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Tag: Nigeria

  • Nigeria will ensure Jammeh hands over peacefully – Onyeama

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama says Nigeria will do everything possible to help the Gambia have a peaceful resolution to its political crisis.

    Onyeama stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

    The minister expressed optimism that the Gambian President Yahya Jammeh would listen to the voice of his people to resolve the political impasse in his country.

    Recall that the Gambian leader had accused West African regional body, ECOWAS of declaring war against his country, when he was asked to step down for a democratically elected president.

    Jammeh, who accused ECOWAS of putting forces on alert in case he refused to step down, has vowed to stay in power in spite of losing a Dec. 1, 2016 election to rival Adama Barrow.

    He also promised to defend Gambia against any outside aggression in a New Year speech broadcast on state TV.

    The Gambian president initially conceded defeat in the vote, then changed his mind days later – raising fears that regional powers might have to intervene to oust him.

    Onyeama, in spite of the Gambian leader’s stands, expressed the belief that Jammeh would honour the call of the ECOWAS leaders to bow out of office at the end of his mandate on Jan. 19.

    “We will like to believe that he will listen to the voice of his peers in the sub region ECOWAS.

    “And that he will also listen to the voice of his people but above all he will follow the democratic path. So, we will do everything possible to bring that about.

    “Essentially, we want a peaceful resolution to the issue, you know we have experienced conflict in our country and we know how far back in development conflict can take a country to.

    “So we will do everything possible to help Gambia have a peaceful resolution to this political crisis,” the minister said.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who is heading a mediation committee on the Gambia’s political impasse, had led other West African leaders to meet with Jammeh and Barrow on the issue.

    Other leaders in the ECOWAS delegation were Presidents Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, and John Mahama of Ghana.

    The leaders appealed to Jammeh to leave office and also reportedly sought a ‘honourable exit’ for him.

    The exit would ensure that he is not tried for various human rights crimes he is alleged to have committed while in office.

    However, in spite of the visit, Jammeh remained defiant.

    Marcel de Souza ECOWAS Commission President, said last week that the body had put standby forces on alert.

    In his speech on New Year Day, Jammeh decried the resolution of ECOWAS on the current situation to implement the results of Dec. 1, 2016 presidential election by whatever means possible.

    “It is in effect a declaration of war and an insult to our constitution.

    “Let me make it very clear that we are ready to defend this country against any aggression,” he said.

     

    NAN

  • Nigeria to deploy 800 soldiers to Darfur for Peacekeeping

     

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday said Nigeria would deploy 800 soldiers to the United Nations Mission (UNAMID) in Dafur.

    Buratai made the disclosure at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre during the graduation of 755 soldiers and 45 officers that participated in the pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna State.

    The army chief, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, said Nigeria would continue to deploy quality peacekeepers as part of its contribution to global peace and security.

    He tasked the personnel to discharge their duties in consonance with the UNAMID mandate at all times.

    Buratai said the rule of engagement in the UNAMID gives them the opportunity to exhibit utmost professionalism in the discharge of their responsibility.

    “I caution you to avoid any ugly incident that could tarnish the professional image of the Nigerian Army in particular and Nigeria in general.”

    He noted that Nigeria and the United Nations have high respect for human rights and protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

    ” Maintain zero tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; the Nigerian Army and indeed the Nigerian Government will also not tolerate the contravention of these policies,” Buratai said

    Earlier, the Commandant of the centre, Brig.-Gen. Adamu Dauda said the mandate of the institution was to provide quality training for troops earmarked for Peace Support Operation.

    Dauda tasked the personnel to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian Army and the country in general.

     

    NAN

  • Buhari saved Nigeria from extinction, says Northern governors

    Buhari saved Nigeria from extinction, says Northern governors

    The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) on Tuesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in 2015 saved Nigeria from going into extinction.

    The Chairman of NGF and Borno Gov. Kashim Shettima said this when he led a delegation on a courtesy call on Sen. George Akume; Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, and Gov. Samuel Ortom in Makurdi.

    Other governors on the delegation were Mohammed Abubakar and Abdullahi Gunduje of of Bauchi and Kano states, respectively.

    Shettima described the outcome of the 2015 general election as the watershed in the Nigerian political history and commended Benue people for their continuous support of Northern agenda.

    He noted that the PDP-led administration was at the verge of destroying the basic component that bonded Nigeria, adding that Buhari’s victory saved the country.

    “Had President Buhari not win the election in 2015, Nigeria would have gone into extinction and as it is now, the PDP need to be proscribed.

    “The North had moral duty to support Benue state following her continuous support of presidential candidates from the region,” said the NGF chairman.

