Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, decried Nigeria’s inability to live up to expectations since it got independence about 63 years ago, stressing that the country had not only disappointed itself but also Africa and the world.
Obasanjo disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of the book titled ‘Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa,’ written by former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who also served as Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga.
The book was unveiled by President Bola Tinubu through his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Olawale Edun. The event, which was held in Abuja, witnessed a large turnout of past and current senior government officials, as former President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo spoke virtually.
In his address at the programme, Obasanjo said, “Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations. We have disappointed ourselves; we have disappointed Africa; we have disappointed the black race; and we have disappointed the world.”
He, however, stated that “what Segun (Aganga) has tried to identify, itemise and recommend in his book is the way forward.
“But the beginning of charting a new course for ourselves is to admit our failure because we have not always put the round peg in the round hole.
“We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism, with total lack of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.”
The former President further identified two of the major issues that were interrelated in terms of factors for all-round development.
“These are peace and security, which we cannot achieve without justice, equity and inclusive society. And telling ourselves the truth, we have not done well on these scores in the recent past—in the last decade and a half.
“I will also point at the issue of education, where over 20 million children that should be in school are not in school. We do not need an oracle to tell us the consequences of that for tomorrow,” Obasanjo stated.
He said the skill acquisition, empowerment and employment of youth would seem to be ignored or not appreciated.
“We do not need to look far for the remote causes of banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping and other organised crimes.
“We are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder, driving more people into poverty through good policies poorly and thoughtlessly implemented or bad policy and no policy at all,” he stated.
The Enugu State Magistrate court presided over by Magistrate Mrs N. Esso has remanded the embattled Councillor representing Umualor Ward in Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State, Hon. Maxwell Aluagbo for alleged embezzlement of One million, one hundred thousand naira, (N1,1m) meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in his constituency.
The Councilor was recently accused and suspended for alleged fraud and embezzling money meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in his constituency by his colleagues.
Aluagbo, male, 33, was arraigned by police before Magistrate Court 7, Enugu East LGA, Friday, on one count criminal charge bordering on fraud.
He was arrested last week by Enugu police command in a hotel where he was hiding with his fiance.
The charge sheet marked CME/478/C/2023 read: “That you, Aluagbo Maxwell ‘m’, on the 3rd day of March, 2023 at Ikem in Isi-Uzo Magistraterial District holden in Enugu did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained the total sum of One Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,100,000.00) from Isi-Uzo Local Government Legislature with the pretence to use same for palliatives and relief support of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Umualor, a promise you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (b) and (c) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2006 as applicable in Enugu State”.
Hon. Aluagbo who pleaded not guity was subsequently remanded in the Enugu correctional custodial centre by Magistrate, Mrs. N. Esso and adjourned till August 22, 2003.
At least two Boko Haram fighters were arrested at about 9:44 pm on Sunday while attempting to identify the residence of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Security details at the gate of Abubakar’s residence had sighted a man, Jubrila Mohammed loitering around the residence of Abubakar and queried him.
His reaction was suspicious, and prompted the policemen on duty at Abubakar’s residence to interrogate and subsequently arrest him.
The state police command told THE WHISTLER on Monday that the terrorist, “upon interrogation confessed to have been member of the Boko Haram.
“He confessed that they were two of them and they were here on a mission to assess the residence of the former Vice President, the central mosque in Adamawa and some places so that whatever they may like to do, they may at least coordinate and attack”.
The spokesperson of the command, Yahaya Suleiman noted that the suspect’s confession prompted the commissioner of police to transfer them to the military since the latter is saddled with the responsibility of fighting terrorism.
Suleiman clarified that the police only arrested two suspects – one at the gate of Atiku’s residence and the other somewhere in Yola North’s Local Government Area.
He also stressed that at the time the suspect was arrested “there was no attack on Atiku’s residence” and the report of four suspects arrested only emanated from earlier interrogation by Abubakar’s security aides.
