Nigeria Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has approved the post-humous promotion of the officers in the Yobe State Police Command who lost their lives while trying to contain the menace of Boko Haram yesterday.
A statement issued today by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu quoted the Inspector General as also directing the Medical department to foot the medical bill of the injured officer.
In addition, four children each of the deceased officers will be offered scholarship up to secondary school level while the families will be afforded priority in the budding Police Housing Scheme.
The police boss expressed happiness over the courage and gallantry displayed by officers of the State Police Command in containing the menace of insurgency in the State, adding that he is highly pleased that in spite of imminent challenges, the officers exhibited a high sense of patriotism and dedication to duty.
“While regretting the death in active service of three officers in the unfortunate incident of Monday 20th July, 2015, the IGP observed that but for the indomitable spirit, sacrifice and professionalism of the deceased officers, the terrorists would have detonated the explosives in a high profile target.”
Arase promised that similar gesture will be extended to other officers who paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of fighting insurgency. [myad]
Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari and His US Counterpart, Barack Obama Meeting at the White House
It is typical for an American president to invite a nascent African head of state to the White House, especially less than one month after the latter’s inauguration. To some observers, therefore, US President Barack Obama’s invitation of his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, for a White House parley which began on July 20 would seem to be an aberration and a surprise. But an analysis of both leaders’ circumstances suggests that such a meeting is a no-brainer. To start with, it is instructive to know that Buhari and Obama were elected during a period of economic turmoil and distress. When Obama was elected in 2008 the US economy was in dire straits and reminiscent of contemporary Nigerian economy. With unemployment rate hovering around 10%, the US economy was losing 800,000 jobs monthly. Budget deficits were spiraling, pushing the country’s debt stock to unsustainable levels. Like Buhari, Obama not only met an empty treasury but was also saddled with a whopping debt burden of about US$10 trillion – or 72% of GDP. Both presidents also inherited expensive and drawn-out wars which they pledged to end. Ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was a major mantra in Obama’s election campaigns in 2008. In Buhari’s campaign, a major platform was the promise to end the scourge of Boko Haram. Just as Nigerians clamoured for change during the last elections, Americans desperately wanted change in 2008. When people clamour for change, they’re taking a big risk. But, looking back, many Americans would say that the risk they took in 2008 was well-calculated. The US economy has rebounded. Unemployment has fallen from 10% in 2009 to the current level of about 5%. The US budget deficit is now less than half of what it was when Obama first took office. Obama has also significantly reduced the presence of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. In a sense, he has virtually fulfilled all his election promises well ahead of the end of his presidential tenure. Given the striking similarities in both leaders’ circumstances, Buhari would do well to borrow Obama’s economic “magic wand.” If he does, he’ll be surprised to learn that Obama turned the US economy around not through austerity measures, but by spending more. A few days after his election, Obama appointed Harvard economist and former Treasury secretary Larry Summers as his chief economic adviser. At the same, time he announced his intention to launch an economic stimulus programme at a scale never seen before in the country. Obama justified the stimulus programme by referring to the severity of the economic challenges he inherited. Despite push-backs from Republicans in Congress, he managed to implement a stimulus programme worth almost US$1 trillion. His strategy was predicated on the premise that the way to resuscitate the economy is not through belt-tightening, but via expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. Obama’s stimulus strategy focused on “shovel-ready” projects that created jobs almost instantaneously, as well as on programs that delivered immediate cash to Americans. The projects and programs include infrastructure, education, health, renewable energy, tax incentives, unemployment benefits and other social welfare provisions. Shortly after Obama’s inauguration, Americans began to receive stimulus cheques in their mailboxes or get temporary tax relief. As an unapologetic proponent of “Middle Class Economics” – the notion that a virile middle class is a sine qua non for a robust economy – much of Obama’s stimulus money went to middle-class Americans. Though Buhari has yet to formally unveil his economic blueprint, he should resist the temptation of embarking on belt-tightening as an end in itself. His administration appears to be drumming-up the need to reduce the cost of governance. While this is an unassailable proposition, he should be circumspect about what he intends to cut. In the process of cutting costs care should be taken not to jettison investments and projects needed to enhance the country’s productive capacity. Buhari should consider increasing spending in sectors, projects and programmes that boost the economy, generate