Border closure: IMF backs Nigeria

By Harrison Arubu

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has backed Nigeria’s closure of its borders with some neighbouring countries over issues bordering on illegal trade.

Mr Abebe Selassie, the Director of the African Department at the IMF, gave the position at a media briefing on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington.

He was responding to a question on weather the closure negates the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Selassie said although free trade was critical to economic growth of the continent, it must be legal and in line with agreements.

`On the border closure in Nigeria which has been impacting Benin and Niger, our understanding is that the action reflects concerns about smuggling that has been taking place.

“It is about illegal trade, which is not what you want to facilitate,’’ Selassie said.

He said the IMF was hoping for a speedy resolution of the issues as the action was already taking a toll on the economies of the country’s neighbours.

“We are very hopeful that discussions will resolve the challenges that this illegal trade is posing.

“If the border closure is to be sustained for a long time, it will definitely have an impact on Benin and Niger which, of course, rely quite extensively on the big brother next door,’’ he said.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the borders were closed to curb illegal trading activities by Nigeria’s neighbours.

Ahmed said the closure would remain in force until the country secured the commitment of its neighbours to trade agreements and treaties signed with them.

Meanwhile, the IMF director said the AfCFTA was one of the most exciting policy developments in the region in recent months.

Selassie said analyses by the Fund showed that the initiative had a “tremendous potential to facilitate higher economic growth’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IMF projected a region wide economic growth of 3.2 per cent in 2019.

Selassie said the “hard task’’ before African nations was making sure the AfCFTA was fully implemented “to facilitate the trade that we need to see between countries in the region’’.

The IMF director also commented on the continent’s high debt burden, especially from China, resulting largely from borrowing to balance budget deficits.

He explained that the Fund was not particularly wary of China, which he said “has been a very important development partner for many countries in sub-Saharan Africa’’.

“There are some counties that have borrowed extensively, and this is not just from China but from all other sources of financing either through Euro bond, domestic markets or other sources of capital.

“ Yes, there are countries that have borrowed beyond what they can quickly pay, but it is important that we get this story straight.

“China has been a very important partner for many countries and remains so.

“Our concern really is more about overall debt level, not just about debt but some other things.

“One is, once you have borrowed money to invest in infrastructure, health and education, it is important you are able to capture the rate of return on that investment so that the debt can be serviced.

“What you put the debt to and how effective the investment projects that you are undertaking is really the important part of the equation,’’ Selassie said.

He added that it was also important for countries to address their “tremendous development needs avoiding debts becoming unsustainable’’. (NAN)

Bribery allegation against us baseless, diversionary, says Elumelu

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader, House of Representatives.

The Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has dismissed the bribery allegation leveled against him and other members of the Minority Leadership of the House of Representatives by a group which calls itself the PDP Youths Congress, PDPYC.

The PDPYC in a recent statement published by some media outfits, had alleged that Hon. Elumelu and his colleagues in the minority leadership of the House were in the process of hatching a plot to compromise some members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) with millions of naira, to avert what the group insinuated was the imminent expulsion of himself and the other members of the minority leadership from the party.

But in a statement from the office of the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Friday, 18th October, 2019, Hon. Elumelu debunked the allegations of bribery and clandestine meetings, describing them as a contrived, baseless, unfounded, wicked and diversionary fabrication from enemies of the PDP, especially at this time when the PDP is waxing even stronger and becoming more formidable in the political space.

 “Our leaders in the National Working Committee, NWC, of our great Party, PDP, are highly respected, principled men and women whose priorities for now, working with other well meaning members of the Party are on positioning our party as a vibrant and viable political alternative in the country and entrenching a better Nigeria for our teeming masses.

 “The focus of our respected leaders right now is not the frivolities being insinuated by this so called group; our focus as a party under the leadership of our dynamic national Chairman, is our appeal at the Supreme Court and we are not relenting about it,” Elumelu stated.

Continuing the Minority Leader said, “For now, as an appendage of the PDP, we are working harmoniously with the leadership of our great party and the various organs, including our leaders in the NWC and we will continue to work with them because it is incumbent on us to do so as loyal members of our party.