Reacting to the incident, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, insisted that by the confession of the assailants, “the plot has the paw marks of a sponsored attempt on the life of Atiku Abubakar.”
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a statement on Monday said the attempt was “ostensibly by forces who are unsettled by his bid to retrieve his mandate at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).
“Our Party believes that the intent of the sponsors of this evil plot is to silence our Presidential Candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion, and anarchy in the polity.
“The PDP asks, is this foiled attack on Atiku Abubakar and sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa connected to the recent APC’s threats of chaos and anarchy in the country if the PEPC upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a Candidate in a Presidential election can be declared winner?
“Could it also be a plan to orchestrate a sense of insecurity in the country, starting in Adamawa State, the home State of our Presidential Candidate so as to justify the imposition of a State of Emergency in Adamawa State as a precursor to a declaration of a State of Emergency throughout the country?”.
The PDP charged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to take the lead provided by the confession the terrorist to track down their sponsors and bring them to book in the interest of the security
“The Federal Government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly act and their sponsors are brought to book. This particular investigation is important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.
“The PDP also calls on security agencies to tighten security around Atiku Abubakar and members of his family at this critical time in our democratic process.
“Our Party commends the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State and security agencies in foiling the attack while urging Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot,” Ologunagba said.
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba has nullified the election of Labour Party candidate, Mr. Ngozi Okolie, as a member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives.
In about 107-page judgement that lasted over five hours, the three-member tribunal headed by Justice A.Z. Mussa, disqualified Okolie and declared the runner up in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly election, Ndudi Elumelu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as winner.
Elumelu had in petition EPT/DL/HR/06/2023 approached the tribunal, seeking to disqualify Okolie on the grounds that he was not properly sponsored by the Labour Party, and that he did not resign his position as a public office holder.
The tribunal agreed with the petitioners that the second respondent (Okolie) was not duly sponsored by the third respondent (Labour Party) as he was not a member of the party as at May 28, 2022 when the primary held.
Justice Mussa also resolved that the second respondent did not resign from public office to contest the elections.
Elumelu’s counsel, Andrew Osemenem, described the judgement as “a correct exposition of jurisprudence and the law.
“We also proved and the tribunal agreed with us that there were no primaries, there was no sponsorship, the Labour Party did not conduct any primaries for the National Assembly election.
“And Sections 65 and 66 of the constitution require that for a person to be qualified to contest election into the House of Representatives, he must belong to a political party and must be sponsored by that political party.
“In this instance, Okolie, the tribunal found that he was not duly sponsored by the Labour Party because there were no primaries.
“The second ground is as we urged the tribunal, the tribunal also found in our favour, was that Okolie was in public office, he did not resign, he continued to collect salaries and emoluments in breach of the law. The tribunal agreed with us.
“So, for these two reasons his election was nullified, and in line with Section 135 of the Electoral Act, Elumelu who was the first runner up, has been declared and returned as winner of that election,” he added.
Mass Burial: Amnesty International Demands Coroner’s Inquest, Identities Of 103 ENDSARS Victims
AdminAmnesty International Nigeria has demanded a transparent coroner’s inquest on 103 slain EndSARS protesters for whom the Lagos State Government is planning a mass burial, saying the plans should be put on hold.
This follows the emergence of a leaked memo addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health indicating that the State Government approved N61,285,000 for the mass burial of 103 persons identified as 2020 EndSARS victims.
The memo, dated July 19, 2023, capturing steps for the processing of funds after approval by the governor, surfaced on social media Sunday morning, sparking outrage.
The Lagos State Government however maintained that the victims to be buried were not from the controversial Lekki Tollgate shooting.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, while confirming the letter, insisted that the victims were from incidents of violence that occurred in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests.
Responding, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in a statement on Monday, said, “The Nigerian authorities must urgently halt their plans to carry out a secret mass burial of #EndSARS victims and instead carry out a thorough and independent investigation into the killings and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are brought to justice in fair trials.”
