President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family of the former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye and the entire Anglican Communion on the death of the patriarch earlier today.
In a condolence message, President Jonathan described late Archbishop Adetiloye as a great man of God who would be missed not only by members of the Anglican Communion, but all Nigerians.
The President noted that Archbishop Adetiloye will be long remembered for his zeal and passion for evangelism and planting of churches and his interest in not only the spiritual life of church members but also their education, health and economic wellbeing.
Eulogizing him further, President Jonathan said that the former Primate lived a good life devoted to unconditional service of God and humanity.
Recalling the notable achievements of the late Primate especially his promotion of religious tolerance in the country, President Jonathan said that Archbishop Adetiloye whose tenure coincided with military rule in Nigeria, exhibited immense courage in his robust interventions in national discourses as he spoke forcefully against undemocratic governance.
He prayed that Almighty God would grant the soul of the revered Archbishop eternal rest.
Today, Friday December 14, 2012, saw the prosecution witness contradict the earlier testimony that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume had made telephone contact with members of Boko Haram 73 times. This was evident when the prosecutor read to the court an International Mobile Equipment Identity [IMEI] number of a mobile phone belonging to Ndume – which was different from the digits he gave in his testimony before the court on Tuesday December 11, 2012.
The star prosecutor witness representing the State Security Service [SSS], Aliyu Usman, a forensic examiner had testified on Tuesday before the court that the last four digits of the Nokia E7 ended with 3050, but when asked to read out the IMEI today, Usman confirmed that the last four digits was no longer 3050 as earlier reported. He revealed the last four digits were 3055.
Today’s revelation discounts what the prosecutor star witness statement on Wednesday where he testified before the court that there were 73 communications between the Nokia E7 with the IMEI 3050 allegedly belonging to Ndume and the convicted spokesperson of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga – who allegedly owns the Nokia 2700 which has 9226 as the last four digits of its IMEI.
As 247ureports.com learnt, Usman had been given two mobile phones by the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel [SIP], James Ene Izi for analysis. His preliminary analysis discovered that the duo had contacts between October 3, 2011 and November 3, 2011 of up to 73 times.
Justice Gabriel Kolawale adjourned till January 16, 2013 for continuation of trial.
Ndume is standing trial on terrorism-related charges before an Abuja Federal High Court.
Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, an All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] Board of Trustees member, and former Executive Governor of Yobe State, has been awarded with the enviable Mo Ibrahim Exemplary Grassroots Leadership Quality in Africa Prize/Award.
In a letter signed by Professor Michael E. Meadows of Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Senator Ibrahim, was informed of the decision of the screening committee, led by Professor Ali A. Mazrui, to select him along with nine other recipients from nine other African countries for the maiden edition of its Grassroots Leadership Award.
The ten awardees are scheduled to be formally presented with their prizes on 19th January, 2013, at Nelson Mandela Auditorium, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
‘‘Please be informed that you have been named as one of the ten[10] award winners of the maiden edition of the above mentioned grassroots leadership award, which is designed to honour some distinguished grassroots political leaders of African origin, as a first major step to enhancing grassroots leadership capital in the continent of Africa,’’ the letter reads.
‘‘The screening committee, led by Professor Ali A. Mazrui called for nomination of candidates from recognized civil society groups and religious leaders across the region since July 2012. The following three parameters were used objectively to evaluate the leadership impact made by individual’s award winner during the period under review;
‘‘1.Level of socio-political stability occasioned by poverty reduction. 2.The rate of execution of coordinated public policies.3.Exhibition of grassroots leadership currency in line with global requirements. Your physical presence will be highly appreciated, as we do not encourage proxy representation in view of the fact that the event is holding in African soil for the first time. The even will mark a significant milestone in our collective quest to making Africa the hub of grassroots development, driven by adroit leadership and good governance.’’
