Library Account to the Jointrust Dimension reportedly owned by Danjuma Yusuf and Nenadi Esther Usman,” an official source with knowledge of the transaction disclosed.

    The source further said the sum was transferred to their various political associates, which included a former minister of aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode.

    Further findings showed that N350 million was allegedly transferred to Femi Fani-Kayode through his Zenith Bank Account No. 1004735721, on February 2, 2015.

    Also, another N250 million was allegedly transferred to Fani-Kayode through the same Zenith Bank Account on February 19, 2015.

    A document further showed that yet another N10 billion was released to the Office of the National Security Adviser by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on September 15, 2014.

    The money was said to have been released in tranches of foreign exchange of $47 million, $5 million, 4 million Euros and 1.6 million Euros.

    A letter from the Office of the NSA in November, 2014 further showed that the monies were released by the CBN as ‘funds for special services’.

    “Further to our discussion, you are pleased requested  to provide the sum of Forty Seven Million United States Dollars (USD47,000,000,00)cash out of the Ten Billion Naira (N10,000,000,000,00) and the balance in Euro to this office for special services,” a letter signed by the former NSA read.

    Findings have shown that this particular CBN release of N10B was sourced in November 2014 from a N40 Billion CBN released funds meant for Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR. It was this N10B that former President Jonathan instructed the CBN Governor and the then NSA to deliver to him personally in a private residence in Abuja. Sources said the money was illegally transferred using CBN van for the use of “PDP Presidential Primaries.”

  • Why Nigeria must invest in human capital – Bill Gates 

    The Co-Chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates on Thursday harped on the need for Nigeria to urgently invest in human capital.

    Stressing that Nigeria has unmatched economic potential, he said that growth will come naturally when Nigeria maximizes its greatest resource, the Nigerian people.

    He spoke at the expanded National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He said “The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies ‘investing in our people’ as one of three ‘strategic objectives. But the ‘execution priorities’ don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritizing physical capital over human capital.

    “To anchor the economy over the long term, investments in infrastructure and competitiveness must go hand in hand with investments in people.

    “People without roads, ports, and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports, and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.” he said

    He urged political leaders in the country to maximize the country’s resources which are its people as a way to help the country to thrive.

    He said “But growth is not inevitable. Nigeria has unmatched economic potential, but what becomes of that potential depends on the choices you make as Nigeria’s leaders.

    “The most important choice you can make is to maximize your greatest resources, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.

    “If you invest in health, education, and opportunities – the ‘human capital’ we are talking about today – then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognize that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.

    “You see this risk in the data. From the point of view of the quality of life, much of Nigeria still looks like a low-income country. Let me give a few examples.

    “In the middle income countries, the average life expectancy is 75 years. In lower middle income countries, it’s 68. In low income countries, it’s 62. In Nigeria, it is lower still: just 53 years.

    “Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth, with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world, ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic,  and Chad.

    “One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished. I do not enjoy speaking to you this bluntly when you have been gracious enough to invite me here. But I am applying an important lesson I earned from Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    “Recently, Aliko and I were having a conversation with several governors about their states’ official immunization rates. Aliko’s way of stressing the importance of accurate data was to tell us, ‘I didn’t get successful by pretending to sell bags of cement I didn’t have.’ I took from that that while it may be easier to be polite, it’s more important to face facts so that you can make progress.

    “On immunization, you are already living that lesson: last year Nigeria revised its immunization coverage numbers downward to reflect more accurate sources, and I applaud you for those lower numbers.

    “They may look worse, but they are more real, which is the first step toward saving and improving more lives.” he said

    He also pointed out that the Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the present administration does not reflect the needs of Nigerians people even though it identified “investing in our people” as one its strategic objectives.

    Noting that his foundation with the largest headquarters in Africa is sited in Nigeria, he said that he has also committed the sum of $1.6 billion in Nigeria with a plan to increase the amount.

    Making a PowerPoint presentation of a model of the trajectory of Nigeria’s economic growth, relating to health and education, observed that if the present trend continues, the country cannot keep up with its population growth.

    He added: “If current education and health trends continue-if you spend the same amount in these areas and get the same results-per capita GDP flatlines, with economic growth just barely keeping up with population growth.

    “If things get worse, it will decline.

    Unfortunately, this scenario is a very real possibility unless you intervene at both the federal and state levels. Because even in the worst-case scenario, your national income level is about to make you ineligible for certain kinds of development assistance and loans that you’ve been relying on to fund your health system and other priorities.

