Outrage over Nigerian lawmakers’ move to cripple NGOs, voluntary organizations

Published: June 30,2014

NGOs have helped sustain embarrassing pressure on the government to rescue Chibok Schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram months ago.

Leaders of CSOs say the bill is a veiled attempt to stifle dissent Nigerian Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, have expressed outrage over a proposal before the House of Representatives seeking to regulate international funding to nongovernmental bodies in Nigeria.

The bill is titled: “An Act to Regulate the Acceptance and Utilisation of Finance/Material Contributions of Donor Agencies to Voluntary Organisations and for matters related connected therewith”.

The bill was sponsored by Eddie Mbadiwe, a first-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North/South constituency of Imo state.

Mr. Mbadiwe is a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.

The bill sets out to give the Nigerian government the powers to regulate international funding to civil society organizations, a plan many believe is a veiled attempt to clampdown on CSOs in Nigeria.

The Executive Director of Enough is Enough, EIE, Yemi Ademolekun, in reaction to the bill, said Mr. Mbadiwe should focus on the many Nigeria’s problems like the missing N20 billion, and an end to the Boko Haram bombings.

The Executive Director of International Centre for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan, said the bill was setting a “dangerous trend”.

“It is unbelievable that a lawmaker from the House of Representatives would come up with this idea,” Mr. Aiyetan said. “If you leave things in the hands of government and government institutions alone, Nigeria would remain the way it is, corruption would continue and it is only civil societies and the media and public service organisations that can keep them in check.”

Hundreds of local CSOs receive donor funding from international partners to pursue developmental projects across Nigeria yearly.

If the proposed bill is made law, such funding henceforth would only materialize if the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, approves.

The bill states that no voluntary organisation is allowed to accept funds from international donors without the permission of ICPC.

The bill also seeks to bar individuals from accepting funds from any international organisation on behalf of any voluntary organisation. It proposes to compel voluntary organisations to make use of only one branch of a Nigerian bank; and explain the expenditure of the received funds.

Other provisions of the bill include a proposal to allow the ICPC inspect the records of voluntary organisations and seize their information if the law is violated. Penalty for violation of the bill is two years in jail.

Under the plan, CSOs based in Nigeria are to first apply to the ICPC and wait for months for clearance. The commission reserves the right to reject or approve the application.

While not stated officially, supporters of the law say it will help address money laundering and block funding for programmes that may undermine Nigeria’s interest.

But leaders of civil society groups say Nigeria currently has specific laws to deal with corruption, money laundering and terrorism.

The groups say the government is bound to abuse the bill, if ever passed, and use its stipulations to go after CSOs perceived to be anti-government.

The coordinator of African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, Chido Onuma, suggested that the bill was targeted at the media that are critical of the government.

“Anything that tries to limit the civil society should be thrown out. If they are interested in any particular NGO, they can go to them to ask for their annual reports. I really don’t see the need for this bill and I hope it is thrown out when the time comes,” he said.

A coalition of Civil Society Organizations said the bill would add no value to governance, but would retard development.

“The Bill will hinder remittances and contributions by Nigerians in Diaspora to the development of the fatherland. This will increase and deepen poverty and the Nigerian misery index leading to further escalation of violence in the country,” the coalition said.

“That the provisions of the Bill is superfluous and duplicates the provisions of existing legislations such as the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the Terrorism Prevention Act, the Central Bank Act, the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and several other extant Acts, practices and procedures.

“Many voluntary organisations are already registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and file their annual returns; and have registered with Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) and also file the due returns.”

Efforts to speak with Mr. Mbadiwe, the sponsor of the bill, was unsuccessful as did not answer or return calls seeking comments. He also did not reply text messages sent to his phone.

Nigeria hires U.S. lobby firm for N195 million to launder image over handling of Chibok abduction

                                 President Goodluck Jonathan

The Nigerian government has come under local and international condemnation over its far-from-impressive handling of the Chibok abduction.

In order to whitewash its inept handling of the kidnap of over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, the Goodluck Jonathan administration has awarded a N195 million ($1.2 million) contract to U.S. Public Relations and lobby firm, Levick, to help change “international and local media narrative” surrounding its efforts to rescue the girls, Washington DC based newspaper, The Hill, is reporting.