Senator Ibrahim’s own prize/award is delineated as ‘‘Alleviation of Poverty/Desertification Programmes’’ as poverty alleviation programmes and desert control initiateves are prerequisites to improving the socio-economic environment of Yobe, Nigeria and Africa in general.
Other Africans that received the Exemplary Grassroots Leadership Quality in Africa prize in various other descriptions are Abdurahman Ibn Amair of Egypt, Mike Nkuda Kwshi of Ghana, Mtheu Sanda Perie of Gabon, Marilyn Setwhandhi of Botwana, Seusoutu Ngwelie of Malawi, Si’du B. Ismaila of Ethiopia, Ali Buba T. Nasir of Tunisia, Ngualonu Alfred J. of Kenya and Ebrahim Patel of South Africa.
Mo Ibrahim Foundation was the initiative of the Sudanese telecoms multi millionaire businessman, Mo Ibrahim, to recognize leaders committed to good governance in their individual countries considering that after 50 years of end of colonial rule, Africa is still ravaged by coups, wars, sit tight rulers and visionless leadership.
“It is no longer golden to keep quiet as things are already going wrong in the Jonathan’s presidency. I want to start with an Ijaw proverb which says: the eyes watched its seven children to death, instead of advising them, it was just looking at them until they died. While the mouth talked its only child to life and success. We have continued as Ijaw people and the entire Niger Delta and south-south to support the presidency of President Goodluck Jonathan, but a time has come when silent cannot be golden. We must speak out on issues that are very critical to the survival of our people, the survival of the people of the south-south and the south-east which is the political based of Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan is surrendered by very greedy people who are only in the presidency to enrich themselves at the expense of Goodluck himself. This brings us to another Kalabari proverb which says: where there are elders, a goat cannot be allowed to deliver tied to a stick. If we don’t talk and we continue to brush it aside, tomorrow we will be blamed and people will say: Mujahid Dokubo-Asari was around, when Goodlcuk Jonathan was president, and he didn’t talk, then I will be an accomplice and accessory after the fact.” – stated the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF) Mojahid Asari-Dokubo today, Friday December 14, 2012 in Abuja as he declared President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid as exercise in futility. The NDVF leader added further that Mr. President may not be able to win the 2015 Presidential elections in the country.
Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that back in March of 2012, Asari-Dokubo declared that Jonathan will win the presidential election in 2015.
The NDVF leader pointed to the task awaiting President Jonathan as “uphill task” because of the people that the President surrounded himself with – who have managed to ostracize the people who had help Jonathan’s accession to the office of Presidency – people like former president Obasanjo.
“First, there was no need for Goodluck Jonathan whatsoever, to disagree with Olusegun Obasanjo. I don’t like Obasanjo, I don’t like his face, I hate him, but he was instrumental in bringing Goodluck Jonathan to power. And the greedy people around Jonathan have not managed him enough, to the extent that the president and people around him will allow Jonathan to disagree with Obasanjo openly. And if you check, all the people who supported Goodluck Jonathan and fought to bring him to power, have openly disagreed with him, what was the cause of these disagreements, these are the questions we want to put to the president.”
Asari also spoke on the fears harbored by the people of the south south region – as per the slot of presidency come 2015. His words, “It is alarming because the south-south must have its uninterrupted eight years tenure which is constitutional, but with how things are going under Jonathan’s watch, we are afraid that we may not be able to have our eight years tenure, because there will be no magic about it if it is going to be one man one vote. Some people say Obasanjo is manipulating Goodluck Jonathan, that is why Jonathan is disagreeing with him, and we ask: what Goodluck Jonathan government has achieved to show that it is a departure from other governments that have existed since 1956? For us, nothing has changed. It is still business as usual. So what are the advise that Obasanjo gave to Jonathan that were so difficult for him to fulfill, that made him decide to fall out with Obasanjo?”
The aggrieved Niger Delta leader added that Obasanjo was instrumental in manipulated the process that illegally removed Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of Bayelsa State and installed Jonathan as governor – making him Vice President – fighting for him to become acting president and then president of the federal republic of Nigeria.
