How do I begin to pay this tribute to a man who was the epitome of civility, the archetype of intellectualism, and the paragon of loyalty? How do I begin to mourn James Ocholi, whom you can describe as one of my right hand men in the quest to reposition our country, and fashion a land of peace and prosperity, where no man is oppressed?
A lot has been written about Ocholi since the tragic event of March 6, 2016, which took the life of our Minister of State, Labour and Employment, his wife, Blessing, and his son, Joshua. And a lot more will be written, for Ocholi was no mean man. He was a man among men, an Iroko in a forest of trees. How are the mighty fallen! Among many other positive and pleasant things, I will always remember Ocholi for his loyalty to our beloved country Nigeria, loyalty to our party, the All Progressives Congress, and loyalty to our administration, in which he had served for just about 4 months, before death took him.
In 2011, Ocholi ran to be governor of Kogi State on the platform of our then party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). I believed so much in him, and in his ability to add value to the governance of his state, that I followed him round the state on campaign. We visited all the local governments, visited the paramount rulers, and urged the people to vote in a worthy man as governor. But politics is a peculiar game in Nigeria. The best often does not win. Ocholi did not win. But he bore it gracefully.
In 2015, he threw his hat into the ring again. He sought to be governor on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he had helped midwife. He still did not win at the party primaries, an eventuality he bore gracefully again. When the APC was being negotiated into existence among the Legacy Parties, Ocholi did a yeoman’s job, contributing his quota to the legal processes. This he did under a junior lawyer, who was not a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) like him then. But what mattered to Ocholi was the birth of a strong, solid party, which could wrest power at the centre, and bring change to our country. Hierarchy is important in the legal profession, just as it is in the military. But Ocholi subordinated pride and ego, served under his subordinate, and APC was born.
Dream became reality.
Steadily but sure-footedly, he was part of the Change Cabinet, resolved to bring our country from out of the woods, and pedestal Nigeria among the greats in the comity of nations. Then the unthinkable happened. The Grim Reaper harvested Ocholi. What a pity! Sad and tragic. But we have this consolation: the departed has taught us fidelity, commitment and loyalty to party, to government, and to God. He will be sorely missed.
Muhammadu Buhari is the President of Nigeria and wrote in from Abuja. [myad]
I have debated this matter with economists and business developers over the years, but I believe it’s now time to put it out to the public, if not for anything, at least so that we all know where we stand. Aviation has proven to be a without-which-not in the global and borderless world economy; where companies are headquartered and controlled in one city while its activities can be alive and across the length and breadth of the world. But the decision makers of those organizations are often required to appear physically in those countries where their businesses are scattered, for various negotiations and big decisions. Air travel hence becomes a dependable ally to accomplish such trips saving time and achieving more results within the shortest possible time. In our country, big time business people as well as government officials will continue to rely on air travel to meet up with their travel needs to remain on top of their games.
But nothing in the Nigeria historical development has challenged the nation like the inadequacy of reliable air travel platform. The nation’s government has experimented with National airlines and consequently ran out of gas as things hit the dead ends, leaving commentators with the expression “defunct Nigerian Airways” etc. High net worth individual investors, even those with commendable successes in other business endeavors, have had theirs fingers burnt investing in aviation in Nigeria. We have had nice, but failed, attempts that can frightens even the most redoubtable investor when he or she examines the credential of any good Nigerian pilot or engineer who can boast of over 30 years experience in the Nigeria aviation industry. Such airman credentials would impress you to know that he or she had worked for airlines such as Okada Air; Oriental Air; Kabo Air, ADC Airlines; EAS Airlines as well as Albarka Air. Others are Nicon Airways; Nigeria Airways; Air Nigeria; Sosoliso and the rest of them. Realistically and essentially, such reminding raises a red flag as it leaves you wondering what the jinx that not even one of those nice airlines is still flying.
A critical examination of the goings in the Nigeria financial institutions will also reveal that no commercial bank in Nigeria granted facility to any airline investor in Nigeria over the past five years; and nothing shows they will anytime soon.
