Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Amanda Pam, has confirmed that seven cases of Monkey Pox have been reported and found to negative. Barrister Pam told newsmen in Abuja today, Thursday: “so far seven suspected cases of Monkey Pox have been reported: three from the National Hospital, two from Gwarimpa General Hospital, one form the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and one from the Nyanya General Hospital. They were four males and three females. She said immediately suspected cases were reported yesterday, Wednesday, a team from FCT Administration, Department of Public Health, swung into action, investigated the case and concluded that the history, symptoms, and signs of the cases did not fit into a clear definition of Monkey Pox. Barrister Pam allayed the public health concerns of FCT residents, saying that the Administration has a very active and well-articulated public health institutional framework running from the primary to the tertiary health care levels, from the wards, Area Councils to the FCT. According to her, WHO has one surveillance personnel in each of the Area Council in FCT and the FCTA has five Surveillance Officers in AMAC and two each in every other Area Council of the FCT., adding that these give the Territory a total of 17 surveillance personnel who are maintaining round the clock surveillance of threat of epidemics in the Territory at large. [myad]
Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo and his media aide, Laolu Akande have differed on whether what Osinbajo approved for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that has since generated into a national controversies was contracts or loans. While Akande who is Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said that the Vice President approved contracts for NNPC, the Vice President has come out to say that what he approved were two loans for the NNPC and not contracts. Akande said that the contracts were approved after due diligence by the Vice President when he acted as President recently, explaining that Osinbajo approved the recommendations for the contracts as part of necessary actions to deal with the backlog of unpaid cash calls and incentivise investments. Akande said that Professor Osinbajo made the clarification in view of media inquiries that followed NNPC’s claim that the contracts were indeed approved by Osinbajo. “In response to media inquiries on NNPC joint venture financing, VP Osinbajo, as Ag President approved recommendations after due diligence & adherence to established procedure. “Action necessary to deal with huge backlog of unpaid cash calls which Buhari administration inherited and also to incentivise much needed fresh investments in the oil & gas sector,” Akande had tweeted.
However, answering reporters’ questions today, Thursday, shortly after the ground-breaking multi-billion Naira Bonny-Bodo road project in Bonny, Rivers State, Vice President Osinbajo said that the approvals he granted to the NNPC while he was Acting President were for financing arrangements for the Joint Ventures between the corporation and IOCs, and not approvals for contracts. “These were financing loans. Of course, you know what the Joint Ventures are, with the lOCs, like Chevron, that had to procure. In some cases, NNPC and their Joint Venture partners have to secure loans and they need authorization to secure those loans while the President was away. The law actually provides for those authorizations. “So I did grant two of them and those were presidential approvals, but they are specifically for financing joint ventures and they are loans not contracts.” [myad]
Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has admitted that the commission and similar other government agencies cannot fight corruption alone. He declared: “the EFCC, and indeed all government institutions responsible for tackling corruption, cannot do it alone. “We at EFCC believe that we do not have a monopoly of knowledge. We cannot fight corruption alone. We need every Nigerian to come on board because the negative effect of corruption does not discriminate against ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. We need citizens to actively participate in the fight against corruption through volunteering information. Our singsong should be: “See something; say something.” We have no choice because as the president once reminded us, corruption is Nigeria’s number one enemy and if we don’t kill it, it will kill us.” Ibrahim Magu, who spoke today, Thursday at a programme on whistle-blower policy of the federal government, reported with happiness that Nigerians have so far been very responsive. “Despite the unholy alliances of the corrupt who are fighting back seriously, Nigerians from all walks of life have seen reasons why this war must be fought collectively and why corruption must be brought to its knees and those who feast in its temple are stopped and punished. This goodwill and the support and prayers of Nigerians continue to give us the strength needed to push this war. “I am happy to be part of this important occasion, the unveiling of this laudable project of strengthening the federal government’s whistle blowing initiative.” Magu recalled that in his October 1 national broadcast, President Muhammadu Buhari highlighted the Whistle-Blower Policy as one of the administration’s new institutional reforms to eradicate corruption in Nigeria. The EFCC commended the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy for taking interest in this important aspect of the war against corruption. He also express gratitude to MacArthur Foundation for supporting the initiative. “This project and the whistle-blower policy underscore my repeated admonition to Nigerians to come together in dealing with the cankerworm of corruption. “At the EFCC, we have created an environment where those who have information about corrupt practices can approach the Commission to provide information, confident that the information they give us will be put into effective use. Moreover, since the commencement of the whistle-blower policy, we have received hundreds of actionable tips that led to the following cash recoveries: N527, 643,500; $53,222,747; GBP 21,222,890 and Euro 547,730. “Through this window, we have seen many Nigerians whose motivation was not just to benefit from the recoveries, as promised by the federal government, but the satisfaction of having to see that what was ill-gotten has been recovered for the good of all. “Those in this category were motivated by their sense of justice and overriding national interest, not the financial reward. We urge more Nigerians to borrow a leaf from these patriotic individuals. “On our part, we have always treated every tip referred to us with strict sense of responsibility bearing in mind that such undertaking on the part of the whistle-blower is usually a matter of trust and even risk. “At the same time, we have been careful not to be used by mischief makers who would want to abuse this process. Let me reiterate that just as there is consequence for corruption, there will be consequence for those who want to take advantage of this noble initiative in the fight against corruption to create mischief. We have responded to this possibility by developing a water-tight mechanism of both reporting and crosschecking information.” [myad]
Kogi State Social Media Summit turned into a sad note when the security aides attached to Government House in Lokoja slapped the Deputy Editor of Daily Post, Wale Odunsi and threatened shoot him.
