FEATURES
Former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, has urged Nigerian leaders to strive towards creating effective governance in the country.
Naija News reports that Peller made the plea while recounting an incident that saw the prompt arrival of medical and security personnel after a man collapsed in the UK.
He said the situation is unlike what happens in Nigeria, noting that it is heartbreaking to see citizens flee the country due to system failure.
The former lawmaker called on Nigerian leaders to create a system where citizens strive and not just survive.
Shina Peller urged Nigerians not to lose hope and demand good leadership from the government for a better future.
He wrote, “SYSTEM FAILURE VS SYSTEM SUCCESS.
“I witnessed an eye-opening incident in Guildford, UK. A man collapsed on the high street, and within 5 minutes, the emergency response was swift and seamless.
“2 ambulances, 5 police cars from different departments including traffic police, and the well-coordinated team worked together to:
“Rescue the patient
“Divert traffic for smooth flow
”Secure the area
“Restore normalcy in 10 minutes
“As a Nigerian, this is a stark contrast to what we’re used to. It’s heartbreaking to see citizens fleeing our beloved country for greener pastures due to system failures.
“To the UK Government, thank you for showing us what effective governance looks like.
“To my fellow Nigerians and leaders, let this be a wake-up call. A functional system is not rocket science. It requires:
“Strategic planning
“Adequate funding
“Effective implementation
“Let’s work together to build a Nigeria where:
“Emergency services respond promptly
”Infrastructure supports growth
”Citizens thrive, not just survive
“To my fellow citizens, don’t lose hope. We can make Nigeria great. Let’s demand more from our leaders and work towards a better future.
“And to INEC and the judiciary, always come correct. I hope this post inspires meaningful conversations and sparks positive change in Nigeria.”
The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has asked President Bola Tinubu to probe the alleged importation of adulterated petrol into the country.
Over the past weeks, there have been claims that some petrol marketers are importing adulterated petrol into the nation.
On November 3, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.
Dangote refinery made the claim after some oil marketers said the refiner’s product is higher than imported petrol.
On November 7, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited denied allegations that adulterated petrol was sold to a customer from one of its retail outlets in Keffi, Nasarawa state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Solomon Ola, ANPE president, asked Tinubu to urgently investigate the claims, noting that it could jeopardise the nation’s economy.
“Importation of the sanctioned-tainted petrol into Nigeria would no doubt have diplomatic consequences, bearing in mind the sanctions that the price cap coalition, comprising the European Union, the United States, the G7, and Australia, imposed on Russian-sourced crude and petroleum products,” the statement reads.
“The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has followed developments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry with concern, given the absurd positions being canvassed by some stakeholders regarding the safety of the country and citizens regarding the quality of products being retailed.
“ANPE has consequently decided to urge President Bola Tinubu, as a matter of national interest, to use his mandate as the country’s chief executive to halt the designation of Nigeria as a dumping ground for foreign-sourced tainted, adulterated, and questionable petroleum products.
“We are sad and alarmed by recent developments in Europe; from Russia to Malta and every part of Europe, our home country has become a lucrative destination for the dumping of adulterated petroleum products such as PMS, popularly known as petrol, which industry experts have tagged as fake fuel.
“Our association is concerned that the petroleum products in question are still being dumped in Nigeria even after industry experts have warned about their substandard nature, which poses material and economic risks to Nigerians whose vehicles and equipment could be damaged by dirty fuel.
“Fake fuel also has negative implications for the environment in addition to the associated dangers that the fumes from these products pose to public health, a situation that the Nigerian government would find exceptionally challenging since such a health burden would further stretch already lean public finances.
“In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Price Cap Coalition forbids transactions on crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin unless they are transacted at or below $60, a price band that the products imported into Nigeria routinely violate even when the products are of Russian origin.
“A third concern for our association is the absurdity of importing relatively pricier petrol into Nigeria when more affordable and quality options are available from local refineries.
“This insistence on flooding Nigeria with bad petrol is equally bad for the economy. It is actively sabotaging President Tinubu’s economic policy.”
The ANPE president said substandard petroleum products cannot be sold in other African countries and, as such, should not be imported into Nigeria.
“The collaborators of these European firms back in Nigeria collude to force these products on citizens of our dear nation for the sole purpose of profit-making,” he said.