“We are not aware of any organ of our great party mooting the thoughts of expelling the very loyal and committed members of our party that are in the minority leadership of the House of Representatives and it is absolutely preposterous for anyone to even talk of us gathering in a secret location, with a view to compromising very senior and highly respected leaders of our great party.

“So if we are not aware of our alleged 'imminent expulsion' from our party by the NWC, on what basis then are we now purportedly gathering to plot on how to raise millions of Naira to compromise them? By the way who do you compromise amongst these elderly and revered leaders of our party?

"I make bold to say that the members of our great Party’s NWC are men and women of impeccable character who cannot be compromised. The allegations are indeed laughable, demeaning, baseless and obviously crafted with the intent to cause disharmony and friction within our party”.

He further revealed that the ultimate goal and focus of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives at the moment is to join forces with other members of the House to come up with a working budget that will meet the yearnings and aspiration of Nigerians, saying that they will not allow diversionary elements who he noted to be enemies of the party, to distract them from this core duty that they were elected to perform for the benefit of the people who elected them.

 “Our gathering since the 2020 proposed budget was presented to the Joint sitting of the two chambers, by Mr President, was purely for the betterment of the country in line with our responsibility to the budget.

"We owe it as a sacred duty to the whole country, to critically and expeditiously appraise the budget, and for that we are very much busy now. We really have no time for frivolities like holding clandestine meetings in secret locations and the leaders of our great party are fully aware of this, because we are also working with them”, he said.

The Federal Legislator also added that the only worry of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives is the rationale behind the economic wisdom of appropriating whooping 2.4 trillion naira for servicing the country's huge debt, which, he said, is far more than the capital vote of 2.1trillion naira, even as he added that they were also against the over taxing of Nigerians, noting that the reduction in inflationary rates, according to the budget, has sadly not been reflected in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Azagba Mixed Secondary School to reopen on Monday, says Commissioner

 

Chief Patrick Ukah, middle with school officials at Azagba Secondary school.

Azagba Mixed Secondary School, Issele Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, closed after suspected fulani herdsmen abducted some teachers in the school last Monday, is to reopen next Monday, October 21, 2019, as modalities have been concluded for normal academic activities to resume.

The State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, stated this in the school today (18/10/2019) when he went to rub minds with stakeholders on the reopening of the school. 

He said that the ministry is partnering with the Police and other security agencies, especially the community vigilante, to beef up security around the school so that teaching and learning will commence immediately the school reopens.

Chief Ukah said that arrangements have been finalised to bring a Psychologist and other relevant experts to give talks to the teachers and students of the school on the day of resumption to aid them think less of the unfortunate event of that day.

The Commissioner praised the Police and other security agencies for their prompt reaction to the incident and advised non indigenes staying in the community to continue to leave in peace with one another and avoid acts capable of causing distrust among them.

He again commended the bravery of members of the community vigilante who dared the fleeing kidnappers, in conjunction with other security agencies, and were able to rescue all the victims.

Chief Ukah advised other community vigilante groups to emulate the gallantry displayed by members of Issele Azagba community vigilante as their efforts contributed greatly to the successful rescue operation.

The Commissioner, who also visited the Obi of the town, His Royal Majesty, Obi Fancis Ijeh, commended the traditional ruler for his leadership style which has brought the entire community together as one as exemplified by the fighting spirit displayed by members of the vigilante group.

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Bridget Ngozi Onyeche, appreciated the commissioner and other management staff of the ministry for their concern and care for those involved in the unfortunate incident.

Recall that the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Comrade Sam Dietake, and other Directors quickly moved to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba, immediately they got information that the injured teachers have been brought to the hospital for medical attention and also settled the bills of the victims.

Kogi Dep. Gov. Achuba impeached

Dr. Simon Achuba.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Simon Achuba, has been impeached.

Mr Achuba was impeached by members of the Kogi State House of Assembly today, Friday, October 18, 2019 in Lokoja, the state capital.

He was impeached by the House of Assembly shortly after it received report of a judicial panel of enquiry set up by the Kogi State Chief Judge Justice Nasir Ajanah.

House Leader, Hassan Bello Abdulahi, representing Ajaokuta state constituency, said Achuba was impeached following consideration of the report of the John Bayeshea-led committee.