Report from the Summit indicated that the security man in mobile police uniform went wild when the editor arrived at the venue of the State Social Media Summit scheduled for Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th October. Those invited were also scheduled to meet Governor Yahaya Bello at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Narrating the incident to newsmen, Odunsi said that it was divine intervention that saved him from being killed.
He said: “When I got there, I called to the special assistant to the Governor on New Media, Joel Odaudu Minister, that I was on my way to the Govt. House.
“I got there and walked towards the gate. As I approached the gate directly opposite entrance of the governor’s wife office entrance, one of the protocol officials wearing White native charged towards me.
“In an unruly manner, he queried why I was trying to barge into the premises. So I asked ‘Oga, you didn’t have to shout at me like that. I was only looking for who to ask for direction’.
“Apparently infuriated by my guts, he dragged and pushed me away. Within seconds, a mobile policeman got up and slapped me. He used abusive words and warned me to moved away. But I kept asking what I did to warrant the treatment.
“At this point, the protocol officer and two mobile policemen were taking turns to hit me on the chest while pushing me backwards; one slapped me the second time.
“I calmly walked some meters away and told and called Joel, the governor’s aide. As soon as he came, the security officials cornered him and were trying to change the story.
“I hurriedly strolled to where they were and insisted to know why I was assaulted. By this time, one of the policemen I believe is superior and another man wearing a blue safari suit and white T-shirt warned me to leave the area of face the consequences.
“The policeman’s eyes were red as if thirsty for blood. He kept screaming that he will punish with me mercilessly. So I called his name out, Iliya Ali: I told him to his face that I will report the incident to appropriate authority.
“On hearing that I called his name, he reached for his holster and attempted to bring out his gun. He said: ‘I will show you if na your mama, your papa or your any person you wan report me to give me name’.
“He also asked the Governor’s aide to leave the scene so he can deal with me. All the while, he was trying to bring out his gun while the governor’s aide was asking him calm down.
“I sensed he might make real his threat so I stopped another okada and left the scene. I spoke to the Force spokesman, who sent Kogi CP’s number. I tried to reach him but it wasn’t successful, so I sent him sms.
“I have left the state already before my time is cut short,” he narrated. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on world leaders to strengthen relationships across borders, and be more forthright in intelligence sharing in order to curb the growing sophistication in global terrorism.
Receiving the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria today, Thursday, Aseem Muhammed Hanafi Elseify, at a Letter of Credence presentation ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Buhari said that the recent attacks in some developed countries, like the United Kingdom, clearly show a need for stronger global collaboration and review of security architectures across countries.
The President said that the Boko Haram attacks within West African countries and across the borders was brought under control after concerted efforts by leaders to ensure joint operations.
“Clearly the threat of global terrorism is getting more sophisticated by the day so we need leaders to work together to stop the attacks,’’ he said.
President Buhari said bilateral relations between Nigeria and Egypt in education, training and trade had been historical, urging the new ambassador to work towards expanding and deepening the scope of the relationship.
The Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria said building partnership to tackle the security challenges faced by both countries would be one of his priorities.
Elseify said the Egyptian government had already established a relationship with Nigerian security outfits.