employment and promote inclusive growth. These sectors include infrastructure, labour-intensive manufacturing, agro-processing, health and education. Nigeria is arguably a country where a massive economic stimulus programme is urgently needed. It has a large stock of human and natural resources that are grossly underutilised. The informal sector is bloated, with millions of underemployed youths. Most of Nigeria’s graduates are unemployed or engaged in menial jobs. Meanwhile, there is a huge infrastructural deficit that can be partly filled through public works projects executed with direct labour. These projects would provide temporary employment to unskilled workers, enabling them to gain experience needed for permanent jobs. Buhari has the pedigree to shepherd a massive stimulus programme. He’s known to abhor profligacy, which means that stimulus money will be spent prudently. He detests graft and corruption, which implies that stimulus funds won’t disappear. This depends on whether Buhari will be able to prevent those around him from corruptly enriching themselves – something his predecessor failed to do. Like Obama, he cares deeply for the downtrodden, which suggests he’ll focus stimulus spending on job creation and economic empowerment. Some may wonder how the Buhari administration could possibly finance stimulus spending. After all, he has inherited an empty treasury and faces dwindling oil revenues and a volatile global oil market. But Nigeria could follow the example of Asian countries that financed their stimulus programmes through domestic borrowing (mainly by issuing government bonds). Borrowing money domestically in one’s own currency is not nearly as problematic as external borrowing. Financing stimulus spending via domestic borrowing comes with a price. It may crowd-out domestic private investment by raising interest rates. But this would be temporary. The increase in aggregate demand generated by stimulus spending would subsequently crowd-in investment in the production of goods and services. This ultimately will generate employment opportunities. One of the usual concerns about stimulus spending is the risk of inflation. But unemployment, economic disempowerment and youth restiveness are bigger threats to stability than inflation in the short to medium term. Also, given the huge slack resources in Nigeria, it is doubtful that stimulus spending would precipitate hyperinflation in the short to medium term. In any case, the Central Bank of Nigeria has the necessary monetary instruments for reigning in inflation should it become a challenge. One other lesson Buhari should learn from Obama is that it is better for a leader to stick with his or her convictions rather than let opinion polls or emotional sentiments drive their economic policies. Some pundits were dismissive and derisive of Obama’s stimulus strategy when it was launched. The rest, as they say, is history. Obama stuck with his stimulus strategy and eventually prevailed. It remains to be seen how history will judge the Buhari presidency, and whether he will be the quintessential Obama. [myad]
A mother-of-five, Purni Orang was said to have been dragged from her home in the northeastern state of Assam, India and was hacked to death by more than a dozen local people wielding machetes.
The villagers blamed the 63-year-old for an illness that was afflicting their community.
The woman appears to have been taken from her home and dragged to a nearby river where she was stripped and killed.
“The attackers, armed with machetes and other crude implements descended on the village and took away Moni Orang from her house and then brutally killed her,” senior police official, Manabendra Dev Roy said.
“She was decapitated and her limbs were chopped off.”
When police arrived at the scene, the villagers attempted to stop them from reaching the body before they were eventually dispersed.
Seven people have been arrested for the killing, though local police said they had come under attack since detaining those involved.
Attempts have been made to storm the local police station to free those accused, they added.
“Moni was a witch and had cast evil spells on her enemies,” one villager told local television.
“There is no place for such sorcerers and so her killing is justified.”
According to reports, a younger woman claiming to be a priest identified Mr Orang as a witch and said she was bringing bad luck to the village.
India has seen an increasing number of murders reported where the victim has been accused of witchcraft, and several proviences have now brought in special laws to protect those accused of witchcraft.
At least 2100 people, mostly women, were murdered between 2000 and 2012 for allegedly practising witchcraft, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. [myad]
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has put plans in place to make it a criminal offence for parents in the state to refuse sending their children to school. This would be the case if a bill presented by the governor before the state House of Assembly is eventually passed into law.
The Governor made this known yesterday when he addressed religious, traditional and political leaders from 11 local government areas of the state who visited to pay him Sallah homage in Sokoto.
He said that as part of measures to enhance implementation of the new policy, government will build and equip 240 primary and tertiary healthcare centres in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Although considered in some quarters as both radical and revolutionary, the move is the governor’s way of boosting school enrolment and providing quality education to every child as required by local and international laws.