The human rights group added that the authorities must also carry out transparent coroner inquests and autopsies on the 103 #EndSARS victims and publish their identities and the circumstances of their deaths.
“It is appalling that the Lagos state government has not even mentioned that it has held the bodies of 103 #EndSARS victims in its custody since October 2020,” Sanusi said.
“All those detained because of their role in the #EndSARS protests must be immediately released. The Nigerian authorities must also ensure that victims and their families are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation.”
The non-governmental organisation noted that it had been monitoring developments across Nigeria since the #EndSARS protests began on October 8, 2020.
“In October 2020, an on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International confirmed that Nigerian security forces opened fire on thousands of peaceful protesters, who were peacefully calling for good governance and an end to police brutality, killing at least 12 protesters at Lekki toll gate and in Alausa,” director Sanusi said.
“Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.
“On 16 November 2020, a Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the Lekki toll gate killings submitted its report, which indicted the military and the police for killing unarmed protesters, who were sitting on the floor and waving Nigerian flags and singing.”
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has asked members of the National Association of Resident Doctors(NARD) to suspend their planned strike action and allow the House intervene in the dispute.
The Speaker, who spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the doctors in his office, also asked them to offer realistic solution to the issues in dispute.
The resident doctors had embarked on warning strike before the inauguration of the current Tinubu government demanding a 200 percent increase in their salaries and other associated allowances.
They also want the payment of all salary arrears, implementation of the CONMEAS salary structure and new hazard allowance and domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act and payment of medical residency training fund to its members in state tertiary health facilities among others. After suspending the strike, the doctors issued a fresh two-week ultimatum for the government to meet its demands.
However, Speaker Abbas said the decision of the leadership of the doctors to meet with the House is an affirmation of their faith and confidence in the capacity of the House to intervene and resolve the lingering issues in dispute.
He said: “This is most reassuring owing to the fact that the 9th Assembly had previously intervened in this matter. We hope to even go beyond the steps and actions taken by the previous House to ensure that we find a lasting resolution to the ever lingering crisis”.
The Speaker said further that the House was not unmindful of the many sacrifices resident doctors have continued to make in the nation’s health sector in spite of the many challenges they face and the poor conditions within which they work.
According to him, while many doctors have left the shores of the country in pursuit of better working conditions, they have chosen to remain behind in service to their fatherland.
He assured them that the House will deploy every legislative instrument available to us to ensure that they are fully compensated and rewarded for this act of patriotism.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum, demanding that the federal government fast track planned palliatives measures to ease the burden on the citizens caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
The stipulated time frame came in the light of the federal government’s apparent delay, several weeks after it hosted organised labour in a meeting where both parties agreed on the palliatives.
TUC said it felt that the Presidential Steering Committee is not working at an anticipated speed while Nigerians are suffering.
The labour centre at a briefing with journalists in Abuja said that the congress would no longer continue to hear “big grammar” around the proposed palliatives while Nigerians trek long distances to their places of business.
TUC national president, Comrade Festus Osifo, asked the Presidential Steering Committee on the palliatives to conclude its work quickly to meet the yearnings of “battered” Nigerian masses.
Osifo also demanded that the federal government lead by example and reduce the cost of governance rather than pushing the burden of the subsidy removal and making an injury to the poor Nigerians.
The congress vowed to mobilise action against the National Assembly if the legislative arm failed to justify the planned purchase of exotic vehicles for its members.
“We all know the suffering that Nigerian workers are passing today and indeed the entire Nigerian masses.
We understand the difficulty that workers are passing through as it stands today,” he noted.
He said,” We want the government to fast track and ensure that between now and the next two weeks all the committees must have submitted their work.”
He added that this is one of those things they felt that as the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, they must bring to the limelight, saying that they would do everything possible to ensure that the government listens to them and the government fast track these processes.
“Government cannot continuously ask the workers and the Nigeria masses to continuously tie their belts. We have adjusted our belt while in government, they are continuously increasing the largesse.
