24032021 - Insecurity threatens 2023 elections, Ortom tells Buhari

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8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 POETRY DAY— From left: Renowned Poet, Odia Ofeimun; art enthusiast, Chief Kayode Aderinokun; MD/CEO, ProvidusBank, Walter Akpani; Veteran actor, Mrs. Taiwo Ajai-Lycett; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; MD/CEO, Northwest Petroleum, Dame Winnie Akpani; Consul General, U.S. Consulate, Ms. Claire Pierangelo, and Nigerian explorer, Chief Newton Jibunoh, during ProvidusBank's 'Poetry Café' event, to mark the World Poetry Day, with the theme: ‘Voices in the Cause of Earth’, at Eko Hotel & Suites, VI, Lagos, weekend. Drama as Dickson confronts Dahiru over comment on Bayelsa's population •Mubi’s population much higher than Bayelsa’s 8 LGAs Senator Dahiru; •Who conducted the census, how justifiable is Mubi’s population? Senator Dickson fires back By Henry Umoru ABUJA — THERE was drama in the Senate yesterday, following altercation between Senators Aishatu Dahiru, APC, Adamawa Central and Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West, over comments on Bayelsa’s small population. Trouble started during plenary when Senator Dahiru took a swipe at Bayelsa State, saying Mubi North’s population of 2,089,540 was much higher than the entire population of Bayelsa State which is currently 1,704,515. Dahiru attacked the South South state when she led a debate on the general principles of the Bill for an Act to provide the legal framework to establish the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, Adamawa State, and for related matters, 2021( SB.668), sponsored by her. Presenting the bill, the Adamawa senator immediately veered off her presentation, alleging that the population in need of the facility in Mubi was more than that of some states like Bayelsa. According to her, the town, Mubi, with a total land mass of 506.4km2 and a population of 759,045, is bound by neighbouring nine local government areas. “This together with the population of Mubi North makes it 2,089,540 people (very much higher than Bayelsa State’s eight local government areas, with a population of 1,704,515). “Nonetheless, this historic town has suffered from government neglect in terms of federal presence, especially in the area of tertiary healthcare delivery. “ Senator Dahiru’s argument did not go down well with Seriake Dickson, the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, who was infuriated. Angered by the submissions, Senator Dickson quickly raised up his hand which the President of the Senate mistook for an intention to contribute to the debate and obliged him. Dickson, who lampooned the Adamawa senator, faulted her claim on Bayelsa population. He declared that figures presented by Senator Dahiru were not verifiable, arguing in an angry tone that the size of Bayelsa, the physical land mass and the water bodies were thrice bigger than some states in the country. He said: “In my senatorial district, it will take me four days to go round. In my local government, Sagbama, it will take me three days to go round. “I just felt I should rise to enlighten the sponsor of this bill and by so doing, the rest of the country. “When people talk about population, they should be careful because if you go deep and ask who conducted the census, who verified what and what are counted, who are the residents and how justifiable? Noting the dangerous trend the argument was taking, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, interjected and cautioned Dickson against imputing improper motives to the debate. He said: “Apparently, I have to guide this contribution because you have made your point and, giving our standing orders, we shouldn’t impute improper motives to the submission by our colleagues. “The discussion is not on the population of Bayelsa or population censors conducted before now. We should rather concentrate on the main focus, which is on the establishment of federal medical centre. “I agree that there are many questions people will like to raise, but I think the essence of this debate is to focus on the general principles and merits of the bill.” Dickson, however, continued his presentation: “Debates and submissions in this hallowed chamber must be based on justifiable fact. “I was only rising to enlighten, without prejudice to the merits or demerits of the bill, that the premise that she has put forward as a reason or one of the reasons this bill should be considered is faulty. That should be expunged, it should not form part of it. That is not factual, it is incorrect.’’ Zenith Bank retains position as ‘Best Bank in Nigeria’ ZENITH Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Magazine’s Best Banks Awards 2021, retaining the award for the second successive year. The bank was among other banks from 35 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious US magazine, Global Finance announced its 28th Annual Best Bank Awards Winners in Africa. The editors of Global Finance made all selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Global Finance considered factors that ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective in selecting these top banks. Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in the industry. Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa, AsiaPacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe. Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other financial services NHRC: Buhari seeks Senate's confirmation of Suleiman as chairman, Vanguard’s Soni Daniel, others, members By Henry Umoru ABUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman as chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC. Also to be confirmed are fourteen others as members of the commission. In a letter to the Senate, read by the President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, at plenary yesterday, Buhari is asking the Senate to confirm the chairman and 14 others. The request was contained in a letter, dated March 17, 2021. According to President Buhari, the confirmation request was made pursuant to Section By Udeme Akpan LAGOS — THE Federal Government said yesterday it would realize $500 million (N189.5 billion) from the sale of the nation’s 57 marginal oil fields. