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ACF, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Afenifere, South-South Leaders to meet soon

By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it will soon organized a meeting with leaders of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Afenifere and South-South Leaders to discuss the lingering issues in the country that have tended to pitch ethnic and regional groups against each other.

The Forum also expressed satisfaction with the recent stand of the South east Leaders and Governors on the violent agitation for secession from Nigeria by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).
ACF disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at its headquarters in Kaduna on Wednesday.
The forum, in a communique presented by its national chamman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, also commended two Northern Governors, Senator Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Professor Umara Zulum of Borno State for demonstrating unusual courage in their fight against terrorism in their states.ACF thus urged other Governors in the North to demonstrate similar bravery in the fight against insecurity that is ruining everything that the North has always stood for.

The Forum also praised the gallantry of the country’s fighting forces who, against all odds have continued to risk their own lives in the fight against banditry and insurgencies.
“The Forum expressed satisfaction with the recent stand of the South east Leaders and Governors on the violent agitation for secession from Nigeria by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network.

“Forum also expressed satisfaction that Igbo Elders have finally disowned the agitators and called on the elders to take concrete measures to ensure that such agitations come to an end.

“The ACF notes that the South East Leaders called on Northern leaders to protect their indigenes who are living in the North. we wish to assure them that all Ibos who are living in the North are guaranteed their personal security; sometimes they enjoy a security which even Northerners do not enjoy.

“On the other hand, we have received reports on a daily basis of Northerners, ordinary citizens who are earning their daily life as nail cutters, suya makers, shoe shiners, onion sellers, are being bullied, beaten and even killed. We hope these ordinary Northerners are given the same protection we have given the South-Easterners in our midst.

“In the very near future, the Forum hopes to meet with leaders of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Afenifere and South-South leaders to discuss the lingering issues in the country that have tended to pitch ethnic and regional groups against each other”, it stated.On the economy, the Forum regretted the high rates of interest charged on bank loans in the country.
According to the Forum the interest charged by banks on commercial loans are so high that instead of promoting business, they are killing all indigenous business enterprises. “No business can function in Nigeria or anywhere without a friendly environment of loaning from banks. We call on the government to intervene because the collapse of business has direct links with unemployment and insecurity.

It also stated that “ACF wants to commend the Federal Government for the effort it is making to improve the state of the infrastructure in the country. “The fact, however, remains that the northern part of the country, with the largest proportion of land (over 75%) and the highest number of population is definitely not getting its fair share of the new infrastructure being developed”, it added.

On Food Security, the Forum stated that it’s not happy with the scant attention paid to Animal Husbandry by States and Federal Government in the country. “Animal Husbandry alone accounts for 6% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Nigeria spends $1.6 on importation of milk alone. If animal husbandry is well harnessed it will save Nigeria, this large expenditure.
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“Many Nigerians are not aware that those involved in the business of animal husbandry are themselves victims of insecurity their cattle are often rustled and they are kidnapped for ransom too. “There is need to encourage alternative means of dispute resolution as those involved in farmers/herdsmen clashes are rural illiterates who sometimes are not comfortable with the police and the modern court system but would prefer traditional way of resolving issues.The Forum also regretted that a laudable program like the Normadic Education embarked on during the Babangida administration has been abandoned.
“There is need to revive and expand this laudable programme so that the pastoralists who have been profiled, exploited, abandoned and left behind by the modern society will also acquire skills to live in harmony with their brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

On Local Governments, it state that, this tier of government is not being allowed to work and the failure is having a devastating effort on the security architecture of the country. “They must be allowed to work and ACF calls strongly on the Federal Government and the States Government to allow the Local Government to perform the roles and functions they were constitutionally created to perform”, it lamented.

