Let’s re-negotiate Nigeria now, says Soyinka

·        Nothing sacrosanct, he declares

President Muhammadu Buhari and others before him, holding the position that Nigeria’s sovereignty is non-negotiable are wrong Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, said on Tuesday, in Lagos.

Coming on the heels of renewed agitation for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation, the accomplished writer and vocal voice in national and international matters told Punch newspapers, while visiting its corporate headquarters in Lagos

Prof. Wole Soyinka

Speaking during a visit to PUNCH Place, the corporate headquarters of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Kilometre 14, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, that the decentralisation of the nation would ensure healthy rivalry among the component units.

The laureate said it was wrong for previous administrations in the country to say that Nigeria’s sovereignty was non-negotiable, submitting that the position was antithetical to development.

Soyinka added, “I am on the side of those who say we must do everything to avoid disintegration. That language I understand. I don’t understand (ex-President Olusegun) Obasanjo’s language. I don’t understand (President Muhammadu) Buhari’s language and all their predecessors, saying the sovereignty of this nation is non-negotiable. It’s bloody well negotiable and we had better negotiate it. We better negotiate it, not even at meetings, not at conferences, but everyday in our conduct towards one another.

“We had better understand it too that when people are saying ‘let’s restructure’, they have better things to do. It’s not an idle cry; it is a perennial demand. The Pro-National Conference Organisation was about restructuring when this same Obasanjo said it was an act of treason for people to come together to fashion a new constitution. Those were fighting words; that you’re saying, ‘I commit treason because I want to sit with my fellow citizens and negotiate the structures of staying together’ and ask the police to go and break it up and arrest us.

“I remember that policeman, who said if we met, that would be treason. I wasn’t a member of PRONACO at the time. That’s when I joined PRONACO. If you’re saying to me, ‘I am a second-class citizen; I cannot sit down and discuss the articles, the protocols of staying together’ and you’re trying to bully me, I won’t accept.”

He said Nigeria could not continue with a centralisation policy, which encouraged what he described as “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop”mentality.

Soyinka said the over centralisation of government had resulted in resentment among constituent states, adding that the phenomenon was insulting and promoted anti-healthy rivalry among states.

He stated, “We cannot continue to allow a centralisation policy which makes the constituent units of this nation resentful; they say monkey dey work, baboon dey chop. And the idea of centralising revenues, allocation system, whereby you dole out; the thing is insulting and it is what I call anti-healthy rivalry. It is against the incentives to make states viable.”

He said the centralisation of government led to the proliferation of states during the military era when, according to him, a state was created because the girlfriend of a certain military leader hailed from the state.

He said it was high time government established state police to check the rising security challenges in the country, stressing that policing was more effective when localised.

Soyinka added, “I know people get nervous about that expression. If you go to a place like England, you sometimes see two, three, four police (officers) just walking casually unarmed, but they are observing everything.

“Now, if policing is all of that, then I think the police are more efficient if they are based within a smaller constituency than a larger one. Within such constituencies, the policeman virtually knows everybody. A federal, centralised system of police lacks that advantage.

“So, I find it very difficult to accept that people can be nervous about the state police. State police has been abused. Nobody is denying that; it’s historical. Don’t tell us because we know already. But isn’t centralised police also abused? Look at what’s been coming out from the last elections, not just the police, but the military.”

Condemning the killings perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen across the country, the Professor of Comparative Literature said the phenomenon had become an albatross that must be tackled frontally by the Federal Government.

Soyinka said the intrusive nature of Fulani herdsmen was no longer a remote problem for him personally, alleging that some Fulani herdsmen had invaded the privacy of his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“It is no longer a remote problem for me. It is an actuality,” he said, recalling that the killings carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Enugu some months ago was mismanaged by the government.

“In Enugu, why did it take so long to investigate the killings? It’s like the case of Ese Oruru. What is all this? What is security for? That thing should have been addressed immediately. (In Enugu), they shouldn’t have waited for directives from Buhari or anybody. This is a crime against humanity. There should be no debate about it.

“The military should have been drafted there immediately; the police, first of all, and the military – if necessary. I found out that the victims were arrested; what’s all that about? This menace is underestimated. If they had reached my secure place in Abeokuta, then it is no longer a remote problem.”

He faulted the proposal to create grazing reserves for herdsmen in the country, saying rather than do that, ranches, where members of the public could go to buy cows and goats, should be created.

The octogenarian said the term “grazing reserve” would convey the meaning that government had carved out some people’s land for herdsmen to use for their commercial enterprise.