According to Asari, Jonathan’s sudden unexplained alienation is not relegated to Obasanjo alone. “There are so many people who supported Goodluck Jonathan, some have been pushed out by those who were not there to give him any support, while some others are trapped and they cannot talk. Monkey no fine, but the mama like am, but then the ugly monkey becomes so rascal, the mother will desert it because if the mother continue liking the ugly monkey in it rascality, she too will die with the ugly monkey, after she has more than one monkey child.”
Asari also pointed blame at some of Jonathan’s cabinet members. In his words, “So, some of us are tempted to ask this question: why are all these things happening? Why has the president allowed some ministers like Godsday Orubebe to continue in government? Every day people die in the east-west road, if Orubebe is incompetent as he has shown himself to be, he should be removed. Nobody voted for Orubebe. And why is Orubebe so important to the president that he can’t remove him even in the face of his obvious incompetence and several allegations to corruption.”
“Orubebe was one of us, he was attending meetings with us, sleeping on the ground with us, entering night bus with us, and we nominated him to be appointed a minister, we have gone to him and complained to him that we don’t like the way things are going in his ministry, and told him that if the president leaves in 2015 without the completion of the east-west road, we are finished. And the man kept telling us there is no money. When IBB was there, there was money, when Abacha was there, there was money, when other people where there, there was money, how come the money disappeared when Jonathan got there. Orubebe will account for the death in the east-west road.”
In spite of the misguided virtue of self interests, no man can exist, on its own, outside of the community. These are conflicting burdens bestowed on all mankind has it battles between the interest of self and that of public good. The balance between the two conflicting virtues determines mankind’s stage of evolution. The argument for public good seems to have been lost in Nigeria. The deplorable state of what is common to all of us (roads, rail, schools, hospitals, portable water, public electricity, public buildings and monuments, etc.) validates this postulation. Today we erect individual fences, burglar proof for personal security, and; communities erect gates on streets to ward off undesirable elements at night. These are signs that we have lost it. The Nigerian system is not reassuring, and people have lost hope; this is the reason why those that steal public funds do it. They want to grab whatever they can when they have the chance.
To clean up this mess will require a strong argument, political will, resources and re-orientation. Has anybody ever sat down to calculate how much, in resources alone, it will take to fix all our roads, schools, rail, power, potable water, public transport, etc, and where those resources will come from? Lagos State recently stated that the state will need about 6 trillion naira for roads alone between now and 2015. Every Wednesday the Federal Executive Council meets to fashion out how to spend on isolated projects that have left jagged, disjointed, developments across Nigeria’s landscape. They never deliberate on how government will earn more to fund projects; instead they wait for Nigeria’s share of the proceeds of oil
that foreign oil companies hand to us. There are enough resources in this country to start to fix this mess, but what is lacking is the formula to do so. The money that will fix most of our decaying values is in our pockets.
I do not think most of our leaders and elites are traitors to the Nigerian cause; they are only scared-of-the-future blunderers, which is why they steal that unbelievably much. They know that opportunities in Nigeria are shrinking, so they want to plant only their children in positions of opportunity. It is myopic and counterproductive. Having said that, what is the way out of this pit? In my opinion, the argument for a reform of the Tax Code in Nigeria is the only solution now, and must be waged vigorously. There is a need for everyone to contribute (tax) to the government for public good. I tried to reason with the latest trend of narrowing the influence of government; each time I always came up short. Which private organization will fix the road on your street? Who will provide funds for running water to all the people? Who will fund the infrastructure of public power, the rail, the schools, hospitals, security, and all others? The notion that the government has no business in business is misleading; government may not be the best to run a business, but nothing stops government from owning a business for public good that could be run by private enterprise.
