Democracy, Good Governance Must Take Roots In Africa, Buhari Insists, In Liberia

July 27, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that democracy and good governance must take roots on the African continent to sustain peace, stability and development, even as he asked leaders to redouble their efforts to guarantee the irreversibility of democracy.

“I would like to use the opportunity of this event to address an important issue affecting three countries in the ECOWAS region; Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

“All the three nations have National Elections in 2023. In Nigeria, we are working towards a free, fair, transparent, credible and acceptable outcome of elections and their results. It is important and necessary for all our countries to key into these resolves as they are indispensable to peace and stability in our countries and sub-region.

“The deepening of democracy and good governance are essential antidotes to check-mate unconstitutional change of governments as we sadly witnessed within the last three years in three countries within our sub-region. We must strengthen our efforts to guarantee the irreversibility of democracy in our sub-region and Africa,” he said.

President Buhari, who spoke today, July 26 in Monrovia, Liberia, in a goodwill message to the Government and people of Liberia as he joined other world leaders on the occasion of the 175th Independence Anniversary of the West African nation, called on leaders in West Africa to do all within their powers to ensure that elections are conducted in their countries in an atmosphere of trust, freedom and transparency.

According to him, this is the only way the sub-region can be insulated from the scourge of unconstitutional take overs that reared its head in three countries recently.

The President recalled Nigeria’s leading roles that pulled the country back from its fratricidal insurrection in the 90s, adding that his presence at the celebrations underscores his strong belief in cementing existing bilateral ties:

“Nigeria’s contributions to the survival and safety of Liberia are well known. The dark period of your country’s civil war from 1989 to 1997, was a period that Nigeria invested hugely for peace in Liberia and indeed stability in the rest of the ECOWAS sub-region. May those dark days never re-surface in our countries and sub-region.”

The Nigerian leader commended his Liberian counterpart, Dr. George Manneh Weah, for his demonstration of love for the country and the pursuance of peace, unity and progress, as evidenced by people-oriented projects executed with the sole purpose of taking the country to greater heights within the limited resources available.

He advised the Liberian leader to do more, he assuring him of Nigeria’s continued support in this regard.

“Your Excellency’s policy of development launched in 2018 as well as the recently launched youth empowerment program, targeted at comprehensively addressing the problems of youth restiveness in Liberia and equally aimed at rescuing the disadvantaged youths (ZOGOS in local parlance) from drug addictions and other forms of social vices and transforming them into useful members of the Liberian society, are clearly very appropriate policies to lift up the most vulnerable.

“Permit me to assure you and all Liberians that Nigeria, as a good partner and a dependable ally, would continue to support you in these efforts, within the limit of our resources. This brings to the fore, the need for strengthening and broadening the levels of collaboration and cooperation between our two countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally, within the ECOWAS, AU and the UN, in order to adequately tackle the common national, sub-regional and global challenges.”

The President of Liberia, Dr. George Weah, thanked President Buhari and other West African leaders for attending the anniversary celebration, saying that without the support of President Buhari in particular, “we would not have had peace.”

2023: I Will Remain In PDP, But Won’t Work For Atiku, Aggrieved Gov. Wike Vows

Editorial staff

July 27, 2022

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyeson Wike has said that he would remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but ruled out the possibility of supporting and working for the success of the Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

A close associate of the governor told newsmen today, July 28 that he would not join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite advances from leaders of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Governor Wike has been silent on the forthcoming presidential election following his grievances with the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku.

This is coming after Governor Wike had threatened to reveal to Nigerians all that have transpired in the PDP since the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of the party.

Wike said: “On Atiku, I will speak soon, and Nigerians will know the actual truth of all that has transpired in the PDP in recent times.”

The Rivers State Governor, who spoke at an interview Arise TV, claimed that the committee set up to nominate a vice presidential candidate for the party did not pick Wike as his running mate.

Atiku, however, said the committee led by the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom only suggested three names to him and he decided to pick who he can work with.

The former Vice President picked the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

Source: Daily Independent.