The forum chairman also said that “Given the realities of the time over issues of security, food scarcity, drug abuse,, he urged members of the Forum to adopt, more proactive measures in addressing problems facing the North and the nation.
June 23, 2021
Again CSOs Fault Transmission Of Lauretta Onochie’s Name To NASS For Confirmation
… May Explore Legal Action Against Lawmakers, FG
By Williams Anuku Abuja
Over ten civil society organisations have again faulted the Federal Government for transmitting the name of Mrs Lauretta Onochie to the National Assembly for confirmation as one of the National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
At a program on Wednesday in Abuja, they prevailed on the Senate to reject her nomination on the grounds that she is too partisan and infact a card carrying member of political parties in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Some of the CSOs who moved against her nomination includes Yiaga Africa, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa PAACA, International Press Centre, the Albino Foundation, Centre For Citizens With Disability CDD among others.
They equally demanded that beyond Onochie’s rejection by the Senate Committee on INEC, the National Assembly must ensure that proper scrutiny and due diligence should be exercised in confirming other nominees, including ensuring that nominees to positions of INEC are individuals with impeccable character, unquestionable neutral inclinations, disposition and competence.
According to the CSOs, failure to yield to these demands may elicit legal actions against the presidency because the development may set a negative precedence for the electoral body.
“Mrs Lauretta Onochie is not qualified to be appointed as INEC’s National Commissioner based on the fact that she is a British citizen, thus falling short of the constitutional requirements for being appointed to that position as stated in sections 156(1a) and 66(1a) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Further proof of Mrs Onochie being a British citizen is contained in the fact that until recently, she was a full, card carrying member of the British Conservative Party, even contesting elections for a councillorship position in Thames Ward in the London Borough of Barking and Degenham in 2010 as a member of the UK Conservative Party.
“The fact of her dual citizenship and political activities in the UK raises major questions on her loyalty and commitment to Nigeria, “the CSOs insisted.
June 23, 2021
FEC: Controversial Media Bills Before NASS Not Linked To Presidency – Adesina
… Says ECOWAS Court Ruling on Twitter
Under Investigation By AGF
By Williams Anuku Abuja
The controversies trailing the recent suspension of Twitter in Nigeria took another dimension on Wednesday as Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, distanced the presidency from the ongoing attempts at the National Assembly to amend the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) Act and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act.
Recall that there had been speculations that following the suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian Government, there has been some underground moves to muzzle the media through repeal of the Acts establishing the Nigerian Press Council and the National Broadcasting Commission respectively.
A move that has drawn condemnation from various stakeholders.
Adesina rose to the defence of the presidency while fielding questions from State House Correspondents after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday.
According to him, the initiative is a federal government thing that only the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, was competent to address.
Asked to comment on the issue, he said: “That is not strictly a Presidency thing because the President has nothing to do with that. It’s a government thing and it’s the Minister that can talk about it. So, thank you.”
Asked to react to ECOWAS Court ruling against Nigeria for suspending the micro-blogging platform, Twitter, Adesina said, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, is studying the ruling issued by the ECOWAS Court to the effect that Twitter users cannot be arrested or prosecuted.
He said the AGF would advise the federal government on the next step to take.
The Presidential Media Aide also affirmed that the committee made up of ministers to engage with Twitter has begun to meet.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation is going to study that report and then he’ll advise government on the way forward.
“The committee set up by the President to engage with Twitter is actually holding a meeting about now, or it will hold a meeting this afternoon (Wednesday) towards engaging with Twitter.”
Adesina equally disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved that the Second Peer Review Country Self-assessment Report should be done.
He said: “The only thing of interest I would like to talk about is the second Peer Review Country’s Self-assessment Report.
“Nigeria is ready for the second Peer Review Country Self -assessment Report to be done by AUDA-NEPAD. I think the last self-assessment report was done 10 years ago in Nigeria. Now, Nigeria is ready for the second review self-assessment report.
“It’s been discussed at the Council and the President has granted the approval that that peer review report can be conducted on Nigeria.
“Actually, if you have an insight into the report that was presented, which the woman in charge of NEPAD, Mrs. Akobundu, can give you, Nigeria has made progress in several areas and on several fronts.
“While 10 years ago, petroleum contributed more than 70%, even up to 90%, to GDP, you will find that today, petroleum contributes just about 45% and non-oil products contribute about 55% to the Nigerian economy.
“So, if Nigeria had been talking of diversification for 40, 50, 60 years, the economy can now be said to be diversified because our GDP, non-oil revenue, contributes about 55% to 45% of oil.
