President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said the entire Igbo nation has resolved to support the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, in his palace yesterday, Chief Iwuanyanwu, while appealing to the monarch for a renewed relationship between the Igbo and Yoruba in Lagos, said, “During the election, we, Igbo didn’t vote for Bola because we were told it was our turn.
“Bola was very good to us when he was governor. He treated Ndigbo very well. During the time of the governorship, Igbo in Lagos came to me, and I told them to support Governor Sanwo Olu.
“But the President of Nigeria today is Bola Tinubu. Ohanaeze has pledged our loyalty to support our brother because he was gladly nominated by his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). He went for the election and was declared the winner. People went to the tribunal, and the tribunal said Tinubu won. They went to the Supreme Court, and the apex court said he won.
“I can tell you now, as the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, that Igbo have resolved that we are going to give total support to President Tinubu. Let him believe us; I am the leader of Ndigbo..
“What we want from Tinubu is justice, fairness, and equity. We don’t want to take another person’s state; whatever is our right should be given to us. We are going to support him, we are going to be loyal to him, and anybody who fights him unjustly, we are going to join him to fight such a person, but all we want is for him to give us our rights.”
The Ohanaeze leader, however, reiterated that there was no rift between the Yoruba and Igbo.
“There’s no rift. Igbo and Yoruba have no problem at all. Our parents in Igboland always tell us that wherever we go, we should obey the laws of people. I’m also advising the younger generation to cultivate the habit of obeying the laws of the land, as it is too late to talk about separation between Ndigbo and Yoruba. We are now inseparable.”
Responding, Oba Akiolu urged Igbo in Lagos to play by the rules.
He said, “We know Igbos are very hard workers, but you have to respect the owners of the land. We have identified the problem in Nigeria, and what we want is a solution.
“I am appealing to you in the name of God. The governor cannot deliberately destroy your property. Just play according to the rules of the game.
“To the Igbo, anybody who wishes the best for Lagos is a Lagosian.
I assure Ndigbo that nobody will maliciously mistreat you. All of you should cooperate with the Lagos government to move the state forward.”
As the yuletide approaches, air passengers are facing increasing discomfort over the high cost of tickets. Daily Trust on Sunday reports that a one-way flight ticket costs up to N200,000, depending on the route.
Checks by our correspondent showed that ahead of Christmas and New Year, many seats have been booked; and as the festive period draws nearer, available seats are becoming more expensive.
The eastern routes are the most affected, with Enugu flight tickets selling between N171,000 and N200,000.
Checks by our correspondent indicate that the base fare to Port Harcourt is N99,000 and projected to hit N138,000 as bookings increase.
Lagos to Owerri, from December 5 sells between N114,400 and N190,600 for a one-way economy ticket and N238,200 for business, while the base fare for Lagos-Calabar is N100,000.
At the moment, a 30-minute flight to Ilorin from Lagos costs between 100,000 and N143,000 for economy class.
Lagos to Sokoto ticket goes for N150,000, while a Lagos-Kaduna ticket is N143,000 as the base fare.
How airfares have doubled in one year
Our correspondent reports that an economy ticket one-way flight has increased from N50,000 (by 100 per cent) to over N100,000 on some routes. Airlines are blaming the hike on the prevailing economic challenges, especially high cost of operation.
The airlines had in 2022 increased a one-way ticket to N50,000 from N30,000. This had generated controversy in the travel industry.
But at present, a one-way economy ticket base fare is around N80,000.
Some of the factors cited by airline operators who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday include high cost of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, high exchange rate, multiple charges, among others.
The managing director/chief executive of Aero Contractors, Capt Ado Sanusi, recently told our correspondent that with the current rate of exchange, a one-way ticket should sell for over N130,000.
According to him, any operator pricing his ticket low might be cutting corners.
He said, “You can quote me on this: When the dollar was N460 we were selling a Lagos-Abuja ticket at N65,000, but the dollar is now twice that amount. And there is nothing we do in aviation that is not dollarised. You can imagine. So, we should be selling the ticket at N130,000.
“We don’t manufacture the aircraft; we don’t even refine the oil. So, what else do you do? We don’t even do the wheel on an aircraft. We also have to buy the bolts on the aircraft outside the country. So the moment the dollar is rising, we are affected. The fuel we buy is imported, as well as parts of the aircraft, so how would anybody tell me that he would not increase his ticket, except he is cutting corners. The only thing we can control is manpower.”