Abdulahi said that the report was accepted with lawmakers unanimously agreeing to impeach Achuba and “he therefore stands impeached.”

The committee, which was inaugurated on Aug. 26, probed allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor.

Achuba had accused Gov. Yahaya Bello of withholding his salaries and allowances since 2017, but the government dismissed the allegation as untrue during hearing by the committee.

Media pros stand up for Osahor at swearing-in as perm sec, gets advice from ex-Head of Service, Ofili

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State congratulating mr. Paul Osahor after
the latter took the oath of office as permanent secretary.

Media practitioners in Asaba were in high spirit today following the swearing-in of one of them, Mr. Paul Osahor as a permanent secretary.

The practitioners, who were mainly journalists and public Relations officers of the Ministry of Information both retired and serving all came out in solidarity and to felicitate with the new permanent secretary who was resplendent in a black dapper suit, white shirt and blue stripped tie to match.

Shortly after the swearing-in ceremonies ended at the Unity Hall, Government House, that the media practitioners and other well wishers thronged the Celebration hall, Okpanam Road, for the reception, where the obviously happy and cheerful permanent secretary and his wife acknowledged greeting from all.

The new received impeccable advice on how to stay successful in office from a former Delta State Head of Service, Sir Okey Ofili.

Ofili who was the Chairman at the swearing-in reception ceremony of Chief

Osahor after being sworn in by the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa,

advised Osahor to be a leader and not a boss.

He stressed that today marks the turning point in the career of Osahor, stating

that it was possible to be appointed a PS and not sworn-in, but he was appointed

and sworn-in to the glory of God.

He identified that for everybody in the service there must be a role point in their

career, adding that the new PS should be himself no matter the frustration.

According to the sound former civil servant cum Head of Service, “We are here to

celebrate and felicitate with one of our own, Chief Paul Osahor. Today he is a

Permanent Secretary; I want to advise him to be a leader and not a boss, and to

be a dignified Permanent Secretary.”

Continuing, he said: “There are those who believe they attained this position by

their sheer effort, but that should not apply to you. How you relate to your

subordinate determines how they will serve you. Praise is a way of motivating an

officer; as a PS be a servant leader.”

Advising the new PS further, Ofili asked him to create a good working relationship

between him and the Honourable Commissioner whom he would serve under. He

maintained that “as a PS, your duty is to give advice but when your advice is given

and they don't take it, just let them have their way.”

He however, added that as a PS he should form the habit of always putting his

advice and suggestions in writing to act as his evidence when the need arises.

Ofili also commended the staff of the Ministry of Information and affiliate groups

of the Ministry for coming out end masse to felicitate with Osahor. He

admonished Osahor to see his aspirations as a grace demonstrated by the staff

and as what to express on the day that he would leave service as a PS.

His words: “Power intoxicates but we must appreciate that power is transient and

should only be disposed towards relationship. Good name, integrity and a heart

of love are vital for service.

“The platform of Permanent Secretary affords you the opportunity to leave

goodwill for yourself and children. If after serving and you cannot go back to your

Ministry, then you must have failed yourself"” he said.

While congratulating Osahor once again, Ofili chronicled information officers who

turned Permanent Secretaries in their time in service; thereby encouraging the

present generation of information officers to work hard and expect their own

turns of glory.

Chief Paul Osahor was one of the 11 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries that

were sworn-in today by His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Before his appointment, he had doubled as the Director of Information and

Functioning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information.

The occasion was well attended by prominent personalities in government,

present and former permanent secretaries, including Sir. Austin Mowah and Mr

Okafor, former Federal Minister, Chief Chris Agbabu, the Special Adviser to the

Governor on Labour Matters and Servicom, Comrade Mike Okeme, the SSA to the

Governor on Health Monitoring, Dr Michael Nwoko, the SSA to the Governor on

Special Duties, Comrade Kingsley Azuh and the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Michael

Ikeogwu,

Others were the General Managers of the Pointer Newspapers and DBS Asaba,

Mr. Monday Uwagwu and Lady Evelyn Binitie, the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Comrade

Patrick Ochei, the Secretary of NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe and others too

numerous to mention.