    He also explained that they were in the state to celebrate with the Tiv people for the peaceful selection of the Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse.

    Shettima sympathised with Tiv people over the incessant attacks on their communities by suspected herdsmen, adding that the NGF would never abandon the state.

    He also noted that Benue and Kano states were only the states in the North with a large heart to accommodate non-indigenes over the years as exemplified in appointments and elective positions.

    He announced a donation of 100 cows as his personal contribution for the coronation of the Tor Tiv V.

    Ayatse had earlier commended the NGF for identifying with the Tiv people during their moment of sadness and joy, adding that he cherished the Tor Tiv thrown he had ascended.

    Akume urged the NGF to support Ortom to actualize his vision and invited the forum to attend the coronation of the fifth Tor Tiv.

    On his part, Ortom commended the NGF members for their sustained support of his proposals that led to the end of herdsmen/farmers crisis in the state.

    The governor thanked God for the relative peace enjoyed in the state so far and commended Shettima’s leadership quality.

     

     

    NAN

  • Nigeria to deploy 800 soldiers to Darfur for Peacekeeping

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday said Nigeria would deploy 800 soldiers to the United Nations Mission (UNAMID) in Dafur.

    Buratai made the disclosure at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre during the graduation of 755 soldiers and 45 officers that participated in the pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna State.

    The army chief, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, said Nigeria would continue to deploy quality peacekeepers as part of its contribution to global peace and security.

    He tasked the personnel to discharge their duties in consonance with the UNAMID mandate at all times.

    Buratai said the rule of engagement in the UNAMID gives them the opportunity to exhibit utmost professionalism in the discharge of their responsibility.

    “I caution you to avoid any ugly incident that could tarnish the professional image of the Nigerian Army in particular and Nigeria in general.”

    He noted that Nigeria and the United Nations have high respect for human rights and protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

    ” Maintain zero tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; the Nigerian Army and indeed the Nigerian Government will also not tolerate the contravention of these policies,” Buratai said

    Earlier, the Commandant of the centre, Brig.-Gen. Adamu Dauda said the mandate of the institution was to provide quality training for troops earmarked for Peace Support Operation.

    Dauda tasked the personnel to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian Army and the country in general.

  • Malnutrition kills 2,300 Nigerian children daily – NGO

    Malnutrition kills 2,300 Nigerian children daily – NGO

    Mr.Ubah Nnaemeka, the Project Officer, Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), on Tuesday said malnutrition accounts for the death of 2,300 Nigerian children daily.

    Nnaemeka made this known on Tuesday in Ilorin at a two-day Advocacy Skills and Strategic training organised for members of the organisation in Kwara.

    Quoting the National Demographic and Health Survey of 2013, he also said that only 17 per cent of mothers in Nigeria breastfeed their children.

    He listed three indicators of malnutrition as over-nutrition, under-nutrition and micro-nutrient deficiency.

    According to him, if nothing positive is done to stem the rate; there is possibility that malnutrition may claim more lives of children.

    He said that globally, out of a population of seven billion, no fewer than two billion were suffering from micro-nutrient malnutrition.

    “Out of the five billion adults worldwide, nearly two billion are overweight or obese with one in every 12 persons having type II diabetes,” Nnaemeka said.

    He said that malnutrition has the ability of sapping intelligence from childhood and by extension, compromising the future of Nigerian leaders.

    The project officer said at present, Nigeria accounts for 11 per cent of the total global under-five deaths, with 37 per cent of children under the age of five stunted.

    Earlier, Dr Uthman Mubashir, the Chairman, CS-SUNN Local Working Group, said that the organisation was concerned with the nutrition of women and children.

    He described malnutrition as a collective problem that needs collective response from all stakeholders.

    Mubashir called for a strong voice by policy makers to create the desired change in the country in respect of malnutrition.

     

  • Nigeria moves up in global aviation rating

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Monday said Nigeria had attained another high level safety rating which placed it among the world leaders in aviation safety.

    The NCAA made the announcement in a statement by its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye made available to newsmen in Lagos.

    The statement stated that the country climbed to Level three State Safety Programme (SSP) Implementation Process, joining countries like the United States of America, United Kingdom and others in thr echelon.

    “This categorisation is dependent on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which tracks the SSP implementation process of member-states via its Integrated Safety Trend Analysis and Reporting System (iSTARS).

    “Member states in tandem, therefore, deploy this platform to undertake Gap Analysis, define their action plans and benchmark their progress.

    “Only two member states-Australia and Sri Lanka- have achieved full implementation of the SSP according to ICAO records.