Another airline operator who spoke on condition of anonymity noted that the aviation industry was not immune to the inflationary pressure in the country.
He said with the rise in the dollar, airlines could not afford to maintain the old prices of tickets.
Experts urge govt to control fares
Experts warned that the situation might get worse if the operational challenges confronting the airlines persist. They noted that with the deregulation of the industry, airlines had been empowered to fix their prices in line with the demand and supply principle.
They called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to intervene by controlling fares, saying the more they go up, the more prospective passengers would try alternatives if they are unable to afford airfares.
Capt Samuel Caulcrick, the chief executive officer of Merchant Express Cargo Limited said, “There will be no respite because we have dollarised the economy. Besides, every component in commercial air transport, apart from personnel wages, rent, etc, is in forex.
“It is only an aggressive import substitution policy that will calm the forex market, but the government has to take the lead.”
The general secretary of Aviation Roundtable, Mr Olumide Ohunayo, in a chat with our correspondent, said the situation might get worse as the yuletide approached.
Ohunayo advised airlines to have a human face in determining their fares.
He said, “The rule of airfare, apart from the cost components, is that of demand and supply. And if you look at it, some routes are getting very busy and they just have one airline on the route. When you have one airline on a particular route, the price goes crazy, which was what happened when we had one airline on the Enugu route.
“At a time, Enugu flight was going for N150,000 when other routes were going for about N70,000 or N80,000.
“What we can only push for is to have more airlines or more aircraft for the airlines to increase their capacity. The more seats you have, the more competition and advantage for passengers.”
Group Capt John Ojikutu also defended airlines, saying, “Majorly, the tariffs are: fuel prices, ground handling service charges, air traffic control/navigational charges, landing and parking charges, catering etc.
“Increase in fuel prices has been incessant in the last six months because of the price of the dollar (from #500/$ to #1000/$), 100 per cent increase, and because it is being imported. Periodic maintenance like the c-checks on aircraft would need the dollars, and that could put extra charges on airfares.”
Be reasonable in prices for more people to fly, Expert advises
An aviation expert, Dr Daniel Young, said there must be a way to handle the issue of pricing so that passengers would not stop flying.
“The people who are driving this change in price also must consider that those flying their airplanes are majorly government workers. This is because as a businessman, I don’t see an Igbo man paying N300,000 to go from Onitsha by air to purchase goods.
“Now, airline business is operating at only two per cent of total passenger traffic in Nigeria; and the higher you go up in price, the more you lose out in terms of passenger number. So, if you are losing, then the entire business model, which is supposed to be low-cost, is already lost because it is all about making it affordable so that you can increase your revenue or profit through compound interest. And as more people fly, you take marginal profit that you translate into huge profit,” Young said.
He said that rather than increase fares, airlines should churn out promos ahead of the yuletide.
“Have you ever seen any airline advertising anything? They would rather keep increasing because of insecurity in the land.
“How do we reach a compromise? And that is why I said that in terms of economic regulations, the NCAA has a full right to regulate the industry. It may not impose any price on them, but it should ask questions; such as: Is there no way they can manage this so that everybody in the industry would not feel the bite, including passengers?
“Should the passengers stop flying, the airports become warehouses and the airplanes would be left unused. And mind you, most of these airplanes are on wet-lease and they have paid for block hours. Whether you fly or not, the person who gave you the aircraft must collect his money,” he said.
Airlines are in business to make money – NCAA DG
The director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Musa Nuhu, in an interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, admitted that the economic situation in the country made things extremely difficult for airlines.
“I understand passengers’ complaint of airfares increasing. Yes, I sympathise with them, but airlines are in the business to make money. Unfortunately, the economic situation in the country has made it very difficult for the airlines. I am not being insensitive, but I sympathise with the passengers.
“How many times has the price of fuel gone up? It has tripled/quadrupled in the last one year? Foreign exchange has gone to over N1,000/$. If you want to service your aircraft at $1million, it is equivalent to N1billion. You can imagine that.”
According to him, if the cost of production can’t be controlled, there is no need to control price.
Airlines advised to merge
Despite the numerous problems affecting airlines in Nigeria, some experts said the operators could still make profit through collaboration.