“If they tell us that it is not a business as usual, it should not be to the detriment of the battered Nigeria masses or the downtrodden Nigerian workers. They should live by example… in a situation whereby they are pushing a log of poverty to the masses and they are living in affluence, we will not allow that to work”, he added.
Other issues raised at the briefing include; government decisive action against insecurity, reinstatement of the Lagos State chapter of RTEAN, and policies that will support a good exchange rate, among others.
[Leadership]
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have reaffirmed that there is no going back on the decision to withdraw officers from very important persons (VIPs) in the country.
In June, Olukayode Egbetokun, acting inspector-general of police (IGP), said personnel of the police mobile force (PMF) will no longer carry out VIPs escort and guard duties.
Egbetokun said the force will conduct an assessment of all the duties of the mobile police to ensure effective utilisation.
He said a special committee has been created to evaluate the strategies and how they will be enforced, adding that the team would be headed by the deputy inspector-general of police.
In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the policy remains valid, adding that there is “no going back”.
Muyiwa said the special committee established for the policy had submitted its report to the IGP while a process for the creation of the police quick intervention squad has been “activated”.
“The force wishes to clarify that the decision to withdraw the PMF personnel from escort and guard duties stands firm, and there will be no going back on this critical policy change,” the statement reads.
“The withdrawal process has already commenced with a comprehensive report, which has been submitted by the constituted committee assigned to oversee the seamless implementation of this directive; and the IGP has activated the mobilisation process for the establishment of the police quick intervention squad which precedes the withdrawal policy.
“The decision to withdraw police mobile force personnel from VIP duties is part of ongoing efforts to optimize the allocation of resources and enhance the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force in its core mandate of safeguarding the lives and properties of all citizens.
“While poised to ensure a smooth transition, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to providing adequate security arrangements for VIPs who are entitled to such protection.
“Meanwhile, the force will carefully consider the provisions of sections 23 to 25 of the police act 2020, in recruiting more supernumerary officers, to handle VIP security responsibilities.
“No VIP or critical infrastructure will be left unprotected as a result of the new policy.”
[TheCable]
The Nigerian Navy Ship, Pathfinder said its operatives arrested over 150 suspected oil thieves and seized about 100 boats in various parts of Rivers State in the last 16 months.
The outgoing Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Suleman Ibrahim, disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after a send-forth parade in his honour in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Ibrahim said, “We arrested hundreds of large wooden boats. We also arrested over 150 persons for illegal oil bunkering.
“The arrest we made is quite huge and the arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecutions.
“We have taken some arrested suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
Ibrahim thanked the commanders and heads of sister security agencies for the synergy the base enjoyed which which he said was responsible for the relative peace being enjoyed in Rivers State.
[Punch]
Nigerian banks are strategically gearing up for a major capital raise in response to various factors shaping the country’s economic landscape.
Industry insiders and market intelligence from Nairametrics indicate that several banks are actively planning to bolster their capital reserves, with some institutions already taking concrete steps to attract potential investors.
Access Holding has taken the lead, having announced in April the successful completion of a $300 million (N240 billion assuming $800/$1) capital investment into its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc.
The bank holding company notably employed a non-dilutive approach to raising the capital, signaling its innovative approach to meet capital requirements.
Following Access Holding’s move, other banks in Nigeria have been prompted to assess their own capital needs and adopt proactive measures.
One of the major players in the Nigerian banking sector, Fidelity Bank announced plans to raise capital via a combination of a public offer and a rights issue. At the current share price of N7.3, the sales could fetch the bank fresh capital of about N96.3 billion.
Other banks are expected to follow suit and explore similar capital-raising strategies. While not all banks have disclosed their plans officially, many are expected to include capital raise proposals as part of their upcoming Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
FBN Holding is anticipated to announce its own capital raise soon, according to a reliable source who informed Nairametrics.
Why the need for more capital?
