All Posts in "Day: July 17, 2021"

Nigeria And The Rising Questions Of State Failure

By
Ishowo Oluwatosin
In all honesty, I am tired of writing on Nigeria, there is no angle of studying Nigeria that has worked; neither from institutional, philosophical nor behavioural approach to the study of Nigeria’s politics has proved the theories of politics to be precise in Nigeria.
What is happening in Nigeria is not funny. It is beyond human comprehension, we are in a phase where past histories have not shaped any particular identity in our polity, neither political culture nor governance.
We are at a stage where a group of people are recommending the re-adoption of the 1963 constitution and suspension of the 1999 constitution. However, the question that comes to mind is “If plan A doesn’t work, do you recycle it or go to plan B?”. Is it not clear that the 1963 constitution failed and led Nigeria into phases of crises that dominated the nation for decades?
What is the position of history in Nigeria’s political space? We have the North and South threatening each other over Presidential ticket for the 2023 elections,  the North Central is confused and not sure of where to swing due to identity problems and knowing that regardless of the outcome, nothing significant will change in their region.
It is baffling how someone like Sunday Igboho or Nnamdi Kanu has suddenly become a state actor; an avenger that is now being admired by even supposed elites. In my previous place of work, I noted that people boosting the confidence of these separatists against the government are making things worse because Buhari will leave office one day and Nigeria will remain. Indeed, the incumbent, indifferent leadership and all critical stakeholders in charge of our collective destiny must rise up to deal decisively with these avoidable problems and crisis- accentuated by seamless agitation for economic and political restructuring.
How will Nigeria change if the bulk of people determining who comes to power are the lesser educated (as if education is not the bedrock of a society), fewer political opportunists and many economic profiteers/saboteurs? How do we explain nation building to our teeming listless youths; convince them about the tenets of democracy; importance of civic obligation and patriotism? How will Nigeria work in a climate where politics is governance by substitution and governance is politics by other means? Nobody really cares about finding solutions yet as all energies are diverted to 2023 general elections. The atmosphere is already tensed; so heated that even our ancestors can feel the heat in their graves.
Secession? Will this be a panacea to our myriad of problems? Should our diversity be treated as a curse? Why is power so sacrosanct above human lives in our country that our leaders would place so much premium on it thus jeopardising our diversity?
How will Nigeria survive the next few decades when there are no sustainable plans even for the challenges of the current moment?
Should we be disappointed in Buhari or ourselves and those who conditioned us into believing he was the Messiah? Are they not the same politicians who have become advocates of good governance today and refer to themselves as repentant or born again political class? Should they be allowed to foist the next president on us again? Definitely, the manner of President that we urgently need should be a good manager of our fragile diversity with good conscience, dexterity and patriotism. Do these crop of power hostage-takers have the capacity to make even the simplest choice?  There is abject poverty in the rich but poor country with thousands of youths getting more despondent than ever before, having resolved that theirs is an impossible human landscape. Do these career politicians have the right approach to tame this dangerous trend to arrest a tendency towards irredeemable state failure?
In the circumstances, all intractable issues in the country are defying all logic due to government’s intransigence-to the extent that nearly every one of us has a blame in Buhari’s success and failure as our President.  The sudden turn around of our politicians is self-serving. It is certainly about 2023. No more, no less.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Opinion 0
Drug Trafficking:  Court Refuses Bail Request Of Ex-Council Vice Chair

Court Orders Remand Of Ex-Lagos Island Vice Chair Over Cocaine Export – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
A  Federal High Court in Lagos has turned down the bail application of  Mr. Kehinde Sakiru Ashekun, a former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA),currently  is standing trial for alleged exportation of 1.0 kilogrammes of cocaine.
Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji, dismissed Ashekun’s bail application of lacking in merit.
He  also dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former vice chairman of the council  against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Ashekun was arrested on May 7, 2021, at the Murtala Mohammed international Airport Ikeja, Lagos, by the NDLEA’s Operatives for attempting to smuggle 1.0 kilograms of cocaine concealed in footwear to  London.
He was charged before the court on June 30, on a count charge of unlawful exportation of the said banned drug.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, contravenes Section 11(b) of the said National Drug Law Enforcernent Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same Act.
He  had denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was arraigned before the court.
His bail application was argued by his counsel,  Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), but  opposed by the prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim.
Justice Faji dismissed  the bail application and  ordered accelerated trial of the matter.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0
Kidnapping:Two Policemen,Three Others To Die