Boko Haram militants kidnapped the girls, who were writing their final examination, more than 70 days ago from their dormitory at the Government Secondary School, Chibok near Maiduguri .

In a video, Boko Haram leader, Abubarka Shekau, threatened to sell the girls into slavery. However the group later offered to swap the girls for Boko Haram fighters held by the government.

The Federal Government has come under severe criticism from local and international media for its lethargic handling of the abduction, prompting the ruling party, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to accuse the opposition of sponsoring a media campaign to discredit the government.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government told Nigerians to hold the government accountable for the failure to rescue the girls more than two months after they were kidnapped.

Details contained in the contract document obtained by The Hill show that the firm will also be “assisting the government’s efforts to mobilize international support in fighting Boko Haram as part of the greater war on terror”.

The firm also promised to assist the government in effecting “real change” in the country.

“A more comprehensive approach using vehicles such as public diplomacy and engaging outside experts to enact real changes is how the advocacy industry is evolving,” Phil Elwood, a Vice President at Levick, told The Hill. “A communications strategy alone is not enough to solve the complex and multifaceted problems facing some of the more controversial nations.”

“For me, after talking to him, the priority for President Jonathan beyond any is finding and bringing home the girls,” said Lanny Davis, an Executive Vice President at Levick.

“There’s got to be a way to amplify what he’s saying and doing to find these girls because over here in America, we’re not hearing much about his effort,” Mr. Davis added.

Levick will also be working with Jared Genser, a human rights attorney, who has worked for notable personalities such as South African Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutut and Burmese pro-democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi in the past to publicise “President Goodluck Jonathan Administration’s past, present and future priority to foster transparency, democracy and the rule of law throughout Nigeria.”

Mr. Genser told The Hill that he took the job following Mr Jonathan’s commitment to tackle Boko Haram.

“In terms of advancing human rights, however, the real work has to be done working with governments that are well meaning but lack the capacity — or as much capacity as they might like — and want to do the right thing,” he said.

“At the end of the day, the [Nigerian] president has said clearly to us that he wants results,” he said.
“I would not sit here and pretend that we are singlehandedly going to rescue the girls, that’s not our role,” Genser said. “What we can do is, we can provide advice and support about how to do so in accordance with international human rights norms and standards,” he added.

The contract shows that Levick will be paid N11,625,000.00 ($75,000.00) by month for its effort plus extra cost for advertisements, video production and website development. This will be done through an unnamed state-owned media agency.

The company will also receive additional fee of N3,487,500.00 ($22,500.00) if an associate of the company travels to Nigeria.

An associate of Mr. Genser company, Perseus Strategies, will get, N3,875,000.00 ($25,000.00) per month as retainer.

The hiring of Levick confirms the report by respected PR news website, www.holmesreport.com, that the government was in market for a PR firm to help bolster its dented image internationally over its far-from-impressive handling of the Chibok abduction.

At the time, the Nigerian government denied the publication while the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, (PRCAN) criticised the government describing its search for a foreign PR firm as a “needless strategic gaffe”.

“The purported search is premised on a wrong foundation of white washing Nigeria before foreign media and audiences. However, the real challenge before the Federal Government of Nigeria lies elsewhere and that is at the home front with its citizens, representing the primary stakeholders,” the PRCAN said in a statement at the time.

Nigerian government acted right in dropping corruption charges against Abacha – Adoke

The government said that it adhered to “international best practices” in dropping the charges against Mr. Abacha.

The Federal Government has said it dropped corruption charges against Mohammed Abacha, the son of late Nigeria dictator, Sani Abacha, in the “best interest of the country.”

It also said that it adhered to “international best practices” in dropping the charges against Mr. Abacha.

In a statement reacting to the criticism of the deal reached with the Abacha family by global anti-corruption organisation, Transparency international, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, said the government dropped the charges to facilitate the repatriation of the country’s fund held by the Abachas and their associates in Europe and America.

