The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Reps urge Buhari to challenge EFCC Act in court

    The House of Representatives has urged the Presidency to seek interpretation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act before a court, following the Senate’s rejection of Mr Ibrahim Magu as Chairman.

    The House also resolved that the executive should refrain from making statements that connote the usurpation of the judiciary’s powers considering it negative effects on the doctrine of separation of powers.

    This followed a motion on Thursday in Abuja by Rep. Leo Ogor (Delta-PDP) on the “need to prevent erosion of the Doctrine of Separation of Power”.

    Moving the motion, Ogor explained that by the clear provision of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, the chairman of the anti-corruption agency shall be nominated by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

    “Convinced that the EFCC Act is an Act of the National Assembly that can only be set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction, and until that happens, the law remains in force and binding on all persons and authorities in the country.

    “Further aware that the Executive Arm of Government has not filed any proceeding in any court to challenge the provision of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC (established) Act of 2004.”

    Ogor said that under the doctrine of separation of powers, the interpretation of the constitution and Acts of parliament was the sole responsibility of the judiciary and not that of any person or official of the other arms of government.

    He said that the statement credited to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was capable of eroding the doctrine of separation of powers with its obvious implication of instituting a dictatorship in the country.

    Contributing to the motion, Rep. Simon Arabo (Kaduna-APC), said that there was need by the executive to tow the line of separation of powers.

    Also, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers-PDP), said that people should not continue to upgrade opinions to be actual facts.

    “Government should be responsive and listen to the opinions of the masses,” he said.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of its resolution.

     

  • Osinbajo inaugurates National MMSE Council to drive economic growth, job creation

    Osinbajo inaugurates National MMSE Council to drive economic growth, job creation

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday announced the reduction of the membership of National Council on Micro, Medium, and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) from 43 to 21.

    Osinbajo said at the inauguration of the council that the reduction  was  to ensure  effectiveness and proper coordination.

    “This Council shall be the apex body on MSMEs development in the country, providing guidance and coordination on the establishment of strategies and policies for the wholesome support of MSME development in Nigeria.

    “The next few years will be decisive for Nigeria in many profound ways.

    “Our ability to create a modern industrial economy able to provide livelihoods for millions and a future for multiples will be tested.

    “The challenge calls for our sharpest minds and best talents.

    “And you ladies and gentlemen who form this council are of that required caliber, we simply cannot afford to fail.’’

    The vice president described the council as a fresh, streamlined and refocused National Council on MSME.

    He said that the council “was the coordinating platform for the implementation of all development programmes within the sub sector, especially the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP)’’.

    He said NEDEP was the administration’s repackaged and strategic platform to deliver growth and sustainability within the MSMEs subsector.

    He said the importance of the MSMEs was enormous as they were the bedrock of the nation’s industrialization and inclusive economic development and also the most important component of industrialization.

    “This is the primary driver of employment, wealth creation and poverty alleviation for our government,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo recalled the survey by SMEDAN and National Bureau of Statistics showing that over 37 million MSMEs existed in the country employing no fewer than 59.7 million persons, contributing 48.4 per cent to GDP and 7.27 per cent to exports.

    He, therefore, said that if each MSME employed an additional person the administration would create over 37 million extra jobs.

    “With NEDEP we are making MSMEs a central part of our national growth and economic policy.

    “”This is a new model for national enterprise development and would reach every one of the 774 local governments in Nigeria.

    “”We have identified and are supporting at least one product in each of the local governments based on each local government’s area of competitive and comparative advantage.

    “”NEDEP will unlock the Nigerian MSMEs sub sector by resolving the issues that most small businesses have to contend with.

    “”These are access to finance, access to markets, weak business development dearth of technical skills, lack of infrastructure and insufficient market information,’’ he said.

    The VP said that with NEDEP the administration would create enterprise zones with the required infrastructure for small businesses to succeed.

    Osinbajo said the programme would transform the country through employment generation, facilitating economic linkages and engendering rural industrialization.

    ““As we look ahead, it is important that we not only sustain the momentum of NEDEP and other development programmes such as the highly successful nation-wide MSME clinics but we must coordinate their impact for effectiveness and sustainability.

    ““This is the crucial relevance of the National Council on MSMEs,’’ he said.

    “The Council will effectively coordinate the enterprise development efforts made by the various tiers of government, International Development Partners (IDP) and the private sector towards job creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.