“So, it’s one of the highlights of the Peer Review Country Self-assessment Report that was presented at the Council meeting today. Details of that can be gotten from the AUDA-NEPAD office.
“That is the only thing we can talk about FEC today. if there’s any question, then I’ll gladly take. Yes. Yes, thank you.”
The meeting which held at the conference hall of the First Lady’s office, State House, Abuja, has Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari in attendance.
Also in attendance were Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Defence, retired Bashir Magashi; Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige as well as Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan and other Ministers attended virtually from their various offices in Abuja.
June 23, 2021
Senate protests media report alleging approval of N37bn for N’Assembly renovation
The Senate has protested a media report by Channels Television alleging that its leadership approved the sum of N37 billion naira for the renovation of the National Assembly.
Leading the protest, the Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, while relying on order 14 and 15 of the Senate Standing Rules, declared the report as contemptuous and a breach of his privileges and that of members of the upper chamber.
The lawmaker lamented that the falsehoods contained in the report by the television station was intended to denigrate the image of the National Assembly and incite Nigerians against lawmakers on the various social media platforms.
He said, “Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, yesterday, Abuja experienced rainfall. And the issue of the rainfall as it happened yesterday which was heavy was reported in various media.
“However, when I listened to the reportage on the Channels Television yesterday, there were many issues that were raised in their report that I felt has impinged upon my privilege and, perhaps, the privilege of my colleagues.
“In that report yesterday, Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, three things were reported which were very inaccurate: that there was heavy downpour or leakage even in the chamber. That was not correct.
“There was leakage of course around the premises, outside the chamber and, also, it was reported that because of that leakage it delayed our sitting. That, also, was not correct.
“The leadership had house keeping matters and, of course, until the leadership comes into the chamber, sitting will not begin.
“Thirdly, Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, and the most critical was that they reported the leadership as approving the sum of N37 billion for rehabilitation of the complex. This is farther from the truth.
“As well all know, the leadership of course, noticed the level of dilapidation and the need for rehabilitation of the National Assembly complex.
He explained that the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives approached the President on the matter.
“At the end of the day, like we all know, when the sum of N37 billion was made as provision in the shared 2020 of the budget, the media went to town castigating and calling the National Assembly members all kinds of names.
“Now, at the end of the day, the pandemic came and that amount was reduced to about N9 billion so that they can take the rehabilitation in phases.
“As we speak, nothing has been done until yesterday, like we all saw, the leakages across the complex.
“This is a vindication of what the leadership and, indeed, the Senate and members of the House of Representatives saw with respect to this edifice which is a national monument.
“This is the house of Nigerians, and I believe it is also the face and symbol of our democracy. [And] I believe as responsible tenants – because we are all tenants here, we have our time to leave – we have a duty to report back, in this case
“If you follow what was been reported or comments being made in the social media arising from that report alone – they would just tell you what in 2020 last year, the leadership approved N37 billion, then they will show rain falling.
“The entire report was done to denigrate our integrity and to actually impugn on whatever it is that we stand for”, Senate Abdullahi said.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks described the report as irresponsible, adding that the media should seek clarification on matters of interest through proper investigations before filing reports.
He said, “The Channels Television corespondent or reporter here may not be responsible for that, because I know that our press corps members and reporters are in tune with what we do here and what happens around us.
“And they are very patriotic, very genuine and committed to democracy and, therefore, the Senate correspondent of the Channels TV couldn’t have sent that report.
“Let me advise the media, this is irresponsible, I must say, because seek the truth, investigate properly.
“Come to us, or go to those who you think should know better before you compile and send your reports.
“The fact that there was a leakage to me is a clear testimony, confirmation and vindication of the position the National Assembly took initially.
While narrating the circumstances which led to President Buhari approving the renovation of the National Assembly complex, he dismissed insinuations that the National Assembly was responsible for the implementation of the renovation of the complex.
“By the time we came into office, the Speaker and I found it necessary to go round this complex and we found out dilapidation and degradation.
“In fact, anyone who see what we have here knows that this place is overdue for renovation. It is even worse downstairs.
“So, we went to see Mr. President that to complain to him that there is need to rehabilitation and renovate the National Assembly complex after the being used for twenty years and not rehabilitated at all.
“[And] Mr. President was gracious, he asked us to come back to engage the FCDA who are the owners of this building.