Tambuwal, who stressed that the policy became necessary in view of the high number of parents who deliberately frustrated government efforts to educate children, assured that the state government has already made adequate arrangements to cater for the educational needs of its citizens.
He recalled that the founders of Sokoto Caliphate made their marks in the areas of education and scholarship, even as he insisted that there would be no excuse if their successors failed to provide at least basic education to the future generation.
The governor said that many ills of the society will be taken care of if the state gets its education priorities right, and warned that anyone caught flouting the new regulation will not be spared.
Tambuwal called on the leaders to support the new initiative, maintaining that vocational training centres and employment opportunities will be created to cater for the youths and other vulnerable members of the society. [myad]
In a recent interview, reported in some national dailies and online media, the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, described as illegal, President Muhammadu Buhari’s action to release funds to States to pay workers’ salaries. He also attacked the national Centenary City Project (in Abuja), which was initiated during the tenure of President Goodluck. In taking up these issues Cairo Ojougboh, either ignorantly or deliberately chose to forget that President Buhari won the last election and should, in compliance with the constitution, take actions showing that the welfare of Nigerians “is the primary purpose of the state and that you cannot describe as “crime personified” a project that has all its processes and legal status fully confirmed by law. It is necessary to quickly point out certain basic facts concerning the issues highlighted in Ojougboh’s interview, so as to properly inform the reading public about the correct situation of things. The Centenary City that Mr. Ojougboh talked about, was one of the Legacy Projects initiated by the Federal Government as part of activities to celebrate Nigeria’s 100 years anniversary as a nation. The then SGF, Senator Anyim was directed by the President to coordinate the activities for Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration and the Centenary City as a purely and wholly private sector driven and programme; without any financial involvement by the Federal government. The land for the Centenary City Project was not given to any one man. The due processes for securing the land for the Centenary City Project are well documented and the records are available at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). Moreover, the transparent process and steps taken have been copiously documented publicly. These include the establishment, registration and incorporation of the Centenary City PLC, appointment and inauguration of its Board with His Excellency General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd) as Chairman, hiring of its management, the withdrawal of the SGF as the Facilitator of the Centenary City Project after the inauguration of its Board, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Centenary City Project, the granting of a Free Zone status to Centenary City by NEPZA, and the commencement of the Centenary City Project by its principal developer – Eagle Hills International Properties LLC . At present, the Centenary City PLC is a public limited liability company owned by known, credible and verifiably individuals and organizations, and duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). And is indeed the biggest single private foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nigeria ever. Moreover, Centenary City PLC duly applied to NEPZA for a Free Zone status. Their application was duly processed by NEPZA and recommended to the President by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for approval. The Centenary City Free Zone, like the Eko Atlantic City Free Zone, was one of the 4 free zones approved by the President in 2014; Clearly, the Centenary City initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan government will remain one of the most outstanding legacies any administration will ever leave behind in Nigeria. Even when it has become fashionable to deny every achievement of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration and denigrate and disparage everybody that served in it, the Centenary City will stick out as one well thought out, carefully planned, methodically implemented and social and economically rewarding initiative of any government in Nigeria. [myad]
A None Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to President Barak Obama of the United States of America currently hosting President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, to practically help Nigeria retrieve billions of Nigerian money stashed in several European banks by corrupt Nigerians.
In a statement today by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the group said: “We welcome the commitment by President Obama to assist the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to track down billions of dollars in stolen assets from the country.
“However, greater efforts are required by the Obama government to follow through its commitment if it is to secure a measure of justice for Nigerian victims of corruption and money laundering.”
SERAP asked President Obama to “establish a Presidential Advisory Committee and facilitate a Congressional Hearing on stolen assets from Nigeria. These initiatives would be tremendously important in bringing renewed attention to repatriation of stolen assets to Nigeria.”
“Corruption, money laundering and systematic violations of human rights go hand in hand and that is why President Obama should do everything within his power to get to the bottom of the stolen assets from Nigeria kept in the US,” the organisation said.
“President Obama should also propose legislation to assist Nigerians in pursuing stolen assets in US banks and other institutions. Any such legislation should also require every bank and financial institution doing business in the US and their European affiliates to post on a central Internet site bank accounts of politically exposed persons and their families and friends from Nigeria,” the organisation said.
SERAP added that there is need for accountability for stolen funds, and there should not be a statute of limitations on stolen assets.