    Nigeria is striving to achieve Level Four, which is 100 per cent by the end 0f 2017,” it said.

    According to the statement, the SSP process is inaugurated in member countries in compliance with the ICAO requirements as contained in Annex 19 on Safety Management.

    The statement added that Nigeria’s advanced level had put its SSP implementation process among states that defined an action plan for all non-implemented Gap questions.

    It said in other words, Nigeria had completed its Gap Analysis, implemented 43.6 per cent of the required SSP tasks.

    ” In addition, the country has developed a detailed action plan for the accomplishment of the outstanding tasks with an established and approved timeline.

    “In pursuant to this, Nigeria has commenced the implementation of the SSP processes and has achieved several milestones.

    “These include the completion of the SSP Gap Analysis and the establishment of the Implementation Plan approved by the Director General-General (DG), NCAA.

    “Other completed SSP tasks are the official authorisation of the DG, NCAA as the Accountable Executive of the SSP and the designation of the NCAA as the Placeholder Organisation of the SSP in Nigeria by the Minister of State (Aviation), Sen. Hadi Sirika.”

    It said the approval and publication of the State Safety Policy Statement, the Enforcement Policy in an SSP-SMS environment, including Nigeria’s Voluntary and Confidential Reporting System, were among the tasks that have been concluded.

    According to the statement, the ICAO Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) has recognised the relevance of establishing and maintaining fundamental safety oversight systems as a prerequisite to the full implementation of an SSP.

    “Member-states with robust safety oversight system have been called upon to progress towards full implementation of SSP.

    “An SSP is an integrated set of regulations and activities aimed at improving aviation safety which will be monitored through Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) after such a state has achieved an Effective Implementation (EI) of over 60 per cent.

    “It is required that states that have achieved EI levels of over 60 per cent should endeavour to fully implement SSP by 2019.

    “Nigeria achieved an EI Level of 67.36 per cent during the immediate past ICAO USOAP Audit in March 2016 which is above world average of 63.54 per cent. ”

    It noted that with the achievement, the NCAA would continue to ensure that air transportation in Nigeria was seamless, safe and secure at all times.

    It, therefore, urged airline operators to take advantage of the robust regulation and adhere to all safety regulations contained in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

     

    NAN

  • Watch Osinbajo, Obasanjo, other ex-leaders sing for Nigeria’s greatness

    Watch Osinbajo, Obasanjo, other ex-leaders sing for Nigeria’s greatness

    Former Nigerian leaders, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ernest Shonekan combine with former deputies, Ebitu Ukiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Oladipo Diya and current vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo sing a hymn for a greater, united and peaceful Nigeria in 2017.

    The song is Isaac Watts hymn, “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past,” with the video recorded early December 2016.

     

  • Those troubling Nigeria will face enormous problems in 2017 – Bishop Okonkwo

    Those troubling Nigeria will face enormous problems in 2017 – Bishop Okonkwo

     

    The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, has warned that people looting Nigeria’s treasury will face trouble in 2017.

    He also told those who want to destabilize Nigeria to desist or face God’s wrath.

    Okonkwo was speaking to journalists in Lagos, during TREM’s crossover night service.

    He said: “There will be more problems for those who have looted the treasury in this country in 2017. There is also enormous hope for a turnaround for people who will come to God for the solution.

    “I know that presently those who have, one way or the other, destabilised the country, there will be more problem for them. There will be a demand from the government that they should return the money they looted.

    “There will be more demands; so problems will be enormous for those who have been troubling this nation over the years. But for those who look unto God, there is a turnaround. They will experience God in a new way because God himself will do certain things that ordinarily human mind cannot comprehend. 2017 is a year of new things.”

    He added, “One of the challenges the Federal Government is presently having is that they (Buhari and members of his government) are not speaking as they should speak.

    “My advice to them is if Nigerians will continue to have confidence in them, they should speak out on what they are doing, what are the challenges they are passing through; and the solutions they are expecting? These are some of the things that will make people have confidence in them.

    “Presently, people are losing confidence in the government. For instance, the issue of the Southern Kaduna, we expected the Federal Government to have said something about it; but they are not saying anything.

    “So, people in the country have the feeling that the government is giving tacit support to what is going on. So, they must come out plainly and tell the citizens what they are doing. If they don’t, people will lose confidence in government.”

     

  • God will make a way for Nigeria in 2017 – Oritsejafor

     

    The immediate past National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor has God will make the nation great again in the coming year.

    Oritsejafor also asked Nigerians to depend on God for solutions to all the problems facing the country.