“The management – the technical side of the National Assembly and some contractors to come up with what we need to rehabilitate here and the costing.
“In fact, I fought against the initial submissions because I was to take the document to Mr. President.
“When I saw what some of them were bringing, I said I couldn’t take that to Mr. President. Go and rework it.
“They continued to rework until they came down to N37 billion. I took that to Mr. President, and he immediately called the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, he said go and look for money to rehabilitate the National Assembly complex.
“Myself, the Speaker, the late Chief of Staff and the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed met, and the meeting was to go and look for money to rehabilitate this complex.
“[And] for emphasis, when we approved the budget of N37 billion naira for the rehabilitation of this complex, it was not a National Assembly budget, it was an FCDA budget. We have nothing to do with this.
“But, of course, some misinformed – some innocent and some deliberately mischievous – went to town and were saying the National Assembly wanted to eat N37 billion naira, that there is nothing wrong with this place.
“This is the house of the citizens of Nigeria, and this is the symbol of democracy.
“If this complex leaks, the interpretation is we are not holding our democracy with the respect that it deserves.
“This symbol of democracy must be protected, must be promoted and supported. In fact, the institution of parliament must be supported by citizens, and we expect the press to take a lead in informing the public properly and appropriately.”
June 23, 2021
Senate will expose govt. agencies refusing to account for public funds, says Lawan
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the upper chamber will publish the names of government agencies that have refused to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to defend the interrogations of the Auditor-General for the Federation in the 2015 report.
Lawan made this known in his remarks after the Senate considered the report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December, 2015.
According to the Senate President, any public official that refuses to account for public funds at their disposal must be shown the way out of office.
He said, “This is one of our major responsibilities as a parliament, to hold the executive to account.
“[And] whoever is given the responsibility and the trust of running any agency with public funds must be accountable to the parliament on behalf of the people.
“You have indicated a certain number of MDAs who failed to come to the committee after invitation, I want you to go through your documents – the invitation letters with reminders.
“This Senate will publish the names of these agencies for the public to know.
“This Senate will insist, any public servant or civil servant that is given public fund for public good and has questions to answer and refuse to appear to answer, should have no business being in government.
“Because all of us are supposed to be accountable to the people and, therefore, if someone feels that he is not going to be accountable, then that person has no business remaining in office.
“But I want to also say that, those who turned up to defend or explain the interrogations by the Auditor-General did the right thing and we must commend them for coming, whether they were able to convince the committee that the Auditor-General was not right or not. They appeared responsible and accountable.
“For those that have been able to convince the committee on the propriety of what they did, we commend them because they followed the proper accounting mechanisms established, probably by the office of the Accountant-General.”
Lawan lamented that most agencies of government have refused to comply with accounting systems put in place by the office of the Accountant-General.
According to him, this is largely responsible for fraudulent transactions by some Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.
He, therefore, tasked the Public Accounts Committee to ensure that agencies of government comply with the accounting systems and procedures specified by the office of the Accountant-General.
“[And] from my experience as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in this Senate, most of the agencies of government do not adhere to the established accounting mechanisms that will ensure accountability and transparency sent to them by the office of the Accountant-General.
“We should go ahead and check the accounting systems established in most of these agencies.
“In my experience, there was an agency of government in 2005 or 2006 that spent N1 billion naira on what they called welfare.
“And that is to tell you that there is no system to stop this kind of thing. So, we should go ahead, especially the major agencies, and look at the systems they follow so that we stop people from doing the wrong things before we start to look for remedy.”
The Senate President further disclosed that the chamber would consider the eventual recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee after it comes up with a document that neatly outlines and summarises them for consideration.
“The report need our study, just like most of our colleagues said, let’s read it and then come back to look at the recommendations.
“But, I’ll also suggest that you should have all the recommendations in one place, because it is the recommendations that we will consider, instead of going through all the documents before we pass the recommendations. We should have the recommendations summarized.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, said findings showed that there were “consistent contravention of relevant Constitutional provisions and other Extant Laws by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.”
