Nigeria Seeks Better Trade Relations With Emerging New Britain

January 19, 2020

Nigeria is seeking for better trade and diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom as it is set to exit the European Union.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who made the request today, January 20 in London on behalf of Nigeria, said that only the passage of time will reveal what the UK’s new relationship shall be.

“But with this new arrangement, I, like many other Commonwealth leaders, also seek a new settlement not only of closer relations between the UK and my own nation, but of unleashing trade within the club in which we together shall remain.”

Buhari, who acknowledged that the relationship between Nigeria and the UK had been close and longstanding, recalled that in recent years, “our relationship, particularly economically, has become increasingly defined by Britain’s membership of the European Union.”

The Nigerian leader noted that a new free trade agreement would reconfigure the emerging new Britain, “presenting new opportunities for both.

“As the largest economy in Africa, my country of nearly 200 million people has a great deal to offer: Nigeria’s vast natural energy and mineral resources, unbarred through the ending of customs barriers, could help supply growth for companies in all corners of the UK. “Greater access would also be forthcoming to one of the world’s fastest expanding groups of consumers – the Nigerian middle classes.

“For my country, greater UK engagement in its economy would bring jobs to under-tapped sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing. Millions of highly skilled, English-speaking but underemployed young people, are eager to work but without the opportunities that foreign investment can bring to create jobs and build businesses.

“Yet there is also a case to be made that our two Commonwealth countries should try, with other members, to deliver more, collectively.

“In 2015, I became the first head of a new Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council tasked with boosting trade and investment within the wider organisation.

“Now with the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth’s largest economy, no longer obliged to ringfence its economy with tariffs, this mission will be given a jolt of vitality.

“However, we must be realistic: the commonwealth will not suddenly become a multilateral-free trade zone. “Today, many members reside within regional free trade and customs zones of their own. Yet without any of us needing to relinquish these ties, we can work together to minimise, consistent with respective memberships, as far as possible many of the tariffs and barriers on commodities, products and services. “Because member countries’ national laws are built on the principles of English jurisprudence, we might work together from this common platform to better align regulations on investment, certification and trade.

“A renewed sense of Commonwealth solidarity would also be of enormous benefit to the large and vital diasporas, particularly from Africa and the Indian subcontinent, that live in Western Commonwealth countries such as Britain, Canada and Australia.

“These communities still maintain the strongest of cultural and family links with the countries from which they and their forebears emigrated.

“Yet visa restrictions and customs barriers must be reduced to fulfill the potential these connections could bring to the nations where they today reside. “As an African leader, I have an obligation to speak of the fact that while many in the African Diaspora enjoy considerable benefits from life in the West, they do not always feel at the heart of the community.

“A renewed sense that there are ties that bind us through the Commonwealth, and a concerted effort to grow those links through trade, could act as a spur to encourage togetherness and the certainty of belonging.

“This year provides two critical summits in which this new determination could take seed. In January, London shall play host to the UK-Africa Investment Summit. (The continent is the Commonwealth’s largest constituent, providing over a third of its membership) “And then back to Africa, where Rwanda will welcome countries to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“It is at this biennial summit that many of the organisation’s milestones have been achieved, particularly in democracy and human rights. The 2020 summit could be the wrench that begins to tighten our economic structures, drawing strength from our shared bonds of history, friendship and language.

“Time will tell if Britain’s new ability to strike free trade deals directly with other countries once it departs the EU can be built into more than bilateral economic cooperation. But there is no reason why, collectively, we should not try.

“Nor should we dismiss the potential for making the Commonwealth of Nations more than a voluntary organization of equals based on a shared history that it is today. Instead it is in all our people’s interests to labour, dispassionately, to increase our focus on lowering barriers to achieving what truly brings freedom, friendship and equality: prosperity through trade.”

Lassa Fever: Expert Warns Against Soaking Garri In Water To Drink

Editorial staff

January 19, 2020

The Director of Public Health, Enugu State, Dr. Boniface Okolo, has cautioned Nigerians against the consumption of cassava flakes, otherwise known as garri to avoid contacting Lassa fever.

Dr. Okolo, who gave the warning in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu today, January 18, said that the rats that cause the disease are mostly in contact with Nigerian most popular staple food ‘garri,’ product from cassava, saying that it becomes mode dangerous as soaked garri does not require boiled water.
The health expert said that boiled water can kill bacteria caused by pest or rodents in garri, adding: “it is better that the cassava flakes called garri is used for ‘eba’, because of the use of hot water.
“We in the state health ministry are waging total war against rodents through sensitisation, that is what we are doing to ensure we do not have victim of Lassa fever in the state.
“We are also sensitising the public to ensure that their fruits and raw vegetables are properly washed if they must be consumed them raw and cook to the appropriate temperature.
“The best practices for food storage should be encouraged to prevent epidemic.
”We should always make sure that we use air-tight clean plastic containers to preserve our foodstuff to avoid lassa fever and other diseases.”