President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from Her Excellency, Mrs. Marcelline Paulette Adjovi Yekpe, Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria and His Excellency, Mr Alejandro Garcia Moreno-Elizando, Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria. [myad]
The word (re) structural engineering is commonly associated with the civil engineering profession). Recently the word has crept into the political lexicon, and has assumed such currency that each day in the media the word is so emotively used and bastardised so much so that its true meaning is lost in the myriad of the current engaging conversations in the country.
Permit me to digress momentarily. Last Saturday (October 07, 2017), there was a football match, World Cup Qualifiers they call it, that was played in Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo capital of Akwa Ibom. Let me confess, I am not a fan of football (I can hear you murmur, “what a disappointment?”Na you sabi). The unison, the euphoria and commonality of purpose prevalent before and after that match were indeed electrifying and delightfully cut across the various nationalities in Nigeria. That world cup qualifiers (appropriately called Russia 2018) brought every tribe together. It was no longer Igbo versus Hausa person or Yoruba verus Edo person. It was indeed, and evidently so, Nigeria versus Zambia. Everyone in Nigeria, the old, the young, men, women, the educated and uneducated, tall or short, black or not, were all united in their determination and collective prayers for Nigeria to outplay the visiting team. Strikingly enduring was the venue of play, it was not in contention – why is it always GodswillAkpabio International Stadium and not Kaduna Stadium or Liberty Stadium in Ibadan or National stadium in Eko-Ile, though the Nigerian team once lost to South AfricanBafanaBafana team ab initio in June 2017 in that stadium and since then it has been spectacular success and luck all the way. Nigerians agree,we need a reservoir of that goodluck to get World Cup 2018 in Russia. That unity of purpose brought our desire and prayers in fruition. Nigeria won. The rest is now history. Can we replicate this wonderful team spirit in the political sphere of our Country? That is the task this narrative seeks to achieve.
In an exposition such as this, that tends to treat an explosive, emotive, and indeed sensitive issue as restructuring, it will be impossible to exhaustively treat or address all shades of opinion in one article. My effort therefore is to put up “a random synopsis of ideas” about this national burning issue – the way forward. That does not make me “an embodiment of wisdom” in a matter as sensitive as this, but it is important to get an understanding of the issue, however synoptic it may sound, and the narrative must be future based.
As a follow up to this exposition, I have met and interviewed quite a number of proponents of restructuring. These proponents are in three broad categories. The first category is those who just join the bandwagon of clamoring for restructuring without an understanding of what it is. This category of people, their argument, largely, is “return to regional system of government as obtained in the 60s”. End of discussion, nothing more and so colourless.
The second category of people sounds reasonably convincing with element of seriousness and freshness in their arguments. I think, I want to align myself with this class of thought. I shall explain shortly.
Third category are people of mixed understanding of the word “restructuring and agitation “.
I have said in my previous article that restructuring and agitation for the balkanisation of the country are not same. Need I remind ourselves that there was (and still is) agitation for resource control, courtesy our brothers from the South-South region. Of course, agitation for the balkanization of Nigeria is healthy but agitation for balkanization that has “warfare” intonation, forming another Army within a republic, soliciting for arms and ammunition to wage war, calling your compatriots from other regions as “cows” and “animals” and Nigeria regarded as a “zoo”, simply because they do not buy into your own idea and approach to issues? It is not a good thing to say. It is derogatory and it debases and ridicules the very essence of their own narratives, which are certainly not healthy and progressive thought that could bring about cohesion and appreciation of our collective worth. Such inane remark must be repulsed and totally condemned by all right thinking persons, who genuinely appreciate the value of a united country like Nigeria with its huge population. In that sense, it means they have nothing to bring to the table for a scrupulous national discourse. However, the point must be made, agitation in any form that recognizes and follows legitimate and constitutional processes are welcome and indeed supported. That is my position.
