As spokesman to President Goodluck Jonathan, my phones rang endlessly and became more than personal navigators within the social space. They defined my entire life; dusk to dawn, all year-round. The phones buzzed non-stop, my email was permanently active; my twitter account received tons of messages per second. The worst moments were those days when there was a Boko Haram attack virtually every Sunday.
The intrusion into my private life was total as my wife complained about her sleep being disrupted by phones that never seemed to stop ringing. Besides, whenever I was not checking or responding to the phones, I was busy online trying to find out if the APC had said something contrarian or some other fellow was up to any mischief. A media manager in the 21st century is a slave of the Breaking News, a slave particularly of the 24-hour news cycle, and a potential nervous breakdown case. Debo Adesina, my colleague at The Guardian once said I was running a “one week, one trouble schedule”. There were actually moments when trouble knocked on the door every hour, and duty required my team and I to respond to as many issues that came up.
Top of the task list was the management of phone calls related to the principal. In my first week on the job, for example, one of my phones ran out of battery and I had taken the liberty to charge it. While it was still in the off mode, the “Control Room”: the all-powerful communications centre at the State House tried to reach me. They had only just that phone number, so I couldn’t be reached. When eventually they did, the fellow at the other end was livid.
“SA Media, where are you? We have been trying to reach you. Mr President wants to speak with you”
“Sorry, I was charging my phone. The phone was off.”
“Sir, you can’t switch off your phone now. Mr President must be able to reach you at any time. You must always be available.” I was like: “really? Which kin job be dis?”
The Control Room eventually collected all my phone numbers. If I did not pick up a call on time, they called my wife. Sometimes the calls came directly from the Residence, as we referred to the President’s official quarters.
“Abati, Oga dey call you!”
If I still could not be reached, every phone that was ever connected to me would ring non-stop. Busy bodies who had just picked up the information that Abati was needed also often took it upon themselves to track me down. My wife soon got used to her being asked to produce me, or a car showing up to take me straight to the Residence. I eventually got used to it, and learnt to remain on duty round-the-clock. In due course, President Jonathan himself would call directly. My wife used to joke that each time there was a call from him, even if I was sleeping, I would spring to my feet and without listening to what he had to say, I would start with a barrage of “Yes sirs”! Other calls that could not be joked with were calls from my own office. Something could come up that would require coverage, or there could be a breaking story, or it could be something as harmless as office gossip, except that in the corridors of power, nothing is ever harmless. Looking back now, I still can’t figure out how I survived that onslaught of the terror of the telephone. [myad
Two very important issues with serious financial implications for the polity have alarmed Nigerians in the last few days. One was the revelation by President Muhammadu Buhari that some former Ministers had illegally lifted one million barrels of oil daily and shared the proceeds among themselves. The second one, which equally attracted several debates, was about the President himself: the cost of his visit to the United States, as a guest of President Barrack Obama, was about N2.2 billion. These two scenarios will help us to put into practical context the vexed issue of budgetary allocation to the National Assembly.
The lawmakers have been entangled in allegations that bother more on financial issues, such as remuneration, allowances, spending and other benefits. I intend to situate these allegations into two major contexts for the purpose of clarity: excessive legitimate earnings and illegitimate earnings. I will use the two scenarios earlier painted revolving around the President to put these earnings into proper perspective. Maybe this would further allow us to appreciate whether public criticisms against NASS members have been fair, not misplaced and truly reflect the reality in the polity. We must not forget that democracy rests on three major institutions – Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary.
Although President Buhari did not specify the cost of the crude oil stolen daily, but a moderate estimate could be in the region of N10 billion daily based on the fluctuation in global oil price and the unstable value of naira. Assuming the President was correct with this figure and successfully established this allegation through the court of law, that will amount to a whopping NGN300 billion stolen monthly by a clique of Ministers under the executive arm of government alone. Note that the entire budget of NASS for 2015 is N120 billion.
The second issue was the alleged spending of the sum of N2.2 billion by a delegation of about 50 persons who visited the U.S. for four days. That is an average N40 million per person for 96 hours, minus cost of transportation but including subsidized feeding as guests of America. This figure is yet to be controverted by the federal government; but some Nigerians have risen to defend and justify it.