CBN Moves To Freeze 157 Accounts Of Companies For Alleged Diversion Of Power Sector Funds

Editorial staff

July 26, 2022

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has moved to freeze 157 accounts of companies that are Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) for allegedly diverting funds meant for the procurement of prepaid meters.

The apex bank, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on July 20, requested commercial banks to restrict the account of 10 companies that received power sector intervention funds under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) for 180 days, pending the outcome of its investigation.

The companies listed by the CBN as being involved in the diversion include Mojec Meter Asset Management Company Limited, Integrated Power Nigeria Limited, Holley Metering Limited, Protogy Global Services Limited and Turbo Energy Limited.

Others are G Unit Engineering Limited, Koby Global Engineering Services Limited, FLT Energy Systems Limited, Smart Meters Asset Provider Company Limited and Cresthill Engineering Limited.

The CBN in the suit said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria reviewed the activities of twelve (12) including the defendants herein Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) alleged to have diverted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s power sector intervention funds under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

“The review was aimed at ascertaining the flow of the funds made available to the MAPs, covering the period between January 1, 2020, to March 15, 2022. The preliminary review revealed that the defendants diverted a substantial portion of the funds for other uses through related entities and individuals/companies connected to the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
“The diversion of the power sector intervention funds under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) provided by the applicant’s banks, has further occasioned grave instability in the power sector and sustained the estimated billing regime which the federal government is making frantic efforts to make a thing of the past.
“The diversion of the said funds through the bank accounts of the defendants has continually undermined the applicant’s bank intervention system of supporting various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The diversion of the said funds and sustained instability in the power sector is capable of causing significant economic and financial loss to investors, as well as the entire systems and the Nigerian economy in general, if not curtailed.”

Recall that on April 3, 2018, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) introduced the MAP regulation to new investors to fast-track the rollout of meters through the engagement of third-party investors.
Despite the initial challenges with the initiative occasioned by a late start over lack of cooperation by DisCos as regards engaging licensed firms, the meter asset firms were issued permits to commence the rollout of new meters by May 1, 2019.
The federal government as part of efforts to boost the new policy, it provided a grant of N37 billion for the supply of the meters.
In October 2020, the federal government flagged off the National Mass Metering Programme to close the metering gap in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) by December 2021 and ensure that consumers are billed appropriately for the electricity they consume by installing meters free of charge in households and business premises.
In June, the NERC said it will begin the second phase of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) in August 2022.

Source: TheCable,

Embarrassed Military Investigates Ambush, Killing Of Officers In Abuja By Terrorists

Editorial staff

July 26, 2022

Thoroughly embarrassed military hierarchy has embarked on the investigation of the ambush and killing of three soldiers of the Guards Brigade in Bwari, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja by suspected terrorists yesterday, July 25.

A reliable source confirmed that the Military is investigating how the movement of the troops that went to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari Campus to plan security strategies after a distress call from the institution was known to the terorists.

“The Defence Headquarters is very disturbed about the development and is investigating how the terrorists were abreast of the movement of the troops. It is certain that their movement was compromised but we need to know how.

“However the situation is under control and the DHQ is activating strong strategies to protect the FCT from further attacks. Nigerians should also avail the Military of credible and timely information that will aid ongoing operations.”

It was learnt that the terrorists had planned to attack the over 800 Law School students that will be called to Bar on Wednesday

Consequent upon ambush of the soldiers and elevated security alert, the management of the School had to changed the venue of the event from the School to the Body of Benchers Secretariat in Jabi.

One of the students to be called to Bar, who didn’t want to be mentioned, said the management of the school had instructed the graduands that the ceremony must be low key.

“The venue for the event has been changed, it will no longer hold at the Law School at Bwari, we have been told that the it will now hold at the Body of Benchers Secretariat in Maitama and we should not invite family members, they said it is going to be low key event.”

Meanwhile, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, has confirmed that the troops recorded three casualties in the encounter.

Captain Abakpa however denied that any soldier was missing in action or abducted by the terrorists, sayingAccording to him: “no soldier was abducted; we only had three casualties and they were evacuated.”