    “Without more and better spent domestic money, investment in your people will decline by default as donor money shrinks-a lose-lose scenario for everyone.

    “However, if you commit to getting better results in health and education-if you spend more and more effectively-per capita GDP will stay on its remarkable pre-recession trajectory.” he said

    Speaking at the occasion, Osinbajo again blamed the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for allegedly failing to transform the lives of Nigerians despite making huge money from crude oil.

    According to him, grand corruption prevented investments in healthcare, education and infrastructure.

    He said that the last government shamelessly robbed government policies of most, if not all, of their intended impact.

    Osinbajo however assured that the present administration is determined to change things.

    He said: “To put Nigeria’s money to work for Nigerians, doing the most with the least, we have stayed true to that vision. Even as oil prices went into free fall, we ramped up investments in infrastructure, as well as our social spending.”

    The administration, he said, is painfully aware of the issues facing the country and is prepared to take face it headon.

    On the challenges the Dangote Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have outlined at the event, Osinbajo said: “And we have no choice, because the problem literally grows daily.”

    According to him, Nigeria has strong economic growth and development ambitions, encapsulated in her Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, launched in 2017.

    He noted however that all those lofty ambitions can only be achieved through the determined application of human skill and effort.

    He said: “And for that effort to be meaningful and productive, it has to come from people who are healthy, educated, and who are, and feel empowered.

    “It is this realisation that has helped ensured that one of the primary planks of the ERGP is ‘Investing in our people’. And it is for this reason that we are expanding the reach and quality of our healthcare, through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); and working to guarantee basic education for all persons, whilst also upgrading and modernising the quality of secondary and post-secondary education.

    “And because this is the 21st century, we know that it is also important to ensure that our young people are being prepared for the economies of the future, not the past. This means that STEM education is critical, and that technology must lie at the heart of every one of our educational offerings.”

    He said the Social Investment Programme (SIP) launched in 2016 is a key component of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    The school feeding programme, he said, for example is “our way of achieving better health, nutritional and educational outcomes for Nigerian children.”

    “Apart from the health outcomes – children free from malnutrition and stunting – there are also important educational and economic benefits as well. By guaranteeing one hot meal a day to these children the scheme has pushed school enrolment rates upwards in many of the communities in which it is being implemented,” he added.

    The Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, said in his opening remarks that for Nigeria to truly compete globally, it must prioritize investments in the health, education and opportunity for the people alongside other critical areas like infrastructure.

    “Together, these are the inputs that will make Nigeria richer,” he stressed.

    During a press briefing at the end of the meeting, Dangote said that he will try to prevail on the private sector to contribute 1% of their profit to health.

    According to him, 2% is already going to educate.

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai also noted that the country has been under-investing in health and education.

    He also said that the ERGP has enough provisions for human capital development.

    The Ministers of Health, Isaac Adewole and Education, Adamu Adamu also made presentations at the meeting.

    Read Also: Bill Gates to pay Nigeria’s $76m polio debt

  • Osinbajo warns board members against corruption 

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday warned new board members against corrupt practices in their assignments.

    He spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, while inaugurating boards of agencies under his office supervision.

    The boards inaugurated on Tuesday included the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), National Boundary Commission (NBC) and Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

    Harping on government’s determination to win the battle against corruption, Osinbajo urged the new chairmen and members to totally eschew corruption.

    He said “Let me at this point reiterate the determination of this administration to succeed in the fight against corruption. In carrying out your responsibility as Board Members, you must therefore eschew corruption totally as Government will not hesitate to sanction all infractions.”

    He also urged the new board members to focus on economic development and revive the country from recession.

    Osinbajo also charged them to key into the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Federal Government.

    He said “Nigeria has over the last 24 to 36 months, passed through a period of economic recession which necessitated the development of a home grown Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    “Which you are expected to key into, in view of the importance of your institutions to national economic stability.

    “I therefore expect robust policies initiatives from you as members of the board being inaugurated today,” the Vice President said.

    The management of the various organisations under the boards, he said, should be allowed to perform their duties without any interference from the board.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila observed that the board was critical to national development.

    “There is a lot of work to be done and I believe you will do a wonderful job.” he said

    The Chairman of NIPSS Board, Ignatius Longjan, who spoke on behalf of the members promised to be diligent in their studies.

    He said “In this national assignment given to yes, we will do it diligently and appropriately, we will not let you down.