Rather than criticism, Mr. Adoke said, the Jonathan administration deserves praise for what he described as its “effective strategies” of putting pressure on the Abacha family and its associates through sustained criminal proceedings in various jurisdictions to facilitate the return of the stolen funds.

He said this strategy has led to “significant increase, both in the quantum and rate of recoveries.”
The government had accused Mohammed of receiving stolen property worth N100.38 billion. The money is believed to have been stolen by the late dictator when he was the Nigerian head of state from 1993 to 1998.

The Federal Government’s lawyer, Daniel Enwelum, however, made an oral application asking the court to withdraw the criminal charges against the suspect. He also applied to discontinue the case.

Transparency International condemned the dropping of the charges against Mohammed Abacha, saying the Federal Government is encouraging impunity in the polity by its action.

“Allowing the theft of public funds to go unpunished sends the wrong message that those with powerful connections can act with impunity. The case should have been fully prosecuted, and the government has not given adequate reasons for dropping the charges,” read a statement signed by TI Regional Director for sub-Saharan Africa, Chantal Uwimana.

However, Mr. Adoke said the criminal proceeding originally instituted against the Abachas has forced them to discontinue contesting cases filed in Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

He said the Federal Government has succeeded in repatriating a sizeable amount from this jurisdiction as a result of that:

“The aforementioned steps have led to the recovery of 226.3 million US Dollars from Liechtenstein in addition to the 7.5 Million Euros that was recovered from an associated company of the Abachas’ in Liechtenstein in 2011. It will also be recalled that in 2011, the Federal Government was able to recover and repatriate through negotiated settlement with the Jersey, the sum of 22.5 million pounds confiscated from an associate of the Abacha family by the Island of Jersey.”

Mr. Adoke projected that by dropping the charges against the Mohammed Abacha, the Federal Government will recover “the sum of $380 Million US Dollars from the Luxembourg proceedings and $550 Million US Dollars from forfeiture proceedings instituted by the US Department of Justice.”

He said it is false for TI to state that “the Abachas have been allowed to get away with little loss”; as the aim of “prosecution of corruption cases is the deprivation of the criminal offender of the proceeds of crime. This is achieved by the taking away of such proceeds of crime by the State (regurgitation and restitution). This principal objective has been achieved to a very significant degree in the Abacha proceedings.”

Mr. Adoke said while he understands the yearning of people who are calling for the custodial sentencing of Mohammed Abacha, they should also realise that the case has been on for 16 years with little or no progress made in that regard.

He further added that the case against the Abachas is not as straightforward as many assume. He said the norm of criminal prosecutions, which requires “proof beyond reasonable doubt” poses great difficulty for the prosecution as any shadow of doubt is resolved in favour of the accused person.”

He said the government consulted widely with international experts and partners that included development agencies and its decision to discontinue the criminal proceeding was informed by the feedback it received.

He said the government acted in the best interest of the country judging from the constraint posed by the case.

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Nigerian lawmakers kick against CBN’s N35 million capital base for bureau de change

Some lawmakers say the increase in the capital base for operators of bureau de change would worsen the unemployment rate.

The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the new requirement of N35 million increment in capital base for operators of Bureau De Change in Nigeria.

The CBN had on June 23, increased the capital base for Bureau De Change by 25 per cent, representing N35 million as against the N10 million.

The House also mandated the Committee on Banking and Currency to invite the CBN to brief it on the new requirement.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (PDP-Zamfara), which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Mr. Shehu-Gusau noted that the mandatory cautionary deposit was equally reviewed from N3 million to N35 million to be deposited in a non-interest yielding account with the CBN.

He said that the licensing fee was also increased from N500,000 to N1 million, while the annual renewal fee was increased from N10,000 t N25,000.

He stated that the new requirement was likely to send many operators out of business as it had provided millions of Nigerians with job opportunities.

“The increments are outrageous against the backdrop that the CBN will also reduce the amount of dollars being issued to bureau de change from 50,000 to 15,000 dollars per week.’’

Contributing to the debate, Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano) said that the new requirement by the CBN would affect his constituents’ livelihood negatively.

He said there is the need for the apex bank to review the requirement to allow operators continue with their jobs.

