Finance Minister Announces Disbursement Of N247.98 Billion As Capital Release

July 21, 2016

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has said that the Federal Government
has disbursed a sum of N247.98 billon as capital release so far this year.
The Minister, in her presentation to the Senate on Thursday, explained that the disbursements were being made in line with strategic priorities to address infrastructure deficit and drive domestic growth.
The latest figure of N247.98bn, she noted, compares to a sum of N387bn capital spend for full year 2015.
She said that:

N 21.6bn released for agriculture in 2016 is 4.9 times percent of N4.5bn spent in 2015.
· N118.0bn released so far to the power, works and housing in 2016 is 4.0 time the amount spent for full year 2015 which was N29.3bn.
· N24.0bn was disbursed to Transport ministry so far and that this is 3.6 time of N6.5bn spent for full year 2015.
· N9.5bn released in 2016 to Interior Ministry is 6.2 time the amount spent for full year 2015, which was N1.5bn.
· N32.7bn for Defence Ministry has been disbursed in 2016 and this is 1.3 time ofN26.1bn total release for 2015.
Adeosun said that debt owed to contractors has slowed the pace of implementation, saying however that contractors and cash call arrears totalling N5bn Joint venture funding arrears are being addressed.
The Minister said that in order to achieve the objectives of capital spending, the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment is also working on government’s soft infrastructure (N465.12m in capital spend released to date). She listed one of the objectives to include improvement in Ease of Doing Business ranking to 100thposition from current position of 169th.
The Minister said that the current stability in oil price has raised hope for Nigeria,noting that Oil prices are up 75% per barrel since hitting a 12-year low of around$27barrel.
Adeosun said that oil production volumes are expected to rebound in the nearterm and that ongoing fiscal reforms are bearing fruit.
According to her, the Federal Government is making a N8bn savings on payroll to date, while a N14bn in estimated savings on overhead is expected by year end.
“While production volumes have increased, the damage to oil facilities are concentrated on onshore oil fields from which we get our greatest volumes and revenues. The gap in production volume is being plugged by production in off-shore fields (Production Sharing Contracts) from which we incur higher costs. This therefore, minimizes the effect of increasing production in revenue terms.”
The Minister stressed that Investment in critical infrastructure is key to unlocking economic growth, while Cost reductions being achieved through fiscal reforms create head room for capital investment.
The Federal Government, she said, is effectively managing debt overhang; forming strategic alliances with private sector to implement key projects with limited budgetary provision; restructuring of outstanding PPPs to address legacy issues and initiate New PPPs to ensure efficient delivery of infrastructure and value for money efficiency gains.
The Minister explained that current FAAC disbursements are low due to the three-month lag in sharing of oil revenues. “Crude oil proceeds in April are being shared in June and therefore, do not reflect recent increases in production volumes.
“Our revenues are looking well; FIRS and Customs are doing well in terms of this” Adeosun said, adding: “our spending is being targeted to stimulate the economy and achieve positive GDP Growth. There is a trade-off between growth and inflation. “The objective is to target growth while keeping a close eye on inflation.
“We will invest in key infrastructural upgrades to stimulate the economy.” [myad]