“The Obama government should move quickly to resolve the issue of returning the assets to the country in an expeditious, just and fair manner. Unless this is done, the rare opportunity the Obama government now has to right the injustice aided and abetted by the US banks will be gone.” “Recovering stolen assets from the US is a lingering issue that requires justice and fairness especially given the complicity of US banks and other institutions in corruption and money laundering in Nigeria, and the fact that stolen assets have contributed to the growth of US economy. Therefore, thoughtful and aggressive steps are needed if the Obama government is to change the asset recovery fatigue that characterised previous US administrations.”
“Indeed, the US government has an important responsibility to ensure not only that it returns stolen assets to the country but that it takes proactive steps to stop the stashing of such assets in its jurisdiction. When it comes to stolen assets from Nigeria the US government should use the same methodologies it adopts against terrorists using its banking system,” SERAP said.
“President Obama should also urge European governments and other financial centres keeping stolen assets from Nigeria to be more proactive in returning such assets through transparent procedures that are fair, just, and on the merits, without technical defenses.
“The Obama government can and should show the leadership in this field. If President Obama does not take the lead, the US and European financial centres will continue to serve as safe havens to stolen assets from Nigeria and elsewhere.”
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Obama to “back up his expressed commitment on stolen assets by taking thoughtful and aggressive steps to deal with the problem with the seriousness and intensity that has been previously lacking”. In a statement today by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni said, “We welcome the commitment by President Obama to assist the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to track down billions of dollars in stolen assets from the country. However, greater efforts are required by the Obama government to follow through its commitment if it is to secure a measure of justice for Nigerian victims of corruption and money laundering.”
SERAP asked President Obama to “establish a Presidential Advisory Committee and facilitate a Congressional Hearing on stolen assets from Nigeria. These initiatives would be tremendously important in bringing renewed attention to repatriation of stolen assets to Nigeria.”
“Corruption, money laundering and systematic violations of human rights go hand in hand and that is why President Obama should do everything within his power to get to the bottom of the stolen assets from Nigeria kept in the US,” the organisation said.
“President Obama should also propose legislation to assist Nigerians in pursuing stolen assets in US banks and other institutions. Any such legislation should also require every bank and financial institution doing business in the US and their European affiliates to post on a central Internet site bank accounts of politically exposed persons and their families and friends from Nigeria,” the organisation said.
SERAP said that there is need for accountability for stolen funds, and there should not be a statute of limitations on stolen assets.
“The Obama government should move quickly to resolve the issue of returning the assets to the country in an expeditious, just and fair manner. Unless this is done, the rare opportunity the Obama government now has to right the injustice aided and abetted by the US banks will be gone.” “Recovering stolen assets from the US is a lingering issue that requires justice and fairness especially given the complicity of US banks and other institutions in corruption and money laundering in Nigeria, and the fact that stolen assets have contributed to the growth of US economy. Therefore, thoughtful and aggressive steps are needed if the Obama government is to change the asset recovery fatigue that characterized previous US administrations.”
“Indeed, the US government has an important responsibility to ensure not only that it returns stolen assets to the country but that it takes proactive steps to stop the stashing of such assets in its jurisdiction. When it comes to stolen assets from Nigeria the US government should use the same methodologies it adopts against terrorists using its banking system,” SERAP said.
“President Obama should also urge European governments and other financial centres keeping stolen assets from Nigeria to be more proactive in returning such assets through transparent procedures that are fair, just, and on the merits, without technical defenses. The Obama government can and should show the leadership in this field. If President Obama does not take the lead, the US and European financial centres will continue to serve as safe havens to stolen assets from Nigeria and elsewhere.” [myad]
The immediate past Senate President, David Mark, has described as mischievous and blackmail the allegation flying around that the finances of the National Assembly under his leadership was shrouded in secrecy, saying that parliamentary practices and procedures dictates that all issues should be carried out in the open.
Mark who made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja, by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, emphasized: “such allegation was borne out of deliberate mischief, blackmail or outright ignorance.
“How can anyone claim that the National Assembly budget is secret. Or that our earnings are secret. The National Assembly budget is part and parcel of the Federal budget. It is not a separate document.
“If anybody is in doubt, he or she should get a copy of the National budget and clarify. It is a public document. Every time you hear people talk about National Assembly budget as if it is independent of the Federal budget.”