Somebody would at this point be asking me “then why are you professional aviators still there and not find somethings else to do with your lives”. The answer is “passion.” The truth is that the mind boggling gloom in our industry rests squarely in just one place “ticket pricing”
To understand this, one has to critically examine the pricing of other products and services adhering strictly to international standards while at the same time doing well in Nigeria. A deep look at those products and services imported from developed countries into our society which sustains international standards, and then compare the pricing attached to them by percentage difference, in comparison to pricing attached to air ticket in Nigeria, you will then begin to appreciate the challenges and predicament of Nigeria scheduled passenger aviation.
For instance, to survive in Nigeria, international hotel brands adhering strictly to standards price between 150% to 200% costs of their home country room rate. If you ever require insurance cover in which an international insurance organization is needed to share risk of cover in Nigeria, the premium is always up above 150% of values paid in the developed countries. Again, cost of financing, when you able to find international lending interest rate as low as 3%, by the time you get through with local guaranteeing applications, goes up above 9%, just to be modest, because the interest rate could nudge up into double digits. That is above 300% increase for Nigeria application on international finance. This is just to mention but a few, I can go on and on.
Let’s not forget that aviation is still more a challenging endeavor than those few sampled above. Aviation is one feild of endeavor where you can never be able to domestic anything beyond hiring crew members that will eventually and inevitably be traveling overseas to carry out their proficiency and recurrent trainings nonetheless. Therefore, any attempt at pricing aviation services like agricultural products will remain counterproductive.
Furthermore, when you compare ticket pricing with the rest of the world, it floods to our minds why things are gloomy in the industry here in our society. In Europe, for instance, it costs €240, on the average, to fly from Munich to Hamburg which is the equivalent flight time from Lagos to Calabar or Kaduna which costs about N28,000, one-way economy-class ticket. In the U.S, it costs average of $300 to fly the same equivalent flight time from Houston to Oklahoma.
Moving forward, in Europe, it costs average of €200 to fly from Stuttgart to Hamburg, the equivalent flight time of Lagos to Abuja which costs average of N25,000, while a corresponding U.S route flight time of New Orleans to Houston will cost you an average of $220. When you compare many other routes around the world and do the maths, it appears that Nigeria airlines ticket fare has stayed around 50% of their contemporaries elsewhere in the world.
Some of my colleagues have argued that some smaller airlines in some smaller countries have done well, but priced slightly lower than the developed world. My take on that is to look carefully at the ease-of-doing-business and aviation policy thrust and stability which may be acting as mitigating factors in such smaller countries.
At this point, I must state clearly that my point here is not to opine that Nigerian traveling public can afford to pay over N60,000 to fly an economy-class from Lagos to Calabar or Kaduna, or N45,000 for Lagos to Abuja or Port Harcourt. Because if that happens, the few Nigerians that can afford to pay for a room at Hilton Transcorp Abuja are just about the multitude that will be able to fly our airlines. Mine is to call it as I see it, to bring home the truth. Remember, the above two routes sample costs are just converting the exact route price at central bank rate and at their 100% value. If we drive them up to 150% “Doing Business in Nigeria” factor, you will have N90,000 and N67,000 respectively for the two group sample routes economy-class costs.
Again, somebody would be saying at this point, “if that is the case, why can’t you guys speak up?” Great! Those with audible voices erroneously continue to think they will gain market advantage if others fall off the cliff, and thereby maintain selfish posture of “those who cannot stand the heat should get out of the kitchen”, but in the end they too get out of the kitchen.
I believe that someday, not long from now, government and stakeholders will seat and look things straight in the face to fashion a way forward which will guarantee that our society remains relevant in the global world economy, of which aviation in one of the main basic fundamentals.