Buhari Confirms India To Be The Biggest Buyer Of Nigeria’s Crude Oil Today

Greenbarge Reporters

July 21, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed India as the biggest buyer of Nigeri’s crude oil today, in spite of the sharp fall in its price in the international market.
“)ou are also the biggest buyer of Nigeria’s crude oil today,” the President remarked as he received in audience, High Commissioner of the Republic of India, Mr. Nagabhushana Reddy, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday to present his letter of credence.
Buhari said that Nigeria needs more of such beneficial partnership in its attempt to be more innovative in education, manufacturing and agriculture to diversify the economy,” he said.
President Buhari said the strong relationship that has been established between Nigeria and India over the years could be further explored in creating a competitive edge, and mutual advantage for both countries in agriculture, trade and skills transfer.
He said his administration will continue to welcome innovative ideas in the gas, technology and agricultural sectors to reposition the economy.
President Buhari said that Nigeria will strengthen cooperation with the Asian country on education, technology transfer and military training.
“The relationship between Nigeria and India is a long one. The relationship pre-dates Nigeria’s independence and as soon as we got our independence we opened a mission in New Delhi.
“Our relationship cuts across education, military, trade manufacturing and technology. I recall schooling at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington from 1970 to 1973 and the significant role India played in establishing the Nigerian Defence Academy.
“Certainly, you are also the biggest buyer of Nigeria’s crude oil today. We need more of that partnership as Nigeria tries to be more innovative in education, manufacturing and agriculture to diversify the economy.”
This was even as Reddy said that the Indian government is looking forward to consolidating its relationship with the ministries of petroleum, agriculture, Trade and Investment; and Power, Housing and Urban Development for various projects.
The Indian High Commissioner said that the Indian Chamber of Commerce has already created a Nigerian Chapter, with a view to promoting trade, especially in the energy sector.
President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from Ambassador of the Republic of Gambia, Mr. Famara Kassy Gaye; Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Thambirajah Reveenthiran and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Morteza Rahimi Zarchi. [myad]

Bakassi Women Threaten To Protest Naked If Buhari Continues To Ignore Their Plights

Greenbarge Reporters

July 21, 2016

Bakassi women in Cross River state have threatened to go naked in protest and cry to God if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to urgently re-settle them.

Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, who spoke on behalf of the frustrated women, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, said that her people are not cowards and that their silence should not be mistaken for weakness.

She said that she has been busy pacifying the aggrieved women not to take laws into their hands because she sees President Buhari as a man of the people and as her own way of contributing to the unity of the nation.

Ita Giwa said that it was Bakassi land that was ceded and not the people and that they made a choice to remain as Nigerians, regretting that 11 years after, over 4,000 refugees are still wallowing in poverty and suffering because the Federal Government has failed to properly resettle them in their choice location where they registered and voted for their choice candidates during the previous elections.

She said that Bakassi people and the entire people of Cross River State are suffering since the loss of their oil wells and other benefits.

The statement reads in parts: “I am using this medium again to protest the insensitivity of the Federal Government to our collective plight as Bakassi people.

“As far as I know, Bakassi Local Government Area is still in Cross River and it’s constitutionally catered for like every other council areas but sadly we have been neglected. Even the host community has suffered a lot of inconveniences and they are not being encouraged in any way with social facilities.

“The Buhari administration is busy rebuilding the North East but feel so unconcerned about the Bakassi people inspite of the fact that our situation existed before Boko Haram.

“Did we commit a crime by choosing to remain in our fatherland? Why rebuild North East and abandon Bakassi? My people are refugees and they should be rehabilitated.” [myad]

Nigerian Universities Need 100,000 Lecturers To Beef-Up Academic Activities – ASUU

Greenbarge Reporters

July 21, 2016

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said that no fewer than 100,000 lecturers are needed to beef-up academic activities in the nation’s public universities.

The union’s President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, said that going by the report of the 2012 NEEDS assessment survey sponsored by the Federal Government, there are 37,504 academics in the public university system, adding that 70,000 lecturers are needed at that time to serve the universities.

Ogunymi added: “From available records, the system had 37,504 academics during the 2012 NEEDS assessment of universities sponsored by the Federal Government.

“This is grossly inadequate as the system is in need of 100,000 personnel for academic workforce. Out of the 37,504 lecturers in the system as at 2012, only 40 per cent of them had PhDs.

“Today, we have more universities and this means that to actualise the mandate given to them (universities) and remain relevant, the system will need not less than 100,000 lecturers.”

According to Professor Ogunyemi, the development is worrisome and calls for concern as it is a major threat to government’s quest for national transformation and development.

“This is one thing we, as members of ASUU, have been engaging successive governments about. Today, we have less than 40,000 lecturers in the entire university system, which is grossly inadequate.

“There has not been provision for enough manpower over the years in tertiary institutions.”

The unionist recalled that at a time, even the National Universities Commission also came up with an estimate of 60,000 lecturers needed for the university sector alone.”

He said that as that period, the country had less than 20,000 lecturers in the system, adding: “this is made worse today with the proliferation of private universities in the country.