There is a fourth voice and that voice seems to stand alone. Our distinguished Senator David Bonaventure Mark, the immediate past Senate President, calls for attitudinal change. And I agree with him, again attitudinal change (this is more of a personal mindset) is not same as restructuring on a broad perspective. That must be clearly understood. Attitudinal change can be applied at home, on our roads, in our schools or workplaces. For instance, I may decide to be more responsive and present cordial relationship with my wife and children, and indeed my neighbours as against my previous barefaced and stern looking dispositions. It is an improved trait transition from negativity to positivity in a holistic mindset. On traffic, I solemnly resolve to obey and respect traffic lights and traffic personnel on our roads, will not beat traffic lights with impunity. No over-speeding, no phoning while driving, no driving against traffic, respect for other road-users etc. These are fine attributes of attitudinal change. At school or workplace, we do the right things, timorously report to school and/or work, display some level of discipline, show respect to our teachers and constituted authorities. That in a sense is a personal overhaul of attitude. When these traits are replicated by all male and female adults across our respective homes and extend such wonderful traits across the country, of course, we shall have a saner society, a society where things work well with a deeper propensity to contribute to the growth of the country. Attitudinal change, PHCN officials shall be dedicated, responsive and efficient. No inducement before phcn meters are assigned to homes. NNPC officials, with a changed hearts, will diligently approach their duties with dedication, promptitude, efficiency, and honesty devoid of corruption, not with the notoriety of corruption associated with that organisation. Ditto the Nigerian Customer Services and the Nigerian Immigration Services. And that is, in a nutshell, the attitudinal change being canvassed by our distinguished Senator David Mark and it is a welcome development and it should be embraced and indeed encouraged by all..
However, this narrative is not about attitudinal change but about restructuring, the emotive issue in the political space for now.
The Nigerian nation, at the moment, is at the threshold of a major political juncture. The various agitations from the various nationalities, especially on the vexed issue of restructuring must be appropriately and quickly addressed. And this is the time to do so as further procrastination will be dangerous and likely to lead to the precipice. God forbid; this agitation has so retrogressively brought to the back-burner the twin issues of unity and development and we cannot continue this way.
Perceptibly, the earlier we quickly address this pantomime situation in the polity, bordering on restructuring across the land, the better for us as a nation, a nation genuinely desirous of progress and development, which have eluded us for some time now.
How do we get out of this quagmire of restructuring?
As a first step, certain sections of the Nigerian constitution must be amended to reflect the current reality on ground. What is the current reality? The constitution as it stands today empowers/gives the legislature, in this instance; the Senate has the final say on any major political decision, major political decision that has far-reaching impact on the lives of every Nigerian. In any case, such political decision does not obliterate judicial pronouncement.
The 2014 National Conference report, for instance, submitted to the Senate many months ago, for their necessary legislative action had become a piece of decorative material in a shelf in the Senate chambers. This is one clear case of insensitivity by the Senate against the electorates.
Indubitably, the unspoken decision of the Senate to subject this valuable and historical document, put together by highly resourceful professionals and political elders in the land, to procrastination because the document recommended some remarkable and far-reaching reforms, reforms that will obviate some powers of the legislature on sensitive issues. On many occasions in the past, when the nation direly needs the legislators’ attention to find solution to nagging national issues, that is the moment they find it convenient to proceed on their recesses. No feelings for the electorates, who elected them in the first place. In fact, the Senators, by extension Federal House members, are far alienated from the electorates and their national interest.
Let us face this matter squarely, the composition of the Nigerian Senate as it stands today, or at any time in the future, do not have the political will to make such far reaching decision in the overall interest of the Nigerian people. Has States been created during a civilian rule? And this is not to suggest a return to military autocracy but a subtle reminder of how we achieved Statism in Nigeria since 1966. The Nigerian electorates must decide, and this is the time, “to take their destiny in their own hands”.NBA, SERAP AND NLC.
It Is in view of the above explanation, I like to respectfully submit that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Labour Congress and its affiliates, as pressure groups that have creditability in the eyes of Nigerians, to joint and urgently too, sponsor a bill in the National Assembly that will amend the constitution, essentially to take away powers of the legislature where it exist on matters such as Agitation for Restructuring
State Creation
Address of issues pertaining to marginalisation
Devaluation of Powers to the States & Local Governments
Fiscal monetary Policy as regards Monthly Federal Allocation
If we continue to trust the national assembly to take decision on our behalf in respect of restructuring, we may never get anywhere with this their apparent lackadaisical attitude. The current pantomime situation will only get worse. Please, do not get me wrong. I am truly an unrepentant optimist.
Therefore a statutory body that will be saddled with the responsibilities excised from the Senate legislative list be established. This statutory body could be given any appropriate nomenclature. The body should be headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice and assisted by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. They shall be appointees or nominees of the Federal government. The composition of this body shall not exceed 250-men and women of proven integrity. They shall be men and women who have no criminal records and intelligent enough to represent their places of residence, not States of origin. They shall run full time. Their emoluments should not be something extra-ordinary but attractive enough to draw the right caliber of personalities envisaged.