Since May 29, 2015, when we sauntered into the change era as canvassed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and President Buhari, public scrutiny has been on the rise while the bar of expectation from the federal government is at the highest level since independence. However, there have been subtle attempts to divert the attention of Nigerians to focus only on the National Assembly for whatever reason. Even when the budget of the federal lawmakers has been reduced from N150 billion to N120 billion in the 2015 Appropriation Act, pressure continues to mount on them.
There is absolutely nothing bad in scapegoating the National Assembly if it will serve public good and further deliver good governance in Nigeria. After all, the legislature is the ultimate symbol of any democratic setting: it is the people’s representative. The legislative arm is unarguably the major institution that distinguishes democracy from military rule in our governance experience. However, provided the clamour to reduce the cost of governance is an all inclusive fair process for all the arms of government, there shouldn’t be any major cause for concern.
In subjecting the legislature to public scrutiny to reduce or cut the cost of governance, critics must be fair and avoid the trap of what looks like an ongoing deliberate agenda to make the legislative arm suffer public opprobrium alone to cover the recklessness of the executive. For instance, in what could be classified as an attempt to quickly stave off public pressure, some members of the executive arm recently embarked on a deceptive populist agenda to reduce their salary and allowances by 50 per cent. In fact, a particular governor was quick to beckon on his state lawmakers to emulate this gesture. This was celebrated by some unsuspecting members of the public.
As expected, some Nigerians bought into this contrived agenda without searching deep and asking relevant questions. At the federal level too, the President and the Vice President announced a similar cut in emoluments, giving further opportunity to pile up pressure on the Federal Lawmakers. Note that there have been a deliberate media and public onslaught against the National Assembly by some Nigerians not pleased with it leadership composition. And in fighting an enemy, sometimes several things come handy. The issue of NASS budget has been seriously exploited to cast aspersions on the lawmakers. Unfortunately, the legislature too has not enjoyed much of public support arising more from its seemingly opaque financial system. Transparency is key.
However, in the collective campaign to cut the cost of governance, it should not be done in such a way that will undermine the functions of one arm at the expense of the other. For instance, some members of the executive who cut their earnings by 50 percent still enjoy the benefits of free accommodation, free transportation and almost everything free including their immediate families. They are serviced by the government through state house or government house allocations. In essence, if they decide to forfeit all allowances and salaries to the state, nothing has changed? They also have access to security vote that is constant. In reality, a good percentage of this vote is kept for personal use. Mind you, they also enjoy benefits using cronies to execute contracts.
We must realise that the 2015 N120 billion budget is for: 469 members of NASS with a minimum of five aides each; the National Assembly Service Commission and it staff and the National Institute for Legislative Studies. Aside allowances and emoluments, the budget also covers committees work, oversight activities, foreign parliamentary engagements, trainings and other important and sometimes unforeseen expenses. Now, if about 50 persons who traveled with the President to the U.S. could be said to have spent about N2.2 billion in four days, it may therefore be necessary to reevaluate the pressure on the legitimate earnings of the lawmakers. Interestingly, the budget of NASS is less than three percent of the entire 2015 budget.
Assuming without conceding that the allegation of illegitimate earnings is true against the federal lawmakers, how can the grievous allegation of financial recklessness now common in the public domain be validated or substantiated? Do the lawmakers have the opportunity to steal 1,000 barrels of oil per day? Are they in a position to award huge contracts to their cronies? Even if some members are interested in securing contracts, they have to go cap in hand to the incumbent executive heads and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the executive arm. This is, however, not to justify any corrupt act. Corruption, by any standard, is unacceptable and should be severely punished; but in dwelling on the reality that exists in our nation, the facts must be laid bare.
It is true that as a nation, we have suffered enough from impunity and financial recklessness across the three tiers of government in Nigeria. It is also true that there is pervasive corruption and lack of transparency and accountability in rendering stewardship to the people. But when push comes to shove, there is every possibility that NASS is actually in need of more fund-financial augmentation- if they are to operate and function like other lawmakers in the developed world. Legislative business is very expensive globally. However, if the campaign to cut the cost of governance must be sustained, it should be holistic through a total reform and not the executive deceptively reducing its salary in order to put pressure on the lawmakers. The burden of change should be borne by all.
Mr Adah, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Congresswatch magazine, sent this piece from Abuja. [myad]
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo is believed to have gone into hiding even as men of the Nigerian security services took over strategic location in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital against the background of ex-militants’ commanders to hold a meeting of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the city.