    “The Council will draw its membership from the public and private sectors and its secretariat shall be the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

    “”It is important to re-emphasize the point that this Council will have the same success delivery platform as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee (PEBEC).

    The VP outlined the responsibilities of the Council to include coordinating the activities of all stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to ensure that all efforts and activities are geared towards the priority sectors of the economy.

    Others are guiding the Federal Government on the formulation of broad policies and strategies to drive the wholesome development of the MSMEs sub-sector in Nigeria.

    The council will be coordinating the roles and responsibilities of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies  (MDAs), State and Local Governments and other stakeholders responsible for MSME development.

    It will be promoting inter-agency synergy and cooperation in MSME development and encouraging and strengthening Public-Private-   Partnership and Public-Public-Partnership in MSME development.

    It is to ensure the creation of an enabling environment to facilitate the development of MSME clusters,     infrastructure upgrade, access to finance, MSME capacity building and fostering increased awareness and ensuring  stakeholders’ buy-in on MSME development   programmes, initiatives and projects.

    The council will also ensure the institution of an effective framework for monitoring and evaluating the impact of MSME policies, programmes, projects and initiatives as well as ensure that the principles of the National Policy on MSMEs are achieved and reviewed as the need arises.

    The minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Aisha Abubakar, in an address said the Council looked forward to creating an MMSE sub-sector that could drive the administration’s diversification programme.

    Also the D-G of SMEDAM, Dr Dikko Radda, said that the inauguration was good for the development of the economic sector and showed the importance the administration had given to MSMEs in the development of the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the creation of additional 37 million jobs being proposed to the council, will eliminate joblessness in the country.

  • Ikoyigate: Reps to probe N13b discovered

    Ikoyigate: Reps to probe N13b discovered

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated its Committee on National Intelligence to investigate the source of the N13 billion discovered in a residential apartment at Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The House also mandated the committee to ascertain the owner of the money discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Gabriel Kolawole.

    Moving the motion, Kolawole said the call to unravel the true identity of the owner of the money was based on claims and counter claims as to the true ownership of the funds.

    He said that the development was having negative effects on the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government.

    “There is need for thorough investigation into the matter in order to ascertain the source of the money given the claims on its ownership, purpose and the damaging effects it is having on Federal Government’s anti-corruption drive,’’ Kolawole said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a three man presidential panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently investigating the matter.

    The Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Amb. Ayodele Oke had claimed that the money belongs to the agency and was approved by the previous administration for covert operation.

    In a new twist, Gov Nyesom Wike declared that the money found in the Ikoyi apartment belonged to the Rivers state government.

    Wike told newsmen that investigations by the Rivers State Government revealed that the money was proceeds from the sale of gas turbines by the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

  • Presidential panel ratifies two days for new business registration

    The Presidential Ease of Doing Business panel has reduced the number of days required for registration of new businesses in Nigeria from 10 to two days.

    The panel also approved 24-hour timeline for company registration from when application form was completed and all required documents made available.

    Those were among highlights of a report presented at a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), on Monday at the Presidential Villa.

    The report was presented by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Trade and Investment and came as reforms targeting the end of the 60-day Action Plan on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

    According to the recommendations prospective business owners can now search on Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) portal   (www.cac.gov.ng) to avoid duplication of names and prevent selection of prohibited names.

    Also it is now optional for SMEs to hire lawyers to prepare registration documents for companies.

    The Council, established by President Muhammadu Buhari, is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    However, Monday’s meeting was chaired by Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, as the Vice President was busy with the work of the Presidential Investigative Panel set up for two top government officials.

    According to the report, CAC has introduced single incorporation form (CAC1.1) to save time and reduce costs while the agency has introduced document upload interface on its website to enable e-submission of registration documents.

    Other aspects of the reforms actualized in the last 60 days include the Integrated FIRS e-payment solution into CAC portal to enable e-stamping while the reform empowers CAC internal lawyers to certify company incorporation forms and conduct statutory declaration of compliance for just N500.

    According to the report, the PEBEC listed “dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit and paying taxes,” as some of the areas where the council recorded progress in the past 60 days.

    The report also highlighted the completed reforms on the “Entry and Exit of People,” indicator which includes Simplified Visa-on-Arrival process, Infrastructural improvements at the Abuja airport, and the new Immigration Regulation 2017.