Source: The Nation.

Reps Moves To Block CBN Governor From Partisan Politics, Introduces Bill

Editorial staff

July 26, 2022

The House of Representatives has introduced a Bill barring the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from participating in partisan politics.

The Bill went through second reading today, July 26.

Sponsor of the Bill, Sada Soli, at plenary in Abuja, said that the bill would add more conditions to the disqualification and appointment of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Director of the CBN.

“We need to address that. Today, the credibility of CBN in the custody of sensitive election material is being questioned. It is not against any individual, but to save the integrity of CBN”, he said.

According to Sada Soli, the bill would add more stringent conditions for the appointment or cessation of appointments of the CBN Governor, Deputy Governor, as well as Directors of the Bank.

He said that the bill sought to amend the CBN Act 2007, and that the amendment was not prejudiced against anybody, but that the Act was tested and was found weak.

He added that the Act needed to be amended to strengthen the Apex Bank and restore its credibility from the shock it had suffered in the cause of interpreting the law.

The bill scaled second reading after a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the plenary.

Minister Sirika Doesn’t See Immediate End To Aviation Crises Soon, Says It’s Global

Editorial staff

July 26, 2022

Minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said that there is no immediate solution to the multitude of crises bedeviling the Aviation sector in the country.

The Minister, who spoke today, July 26 at an emergency meeting with the Airline Operators Association of Nigeria (AON) in Abuja, said that the variables impacting the crises in the aviation sector are beyond the industry’s control.

Sirika, who made it clear that crises have a global dimension, remarked: “energy crises are real and they are global.

“Today, there is aviation fuel problem all over the world; from America to New Zealand. It is aggravating in Nigeria because we don’t produce the product. It’s aggravated also because the foreign exchange is scarce in Nigeria because the source of earning the foreign exchange also has dwindled.”

He recalled that Federal Government had in the past, sourced 10,000 metric tonnes of Aviation Fuel for the airlines and that the government is wiling to do more.

“As we speak, the government is in the process of finding a permanent solution to this issue. Some of the solutions include importation of the product at appropriate price, accelerating the refurbishment of our refineries and also wait for the coming on stream of Dangote Refinery to boost supply of the product.”

The minister confessed that such solutions cannot be soon, saying: “so, when you ask how soon, I wouldn’t know when Dangote will come on stream, I wouldn’t know how soon the refineries will be filled. I wouldn’t know when imports would become sufficient. But the government is working towards all these to happen.”

He said that he will meet with relevant stakeholders, including the CBN so that the airlines can access dollars at the official market rate rather than the black market rate.

This was even as the President of the Association, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, said that the aviation fuel crises began from N180 per litre and now it’s at N1000 per litre.

He said that the Forex crises is a huge burden on the Industry.

“The rate at which the dollar is escalating now is very alarming. Everyday, a difference between 10-15 Naira is added at the pararrel market. Last week Monday, it was N610 but today, it is N670 to one dollar.”

He appealed to the Minister to intervene, even as the Association’s Vice President, Allen Oyeama, said expressed satisfaction with the government intervention in the Industry.

“We, the airline operators are satisfied with the approach which the government is bringing to the table.”

He acknowledged that the President has approved 10,000MT of fuel to alleviate the sufferings of the members of the Association, adding that another 5,000 has come in.

“We are about to start accessing that. We are pleased with the approach for the long run.

“It is not easy to give a timeline to issues like this because the challenge is global. Even the American airlines are threatened too. It’s not only Nigeria; which is why we are grateful to the government.”

Army Confirms Terrorist Attack In Abuja, Says They Were Successfully Repelled

Greenbarge Reporters

July 26, 2022

The Nigerian Army has confirmed attack by suspected terrorists of the troops of the Guards Brigade (Presidential Guard) around Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Assistant Director of the Army Public Relations, Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, who confirmed the attack today, July 25, said that soldiers were attacked by suspected terrorists but were repelled successfully.