“The demand is more than what the requirement was, four years back.”

Professor Ogunyemi stressed that the union is not against the establishment of more universities, but that in doing so, “there is need to ensure that proper feasibility studies were carried out and requirements met before establishing them.”

He recalled that when the union started engaging the Federal Government on some of the challenges noticed in the system in 1992, one of the main issues was on how to tackle brain drain.

According to him, brain drain is still a major concern even as he said that most scholars have been frustrated out of the system due to poor operational environment.

“There are issues of inadequate facilities for cutting edge research and teaching as well as poor funding to carry out such projects.

“In the 1980s, we lost many of our tested hands from Nigeria to other foreign universities, including neighbouring Ghana.Our lecturers left massively because they wanted to excel.

“The opportunity for them to excel was not within as their major concern, as professionals, is to ensure that they contribute to knowledge and the only way to achieve this is through cutting edge experimental research.”

The ASUU boss also identified poor remuneration as part of the issues affecting the system, adding that it had made the profession unattractive, thereby making it difficult to retain even upcoming scholars.

“We found out that at some points, academics were not only poorly paid, but were given pay packages that could not take them home.

“Lecturers are like other professionals. In those days, many industries came to universities to source for their workforce because of the confidence they had in the system.

“The brilliant scholars we had then would rather choose to remain in the system to contribute to knowledge rather than go to these industries.

“But with the turn of events, they were leaving in their numbers for greener pasture.”

Professor Ogunyemi also cited policy somersault as part of the issues militating against academic workforce in the institutions.

NAN. [myad]

Between Internet Governor And Oshiomhole’s Third Term, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Greenbarge Reporters