Ihedioha Says Those Celebrating Supreme Court Verdict On Imo Are Not Students Of Democracy

Editorial staff

January 19, 2020

“This is not the time to celebrate. I pity anyone who is celebrating that sad event. If anyone is celebrating, that person is not a student of democracy.”

These were the words of the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha when he received in audience today, January 18, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja.
Ihedioha, who said that both the judiciary and the electoral system are on trial, described the judgment as shocking both to himself and several others across the country, as it was never anticipated.
He said that his ouster as governor of Imo State by the apex court remains a mystery, adding: “the elections in Imo were closely monitored, well advertised and everybody in Nigeria followed it through. The results were very clear, the electoral umpire still has the results…
“it is not about Emeka Ihedioha. It is not about Imo State. It is about the future of our country and democracy. It’s about what do we do tomorrow. ..
“I am calm and we are calm, and that is why you see in Imo, there is calmness. The calmness is coming out of shock, it is coming out of disbelief. It is coming out of the fact that people are saying, let us still see, can this be possible?
“We are waiting for answers and I believe there will be answers.”

World Heavyweight Boxing Champ Bows Before Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

January 18, 2020

Nigerian British-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, met with President Muhammadu Buhari in London today, January 18 and presented his three championship belts to the Nigerian leader in the presence of some government officials and his family.
President Buhari was pleased with Joshua’s candour and praised him for making Nigeria proud.

It will be recalled that Joshua regained the WBA, IBF, and WBF titles after defeating Andy Ruiz last December in a highly anticipated fight called ‘The Clash of the Dunes’, joining boxing greats like Mohammed Ali, Lennox Lewis as a two-time champion.
Joshua surprised everyone at the meeting when he proceeded to prostrate before the President.

Transparency International Votes Ghana 3Rd Most Corrupt In The World

Editorial staff

January 17, 2020

Transparency International has, through it’s Corruption Perceptions Index, voted Ghana, a West African country as the third most Corrupt nation in the world.
Ghana scored 67 points in the rankings released earlier this week, even as Kenya made the top 10, occupying the 8th position with 53 points.
Colombia is perceived to be the most corrupt country in the world, according to U.S. News’ 2020 Best Countries rankings, a characterisation of 73 countries based on a survey of more than 20,000 global citizens.
In the survey, respondents answered how closely they related each of the countries to the term “corrupt”, the exact meaning of which was left to their own interpretation.
Colombia, which sees an estimated $14 billion a year in corruption-related costs, experienced a wave of anti-government protests starting at the end of November. A new set of strikes could ensue after protest leaders meet with government officials later this month.
While the country is known for its decades of political scandals, voters recently elected Claudia López, a member of Colombia’s green party and a prominent activist, as the mayor of Bogota. López is the first woman and openly gay individual to become mayor of Colombia’s capital city.
Mexico, known for its deadly drug cartels, follows Colombia as the No. 2 most corrupt country in the 2020 ranking. Myanmar, Guatemala, Saudia Arabia, Brazil and Bolivia also made the top 10.
Russia, which has been accused of election meddling and Olympic doping, joins the top 10 list this year after placing No. 12 in 2019.
Source: U.S. News & World Report.

Aisha Buhari Advanses Garba Shehu’s Son To Observe Patience, Tolerance As He Marries

Editorial staff

January 17, 2020

Aisha, First Lady and wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a word of advise to Muhammad, son of the senior special assistant to President Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who wedded Zuwaira Umar Faruk today, January 17.
Aisha Buhari asked Muhammad to learn to be patient with his new wife, saying: “the secret of successful marriages is in patience and tolerance for your partner. I urge you to banish anger, mistrust and impatience from your home,” the President advised the young couple.
In a letter to Garba Shehu, the First Lady said that she will continue to pray for the success of the marriage.
“We also pray to God Almighty to bless this marriage and make their home a happy one to enjoy their union as husband and wife.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari was represented at the wedding by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Minister of Defence, retired Major General Bashir Magashi and the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Jalal Arabi.
The Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje received the bride on behalf of Muhammad Garba Shehu at the event which was also attended by Governors Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State and Edo State Governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki.
The wedding Fatiha took place at the An-Noor Mosque, Wuse, Abuja.