Tijjani Shehu, who worked with some airlines, both in Nigeria and the United States, said investors should look at the business from a different perspective instead of floating aircraft as status symbol.
He said, “The issue here is that every person wants to have his or her airline for commercial purposes; and that is why they are not getting it right.
“How do you expect someone with two or three aircraft to make any headway? It is not possible.
“They should come down from their high horses and merge for comparative advantage. If two or three of the airlines could come together, they stand to gain more because the taxes they would be paying would be less, and they would not have a top heavy organogram. They would be more efficient and could cover more routes with ease,” he said.
Another aviation expert said, “The major problem is that the airlines are small operations, not large enough to absorb changes in the market while keeping prices reasonable.
“If the airlines were large, for example, if they were forced to merge and consolidate, there would be more efficiency in their operations and routes; and therefore, less need to keep increasing prices at the slightest opportunity.”
As he marks his 81st birthday today, Sunday, December 17th, roughly six months after the completion of his two terms as President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari’s story continues to resonate with a nation that values honesty, accountability and compassion.
It is an occasion to reflect on 13 top facts in the life of the former President, moments to remember as he quietly marks this birthday in his hometown, Daura with clear directives that there will be no public events marking the occasion.
The first thing to say is that he was born on 17 December 1942, in the historic town of Daura now in Katsina State. His father was called Mallam Hardo Adamu, a Fulani chieftain from Dumurkol in Mai’Adua local government area and his mother, whose name was Zulaihat, had Hausa and Kanuri ancestry.
Two, Buhari joined the army soon after leaving secondary school and had never worked outside the military until his retirement after the attainment of the high rank of a general.
As an officer, he participated in the civil war throughout the period it lasted and did not, even once, to leave the front with excuses or frivolous reason as many had done.
He did not suffer any injury throughout the war and was a participant in the coups and counter coups that characterized the period of his service.
He commanded all but one of the Army’s four divisions, served as Military Secretary-a position he used to good effect, regularizing the records of all officers, and for which reason he got the shock of his life when, in the run up to the 2015 presidential election, a politically-motivated Army Records Officer said Buhari’s secondary school certificate was untraceable-and thereafter becoming Military Head of State after serving as governor and minister of petroleum.
Milestone
Three, Buhari’s election victory in 2015 was an important milestone in his political career having run for the office thrice, each time ending up in the Supreme Court contesting the outcomes before this time when won a decisive mandate, with his party scoring the highest number of seats in the National Assembly and the control of an equally high number of states across the federation. This victory marked the beginning of his tenure as the President of Nigeria, and upon the completion of his constitutional two terms, he handed over to another party man, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president.
Four, in the exercise of the powers of his office, President Buhari’s approach to governance often mirrored that of a board chairman, emphasizing accountability, efficiency and performance. This was a good model. He hired the best hands he could lay his hands on, gave them the needed resources and the latitude of authority to give the best they could to the nation, although he never missed a chance to speak directly to the concerned ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies and business leaders to remove bottlenecks.
As attested to by at least two of his key ministers, Governor Fashola and Zainab Ahmed, President Buhari never called for a day ask for personal favor or to say pay this or that person, give this or that contract to this or that other person.
On a particular day the President called Lai Mohammed, his Minister of Information and Culture, to ask for a favor. Lai held his breath as to what could this be.
“Lai, can I ask you for a favor?” asked the President, and the Minister’s mind began to race up and down as to what would this first of a kind request be about. “Yes, Mr. President, please go ahead.”
The President went on to say that he committed himself to an event in Lagos, the following day and that he simply could not go and was wondering if the Minister would squeeze out the time to go and represent him. There and then, Lai’s blood pressure de-escalated. Any Minister who failed to achieve results under Buhari will never succeed anywhere.
But as with everything human and political, these traits have both garnered praise and stirred controversy for the former President.
Terrorism tamed
Five, when he took power, he announced at the open ground of his inauguration that the Command and Control Centers of the war against terrorism should relocate to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the epicenter of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism.
By May this year, the military had ensured the liberation of all occupied territories from the terrorists and the activities of the insurgents had been restricted to the fringes of Lake Chad and the Sambisa Forest.
Many erstwhile displaced persons had returned to their ancestral homes as peace returned to the hitherto conflict areas. The Buhari administration gave the nation a more gender sensitive Armed Forces and ensured the acquisition of military equipment and platforms on a scale never seen since the civil war.