It is in the interest of the community to address the level of inequality in the society and justice for all. In capitalism, the issue of inequality is tackled through the tax code as it maintains a high level of quality public good. In these regards, roads, rail, water, power, schools, hospitals, etc. are of high quality. The judicial system gives the tax code the force of law; as tax payment is considered contributively to the survival of the community while tax evasion threatens that survival. Who will elevate tax to the level of a lifeline to fund the public treasuries? In these regards, it would become imperative for the survival of Nigeria, and tax evasion will tantamount to crime against the state. This is the only way forward. Besides, tax has no religion, tribe nor is it sectional. However, tax is the last thing anybody wants to hear, but this is mainly due to ignorance. People always consider this argument stupid, because of claim of no probity by the public servants and their political bosses.
It is a question of the chicken and the egg, which came first? The elites and the politicians are silent about tax reform, because it will end their honeymoon. They would rather maintain the status quo. They know that a Tax Code will make Nigerians to put their mouth where their money is, and they do not want that. Tax, in a sense, is a revolving fund, put in place, to run government for the public good; as government spends through the provision of public needs, the treasury is depleted; it is the tax that will refill the piggy bank. Tax is also the most equitable route for a local currency to take to fund the public treasury. Unless we entrench this route as the major way the naira takes to fund Nigeria’s public treasuries, we will continue to undermine our development. The hottest topic around the world is the tax issue, but not in Nigeria. There seems to be collusion between the elites and our political bosses to be silent on tax. A tax code will make the rich pay more as their fair share; moreover, it will embolden the masses to demand probity.
Capitalism is defined as an economic system where private enterprise drives the economy in an enabling environment facilitated by the government of the day. This, in effect, means that the rights of the people are ceded, as a policy, to a few individuals, though through competition, for effective management of the country’s resources. This privilege carries its own responsibilities; justifiably, for this the rich in the society, having won that right, must pay their fair share within the tax code for public good. For instance, if Dangote is one of the few licensed, through competition, to provide sugar for all of us, it is imperative that Dangote and the others are taxed adequately for common good; otherwise, we would mitigate inequality in the community. This is an ingredient for sedition as it wets the recruitment grounds for the likes of Boko Haram.
The Structural Adjust Program (SAP) brought Nigeria to this state of economic stagnation, and insecurity (insurgency etc.) SAP had a faulty start as it diverted the main course (tax) the naira ought to take to fund the public treasuries. Instead, the naira to fund the public treasuries is routed through the auctioning of the petrodollar to the highest bidder. This process is influenced by those with enough naira at their disposal. Their excess liquidity ought to have been mopped up by tax. Instead, it make some of them to look good as a fraction of tax they ought to have paid is used for philanthropy. The bad elements used theirs to sponsor antisocial activities like Boko Haram. The lack of a robust tax system is what fuels corruption and the insecurity of funds; it stagnates the economic growth and discourages foreign investment. A tax code will guarantee government earnings and budgeting will not need oil benchmark. Presently, foreign investors are uncertain because there is no guaranteed system, like tax, to fund Nigerian government activities; they fear that sooner or later, their investments could melt into the economic system – a sure uncertainty for invested funds.
Former President Obasanjo warned recently that the level of unemployment in Nigeria could lead to a revolution. This could be averted in a short term by this regime coming to term with the crazy level of inequality in the general Nigerian society, and on a longer term by working on a tax code that would make the rich and every other Nigerian pay his or her fair share of tax. A reformed tax code will secure government earnings and isolate Nigerian public treasuries from the general economy. I am of the opinion that this will provide investors, particularly foreign investors, the confidence that their funds are secured within the Nigerian economy. Two key factors bother investors – security of funds and the returns on investments. A government that does not run on tax cannot secure invested funds. A tax code will secure government earning, without recourse to oil benchmarks. In return, it will secure invested funds. If revolution is in the offing, I hope we are not being plain deaf; otherwise we will all be consumed by it. I will keep harping on the tax theme, until people are willing to face reality. Tax is the cure all and a investment, as it brings out the patriotism in all of us.