We’ll continue to rejuvenate govt. through appointments, says Okowa

Seven new permanent secretaries taking oath of office in Delta State.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state  says his administration will continue to reinvigorate the machinery of government through the appointment of qualified persons to positions of authority.

He gave the assurance today, Friday, October 18, 2019 at the swearing-in ceremony of 11 Permanent Secretaries and the inauguration of the Boards of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rural Development Agency (RDA) and the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) in Asaba.

The governor said people in positions of authority should show leadership by taking tough but dispassionate decisions for the desired results to be achieved.

“The swearing-in and inauguration of Boards is a further testament of our administration’s commitment to the continued re-invigoration of the machinery of government through appointment and elevation of worthy and qualified personnel from the vast pool of skilled human capital available in the State.

“I consider the role of permanent secretary as one of the critical success factors of any administration and they should know that the position they now hold is very important in the effectiveness and discipline in the state civil service; it also means that much is expected of them and as such, they should be ready to take tough but dispassionate decisions and show leadership, because, leadership at any level of human organization requires innovation, creativity and astute resource management,” the governor said.

While congratulating the new appointees, he urged them to live up to the demands of their new positions as their appointment was based on skills, competences and wealth of experience required to drive the Stronger Delta agenda of his administration.

‘Our new appointees are enjoined to immediately hit the ground running as our people are eager to see the direct and indirect impact of government policies and programmes; you have to demonstrate such competence and versatility that the impact should be noticeable as I expect that those of you selected to serve will give your best to the entire State.

“In your various offices, we expect you to serve with integrity, devotion, loyalty and accountability; it is our expectation that you will provide fresh ideas and new impetus to support the state government in consolidating our achievement and building a sustainable foundation for our economy.

“I care deeply about our people and I am absolutely convinced that with a leadership team, which is focused on developing, guiding and supporting our policies and programmes, we can only continue to make sustainable progress that our people should really appreciate.”

Those who were sworn-in as Permanent Secretaries include Dr. Francis Onojeta, Mr. Paul Osahor, Mr. Joseph Uwalogho, Mrs. Ngozi Anastasia Nwanze, Mr. Cletus Obiagba Nzefili, Mrs. Charity Ehimen Babigha, and Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas.

Others were  Mrs. Felicia Aghwadoma, Mrs. Alero  Ulioyo Tonwe, Mrs. Ngozi Bamah and Mr. Austine E. Chukwuma.

Hon. Sunny Ogwu was inaugurated as the Chairman of SUBEB with Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Chief (Mrs.) Lina Osuya Eni, and Mr. Paul Kurugbe  as members .

For the Board of the RDA, Chief Solomon Areyenka is Chairman and Vero Obuh, Dame Roseline Akoyere,  Mr. Chukwueku Mathias, Elder Ben Nwadiashi,  and Dio Susan are members.

Precious Ajaino was also, inaugurated as the Director General of the DLA with Engr. Blessing Enamuotor, Barr.  Ndudi Osakwuni Izuegbu , and Engr. Austine Bebeteido as Directors.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Dr Onojota and Chief Areyenka thanked Governor Okowa for finding them fit to serve Deltans, assuring that they will put in their best to achieve the stronger Delta programme of his administration.

They say I’m tough, that’s what we require to transform Delta, says Olorogun Gbagi

 

Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.

 By Prof Haalim Uche

Turning cynicism to plus point

OLOROGUN Kenneth Gbagi, currently the highest indigenous investor and employer of labour in Delta State,  has declared  that he will not stop being tough,  emphasizing  that the feature, which critics view as his Achilles’ Heel is, in fact,  necessary to sustain and build on the worthy legacies of incumbent governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

The former Minister of Education, criminologist and attorney stated this at what many have come to know as the “Mosogar Declaration” when he visited the Odidimadi of Delta politics, Senator Ighoyota Amori and members of his political family, across the state, at his country home in Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area, recently.  It was to inform him of his 2023 gubernatorial quest.

Incontestably, the security consultant and opinion leader from Oginibu, Ughelli South local government area is either streetwise or might have read the minds of those who accuse him of being very complex to deal with in his numerous businesses.