The life-span of this august body should be two-year duration. After another five years interval, another august body shall be inaugurated to address national burning issues as spelt out above. Candidly, I think, the suggested august body should be nominees of States and constitutionally so recognized.
Consequently, as a result of the amendment to the constitution, and establishment of this august body, the Federal House of Representatives shall cease to exist constitutionally.
For purposes of cost saving effect, the Nigerian senate shall be part-time and they shall meet for 180days in a year. Their salaries should be handsome enough to attract the right caliber of persons, not the present humongous salaries they earn now for literally doing nothing, that is not beneficial to the Nigerian people.
Whatever decision taken by this august body shall be forwarded to the President for assent and immediate implementation, without any recourse to the Senate since their roles in such matter had been constitutionally abrogated.
Consequently, this august body shall recommend devolution of powers to States and local government and scrap the following Ministries and its parastatals. These are
Agriculture
Education
Labour
Information & Culture
Power
Housing
Roads
Housing
Solid Minerals
If need be, and in the wisdom of this august body may recommend that some of the scrapped Ministries be reduced to Parastatals under the Presidency. However, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defence, and of course, the Armed Forces, the Police, Civil Defence, Peace Corps, FRSC should remain in the Federal list.
That aspect of the constitution that talked about each State to produce one Minister should be abrogated. The Federal Permanent Secretaries should head such parastatals. The purpose is to have a weak centre and strengthen the States and Local governments. This means that electorates at States and Local Council Areas must take their civic responsibility, a lot more serious, by voting for a credible, matured and genuinely committed person for the positions of Governors and LG Chairmen. The current practice of “money for hand, ballot card for your box” must be discouraged. Our attitude in this respect must change in the overall interest of an enduring, virile and progressive State/Council.
This devolution exercise will encourage States to be proactive in their revenue generation drive. Each State has its own peculiar problem and knows how to go about it or prioritize such problem in line with the desire of the local people.
There should be no such a thing as Federal roads. Any road that runs through any State becomes, automatically, the responsibility of the State involved to construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate and generally maintain.
The Abuja-Abaji expressway that runs onto the boundary of Kogi State is the responsibility of FCT to handle. Then that of Kogi government begins from where FCT stops. The road that runs from Okene to Ukpella (the Edo State boundary) is the responsibility of Kogi State government to handle. Edo State government responsibility begins on the road from where that of Kogi ends. With this kind of arrangement each State government will be challenged to be responsive to the yearnings of its citizens, by providing good and motoring inter and intra city road net-works in any giving State.
Let each State develop its agricultural potentials according to its pace and aspiration of its citizens. For instance, if Gombe State government is known for the production of gum Arabic in commercial quantity, let that area be maximally exploited by the State and go further to establish cottage industry in designated councils in the State. Consequently, providing job opportunities for not just the youths of the area but also every employable adults in the area. There shall exist opportunity to attract foreign investors.
In Benue State, for instance, reputed for production of mangoes, oranges, yams and other food stuffs in large commercial quantities, can maximally exploit/harness for commercial gains, establish cottage industries, and consequently export its finished products. This is a source of foreign exchange earning to the Stateand providing gainful employment to the youths and employable adults from the State. In fact, foreign investors may be attracted, provided there is an attractive environment for such investment.
South West, especially Ondo&Ekiti States are major producers of cocoa and timber woods, with high economic values. These States and others in South West should primarily focus its attention on the harnessing these agricultural potentials of the States, establish cottage industry that will offer employment, consequently entrepreneurial shall emerge.
South-Eastern States are well known for the production of leather shoes, lady handbags, belts etc. Let the States in this region provide an encouraging environment for these businesses to thrive and provide soft loans to these enterprising youths. Ministry of Commerce and Trade in each State in the region should help these youths with entrepreneurial skills and market their products abroad. Engage the youths in all ramifications.
Each State should develop and market its own solid mineral resources buried within its territory and pay royalty to the Federal government. The amount of royalty payable by States shall not be across board. There shall be percentage differentials. Oil-producing States shall pay as much as 45% based on its accruable there-from, while the non oil-producing States shall about 25%
The three mega States of Lagos, Kano and Rivers shall have special arrangement regarding revenue generation into the coffers of the Federation, an acceptable and achievable formular by the States involved and the august body to propound the sharing ratio.