By his activation and relentless support for the Multinational Joint Task Force-bringing forces from Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon- in the Lake Chad Area, Buhari dealt a strong blow to cross-border terrorism.
Borders
Six, on October 14, 2019, Buhari ordered the closure all of Nigeria’s borders with Benin, as well as those with Chad, Cameroon and Niger to tackle smuggling and associated corruption, and to also to spur the domestic agricultural industry. The government launched a massive rice production scheme, as well as that of 16 other commodities pioneered by the Central Bank of Nigeria under Governor Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele.
Following the coronavirus-induced lockdown that brought the wheels of the economy to a grinding halt, the Buhari food production program helped the government to achieve food self-sufficiency. There was no reported shortage of food, no hunger as widely anticipated. No bodies were picked on the streets as forecast.
Thanks to that vision, the agricultural initiative improved the income of farmers, economic situation of the country and transformed the disruption caused by Covid-19 into an opportunity for growth.
Mop up of excess cash
Seven, in October 2022, Nigeria’s CBN announced the deadline of December 15th to replace high-value currency notes in a bid to mop up excess cash, rein in inflation and target rising insecurity in Africa’s largest economy.
This came with many unintended pains, suffering and inconvenience and other difficulties leading to popular outcry and litigation in the Supreme Court.
The positive side of this is that it led to a massive increase in the use of digital transactions. Digital payments have since then grown and are hitting a new milestone with the ongoing rationing of currency notes by commercial banks. A cashless economy is helpful in ensuring inclusivity, security and other benefits that come with it.
Eight is the Social Investment Program, SIP that President Buhari introduced in 2016, the continent’s most ambitious social protection program with the use of technology to help the government to reach the poor directly while cutting off third party interlocutors. The program, among other things, ensured government’s cash-based social assistance directly to the poor in the scheme touted as the biggest financial inclusion initiative in Africa. His vision was to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years gave the background to the social investment programs.
Energy, infrastructure
Nine, Buhari as President provided the highest energy to infrastructure development since the country’s independence-power, rail, roads, bridges, sea and airports, housing and water supply schemes. Nigeria’s capital expenditure increased many fold enabling thereby, record investments in infrastructure. This has improved the speed and gear impacting ease of living and ease of doing business.
To enhance the role of states and the private sector, the administration established the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria, INFRACO with a seed capital of N1 trillion provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Buhari changed many laws on taxation, not only as they affect goods and services but also relating to individual and corporate taxes to improve the ease of doing business, increasing bilateral trade and enhancing the vision of higher revenues. He strengthened the office of the Auditor General of the Federation and introduced many laws to enhance the war against corruption and the recovery of stolen funds. Such policies as the Bank Verification Number, BVN, the IPPS, Whistleblower- some of which took more than a decade to implement all had their to path to fulfillment broken under him. These were among the weapons he wielded against corruption.
Ten, President Buhari’s assent to the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA on August 16, 2021 broke a two decades-old jinx, setting the stage for the unprecedented transformation of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He fought through the courts in London to reprieve the nation from an unjust USD 11 billion penalty for the breach of the corrupt-ridden P & ID contract and recovered for the nation, the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Company from the global steel shylocks who squatted on the giant plant for the years that they held sway.
Eleven, to say that throughout his eight years in the presidency, President Buhari did his best to redeem the nation’s infrastructure deficit, thereby putting Nigeria on the path to becoming a developed economy is an understatement.
He took many decisions without fearing anyone which earned praise for his leadership from many parts of the world. His popularity went beyond national borders. The Nigerian diaspora flocked him in large numbers wherever he visited. The roars “Sai Baba, Sai Buhari,” echoed wherever he we went, at home and in the many countries, signifying not only his popularity but also the love of nation by the Diaspora.
Defusing bomb
Twelve, Buhari defused a bomb under the nation’s bed. He knew the corrosive danger to democracy the irresolution of the June 12 crisis posed to the country and didn’t hesitate to do what was right: to apologize to the nation for the wrongful nullification of MKO Abiola’s election as president in 1993- even though the action was taken by a succeeding administration that kept him in detention-; award a posthumous GCFR, the nation’s highest honor to the winner of the election in the overall effect of recognizing him as President, even though he did not take the office.