Two policemen, three others to die for kidnapping
The Akwa Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state has sentenced two police officers and three others to death for kidnapping in the state.
They were sentenced to dead on Friday for kidnapping an Uyo-based cattle dealer, Alhaji Muhammed Umar Barkindo.
 Justice Eno Isangedighi, held that the accused were guilty of the offence.
She said: “The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found the accused guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping Alhaji Muhammad Umar Barkindo on 25th November, 2011, an offense punishable by death in Section 1(2) of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and Enforcement Law 2009.”
Justice Isangedighi prayed God to have mercy upon the souls of the condemned kidnappers.
The condemned police officers are Corporal Friday Udo, a native of Ikot Inyang in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, and Corporal Saturday Okorie of Ikot Etenge, also in Oruk Anam, who have since been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
Others condemned to death were: Walter Jack Udo, a native of Iwok Nsit in Nsit Atai, Udo Moses Akpaetuk of Ikot Ada Idem in Ibiono Ibom, and Udo Okon Etim from Ikot Asua in Nsit Atai, whose house was used to keep the victim, while they placed a N100 million ransom.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
Group Seeks Action Against Blasphemy

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA),has condemned the growing trend of clerics and other religious leaders in Nigeria inciting their followers to violence and murder against persons accused of blasphemy or insulting their religions.
The group implored the Federal and respective State Governments to take decisive action to arrest the situation.
It  said the current situation where the Federal Government and many State Governments are turning a blind eye in the face of incessant calls by so-called religious leaders on their followers to kill other citizens who are alleged to have insulted any religion or religious figure or accused of blasphemy is unacceptable and unjustifiable as incitement to violence or murder is an offence under Nigerian laws.
 The group conveyed its displeasure to the act in a statement by its Programme Director, Mr. Ayode Longe.
He said: “Nobody has the power or right to call for the killing of another person for any reason whatsoever or under any circumstance when the person has not been charged and tried before a court of competent jurisdiction, convicted and sentenced to death for an offence that carries the death penalty. Anybody who calls for the killing of another person is a criminal in the eyes of the Law and should be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. We fail to understand why the Government continues to encourage and enable such lawlessness by ignoring the criminal conduct of such individuals parading themselves as religious leaders.”
Mr. Longe stressed that “the government has a duty to protect the lives of all citizens, including those who are accused of offences.  The government therefore has an obligation to check the conduct of those who have arrogated to themselves the roles of complainant, prosecutor, judge and jury, and are quick to condemn others to death for utterances that they disagree with or even find offensive, in violation of the Constitution and the laws of the land.’
 He said although blasphemy is an offence in some parts of Nigeria, it is not within the authority of anybody to take another person’s life or incite others to do so without the due process of the Law as any person who is alleged to have committed an offence is entitled under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law to a fair trial before any punishment can be imposed on such a person.
He added that by condoning the barbaric conduct of those who seek to subvert and circumvent this sacred principle of justice, the government is complicit in portraying Nigeria before the world as a country where jungle justice is a culture and persons can be killed with impunity for alleged offences without the due process of law and without being given an opportunity to defend themselves.
He advised the Federal Government and the Government of Sokoto State not to overlook the latest of such incidents in the state where an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bello Yabo, while delivering a sermon in Hausa in a mosque in Sokoto reportedly ordered the murder of a young man, Isma’il Isah, who was arrested in Sokoto on allegations on blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Media 0
PDP Threatens Legal Action Over Electoral Act Amendment