July 21, 2016

Many Nigerians, especially Edo indigenes and residents, had patiently waited for the gubernatorial campaign flag off of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Edo State, so as to make some sensible inference and possibly a starter-opinion-projection on the likely candidate to beat in the September 10 election. This was after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had flagged off its own electioneering in the State capital, of course, rescued by a hurriedly secured venue-the Baptist Convention ground, which was the saving grace after the state government in a last-minute show of shame, denied PDP the use of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Interesting conversation ensued in the social media during the APC campaign; and, first to be noticed was the glaring lack of composure by Godwin Obaseki, its governorship candidate. Beside natural elements which threatened that very day, as heavy rainfall nearly marred the event, Obaseki’s address turned out a dismal anti-climax as he virtually relied on a written speech to reel out his campaign promises to the scanty crowd. He even laboured hard to flow through it. It was his first official outing and, indeed, an opportunity to make a good impression of his personality and confidence. But to the chagrin of APC leaders present and viewers who watched the live telecast of the rally at home, he displayed such timidity as never seen in campaign rallies in recent times. A full-paper speech in an age where the norm is gradually becoming how effectively and smoothly a leader can deliver extemporaneously is to say the least disappointing! A bitter pill for APC supporters, no doubt.
So the conversation continued till evening in the social media. But it was not in contention that the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, had stolen the show and without any doubt taken the shine off Obaseki. In aggregate, Oshiomhole spoke for over an hour addressing an apparently uninspired crowd, while Obaseki could only utilize 20 minutes or thereabout to read his prosaic speech. Unfortunately for the APC candidate who is still operating under the controversial shadow of Oshiomhole as a “puppet-candidate” (apologies to Twitter folks), PDP’s Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu continues to be in firm control of his own campaign structure as the main actor. Ize-Iyamu who was about the same time addressing a rally of enthusiastic PDP supporters and sympathizers in Uromi, was in his full elements speaking to issues that will shape his administration when elected and exposing the failures and failings of Oshiomhole’s government as well as the political deficits of his crony-candidate, Obaseki.
Back to the PDP flag off in Benin, notwithstanding the last-minute change of venue, the PDP campaign was well organized and it was one of the best moments for the party in the last eight years. Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who was the bulwark of the political machinery that produced Oshiuomhole’s eight-year governorship, did not disappoint as opposition’s battle axe or arrowhead. He used the occasion to showcase his personality as a candidate who is effectively prepared for the job. Aside his characteristic rendition of political cum religious songs to enliven the mammoth crowd, he virtually took control of his speech and did not waste time to bury himself in paper presentation. Believe it, the fact that Edo State is now winnable for the PDP has rekindled the hope of the party members not only statewide but also nationwide. Since its flag off, the PDP campaign train has wasted no time in hitting different parts of the State, in clear steps ahead of the APC campaign train.
Still on the online conversation, before the end of that day when APC flagged off its campaign, there was an interesting conclusion, which is that It was not so difficult for online and social media influencers who had also watched the PDP campaign flag off to conclude that: “It would be easier for Adams Oshiomhole to win a third term than for Godwin Obaseki to win on September 10, 2016.” It was a damning, hurting verdict for the APC governorship candidate. And except there is a change in campaign strategy, which will require Oshiomhole who has assumed a new false role as the political lord and Kingmaker of Edo, to step aside, Obaseki’s campaign may never fly. Even if Obaseki is a political neophyte, he should be allowed enough time to speak to the people he wants to govern and not made to make feeble appearances from behind Oshiomhole or the comrade governor’s shadows.
Added to the campaign burden of Obaseki who is battling to gain public approval is actually the question about his sense of preparedness to preside over the “Heartbeat” of Nigeria. If his poor showing at the flag off is anything to worry about, then his second major campaign in Auchi was a disaster back-to-back: “One key infrastructure which I will bring to support our youths to create business will be internet,” says Mr. Obaseki, who has now been baptized with a new name, to wit: Internet Governor. Obaseki’s gaffe is a ten-second video that is trending in the social media. It has become one of his undoings. APC social media warriors have tentatively given up, and except a miracle happens, and Obaseki discovers a new form that can revive their spirit, so shall they remain disconsolate.
In a likely repeat of PDP’s exploit in Ekiti State in 2014 in an election that saw Ayo Fayose defeat an incumbent ACN (APC) governor, Kayode Fayemi, the possibility of a landslide victory for the PDP is looking feasible ahead of the Edo governorship election. The APC has suffered its worse public acceptance in Edo since May 29, 2015 when it took power at the centre. By every measure of political projection, it is in a defeatist mood, even as core members have come to admit that a rigging of any sort will only reduce the gap of defeat. But then, credible reports indicate that Edo people who rallied support for Oshiomhole in 2007 in his fight to reclaim his mandate in court in 2008 are ready to resist any Machiavellian electoral strategy by the governor. As it is, the Edo verdict even before September 10 election, is a nay vote for Oshiomhole who sees Obaseki as his third term project and the APC candidate who is relying on the Internet as his proposed infrastructure to create jobs.
The people are tired of Oshiomhole’s lies and propaganda packaged as truth all these years, especially in his second tenure. They had given their mandate in 2007 to a supposed labour leader who would govern them with the compassionate heart of a labour man, and one who would not amass wealth at the expense of the masses and to the detriment of good governance. Unfortunately that is not the story today. It is alleged that his mansions and property in Nigeria and abroad are worth billions of Naira. Accountability is said to be far away from governance in Edo, while transparency, especially in costs of projects, has become elusive. What is currently beating in the Heartbeat of Nigeria is the real fear that Oshiomhole has mortgaged the future of the state and its people as they have begun to buckle under debt burden.
Today, the once very popular comrade governor has become increasingly unsecured as a governor because he is afraid of the future. The fear of an independent-minded successor exposing the alleged sacrilege that he has committed in the financial sanctuary of Edo State appears to be plaguing him. But instead of nursing a founded fear, Oshiomhole can start doing the needful by returning the purportedly pilfered commonwealth of Edo people. Only by this act of penitence can any form of squander mania in Edo be forgiven. The disposition in several quarters is that Oshiomhole should not contemplate gambling with a likely victory for his “puppet-candidate.” The governor, as contended, even has more to fear because the enemies within his own camp are enough to cause him a scandalous defeat on September 10. Anyhow, the nays (to him and Obaseki) have it….

Ojeifo contributed this piece from Abuja. [myad]

Ministers Share Jokes Before Wednesday FEC

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2016

From right: Ministers of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Solid Mineral Resources, Kayode Fayemi; Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau sharing some jokes and banters shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 20.