The effect of this on the psyche of the nation, and its politics was to produce a thaw in the tension between the North and the South and between the Southwest in particular and the rest of the country. It was worth a Nobel Prize nomination.
Thirteen, beyond politics, former President Buhari is a practicing farmer, an avid reader of newspapers and magazines and a large consumer of TV programs. His preferred clothing brand is the Kaftan wear when at ease and the Babariga for formal occasions. His preferred dress color as many would have noticed on his public outings and the TV is blue, and sometimes white. He undertakes regular exercises.
Having given his best to the nation, President Buhari deserves the quiet life he is currently enjoying in Daura. Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day!
· Shehu is former presidential spokesman
The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, has said he recently decided to leave active politics in the country because he noticed that he had started developing allergies for political activities.
Adamu made the disclosure on Saturday in Lafia at the presentation and launching of a book titled, ‘Progressive governance: Showcasing the achievements of His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State 2019 – 2023’, which was written by Abdullahi Tanimu.
Speaking on the content of the book, which has 230 pages and a total of 23 chapters, the former APC national chairman, who was the first civilian governor of the state, commended the author for his efforts in writing out all the achievements of the governor since he was elected into office.
While noting that the incumbent governor had consolidated the achievements of his predecessors and improved on them, Adamu urged the residents of the state to continue to support and pray for the governor and his cabinet members in order for them to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
He said, “I am not only a retiree but I am out of politics. I’m beginning to develop little allergies for political activities now and political speeches.
“So, forgive me, I will not make any political statements beyond asking for further and more support for the governor of the state.
“He needs all your prayers and goodwill to be able to succeed. So, to encourage the author for his good work, I will launch 20 copies of the book for one million naira.”
On his part, the Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Aliyu Wadada, lauded the governor for attracting investors like Dangote, Flour Mill, Asma Rice, among other companies to the state.
“If all the companies that the governor has attracted to the state begin full operation, they would offer employments to thousands of people and boost the revenue of the state,” he added.
In his speech, the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule commended the author for recognising his efforts towards developing the state and making it viable for investors.
Sule revealed that the government had concluded plans to construct 15 kilometers road in each of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor added that the government had paid the counterpart funds for year 2023 to the Universal Basic Education Commission, saying that over 140 schools would be constructed under the arrangement.
He, therefore, promised to embark on more projects that would have direct bearing in the lives of the people, and also train and retrain the workforce for optimal performance.
Earlier, the author of the book, Tanimu, said he was motivated to write the book because of the leadership style of the governor who believes in inclusivity.
The author, who is a physically challenged person, said the governor had done a lot of work which prompted him to go round the state to take pictures as well as to interact with the communities where the projects were cited.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved N35,000 wage award for the state public servants for December.
Also, Sanwo-Olu approved 50 per cent payment of basic salary as December bonus for all political appointees and public servants.
The Head of Service, Bode Agoro, announced these in a circular titled ‘2023 End of Year Bonus and Implementation of Wage Awards’.
The statement read in part: “As part of the present administration’s continuous appreciation of the contributions of all public servants towards the advancement of the state and its unrelenting commitment to the welfare of its workforce, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr. Governor has graciously approved the payment of 50% of basic salary as end-of-year bonus for all political appointees and public servants, including employees of local governments and local council development areas, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps.
“In the same vein, Mr. Governor has further approved the implementation of the wage award (palliative) pending the review of the national minimum wage.
“Therefore, the 50% of basic salary as an end-of-year bonus, as well as the wage award (palliative), will be paid alongside the December 2023.
“Sequel to the foregoing, public servants are implored to continually strive for excellence in providing qualitative service delivery to the people of the State in line with Mr Governor’s THEMES+ Agenda.
“Accordingly, all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby enjoined to note the content of this circular and give it the service-wide publicity it deserves.”
Meanwhile, some of the workers in reaction to the announcement, expressed joy, hailing the governor for the kind gesture.
Reacting, a civil servant, who simply identified himself as Mr. Adeoti, expressed her happiness.
She said, “I am really shot of words to express my heartfelt joy. It is coming at this critical period. It’s is indeed a relief for many.
“We pray to God to continue to give him the wisdom and ability to pilot the state. We really appreciate this.”
Also, Mrs. Akinola expressed appreciation for the December bonus, describing Sanwo-Olu as the Governor of the year.