Some lawmakers plotting to reject e-transfer of election results - PDP - Daily Post Nigeria
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened legal action over the amendment of the electoral act by the National Assembly that generated controversy across the country.
The amendment to section 52(3), which has to do with the electronic transmission of results, almost tore the Senate apart on Thursday.
Section 52(3) as recommendation provides:
“The commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”
The amendment to Section 52(3) agreed on after voting is: “The commission may consider electronic transmission of results provided the National network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communication Commission.”
The  National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, described  the amendment backed by All Progressives Congress (APC) senators as scam.
He said: “The PDP will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that this APC scam is not allowed to stand in any way. We therefore call on all lovers of democracy who see free, fair and transparent election as vital, to stand up against this fraud.”
He told newsmen that his  party has mandated its members to take legal action.
He said:”We have mandated our members, we are in consultation with our members to take every necessary legal action to make sure that Nigerian will have the best of the electoral law in terms of amendment. It must be very transparent, and we must ensure that it is carried out by the public and INEC. It happened in Edo and Ondo where election results were transmitted, it was seamless. There was no confusion there, there was no burning down of houses, people didn’t gather at a spot. If this electoral laws are amended to suit Nigerians not to suit a particular political party, you will see that the insecurity that is attached with elections, rigging and all that will be totally eliminated.”
Puncturing  what happened at the National Assembly over the amendment, Secondus noted “how a representative of the people enjoying their  mandate blatantly turned their back on them and toed the line of a political party interest that is clearly against the people.
“By the choice of the All Progressives Congress, APC to put party interest before National interest, they have vividly murdered democracy by the actions of their members in the two chambers of the National Assembly yesterday and today. For  us in PDP, today is a Black Friday for democracy.
“It’s an established fact in all democracies world wide that a free, fair and credible election is the tripod of any democracy. The action of APC in swaying their members against Electronic Transmission of Election Results clearly undermines and shows in unmistaken terms that APC is not ready to face the Nigerian electorates.”
Secondus said that the action also shows that the dilly-dallying of APC all the while in amending the Electoral Act is deliberate as they never wanted from inception to do anything that will deepen democracy in our country.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Politics 0
 Gunmen Murder Army Provost Marshal, Gen Ahmed 

how-gunmen-killed-former-army-provost-marshal-on-abuja-lokoja-road
Former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, and Director Veteran Affairs at the Army Headquarters, Major General Hussein Ahmed, was on Friday, killed along the Lokoja-Abuja road by unknown gunmen.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, (DAPR), in a statement released in on Friday, said that the remains of the murdered General had since been laid to rest in Abuja.
“The remains of the former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, late  Major General Huseini Ahmed has been laid to rest at Guards Brigade Cemetery Abuja.
“Late Major General Huseini Ahmed was killed on 16 July 2021 by unknown gunmen while travelling on Lokaja -Abuja road”, the statement said.
In his remarks during the funeral rites, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya was said to have described the late senior officer as an articulate, dedicated, loyal and highly professional officer in the discharge of his duties.
He was also said to have eulogised the senior officer for his sterling qualities and immeasurable contributions to the Nigerian Army while he was alive.
The biography of Major General Ahmed released by the Army high command, showed that, he “was born on 16 February 1968 in Maiduguri. He hails from Maiduguri Local Government Area of  Borno State.
“He attended  Yelwa Comprehensive Secondary School Makurdi, where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education.
“He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1988 and was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 25 September 1993 as a member of 40 Regular Course in the rank of Second Lieutenant.
“He was of the Military Police Corps and rose to the rank of Major General before his unfortunate demise.
“Late Major General Ahmed held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Defence Studies, as well as a Master Degree in Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
“He was one time the Provost Marshal  of the  Nigerian Army and  until his death he was the  Director Veteran Affairs at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
“The late senior officer attended several courses including Young Officers’ Course Infantry, both  Junior and Senior Staff  Courses at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and National Defence College   among others.
“In recognition of his meritorious services to the nation, late Major General Huseini Ahmed was honoured with several awards and medals including the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal and Fellow Defence College among others.
“The burial ceremony had in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff , General LEO Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya,  representatives of other Service Chiefs, representatives of the Inspector General of Police,  Chief of Defence Intelligence, Heads of Security Agencies, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, Field Commanders,  Senior Officers both  serving and retired, members of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, the  deceased senior officers immediate family members, friends and sympathisers among others.”
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in News 0
Anambra: APGA Pledges Support  For   Chuma Umeoji

Anambra Guber: APGA Faction Clears Umeoji for PrimaryTHISDAYLIVE
The  All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has accepted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Hon Chuma Umeoji as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
APGA, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere said that with Umeoji’s recognition as its  party’s flagbearer, “INEC has again proven its independence and its ability to conduct credible election without fear or favour.
 “We also view this recognition as victory for democracy and the good people of Anambra State, who are trusting our party for a credible candidate capable of moving the state forward after winning the November election. We urge our teeming party faithful and supporters to keep faith with APGA in the party’s desire to win the election and go ahead to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.”
Calling on all party leaders and members to support and campaign for “our candidate, the party also urged  Hon Umeoji to be magnanimous in victory by bringing all stakeholders on board.
It added:”The task of winning the forthcoming election is one that we must pursue and achieve collectively.”
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Politics 0
How Kaduna Herbalist Raped  Cousin