A federal capital territory (FCT) court sitting in the Apo area of Abuja has remanded two men in Kuje correctional facility for allegedly impersonating Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC arraigned the suspects — Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashi — on Wednesday before Jude Onwuebuzie, the presiding judge.
The defendants were arrested in August alongside two others—Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji—at Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
They were alleged to have contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, a former managing director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), claiming that he was indicted by the EFCC during a probe of his tenure.
The suspects allegedly demanded $1 million from Bello-Kokp, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for him.
They also threatened him with arrest and prosecution if he failed to play along with them.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against Joshua and Hashim for impersonation and attempted fraud.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
Elizabeth Alabi, EFCC counsel, prayed the court to remand the defendants to the correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.
“Having pleaded not guilty, my lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the defendants be remanded in custody,” she said.
Obinna Nwosu, counsel to the first defendant (Joshua), applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while counsel for the second defendant, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail.
The judge, however, directed Oriobe to file a written bail application for his client.
Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge said the sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in the civil service, adding that they must submit their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to bring the defendant to every court sitting.
The first defendant must also submit his international passport to the court.
The judge ordered that the first and second defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met.
The matter was adjourned till November 18 for the hearing of the second defendant’s bail application.
The Nigerian Navy says it has received three newly acquired Agusta Westland (AW) 109 Trekker helicopters from the ministry of defence.
Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, director of naval information, said in a statement that the three helicopters were handed over on Tuesday at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facility in Ikeja, Lagos.
Adams-Aliu said the AW 109 helicopters have all purpose-built VIP configurations, with full leather and noise attenuation systems.
He added that the choppers are equipped with landing skids that provide a better loading capacity compared to traditional wheeled helicopters.
“Additionally, the helicopters are designed with auxiliary tanks to ensure extended endurance of up to 3hrs 40mins,” Adams-Aliu said.
“Thus, the helicopters could be used for long-range transport flights. The helicopters could also be retrofitted with purpose-built mission equipment.”
Emmanuel Ogalla, the chief of naval staff, thanked President Bola Tinubu “for his unflinching support” to the Nigerian armed forces and Navy.
Ogalla expressed gratitude to Mohammed Badaru, the minister of defence, and Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters.
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has criticised Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), for gifting houses to judges.
In September, the minister flagged off the construction of 40 houses for judges in Abuja, which sparked a public outrage.
He said 20 of the houses, when completed, would be allocated to judges of the FCT high court, while 10 would be given to the judges of the federal high court and 10 to those of the court of appeal.
However, Wike on Wednesday denied the claim that the houses are being constructed to pocket the judges for political gains.
He said the construction of homes for judges is part of President Bola Tinubu welfare packages designed to promote the independence of the judiciary.
Reacting to the development during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Falana said the judges have no business going to the executive to buy them cars and houses.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said autonomy of the judiciary has been constitutionalised.
“The minister of the federal capital territory operates like a state governor by virtue of the section 299 of the Constitution,” Falana said.
“So, he cannot say I am going to build 40 houses; 10 shall go to the federal high court, 10 shall go to judges in the FCT high court and 10 shall go to the court of appeal and supreme court, No.
“Because you are a minister of the federal government like a state governor, your budget is limited to the affairs of the FCT.
“So, you cannot, as the head of the FCT, be dishing out gifts of cars and houses to judges in the federal high court, in the appeal court and the supreme court.
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“Number two, you have cases before these courts, on the theory of equality before the court you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to the judges who are going to determine your cases.”
Falana said judges’ housing should be managed by the national judicial council, adding that executive assistance to the judiciary should go through the national assembly.
“If the executive wants to assist the judiciary, the appropriate approach is to go to the national assembly. You can have a supplementary budget,” he said.
“If it has been discovered that the judiciary needs housing in Abuja, then the national assembly should make the necessary appropriations.
“But the constitution does not anticipate that the minister of the federal capital territory, like a governor of Kogi, Ondo, or Cross River State, would offer cars and houses to judges in the federal public sector. No.
“That is why this matter needs to be properly scrutinised and resolved in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
“Judges need houses, of course. Judges need cars, of course. They need security, of course. But these should be provided by the NJC within its budget.”
Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be unable to resolve its internal crises if members keep trying to undermine him.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike described the current leadership failure in the opposition party as the worst in its history.