 “The word ‘reserve’ is the problem. If there are ranches, it doesn’t matter where they are built, ranches are a commercial proposition, it isn’t a Fulani issue. You can create ranches so that cows, goats could be bought there. This shouldn’t be an instrument of politics, race or ethnicity.

“But when you talk about reserves, it suggests that people can bring cattle from Futa Djallon, Senegal, and if they get here, they can get reserve. If it’s a ranch, it’s a pure commercial proposition, you want to trade. I will like to see these cattle people go back to the position they were before in which there was mutual collaboration between them and farmers,” he said.

Soyinka called on Buhari to consider the report of the 2014 National Conference convened during the tenure of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, lamenting that the country had been moving round in circles without direction.

 “We have a habit of consigning files to the dust shelves and then we start all over again. The (confab) report that came under Jonathan is even more superior to the one that I participated in as a member of PRONACO and I think that should be addressed seriously.

“The recommendations strike me as workable, practical, and in fact, as answering some of the anxieties of this nation. This is something I think that Buhari should tackle seriously,” he said.

Source Punch/Whirlwind News

Delta signs MoU for lotto

·       Gaming system’s job creation prospect excites Gov. Okowa

In its determination to create jobs for the teeming youths, Delta State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Digital Gaming Systems Limited to run a Lottery Gaming Company otherwise known as Delta Lotto.

Governor Okowa, left, exchanging the signed MoU with Chief iwelumo. With
 them is Engr. Mark Shenton. 

Speaking shortly after signing the MoU Tuesday (28/06/16) at Asaba, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disclosed that a rigorous process was involved before it got to the stage of signing the MoU to ensure that the people of the state gets adequate benefits from the programme.

The governor said: “We congratulate ourselves for getting to this stage where we have just signed the MoU; we have been briefed about the whole system and it is heart-warming that there is a great prospect of creating a lot of jobs for our youths.

“It is also, expected that the state will generate revenue from the programme and the fund generated applied to social development that will benefit the people especially the poor,  which makes it a win-win situation for the people.”

Gov. Okowa watches as Mr. Ovie Agas , Delta's SSG signs on behalf of the state
 government. With them is Mr. Peter Mrakpor, stata attorney-general and
commissioner for justice. 

While expressing confidence in the ability of Digital Gaming Systems Limited to run an accountable and transparent Delta State Lottery, the Governor, assured the company that his administration would meet with its obligations.

“With the number of years the Digital Gaming Systems limited has as experience, we are confident that the best would be achieved for our people and we look forward to a huge success story in the nearest future,” the Governor declared.

A cross section of executives of  Digital Gaming System at the MoU signing.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the company, Chief Ken Iwelumo said the MoU was for the “establishment of a Delta State Lottery Company (Delta Lotto) that will offer a broad array of lottery run games to the people of Delta State; it will be transparently operated company offering daily, weekly and mega games via multiple channels and product delivery system, including but not limited to fixed terminals, hand held mobile terminal, mobile phone, computers, online and system developed future.

 “The Delta State Lottery in addition will be providing world class entertainment that will create employment opportunities and avenues for legitimate wealth creation for small entrepreneurs. And with this agreement, Delta Lotto will begin operations simultaneously in all 25 local government areas of Delta State as lottery is recognized by governments worldwide as a means of raising funds to carry responsible projects in the fields of healthcare, education, social welfare and infrastructural development.”

Delta State To Demolish Houses Of Confirmed Kidnappers, says Gov. Okowa

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State says the state government will demolish houses and properties of convicted kidnappers and their collaborators in the state to check incidents of kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Governor Okowa, left, with Compol, Delta state, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim.

Speaking when he received on a courtesy visit, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, the newly posted state Commissioner of Police and his team yesterday [22-06-16] in Asaba, Governor Okowa said that the amended kidnapping law would go beyond jail sentence for kidnappers as the properties and houses of culpable individuals and their collaborators would be demolished as they will be considered as proceeds of crime.

“We will do all we can to stop kidnappings in the state, it is becoming a menace in the country, we are amending the Anti-kidnapping law in the state to make sure that those involved and their collaborators will not go scot free with the proceeds of the crime. The houses and properties of those involved, their beneficiaries and collaborators will be brought down. We will implement the law to the letter when the amended bill is passed and signed into law”, the governor said.

He commended Mr Ibrahim on his plans to partner with communities and vigilante groups in crime prevention and intelligence gathering and assured him of the state government’s commitment to a crime free Delta State, adding that the state's vigilante law would be amended to make it operational and clear all contentious issues.