    “We will carry out these assignments to the best of our ability, whatever will make Nigeria better, we will do it,” he added

    While Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the Chairman of National Boundary Commission (NBC) and Border Community Development Agency (BCDA) Boards, Ignatius Longjan is the Chairman for NIPSS.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: Buhari administration is building a bright future for the youths

  • Transparency International report not setback, says Osinbajo

    Transparency International report not setback, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said the latest corruption perception index released by Transparency International should not in any way be seen as a setback for the country.

    According to him, it is an opportunity to continue building on the many successes that have already been recorded by the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in all the key sectors.

    He spoke on the theme: “The imperative of cooperation of arms of government in a democratic dispensation”, at the Dialogue of Organs of Government on Reform of Justice Sector and Campaign Against corruption, jointly organized by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption and Federal Ministry of Justice.

    Osinbajo, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye, insisted the administration is recording progress in the fight against corruption, noting that perception may indeed lag behind reality.

    He said: “This dialogue couldn’t have come at a better time because only recently, Transparency International released a report suggesting that Nigerian declined in the perception index for reasons which I will discuss shortly.

    “We are firmly of the view that real progress is being achieved in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, and perception may indeed lag behind reality. But as the saying goes, perception is sometimes stronger than reality, so we have to keep up the good fight, until the full effect of our efforts can be clearly seen and perceived.

    “In that regard, the ranking of Nigeria by the 2017 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, released on February 21st, 2018, should not in any way be seen as a setback but rather as an opportunity to continue building on the many successes that have already been recorded by this government in all the key sectors.

    “It is also important to note that the main reason for Nigeria’s decline in the Transparency International 2017 Corruption Perception Index, is that Nigeria recorded a major drop in score on just one out of the nine international recognized indexes used by Transparency International, to ascertain perceived levels of public sector corruption from the perspective of experts and business people.

    “So the drop recorded was in just one out of the nine recognized indexes. The index in question scored Nigeria low on the economy intelligence unit country’s risk service with the decline from 37 points to 20. This is an index that analysis the risks of financial exposure in countries.

    “The question to be asked then is what changed so dramatically between 2016 and 2017? As we speak, the budget for 2018 is under public scrutiny at the National Assembly, the allocation and use of public funds is guided by the budget and represents one of the key areas of consultations and interaction between the two arms of government that is the executive and legislature.

    “The endless number of probes and the use of public funds going on both within the executive and the legislative arms, underscores the transparency of this government and its intention to ensure that funds are used for public purposes.

    “What sets Buhari’s leadership apart from others, is the prudent and transparent management of national resources. Thus, despite up to 60 percent drop in revenue, we have by stopping grand corruption, make highest capital spend in the history of Nigeria, in the sum of N1.3 trillion in 2017.

    “We have for the first time taken on the game changing infrastructure projects. So we are today building the Lagos-Kano standard gauge rail line beginning with the Lagos Ibadan segment. We are also building after 40 years, the Mambila Hydro Project, construction of the second Niger Bridge is ongoing daily, we have signed up for the Lagos-Calabar rail project, we are daily increasing power supply and once we conclude some strategic transmission project, we will see a truly significant and appreciable improvement in domestic and industrial power supply in Nigeria.

    “Also this government has given more to support the state governments than any other government since 1999. As of September2017, total support from excess crude account loan and budget support facility, excluding now the Paris Club refund, is in the order of N873.3 billion. If we add the Paris club refund, we would have disbursed N1.91 trillion to the states outside of their monthly allocations.

    “This government should be applauded for exercising restraint and discipline in its appointment of public servants. The number of appointed public servants pales in comparison to the number of civil servants. The process of appointing public servants is also guided strictly by legislature.

    “This, the assessment of Transparency International inquiry into whether or not there is a professional civil service and whether large number of officials are directly appointed by government should have taken this into consideration.” he said.

    Osinbajo also said that the three arms of government will have to cooperate to be able to maintain a workable institution.

    He said, “And when this cooperation happens, it strengthens the democratic process, promote good governance and responsible leadership, promotes transparency and accountability in governance, assist the executive to be focused and committed to delivering good governance to the citizens and helps the legislature to make efficient laws that will promote good governance and curb corruption.”

    The Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay, said paying lip service to the fight against corruption ridicules the whole exercise.

    He said, “Fighting corruption cannot be lip service. You cannot be corrupt and be talking against corruption; it ridicules the whole exercise and the spirit of that struggle.