She said: “All I can say now is that our Governor, Sanwo-Olu, is the Governor of the Year for this kind gesture. It will go a long way in having a wonderful Xmas and New Year celebration.”
Nine Commissioners out of 19 appointed into the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, have resigned their offices.
The gale of resignations had hit the State’s Executive Council following the political crisis between the Governor of the state, Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
As at Saturday, nine of the commissioners who were brought and are reportedly sticking to Wike left their offices in a shocking turn of events.
They include Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Commissioner for Works, Dr Des George-Kelly, Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu.
Others are, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, Commissioner for Housing, Dr Gift Worlu, Commissioner for Transport, Dr Jacobson Nbina and Commissioner for Environment, Austin Ben-Chioma resigned.
However, as at the last count on Saturday, 10 of the Commissioners, who were also appointed by Wike but have reportedly switched their loyalty to Fubara are still in the cabinet.
These people include Chris Green, Commissioner for Sports, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Roseline Uranta, Women Affairs, Prof. Henry Ogiri, Power, Engr. Charles Amadi, Chieftaincy and Community Development.
Others are Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Health, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali, Youth Development, Joseph Johnson, Information and Communications, Victor Kii, Agriculture and Isaac Umejuru, Urban Development.
Commissioner for Housing, Worlu, and the Commissioner of Environment, Austen Ben-Chioma, who were appointed alongside the Information (Johnson), Urban Development (Umejuru) and Agriculture (Kii) were barely two months before they were caught up in the political crossfire in the state.
However, there are indications that there is pressure on other members of the cabinet to resign their offices in the cabinet.
Meantime, all the Commissioners from the four Ikwerre-speaking local government areas of the state, the FCT’s ethnic nationality, Ikwerre LGA, Prof. Mmom (Education), Emohua LGA, Woke (Special Projects), Obio/Akpor, Dr. Worlu (Housing) and Port-Harcourt City, Aguma (Social Welfare) have already resigned their positions.
Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has labelled the current Supreme Court as the worst in his extensive legal career.
Agbakoba shared his critical views at a colloquium in Abuja, celebrating Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s 61st birthday.
The event, attended by President Bola Tinubu and other key political and legislative leaders, provided a platform for Agbakoba’s comments.
Agbakoba recounts his unsuccessful attempt to join the Supreme Court bench, attributing it to a ‘mafia’ within the National Judicial Council.
He said, “I was the first, accompanied by my brother, Wole Olanipekun, who applied because we thought we were qualified to sit at the Supreme Court. The mafia there threw us out.
“We still mix the administration of justice, which the national assembly cannot interfere, with judicial administration, which the national assembly can make laws.
“There should be a law governing the appointment process of senior judges. We can’t leave it to the National Judicial Council. What the constitution says is that once you are 15 years old, you are qualified.
“But the National Judicial Council and supreme court judges have formed a mafia, and we don’t get there.
“With the greatest respect, this is the worst Supreme Court I have seen in my 45 years of practice.
“It has to change. A challenge for the national assembly to enact a law that deals with judicial administration.
“I did not say administration of justice, you can’t go there because that is the internal workings of the judiciary but judicial administration, the national assembly can make laws.
“You pass a law so that I don’t depend on the chief justice of Nigeria if I want to be a judge, the law will be passed stating the criteria to become a judge.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed readiness to act on the ongoing political conflict in Rivers State, citing its impact on workers’ welfare.
The labour union believes the political unrest is detracting from the governor’s ability to effectively govern the state.
The Chairman of NLC in the state, Alex Agwanwo highlighted the growing tension and its negative effects on workers during a meeting in Port Harcourt.
Agwanwo criticized the political strife, emphasizing how it hampers the timely delivery of workers’ benefits.
He said, “We categorically condemn in totality the crisis in Rivers State and we call for immediate peace between all the political actors involved so that we can have peace and prosperity in the state. Honestly, this crisis is not helping us. When two elephants fight the grasses suffer. As workers, we are feeling the impact.
“The state is tensed. Our members are beginning to complain about the uprising and how their welfare is now being delayed. The N35,000 wage award has been implemented by the federal government, but the state workers are yet to benefit. We have been engaging the state governor on how to implement this, but due to this crisis, the governor has not been able to have time with us. He has been very busy. For us, this distraction must stop.
“It is affecting governance because the crisis has not given the governor time to concentrate on the issues of the state. In this festive period, we expected that workers would rejoice because we hoped that we would be paid the 13th month which has not happened in this state for years.