The present revenue sharing formular should change, since the States are expected to take on more responsibilities that will directly impact on their citizens in many directions, responsibilities which were hitherto those of the Federal government. An acceptable revenue sharing formula should be formulated by this august body, whose statutory responsibility it is to find an appropriate sharing ratio.
In recent years, the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos has been organizing an intellectual-driven programme titled “the Platform” where notable Nigerians with intimidating credentials are invited to speak on specific national topic. Some of the speakers this year were Professor Patrick Utomi of Lagos Business School, VI, Lagos; the Honourable Minister of Information & Culture {Alhaji Lai Mohammed}; SegunAdeniyi, a journalist of high pedigree and one-time Special Adviser on Media & publicity to former (late) President Umar Yar’Adua of blessed memory and of course, our own Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, among other distinguished speakers. The platform is usually telecast on ChannelsTV on every October 1, but this year, it was telecast on Monday, October 02, 2017. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah was asked to speak on the topic restructuring, an emotive word in recent times.
Coincidentally, on my own, I voluntarily decided to write on the same vexed issue of restructuring. It was therefore a relieve, knowing Bishop Kukah for his eloquent and powerful delivery on any given topic, that my “self-imposed” assignment is “half-done” as I was certain, I shall have sufficient references to draw from his presentation. I must confess at the end of Bishop’s presentation, I was confused and did not know which of his references to quote to support my own narrative, was it the historical revelation that a certain man called Ahmed Barber from Niger Republic actually gave Yoruba, Hausa the current names these tribes bear. That even the Ibo people, because of their marketing/trading prowess was also given their name, courtesy same Ahmed Barber. That the word “geographical expression” which men and women of my generation thought was a creation of papa Chief ObafemiAwolowo was indeed first used by an English statesman in 1814 before ChiefAwolowo himself was born. And we now know that Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah is “in-law to the Yorubas and the Igbo people”. I am incline to believe that my Lord Spiritual added this in closing about a madman, who saw policemen on parade and joined in the parade. “Left, right, left, right, they matched on” and the officer, commanding the parade, looked at the madman, took his eyes away, looked at him again, then asked the madman “kai, you wan join police?”. The madman quickly retorted “I de crazy?”. In all of this confusion, I was able to bring out for the benefit of our individual worth and reflections Bishop Kukah’s conclusion thus.
For a start, let us, encourage each one to hearken to the admonition from this respected man of God, who had assiduously worked and preached peace and unity of purpose of this country, at great risk to his precious life.
I quote Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah thus:
“Finally, Nigerians, we have earned and got every reason to be angry but please let us remember for the sake of this country, a lot of our citizens have given their lives to defend this country as soldiers. They have died and are still dying. It is a reason why we must take very seriously the issue of building a new country together. That challenge is before all of us. That is why our hearts may be broken. Our bodies may be broken. We may be frustrated but I leave you a nice song. You know Don Williams died this year. One of the songs he sang, one of my favorites:
“some broken hearts never mend. Some memories may never end. Some tears will never dry. Our love for Nigeria will never die. This is our country. This is God’s gift for us.”
Obama say to the Americans yes, we can. But because we are Nigerians, we will stay here to redeem this country. I say to Nigerians yes, we must.”
In the rendezuy of victory, there is room for each and every one of us. Let us pray because that day is near to us than we ever imagine.” End of quote. Food for thought.
Finally, we fear to communicate with one and another because we do not know each other well. We do not know each other well because we fear to communicate. Let us learn to communicate without fear. There is strength in communication and better understanding when we discuss amongst ourselves scrupulously and with decorum and respect for one another irrespective of our regions.
Balogun (BenPino) wrote in from Wuse District, in Abuja and can be reached via bernardbalogun1@yahoo.com, 0803.787.9275. [myad]
Federal Government has made a move to sanction medical doctors working in government hospitals that are operating private clinics and hospital of their own.
The minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale, who dropped this hint at a news briefing on Wednesday shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that a committee has been set up to look into the matter and to recommend appropriate measure to stop the practice.
He said that FEC reviewed the situation and decided to look into the issue of private practice by medical doctors in the public sector “and a committee has been set up to look extensively into that issue because we want to resolve the issue of what does the law of the land says and what the rule of professional ethics says.