Ali Madaki (APC-Kano), said that the new requirement, if allowed to stay, would cause unemployment which is already high in the country.

The lawmaker noted that the increment in the capital base would also kill the informal sector which had provided job opportunities for a large section of the population.

In his remarks, Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), said that the increment was wrongly timed as the nation was experiencing high unemployment.

Some members, however, spoke against the motion and said that the action of the apex bank is in order as it would strengthen the sector.

Victor Nwokolo (PDP-Delta) said the new requirement would not only strengthen the sector, but would also strengthen the value of the Naira.

In his contributions, Linus Okorie (PDP-Ebonyi) said the increase in the capital base would strengthen operations of bureau de change in the country, as groups would put resources together to operate.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said the new requirement was aimed at ensuring that things were done properly.

He suggested that officials of the apex bank should be invited to interface with the relevant committee of the house on what necessitated the increment.

(NAN)

Insecurity: Nigerian Military pledges cooperation with stakeholders

That Mr. Badeh received a delegation from the National Institute of Legislature Studies, NILS, at the Defence Headquarters.

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Alex Badeh, said on Friday that the military would cooperate with other stakeholders to tackle insecurity in the country.

Mr. Badeh, an Air Chief Marshall, pledged that the synergy would also be extended to the West African sub-region to ensure the survival of democracy.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, in Abuja.

The statement said that Mr. Badeh dropped the information while receiving a delegation from the National Institute of Legislature Studies, NILS, at the Defence Headquarters.

It said that the CDS lauded the efforts and achievements of the Institute under its Director-General, Ladi Hamalai.

Mr. Badeh, according to the statement, assured the director-general that the military would partner with the institute through its Department of Civil Military Relations.

Ms. Hamalai had earlier told the CDS that the institute was mandated to provide human and information resources to facilitate legislative processes.

She said the mandate also included building capacity by providing training programmes that are certificated by the University of Benin and accredited by the National Universities Commission.

Ms. Hamalai, according to the statement, said NILS also provide back-up services for state legislative assemblies.

The statement quoted her to have disclosed that the institute was working to develop strategies and policies to encompass all major stakeholders in the polity.

The director-general, however, urged the Defence Headquarters to participate in a programme tagged “Parliamentary Security Summit”.

The programme, she said, was designed by the institute in collaboration with the ECOWAS parliament under the auspices of NILS CAP.

Ms. Hamalai said the programme would address capacity building and bring major stakeholders together at both national and sub-regional levels.

She said the programme would deliberate on ways and means of solving security challenges and threat to democracy in the sub-region.

The statement said that the visit provided the opportunity for an interactive session between the principal staff officers of the Defence Headquarters and the management of the institute.

Plateau killings would have been worse without police efforts – Official

In May, some communities in Riyom raised an alarm after discovering a training camp of suspected terrorists.

The killings of scores of people in separate attacks in Riyom, Plateau State, in the past year would have been worse if the police was not up and doing, an official has said.

A Police Superintendent, Babayemi Akomolede, stated this during the 8th meeting of the Plateau Peace Architecture Dialogue series held at the Cabinet office in Jos on Thursday.

Mr. Akomolede denied that the Plateau Police ignored warnings by communities in Riyom Local Government Area of a suspected terrorist training camp in the area.

“The police did not ignore the alarm of an illegal training camp in parts of Riyom. To the best of my knowledge, arrests have been made from those areas,” said Mr. Akomolede.

In early June, some communities in Riyom raised alarm after discovering a training camp of suspected terrorists around Rim and Shonong villages.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the community members called on the police to come to their aid.
Days after the call, in separate attacks, yet to be identified armed men unleashed terror on communities in the area killing no fewer than 14 people including a youth leader.

In one of such attacks on June 11, gunmen attacked Gako and Tanjol communities in Riyom, killing at least six people.

Two churches were also burnt in the attack which took place at about 1:00 a.m.

Residents of the area said apart from the six civilians killed, five uniformed security officials, believed to be members of the Special Task Force, STF, were also killed.

The police in the state, however, confirmed the death of only the six civilians; while saying five others were injured.