Supreme Court Judgment On Imo: Truth Of The Matter, By Barr. Remi Olatubora

Editorial staff

January 17, 2020

Many have called privately to ask me questions as to what happened in Imo Governorship election petition.

This little intervention is a summary of the legal contest. I must apologize in advance if some aspects of it is somewhat technical.

I am one of Senator Hope Uzodinma’s lawyers. I am not a member or a fan of APC but just an ordinary lawyer who did law job for the man who hired his services.

The petition was fought on the basis of exclusion of election results from 388 polling units in Imo State.These 388 polling units happened to be those in areas where Hope Uzodinma won massively. Many of them are around his father’s village.

INEC in its pleading offered no explanation as to the whereabouts of election results of the 388 polling units. INEC only pleaded that no polling units’ results were excluded.

In our Law of Evidence, there is what we call presumption. Applied to election litigation, there is the presumption on the 9th March 2019 Governorship election held in all the polling units in Imo. The implication of this is that it is the legal burden on INEC to account for what happened in the 388 polling units.

We put in evidence results of the 388 contested polling units through the collation agents of Hope Uzodinma who witnessed the unlawful exclusion. Neither INEC nor Emeka Ihedioha put in a different set of election results. Interestingly, neither INEC nor Ihedioha denied that those polling units in respect of which 388 Forms EC.8A were tendered and admitted, existed.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations during the election was subpoenaed. He responded and tendered copies of the Forms EC.8A given to Police officers in the 388 polling units in evidence. These documents were admitted as Exhibits PPP1_PPP366.

Hope’s petition was not taken seriously. Emeka focussed more on 1st runner-up’s petition. 1st runner-up asked for only nullification on ground that Emeka did not get required geographical spread. Hope Uzodinma asked to be returned as the winner of majority of the votes cast (declared result + excluded) AND ALTERNATIVELY for nullification and re-run.

In the fullness of time and sensing the futility of 1st runner-up’s prayer, we abandoned Uzodinma’s ALTERNATIVE PRAYER. The life of the law is not logic but experience. (O. W. Holmes).

We had spilt decision at the Court of Appeal. The minority judgment was in favour of Hope Uzodinma.

What the Supreme Court did was to examine the fact of the case, cross-check on the health of the jurisprudence behind the majority and minority decisions of the Court of Appeal.

If anything was wrong failure of INEC to give account is to be blame not the Supreme Court.

Barrister Remi Olatubora is Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State.

Nigeria’s Electoral Act Needs Rejigging, Chief Olanipekun Stresses

Editorial staff

January 17, 2020

Lead Counsel in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential elections petition legal team, Chief Wole Olanipekun has stressed the need for the Rejigging of the national electoral Act presently at the National Assembly.

Chief Olanipekun, who spoke last night, January 16 at a dinner hosted for the legal team by President Muhammadu Buhari, acknowledged that while the National Assembly is doing something about the Electoral Act, “the Act requires some rejigging and cleansing.

‘‘We are happy to know that the National Assembly is doing something about the Electoral law.

‘‘We are ready to cooperate with them without taking a dime, whether as consultants, whether as legal practitioners, whether as experts. If the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) will co-opt us, we are ready to give assistance.”

Olanipekun confirmed that throughout the Presidential legal battle was fought and won based on the facts of the law.

According to him, President Buhari never used his position or office to influence the decision of the Courts.

“The courts were allowed to do their job, Mr President and I must commend you for that Sir. Nobody whispered to anyone of us, how we are going to see Judge A or Judge B. That’s the way it should be. Judges must be allowed and be given free hand to do their job.

‘‘Mr President, we are happy to have been called upon and we are happy that we delivered. ’’

Olanipekun commended the President’s commitment to the rule of law, saying ‘‘it is the surest legacy Mr President can bequeath to our dear nation.’’

This was even as President Buhari pledged to bequeath better electoral processes to the next generations while stressing that he would quit the stage at the end of his second term in 2023.

Buhari who insists that elections must be free and fair emphasized that he was already looking forward to a peaceful hand over in 2023 as he is morally bound to fulfil that wish.

‘‘Morally I want to have a clear conscience. I swore by the Holy Book that I will abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘‘I will continue to do my best and I hope that by 2023, I can handover quietly to whoever succeeds me and I wish him the best of luck.”

The President commended the legal team led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN for the outstanding legal successes recorded in the presidential election petition.

He praised the team for the effective legal strategy that thrived in piloting his election litigation.

‘‘You creditably demonstrated a deep understanding of the law and its practices and I am indeed proud of you all.