    “And so we should purge ourselves of corruption so that we can stand on firm ground to speak. Some might have been corrupt in the past but if you purge yourselves then you are welcome. It ridicules the whole process when we see people waxing lyrical on anti-corruption whereas behind them, they have huge load of assets and other things which they corruptly acquired.

    “So, collaboration and cooperation is essential because we need each other in order to succeed. But I think I will rather work alone than work with a corrupt person who is not sincere and is just making a fool of the whole country whilst preaching like a pastor about corruption,” he stated.

    Read Also:

  • How we are tackling herdsmen/farmers conflicts – Osinbajo 

    How we are tackling herdsmen/farmers conflicts – Osinbajo 

     

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday unveiled the strategies being adopted by the Federal Government in tackling the herdsmen, farmers clashes in Benue, Taraba and other states.

    According to press release issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, the government has been deploying mobile police forces, army and Air Force to troubled areas and Nigerian Army formations and units in Benue State.

    Osinbajo said “The approach of the government has been to deploy mobile police forces to troubled areas and also both the army and Air Force, the Nigerian Army formations and units in Benue State for example, especially 72 Special Forces Battalion, have consistently maintained Forward Operating Bases at the flash areas covering Guma, Logo, Katsina-Ala and Agatu Local Government Areas.

    “The operation has the generic name Operation MESA, but it is nicknamed Operation ZENDA in Benue State. The Army had within the last few days scaled up the size of troops and equipment in Agatu, Guma, Katsina-Ala and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State.

    “The Army also recently deployed troops at Awe and Tunga Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, in order to monitor and block the gaps that were presumed to be used as staging points by armed herdsmen to attack communities in Benue State.

    “Additionally, troops of 93 Battalion, Takum in Taraba State, also occupy blocking positions as well as maintain constant liaison with troops in Benue State.

    “Furthermore, the command and control structure of the Army formations and units in Benue and contiguous states have been reorganized.

    “Accordingly, more troops were deployed and the Commander 707 Special Forces Brigade was reassigned to Taraba State for effective command and control of troops operating in the entire Benue/Taraba general area. And next week, the Nigerian Army will flag-off Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA, to checkmate the activities of armed bandits and militias in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and environs,” he stated.

    Read Also:Osinbajo panel to meet Miyetti Allah

  • We’ll do things faithfully in Buhari’s govt, says Osinbajo 

    We’ll do things faithfully in Buhari’s govt, says Osinbajo 

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said that the Buhari administration, in line with its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, would continue to ensure the implementation of policies to drive socio-economic growth and prosperity.

    He made the remark while receiving a delegation from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Osinbajo in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said “I think that no one is in doubt that we have very great policies and we will ensure that these things are implemented and are done as faithfully as possible,”

    He also said that the private sector in Nigeria will continue to play a prominent role in the economic programmes and initiatives of the Buhari administration.

    He noted the significance of private sector investment in the economy, adding that collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector will further boost the country’s economic progress.

    “If you look at our economic programmes and several other initiatives, the private sector plays a prominent role in them, and that is how it should be. So there is no question that the roles the LCCI and private sector play are critical to the kind of development policies and plan that we have in this government.”

    The Vice President commended the LCCI for its Presidential Policy Dialogues on the economy, which he noted has helped in shaping some initiatives and policies of government.

    Prof. Osinbajo further said that the Buhari administration will continue to have robust engagements and work with the private sector and stakeholders in developing plans for implementation of several economic projects.

    He also pointed out that, in conjunction with the private sector, the Federal Government is resolving the Apapa, Lagos traffic gridlock.

    In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and LCCI President, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase, commended the Buhari administration for its laudable economic initiatives which he said has made Nigeria a more investment friendly destination.

    He said, “We appreciate the series of Executive Orders focused on promoting the ease of doing business in the country. These orders are impacting positively on the business environment and promoting an inclusive economy through the scaling up of the local content in government expenditure.”

  • Panel seeks overhaul of Human Rights Commission

    Panel seeks overhaul of Human Rights Commission

    The Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement on Friday recommended that the Federal Government should examine the present state of the National Human Rights Commission.

    The review is to enhance the Commission’s ability to promote and protect the rights of all Nigerians.

    The panel also recommended that practical steps be taken to make the Nigerian police more professional in fulfilling their constitutional role of providing security to all Nigerians, irrespective of financial status, ethnicity, gender or religious inclination.