    It also indicated that the completed reforms were being closely monitored to ensure diligent implementation with minimal disruption while pending reforms were being escalated to ensure completion in the coming weeks.

    On Trading across Borders, some of the completed reforms include palletisation of imports, advanced cargo manifests, reduction in documentation requirements and scheduling of Joint Physical Examination by the Customs Service.

    The National Action Plan contained initiatives and actions implemented by responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the National Assembly, a number of State Governments, as well as some private sector stakeholders.

    The Council emphasised that with the conclusion of implementation of the Action Plan, it would move into the next phase.

    That phase would involve “deepening existing reforms; completing and implementing pending initiatives; engaging with the public; validating completed reforms and kicking-off medium-term reforms.”

    The Council would also begin “sub-national reforms across Nigeria’s 36 states; trading within Nigeria; initiatives and reforms improving business processes and regulations within Nigeria; and ease of movement of goods within and across regions in Nigeria.”

    Ministers at the meeting included Foreign Affairs Ministers Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State for Industry Trade and Investment Aisha Abubakar, and her counterpart in Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed.

    Other government functionaries at the meeting included the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, and several heads of MDAs.

  • Group to FG: Set up committee to identify local refineries

    The Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) has urged the Federal Government to set up a committee to identify local refineries in the Niger Delta

    The Acting National President of NDYCPP, Mr Olayinka Jude, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Sunday that the measure would ensure proper documentation of those refining sites in the region.

    NAN recalls that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, few months ago in Port Harcourt, announced government’s plan to integrate illegal refiners into the proposed modular refineries for the region.

    According to Jude, having detailed information about the capacities and amount of crude refined in the illegal sites would give accurate data on how to involve the local refiners.

    He pledged the readiness of the youth group to collaborate with all stakeholders towards identifying these illegal refineries.

    “Our coalition consists of proactive, pragmatic and forward-looking youth groups who are desirous of contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic growth of the country.

    “We suggest that government sets up a task force comprising the police, military, NNPC, oil companies, advocacy groups and other relevant bodies to go round the region to identify the sites,” he said.

    Jude said that operators of the artisanal refineries should be encouraged to form co-operatives for easier integration when the modular refineries came on stream.

    “The bunkering sites are known and those behind them are also known.

    “While they are waiting for the proposed government’s plan, those whose biometrics may have been captured during the documentation should be engaged in securing the environment.

    “They will help to prevent the establishment of new illicit bunkering sites,” he said.

     

  • Osinbajo to probe SGF, NIA DG without fear or favour, says Presidency

    Osinbajo to probe SGF, NIA DG without fear or favour, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Saturday assured that the Presidential Investigative Panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will carry out its assignment without fear or favour.
    The three-man panel, with members including the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami and National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, was constituted on Wednesday to probe allegations of legal and due process violations made against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.
    It is also to investigate the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, which was linked to the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, who has been suspended.
    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, reads “The panel which is expected to submit its report to the President at the expiration of the 14-day deadline, will conduct it’s work with utmost diligence and without fear or favour.”
    According to the statement, the committee has since commenced its work in earnest.
    It said that all private and public officials linked to the cases will be probed by the committee.
    “In the discharge of its work, the panel is expected to invite all relevant officials and private individuals who may be connected to both cases.
    “It will also obtain and scrutinize documents that may throw some light on the issues raised in both cases.
    “All its proceedings will however be in closed sessions to avoid speculations, allow for full disclosure and enhance the pace of proceedings, ” it stated.

  • Suspended NIA DG denies crying

    The suspended Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke on Thursday denied media reports claiming that he cried when he visited the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
    According to him, he was only concerned about avoiding the journalists on his way to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s office.
    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu reads: “Widespread reporting that Ambassador Ayo Oke of the National Intelligence Agency had cried are unfair and charitable.
    “Witnesses to his visit to the Vice President and his own personal account, say that he arrived to a swarm of journalists which he wanted to avoid.
    “He asked his driver to make a quick turn and instead, he headed to the Glass House, the Headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS. From there, he put a call to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and requested that he help to clear the journalists so that he can make a quiet entry to the VP’s office and that is what happened.
    “In an SUV with darkened windows, no one could have seen an occupant crying,” Shehu stated.