    ‎The ex-CAN leader affirmed that God would make a way where there is no way in 2017.

    Pastor Oritsejafor made the call in his message to Nigerians during a chat with newsmen in Warri on Tuesday.

    The Cleric who christened Jesus Christ as “Stability” of humanity, noted that he would make Nigeria a great nation only if Nigerians
    believed and trusted Him.

    According to Oritsejafor,”My new year message for 2017 to Nigerians is very simple. Jesus, if you study your Bible is called the Rock, not a rock. That means stability. Jesus is the Stability of humanity.

    “If we can rest on Him and rest in Him, which also means trust in Him, believe me, one way or the other he knows how to do what must be done to make Nnigeria a great Nation.

    “We must keep hope alive. Nigerians must never loose faith in God. Sometimes, man can fail you but I‎ promise you God will never fail you. He is stable; He is steady. Let us depend on the Rock. He will make a way in 2017.”

  • Whistleblowing – A way to go for Nigeria

    By T. Obrimah

    The Minister of Finance recently announced incentives for whistleblowers as one of the strategies of combating corruption.

    Since the announcement, the social media has been agog with reactions ranging from: let’s wait and see, to hilarious, and to more bizarre comments like don’t mind them they are confused, etc. I would like to address the issue by being academic, and maybe realistic.

    What is Whistleblowing?

    A whistleblower (also whistle-blower or whistle blower) is a person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization (or community) that is either private or public. … Two other classifications of whistleblowing are private and public (Wikipedia; italics provided)

    Whistleblowers can also be designated by the type of whistleblowing.

    Federal whistleblowers: These are government employees who reveal misconduct committed by their employers or can also be private-sector employees who inform about the misconduct of their employers that is committed in relation to the federal government.

    Benefits of Whistleblowing

    For people who work for the federal government, the Whistleblower Protection Act, or WPA, protects disclosures of misconduct. This law protects federal employees who disclose illegal or improper government activities.

    Whistleblower protection is therefore essential to encourage the reporting of misconduct, fraud and corruption.

    Providing effective protection for whistleblowers supports an open culture where people are not only aware of how to report but also have confidence in the reporting procedures.

    It also helps businesses prevent and detect bribery in commercial transactions.

    The protection of both public and private sector whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting in good faith suspected acts of corruption and other wrongdoing is therefore integral to efforts to combat corruption, safeguard integrity, enhance accountability, and support a clean business environment.

    Is Whistleblowing Peculiar to Nigeria?

    About 50 countries have adopted national laws of Whistleblowing in one form or the other to address the issue of corruption. Some include: USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, India, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, Ghana, South Korea, and Uganda. Kenya and Rwanda are still considering adopting the law.

    Impact of Whistleblowing on corruption

    The risk of corruption is significantly heightened in environments where the reporting of wrongdoing is not supported or protected. Where a culture of disclosure is created it will help to reduce corruption as seen in the developed world.

    Legal issues:

    According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the following legal issues are required for consideration:

    1. Is there comprehensive and clear legislation in place to protect from retaliation, discriminatory or disciplinary action, employees/citizens who disclose in good faith and on reasonable grounds, suspected acts of wrongdoing or corruption to competent authorities?

    2. Are there effective institutional frameworks and clear procedures and channels in place for facilitating the reporting of wrongdoing and corruption?

    3. Are protected disclosures and persons afforded protection clearly defined?

    4. Are retaliatory actions clearly defined and the protection afforded robust and comprehensive?

    5. Are remedies and sanctions for retaliation clearly outlined?

    6. Is awareness-raising regularly undertaken to encourage the reporting of wrongdoing and corruption and to disseminate existing information on the protection of whistleblowers?

    7. Is the effectiveness in practice of the whistleblower protection framework periodically evaluated and reviewed?

    Nigeria, is it Achievable?

    Is 5% commission enough incentive to be a whistleblower? This million-dollar question is; Is our society and security apparatus ready to protect whistleblowers? How do we mitigate these fears? Will the average Nigerian risk his life for 5%?

    Objectives

    Now my two pence: I believe the principles behind whistleblowing are noble and in line with global best practices as seen in over 50 countries, it means we must watch each other’s back.

    The fight against corruption has been mostly against politicians which is good however, I think whistleblowing should look at other sectors especially the civil service, where corruption is still huge.

    The challenge I see, is that of abuse; I can call to report my neighbor if I am jealous of his achievements. So, lots of spurious alerts, but there will be successes to. As with other programs in Nigeria, implementation is my fear. Government should not be in a hurry to introduce the law without having structures in place to achieve seamless success.

    tuobrimah@gmail.com