Capt. Evarest Nnaji, Managing Director/CEO of OAS Helicopters wrote in from Maryland Heliport, Lagos. [myad]
The National Economic Council (NEC), made of the governors of the 36 states of the federation have scheduled a two-day Retreat next week beginning Monday. President Muhammadu Buhari will deliver the keynote address during the formal opening session.
A statement from the spokesman of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who will chair the retreat, Mr. Laolu Akande, said that the Central Bank Governor and the Budget & Planning Minister were among other top government functionaries that will attend the retreat.
Akande said that the objective of the NEC Retreat is to provide a forum for in-depth discussions by NEC members of the policy actions that the States and the Federal Government can consider in order to stimulate local production, cut costs and enhance public revenues among other measures to stimulate the economy.
“Contrary to suggestions, the Retreat is not an emergency national economic conference. The idea was mooted at the last regular NEC meeting in January, where members requested an intensive session to review economic trends and evolve strategies to cope.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that Nigeria has no excuse not to produce enough food to feed its citizens even as he promised to vigorously implement policies that will revive Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reposition it as the mainstay of the national economy.
Speaking today at an audience with the new Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Vesselin Blagoer Delcher, President Buhari said that his administration will evolve and implement policies that will help Nigeria become self-sufficient in food production because continued importation of food could expose the country to more external shocks.
The President noted that the unbridled importation of food also contributes to the depletion of the country’s foreign reserves and deprives citizens of job opportunities.
‘‘We must produce what we eat. We don’t have unlimited resources to continue the importation of food items that can be produced locally.
“Fortunately, some Nigerians have shown foresight by building factories that process agricultural products within the country.
‘‘They have created a value chain that boosts employment, protects our foreign reserves and safeguards the economy from external shocks.
“We will do all that we can to encourage others to join in the effort to achieve national self-sufficiency in food production,” President Buhari said.
The President said that his administration will also help and encourage Nigerian farmers to adopt modern, technology-driven methods that guarantee higher production and returns on investment.
President Buhari, who also received Mr. Paul Lehmann, the new High Commissioner of Australia, Hajiya Afsatu Olayinka Ebiso-Kabba, the new High Commissioner of Sierra-Leone and Thordur Aegir Oskarsson, the new Ambassador of Iceland, told them that Nigeria will welcome the further strengthening of relations with their countries, especially in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals and trade.
The President wished the four envoys, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence to him, very successful tenures in Nigeria. [myad]
In fulfillment of his promise to tackle Boko Haram terrorism, then turn his attention to crude oil thefts and the sabotage of oil installations in the Delta region of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari went on a two-day state visit to the Equatorial Guinea.
When he took power, the President made a classic statement to the effect that “you have to secure the country to efficiently manage it.” To this day, security remains a key priority of his administration.
As disclosed in an earlier statement, the latest visit focused heavily on the planned joint efforts to police the Gulf of Guinea against pirates, saboteurs and crude oil thieves.
The major takeaway of the Presidential visit is the signing of an agreement allowing both countries to put in place a ” robust mechanism for the effective coordination and management of security issues between the two countries to enable them eradicate maritime crimes and encourage peace and security in the region.”
President Buhari was accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Defence, retired Brig.Gen. Mansur Dan Ali, the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Khadijah Abba Ibrahim, the National Security Adviser, Maj.Gen. Babagana Munguno and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment Aliyu Bisallah.
The national security establishment, especially the Navy was adequately represented.
What is this agreement about?
The agreement is for the establishment of a combined policing and security patrol committee to oversee, manage, coordinate,plan and direct the execution of combined policing and security operations along the defined common maritime border of both countries.
In drawing up this agreement, a contentious issue, especially for the Equatorial Guineans was whether a patrol team of one country can cross the territorial boundary of the other.
Equatorial Guinea is a very small country whose area covers only 28,000 square kilometers. Its total population is about 1,2000,000.
Being the only Spanish-speaking sovereign African country, this tiny country had lived with the fear of its invasion by powerful neighbors especially Gabon, Cameroon and Nigeria.