It was gathered that Tompolo who had insisted that the meeting would hold despite opposition had barricaded himself in his house in Warri since Friday evening, as security operatives waited to pick him up if he as much as stepped out of his home.
Although no reason was given by Tompolo for the failure of the meeting to hold today as scheduled, but checks revealed that most militant groups in the Niger Delta do not see Tompolo as their leader as his call was not only selfish, but it was seen as strictly an Ijaw affair, hence the refusal to attend.
It would be recalled that Tompolo had denied that the meeting convened by him and other ex-militant generals under the aegis of the dreaded Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) was to reactivate militancy in the region and frustrate the administration of President Muhammad Buhari.
Despite this assurance, the move had continued to create tension in the state as all security operatives had been placed on high alert in case the meeting held.
But in a move to douse the tension created by the announcement of the meeting in the state, Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson called for the postponement of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators.
Tompolo in a statement had expressed anger that his call is being seen in another light from what is intended, adding that the tension generated by the summon is misplaced, uncalled for and mischievious as he is not out to confront the administration of President Muhamud Buhari on any issues. [myad]
The drawing result for Europe is displayed during the preliminary draw for the 2018 soccer World Cup in Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, today with Northern Ireland scheduled to face world champions Germany in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Michael O’Neill’s men will also be up against the Czech Republic, Norway, Azerbaijan and San Marino in Group C.
The Republic of Ireland and Wales will clash in the qualifying competition for the 2018 World Cup after being drawn in the same group.
The two nations were drawn in Group D along with Austria, Serbia, Moldova and Georgia. The winners will qualify automatically for the finals in Russia, with the runners-up having to take part in a play-off.
England and Scotland will also meet each other after they were drawn in Group F with Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.
Northern Ireland were among the third seeds, while Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side were in the pot of fourth seeds.
Northern Ireland’s last appearance in a World Cup was in 1982 and the Republic of Ireland’s in 2002. [myad]
Nigeria women’s U20 team, the Falconets, today at the National Stadium, Abuja, scaled through to the next round of the qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea after a 14-1 aggregate win over Liberia.
The Nigerian girls trashed Liberia 7-0, having won the first leg in Liberia 7-1.
Aminat Yakubu and Joy Bokiri scored a brace each with hat-trick heroine from the first leg. Adeboyejo also got on the score sheet, so also Chinansa Uchendu and Amarachi Ojiinma.
Former Director of Media and Publicity of Goodluck Jonathan’s National Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who now prefers to be called Olufemi Olu-Kayode has not taken kindly to the United States of America Senator, Patrick Leah who had recently described Nigeria soldiers as rapists.
“U.S. Senator, Patrick Leahy, the convener of the Leahy Act, has called our Armed Forces “rapists and murderers”. He is nothing but scum- a typically confused, ignorant, petty-minded and racist yankee.”
Reacting to Senator Leah’s unfortunate bill on the sale of arm to Nigeria to execute its war against Boko Haram today in Lagos, the former PDP Presidential campaign spokesman insisted that the refusal of U.S. to sell arms to the Nigerian Army is because it has been aiding the Boko Haram militants. He accused the U.S. government of being slow in tagging Boko Haram as a terrorist group till the group had caused soo much havoc in the land.
“The U.S. government helped Boko Haram immensely by refusing to classify them as a terrorist organisation until 2014 and by refusing to sell us arms to fight them. Worst still, they imposed an international arms embargo on us (Nigeria) so that we could not buy arms from anyone else.