He insisted that anybody can access the National Assembly budget, stressing that members were not responsible for fixing of their salaries, but an appropriate federal government agency.
“What we earn is open. I think we should put an end to this cheap blackmail. It is sad and ridiculous when people give the impression that the National Assembly budget has continued to be increased annually. This is not correct. It is unwarranted and needless accusation.
“I make bold to say that the National Assembly under my leadership was bold, courageous, steadfast and truly patriotic. We stood on the side of the people, the truth , transparency and above all in the interest of the nation.
“We were the first to make cut in our 2015 budget. People should appreciate what we are doing. We tightened our belts more than any other ministry or parastatal today. I can put my hand on my chest without fear of contradiction to say we make a lot of sacrifices in our budgetary systems.”
Mark cautioned against reducing critical national matters to politics and warned Nigerians against playing politics with serious national issues like appropriations.
According to him, “With every sense of responsibility, in 2008, the National Assembly under my leadership was the first arm of government to return N7bn unspent fund to the national treasury during late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration.
“Some people would have done otherwise but I remained a patriotic and committed pan- Nigerian, ever determined to do my utmost best to improve the lots of my country men and women.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he would appoint his ministers in September because he still needs time to make the right choices.. The president who made this known in an article published in Washington Post to coincide with his meeting with US President, Barrack Obama, justified his action by making reference to his United States counterpart, Barrack Obama who also for several months after taking oath of office, did not have his full Cabinet.
“When cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full Cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim.
“In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.
President Buhari acknowledged that Nigerians elected him because they needed change, adding that the change cannot be achieved overnight due to the rot in the system, adding: “I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realize the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight.
“In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.” [myad]
Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and His US Counterpart, Barack Obama Meeting at the White House
President Barak Obama of the United States of America has confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria came into office with a reputation of integrity and a clear agenda and preparedness to bringing peace to Nigeria. He said also that President Buhari came into power with clear vision of curtailing Boko Haram insurgency and rooting out corruption. Welcoming the Nigerian leader to the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC today shortly before the start of the bilateral meeting between officials of both countries Obama said: “on both issues of tackling insurgency and corruption in Nigeria, we look forward to how the United States can partner Nigeria to become an outstanding role model for developing countries.” The American strong man described Nigeria as one of the most important countries in Africa, even as he commended the peaceful election and transition that brought President Buhari to power. He also lauded Nigeria’s track record in tackling Ebola and polio, adding that the United States looked forward to engaging Nigeria in improving its electricity challenges. President Buhari, who is on the second day of the visit to the US, acknowledged the outstanding role the US played for the success of the March/April general elections in Nigeria. According to President Buhari, the continued pressure on the immediate past administration by the United States and some European countries made the general elections in Nigeria to be free and fair. He emphasised that without the external pressure, “we would not be where we are today” in Nigeria, recalled that the pressure started from the visit of the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry to the past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega. “Nigeria will be ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria consolidate its gains on democracy.” The President said that he looked forward to a fruitful visit and engagement with his host government, even as he expressed delight that the United States government had indicated interest in partnering and helping the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to bring to fruition its goals of tackling insecurity, corruption and youth unemployment. The governors of Edo, Oyo, Imo, Borno and Nasarawa states and other top Nigerian government officials joined Presidents Buhari and Obama in the bilateral talks. Meanwhile at a breakfast meeting hosted today by American Vice President, Joe Biden, President Buhari compare notes with his guest, especially on the terror war. America had been beleaguered by terrorists, who launched massive attacks that killed thousands in September 2001, while Nigeria battles the Boko Haram sect causing carnage in the North-eastern part of the country. At the meeting, which held at the Naval Observatory, official residence of the American Vice President, Biden shared with his guest what the U.S had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone. Military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, VP Biden said, promising that the U.S would work with Nigeria in that direction. VP Biden assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, but observed that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled, if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms. He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country. The American Vice-President congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the March 2015 elections, adding that it was obvious that the President enjoys the confidence of the Nigerian people. Responding, President Buhari thanked the U.S for standing by Nigeria in the run up to general elections early this year, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical as it sent home the message that America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will. On oil theft, the Nigerian President estimated losses at between 10 and 20 billion dollars, stressing that such income could have been deployed with salutary impact on various spheres of national life like education and healthcare, among others. Both America and Nigeria pledged renewed commitment to work as partners at the very insightful meeting. [myad]
The Nigerian Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai has made it clear to the soldiers on the field fighting Boko Haram insurgents that this is a war that must be won as quickly as possible to restore the country to peace, even as he launched what he called: “Operation Lafiya Dole” which replaces the former “Operation Zaman Lafiya.”