    These were contained in the report of the findings and recommendations of the panel received by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    The Eight-man Investigation Panel, headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill of Court of Appeal, was set up in August 2017 to investigate allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance with rules of engagement in local conflicts and insurgency leveled against the Nigerian armed forces.

    Osinbajo said “I think that it is absolutely important, because of the sanctity of the rights of our people and the sanctity of their lives and livelihoods, that we ensure that we are finding out when the occasion arises whether their rights are being respected or violated, especially in situation where you have light conflicts or even serious conflicts and situation where you have security concerns in different parts of the country,”

    He said President Buhari, being a soldier himself, was keen to “know the content of the report” and was “interested in knowing what the panel’s findings were.”

    Osinbajo said that he was pleased that a full report of the panel’s findings and recommendations has been submitted.

    He noted that in most of the places visited by the panel, people said they were comfortable with military presence, pointing out that “it shows the confidence people have in the Nigerian military.”

    He said the findings would be referred to the relevant agencies for action.

    “Whatever the findings are not only will they be referred to the necessary or to the relevant agencies but also to the military, especially where there is a need for disciplinary action or for any type of action, they will certainly be referred to the military for action, and if there is need for civilian authorities or the courts to take action, that will also be done and where there is a need to commend we will also do so,” the Vice President said.

    He commended the members of the panel for their diligence and for the timely and thorough job they did.

    Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said “building a culture of respect for human rights and accountability depend largely not only on existing law, but also on a strong and well-funded, equipped and empowered National Human Rights Commission,”

    He said the commission should play an important role in taking forward most of the recommendations.

    Georgewill also said many of the allegations of human rights violations against the Nigerian armed forces were largely the direct result of increased visibility of the Nigerian armed forces in almost all the 36 states of the federation.

    “Indeed, the Nigerian Army is increasing taking on the role of policing many communities across Nigeria,” the jurist stated, calling for steps to be taken to make the police more professional.

    He said the members of the panel visited the six geo-political zones of Nigeria; listened to petitions of the people; heard the response of the three arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces within its mandate; and evaluated and analyzed all they saw and heard before putting their report together.

    Also present at the event were other members of the panel, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Olanisakin, and other top government officials.

     

  • Okogie, Dickson laud FG as state police sparks fresh debate

    Okogie, Dickson laud FG as state police sparks fresh debate

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s latest call  for state police has sparked a fresh debate with veteran politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, branding the suggestion a threat to the nation’s democracy and unity.

    The Senate plans to discuss the desirability  of the proposal,according to Senate leader Ahmed  Lawan.

    Retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie,  and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State are in support of the Vice President, while a   Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu warns against rushing into adopting the plan.

    A former President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko, said it will be an exercise in futility except other ingredients of restructuring are put in place.

    Contacted yesterday, Yakasai said the establishment of state police would destroy democracy in Nigeria and trigger anarchy.

    ”I have all along opposed this clamour for state police  because it is a threat to democracy. You have seen how state governors are abusing state electoral commissions. Tthey are killing democracy.”

    “From all indications and with the rate of unemployment in the country, state governors will recruit party thugs as state policemen so that they can dance to their whims and caprices. They will definitely use them against the opposition,” Yakasai said.

    Yakasai , a Second Republic Presidential Political Adviser  added: ”If Governor Ortom had state police, he would have directed them to kill Fulani herdsmen, not minding whether they are innocent or not.

    “You remember the Nnamdi Kanu saga in Abia—if there was a state police there, they would have taken instructions directly from Nnamdi  Kanu and not even the governor; and there would have been a serious problem in that part of the country.

    “Now, state electoral commissions are driving a nail to Nigeria’s democracy because state governors use them  to win elections for themselves. Now, when you bring state police, you are driving the  final nail into the coffin of Nigeria’s democracy.”

    Differing from Yakasai, Okogie said it is imperative for each  state to have its own police force to complement the efforts of the federal police.

    “The need for state police is long overdue, especially with the current state of insecurity in the country. If you look round, how many Nigerian policemen do you see?  he said.

    “You don’t see the federal police. This is why states should be allowed to have their own police force.  This will help in addressing security challenges we have in different parts of the country. I don’t know why our government is afraid of state police.

    “I don’t care if the  vice president’s statement  is a political gimmick or not. Whatever name they call it is not important. Do you think the security situation would be better when we enter election period? It would not.”

    Prominent Igbo leader and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, while admitting the importance of state police, warned that the country should not rush  into adopting  it.