“On June 11 at about 1 a.m., unknown gunmen invaded two villages of Gako and Tanjol, shooting sporadically and in the process killing 6 persons, and injuring 5 others,” the Plateau Police Command spokesperson, Dominic Esin, had told PREMIUM TIMES in his office.

Mr. Akomolede, however, denied that the police did nothing to avert the crisis, and several similar ones in the area that have killed scores of people.

“If not for the prompt response of the police … the security situation in Riyom would have been worse than what it is today,” he said. “So I believe strongly something is being done in that regard.”
He called for the creation of vigilante groups in communities to help secure their areas and compliment the efforts of the police.

In his address, the Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Management to Governor Jonah Jang, Timothy Parlong, said “The abnormal security situation in the state requires the involvement of vigilante groups.

He said the state governor, Jonah Jang, made it a policy for communities to form vigilante groups due to the prevailing security situation.

The peace parley was organized by the Search for Common Ground, SFCG.

Nigeria to build new ‘Labour Camp’ in Abuja

About 7000 families in the Nyanya labour camp will be relocated.

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The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday approved a contract of N14 billion to build a new Labour Camp to replace the ‘deplorable’ one which was built 30 years ago in Nyanya, Abuja.

The contract, with a 36 months ultimatum, will see those living in the Nyanya labour camp relocated to the Gidan Diya Area of Kurudu District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Briefing journalists after the weekly Council meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of information, Labaran Maku, alongside the Abuja Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, said the new camp will house 8,064 flats.

Giving a background of the project, Ms. Akinjide said the Nyanya labour camp was built as a temporary labour camp 30 years ago when Abuja was being built.

“It housed the labour eras who worked to build this great city of Abuja and after that, the houses were sold to the junior workers, some students and security personnel. However, upon review, the FCTA found that the Nyanya labour camp is very over crowded, the houses dilapidated, with poor sanitary conditions, inadequate social amenities and minimal infrastructure,” she said.

“In-fact the UN Habitat declared the Nyanya labour camp as unfit for human habitation.

“As a result, as a responsible administration, we felt it is not right for us to leave our citizens in such a condition. Hence the relocation of the residents of Nyanya labour to the Gidan Daya Site in Kurudu District,” she added.

The relocation site is 152 hectares along the Jikwoyi-Karshi road.

The Minister also said the contract will include the provision of roads, electricity, water supply, and drainage sewage system. She added that support facilities planned for the site will include schools, markets, police station, primary healthcare facilities, fire station and everything that is needed to have a viable community.

The expected population to occupy the new site when fully relocated is about 50,000 inhabitants.

“Not only will we relocate the current residents of Nyanya labour camp, but we will also be able to accommodate some new residents in the Gidan Daya, and all those who are already living in Gidan Daya will benefit from the enhanced infrastructure that is coming into the area,” she explained.

Ms. Akinjide said the project is in keeping with the President Jonathan’s directives that there should be equitable distribution of infrastructure and social amenities throughout Abuja. She said the project will generate employment opportunities for at least 25 professionals, 40 technicians and at least 800 unskilled labourers.

Responding to questions from journalists on compensation for those who already bought the houses at the Nyanya Labour Camp, Ms. Akinjide said those who paid for the houses will be provided with alternative houses.

“As we said, the houses have been declared by the UN Habitat as unfit for human habitation . So this is the first stage of the two-stage process. We first need to put in infrastructure in the chosen site at Gidan Daya. We are going to put standard infrastructure in accordance with the standards of the FCTA (Federal Capital Territory Administration) for the satellite towns. After that, we will then build houses amounting to 8,054 flats, which will be developed.

We have funding for that given to us by the African Development Bank, we are currently undergoing the processes for the procurement of that facility, that is why this memo is simply for the first stage, the infrastructure,” Ms. Akinjide said.

She said the FCTA will not start the relocation process until the new site has houses that will be allocated to owners of homes in the Labour Camp.

She said “those who have not fully paid will probably wait until they complete the payment before they get the houses.

Even those who have not paid anything will be given the rights of first refusal and thus will be given an allocation and be given the opportunity to purchase their houses in the relocation site,” she said.

After the relocation, Ms. Akinjide noted that the old camp site will undergo urban renewal and will be available for use by the FCT in accordance with the land use act that will be developed.