In a bid to arouse the interest of institutional investors and pension funds, some banks have commenced road shows, seeking to secure substantial investments.
These engagements are seen as crucial steps in securing the necessary capital for their growth and expansion plans.
Market experts believe that several key drivers underpin the surge in capital-raising activities among Nigerian banks.
Macro-Economic Headwinds – Firstly, the country’s economy has faced challenging headwinds, leading banks to fortify their capital base to absorb potential losses and maintain healthy balance sheets.
The increase in non-performing loans has further emphasized the importance of shoring up capital to remain compliant with regulatory capital adequacy ratios.
In discussions with Nairametrics, a pension fund manager expressed the belief that Tier 2 and regional banks should seek to raise new capital to safeguard against falling below the required 15% and 10% Capital Adequacy Requirements, respectively.
- Additionally, such capital would facilitate the enhancement of their technology infrastructure, enabling them to compete more effectively.
- Conversely, the pension fund manager does not perceive an immediate need for Tier 1 banks to raise additional capital, as these banks possess well-established FinTech capabilities, enabling them to handle technology improvements internally.
According to insights from an investment banker, the primary concern lies in placements and investments from an institutional perspective.
- Banks falling below the threshold required for pension funds to conduct business with may face limitations in securing placements and investments in their capital market transactions.
- This dynamic underscores the significance of maintaining adequate capital levels to attract and retain potential investors.
The central bank recently released key financial indicators for the banking sector as of April 2023. According to the disclosure, the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 12.8 per cent, the Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) ratio at 4.4 per cent, and the Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 45.3 per cent.
Changes at CBN – While these indicators may currently seem positive, there are skeptics who believe they could deteriorate under renewed scrutiny.
- As the appointment of a new CBN Governor is imminent, analysts predict that banks will face increased scrutiny of their financial books.
- This heightened oversight may lead to loans that were previously classified as performing to be reevaluated and potentially disclosed as non-performing upon closer examination.
Basel III – Additionally, the implementation of the latest Basel III requirements has prompted banks to seek additional capital to meet global capital adequacy benchmarks.
- Complying with these international standards is paramount to ensuring stability and resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.
- Nigeria’s central bank had set a November deadline for Nigerian banks to begin implementation of Basel II guidelines, however, no new directives or updates have been made since then.
Competition– FinTechs, with their well-capitalized presence, have emerged as formidable competitors to traditional banks in Nigeria.
- The scarcity of the Naira earlier this year served as an eye-opener for most banks, revealing vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure when facing the pressure of online transactions.
- During this challenging period, many banks experienced difficulties, and their IT systems crumbled under strain.
- In stark contrast, FinTech companies showcased their resilience and efficiency, as their superior and modern IT infrastructure withstood the pressure effortlessly.
- This advantageous position allowed FinTechs to gain market share, capitalizing on the opportunity presented by the shortcomings of traditional banks.
As technology continues to play a pivotal role in the industry, the ability to handle online transactions seamlessly has become a crucial factor for banks to retain their market standing and effectively serve their customers.
Govt Policy – The Nigerian government’s signal towards a market-driven economy has opened doors for capital-intensive projects.
- Banks are positioning themselves to take advantage of economic expansion opportunities and secure significant deals that may arise in this dynamic environment.
- The government plans to spend around N30 trillion according to information contained in some of their policy documents.
- Another critical consideration is the recent unification of the naira, which has resulted in a smaller dollar-denominated balance sheet for banks.
Pan Africa – As Nigerian banks continue with their Pan-African expansion plans, raising additional capital becomes imperative to support cross-border operations effectively.
- The Nigerian banking sector has been strategically positioning itself for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
Market confidence appears to have anticipated the sector’s growth, as the banking index has impressively surged 68% year-to-date, outpacing the 26.8% growth of the All-Share Index.
As banks take proactive measures to secure capital and adapt to the changing market dynamics, investors and stakeholders are closely watching how these strategic moves will shape the future of the banking sector in Nigeria.