Abia state governor, Chief Theodore Orji says his administration would continue to deliver public power supply to all rural communities in the state.
The governor, who was speaking during the handover of transformers to the representatives of eight benefiting communities, said the objective was to assist them in line with government’s efforts at boosting power supply across the 17 local governments of the state.
He disclosed the transformers were procured by the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), an agency of the state government funded by the mineral derivation from the federation account to empower the youths as well as develop the state.
Orji, who was visibly elated at the occasion, recalled that his administration recently evacuated power from the 132 KVA Ohiya Power station to Umuahia and its environs, stressing that the transformers would assist in boosting power supply in those areas.
He disclosed that more transformers would be acquired for distribution to needy communities, adding that the state government in conjunction with the local councils is compiling a list of those to benefit, assuring that it will be equitably distributed to the three senatorial zones of the state.
Speaking on behalf of one of the benefiting communities, the traditional ruler of Osi-Eke autonomous community in Ugwunagbor local council, HRH, Eze Apostle Wilson Uhiara expressed gratitude to the governor for the donation.
Some of the benefiting communities include Umukabia Ohuhu autonomous community(Umuahia North LGA ), Awomukwu autonomous community(Ikwuano LGA )Ikwuorie autonomous community(Ukwa East LGA),Abo Ama-Ogudu autonomous community(Ohafia LGA);amongst others.
The United States has imposed sanctions on five Iranian nuclear experts and seven companies for helping Iran move closer towards enriching uranium — essential for building a nuclear bomb.
The new sanctions freeze the U.S. assets of those named and forbids any U.S. citizen or body from doing business with the 12.
Iran has refused U.N. and Western demands that it give up its nuclear program, which Washington says is aimed at building a bomb. Iran insists its nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says because of Iran’s continued intransigence on its nuclear program, it is essential to restrain Iranian violations.
Meanwhile, a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors is in Tehran seeking to convince Iran to resume nuclear talks.
Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said the focus of the visit is to resolve outstanding issues related to Iran’s possible development of nuclear weapons.
The U.N. nuclear agency wants Iran to grant inspectors access to the Parchin military installation southwest of Tehran, which the West suspects is related to possible nuclear weapons development. Iran says Parchin is a conventional military site.
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) assisted by the Chairman of PDP Ward 2 Angalabiri, Mr. Egberibulokemi Dibuya (right) introducing the winner of PDP Local Government Councillorship Ward 2 primary election, Ms. Alibina Apina (centre) at Angalabiri in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State. Photo by Lucky Francis, Government House, Yenagoa.
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Friday in Sagbama, Sagbama local government area of the state insisted on the 35 percent affirmative action for women, assuring the people of the readiness of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to comply with the policy.
Addressing members of the party during the conduct of the PDP Councillorship Primaries which saw the emergence of three women, the governor said their victory was a demonstration of the PDP’s preparedness to adhere to the policy and give the women a greater sense of belonging.
The effective implementation of the policy, according to the governor will not only empower women but also afford them ample opportunity to contribute more meaningfully to national development.
Describing the PDP as a responsible and responsive political party, the Governor called on Nigerian women to always support the programs and policies of the present administration.
While congratulating the flag bearer of the party, on her successful election, the State Chief Executive commended the people for their peaceful conduct and urged them to vote massively for the party in the Local Government elections billed for next year.
The Returning Officer, Mr Christopher Ewhrujakpo announced the results while the Special Adviser to the PDP National Chairman on Monitoring, Hon. Bernard Mikko advised aspirants who may be aggrieved about the outcome of the elction to follow due process by forwarding their petitions to the party within 24 hours.