“We welcome your advocacy as it will enable the communities build confidence in the police, and information will be given to the police without fear. It is difficult to police a state without partnership with the community stakeholders, some of our people have become apprehensive of the activities of the criminals among the herdsmen and it has spread to the cattle rearers who have lived among us; we need to sift the criminals from the genuine ones, this advocacy will help us in this process,”, he stated.

While assuring the Police Commissioner of government’s partnership in the mopping up of light arms in the state, Governor Okowa promised to work with his team to make the state crime free and peaceful for investors, visitors and all Deltans .

Earlier, Mr. Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to Governor Okowa for the warm reception he got on his assumption of office, stressing that he would partner with traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure a crime free state.

“I will synergise with stakeholders and hold advocacy meetings with communities while sharing information with security agencies within and outside the state to check crimes. We will engage vigilante groups for information and intelligence gathering and mop up light arms so as to make Delta State crime free”, he said.

Court sacks Gov. Ikpeazu of Abia, orders INEC to issue Ogah C of R

A Federal High Court in Abuja, has ordered Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia to vacate his office immediately.
The Judge, Justice Okon Abang, gave the order when he delivered a judgment in a case instituted by Samson Ogah of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday in Abuja.
Ogah had accused Ikpeazu of submitting false information in his tax clearance certificate to the party during the governorship primaries in the state.

Okezie Ikpeazu sacked as Governor of Abia by Federal High court

Abang ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Ogah as the duly elected governor of Abia.
He said the court relied on the Supreme Court decisions in the case of Obi vs INEC and Ameachi vs INEC to make the consequential order.
The court said that Ogah, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant in 2015 election in Abia, was entitled to the certificate of return in the election held in April 2015.
``It is hereby ordered that INEC, the third defendant should immediately issue certificate of return to Dr. Samson Ogah as governor of Abia state in the election held in 2015 and restore to him all the entitlements as the elected governor of Abia.
``Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is hereby ordered to vacate office as governor of Abia immediately relying on the decision of the Supreme Court in INEC vs Obi,’’ he held.

Abang held that the tax clearance certificate and income tax receipts submitted by Ikpeazu were unknown to the law and made him ineligible to contest the poll.

He held that the 2011 tax clearance certificate and income tax receipt submitted to INEC before the 2014 PDP primaries contained false information.
The court said that Ikpeazu’s appointment letter as General Manager, Abia Passenger Integrated Scheme on July 18, 2011 spelt out his salary and entitlements.
``Going by the appointment letter, Ikpeazu would have worked for Abia Passenger Integrated Scheme for five months 12 days.
``The earnings of the second defendant based on the letter of appointment by single calculation in 2011 for five months 12 days is N493 or N546, 669 if not assigned government vehicle.
``The tax payment submitted by the second defendant didn't reflect this figure,’’ the court held.
Abang further held that the tax certificate indicated the gross earnings of Ikpeazu for 2011 to be N1.14 million and the income tax was assessed on this figure.
He also held that the date on the tax receipt filed by the governor was on a Saturday, adding that Saturday, even in Abia was a public holiday.
The court said that Ikpeazu did not file his tax clearance in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and that all payments he made preceding the 2014 primaries were made in one day and not as and when due.
Abang held that Ikpeazu perjured when he said that he had fulfilled all the requirements to contest the 2015 elections.
This, he said, was because he had failed to provide a tax clearance certificate that was known to the law.
He added that the governor was not qualified to be the candidate of the PDP in the primaries of 2014 and was also not qualified to be fielded as the candidate for the 2015 election.
He held that Ogah was the qualified candidate to contest as the candidate of the PDP for the 2015 election and his name ought to have been forwarded to INEC as the PDP candidate.
He said that Ikpeazu did not win the PDP primaries as he was not eligible or qualified to contest the poll.
He also awarded N100, 000 cost in favour of Ogah. (NAN)

We're working hard to restructure Nigeria's battered economy - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is working very hard to restructure the Nigerian economy, battered by several years of mismanagement.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari stated this in Abuja on Monday while receiving the Chief Global CEO of Unilever, Mr Paul Polman.

President Buhari

The statement quoted the President as saying that Nigeria is paying dearly for the incompetent management of the massive revenue that accrued to the nation from oil.

It also quoted Buhari as saying that the country was particularly paying dearly for over a decade's decay of critical infrastructure.

''We refused to save for the rainy day. Now the rain is beating us.

``No money, no savings, nothing. And we are thoroughly wet from the rains," he said.

President Buhari said Nigeria was paying the price for turning itself into a mono-economy.

He, however, assured that the country would soon be able to feed its citizens and even export, given his administration's focus on the development of the agriculture sector.

He assured that the Federal Government would fast-track the implementation of strategies to ease doing business and to attract more investors to Nigeria.