Search of Tambuwal’s car: NSA orders probe

National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki has ordered an investigation into the alleged search of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Wazari Tambuwal’s car on Monday at a  conference in Kaduna.

A top security source told The Nation yesterday in Kaduna that the NSA ordered that the incident, which was widely reported in the media, be investigated, adding however that the soldiers on guard never insisted on searching the Speaker’s car.

According to the source, who pleaded not to be named, “there was never an attempt by soldiers and other security agents to search the Speaker’s vehicle as all dignitaries and participants were accorded due respect.”

He explained that what happened was that “detectives from the Department of State Security Services and other security operatives were trying to verify whether or not it was actually the Speaker’s

vehicle when he hurriedly disembarked and walked to the conference hall. The service chiefs parked their vehicles 300 meters away from the venue and trekked.”

The source said the Speaker was aware of such security protocols because anytime “he comes to Mambilla Barracks for Friday prayers, his vehicles are always verified. It is customary.”

He said the presence of security agents at the venue was for the safety of everybody present there, adding that other top dignitaries, including the Governors Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Mu’azu Babangida Alliyu (Niger), the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, the NSA, service chiefs and traditional leaders had their vehicles searched”.

Court to rule on ex-PDP chairman, Ogbulafor’s corruption trial July 24

Mr. Ogbulafor allegedly used his position as head of NEIC to verify several forged documents.

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Justice Ishaq Bello of the Abuja High Court on Wednesday reserved judgment till July 24 in a case filed by an anti-graft agency against former Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Vincent Ogbulafor and two others.

Mr. Ogbulafor, also former Minister of Special Duties, along with Emeka Ebilah and Jude Nwokoro, are facing a 17-count charge of conspiracy and award of fictitious contracts worth N107 million.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, alleged that Mr. Ogbulafor, as Minister of State for Special Duties in 2001, connived with the others to float three fictitious companies with which they allegedly perpetrated the fraud.

They were alleged to have used Henrichiko Nig. Ltd, DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries, to siphon N82.6 million; N11.5 million and N6.2 million, respectively, in 2001.

Mr. Ogbulafor was specifically alleged to have used his position as head of National Economic Intelligence Committee, NEIC, set up to verify debts owed local contractors, to okay as genuine, several forged documents.

He was alleged to have relied on the forged documents to certify that the three fake companies successfully executed jobs worth N104 million.

Mr. Ogbulafor was also alleged to have collected kickbacks of N2 million and N28 million from Mr. Ebilah.

The offences levelled against the accused persons are said to have contravened Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Mr. Ogbulafor had admitted recommending the second accused to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for membership of the NEIC in July 2010.

However, he denied appointing Mr. Ebilah as the secretary of the committee after its reconstitution.
Mr. Ogbulafor told the court that he was directed to reconstitute NEIC by Mr. Obasanjo in July 2001.

(NAN)

No plan to demolish Abuja auto parts market – Official

Work is in progress on permanent site in Wasa.”
The auto parts sellers in Abuja have been assured that there is no plan to demolish their present shops in Apo District of the territory.

The Head of Public Relations, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Grace Zamani, gave the assurance while addressing the traders who staged pre-emptive protest on Tuesday.

She said the protest was not necessary.

She assured the traders that the land allocated to them in Wasa was going through due process.

“The problem has to do with communication. Work is in progress on the land in Wasa and we will hand it over to you when we conclude. Meanwhile, there is no plan to demolish the present site until you are properly relocated,” she said.

The spokesperson for the traders, Chime Ife, said that the protest was due to threat
by the Department to Development Control to demolish the market.

He said the traders had applied for an alternative space for the market which was granted but had not been handed over to them.

“They demolished our shops in Apo in 2006 and we had to move to a temporary site in the area. In 2011, we applied for an alternative land for our trade which was granted by the Minister while we remained in a temporary site in Apo. But a few weeks ago, they came to our temporary site without handing over the permanent site to us, that is why we are protesting,” he said.

(NAN)

Don calls for regionalisation of Nigeria’s security agencies

“APC is offering nothing different from PDP to Nigerians.”

A Professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Aloysius-Michael Okolie, Saturday, called for the regionalisation of Nigeria’s security system.

Speaking as the guest lecturer at the third Zik’s Leadership Lecture Series/Luncheon organised by the Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Unizik, Mr. Okolie said that Nigeria was already threatened by insecurity prior to the advent of Boko Haram; but it has been heightened by the terrorist group.

Mr. Okolie, whose presentation was titled, “Politics of Securitisation and Securitisation of Politics in Nigeria: The Boko Haram Experience,” explained that Boko Haram started as a political outfit but threw off the control of their political patrons.

Mr. Okolie noted that the sect mostly carried out their activities in states controlled by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and blamed the governors and elders of those states for failing to reveal the criminals among them to the security agencies.

According to him, every community knows the bad eggs among them and those states could not deny such.

On the other hand, he noted that there was nothing different between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the APC was yet to offer anything different from what the PDP was offering Nigerians.

The professor also said he wondered why the president refused to declare a full state of emergency in the affected states as doing so would definitely amount to the “securitisation of politics.”

Mr. Okolie said that Boko Haram was not the only security threat to Nigeria, listing favouritism and the abuse of due process as other threats the country’s social and economic security.

Using the academic environment as an example, the university don said that 70 per cent of professors were undeserving of their positions. According to him, those that have the knowledge are often seen as security threats and denied promotions to professorship to the advantage of unqualified persons. He described the sort of occurrences as a threat to social and educational security and the reason why political scientists reject Nigerian political appointments.

“Political Scientists don’t go into Nigerian politics because they can easily see today and tomorrow. They know that touts within the government can’t tolerate them and that they will be definitely sacked because they cannot accept to be unnecessarily controlled or influenced by anybody,” he said.
Rejecting the Biafran movement, Mr. Okolie said that Igbos should be ready to face major crises if Biafra secedes because the Igbos are too selfish and greedy.

He pointed out that the Igbos fail to utilise little opportunities given to them by the government to benefit themselves and wondered how they could then manage themselves if given Biafra.

Using the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as an example, Mr. Okolie alleged that various promotions were denied to those that merited them until a Hausa man became the sole administrator of the institution.

The don concluded by urging the federal government to encourage regionalisation of the nation’s security in such a way that security recruits of various regions must be indigenes of their various areas of assignment. According to him, indigenes would be in a better position to locate and destroy bad eggs in their communities.

In his address, the Head of Political Science Department of Unizik, Makodi Biereenu-Nnabugwu, disclosed that the lecture was highly necessary considering the current insecurity in the country. He promised that the department would sustain the annual lecture.

The president of the National Association of Political Science Students, NAPSS, Unizik chapter, Emeka Omaliko, expressed his satisfaction with the successful organisation of the event and thanked the head of the department for his support.

Other highlights of the event included musical performances and the presentation of awards to some personalities. The awards recipients included Ebele Ejiofor, Effective Representation Award; Silas Ejeabocha, Outstanding Leadership Excellence Award; and Ignatius Ngini, Selfless Leadership Service Award.

In their remarks, the award recipients thanked the Unizik Political Science Department for the honour and pledged to put in more efforts.

Mr. Ejiofor, who is a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, described the award as an encouragement to serve his constituency better. Mr. Ejeabocha, the speaker of Anaocha Local Council, expressing joy over the award, called on politicians to be leaders of thought. Mr. Ngini, the immediate past president of NAPSS, Unizik chapter, said that he served NAPSS with deep sense of humility and statesmanship. He described the challenges he encountered as the association’s president as instruments of shaping his idea of leadership for a better tomorrow and thanked the department for the honour.

The event which took place at Whyte View Hotel, Ifite Awka, was witnessed by students, academics, public servants and the press.

Nigeria seizes N10 billion pirated materials in 2 years

The seized materials include home videos, literary, inspirational and educational books.

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, on Tuesday said it intercepted and seized pirated cinematography, musical and educational books worth N10 billion from January 2012 to date.

The NCC Zonal Manager, Lagos Operational Office, Chris Nkwocha, said this in Lagos.