Also in relaxed mood before the FEC meeting were the FCT minister, Muhammad Musa Bello (r) and minister of budget and national planning, Udoma Udo Udoma.

President Buhari and his cabinet members at attention as the national anthem is being played to signal the beginning of the FEC meeting at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja. [myad]

Pay Workers In 30 Days Or We Battle With You, Labour Warns Kogi Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2016

Organized labour has asked the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to pay the workers in the state their accumulated seven month salaries within 30 days or face a strike action.

Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama, issued the ultimatum at a rally organized by their respective state chapters on Wednesday at the NLC office in Lokoja.

Wabba told the workers that no reasonable government would owe salaries for seven months even as he emphasized that labour would go on strike if the governor refuses to address lingering issues and stop the usage of two banks for workers to access their “fundamental human rights.”

The NLC president hailed the workers for their determination to press home their demands despite intimidation from the state government and its apparatus.

“Let me salute you for your courage and determination to pay the ultimate price for your fundamental human rights in the face of threat and intimidation.

“All over the world, nobody gets his right while sitting down and watching without taking any drastic action; there is price for liberty everywhere in the world which is vigilance.

“We have heard about your predicaments and we thought we cannot have the comfort of sitting in Abuja without coming to see and confirm the report we received.

“With our collective strength and unity, we shall surely overcome these predicaments caused by our leaders.”

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that no arm of government under his watch would mismanage public funds.

The TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama, also said that the union would not allow impunity against any worker in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Austin Etabor, he urged the workers to be united as one indivisible force, keeping their hope alive by defending their rights. [myad]

We Have Defeated Boko Haram, Interior Minister Assures

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2016

The Minister of Interior, retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau, has assured Nigerians that the military had defeated the Boko Haram fighters in the North East.
Dambazau, who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at a two-day seminar with the theme: “Media Engagement in Crises Situation for Military, Security and Response Agencies,” said: “the war in the North-East with the Boko Haram has been fought and won – as the Boko Haram elements have been routed, degraded and are being decimated.
“The task before us is winning the peace, as the victims are gradually returning to their homes, while government is rebuilding, reconciling, and rehabilitating the victims.
“We are also in the phase where crisis management and communication become indispensable to build confidence and consensus among the people.”
The retired General, who spoke through a Director in the Ministry, Willy Bassey, said that the Federal Government is now focused on rebuilding and relocating the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) to their respective communities and homes.

He said also that government is now focused on partnering with the media to ensure that information is properly managed.
According to Dambazau, the country is currently faced with security challenges in form of cattle rustling, pastoralists and farmers clashes, militancy, kidnapping, cultism and secession agitations, which required effective media management.
He added that if information is not properly managed by the media, it could create a gulf between the people and government, which would lead to undesirable outcomes and possibly engender crises.

“The media as a watchdog of the society is duty-bound to report the truth and balanced report while avoiding sensationalism, half truth, embellishment, misinformation, falsehood and blackmail.
“Journalists should ensure internal cohesion, unity and harmony rather than fanning disunity, ethnic and religious disharmony, panic and fear as is being experienced in the Social Media.”
Dambazau said the ministry was currently formulating and implementing new policies to boost operations of five security outfits under the ministry.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crises Communication, , retired Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, said that the seminar is aimed at bridging the gap in communication between the people, government and the media.
Anas said the seminar would brainstorm and proffer solutions to the existing communication gaps with the hope of mobilizing stakeholders to promote effective communication management in the country.
The seminar was partly organized by the Centre for Crisis Communication.
Participants who attended the programme included information officers from the Defence Headquarters, Army, Navy, Air Force, the Police and Department of State Services.
Others are the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Prisons Service, National Intelligence Agency, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission among others. [myad]

I Received Series Of Attacks From Christians For 6 Years – Oritsejafor

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2016

The immediate past President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Founder of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has revealed that his most challenging period as CAN President for six years was the series of attacks he received from Christians.

Oritsejafor, who handed over the leadership of the central Christian body on Wednesday to his successor, Dr. Supo Samson Ayokunle, emphasized that his most challenging period was when the Christians, who he was defending were the one turning back to stand against him.