It was hard convincing them that a foray into their territory by Nigerians, or the other way round, where necessitated by a hot pursuit of criminals is in the best interest of the two countries.
Nigerian officials calmed down their fears with assurances that a peaceful and stable Equatorial Guinea is in the best interest of Nigeria; that you don’t reward good neighborliness with aggression.
Equatorial Guinea has always been our good neighbor.
When we fought our unfortunate civil war, they refused to let any part of their territory be used either by Spain or France which were pro-Biafra.
They also refused to yield to apartheid South-African pressure for an inch of space to use for launching hostile acts against Nigeria.
The signed agreement represents the shared concern about the escalation of maritime crimes such as piracy,illegal fishing,poaching,attacks by armed groups,illegal oil bunkering,smuggling of goods,drugs, human and arms trafficking,sabotage and vandalization of oil rigs and installations,banditry, harassment of crew members and sabotage and the vandalization of ocean-going vessels.
A recent escalation of pipeline vandalism has seen gas supplies to Nigerian power plants plummet by about 50 percent and crude oil exports reduced by between 250,000-400,000 barrels a day.
Generally,then, the idea is to eradicate maritime crimes and encourage the consolidation of peace and security along our common maritime border for the common good of our peoples and the stability of the region.
The composition of the committee is to comprise members in equal representation drawn from the armed forces,intelligence agencies,police, customs, immigration, gendarmerie and their ministries of foreign affairs.
It is to be chaired by Defence ministers who will rotate its leadership every four months. Meetings will hold every four months between Abuja and Malabo.
The agreement provides for combined air and maritime operations along the defined common maritime border of the two states.
Arising from this, there will be set up a Combined Air Patrol Squad (CAPS) and a Combined Maritime Patrol Squad (CMPS).
As to be expected, these combined patrol squads are to be jointly funded and equipped. They will coordinate their activities with existing national security agencies of both states. They will also cash in on available international support.
They are empowered to “track down, intercept, inspect, search and arrest suspected persons, vehicles, vessels and goods, including goods in transit, along the defined maritime border corridor of the parties (to this agreement).”
It is equally in the agreement that the patrols may hand over any persons or vessels suspected of either committing or aiding or abetting the commission of any crime to the appropriate authorities in either country for investigation and possible prosecution.
The agreement is valid for five years, subject to renewal upon agreement by the two states.
When he met a representation of the Nigerian community in Malabo, the President delivered his toughest rhetoric so far against corruption.
He announced that his administration will be “relentless and ruthless against those who abuse public trust.
“In Kaduna state in Nigeria,” he told his audience in an effort to demonstrate the depth corruption, the Governor informed him that a whole primary school existed on paper, nothing on the ground. Every month, salaries are calculated along with overheads and paid into the pockets of officials.
He then warned that “I will not spare anybody found to be corrupt. My warning fell on deaf ears in the National Assembly. Last time I spoke about the issue, I said that I heard about padding the budget for the first time following what happened with our 2016 draft. The bureaucrats removed what we wrote, after reading the budget and bowing before the National Assembly.
“The Minister of health exposed what they did. They showed him his budget and he said I can’t defend what I didn’t write. He walked out. They removed what we wrote. They are going to regret what they did. They steal to build houses in Abuja. We will put them in prison, seize the houses, sell them and put the money in the treasury. Those who think they can challenge us (in this anti-corruption war), we will see who wins in the end.”
The President also sent two important messages to the population at home through the Nigerian community in Malabo.
One, he would rather spend money taking care of fellow citizens displaced by war than embarking on grandiose projects such as a national airline.
“My first priority is the two million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. I’am not thinking of a national carrier. I would rather clear poverty (in the country), build infrastructure such as roads, rail, power and agriculture so that able-bodied Nigerians will get jobs.”
The second important message is on ongoing violence in states such as Rivers, where “more people are being killed than anywhere.”
Violence before and during election is, in his view, a bigger threat to the aspiration of Nigeria’s diaspora to vote in future elections.