Mr. Nkwocha explained that other seized materials include home movies, literary, inspirational, and educational books.

He said that over 17 container-loads of pirated books and other‎ confiscated merchandise had been seized between January 2012 and June2014.

The NCC boss said that the containers were intercepted and seized at‎ Bollere Logistics West African Terminal, Kirikiri, Lagos and AP Moller‎ Terminal, Apapa Area Customs Command, Lagos.

He said that over five container-loads of pirated books and musical‎ were seized in 2012; and about eight container-loads were seized in 2013, while four container-loads were confiscated between January and June 13.

“Over 17 containers of pirated cinematography, musical, movies, and inspirational books have been seized in the last two years.

“The containers were loaded with over 300,000 copies of pirated materials in 50,000 cartons.

“Some of the materials are best-selling American titles: `Daughter of Destiny’ by Kathryn Kuhlman, `Me and My Big Mouth’ by Joyce Meyer and The Midas Touch’ by Kenneth Hagin.

“Others are `Mysterious Secrets of the Dark Kingdom’ by J.P Timmons, and copies of Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary, which originated from China and bible titles belonging to Bible Society of Nigeria.

“The seizures were done in collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Services, State Security Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Media and the Nigeria Police,” Mr. Nkwocha said.

He said that the commission would continue to fight piracy in line with the Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.

(NAN)

Ogun Health Sector Workers Refuse To Return

The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, of the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State has revealed that it won't stop its ongoing strike until its condition is met.

The union made its choice known by its Chairman, Kikelomo Enaholo, who told journalists in Abeokuta, the union started its strike earlier this month on June 9th due to their March 2011 salaries not being paid and payment of their 17 months Consolidate Tertiary Institutions salary scale, payment of counterpart fund in pension from the state government, all totalling over N2 billion.

The Union also lambasted the unwholesome working conditions of the hospital and demanded for repairs and new equipments for their members.

Ms. Enaholo revealed she has been threatened by unknown men for the past couple days, she said: “The callers hid their numbers, accusing me of planning to destabilise the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. They even accused me of being sponsored by the opposition,” she said.

She has reported these calls to the security authorities  and said: “We are not going to succumb to cheap blackmail. We have waited for more than three months to allow the state government look into our matters,.

She revealed that they had initially started the strike three years ago, but had to call it off because Amosun was just sworn in then.

“We respected the Governor and called off our strike but till date, the governor is yet to reciprocate our good gesture by looking into our demands but Since the Governor came on board, he has not seen us. This is a slap on our union’s face.”

Soldiers ‘embarrass’ Speaker Tambuwal

The soldiers insisted that Mr. Tambuwal’s car must be frisked for bombs.

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Some soldiers on Monday ‘embarrassed’ the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in Kaduna after they insisted they must search his car before allowing him entry into the venue of an event he was billed to be the key speaker.

The incident occurred at the 17th Hotel Kaduna venue of an international conference on security and development challenges of pastoralists in west and central Africa.

The event was organised by the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, with the theme “The Role of Pastoralists in Preventing Insurgency and Conflicts for enhanced National Security”.

Mr. Tambuwal, who was one of the key note speakers of the conference, arrived the Hotel at about 9:16 a.m.; but soldiers at the gate insisted that his convoy will not be allowed entry. They said only the staff car should approach the gate.

A witness informed us that “even when the speaker’s car came, the soldiers insisted it must stop and be frisked for bombs, and one of them asked him to wind down”.

Our source added that all explanations by the speaker’s security details fell on deaf ears and the soldiers insisted that they must comb the car.

“When the embarrassment was getting too much, the speaker just alighted from the car and walked into the hotel,” our source said.

He also said he was surprised when “some governors came later and no one attempted to stop or search their vehicles”.

The spokesperson of Mr. Tambuwal, Imam Imam,confirmed the incident and advised the military to have respect for the office of the Speaker.

“As the number four citizen, the Honourable Speaker deserves the respect of all Nigerians. What happened was unfortunate,” he said. “We should have respect for the office and his official car is part of the symbol of that office.”

Mr. Imam also said incidents like what happened to the Speaker may undermine the legislature as an institution.