He said that despite all odds, he was able to complete his tenure successfully, even as he looked back to when he took the mantle of leadership at the time the road was seriously rough.

“We came in a period when the challenges of the church had reached a point that lots of Christians in Nigeria had been displaced from their home and churches.

“Some pastors, particularly in northern Nigeria, were closing their churches. Lots of fellow Nigerians had become internally displaced persons in their homes.”

Oritsejafor called on Nigerian, particularly the Christian faithful, to stand behind Ayokunle and his team for the body (CAN) to be able to withstand the challenges.

“To all Christians in Nigeria, we are entering a more challenging period in the history of our nation. Unfortunately, it is also the time that we seem to view CAN with some contempt.

“Yes! CAN may have her challenges, but for now we have no other body that unite us as CAN. So, we must revere the structure and leadership. Let us continue to pray for our land and leaders.”

The new leader, Ayokunle, who is also President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, said that although CAN would be a partner in progress, but that it would not fail to speak against the excesses of political leadership, even when the situation is not favourable.

He also called on government to take decisive step against those religious fanatics who are attacking Christians, describing them as threat to the unity of Nigeria.

“We are committed to supporting the governments of the day in Nigeria, both the federal and state in all ways to achieve noble goals that would lead to development in the nation.

“CAN is not anti-government and the government should not be anti-CAN. We are supposed to be partners-in-progress. Each should respect the boundaries that would lead to mutual respect.

“However, we are not going to patronize the government and thereby fail in our responsibilities to speak against the excesses of those in political leadership. The church is in the world to improve the world and shine as light of the world.

“The church essentially is not of the world. We should stand out courageously and stand clean. We are aware that we are called to serve the body of Christ at the most challenging time for the church.”

Ayokunle, who chronicled the recent attacks on Christians across the country, call on the government of the day to take decisive action over these occurrences because it is their constitutional duty to do so.

“We shall not stop crying out for the government to do justice until we see that justice is done. Silence or inaction by those in government would continue to make the Christians express no confidence in them until they are ready to defend the rights of Christians and all Nigerians in this nation.”

The CAN President also called on the past leadership of the body and churches to forgive each other and work for unity of one body, adding that the support of all and sundry is imperative for the survival of the new leadership.

“Without unity in CAN, there cannot be progress. By the grace of God we intend to lead CAN whose leadership is above board and would be able tom provide credible leadership for Christians and other Nigerians to follow.

“I appeal once again that we let all in-fightings and name callings come to an end. Let us embrace one another as members of God’s family where is no North, South, West or East.” [myad]

Senator Ndoma-Egba Gets NDDC Plum Job From Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2016

Ex Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has landed a big job as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as President Muhammadu Buhari has just forwarded his name to the Senate for confirmation.

The President, who forwarded Ndoma-Egba’s name in a letter to the Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday, also included the name of Nsima Ekere as the Managing Director of the commission to take over from Mrs. Ibim Semenitari who is currently acting as MD of the commission.

Ndoma-Egba was born on 8 March 1956 in Ikom, Cross River State. He has an LL.B degree from the University of Lagos and an LLM degree from the University of Calabar, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978 and was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2004. He has been Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar Branch, and President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce. He has also been Director of the Cross River Basin and Rural Development Authorityy, and Honourable Commissioner for Works & Transport.

Victor Ndoma-Egba was elected as senator in the 5th (2003–2007) National Assembly, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, and was re-elected in 2007 for a further four-year term.

Senator Ndoma-Egba was a member of senate committees on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Information and Media. He was one time deputy chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Nigerian Senate.

He was the Senate leader in the seventh assembly. His style and temper fostered the evolution of the Nigerian Senate into a vibrant regal institution with a cohesive bond; forged by commitment to the common good.

In his first term in the Senate, in 2003, Ndoma-Egba had the unique honour of being the first senator to chair the media and publicity committee.

In May 2008, Ndoma-Egba spoke in favor of reform of the Nigeria Police Act, which came into effect on April 1, 1943 and has essentially been unchanged since that time. [myad]

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