“I am still not satisfied with our elections, given what I saw happen in Kogi and Bayelsa states. I didn’t run for this office four times for nothing. One thing I have learnt is to be patriotic and to respect Nigerians. I will show respect to them by allowing their right to choose who will lead them.”
But he said at the same time that he will not allow anyone, “because they have money or social status to beat people or steal ballot boxes.”
Against the backdrop of the signed agreement, the President optimistically said that crude oil thieves and saboteurs of oil installations in the Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola are ” on their last lap.”
By undertaking this two day visit, President Buhari has turned his attention to an important neighbor. The President seemed clearly determined to give Malabo the strategic priority the country deserves.
With a stronger partnership between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, the two countries are equally set to reenact trade. Bilateral trade between them has collapsed. From about USD 300 million in 2009, trade was down to about USD 73 million last year. When they meet in May under the auspices of the Joint Commission, the two states are expected to finalize their positions on a trade agreement and another one on cooperation on oil and gas.
After many wasted years, the altered security and the politico-economic reality of the Gulf of Guinea appear to necessitate a strong partnership between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Hopefully, this will be to the benefit of both states.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari. [myad]
A Nigerian Army Major and one other soldier were reportedly killed today in Abonnema, in Akuku-Toru local government area of River state less than 48 hours before the Saturday supplementary elections in the state.
Report reaching us indicated that the soldiers ran into an ambush set up by militants in the volatile state.
This is even as the Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of two soldiers by suspected sea pirates in Rivers State. Captain Elli Lazarus, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, said that a Major and one soldier were killed after an exchange of gunfire with suspected sea pirates in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. “At about 11am on Thursday, March 17, troops on patrol in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers had a fierce encounter with a group of unknown gunmen suspected to be sea pirates. “Our men displayed extraordinary gallantry, but unfortunately, an officer and a soldier, who sustained various degrees of injury during the encounter, lost their lives. “We are currently in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely apprehend them.” Lazarus, however, urged residents of the state to go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation. He assured them that the Army had made necessary arrangements to ensure sustainable peace and security of lives and properties before, during and after the parliamentary elections in the state. [myad]
Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Mr. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, has explained that the Religious Preaching Bill aims to protect the state from religious extremism and hate speech.
The Deputy Governor told a delegation of the Kaduna State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that the government has a duty to ensure that religious violence no longer threatens the state. He said that the Kaduna State Government is always committed to ensuring that religion can be practised in a safe and secure climate.
“We swore to uphold the Constitution which recognises the freedom of religion and thought as fundamental rights. The same Constitution obliges us to ensure the safe exercise of these rights by legislating in the interest of public safety, public order, public morality or public health, and for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.
“This is not a new law. It has existed since 1984, with amendments in 1987 and 1996. The military governments which created the law were responding to outbreaks of religious violence such as Maitatsine in 1983; the riots after the Kafanchan incidence of 1987.
“This is the first time that the legislation is passing through a democratic process, with all the transparency that the public hearing and other legislative processes of the House of Assembly entails. Proposing this amendment is a deliberate decision by the government to subject the law to a democratic process, rather than just enforce the provisions of the edict as passed since 1984.
“Kaduna State has a history of religious/sectarian crisis and what this Bill seeks to do is not anything new but to learn from painful experience, and discourage the use of religion for violence and division. The Bill, by virtue of Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution, is in order and does not offend the provisions of the constitution. The provisions of the Bill are in tandem with the Constitution.
“There is nothing in the Bill that suggests any effort to abolish, stop or derogate on the freedom of religion and religious beliefs. It merely seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in the State are conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons.”
The CAN delegation was led by the state chairman, Bishop George Dodo who assured the government that CAN is preparing its position for submission to the House of Assembly and the state executive. [myad]
“If he (Rotimi Amaechi) dares comes to anybody’s polling booth and you see him, beat him thoroughly. I will show him that I am the Governor of Rivers State. I challenge him to move around.”