”Let me tell you the problem—it is not that the PDP cannot get its acts together; it is this personal ambition,” the minister said.
“This attitude that ‘I must bring Wike down’. When all you attempt is to bring me down, you make mistakes. Wike will not go down, which is true.”
He said the PDP is not focused on tackling its crisis because some members are making every effort to undermine him.
He also accused Bala Muhammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, of poor leadership and failing to organised the party.
“PDP has never had it this bad in terms of leadership, particularly from the chairman of the governors’ forum. And I knew it would be so. Leadership is not by mouth. It is about talking; it is by action,” he said.
“How do you know when people are treacherous? When Tambuwal finished as the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, the position has always been rotating between the north and south.
“But Bala and co connived and went to Bauchi and took away the chairman of the governors’ forum of the PDP to the north.
“Of course, he knows, if I was governor, it wouldn’t happen. For me as a leader, you must have to make sacrifices.
“You must have the capacity to galvanise the people. You are in the opposition party. You are not in the ruling party. People will see that you are serious about taking over power.
“How has he (Mohammed) mobilised his colleagues by funding the party to make sure that the party is effective and efficient through the national working committee?”
Members of the Lakurawa armed group have been retreating as the military ramps up coordinated ground and air attacks on the group’s camps across Kebbi and Sokoto states.
Following an attack by the Lakurawa group on the Mera community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, which claimed 17 lives, the army headquarters deployed a contingent of soldiers to the area.
Zuru said the troops succeeded in dislodging the bandits and recovering several rustled cattle left behind as the attackers fled.
This deployment came after an urgent appeal from Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris, for federal support to address the escalating violence by armed groups disrupting life in rural communities.
“The governor has pledged to safeguard the lives and property of all Kebbi State citizens, leading him to seek federal intervention to counter-terrorism across the state,” Zuru said.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured that the Lakurawa armed group terrorising Northwestern states would be flushed out of Nigeria.
Ribadu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We will chase the so-called Lukarawa out of our country. We will put critics to shame and shut their mouths in no time.
“Boko Haram, which has been ravaging our country, is now on the run. Its members are now moving to other neighbouring countries because Nigeria is no longer conducive for their operations,” he said.
He also said signs that things are getting better with the economy are there for all to see, citing increased crude oil production in the Niger Delta and the fiscal reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of such efforts.
“Crude oil production has hit 1.8 million bpd and the Central Bank has been sanitised; no one is taking a dime from the CBN. When we promised that we would fix this country, we will do so because President Tinubu has never been a failure,” he added.
[Dailytrust]
A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, says it is wrong for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to give judges houses and cars.
DAILY POST recalls that Wike had in October flagged off the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District in the nation’s capital, Abuja, which has generated controversy, with many arguing that it is unethical.
Falana, while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, argued that it is wrong for the executive to give gifts to the members of the judiciary, especially judges.
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory operates like a state governor by virtue of section 299 of the Constitution.
“So, he cannot say I am going to build 40 houses, 10 shall go to the federal high court, 10 shall go to judges in the FCT high court and 10 shall go to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, no.
“Because you are a minister of the Federal Government like a state governor your budget is limited to the affairs of the FCT.
“So, you cannot as the head of the FCT be dishing out gifts of cars, houses to judges in the federal high court, in the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.
“Number two, you have cases before these courts, on the theory of equality before the court you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to the judges who are going to determine your cases,” he said.
The senior lawyer said this is the reason the autonomy of the judiciary has been constitutionalised, stressing that the judges have no business going to the executive to buy them cars and houses.
According to him, the Constitution has granted financial autonomy to the judiciary which gives it authority to manage its own budget.
The human rights activist also berated Wike over the demolition of private properties in the FCT, describing it as primitive and a breach of the law.
He said such demolitions are not authorised under the Urban and Regional Planning Act applicable in the FCT.
“In the FCT, if a house has breached the law, the case must first be taken to the Urban and Regional Planning Board.
“If the property owner loses, they can appeal to the Urban and Regional Tribunal. If that fails, the case may go to the High Court, where an order for demolition may be issued,” he added.
[DailyPost]
- Tinubu: reforms working
- Customs crosses N5.07tr revenue target
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reappraised his administration’s reform programmes, saying they have resulted in the country attracting $30b in investments in almost 17 months.
Tinubu also said that peace had returned to parts of the nation previously known for insurgence, violent crimes, and crude theft.