“This is what we wanted to discuss with the governor, but with these distractions, we have not been able to meet with the governor who has proven that he is workers friendly.
“If this whole crisis continues and the political actors will not allow peace to reign in this state, workers will have no choice but to make an effort to protect the benefits of our members. We will take every step legally to make sure we advance the course of our members.”
Acting Governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reportedly frozen the local government account in the state.
The Nation reported that this caused tension among the newly appointed caretaker chairmen in the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The acting governor also told the newly created LCDA not to open new accounts. A letter to the local council read;
“Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the acting governor of Ondo state had directed that all spending/expenditure from local government account should be suspended, no signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive. Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”
One of the caretaker chairmen who confirmed the report under anonymity said the development was worrisome. He told the publication that Aiyedatiwa made the move to assert authority in line with his vision as well as cut a niche for himself.
The chairman said;
“Yes, he has blocked account of the local government. He is doing it to make the caretaker chairmen fall in line ahead of the party primary next year. He believes the local government fund has been diverted.”
Besides the freezing of the local councils’ account, Aiyedatiwa ordered that the deputy chief of staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.
A letter signed by Omojuwa and addressed to members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries read;
“The acting governor of Ondo state, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has directed me to inform all Members of the State Executive Council and top
"Government functionaries that the deputy chief of staff to the governor would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.
“The Chief of Protocol would take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr. Governor resumes from his medical vacation.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has asked the Federal Government to give the 50 billion naira budgeted for loan scheme to students as grants.
President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke made this call in an interview on Channels Television on Friday.
Osodeke noted the burden of paying back the loan in a country where jobs are not guaranteed after graduation as the reason for the Union’s suggestion.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed the student loan bill into law on June 12.
The law is to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Tinubu in October announced that the scheme would commence in January 2024, with the Federal Government voting N50bn for the programme in the 2024 budget.
But, the ASUU president said allocating the 50 billion naira as grants would have had more impact and be a humane investment in the education of Nigerian students.
He said, “If the issue is just N50 billion, why can’t we convert that N50 billion as a country like Nigeria to grants for the children of the very poor?
“Let’s give to those who cannot afford it, not give them as a loan that becomes a liability for them before they even graduate and not sure of getting a job.
“We are thinking of the Nigerian people, those who cannot afford it, those children who are in the villages whose parents earn less than N30,000 a month,” he said.
“If it is just about 50 billion, the Nigerian government should give that 50 billion as grants to the students rather than giving it as a loan that will encumbrance them in the future and could make them start going to crime, in order to pay for this loan.”
According to Osodeke, such initiatives as student loan had failed twice before.
He berated the conditions attached to the loan, saying it is economically disadvantaged for students in rural areas.
Osodeke said, “In such a country where you easily have access to Job after graduation cannot pay it back and they are suffering, or people committing suicide. Is it in Nigeria where the children are sure that even in 10 years, you might not get the employment that they can pay back the loan?”
The ASUU president said he doubted the impact of a 50 billion naira loan, saying, “How many people will 50 billion go to as a loan?”
“Look at the conditionality, which level 12 officer will sign for the children of the poor in the village to get access to the loan? How much was budgeted this year? — 50 billion…how many people will 50 billion go to as loan?”
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Describes him Nigeria’s icon of integrity, patriotism
President Bola Tinubu has celebrated his friend and ally, former President Muhammadu Buhari, on his 81st birthday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President described his predecessor as an icon of truth, justice, and patriotism.
President Tinubu extolled the peerless leadership credentials and feats of the former President, recalling his meritorious service to the nation at various times as Head of State and as President.
Reeling out former President Buhari’s unparalleled record of infrastructural provision, comprising several new international airports, multiple standard-gauge railway lines, new seaport development, dozens of new dams, power stations, oil and gas infrastructure, expressways and mega-bridges, in addition to establishing Nigeria’s first-ever national social investment and protection programme, amongst many other feats.
President Tinubu fondly recalled the former President’s aggressive push to modernize Nigeria’s defence architecture while working towards import substitution with the empowerment of millions of Nigerian farmers in his progressive initiative to enhance food security in the country.
He described Buhari as the finest paradigm of sacrifice, devotion, patriotism, and fidelity to the national cause.