[Nairametrics]
More...
‘I Won’t Mention Names’ – Oshiomhole Accuses Former Lawmakers Of Looting Televisions, Carpets, Chairs
AdminFormer Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed displeasure over the vandalisation of National Assembly properties by former lawmakers.
Naija News reports that Oshiomhole, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, accused the former lawmakers of looting office properties despite the presence of security men and women.
According to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the immediate past senators and House of Representatives members looted television sets, carpets and chairs.
He also said many of the lawmakers’ offices were left in shambles with holes in the wall, stressing he had to pay to fix his office before using it.
Oshiomhole added that the vandalisation also took place in the offices vacated by past Principal Officers of the National Assembly, whose names he will not mention.
He said, “Let me tell you one thing the National Assembly is not talking about and I don’t know why those who have a duty to speak are not speaking about it.
“I was shocked by the level of vandalisation of properties of the National Assembly. Televisions were carted away, carpets were carted away, Senators’ chairs were carted away. I had to use my money and someone also decided to deliver to me a printer, to give me a laptop to use in my office. I had to buy the carpet and pay the cost of fixing it. I had to pay some young people to clean the office to restore the new carpet. I had to pay to repaint my office. I will produce you the receipt.
“I can’t understand why and how a senate that sat on Sunday before we were inaugurated on the following Tuesday, and that level of vandalisation took place, and we have hundreds of security men and women in the National Assembly. I can never understand what happened. You find holes on the wall, even in the offices of principal officers of the senate, who I won’t get to mention.
“People told me there’s also the same level of vandalisation in the House Representatives”
Mass Burial Of 103 EndSARS Victims: Lagos Govt Not Telling Absolute Truth About EndSARS – Ogunlana
AdminThe lead counsel for Endsars petitioners, Adeshina Ogunlana, has voiced his disagreement with the Lagos State Government’s stance on a leaked memo approving the mass burial of 103 EndSARS victims.
The memo, which surfaced on social media on Sunday, suggested that the state government had approved N61,285,000 for the mass burial of 103 individuals identified as victims of the 2020 EndSARS protests, causing significant public outcry.
In response to the leaked memo, the Lagos State Government clarified that those scheduled for the mass burial were not victims of the infamous Lekki Tollgate shooting.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Ogunlana criticized the state government’s explanation, stating it was being “clever by half.”
He said, “The government is being clever by half and they are not telling the absolute truth. Yes, I agree with the position that the 103 bodies were said, not all of them were picked up from the Lekki toll gate and its environs.
“To use the word the pathologist used at the panel, that is Professor Obafunwa, he said bodies were scavenged, and corpses were picked from different places. But around the area of Lekki Toll Gate, they were corpses too, some of them were dumped at the General Hospital, Lagos Island and all that.
“For the government now to be saying oh no there is no named citizen, the question I want to ask them is this, even the 103 corpses that they want to dispose of, do they have any names? There was no name.
“The bodies that were taken around the environment of Lekki toll gate when Baba Fafunwa was speaking, he at least identified three that were perforated with missiles.
“People saying that the 103 is proof that actually 103 people were killed at the Lekki toll gate is a very grave error and I will not join anybody saying that.
“But to say that there was no body recovered in the environs of the Lekki toll gate incident of 2020 is completely wrong,” he said.
Ogunlana asserted that government was attempting to “profit from the cruel loss of lives” by approving as much as over N60 million for the mass burial.
He added, “Even now the system of government that we have in Lagos State and by extension Nigeria is showing that they want to profit by cruel loss of lives.
“How could you say that you have approved N61 million to bury 103 degraded bodies in a mass grave? People that are unidentified, people that nobody came up to claim and all that, I mean that is horrendous.”
The Federal Government has said the tuition of students in Federal Government Colleges, also known as Unity schools, excludes tuition.
According to the government, the hike only affected boarding and textbook fees, as well as uniforms.