‘’In the significant search for Foreign Direct Investment, in less than two years in office, my administration has received over $30 billion from foreign investors. This achievement demonstrates that our policies yield positive results, making Nigeria increasingly attractive for domestic and international investors, ’’ the President said.
Tinubu, spoke through the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at a news conference by the Comptroller-General (CGCs) in Abuja.
He was a guest speaker at the conference, which had the theme “Nigeria Customs Service Engaging Traditional and New Partners With Purpose.”
He said that the security situation in the Niger Delta had improved to the extent that crude production hit 1.8 million barrels per day as of Monday.
He said: “People in many parts of our country today are living in peace. Go to the Niger Delta, things have changed. Today, we have gotten up to 1.8 million barrels of crude oil. We have not seen this for a long time. The Southeast is getting to be at peace with itself and the rest of our country.”
Tinubu explained that on assumption of office on May 29 last year, he set out with a clear and unwavering vision to strengthen the country’s economic base and deliver positive growth and development for the benefit of all.
He said 18 months later, the vision remains unchanged.
Tinubu added: “In pursuing this vision, we have built upon existing foundations while introducing necessary reforms to adapt to our evolving economic realities.
‘’Our focus has been on strengthening what works, refining what needs improvement, and introducing new initiatives where gaps exist.
‘’We recognised that specific economic policies, though useful in their time, needed to be realigned with current global economic dynamics to better serve our national interests and the well-being of our people.”
Tinubu stated that due to the determination and unity of his cabinet, corrupt practices are being drastically reduced.
“Early this year, February and March, we had this crisis of the food shortage and food security, we came in as a team and within a short period of time, we stopped many businessmen that used to export food items.
“You know when the Naira collapsed it was a stampede taking things out of our country. There was a day within 24 hours Customs and all of us together arrested more than 500 trucks,” he said.
He also said that his reforms have made it difficult for embezzlement of funds to happen in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“CBN is clean. Nobody is making one dime there unlike up to 2023. I can also assure you that the Naira will be stabilised. Just wait and see,’’ said the President.
On subsidy, the President reiterated that the days Nigeria was subsidising petrol used in neighbouring countries were forever gone.
He said many oil marketers were feeding fat on the subsidy regime.
Tinubu added that being a slush fund, subsidy accounted for the establishment of numerous petrol stations in the country.
He said: “The marketers are now saying they are supplying Ghana, they are supplying Cameroon.
“Before, it (petrol) was all coming through Nigeria.
“Nigeria is the only country in the world where everybody is an oil marketer. But the welfare(subsidy) they were enjoying is gone forever.
Ribadu stated that gains of the reforms have made many world leaders either request President Tinubu’s visit to their countries or indicate interest in paying working visits to Nigeria.
“ Today, the whole world is looking for President Tinubu. I just came back from India, the Prime Minister is coming on the 15. The President of Germany is coming.
“They have invited him to the G20 meeting. The President of France is looking forward too. There are more than 30 requests for President Tinubu to visit and many are also looking forward to coming here,” the NSA said.
Customs crosses N5.07tr annual revenue target
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it collected N5.97 trillion in revenue from January to November 12, 2024, surpassing its 2024 target of N5.07 trillion.
Comptroller –General of the service Adewale Adeniyi, who made this known, said he was sure that the target would be exceeded by 10 percent before December 31.
Adeniyi attributed the feat to enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes, and modernised systems.
He said: “ I am pleased to announce that yesterday, 12th November 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service hit its 2024 revenue target of N 5.07 trillion, collecting N5,079,455,088,194.38 with more than a month remaining in the fiscal year.
“This exceptional performance – projected to exceed our target by 10 percent – validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation.
“ The achievement is not merely about numbers; it demonstrates how enhanced stakeholder collaboration, improved processes, and modernized systems can deliver tangible results for our nation’s economy.”
He added that the service has scaled up its intervention as reflected in seizures worth N28.1 billion this year.
The CG said the NCS intercepted 48 containers of illicit pharmaceutical products due to the declaration of a state of emergency in major ports.
Adeniyi added: “In fulfilling our enforcement mandate, we have achieved unprecedented success in protecting both our citizens and economy. The scale of our intervention is reflected in seizures valued at N28.1 billion and counting in 2024 alone.