Major General Buratai who was addressing troops of the 103 Battalion in Konduga, headquarters of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno remarked: “It is the wish of the Federal Government to end this terrorism quickly in this part of the country and indeed some other challenges in the South South and other parts of the country. This will make us to have a very peaceful country free from any insecurity.
“Operation Lafiya Dole is derived from the belief that we must end this insecurity. We must restore peace to all parts of the North East and other parts of the country that are affected by insurgency.
“We are going to carry this as a war and I appeal to all and sundry to give this operation maximum cooperation.”
The new code name is derived from Hausa language, which literally translates “Peace by All Means.”
The Army chief said that the objective was to transform the army professionally as well as fast track the war against the Boko Haram terrorists, even as he lamented that the fight against terrorism had lasted for a very long time without much results.
“Consequently as from today July 19, we are here to bury the `Operation Zaman Lafiya’ and give birth to what we will henceforth call Operation Lafiya Dole.
“We will carry the civil population along, we wil also observe the principle of human rights and respect human dignity. We will not trample on anybody’s right.
“As the insurgents have refused to understand and come to the right way we must force them to make sure that peace return to all parts of Nigeria,” Buratai said.
The Army chief also visited the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai at his palace in Maiduguri where he assured the traditional ruler that that “the peace associated with Borno is about to return by the grace of God.
“Borno has of recent been badly affected by the Boko Haram terrorism, I want to assure you that all that is going to be a thing of the past soon.”
Buratai assured the Shehu that the military will introduce renewed vigour in its anti-insurgency approach in the next few weeks.
“By the grace of God you will start seeing some changes in our operations soon,” he said.
Buratai said that the people of Konduga, displaced by the insurgents, would be allowed to return home in the next one week.
“Government is not happy at the level of displaced persons living in camps.
“The people of Konduga will start going back home in the next one week so that they can start rebuilding their homes,” he said.
Buratai promised to deploy additional troops to provide enough security in the area.
He said that his main goal was to build an army that was professionally sound to perform its constitutional role.
“My goal is to have a professional Nigerian Army that can adequately perform its constitutional role in all ramification.
“I intend to pursue this goal of transforming the army into one of the best in the world.” [myad]
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Nigeria Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has approved the post-humous promotion of the officers in the Yobe State Police Command who lost their lives while trying to contain the menace of Boko Haram yesterday.
Lessons Buhari Can Learn From Obama About Managing Tough Economy, By Stephen Onyeiwu
It is typical for an American president to invite a nascent African head of state to the White House, especially less than one month after the latter’s inauguration.
To some observers, therefore, US President Barack Obama’s invitation of his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, for a White House parley which began on July 20 would seem to be an aberration and a surprise. But an analysis of both leaders’ circumstances suggests that such a meeting is a no-brainer.
To start with, it is instructive to know that Buhari and Obama were elected during a period of economic turmoil and distress. When Obama was elected in 2008 the US economy was in dire straits and reminiscent of contemporary Nigerian economy. With unemployment rate hovering around 10%, the US economy was losing 800,000 jobs monthly. Budget deficits were spiraling, pushing the country’s debt stock to unsustainable levels.
Like Buhari, Obama not only met an empty treasury but was also saddled with a whopping debt burden of about US$10 trillion – or 72% of GDP.
Both presidents also inherited expensive and drawn-out wars which they pledged to end. Ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was a major mantra in Obama’s election campaigns in 2008. In Buhari’s campaign, a major platform was the promise to end the scourge of Boko Haram.
Just as Nigerians clamoured for change during the last elections, Americans desperately wanted change in 2008. When people clamour for change, they’re taking a big risk.
But, looking back, many Americans would say that the risk they took in 2008 was well-calculated. The US economy has rebounded. Unemployment has fallen from 10% in 2009 to the current level of about 5%. The US budget deficit is now less than half of what it was when Obama first took office.