“The law of the land does not allow any public officer to do anything other than farming, so that committee would make appropriate recommendation to government on this important issues which is of considerable interest to quite a number of Nigerians.”
Professor Adewale said that FEC also looked at the Yayale Ahmed report which tried to look into the relationship between professional groups in the health sector and the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He said that a committee has been mandated to forward a white paper on the Yayale Ahmed report to the FEC so that once and for all, government can restore harmony to the health sector.
“In addition council also considered an important memo on industrial relations, particularly in the public sector. That report dealt extensively with several issues but for us, the health sector is the most important and the need to do comprehensive job evaluation, so government has decided to set up a committee that would evaluate what exactly do we do as individuals, how much should we be paid in a way that we can really pay appropriately across board through the entire country.
“Council also looked at the issue of residency training programme and decided that the training should last for a fixed time of seven years after training for seven years individuals should exit from the programme so that other people can come into the programme.” [myad]
Minister of the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (left), seems to be whispering something private in a chat with the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq Abubakar Bello, when the minister visited the Police Command in Abuja on Wednesday, October 11. [myad]
The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has taken time to educate the Arewa Youths Forum (AYF), asking them not to remain ignorants. Reacting to a statement credited to AYF, insinuating that majority of Nigerians are languishing in abject poverty and penury under the Buhari administration on grounds that it does not reflect the current realities in Nigeria, the Media Support Group described it as unfortunate. The Buhari group recalled that the Arewa Youth National President Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, had in the statement on Sunday in Kaduna, claimed that the administration of President Buhari has performed below expectation and called for the reshuffling of the cabinet to get rid of officials whose loyalty and performance are in doubt. In the counter statement signed by the chairman of the BMSG, Austin Braimoh and Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke, it regreted that the young men in the North did not make inquiries to ascertain the current status of the issues they raised or match them with latest facts and figures before going public. “We advise the youths to take note of the various initiatives of the Buhari administration towards solving the myriad of problems besetting the country which he met on assumption of office in May 2015. “We also remind the youths that despite the lean financial resources President Buhari inherited, he still enunciated several policies and programmes aimed at bringing succour to Nigerians. “The recovery of huge sums of stolen public funds through the fight against corruption, the successful degrading of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and the deliberate policy of economic diversification which has resulted in a significant increase in federal revenue are some of the achievements of President Buhari.” The Group said that present Buhari administration’s initiatives such as the N-Power programme, School Feeding programme, conditional cash transfer programme and the anchor borrowers programme have continued to impact on the Nigerians, especially, the youths. “It may also interest AYF to know that the administration has revived the railway sector with a railway masterplan that traverses all parts of the country, as well as the construction and rehabilitation of most major road networks across the country. “Moving forward, we advise members of AYF to liaise with the Bureau of Statistics and other relevant agencies of government to update their knowledge with facts and figures as it relates to the performance of government in various sectors so as to make better-informed decisions and public comments.”[myad]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Nigeria’s economy will overtake that of South Africa in 2017. The IMF’s chief economist, Maurice Obstfeld, who spoke during the unveiling of the World Economic Outlook report at the organization’s headquarters in Washington, said that the rising political uncertainty had reduced consumer and business confidence in South Africa. “Nigeria is expected to emerge from the 2016 recession caused by low oil prices and the disruption of oil production. Growth in 2017 is projected at 0.8% owing to recovering oil production and ongoing strength in the agricultural sector. “However, concerns about policy implementation, market segmentation in a foreign exchange market that remains dependent on central bank interventions (despite steps to liberalise the foreign exchange market) and banking system fragilities are expected to weigh on activities in the medium term.” In its July projections, the Bretton Woods institution had said that the global economy would grow by 3.5% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018. It also projected that the growth will reach 3.8% by 2021. However, IMF called on countries to remain cautious as the growth currently experienced is fragile, advising that ambitious reforms are necessary to avoid a decline. “Growth in oil exporting advanced countries is projected to recover. In 2017, it is forecast to rise to 1.4% in Norway and increase (by about 1.5%) to 3% in Canada. “After averaging $43 a barrel in 2016, oil prices are expected to average $50.3 a barrel in 2017 (down from $55.2 a barrel in April 2017 WEO) and stay at about that level in 2018.” [myad]
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The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has taken time to educate the Arewa Youths Forum (AYF), asking them not to remain ignorants.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Nigeria’s economy will overtake that of South Africa in 2017.