“ These seizures span critical areas of national concern – from wildlife items and arms and ammunition to narcotics and pharmaceutical products.
‘’An important moment in our enforcement strategy was the declaration of a state of emergency at our major ports, which led to the interception of 48 containers of illicit pharmaceutical items and narcotics, significantly disrupting the flow of potentially harmful products.”
The CG however lamented the rate of management team members exited the service.
He stated that 60 percent of them left in 2022, 36 percent in 2023, and 40 percent expected to quit this year.
[TheNation]
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Wednesday, warned that if Nigeria refused to do away with the 1999 Constitution, it would be hard for anyone to fix the country.
He described Nigeria as a pluralistic country that needed to address its diversity with true federal constitutions.
“To those who think that the trouble with Nigeria today is the political leadership, I would say that as long as we have the 1999 Constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin as leaders can successfully tackle the divisiveness, the underperforming economy with the resultant poverty, the insecurity, the humongous corruption, and the other major challenges currently facing Nigeria,” Anyaoku said.
The elder statesman spoke at the launch of the book: “The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun,” held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Anyaoku, who was the chairman on the occasion, said, “I start from the clearly undeniable fact that Nigeria, like many other countries across the world, is a pluralistic country, that is, a country whose population consists of groups of peoples long established in their separate geographical areas with different histories, cultures, languages and religions.
“The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress are those that addressed their pluralism, that is their diversity, with genuine federal constitutions. Examples of such countries are India, Canada and Switzerland.
“I believe, therefore, that if our pluralistic Nigeria is to achieve true unity and political stability, and to successfully tackle the serious challenges that the country currently faces, it must have a truly federal constitution.”
Lauding Osuntokun, Anyaoku recalled how the renowned professor campaigned for him when he was vying for the position of Secretary General at the Commonwealth.
“I first knew of Jide Osuntokun when he was Adviser to Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu, and accompanied the Foreign Minister in his journeys to campaign for my candidacy for the office of Commonwealth Secretary-General.
“I was then running against the man who had been the Prime Minister of Australia for seven and a half years.”
According to him, Osuntokun is not only an accomplished academic, “but also a patriot who was deservedly recognised last year by the prestigious Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, through the conferment of an award with the title HLF on him, which means a role model for our young people in how to achieve success through hard work and integrity.”
On his part, a former governor of Ekiti State and the book reviewer, Dr Kayode Fayemi, explained how Osuntokun authorised the biography in 2021, though the idea was conceived by the authors in 2018.
Fayemi took the attendees through the genealogy of the professor, including his academic and family life, as documented by the authors.
“The authors informed us that the book project was conceived in 2018 after Prof Osuntokun served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Prof Osuntokun graciously authorised the biography in 2021 by granting the authors extensive interviews and two virtual interviews in addition to providing access to his library and archives.
“The book manuscript, in nine crisp and concise chapters, with three appendices, started in the first chapter by tracing the genealogy of Prof Osuntokun.
“The authors provide extensive evidence of family history, entrepreneurial acumen and pacesetting influence in the community to explain the values and attributes we later associate with Professor Osuntokun.
“The chapter covered in great detail the struggles, his bold forbearance waged in the course of establishing a clan in Oke-Mesi and their involvement in the federating military of Ekiti and Ijesa against the rampaging Ibadan army in the Kiriji war.
“Another of his forebears had fought in the First World War on the side of the British. His own father had gone in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, as far afield as the mines of Ghana, and became a wealthy itinerant trader, all the while his employers returned from Ghana, in the course of which he married his mother, and settled the family in Ilawe-Ekiti.”
Speaking at the event, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, said he had so much to learn from Osuntokun “because if you have taught these wonderful people who spoke about you today (I have a lot to learn from you).”
He, however, lamented that Nigeria had cultivated a culture of celebrating those who contributed nothing to nation-building, noting that it was destroying society.
Obi said, “When the National Universities Commission Secretary-General said they are looking for PhD people to teach in our universities, I called him and said, why do you want anybody to do PhD when you don’t pay them and you pay thugs 100 times what they are paid. We are choosing the least among us to be our role models. And that is destroying our society.”
The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Tunde Bakare, extolled Osuntokun as a great teacher, whom he also said was very crucial to his sojourn as a student at the University of Lagos.