According to the lawmaker, the late submission of annual financial statement is a violation of Section 49(1) and (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 and Section 85 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He disclosed that there were withdrawals of funds by the executive arm from Special Fund Accounts for purposes other than the objectives the funds were created, and without recourse to the National Assembly for authourisation, contrary to Section 80(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Urhoghide further disclosed that there was absence of collaboration amongst the two key agencies involved in the management and superintending over of public funds – office of the Auditor-General and the Office of the Accountant-General.
He explained that the lack of cooperation between both offices poses a barrier to efficient, effective and transparent audit process of the nation’s Federation Account.
The lawmaker, therefore, underscored the need to pass the Audit Service Bill into law, to strengthen and streamline the audit process with a view to ensuring prudence in public finance and transactions.
The Upper Chamber, after consideration of the Public Accounts Committee report
on the annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December, 2015, stood it down pending when the committee summarises its recommendations to the Senate.
June 23, 2021
ACF worries over continuous attacks on Northerners in Southern states
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Arewa consultative forum (ACF) National executive council meeting has expressed worry over what it described as the continuous attacks and killings of northerners in the southern part of the country.
The forum noted with dismay, the continuous probocatibe attack on innocent northerners in southern East and seoither west, adding it may cause reaction in the north of could not the stopped
This was part of the brief red out during opening ceremony in kaduna national headquarters of the forum chaired by it’s chairman chief Audu Ogbe.
Earlier, in his opening address, the chairman expressed delight that merely looking showed that the forum composition truly does not reflect representation of northern elite alone, but also the young people as well.
June 23, 2021
Coca-Cola Truck Crushes 3 To Death In Ibadan
Three people, two male and one female, were on Wednesday morning crushed to death by a truck loaded with crates of Coca-Cola drinks at Total Garden Area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The incident, which occurred at the front of Bovas Filling Station, involved a motorcycle rider with his two passengers.
They were crushed when the motorcyclist was trying to overtake the Coca-Cola truck.
Our correspondent reports that it took the effort of some policemen to stop youths from setting ablaze the truck.
While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer at the state command, Adewale Osifeso, said; “it is true. I will get back to you.”
June 23, 2021
Two Die, 13 Vehicles Burnt as Tanker Explodes in Ogun
At least, two persons have been confirmed dead while 13 vehicles were reportedly burnt when a petrol-laden tanker exploded at the Ogere-Remo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in the early hours of yesterday.
The tanker explosion, which occurred at the proposed new Kara Market in Ogere Remo at the Ogun State corridor of the expressway, resulted in heavy gridlock, compelling traffic management authorities to divert vehicular movements.
Investigations revealed that a long truck had earlier, around 4 a.m., fallen on the expressway, causing gridlock.
Few hours later, a fuel-laden trailer, which was trapped along with other vehicles in the ensuing traffic, suddenly burst into flames.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, who spoke to journalists in Abeokuta, said a 33, 000 litre petrol-laden tanker, held up in traffic suddenly burst into flames, which later consumed 12 other vehicles.
The state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, yesterday led a government delegation to the area for an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
While extending the state government condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the incident, Salako-Oyedele noted that the impact of the losses was terrible.
She thanked the officials of relevant agencies, including the FRSC, Police, Fire Service and the TRACE, who responded promptly to the emergency, thereby helping to reduce casualties.
June 23, 2021
National Assembly overdue for rehabilitation – Lawan
Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday said the National Assembly Complex is overdue for rehabilitation.
Lawan spoke following a point of order moved by the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
Abdullahi had complained that some media reports about the leakage and flooding of the chambers due to a heavy downpour on Tuesday, were full of inaccuracies and therefore impugned the integrity of lawmakers.
Details shortly…
June 23, 2021
Akpabio Gives Date For Submission Of NDDC Forensic Audit To Buhari
Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari will receive the report of the ongoing forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) next month.
Akpabio indicated this while responding to questions from State House correspondents after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari at the State House on Wednesday.
He maintained that the exercise was started not just to clean up the mess in the NDDC, but to reposition the commission and ensure optimal performance and that much progress on the forensic audit has been made.
The minister further declared that Nigeria cannot afford a crisis in South-South as recorded in other regions of the country because of its importance to the economic survival of the nation.
Akpabio equally noted that he has been meeting with stakeholders in the region as a way of calming tension. He also recommended that political leaders from other crisis-prone regions do the same to curb restiveness.
June 23, 2021