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who expressed the optimism, said 50 per cent of the target had been realized. Speaking at the end of the just concluded 2021 First Quarter Ministerial Meeting, held in Lagos, Sylva, who also spoke on the rehabilitation of refineries and petrol pricing, said: “The process has been concluded. Letters have gone BUA Group Chairman launches $100m Africa Endowment Fund By Babajide Komolafe LAGOS — Chairman, The BUA Group, Isyaku Rabiu has announced the establishment of a $100 million Africa Endowment Fund for social development and renewal. In a statement announcing the fund, Rabiu said that the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative Africa Fund Endowment will focus on education, health and social development sectors, starting with infrastructure and capacity development. He added that on an annual basis the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative will commit $50 million to Nigeria and $50 million to the rest of Africa. providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community. According to Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, “this year’s evaluations are more important and valuable than at any point in their 28-year history, given the unprecedented economic conditions wrought by the global pandemic.” In his words, “Banks are playing a key role in economic recovery around the world, and as such, our Best Bank awards highlight the leaders in restoring growth and mapping a way forward.” Commenting on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Mr, Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This award is a strong indication of our resilience despite a very excruciating macroeconomic environment exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic”. He added that the award was made possible by the joint contributions of the bank’s key stakeholders – the Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, for his pioneering and foundational role in building the structures and laying the foundation for an enduring and very successful institution, the Board for the deep insights and outstanding leadership they provide, the staff for their commitment, doggedness, creativity and very outstanding talents as well as the Bank’s teeming customers for their continued support and loyalty. Zenith Bank has remained a clear leader in the Nigerian financial services industry, distinguishing itself through unique customer experience and sound financial indices. 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission Act (as amended). The names of nominees to be confirmed as members of the National Human Rights Commission include the Regional Editor, North, Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Soni Daniel ; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba; Amb. Umar Zainab Salisu; Mrs. Dafe T. Adesida; Joseph Onyemaechi Mmamel; Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla; Kemi Asiwaju-Okeyonda; Abubakar Muhammed; and Femi Okoeowo. Others are Barrister Agabaidu Chukwuemeka Jideani; Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN; Azubuike Nwakwenta; Jamila Isah; Mrs. Idayat Omolara Hassan; and Prof. Anthony Ojukwu. Marginal fields: FG sets $500m target as buyers pay 50% of Signature bonus — Minister He said: “Over the years as a corporate, and through the BUA Foundation, we have been actively involved in corporate philanthropy in various sectors – from health, education, community development, water & sanitation, sports, and even more recently, our work on COVID- 19. “However, with the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative and its annual $100million Africa Fund for Social Development, we are specifically extending this work to the Education, Health and Social Development sectors, starting with infrastructure and capacity development in these areas and supporting the efforts of various governments in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. “Our broad focus is equipping facilities, our researchers, healthcare practitioners and community-level service providers, with the aim of providing sustainable solutions for generations to come. “They say life begins at 50; what they never tell you is that a pandemic can change your life at 60. In that year 2020, when I turned 60, at least two million others turned into memories, taken by this deadly virus. I watched millions become numbers in a global death toll and ancestors in the world beyond." out and people have started paying their signature bonuses. We have received almost 50 per cent of signature bonuses already. “161 companies were allocated marginal fields and I will not give you the details of how many have paid. I’ve told you that up to 50 per cent of those winners have paid.” On the transparency of the exercise, he said: “I think this is the best we could have gotten clearly. If you followed the processes, we published, people applied, companies were pre-qualified, companies went to the data room and of course, assessment of their bids was done by competent people. ’There were consultants involved in the whole process and bidders emerged, and that’s all I can say." It was a very transparent process and I think a lot of people are also hailing the process.” On the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, he said: “I have already spoken about the refineries in a detailed interview. Last week Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, approved comprehensive rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery and that is going to start forthwith. ‘’It was approved for the sum of $1.5 billion and we are going to also start the rehabilitation of Warri and Kaduna Refineries shortly.” Also commenting on petrol pricing, the minister who pointed that the government was not aware of any increase in the price of petrol, said: “Definitely, there is no fuel increment. The price remains N162 per litre. We, are in discussion with labour and with other stakeholders, and until all those discussions are concluded, we are not going to fully deregulate. ‘’But we understand that some people, and that is criminal, are beginning to sell product for more than the approved price and the relevant agencies should ensure that those marketers are sanctioned. “You will recall that on my inauguration, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was given mandate areas to achieve and we are very well on course."