These were the words of Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers state as the state get set to go into the rerun legislative elections on Saturday this week.
At the grand finale of the PDP campaign rally held at Ikwerre Local government area, Wike alleged that the party had uncovered a plan by the APC to “swap original election result sheets on the voting day”.
Governor Wike, who flipped a list purported to be the list of INEC Returning Officers stressed that “INEC has recruited APC members as adhoc staff.”
“We know their plans. They have arranged how to swap original results on that day. They want to do it Amina Zakari. Tell them we have passed that stage. Is this how Nigeria wants to change? We heard Amaechi will be moving from polling booth to polling booth. Let him try it.
This was even as Amaechi insisted that he would go round during the Election Day and that Wike cannot do anything to stop him.
At rally held in Etche Local government area, Amaechi vowed to dare Wike on Election Day, adding that he will move around to show Wike that he is more powerful than him.
According to Amaechi, it is important to stop the Governor from intimidating the people of the state. [myad]
The FCT Administration has declared that the request by the promoters of the Centenary city project for the revocation of the development agreement between the Centenary City Plc and the FCT Administration is untenable and unrealistic. The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello made this declaration today at the National Assembly during the public hearing on the Centenary project by the Senate Committee on the FCT. Malam Bello revealed that the Centenary City Plc wrote the FCT Administration requesting for the revocation of a valid development agreement which was duely executed by the two parties as a pre condition to access the over 1, 200 hectares of land for the development of the city. His words: Frankly speaking the Centenary City Plc is seeking to operate a parallel authority within the FCT. If not, how do you explain a situation where by the company is asking for the cancelation of the agreement between us and them only to enforce a third party agreement signed between them and another government agency”. He reiterated that the project was a unique and well conceived idea which the administration is proud to be part of, insisting however, that the agreement clearly spelt out the obligations of each party in the project. The minister said the arrangement which the company is trying to implement was reached between it and the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) which was signed after the company had earlier entered into a pact with the FCT Administration which qualified it to embark on the project. He said the free trade zone status which the company is seeking to enforce did form part of the agreement between it and the FCT Administration. Malam Bello therefore insisted that the administration cannot allow another set of laws to regulate any part of the territory, stressing that the matter has been forwarded to the office the Attorney General of the Federation for legal advise on whether it is proper to have an entity within the Federal Capital Territory operating outside the the FCTA laws. He said while the administration remains committed to genuine efforts by investors to join hands in the development of the FCT, there is need for all the areas which are not agreeable to the FCT Administration to be further discussed so that the project can continue without any hitches. “It can be clearly seen that implementing the NEPZA agreement in the Centenary city would be tantamount to having two governments in one city” the minister said. Speaking eelier, the Chairman of the committee Senator Dino Melaye told the gathering that the meeting was called in order to identify the challenges that have hindered the smooth implementation of the Centenary city project. He said the project which was conceived as a land mark for the attainment of Nigeria’s one hundred years as a nation would be of immense benefit to the country which the Senate as an institution would all that is necessary to make sure that it is realized. [myad]
The Police Commissioner in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Wilson Inalegwu has warned political gladiators in the April 9 Area Council election to stop what he called political rascality.
He made it clear that the law enforcement agents would be fully alive to their responsibilities before, during and after the elections, adding: “enough of rascality.”
The police boss spoke today at a security meeting presided over by the minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello at the Banquet Hall of the Minister’s Residence, Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.
The meeting was held to assess the general security situation as the FCT Area Councils’ Election approaches.
Inalegwu condemned the recent political violence in Abaji Area Council, describing the perpetrators as fugitives as they no longer sleep in their houses even as he gave assurance that the Police is on their trail.
He vowed that they would be brought to book.
Addressing the meeting, the minister, Muhammad Bello stressed that under no circumstance should the security agencies allow anybody bring about the breakdown of law and order in any part of the Territory.
“The Security Agents must fish out perpetrators of the violent attack and should be made to face the full wrath of the law because nobody is above the law,” Muhammad Bello emphasized.