Bakare, who did the unveiling of the book, said “He (Osuntokun) and his late wife were a blessing to me at one of the most critical periods of my life.
“I present the book today and it is my great privilege sir and you don’t know how overwhelmed I am at this stage.”
He prayed that “God Almighty will ensure that those who will read and benefit from this (book)” would be among those who will build the nation.
Other dignitaries who graced the NIIA venue for the launch included the Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Senior Special Adviser on Policy, Strategy and Logistics, Wahab Alawiye; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; TV anchor and former spokesperson for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati; Chairman of the Editorial Board of Nation Newspapers, Sam Omastseye; the governorship candidate of the LP in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, among a host of others.
[Punch]
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TEXT OF ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2024 COMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF CUSTOMS CONFERENCE AT TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL, ABUJA, NOVEMBER 13, 2024, AS DELIVERED BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, MALAM NUHU RIBADU
Protocols
1. I am delighted to join you at this year's Comptroller-General's conference. I salute the officers and men of the Customs Service for your dedication to duty and our country.
When I assumed office last year, I set out with a clear and unwavering vision - to strengthen Nigeria's economic base and deliver positive growth and development for the benefit of all. Eighteen months later, the vision remains unchanged. In pursuing this vision, we have built upon existing foundations while introducing necessary reforms to adapt to our evolving economic realities. Our focus has been on strengthening what works, refining what needs improvement, and introducing new initiatives where gaps exist. We recognised that specific economic policies, though useful in their time, needed to be realigned with current global economic dynamics to better serve our national interests and the well-being of our people.
2. We pursued this vision and embarked on bold and necessary economic reforms. Working with expert advice and carefully considering our unique circumstances, we implemented strategic policy adjustments to strengthen our economy. Removing fuel subsidies and unifying our exchange rate system were crucial steps toward building a more transparent and sustainable economic framework. While these decisions required short-term adjustments from all Nigerians, they were essential to redirect our resources toward productive investments that will yield long-term benefits for our people. These reforms have already shown positive results, setting the stage for sustainable economic growth and improved prosperity for all Nigerians.
3. Building on these foundational reforms, we have expanded our focus to strengthen Nigeria's global trade and investment position. Through strategic initiatives, we are enhancing trade facilitation, modernising our port infrastructure, and streamlining business processes to reduce trade barriers. Our commitment to creating an enabling business environment has resonated with the international investment community. The confidence in our economy is reflected in the significant surge in foreign direct investments. In less than two years in office, my administration has received over $30 billion in commitments from foreign investors. This achievement demonstrates that our policies yield positive results, making Nigeria increasingly attractive for domestic and international investors. More importantly, these improvements create new opportunities for Nigerian businesses to participate more actively in global trade.
4. Central to the success of these economic initiatives is the role of our strategic institutions and their dedicated personnel. Our vision required government agencies to proactively align their statutory responsibilities with the broader national economic objectives. Agencies needed to demonstrate initiative in identifying opportunities within their mandates that would best serve and advance our national aspirations. I am pleased to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is one of the agencies that has risen to this expectation, demonstrating how government institutions can effectively contribute to our economic transformation agenda while fulfilling their core mandates.
5. This alignment is demonstrated in the Service's comprehensive modernisation agenda. Responding to our administration's call for enhanced trade facilitation and economic growth, the Service has introduced significant reforms, including the Advanced Ruling system and the Authorised Economic Operator Program. These initiatives align with global best practices and show how agencies can innovatively implement solutions that advance our national economic objectives while meeting international standards. Such reforms enhance trade facilitation and create a more predictable business environment that supports our broader financial goals.
6. The results of these initiatives across the Service's core mandates have been encouraging. The Nigeria Customs Service has shown remarkable progress in revenue generation, enhancing the government's capacity to fund critical national development projects. The Service is strengthening Nigeria's position as a trade-friendly nation through strategic reforms, particularly in export promotion and port efficiency. This has contributed significantly to our improved global ranking and ease of doing business. The Service has also demonstrated that effective trade facilitation can coexist with robust regulatory compliance, as evidenced by its enhanced border security and anti-smuggling operations. These achievements affirm our administration's belief that public institutions can effectively drive transformative change when adequately aligned with national objectives.