“Why did the U.S. not invoke the Leahy Act against Israel, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, Ukraine and Iraq for human rights violations? Why is it only Nigeria that they have refused to sell arms to and that they have imposed an international arms embargo on even though we are fighting a civil war against a relentless and evil enemy?” [myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in handshake with former President Olusegun Obasanjo while Oba (Dr.) Michael Sonariwo (second right) and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (first left) smile during the 25th Silver Jubilee anniversary of Oba Sonariwo as Akaribo of Remoland at Shagamu, Ogun State today, Saturday 25. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari, today in Abuja, personally vaccinated one of his grandchildren against polio during which he promised his government’s determination to ensure that no Nigerian child is ever infected with the disease again. The President’s vaccination of one of his grandchildren against polio was meant to demonstrate his commitment to eradicating the virus from Nigeria as well as the safety and efficacy of the polio vaccine. At a brief event in the Presidential Villa to mark Nigeria’s successful completion of one year without any reported case of the wild polio virus, President Buhari stressed that his government will mobilize and deploy all necessary resources to efficiently complete the task of eradicating polio from the country. “Today, 25th of July, 2015, Nigeria has successfully completed one year without any case reported of the wild polio virus. “Achieving this feat has placed us firmly on the path to eradicating this paralyzing disease from our land. “I seize this opportunity to call on Governors, our traditional and religious leaders, the private sector and our mothers and fathers to redouble their efforts to ensure that every child and every new born baby is vaccinated with the polio vaccine and other life saving routine vaccines.” President Buhari expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their steadfastness, and foreign partners for their support over the ways. He was sure that Nigeria will formal be declared a polio-free country in 2017. [myad]
Chief Sylvester O. Dimunah, the vice chairman of the Council of Village Heads in Imo State, has converted to Islam.
The traditional ruler, whose name is now Musa Dimunah, said that the truthful nature of the religion, is the reason why he made the switch.
According to him, the good character of Malam Ibrahim Biobonlomije, the former secretary of the council and the executive secretary of Justice Mamman Nasir Islamic Centre for Peace and Research influenced his decision to embrace Islam.
“I did not accept Islam, I only revert to the religion that our forefathers practice and the universal religion of humanity. I’m impressed by the good nature of Muslims’ love for everybody and hatred for none apart from the way they revere Allah and all the Prophets without discrimination,” he said.
“I am also impressed by the brotherhood and mutual respect for each other and other members of the community.”
He however insisted there was no pressure to change his name, after he became a Muslim. [myad]
Factional leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has announced that the labour union is coming up with a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers, even as he gave state governors who have been owing workers to pay their salaries before August or face mass action in their respective states.
A communiqué signed by Ajaero at the end of his National Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers today, said that the NLC is set to send the proposal of N90,000 for negotiation to the Federal Government and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association.
The communiqué advised government at all levels to start negotiation of a new minimum wage as the five-year tenure of the national minimum wage has ended.
“This proposal is based on the unstable micro economic environment, Naira devaluation and the high rate of inflation,” the communiqué said.
It made it clear that it is unacceptable that despite the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, the workers have not received their salaries in full, stressing: “We have resolved that if non-payment of salaries and benefits continue till August, we will mobilise private sector unions for solidarity strike in affected states until arrears are paid,’’ the communiqué said .
It further said that the congress would not accept the issue of economic crisis to justify why some governors and agencies deny workers their rights and privileges. [myad]
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National Assembly Budget: The Burden Of Change And Executive Deception, By Emmah Adah
Two very important issues with serious financial implications for the polity have alarmed Nigerians in the last few days. One was the revelation by President Muhammadu Buhari that some former Ministers had illegally lifted one million barrels of oil daily and shared the proceeds among themselves. The second one, which equally attracted several debates, was about the President himself: the cost of his visit to the United States, as a guest of President Barrack Obama, was about N2.2 billion. These two scenarios will help us to put into practical context the vexed issue of budgetary allocation to the National Assembly.
The lawmakers have been entangled in allegations that bother more on financial issues, such as remuneration, allowances, spending and other benefits. I intend to situate these allegations into two major contexts for the purpose of clarity: excessive legitimate earnings and illegitimate earnings. I will use the two scenarios earlier painted revolving around the President to put these earnings into proper perspective. Maybe this would further allow us to appreciate whether public criticisms against NASS members have been fair, not misplaced and truly reflect the reality in the polity. We must not forget that democracy rests on three major institutions – Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary.
Although President Buhari did not specify the cost of the crude oil stolen daily, but a moderate estimate could be in the region of N10 billion daily based on the fluctuation in global oil price and the unstable value of naira. Assuming the President was correct with this figure and successfully established this allegation through the court of law, that will amount to a whopping NGN300 billion stolen monthly by a clique of Ministers under the executive arm of government alone. Note that the entire budget of NASS for 2015 is N120 billion.
The second issue was the alleged spending of the sum of N2.2 billion by a delegation of about 50 persons who visited the U.S. for four days. That is an average N40 million per person for 96 hours, minus cost of transportation but including subsidized feeding as guests of America. This figure is yet to be controverted by the federal government; but some Nigerians have risen to defend and justify it.