``We want to create jobs, and supporting manufacturing is one way to do it.

``As soon as we have stabilised our budget, I would personally be interested in the manufacturing sector, particularly in the generation of essential raw materials,’’ the President said.

The Chief Global CEO of Unilever had told the President that the conglomerate had been in Nigeria for 93 years, making it the oldest manufacturing concern in the country.

``Our products are more Nigerian than other Nigerian brands.

``Despite the economic downturn, there are opportunities to further advance our business here.

``The situation to invest and continue to invest here is very encouraging," he said.

According to Polman, Unilever has invested at least N15 billion in Nigeria in the past three years.(NAN)

Stage set for construction of Delta Commercial City

·          DTSG Signs MoU with development partners

 Delta State Government on Monday, [27-06-16] signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with Development Partners to set the stage for the construction of the Delta Commercial City project in Asaba even as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assures of government’s commitment to boost infrastructural development in the state.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Okowa who said that Deltans were desirous of development said his government would provide the enabling environment for infrastructural development to thrive. 

Governor Okowa with President of D'Arcano, sergio D'Arcano and the
company's managing director, Noise  Massogvi at the MOU signing in
Government House, Asaba. 

He stressed that the Delta Commercial City would not only provide employment for the people of the state but also bring development to the state.

Chief Ovie Agas, Secretary To The State Government, signed the MoU on behalf of the state government and witnessed by Governor Okowa along with other members of the state Executive Council, while Messrs. Moise Nassogui of D’Arcano Group and Olawole Rhodes-Vivour, Al HUDA Nig. Limited signed on behalf of the Development Partners.

Governor Okowa with Mr. Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, Al Huda at the MoU
signing also in Asaba.

 “The process of the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] is heart-warming as everyone is eager to get the project started, Deltans are eager to see development in the state, we are convinced the time for the Delta Commercial City is now, as we are building a city for the future today.”, the governor said, adding: “I want to assure you of government’s commitment and support to enable the project spring up as soon as possible, government will provide all the enabling environment especially security for the project to thrive”.

Okowa assured the Development Partners that the project “is an economic plus as it is located in a prime area and will attract a lot of businesses,” pointing out that the economic gains to both the state and its Development partners can’t be quantified.

In his remarks, Mr. Kingsley Emu, Chairman, Steering Committee for the project, said that with the signing of the MoU, the process to kick start the development of the project would be activated and the Special Project Vehicle [SPV] would be put in place.

 He assured that the project worth several millions of dollars has great economic prospects for the state and investors.

Messrs. Moise Nassogui of D’Arcano Group and Olawole Rhodes-Vivour, Al HUDA Nig. Limited on their part, said the Delta Commercial City was a project which would pivot the development of the state promising due diligence in the delivery of this project.

Ekiti NASS caucus to Buhari: Stop intimidating Fayose,

Members of the National Assembly in the Senate and House of Representatives from Ekiti State have, elected to support Governor. Mr. Ayo Fayose in his current confrontation with the Federal Government.

President Buhari

The lawmakers under the umbrella of the Ekiti State Caucus at the National Assembly cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against allowing itself to be used to intimidate or harass Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State by the Federal government.

The caucus unequivocally condemned the freezing of the bank accounts belonging to the governor by the commission, describing it as absolutely illegal, and an affront to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The statement, issued on Sunday and signed on behalf of the caucus by the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the freezing of the bank accounts belonging to Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose by the EFCC and we wish to state that the actions violates the constitution of Nigeria, which conferred immunity on the governor and the EFCC Act, which mandates the commission to obtain a valid court order before bank accounts of anyone can be frozen.

Governor Fayose

“It is trite that the condition precedent to be fulfilled by the EFCC to fully exercise its powers as enshrined in section 34(1) of the EFCC Act, with effect to the freezing order on banks and other financial Institutions was not met. Ditto for the fact that for the court to make such an order, there must be papers (Court Process) filed in court and signed by a Judge.

"By the provision of section 308(1) (a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), no suit can be instituted against any sitting Governor in any court in Nigeria. Therefore, no process of the court can be
issued, signed or served against Mr. Ayodele  Fayose, being a sitting governor. Knowing fully well that the import of section 308 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), is principally to avert unnecessary distraction of any sitting governor and other beneficiaries of that section.

"As much as we are not against the anti – corruption crusade of the government or the investigation of corruption persons by the EFCC, we urge the anti-corruption agency to carry out its functions without political interference from any quarters, while the Federal government on its part, must eschew all actions capable of destabilizing the peace of any state, or threaten our nascent democracy."

Source Whirlwindnews.com