Naija News reported on Friday that school fees of Federal Government Colleges, otherwise known as Federal Unity Colleges, across the nation, increased from N45,000 to N100,000.
The platform gathered that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has directed that new students of these colleges across the federation would pay N100,000 on resumption.
The new directive was contained in a circular from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, reference number ADF/120/DSSE/I, dated 25th May 2023 and addressed to all Principals of Federal Unity Colleges.
However, the government had clarified that the additional N49,500 added to the fees of JS1 students in the new school fees regime reflected on uniform, boarding, medical, utilities, textbooks, notebooks, and prospectus fees.
The documents also show that the increase in the fees for J.S.1& S.S.1 (new students) was not in tuition fees.
Similarly, other contents in the same circular ADF/120/DSSE I, addressed to Principals of the Federal government colleges for J.s.1,2 & Senior Secondary School 1&2, indicated an increment of N15,000 in boarding fees, N3000 in textbooks, and the sum of N2000 added for notebooks.
Speaking to the fee hike, the office of the Director, Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education said overheads in the federal government college system are still very low.
The office revealed that the government released funds for April 2023 two weeks ago, so fees paid by students are used to augment their feeding and other school running costs.
The office said, “The school fees were reviewed by the last administration. If you check the date on the circular, it was before President Bola Tinubu assumed office, and we released it in May to sensitise parents.
“So the slight increase is not in tuition fees. As a matter of facts, with evidence, tuition fee is still free because which child will you put in school that you will not buy books for and also buy uniform?
“The increase is insignificant as projected in the media. True be told, we don’t charge school fees. Which school will you put your child and feed him or her for three months with N30,000?
“The entire fees were reviewed across the board, not only for JS1 students.
“Uniform was added because of adulterated uniforms procured by parents for uniformity’s sake the school changed the idea so that all parents will buy same color of uniform.”
Below is a document obtained by VON with break down of the hike:
THE convoy of Governor Godwin Obaseki was stranded at the dilapidated and flooded RCC junction on the Benin- Sapele-Warri highway that has become a nightmare to road users.
This came as the governor said conflicting Federal Government’s position on federal roads in states had made it impossible for his administration to fix dilapidated federal roads across the state.
In a viral video of the incident, a background voice was heard urging viewers to share the video to show that it was payback time for leaders, who fail to take needed action to help the people.
The background (male) voice said: “The governor is the one inside the vehicle but it has stopped moving. This is his vehicle, he cannot come down as he is ashamed. Everyone is feeling the brunt of bad policies in the country.”
Meanwhile, Obaseki, during a visit to the Edo State secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, said: “The position and location of Edo, particularly Benin City, which has been a blessing is now becoming a curse. A blessing because we are very centrally located in Nigeria and we are one state where all major federal trunks pass through.
“We are a transport hub, so you have the dual carriage coming from the West, one coming from the East, one coming from the South-South and one is supposed to be going to the North.
“And a federal policy relating to its roads is very confusing. In the past, we could go as a state, rehabilitate and give the Federal Government the bill for refund. At one point, they said states can apply to take over those roads but I am yet to see one state that they have given a federal road to.
“The Auchi-Ibillo Road was so bad that some of our contractors couldn’t go to their quarry site. We appealed to the Federal Government to do palliative work on that road but they refused, saying the road is under contract.
“If I want to do the same to Benin-Sapele Road, I am not allowed to because first, it is not our road and second, the Federal Government said it had already given it out to a contractor. So, I cannot do anything on that road. So, we are in a very difficult situation in Edo.
“It is like our hands and our legs are tied and they say we should run because the only government people know is their state government.
“I am not here to criticise the Federal Government but I am here to say that we are all Nigerians and it is only fair and proper that the Federal Government, which has 52 per cent of our revenue allocation should treat Nigerians as human beings and that they all come from this country.
“You don’t have to vote for a Federal Government for the government to care about you but it is like there is nobody to talk to. Nobody cares about us in Abuja.”