Obama has also significantly reduced the presence of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. In a sense, he has virtually fulfilled all his election promises well ahead of the end of his presidential tenure.
Given the striking similarities in both leaders’ circumstances, Buhari would do well to borrow Obama’s economic “magic wand.” If he does, he’ll be surprised to learn that Obama turned the US economy around not through austerity measures, but by spending more.
A few days after his election, Obama appointed Harvard economist and former Treasury secretary Larry Summers as his chief economic adviser. At the same, time he announced his intention to launch an economic stimulus programme at a scale never seen before in the country.
Obama justified the stimulus programme by referring to the severity of the economic challenges he inherited. Despite push-backs from Republicans in Congress, he managed to implement a stimulus programme worth almost US$1 trillion. His strategy was predicated on the premise that the way to resuscitate the economy is not through belt-tightening, but via expansionary fiscal and monetary policies.
Obama’s stimulus strategy focused on “shovel-ready” projects that created jobs almost instantaneously, as well as on programs that delivered immediate cash to Americans. The projects and programs include infrastructure, education, health, renewable energy, tax incentives, unemployment benefits and other social welfare provisions.
Shortly after Obama’s inauguration, Americans began to receive stimulus cheques in their mailboxes or get temporary tax relief. As an unapologetic proponent of “Middle Class Economics” – the notion that a virile middle class is a sine qua non for a robust economy – much of Obama’s stimulus money went to middle-class Americans.
Though Buhari has yet to formally unveil his economic blueprint, he should resist the temptation of embarking on belt-tightening as an end in itself. His administration appears to be drumming-up the need to reduce the cost of governance. While this is an unassailable proposition, he should be circumspect about what he intends to cut.
In the process of cutting costs care should be taken not to jettison investments and projects needed to enhance the country’s productive capacity. Buhari should consider increasing spending in sectors, projects and programmes that boost the economy, generate employment and promote inclusive growth. These sectors include infrastructure, labour-intensive manufacturing, agro-processing, health and education.
Nigeria is arguably a country where a massive economic stimulus programme is urgently needed. It has a large stock of human and natural resources that are grossly underutilised. The informal sector is bloated, with millions of underemployed youths. Most of Nigeria’s graduates are unemployed or engaged in menial jobs.
Meanwhile, there is a huge infrastructural deficit that can be partly filled through public works projects executed with direct labour. These projects would provide temporary employment to unskilled workers, enabling them to gain experience needed for permanent jobs.
Buhari has the pedigree to shepherd a massive stimulus programme. He’s known to abhor profligacy, which means that stimulus money will be spent prudently. He detests graft and corruption, which implies that stimulus funds won’t disappear.
This depends on whether Buhari will be able to prevent those around him from corruptly enriching themselves – something his predecessor failed to do. Like Obama, he cares deeply for the downtrodden, which suggests he’ll focus stimulus spending on job creation and economic empowerment.
Some may wonder how the Buhari administration could possibly finance stimulus spending. After all, he has inherited an empty treasury and faces dwindling oil revenues and a volatile global oil market.
But Nigeria could follow the example of Asian countries that financed their stimulus programmes through domestic borrowing (mainly by issuing government bonds). Borrowing money domestically in one’s own currency is not nearly as problematic as external borrowing.
Financing stimulus spending via domestic borrowing comes with a price. It may crowd-out domestic private investment by raising interest rates. But this would be temporary. The increase in aggregate demand generated by stimulus spending would subsequently crowd-in investment in the production of goods and services. This ultimately will generate employment opportunities.
One of the usual concerns about stimulus spending is the risk of inflation. But unemployment, economic disempowerment and youth restiveness are bigger threats to stability than inflation in the short to medium term.
Also, given the huge slack resources in Nigeria, it is doubtful that stimulus spending would precipitate hyperinflation in the short to medium term. In any case, the Central Bank of Nigeria has the necessary monetary instruments for reigning in inflation should it become a challenge.
One other lesson Buhari should learn from Obama is that it is better for a leader to stick with his or her convictions rather than let opinion polls or emotional sentiments drive their economic policies.
Some pundits were dismissive and derisive of Obama’s stimulus strategy when it was launched. The rest, as they say, is history.
Obama stuck with his stimulus strategy and eventually prevailed.
It remains to be seen how history will judge the Buhari presidency, and whether he will be the quintessential Obama. [myad]