‘‘I am confident that by securing a convincing and unanimous legal victory at the Supreme Court you have by so doing ensured that the political mandate of the Nigerian electorate is now firmly secured.”

The President added that the legal team’s enormous contributions have affirmed the rule of law and further entrenched democratic governance in Nigeria.

‘‘This legal team is an assemblage of some of the most scholarly legal teams ever assembled in this country.

‘‘I must note that the aforesaid legal successes recorded through your excellence have assisted me in fulfilling this government’s desire for a better Nigeria.”

On behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the President told the team to accept his commendations and best wishes for their meritorious service.

Nigeria Service Chiefs Warn Against Amotekun, Say It Negates National Security Policy

Editorial staff

January 17, 2020

President Buhari with his service chiefs

Nigeria Service Chiefs, made up of armed forces, police and other security and intelligence leaders have warned against the establishment of Amotekun as proposed by the six Southwestern State governors, as alternative to Nigerian security system.

Rising from a security meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari today, January 17, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the service chiefs advised all the stakeholders to rather join hands with the security and intelligence operatives to find solutions to the security challenges in the country.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said: “I think our appeal is for all Nigerians and other stakeholders to join hands with the armed forces of Nigeria and other security and intelligence agencies to ensure that our country is secured rather than looking at other methods that are likely going to negate the national policy and community policing policy that the Federal Government has approved.

“What we expect is for all stakeholders, local governments, state governments, other stakeholders to join hands with us: let us work together to ensure that our country is secured.”

He said that the security meeting today took a critical look at the security challenges and to evaluate what the armed forces of Nigeria as well as other security and intelligence agencies are doing with regard to ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any individual or group of individuals.

The Chief of Air Staff said that the meeting also looked at the emerging situations in some of areas, particularly acts of banditry in some of the North Western states and other parts of the country “and we have critically looked at everything and we are satisfied with the progress we are making. We are satisfied with the support of the Federal Government to the armed forces and other security agencies in terms of procurement of platforms.

“Substantial number of these equipment are expected by the end of February. Some of the equipment we are acquiring have started arriving for the Nigerian Air Force, two helicopter gunshots have arrived on the 15th of January and we are now in the process of putting them together which will add to whatever we have.

“We are equally expecting other equipment meant for the armed forces of Nigeria and we are hoping to get them by the end of February. I am sure you are also familiar with the equipment acquisition by the Nigerian Police Force.

“I am sure you are also aware of the policy on Community Policing that was approved by Mr. President and it is going to be funded. The whole idea is to ensure that Nigeria is secured and Nigerians can go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations without any hindrance.”

The service chiefs reassured Nigerians that they are going to continue to work round the clock to ensure that the country is secured and to ensure that nobody undermines the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Nigeria.

“We are going to keep a very close watch on what is going on and with the equipment that we are getting, definitely, the challenges we are facing in some of the theaters of operation, particularly the North East will be addressed adequately.

“We are doing everything with the other sister countries in the Lake Chad Basin working together to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorism is brought substantially to an end as quickly as possible.”

Federal, Sates And Local Governments Share N716.298 Billion For December 2019

Editorial staff

January 16, 2020

Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N716.298 billion to the three tiers of government for the month of December 2019.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse announced at the FAAC meeting today, January 16 that the N716.298 billion comprised revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain and the Statutory Revenue.
This was higher than the N491.875 billion received in the previous month by N108.439 billion.
Gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N 114.805 billion as against N90.166 billion distributed in the previous month, resulting in an increase of N24.639 billion. Exchange Gain yielded a total revenue of N1.179 billion.
FG, states, councils share N679.699bn for May 2019
FAAC disbursement dropped to N1.9 trillion in Q1 2019 due to…
A communique issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that from the total revenue of N716.298 billion, the Federal Government received N287.929 billion, the State Governments received N191.302 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N143.698 billion.
Oil Producing States received N50.279 billion as 13% derivation revenue and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N43.089 billion as cost of revenue collection.
A breakdown of the distribution showed that from the gross statutory revenue of N600.314 billion, the Federal Government received N271.361 billion, the State Governments received N137.638 billion, the Local Government Councils received N106.113 billion, the Oil Producing States received N50.149 billion as 13% derivation revenue and the Revenue Collecting Agencies received N35.053 billion as cost of collection.
From the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N114.806, the Federal Government received N16.015 billion, the State Governments received N53.386 billion, the Local Government Councils received N37.369 billion and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N8.036 billion as cost of revenue collection.
The communique confirmed that for the month of December 2019, there were significant increases in revenues from Companies Income Tax(CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT) Oil and Gas Royalties and Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), while import duty increased marginally.

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