“I urge you (security Agencies) to arrest any of those involved in the Abaji incident and make them as examples to others, even if the perpetrators are sitting Council Chairman here, because the law is no respecter of anybody.”
The Minister reiterated that all the political parties, particularly the contestants must check their overzealous supporters and put their houses in order. [myad]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
How do I begin to pay this tribute to a man who was the epitome of civility, the archetype of intellectualism, and the paragon of loyalty? How do I begin to mourn James Ocholi, whom you can describe as one of my right hand men in the quest to reposition our country, and fashion a land of peace and prosperity, where no man is oppressed?
In 2011, Ocholi ran to be governor of Kogi State on the platform of our then party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). I believed so much in him, and in his ability to add value to the governance of his state, that I followed him round the state on campaign. We visited all the local governments, visited the paramount rulers, and urged the people to vote in a worthy man as governor. But politics is a peculiar game in Nigeria. The best often does not win. Ocholi did not win. But he bore it gracefully.
Important Takeaways From President Buhari’s Trip To Equatorial Guinea, By Garba Shehu
In fulfillment of his promise to tackle Boko Haram terrorism, then turn his attention to crude oil thefts and the sabotage of oil installations in the Delta region of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari went on a two-day state visit to the Equatorial Guinea.
When he took power, the President made a classic statement to the effect that “you have to secure the country to efficiently manage it.” To this day, security remains a key priority of his administration.
As disclosed in an earlier statement, the latest visit focused heavily on the planned joint efforts to police the Gulf of Guinea against pirates, saboteurs and crude oil thieves.
The major takeaway of the Presidential visit is the signing of an agreement allowing both countries to put in place a ” robust mechanism for the effective coordination and management of security issues between the two countries to enable them eradicate maritime crimes and encourage peace and security in the region.”
President Buhari was accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Defence, retired Brig.Gen. Mansur Dan Ali, the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Khadijah Abba Ibrahim, the National Security Adviser, Maj.Gen. Babagana Munguno and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment Aliyu Bisallah.
The national security establishment, especially the Navy was adequately represented.
What is this agreement about?
The agreement is for the establishment of a combined policing and security patrol committee to oversee, manage, coordinate,plan and direct the execution of combined policing and security operations along the defined common maritime border of both countries.
In drawing up this agreement, a contentious issue, especially for the Equatorial Guineans was whether a patrol team of one country can cross the territorial boundary of the other.
Equatorial Guinea is a very small country whose area covers only 28,000 square kilometers. Its total population is about 1,2000,000.
Being the only Spanish-speaking sovereign African country, this tiny country had lived with the fear of its invasion by powerful neighbors especially Gabon, Cameroon and Nigeria.
It was hard convincing them that a foray into their territory by Nigerians, or the other way round, where necessitated by a hot pursuit of criminals is in the best interest of the two countries.
Nigerian officials calmed down their fears with assurances that a peaceful and stable Equatorial Guinea is in the best interest of Nigeria; that you don’t reward good neighborliness with aggression.
Equatorial Guinea has always been our good neighbor.
When we fought our unfortunate civil war, they refused to let any part of their territory be used either by Spain or France which were pro-Biafra.
They also refused to yield to apartheid South-African pressure for an inch of space to use for launching hostile acts against Nigeria.
The signed agreement represents the shared concern about the escalation of maritime crimes such as piracy,illegal fishing,poaching,attacks by armed groups,illegal oil bunkering,smuggling of goods,drugs, human and arms trafficking,sabotage and vandalization of oil rigs and installations,banditry, harassment of crew members and sabotage and the vandalization of ocean-going vessels.
A recent escalation of pipeline vandalism has seen gas supplies to Nigerian power plants plummet by about 50 percent and crude oil exports reduced by between 250,000-400,000 barrels a day.
Generally,then, the idea is to eradicate maritime crimes and encourage the consolidation of peace and security along our common maritime border for the common good of our peoples and the stability of the region.