Chairman of PDP Sagbama Local Government Area, Hon. Bekeowei Oyinkuro (2nd left) assisted by the PDP Chairman Ward 2, Mr. Egberibulokemi Dibuya (right) formerly introducing the winner of PDP Local Government Councillorship Ward 2 primary election, Ms. Alibina Apina (2nd right) to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) at Angalabiri Community. Photo by Lucky Francis, Government House, Yenagoa.
Hon. Dickson who later visited the Amakosiowei, (oldest man) of Angalabiri Community, Chief Smart Ogbelegbe, expressed his administration’s readiness to bring development closer to the rural areas.
He also expressed gratitude to the people for the massive support they gave to him in last February’s Governorship polls in the State, adding that the Angalabiri community has remained one his most reliable support bases in Sagbama Local Government Area.
The 43rd meeting of the National Council on Information was held at the NICON LUXURY Hotel, Garki – Abuja from Wednesday 12th to Thursday, 13th December, 2012, with the theme: “Information Management for Good Governance and National Transformation”. It was attended by 410 delegates from 31 States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Goodwill and solidarity messages were received from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
1.1 The meeting of officials to prepare the framework for the Council meeting was held on Wednesday 12th December, 2012, under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Mrs Kehinde Ajoni. She expressed regrets at the inconveniences caused by the Ministry’s inability to hold the 43rd Meeting at Osogbo but noted that the 43rd NCI was taking place at an appropriate time considering the on-going national Good Governance Tour as approved by Council at the 42nd Meeting.
1.2 In a keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, welcomed participants and delegates, and drew attention to the theme of the 43rd session, ‘Information Management for Good Governance and National Transformation. He noted that the meeting was both timely and appropriate in light of the intense focus on the performance of governments at all levels. Identifying openness and transparency in governance as critical elements, in any democracy, Mr Labaran Maku drew attention to the success of the just concluded One-Day Workshop on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, hosted in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Information in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
1.3 He described the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act as the boldest and most revolutionary step by any Administration in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, pointing out that its implication of open access to information is a challenge to Journalists and all who wish to know how they are governed and how their resources are managed. Mr Maku called on all State Governments and Ministries of Information to commence effective Public Enlightenment and facilitate the implementation of the Act in the interest of good governance. Finally, Mr Labaran Maku drew attention to the progress of the National Good Governance tour which he said was an eye opener as it was able to reveal the massive development and extensive work being done by governments at all levels.
1.4 He commended the Federal Government’s on-going Transformation Agenda, pointing out that in addition to the noteworthy improvement in the power sector the Nation’s Agricultural Sector is poised to create employments while the Transport Sector is set to receive a tremendous boost with the imminent reopening of the North-South and East-North rail lines. While he expressed his wish for fruitful deliberations and timely implementation of Council decision, the Honourable Minister declared the 43rd Session of the National Council on Information (NCI) open.
1.5 Earlier on the Permanent Secretary in her opening remarks emphasized the importance of the good governance tour in monitoring developmental projects all over the country. She also noted the need for the deployment of robust communication strategies for effective publicity as imperatives for the transformational agenda and vision 20:20:20
1.6 After exhaustive deliberations, Council resolved as follows:
i. that the National Good Governance Tour is an effective way of showcasing efforts of government at all levels and encouraged States to support the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Information.
ii. that States be encouraged to implement the Freedom of Information Act.
iii. that States should take advantage of the enhanced curricula at the National Institute of Public Information (NIPI) Kaduna, in order to create synergy in Information management and bridge the knowledge gap amongst Information Managers. Council noted the need for the Federal Ministry of Information and NIPI to embark on more aggressive marketing of its programmes.
iv. that Federal and State Ministries of Information should further collaborate and intensify public enlightenment on environmental challenges and national security. In this regard, States are encouraged to vote funds for public enlightenment while designs of specific strategies and publications are made available for implementation by the Federal and State Ministries of Information.
v. That the establishment of a Collective Management Organization (CMO) in the field of audio visual works in Nigeria will help deepen the Nigerian film industry and make it globally competitive. Council therefore encouraged the accelerated registration of the CMO.
vi. That States should provide access to computers for community schools and encourage e-governance at the Local Government levels.
vii. That all Citizens in Nigeria should be properly secured in their States of residence, irrespective of their State of Origin.