He told his Mosogar listeners: “I thank God that nobody is saying that I am a thief, that I am corrupt, that I stole money or that I am a swindler. They are not saying that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is hunting  for me, they are only saying that I am tough to deal with.

What they refused to say  

“They have also said so many other things, including that he does not pay his workers and is indebted to contractors among other whispered allegations, but none of the employees told anybody that he was not being paid or resigned his appointment on the account of not being paid because all these are fallacies. 

“You see how some minds function; they are not saying that the man created businesses for people to eke out a living, they are not thinking of how to create their own businesses,  they are fishing for nonexistent lies to blackmail him. That is the mindset we must change.

My confession

“However, I admit that I am tough, I have to be tough as an entrepreneur to succeed. No entrepreneur can navigate the business terrain in this country and even outside without being tough. I want to tell you very categorically that toughness is what Deltans abundantly require in their next governor to be able to sustain and build on the commendable legacies of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa,” he asserted.

Gbagi pointed out, “I can see the same toughness in Governor Okowa, which is why he is able to take very hard decisions and stand by them in the interest of the state.  Let me tell you that we are miles behind in Delta state, Lagos and Port Harcourt have gone ahead of us, it is not because of lack of knowledge that we are where we are. We have to be sturdy to move forward.”

Gbagi stressed the fact that no human being is perfect before God Almighty, adding. “Though I may be strict, I am disciplined and a workaholic to the core. I am a politician, but I know that we have core politicians, I am an entrepreneur, I have business sense and that is what I want to bring to bear in the governance of Delta. “

According to him, “My GKO Properties Limited is a key player in the home/property sector in Nigeria, managing portfolios that include 5-star hotels, shopping malls, housing estates, market lock-up stalls. Only Robinson Gbagi Shopping Mall is currently engaging over 20,000 youths, while Woodridge Hotel and Woodridge Annex employ over a hundred professionals to mention just a few."

He added, "That I am tough does not mean that I do not listen to people, I listen to the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and other leaders of the state. If God, our Creator,  listens to people, who am I not to listen to people. But people will always contrive things and that is what keep some persons busy."

Vow and gratitude to Okowa

The philanthropist asserted, “I will leave the politicians to do the politics, while as a captain of industry; I will do the business part for Delta. I will turn the state around in one year, I know what it takes and you can see it in the businesses I have brought as an individual to the state, what more if I am entrusted with power as governor."

He explained that sturdiness made him to grow as an accomplished industrialist with a vast business empire all over the country and world, explaining that he could not have survived and protected his business without the virtue.

His words: “I am the first living black man to attain the coveted Arch Klumph Society, AKS member of Rotary International and I will use my business acumen and dexterity to govern the state,   protect Deltans and our God- given wealth if our party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP  and Deltans see reason with me.”

He expressed his profound gratitude to Senator Okowa, who he described as an incredible administrator and detribalized Deltan, saying, “All hands must be on deck to see that Governor Okowa finished better than he started.” 

Without criticism, there is problem - Odidimadi   

Speaking,   Chief Amori, chairman, Delta State Capital Development Agency and national chair, Urhobo Political Forum, UPF, said Gbagi has a Midas touch and made money early in life as a young man, dinning with the powerful and the moneyed.

He said his business ideas and vision were beyond the state; hence, he was not surprised at his industry sagacity, which he wants him to demonstrate as governor.

Amori, a Political Adviser to the national chair of PDP and at different times Commissioner for Education and Water Resources in the state, told Gbagi, “If people do not talk about you negatively,  then, there is something wrong with you as a human being.”

“You are in business where people must criticize you, they call you all sorts of names, but they do not know what you carry. Some people have been Ministers from Delta Central, what did they did with it? As Minister of Education, we know how you supervised and midwife the creation of `13 universities and eight federal government colleges, restructured the workings of agencies such UBE, WAEC and NTI.

“We know that you brought the Federal Government College, Oginibu, we also know that battle you fought as minister to legalize the establishment of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE.

“You are a goal getter; you are not going to Government House, Asaba, to make money because you already have money. We know about the businesses you brought to the state under your business empire,” he said.

  

* Prof Uche Haalim, a political analyst wrote in from Asaba