The composition of the committee is to comprise members in equal representation drawn from the armed forces,intelligence agencies,police, customs, immigration, gendarmerie and their ministries of foreign affairs.
It is to be chaired by Defence ministers who will rotate its leadership every four months. Meetings will hold every four months between Abuja and Malabo.
The agreement provides for combined air and maritime operations along the defined common maritime border of the two states.
Arising from this, there will be set up a Combined Air Patrol Squad (CAPS) and a Combined Maritime Patrol Squad (CMPS).
As to be expected, these combined patrol squads are to be jointly funded and equipped. They will coordinate their activities with existing national security agencies of both states. They will also cash in on available international support.
They are empowered to “track down, intercept, inspect, search and arrest suspected persons, vehicles, vessels and goods, including goods in transit, along the defined maritime border corridor of the parties (to this agreement).”
It is equally in the agreement that the patrols may hand over any persons or vessels suspected of either committing or aiding or abetting the commission of any crime to the appropriate authorities in either country for investigation and possible prosecution.
The agreement is valid for five years, subject to renewal upon agreement by the two states.
When he met a representation of the Nigerian community in Malabo, the President delivered his toughest rhetoric so far against corruption.
He announced that his administration will be “relentless and ruthless against those who abuse public trust.
“In Kaduna state in Nigeria,” he told his audience in an effort to demonstrate the depth corruption, the Governor informed him that a whole primary school existed on paper, nothing on the ground. Every month, salaries are calculated along with overheads and paid into the pockets of officials.
He then warned that “I will not spare anybody found to be corrupt. My warning fell on deaf ears in the National Assembly. Last time I spoke about the issue, I said that I heard about padding the budget for the first time following what happened with our 2016 draft. The bureaucrats removed what we wrote, after reading the budget and bowing before the National Assembly.
“The Minister of health exposed what they did. They showed him his budget and he said I can’t defend what I didn’t write. He walked out. They removed what we wrote. They are going to regret what they did. They steal to build houses in Abuja. We will put them in prison, seize the houses, sell them and put the money in the treasury. Those who think they can challenge us (in this anti-corruption war), we will see who wins in the end.”
The President also sent two important messages to the population at home through the Nigerian community in Malabo.
One, he would rather spend money taking care of fellow citizens displaced by war than embarking on grandiose projects such as a national airline.
“My first priority is the two million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. I’am not thinking of a national carrier. I would rather clear poverty (in the country), build infrastructure such as roads, rail, power and agriculture so that able-bodied Nigerians will get jobs.”
The second important message is on ongoing violence in states such as Rivers, where “more people are being killed than anywhere.”
Violence before and during election is, in his view, a bigger threat to the aspiration of Nigeria’s diaspora to vote in future elections.
“I am still not satisfied with our elections, given what I saw happen in Kogi and Bayelsa states. I didn’t run for this office four times for nothing. One thing I have learnt is to be patriotic and to respect Nigerians. I will show respect to them by allowing their right to choose who will lead them.”
But he said at the same time that he will not allow anyone, “because they have money or social status to beat people or steal ballot boxes.”
Against the backdrop of the signed agreement, the President optimistically said that crude oil thieves and saboteurs of oil installations in the Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola are ” on their last lap.”
By undertaking this two day visit, President Buhari has turned his attention to an important neighbor. The President seemed clearly determined to give Malabo the strategic priority the country deserves.
With a stronger partnership between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, the two countries are equally set to reenact trade. Bilateral trade between them has collapsed. From about USD 300 million in 2009, trade was down to about USD 73 million last year. When they meet in May under the auspices of the Joint Commission, the two states are expected to finalize their positions on a trade agreement and another one on cooperation on oil and gas.
After many wasted years, the altered security and the politico-economic reality of the Gulf of Guinea appear to necessitate a strong partnership between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Hopefully, this will be to the benefit of both states.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari. [myad]