1.7 Council noted:
i. the need to support and encourage the establishment of a Collective Management Organization (CMO) in the field of Audio-Visual Works in Nigeria.
ii. the presentation of an update on the successful hosting of the One-Day first National Conference on Audio-Visual Archiving in Nigeria.
iii. the successful hosting of the 6th Edition of the biennial Zuma Film Festival with the theme “The Human Story: Connecting People”.
iv. the need to put in place legal provisions to check cyber crimes in the country and develop a platform to respond to issues on social media.
v. the presentation of an update on the work on Voice of Nigeria’s Abuja Transmitting Station project
vi. the submission on effective Information Management made by Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Edo, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun,Oyo, Rivers and Yobe States.
vii. the Federal Ministry of Information’s efforts and expressed its appreciation to the Ministry for hosting the 43rd council.
1.8 The next meeting of the National Council on Information is to hold in Osogbo, Osun State in September 2013.
COMMUNIQUE COMMITTEE
Federal Officers
1. E. N. Agbegir – FMI
2. J. K. Lawal – FMI
3. F. N. Chetden – FMI
4. G. O. Adeoye – FMI
5. Wofai E. Agbam – FMI
State Representatives
1. Ibim Semenitari – Rivers State – South-South
2. Arthur A. Bosah – Anambra State – South East
3. Hon. Gide Sani Batagarawa – Katsina State – North West
4. Emmanuel Bello – Taraba State – North East
5. Taiwo Ibiyemi Otegbeye – Oyo State – South West
6. Hon. Victoria Titi Monde – Nasarawa State – North Central
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the volcano as he is now fondly called in some quarters, had a quick succession of eruptions in the past few weeks as he made good use of the autonomy of the CBN to fire his salvo of economic policy razzmatazz, not sparing anyone from the legislature to the hardest hit, the civil servants, calling for 50 percent reduction of federal workers and other apparatus of government, as a means of reducing the cost of governance. His diagnosis was right but his prescription not just defective but insolent with a sprinkling of megalomania.
The CBN Boss, with an uncanny reputation for hitting up the polity, had in the past stirred the hornet’s nest with issues such as the contentious Islamic banking debate that polarized the Nation along religious lines, his aborted N5, 000 note introduction. He facilitated the donation of N100 million on behalf of the CBN to victims of the Boko Haram menace in his state of origin, Kano, attracting criticism from the media and the National Assembly, adamantly maintaining it was not the first time the CBN will be assisting victims of disasters. He had bitter run-ins with the National Assembly for calling for a reduction of their salaries and emoluments by at least 25 percent. The law makers had at a point muted a review of the CBN Act to strip the CBN governor of his autonomy.
Widespread reactions trailed his latest comments that Nigeria cannot make any meaningful progress, economic growth or develop infrastructure if it continued with a recurrent expenditure of 70 per cent. He was pummeled from all sides. The organized Labour and the NLC described the ‘loquacious’ CBN governor as a ‘hollow economist’ and one whose policy proposal is anti-people and ruinous to the Nigerian economy. The Labour therefore called for his immediate sack. His familiar foes, the law makers were not left out in pouring vitriolic attack, describing him as an ‘economist of turbulence’. A deluge of opinion from Nigerians joined the discourse that ensued.