Kaduna herbalist in police net over alleged rape of cousin - The NEWS
Kaduna State Police Command is investigating a case of a 22 year-old herbalist, Hakuri Kwaskila, who allegedly raped his 19 year-old cousin in Lere Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, ASP Muhammad Jalige, said the alleged rape occurred on 9th July at Nataru Village of the local government area.
He said:“Medical examination has been carried out on the girl and it proved that penetration occurred; there are also bruises on her legs emanating from the incident,” adding
that upon completion of investigations, the suspect would be charged to court for justice to take its course.
The mother of the victim who craved  anonymity, told newsmen that  her daughter was diagnosed with typhoid and malaria by a medical doctor.
“We battled for over four months without success, after which my sister advised me take her (my daughter) to her son, a herbalist.
“The following day, I sent her (daughter) alone thinking there is no problem because he is her cousin.
“The last day she went for the medication, she called me and was screaming for help; I went to the house and found her in pains lying on the ground,with blood on her thighs.
“My daughter told me that when she got there, the suspect gave her a calabash to look through it, and that upon doing so, she found herself by a river side, where he forcibly had her carnal knowledge,” she added.
 The suspect told newsmen he committed the crime, but insisted that it was with the consent of the victim.
He said that they willingly walked together to the river side, where he requested her to pull off her clothes and bath with the calabash he gave her.
“When she did, I had sex with her without any struggle,” he said.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
FCMB Appoints  Oluwatoyin Olaiya As Executive Director

FCMB Limited announces appointment of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olaiya as Executive Director, Risk & Compliance | Nairametrics
The Board of Directors of First City Monument Bank Limited (the Bank) have appointed Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olaiya as Executive Director, Risk & Compliance.
Her appointment was sequel to  the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
 Mrs. Olaiya,a finance and risk management professional with over 30 years of experience,was until her current appointment  the Chief Risk Officer / Divisional Head Risk Management at FCMB, overseeing Enterprise Risk Management, Risk Policy, Credit Administration, Credit Underwriting and Monitoring.
 She has been responsible for redefining the Bank’s risk policies, improving risk management culture across the institution, and proactively ensuring the implementation of a cyber security strategy for the Bank.
She started her career as an auditor with KPMG, from where she moved to different roles in domestic operations, internal audit, business development, financial control, compliance and enterprise risk management in the banking industry.
She joined  the employ of FCMB in 2016 from Sterling Bank, where she was the Acting Chief Risk Officer.
She  is an Accounting graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
Host Communities Fund:Violence Imminent In Niger Delta -Ijaw Congress

Princewill congratulates Prof Benjamin Okaba on his emergence as INC President
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has said it would not be able to guarantee peace in the Niger Delta following the decision of the National Assembly to retain the three per cent proposed for host communities in the harmonised Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
The President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, in a statement, said Ijaw people remained resolute on their rejection of the three per cent and demand for 10 per cent.
He said, “Since our appeal as the leadership of the Ijaw nation appears to have fallen on deaf ears, we cannot promise or guarantee that we shall be able to contain any recourse to restiveness that could arise in Ijaw land.”
 He  commended National Assembly members from the region who staged a walkout during the passage of the harmonised PIB on Thursday to protest the three per cent allocation.
He  described the protest by the Senators and Representatives from the area as historic and symbolic.
He said their action was a clear message to Nigeria and the international community of the Ijaw people’s rejection of the three per cent, the misapplication of the meaning of host communities and the allocation of a whopping 30 per cent for oil exploration in the frontier basins.
The walkout by the legislators,he said, further expressed the dissatisfaction of the Ijaw people with the insensitivity of the Federal Government and multinational oil companies despite the fact that they bore the brunt of oil exploration and loss of livelihoods.
He added:”The Ijaw nation shall continue to condemn any policy that attempts to make what duly belongs to us as belonging to everybody and anybody without first respecting our right to ownership as we have at no time assumed ownership and control over what belongs to others.
“We are finding it difficult to calm the nerves of our people whose anger is daily heightened by the unrelenting oppressive demeanor of those presiding over the fortunes of our God-given resources.
“Whereas we thought the PIB offered a veritable opportunity for the leadership (of the country) to redress and pacify our people by hearkening to our petitions and cries of marginalisation and underdevelopment, the recent decision by the Senate of the Federal Republic to allocate a paltry three per cent to the Host Communities Trust Fund has poured fuel on an already combustible situation.”
Online Editor by — July 17, 2021 in News 0