7. While these results are encouraging, they represent only the beginning of what we can achieve through focused institutional reforms and alignment with national objectives. It is, therefore, fitting that this conference centres on the theme "NCS Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose." This theme reflects our administration's broader vision of fostering strategic partnerships and collaborative approaches to governance and economic management. It acknowledges that sustainable progress in today's interconnected global economy requires us to strengthen existing alliances while building new ones, always guided by clear purpose and shared objectives.
8. Let me assure you that our administration remains committed to supporting the Nigeria Customs Service in its modernisation and reform initiatives. We will continue to provide the necessary policy backing and enablement to strengthen the Service's capacity to deliver on its mandates. This includes support for technological advancement, infrastructure development, and capacity-building programs that align with global best practices.
9. As you convene for your deliberations over the next few days, I urge you to build upon these foundations with clear cognisance of our regional and continental obligations. Your discussions should be timely and strategic, considering Nigeria's role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and our position as West Africa's largest economy. Focus on innovative approaches to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones to advance our national interests within this expanding trade landscape. Your deliberations should chart a path for enhancing our trade processes and compliance frameworks in ways that position Nigeria to maximise the opportunities presented by regional and continental integration while maintaining robust border security. The outcomes of this conference should provide a clear roadmap for achieving these objectives in line with our national economic aspirations.
10. To our international partners and stakeholders present today, your participation at this conference exemplifies the global dimension of our reform agenda. As Africa's largest economy, Nigeria is determined to deepen its integration into global value chains and strengthen its position as a reliable trading partner. Our commitment to sustainable economic reforms, trade facilitation, and creating an enabling business environment is firm and irreversible. We see our international partnerships as crucial catalysts in our journey towards becoming a more competitive player in global trade, particularly as we position ourselves to harness the opportunities presented by expanding regional and continental markets.
11. Distinguished participants, as we forge ahead with these partnerships and celebrate our progress thus far, we must focus on the journey ahead. Economic transformation is a continuous process that requires sustained commitment, innovation, and adaptation to emerging global trends. The Nigeria Customs Service, as a critical facilitator of international trade and guardian of our borders, will continue to play a fundamental role in advancing our national economic objectives. The success of our reform agenda significantly depends on the Service's ability to balance trade facilitation with regulatory compliance while fostering meaningful partnerships.
12. As I declare this conference open, I encourage all participants to bring their expertise, insights, and innovative ideas to the discussions ahead. Your deliberations over the next few days should address current challenges and anticipate future developments in global trade. The collective outcome of your engagement will be valuable in shaping Nigeria's trade policies and strengthening our position in the international trading system. I look forward to receiving the recommendations from this conference, particularly those that will enhance our trade facilitation initiatives while ensuring the effective administration of our borders.
May God bless the Nigeria Customs Service.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan was arrested on Wednesday over allegations he used the organisation’s money for his own purposes, according to local media reports.
Jordaan, who was a leading figure in bringing the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, had tried to interdict his imminent arrest on Tuesday, but the Johannesburg High Court is only scheduled to hear his submission on Thursday.
Katlego Mogale, South Africa police spokesperson said the arrest stems from a raid by police on the SAFA offices in March.
“Between 2014 and 2018, the president of SAFA used the organisation’s resources for his personal gain, including hiring a private security company for his personal protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board,” Mogale said.
Jordaan, 73, and his reported co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, are due to appear in court later on Wednesday.
Neither Jordaan nor SAFA responded to a request for comment from Reuters, but in his affidavit to court seeking to block his arrest, he denies any wrongdoing.
(Reuters/NAN)
Gov Okpebholo Sacks Permanent Secretaries Appointed Outside Civil Service, Dissolves State Boards
AFOLABI
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has announced the dissolution of all executive boards within state agencies and parastatals, alongside the dismissal of permanent secretaries appointed from outside the Edo State Civil Service.
The news was shared on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, who issued a statement in Benin City confirming that the changes take effect immediately.
The National Vice-Chairman of the Labour Party, North-Central, Ibrahim Idoko has slammed the National Coordinator of the ‘Obidient Movement’, Yunusa Tanko, for claiming that the movement is bigger than the Labour Party and, therefore, brought it into the limelight.
In a recent interview with Arise News, Tanko, while asserting that the movement is larger than the party, also noted its independence and the possibility of moving to another political platform to uphold its values of good governance and accountability in the forthcoming 2027 elections, should it become necessary for the Labour Party to embrace its ideas.