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021 — 9 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 MEETING: Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State (right) greeting the Right Revd. Timothy Yahaya, Anglican Bishop of Kaduna and his team at a briefing meeting on the initiatives of the Diocese in education, health and agriculture, in Kaduna yesterday. Senate moves to recover N16trn AMCON loans By Henry Umoru A BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, began consideration of a Bill that will empower the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to recover about N16 trillion bad loans. The AMCON Amendment Bill 2021, which scaled second reading on the floor, is sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of APC, Ekiti Central. Leading debate on the Bill, yesterday, Bamidele said: “The main aim of this amendment is to update a few clauses in the Act that have been hampering the operations of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria. “Under the current Act, the continued smooth operation of AMCON is threatened by the tenor put on a key funding provision for AMCON. “Therefore, the proposed amendment is designed to allow for more flexibility in the tenor of this key funding provision.’’ Bamidele further emphasized that the amendment would strengthen AMCON in stabilizing Nigeria’s banking sector and empower the agency in carrying out its functions of assets and debt recovery agency. Speaking further, he said: “AMCON is a very important and strategic national institution that must be strengthened to effectively contribute to the stabilization of the banking sector in Nigeria. “It proved its mettle in the banking crisis of 2009. Our economy still grapples with huge challenges; the banking sector is not immune from the difficulties we face. We must, therefore, review and amend the AMCON Act (2014) in order to reinvent and reposition AMCON to optimally perform its functions. “In particular, this amendment will strengthe AMCON in assets recovery. AMCON must be reenergized to tackle the problem of toxic loans. Highly placed debtors have been employing different strategies and tactics to stall the repayment of loans. Cases drag on in courts for many years. AMCON has remained at the receiving end of this well laid and orchestrated acts of economic sabotage. “As patriots, we have an obligation to empower AMCON and make its assets recovery efforts less cumbersome. We must remove all obstacles to its smooth operations. We must safeguard our banking sector and the economy in these trying times.” Contributing, Senator Uba Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) emphasized that, “AMCON largely depends on the resources from the resolution fund, and failure to extend this amendment Bill will certainly affect the operation of AMCON and it may force the government to bear the entire cost of debt management of AMCON.” On his part, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), said the amendment “Will give teeth to AMCON to recover all debts that were given to private individuals and also companies. “Mr. President, I don’t know whether my colleagues are aware of the information circulating in social media and even in the conventional media, where only twenty individuals have taken about N7.5 trillion. Court orders extension of NIN registration by 2 months By Henry Ojelu A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number, NIN by two months. Justice M.A. Onyetenu granted the extension while delivering ruling in a suit filed by human rights lawyer, Monday Ubani against the Federal Government, Attorney General of the Federation, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy. In the suit, Ubani had contended that the initial two weeks ultimatum (now extended to April 6, 2021) given to telecommunication operators to block SIM cards of Nigerians who have not registered their SIM card with NIN if allowed, will infringe on his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression, right to own moveable property and right to life. He therefore prayed the court for an order halting the said ultimatum and extending the deadline. Other prayers made by Ubani includes; a declaration that the ultimatum given to telecommunications operators by the 1st, 3rd and 4th Respondents to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) cards that are not registered with NIN, is grossly inadequate and will not only work severe hardship, but will likely infringe on the fundamental rights of the Applicant (and millions of other Nigerians) to freedom of expression as guaranteed by section 39(1)(2) of the 1999 constitution as well as violate section 44(1) of the 1999 constitution which prohibits the compulsory acquisition of right or interest over moveable property. “A declaration that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cases in Nigeria presently, the deadline given by the 1st, 3rd and 4th Respondents to the Applicant and over 200 million Nigerians to register their SIM Cards with NIN, will lead to a rush, thereby resulting to clustering of the Applicant and other Nigerian citizens in a NIN registration centre, subjecting him to the possibility of easily contracting the COVID-19 virus, and such will amount to a violation of his fundamental right to life as protected by section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution.'' “Mr. President, this is more than what we spend as capital budget of this country, and these individuals are well to do and they are walking on our streets. “They have huge sums of money, some of them have even transferred these monies abroad. There’s nothing toxic about it. The money is with them; they have used it and they don’t want to pay. “They are using all tactics to ensure that they block the investigation agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from recovering the loan. They have even gone to court to get all kinds of injunctions stopping AMCON from recovering the loan. “We should all support this amendment. It will make Nigeria to be sanitized financially, and banks would even be in a better position to give loans to people bearing in mind that there must be collateral for giving such loans. “They were a little bit careless in the past, but with this, if this amendment passes through, it will be a wake-up call for all financial institutions in the country to do what is right and proper,” Aliero said. Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central) underscored the need for extending the tenure of AMCON, adding that doing so would rescue Nigeria’s financial and banking systems from the burden of loans obtained by individuals. His words: “We have no option but to extend the tenure of AMCON because AMCON is carrying a contingent liability of nearly N6 trillion. “Loans that were private in the past have now been made a sovereign loan. So, we are all carrying this as a result of past errors committed in the banking system. “Mr. president, this Bill to extend the tenure has come at the right time, otherwise, we may not be able to recover the N6 trillion debt, and I don’t know what would have happened to this financial system or the banking system. “Finally, while we are extending this tenure, we hope and pray that the judiciary will work in tandem with the aspiration of the Bill to assist and make sure that individuals that are carrying these liabilities are brought to book and are made to pay so that our sovereign will be relived of this burden.” ANTI-GRAFT WAR: Why we need guidelines on plea bargaining — MALAMI By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—THE Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, said yesterday that the effective deployment of plea bargain provisions would reduce the financial cost of prosecutions and hasten the trial of corruption cases. However, the AGF said there was need for harmonized guidelines on plea bargaining that would be adopted by all federal prosecutors. He maintained that the concept of plea bargaining, when properly applied, would eliminate uncertainty of trials, enhance the quick return of stolen assets, and generally enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice system. In his opening remarks at the virtual stakeholders roundtable to review the draft guidelines on plea bargaining for federal prosecutors, which held yesterday, Malami, who was represented by the Solicitor- General of the Federation, Mr. Dayo Apata, SAN, noted that there are lacunas in existing statues that okayed the use of plea bargain in criminal trials. He said: “You will recall that the purpose of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, as detailed in section 1(1) is to guarantee that the system of administration of criminal justice in Nigeria: promotes the efficient management of criminal justice institutions; ensures speedy dispensation of justice, protects the society from crime; and protects the rights and interests NDLEA intercepts parcels of cocaine, heroin bound for UK, Ireland, Australia By Kingsley Omonobi THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted various types of hard drugs wellconcealed and unaccompanied parcels of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis sativa being shipped to the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Australia, Maldives and New Zealand. Consequent upon the interception, a notorious trafficker, Sikiru Owolabi, who is behind at least two of the parcels, has been traced and arrested after days of thorough and systematic surveillance by NDLEA operatives. The Director, Media and Advocacy, of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that “undercover narcotic agents attached to two international courier companies in Lagos made the seizures.’’ Sikiru Owolabi, who has made useful confessions during interrogations, was tracked after 1 kilogramme of cocaine concealed in cream containers and meant for Dublin in Northern Ireland was intercepted at one of the courier firms in Lagos. This was also followed by the discovery of another 200 grammes of cocaine meant for of the suspect, the defendant and the victim. “One of major innovations of ACJA aimed at achieving these objectives is the introduction of plea bargain which is defined in section 494(1) as: ‘the process in criminal proceedings whereby the defendant and the prosecution work out a mutually acceptable disposition of the case, including the plea of the defendant to a lesser offence than that charged in the complaint or information and in conformity with other conditions imposed by the prosecution, in return for a lighter sentence than that of the higher charge subject to the court’s approval’. “Section 270 of ACJA (2015) provides the general legal framework for the application of Plea Bargain. “I believe that this provision can also be effectively deployed to address the compounding of offences which features in some statutes but without any procedural detail to aid its application. “This lacuna is responsible for abuses in compounding of offences which had strengthened the current public skepticism about plea bargaining in general.’’ Malami stressed that inspite of the laudable provisions of section 270 of the ACJA, the provisions are still inadequate to guide the prosecutor and the defendant in reaching a plea bargain that ensures the protection of public interest, the interest of justice and prevents abuse of legal process. He said it was due to lacunas in the existing laws that informed the development of the Draft Guidelines. London, United Kingdom in the same courier company. In another undercover operation, Babafemi said 320 grammes of heroin concealed in earrings coming in from Congo and going to Australia was seized at a different courier firm in Lagos, adding that another 390 grammes of cocaine hidden in men’s clothing meant for Northern Ireland was intercepted in the same company. According to him, while 500 grammes of cannabis sativa concealed in automobile parts going to New Zealand was seized at one of the courier companies, 200 grammes of methamphetamine hidden inside an award plaque and en route New Zealand, with another 200 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in a book for Maldives, were equally intercepted in another firm. Beside the arrest of Owolabi, the NDLEA spokesman said efforts were on to track and arrest other traffickers behind the other unaccompanied illicit drugs packaged as parcels for shipment to Europe. Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Buba Marwa, retd, also commended the men and officers involved in the operations to frustrate attempts by drug barons and traffickers to ship illicit drugs overseas through unaccompanied parcels.
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24032021 - Insecurity threatens 2023 elections, Ortom tells Buhari

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