  • Buhari: we’ll unlock oceans, seas potential

    Buhari: we’ll unlock oceans, seas potential

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria will reposition the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to facilitate economic prosperity.

    This, he said, will be done by unlocking the huge potential in this country’s ocean and seas.

    Buhari spoke yesterday at a three-day conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) in Abuja.

    AAMA is an umbrella body of five African Maritime Stakeholders’ groups, such as Association of Maritime Administrations of Africa, Africa’s Ship Registry Forum, African Ship Owners Association as well as Africa Shippers’ Council and Seafarers’ Forum.

    The President urged other African leaders to tap into the huge resources in their oceans to boost the continent’s economic development and provide jobs for their people.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the opportunities in the vast oceans surrounding the continent needed to be harnessed to diversify its economy.

    The theme of the event is: “Sustainable use of Africa’s oceans and seas”. It was hosted by NIMASA.

    Buhari added that there was the need for other African countries to develop regulatory and legal frameworks that will properly manage maritime resources and address the challenges facing the sector.

    Leaders of the AAMA, Buhari said, must evolve synergies to reap the benefits of the oceans to ensure socio-economic emancipation of the continent.

    The president said:  ”Here in Nigeria, we have taken steps to tackle some of the issues peculiar to us while still calling for regional and sub-regional collaborations. We have set up engagement to resolve and address the misunderstanding and contentious issues in Niger Delta which, off course, is part of Gulf Guinea.

    “We recently approved a new maritime security architecture and infrastructure to be jointly coordinated by NIMASA, NSA and FMOT. We have given required support to the Navy so that they can work with others within our sub-region to effectively police our waters to facilitate trade.

    “This arrangement will also contribute to resolving and eliminating piracy and sea robbery in our maritime domain on our waters. The results are encouraging and piracy has dropped dramatically, especially in the last six months.

    “We are making substantive investment to improve human capacity by taking advantage of international trade in the shipping and our maritime industry.

    “The measure we are putting in place is to increase efficiency of our port and to enable quick turnaround time of vessels. Technology is also being introduced to make our port operation effective to support economic growth. NIMASA as regulator agency is being reformed to play effective role as a facilitator of economic prosperity.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, said NIMASA’s efforts “have led to an upward swing in the level of local participation of Nigerians in the maritime industry and the use of Nigerian waters and seas for lawful economic activities”.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara called for collaboration among African countries to cultivate and reap the benefits of its oceans.

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi said the African maritime transport charter inspired the formation of AAMA and encouraged information sharing, inter agency collaboration, sub-regional cooperation and approach to planning, implementation and maritime regulation on the principle of inclusiveness and collaboration.

    The government, Amaechi said, has stepped up efforts to make Nigeria a deserved maritime hub in the West and Central Africa by embarking on comprehensive port reforms and upgrading port infrastructure as well as linking the ports to the rail network to boost efficiency and quick cargo clearance.

    NIMASA’s Director-General Dakuku Peterside called for concerted efforts at tackling Africa’s maritime administration challenges.

    Dr Peterside, in  opening remarks at the conference, said: “We are particularly delighted that this conference, the third in the series after the first in Mombasa, Kenya and the second in Sandton, South Africa, is holding on our shores. Nigeria’s place in the maritime world is not only deserved, it is common knowledge.”

    “It (Nigeria) is special in the maritime community in Africa for a number of reasons,’’ the director-general said.

    He said Nigeria accounted for over 60 per cent of the total sea-borne traffic in volume and value in West and Central Africa.

    Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Kitack Lim said AAMA should not relent in its determination to increase Africa’s share of global investments in the maritime sector.

    Lim, who was represented by an official of the IMO, Mr William Azu, said the maritime sector provided raw materials, food items, employment and transportation of 80 per cent of global trade.

    The conference ends today.

  • Niger Delta Peace Process: Group advises FG

    Niger Delta Peace Process: Group advises FG

    The Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Social Orientation (GIPSO) has urged the Federal Government to build on the success of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s recent tour for lasting peace in the Niger Delta Region.

    GIPSO, a Niger Delta Peace Advocacy group in a statement on Wednesday said that only widespread consultation with all segments of Niger Delta region would make the peace package put together by Osinbajo for the region to succeed.

    According to the group, there is need for robust engagements on the ways to the actualise take off of the development plans unveiled by the Federal Government during the peace building tour of the region.