Discarding Sanusi’s recommendation in total would be throwing the baby away with the bath water, certain aspects of Sanusi’s comments need be given a serious thought. Truly the executive and other apparatus of government must reduce its overhead cost by even more than 50 percent, the profligacy in government must stop, though Sanusi failed to add this. Nigerians had almost forgotten that Jonathan’s inauguration ceremony alone gulped about 5billion. Investigations revealed that the President and his entourage have spent not less than N3.35bn on foreign trips since 2010. Nigeria, a country without a Nigeria carrier spends an estimated N9.08bn annually on the Presidential Air Fleet of 10 aircrafts which is the third largest fleet, in queue behind commercial airlines with Arik Air the largest in the country with 23 aircrafts. How about the billions allocated for ‘refreshment’ in the Presidential Villa? The recent N2bn budget for the construction of the Vice-President’s official residence and another N2.2bn for a banquet hall for the President are landmark achievements of a government renowned for its culture of profligacy. This legacy of waste, impunity and fleecing of our commonwealth by past and present administration at all levels of government is what the CBN governor should be talking about. There is also the monster of corruption that needs to be tackled headlong. Indeed the private sector should be engaged to handle industrialisation and manage government owned businesses, the local governments and civil service should as a matter of urgency be repositioned for better service delivery. Inasmuch as the CBN governor’s submission was correct, in some areas, his implementation strategy is defective.
The dust of Sanusi’s latest controversy had not settled when news broke of the theft at the Mint! Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC, is currently embroided in the mysterious disappearance of N2.1 Billion in N1000 denominations from the watch of its officials. Though there are conflicting figures of the missing sum but it is inconsequential, a theft of N20 at the mint, a place meant to be secured and immune to theft, should be considered a serious dent on the image of Nigeria, an all new level of fleece now extended to the stealing of newly minted notes.
The CBN governor as the head of the company board, scurried to a meeting with the board of the Mint company to investigate the magical disappearance of such colossal sum. The outcome so far has been the order to proceed on leave with immediate effect handed to the chief executive and the head of security of the NSPMC.
Contrary to reports of absence of Close Circuit Television Cameras known as CCTV at the NSPMC, investigation revealed the in-house administration of security of the premises and products is detailed, strict and computerised. Both physical and Materials’ security of the premises is ensured through the use of the most up-to-date electronic surveillance equipment, supported by adequate and well-trained security staff. Attributing the ease with which the funds developed wings to the absence of CCTV is a ploy to cover up the circumstances and personnel behind the brazen robbery.
The resurgence of sleaze in a sensitive place where banknotes are minted with top-notch security gadgets, is unimaginable, condemnable in strong terms and a mystery that must be unraveled. Regrettably, it is coming at a time when government officials are still protesting the Transparency International corruption index of the county. Nigerians hope it is not swept under the carpet again as the appropriate authorities must do more than the usual response of invitation for questioning by the House of Representatives, Police and the EFCC.
The Minister of state for Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi was quoted as saying evil spirits were preventing Nigeria from achieving sustainable electricity, she also recommended exorcism – “We must resolve to jointly exorcise the evil spirit behind this darkness”. It became obvious other sectors needed exorcism as well. The disappearance without trace of a sum that would have needed three bullion vans to move presents a quintessential scenario where evil spirits are at work. The earlier we collectively start to exorcize these powers that be the better.
Nigerians will not forget in a hurry how Mallam Sanusi teamed up with the duo of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke to remove fuel subsidy, partially, in January 2012. The National Assembly through its findings discovered that whereas N245 billion was appropriated in 2011 for fuel subsidy, the Central Bank illegally paid out N2.3 trillion to the NNPC and other fuel importers on the recommendation of the Federal Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources. The CBN at a time paid about N20bn ($133m) for a piece of land, originally owned by a government agency, NITEL, to build “a world class conference centre”. It would have been expected that in line with his recommendations, the workforce of the CBN should have been pruned down from 5,022 but instead within three years of his assumption in office the CBN employed about 1,000 people. It is also public knowledge that last year the CBN spent N300 billion, no where close to N150billion of the National Assembly. In the light of the misdeeds of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, his call for the sack of civil servants as a way of improving the economy and the recent theft at the Mint, he must realize that the light that shines farthest must first shine brightest at its base.