According to him, three soldiers were wounded during the cross-firing, adding that they have been evacuated to a medical facility and are receiving treatment.

“They were attacked and the attack was successfully repelled. We had a few wounded in action who have been taken to the hospital and are receiving treatments.

“At the moment our troops are still combing the general area to get rid of the criminals that have been threatening the general area. It is advised that residents go about their lawful businesses and keep cooperating with us by giving us timely information to enable us win the fight against the criminals.”

There were Intelligence reports, according to military sources, that the terrorists have laid siege to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the intention to attack the Law School in Bwari and other government facilities.

It was learnt that troops of 7 Guards Battalion on routine patrol along Kubwa – Bwari road were ambushed by the suspected terrorists, who laid siege to the city but authorities said they were on the trail of the assailants.

“The ambush happening within the general area of Bwari shows that the terrorists are actually within the location and possibly to carry out their plans of attacking the Law School in Bwari as earlier reported,” the source stated.

Those Who Attended APC Presidential Running Mate May Not Be Bishops, But – Amaechi

Editorial staff

July 25, 2022

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said that those who attended the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as Presidential running mate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may not be real bishops but that they are christians.

Amaechi, who spoke at an event marking the 60th birthday of Eugene Ogu, general overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Mission in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, stressed that the persons in question are Christians.

“Those bishops you saw (at Kashim Shettima’s unveiling ceremony), may not be bishops, but they are Christians.”

There have been controversies and mixed reactions to the appearance of over 30 ‘bishops’ that attended the official unveiling of Shettima as the running mate to APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Buhari Flies To Liberia Tomorrow To Speak On Respect For Rule Of Law

Editorial staff

July 25, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to depart for Liberia tomorrow, July 26 to participate in that country’s 175 years Independence anniversary and deliver a speech on the rule of law and security.

A statement today, July 25 by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that President Buhari is also expected to emphasize to them the importance of free, fair and credible elections.

Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Nigeria are going into elections in 2023.

The statement said that Buhari will also emphasize the importance of the respect for the rule of law throughout the sub-region, adding that without the rule of Law and constitutional rule, there cannot be security, peace and development.

“Peace and security of Liberia (and Sierra-Leone) is important to Nigeria given the enormous investments in men, material and resources expended by this country to secure the two states. Without the leadership of Nigeria in the context of ECOWAS to secure these two, there would not have been a Liberia on the map in its present configuration today.

“Bilaterally, Nigeria and Liberia may bring to the table issues of cross-border terrorism, bolstering defence and trade ties.

“The warmth of the relationship and personal chemistry between President Buhari and George Weah of Liberia is no less significant and will play a key role in the events of tomorrow.”

Stop Abusing Other Presidential Candidates On My Behalf, Obi Pleads With Supporters

Editorial staff

July 25, 2022

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has pleaded with his supporters to stop making derogatory remarks on other Presidential candidate in the name of defending him and that they should rather allow him to respond to such Presidential candidates.

In a tweet today, July 25, Peter Obi begged the supporters to allow him to respond rather than they responding for him, asking them to concentrate on issues that will promote the cause of moving the nation from consumption to production, create jobs, and generally evolve a better Nigeria.

“I most sincerely appreciate all my supporters and those of LP. I love you all. I wish to appeal to you to allow me to personally respond to any CANDIDATE that makes comments about me, while you concentrate on issues to promote our cause of moving our dear Nigeria from consumption to production, create jobs, and generally evolve a better Nigeria,” he tweeted.

In recent time, Obi’s supporters had always torn-apart any presidential candidate who dared to attack him, using abusive, gutter language and unrefined comments.

They tore the PDP’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar after his interview on Arise TV where he said it would take a miracle for Obi to win the presidency.

Atiku had said that about 90 percent of northerners are not on social media and that they formed the bulk of the electorate.

In response, Obi’s supporters called Atiku names and abused.

This is not the first time the LP’s presidential candidate is appealing to his supporters over their unruly behaviour and misdemeanour.

He had told them to stop abusing people sometimes ago but they will not listen.

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