    The Group’s National Coordinator, Mr Richard Akinaka, noted that a report from the interactive sessions with key stakeholders showed a need for continued grassroots consultation and engagement.

    According to Akinaka, the ongoing engagement is giving more attention to people who blackmailed government by destroying pipelines in the Niger Delta region than those who sincerely worked for peace and development of the region.

    “While everything seems to be going well for those whose interests are being served, a precedent is being wrongly set for others who may fall out and again resort to further agitations.

    “It is going to be counterproductive and undermine the peace process by rewarding those who took arms against the government; they should talk to wider sections of the Niger Delta people and not skew the dialogue with violence prone people.

    “They should not sideline critical stakeholders and knowledgeable people who have interest and background in the peace building process in the region.

    “Rewarding those who took arms for no reasons whatsoever and treating them with kids’ gloves should not be all that the peace process is all about, there is more to it than that.

    “As much we are interested in the vice president’s initiative and process he has started, he should be very careful about the people who are coordinating the process.

    “Who and who are those engaged in the ongoing talks? Is it the Aaron team or Ex militant leaders? We need to know.

    “It is wrong to leave out communities where there are no pipelines damage.

    “With what is going on now, anyone of the ex militants can decide to start blowing up pipelines to draw government’s attention to their sides.

    “My advice to the government is, let them not set a bad precedent that will be disastrous tomorrow in the name of rewarding those who destroyed the national assets in the name of Niger Delta Avengers because others are watching,’’ GIPSO stated.

    On the recent agitation by some oil bearing states for inclusion in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Akinaka described the call as pathetic and uncalled for as agitators from those states in various camps were already enjoying amnesty.

    “It is strange to some of us who from the beginning were involved in this process, some agitators, few of them from those states that were part of the Niger Delta struggle submitted arms in their operating states because there was no militant camp in their states,” Akinaka said.

     

  • FEC meeting fails to hold Wednesday

    FEC meeting fails to hold Wednesday

    The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting failed to hold on Wednesday due to inability of the Secretariat to circulate relevant meeting documents as a result of the Easter holiday.

    The government had declared last Friday and Monday as public holiday to allow Christians mark the anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    The Presidency on Wednesday also denied speculations that the cancellation could be because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

    Similar speculations had trailed the absence of President Buhari last Wednesday when the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo presided over the meeting.

    Speaking on the matter on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that it was canceled because the FRC secretariat staff had no opportunity to circulate relevant documents for the meeting because of the Easter holiday.

    He said “I think it is because of the Easter holiday. The secretariat had no time to circulate the necessary documents,

    “The staff on the Council secretariat  resumed on Tuesday after the Easter. There was no time to prepare and circulate memos to ministers.

    “By practice, the ministers receive council memos two or three days ahead of meetings because they must read them and sometimes undertake research.

    “It is not a rubber stamp council so everyone must prepare themselves well for debates,” he added.

    On why the documents were not circulated before the holiday since the secretariat knew before hand that there would be a holiday, he explained that as human beings, they also needed the break.

    He denied the suggestion that the cancellation was related to the president’s state of health.

    Stressing that it would be wrong to make such assumption, he said “That will not be fair.”

    Explaining the President’s absence at FEC last week, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had said that Buhari did not attend FEC meeting because he was attending to other issues.

    He said: “Clearly when we came in this morning, Mr President was not in the chambers but the Vice President did preside over the council meeting.

    “Understandably, that has sparked a lot of controversies and imputations in the mind of people.

    “I just want to make this clear, Mr President is in town. Mr. President is attending to other issues. Mr president looked at the agenda, it was a very light agenda and decided that the Vice President should preside.

    “It’s not unusual for the kind of interest that is shown especially given the fact that Mr. President was away for a while on medical treatment and is not. We are not surprised that people will be wondering is he ill again?

    “He is not ill, he is not sick. Am sure that later in the day or tomorrow morning he will be back in the office. I just want to clear that misconception.

    “Is not unusual even if Mr. President is hail and hearty and everything is going on well for the VP to come and preside over meetings of the federal executive council.

    “The fact that Mr. President is not in the office does not mean that he is not working.

    “I have just been told now that the Secretary to the Government is already with with him in the residence working.

    “So, the fact that you did not see him in the office does not mean that he is not working at all,” he stated