“President Buhari is from the rarest phylum of virtuous servant-leaders. He has devoted his life to the service of the nation, even earning himself detention for his patriotism and service to our fatherland.
“The emergence of leaders like my good friend, Buhari, happens only by divine orchestration. He is a man of absolute and undiluted integrity. His yea is yea, and his nay is nay,” the president said.
President Tinubu appreciated former President Buhari for his friendship and vote of confidence shown through his stalwart support for the administration.
While wishing the elder statesman longevity and strength, President Tinubu assured the former President that the hope of a prosperous, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, which he has always worked for, will not be dashed.
Nigerian street-hop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable, performed at the Celestial Church of Christ, Goshen Land Cathedral, in Lagos State on Friday night.
Recall the Celestial Church of Christ has drawn criticism for bringing Portable and Fuji singer Pasuma to its praise event.
The church leader had, however, stated that the artiste would no longer perform, but Portable insisted on performing.
Keeping to his words, the artiste arrived at the venue of the praise night on Friday and thrilled the audience.
See video below…
Media
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Mourns Emir of Kuwait, Sheik Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
AdminPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathizes with the ruling Sabah family, the government, and the people of the State of Kuwait over the passing of the Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
Applauding the achievements of the late Emir in such a short time, President Tinubu describes the monarch as a man of great compassion, peace, and mercy, who granted amnesty to political prisoners and dissidents, fashioning a progressive and stable state.
The President condoles with the ruling House of Sabah, and all those who mourn this painful loss while praying to Almighty Allah to show the Emir mercy and grant him a place in Aljannah Firdaus.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 16, 2023
A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, has warned that Nigeria is a failing state and the leaders and citizens need to safeguard the system in order to prevent “the worst” from happening.
Jega, who presided over the 2015 general elections, noted that Nigeria has a “coagulated presidential system” which is not the best in the world, while calling on the leaders to reduce the costs of governance.
He spoke on Saturday while delivering the convocation lecture at the Bauchi State University, Gadau, on the theme, ‘Safeguarding Nigeria’s future: Prioritising citizen’s welfare and security amidst challenges’.
He stated, “Our leaders in leadership positions, between now and 2027, we need to put our heads together and have a rational, evidence-based process of restructuring the Nigerian federation, and to my mind the major thing we need to do is devolve power and resources from the federal to the state and local governments.
“Even if all we do is go back to the way power was distributed in the 1963 Constitution, we should do that but I think we should even go beyond that because we need to reduce the power of the Federal Government. In fact, that power of the Federal Government, in which whoever is elected president controls virtually all the resources, beheads the reality.
“There is fear that if more resources go to the states and local governments, given what we see in Nigeria now, many people are afraid that it cannot solve the problems, but my own thinking is that the more power and resources in the state and local governments the less attractive the federal becomes. Then, the more people will concentrate in terms of bringing appropriate reforms and development. It is very important we truly address these issues.”
Jega lamented that the high cost of governance must be addressed to safeguard Nigeria’s future, adding that there was an urgent need to reduce power concentration at the federal level.
He accused the executive arm of government, both at the federal and state levels, of reckless spending and abuse of power, saying Nigeria was heading towards a failed state because the political class had taken power to destroy the institutions rather than build them.
“In addition to that, they have raised the cost of governance in such a way that it is a serious challenge that can put Nigeria in jeopardy,” he added.
Jega emphasised the need for constitutional amendments, particularly on policy decisions to cut the cost of governance.
He added, “I am saying this because it appears there is now a movement of some elite pushing for the return of the parliamentary system. I think it is a terrible thing to happen. You started with parliamentary system, you moved to presidential, you are not doing it well, and you think the solution is to go back to parliamentary system.”
Jega explained that until the culture that caused profligacy in governance was properly addressed, going back to parliamentary system would be disastrous and not solve the problem.
On the issue of parliamentary system of government, Jega said, “The problem is we have a presidential system and it is a coagulated presidential system, one that is not taking the best practices of other presidential system in the world and it is important we pay attention to this.
“I don’t believe Nigeria is a failed state but we must realise that Nigeria is a failing state and if we put it in jeopardy and don’t safeguard it then the worst can happen.”
Jega further suggested that political leaders must find ways of reducing overdependence on revenue from oil through increased agricultural productivity, focus on agro-allied industries and creation of opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth population.