    “They should not rush into it. If they do, they will create a lot of problems,” he told The Nation yesterday.

    “ Most of the states cannot pay salaries and if they cannot  pay salaries, how are they going to pay the state police?

    “I believe that state police is good, but how do you get the money? How do you get money to motivate them?

    “If you don’t motivate policemen, they will become criminals and that becomes worse. The problem we have with the police force today is that they are not well equipped and underfunded. They are overstretched.

    “If they are well funded, well equipped, they will rise to most of the challenges. If you have a police force that is not equipped, it doesn’t make sense.  Rushing into creating state police will create more problems in Nigeria.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State argued that the prevailing security situation and the need for an effective response to the current crime challenge have made it imperative for states to set up their police units.

    Dickson in a statement through  the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said that removing the police from the exclusive list and putting its operations under a more effective arrangement at the level of the state would put a stop to the widespread killings and crimes in the country.

    He explained that state police would be effective as the personnel would be drawn from the various states and would easily access valuable information required to track crimes and criminals.

    The governor added that the current federally controlled police had become overstretched due to wide ratio of the police to the rapid increase in population.

    A former President of the Ijaw National Council (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko, said without factoring other ingredients of restructuring, establishing a state police would be an exercise in futility.

    Okoko, the immediate past Pro-Chancellor, University of Uyo,said: “State police alone without changing the constitution is a waste of time. We cannot do it in piecemeal. If we restructure, every state will have its own police side by side with the federal police as we have in other countries.

    “We have the Federal Police in the US and the state police. They all have their own jurisdictions.  The state police can ask for assistance from the federal. They can come only on invitation.

    “The constitution needs to be re-written. We need to have a new constitution where some of other aspects affiliated with the state will also be taken care of. Amending one part of it as the National Assembly is trying to do is not going to solve the problem.”

    Also speaking, the immediate past President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said though the state police have their value, they should be part of the general clamour for restructuring.

    Eradiri said: “In a true federal system, state police is one of the ingredients. Much as you cannot rule out politics, state police have its advantages. The state government can use the state police against perceived opposition. We have seen that the federal one is not working as it should be. I think it is time to try something different.

    “But taking out the state police as one ingredient of federalism will not make it a success except other aspects of federalism that have been canvassed are also put into consideration. When you are talking about state police, other issues of devolving power to the state and local government will also be put in place.”

    Senate Leader, Ahmed  Lawan said yesterday that the Green Chamber  will deliberate on the desirability  of state police.

    He spoke with State House journalists after observing juma’at service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the senate is currently looking towards reviewing the country’s security architecture and will be open to any suggestion that will enable  it achieve the objective.

  • Killer herdsmen: No protest will stop Osinbajo’s panel — Presidency

    Killer herdsmen: No protest will stop Osinbajo’s panel — Presidency

    The Presidency yesterday said that the reported protest against some members of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s committee on herdsmen/farmers clashes will not stop the committee from performing its assignment.

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association was reported to have rejected the Osinbajo panel because of the inclusion of the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku on the panel.

    The two state governors are strong supporters of the anti-grazing laws in their states.

    Their communities have been attacked by killer herdsmen, resulting in the death of some Nigerians with injuries to many, while others were displaced from their communities.

    The Osinbajo committee was set up by the last meeting of the National Economic Council towards finding a solution to the killings in the affected communities.

    Speaking with The Nation, the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said the committee was set up in the interest of all Nigerians, especially the affected communities and parties in the crises.

    Stressing that the interest of the administration is to ensure peace and security, he said the Osinbajo panel would leave no stone unturned to ensure peace and security of life and property in the affected communities.

    He said: “Our job is to all Nigerians, and in this case, all the affected parties and communities. The interest of the administration is peace and the first duty of government is to provide peace and security of life and property.

    “So we note the views of all and welcome their right to their own positions. Government will also do its job to secure the wellbeing of all Nigerians, including those who have expressed their opinions.

    “The Working Group has met once already and would continue to meet to ensure that all Nigerians live in peace and security.

    “The Group is made up of elected governors including those whose communities are affected.

    “And we should not forget that all those serving in states as governors and the Federal Government have sworn to protect the constitution.

    “That is the guarantee by law that their actions would be fair and without fear or favour.

    “This crisis and the misunderstanding that attends it would be over under the Buhari administration by the special Grace of God.” he stated.

  • Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Photos

    Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Photos

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday performed the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the end of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations at the National Arcade, Eagle Square in Abuja.