Since May 29, 2015, when we sauntered into the change era as canvassed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and President Buhari, public scrutiny has been on the rise while the bar of expectation from the federal government is at the highest level since independence. However, there have been subtle attempts to divert the attention of Nigerians to focus only on the National Assembly for whatever reason. Even when the budget of the federal lawmakers has been reduced from N150 billion to N120 billion in the 2015 Appropriation Act, pressure continues to mount on them.
There is absolutely nothing bad in scapegoating the National Assembly if it will serve public good and further deliver good governance in Nigeria. After all, the legislature is the ultimate symbol of any democratic setting: it is the people’s representative. The legislative arm is unarguably the major institution that distinguishes democracy from military rule in our governance experience. However, provided the clamour to reduce the cost of governance is an all inclusive fair process for all the arms of government, there shouldn’t be any major cause for concern.
In subjecting the legislature to public scrutiny to reduce or cut the cost of governance, critics must be fair and avoid the trap of what looks like an ongoing deliberate agenda to make the legislative arm suffer public opprobrium alone to cover the recklessness of the executive. For instance, in what could be classified as an attempt to quickly stave off public pressure, some members of the executive arm recently embarked on a deceptive populist agenda to reduce their salary and allowances by 50 per cent. In fact, a particular governor was quick to beckon on his state lawmakers to emulate this gesture. This was celebrated by some unsuspecting members of the public.
As expected, some Nigerians bought into this contrived agenda without searching deep and asking relevant questions. At the federal level too, the President and the Vice President announced a similar cut in emoluments, giving further opportunity to pile up pressure on the Federal Lawmakers. Note that there have been a deliberate media and public onslaught against the National Assembly by some Nigerians not pleased with it leadership composition. And in fighting an enemy, sometimes several things come handy. The issue of NASS budget has been seriously exploited to cast aspersions on the lawmakers. Unfortunately, the legislature too has not enjoyed much of public support arising more from its seemingly opaque financial system. Transparency is key.
However, in the collective campaign to cut the cost of governance, it should not be done in such a way that will undermine the functions of one arm at the expense of the other. For instance, some members of the executive who cut their earnings by 50 percent still enjoy the benefits of free accommodation, free transportation and almost everything free including their immediate families. They are serviced by the government through state house or government house allocations. In essence, if they decide to forfeit all allowances and salaries to the state, nothing has changed? They also have access to security vote that is constant. In reality, a good percentage of this vote is kept for personal use. Mind you, they also enjoy benefits using cronies to execute contracts.
We must realise that the 2015 N120 billion budget is for: 469 members of NASS with a minimum of five aides each; the National Assembly Service Commission and it staff and the National Institute for Legislative Studies. Aside allowances and emoluments, the budget also covers committees work, oversight activities, foreign parliamentary engagements, trainings and other important and sometimes unforeseen expenses. Now, if about 50 persons who traveled with the President to the U.S. could be said to have spent about N2.2 billion in four days, it may therefore be necessary to reevaluate the pressure on the legitimate earnings of the lawmakers. Interestingly, the budget of NASS is less than three percent of the entire 2015 budget.
Assuming without conceding that the allegation of illegitimate earnings is true against the federal lawmakers, how can the grievous allegation of financial recklessness now common in the public domain be validated or substantiated? Do the lawmakers have the opportunity to steal 1,000 barrels of oil per day? Are they in a position to award huge contracts to their cronies? Even if some members are interested in securing contracts, they have to go cap in hand to the incumbent executive heads and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the executive arm. This is, however, not to justify any corrupt act. Corruption, by any standard, is unacceptable and should be severely punished; but in dwelling on the reality that exists in our nation, the facts must be laid bare.
It is true that as a nation, we have suffered enough from impunity and financial recklessness across the three tiers of government in Nigeria. It is also true that there is pervasive corruption and lack of transparency and accountability in rendering stewardship to the people. But when push comes to shove, there is every possibility that NASS is actually in need of more fund-financial augmentation- if they are to operate and function like other lawmakers in the developed world. Legislative business is very expensive globally. However, if the campaign to cut the cost of governance must be sustained, it should be holistic through a total reform and not the executive deceptively reducing its salary in order to put pressure on the lawmakers. The burden of change should be borne by all.