₦airaland Forum

*Fake News and Propaganda in modern journalism*
By Abdulrazaq Hamzat

Cable News Network also known as CNN is today regarded as the poster medium for the propagation of fake news in the world.

This claim was made popular by the outgoing US president, Donald Trump who has been alleging CNN of being propagator of fake news since 2016, but more recently, by the Nigerian Government, which accused the international news medium of reporting fake and unsubstantiated figures of alleged casualty in the Lekki during EndSars protest against police brutality in Nigeria.

The position CNN found itself became more compounded, after it attempted to retract a bogus casualty figure it had earlier reported about the Lekki incident, a development that made the Nigerian Government stance more legitimized.

Furthermore, the claim that CNN refused to report killings and massacre of over 38 police officers and the burning of over 256 police stations during the protest equally raised more questions than answers about the intention and credibility of the medium.

However, before the emergence of President Trump in 2016, many African Countries had long maintained that CNN is a purveyor of negative propaganda against the African Continent, a claim recently amplified by Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed.

In a lengthy petition addressed to Vice President, Communication of CNN, Mr Jonathan Hawkins, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed accused CNN of not only being a fake news propagator, he also claimed that CNN report fall short of any known journalistic standard.

Corroborating this position, a Civil Society group, Coalition of Civil Society for Human Rights and Good Governance Africa also accused CNN of using its platform to destabilize African countries, a repeat of which shall not be tolerated in Nigeria.

The group cited several alleged incidences of false reports and propaganda from CNN, including but not limited to destruction of Libya and the Arab Spring propaganda.

The question arising from all of the above is that, is there any difference between fake news, a recent coinage for fabricated stories and propaganda, a popular tool in mass advocacy, which some people have described as misleading information?

To start with, what is propaganda?

Propaganda is the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.

For propaganda, it’s not important whether the information is true or false. What is important is that the propaganda material can advance the motive of its purveyor.

Sometimes, a propaganda content might be true, other times, they may be untrue.

Sometimes, they maybe in context, other times, out of context.

It is on record that in the beginning of its political utilization, propaganda is often associated with material prepared by governments, but activist groups, companies, religious organizations and the media can also produce propaganda material to advance their interest.

In the twentieth century, the term propaganda has often been associated with a manipulative approach, but propaganda historically was a neutral descriptive term.

The first large-scale and organised propagation of government propaganda was occasioned by the outbreak of war in 1914.

After the defeat of Germany in the First World War, military officials such as Erich Ludendorff suggested that British propaganda had been instrumental in their defeat. Adolf Hitler came to echo this view, believing that it had been a primary cause of the collapse of morale and the revolts in the German home front and Navy in 1918.

In Mein Kampf (1925) Hitler expounded his theory of propaganda, which provided a powerful base for his rise to power in 1933.

Historian Robert Ensor explains that "Hitler...puts no limit on what can be done by propaganda; people will believe anything, provided they are told it often enough and emphatically enough, and that contradicters are either silenced or smothered in calumny."

Most propaganda in Nazi Germany was produced by the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda under Joseph Goebbels.

World War II saw continued use of propaganda as a weapon of war, building on the experience of WWI, by Goebbels and the British Political Warfare Executive, as well as the United States Office of War Information.

In the years following the October Revolution of 1917, the Soviet government sponsored the Russian film industry with the purpose of making propaganda films (e.g. the 1925 film The Battleship Potemkin glorifies Communist ideals.)

The 1930s and 1940s, which saw the rise of totalitarian states and the Second World War, are arguably the "Golden Age of Propaganda".

Leni Riefenstahl, a filmmaker working in Nazi Germany, created one of the best-known propaganda movies, Triumph of the Will.

In the US, animation became popular, especially for winning over youthful audiences and aiding the U.S. war effort, e.g.,Der Fuehrer's Face (1942), which ridicules Hitler and advocates the value of freedom.

US war films in the early 1940s were designed to create a patriotic mindset and convince viewers that sacrifices needed to be made to defeat the Axis Powers.

The West and the Soviet Union both used propaganda extensively during the Cold War. Both sides used film, television, and radio programming to influence their own citizens, each other, and Third World nations.

George Orwell's novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four are virtual textbooks on the use of propaganda.

During the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro stressed the importance of propaganda. It was also used extensively by Communist forces in the Vietnam War as means of controlling people's opinions.

In the early 20th century, the term propaganda was used by the founders of the nascent public relations industry to refer to their people.

Literally translated from the Latin gerundiveas "things that must be disseminated", in some cultures the term is neutral or even positive, while in others the term has acquired a strong negative connotation.

In English, propaganda was originally a neutral term for the dissemination of information in favor of any given cause.

During the 20th century, however, the term acquired a thoroughly negative meaning in western countries, representing the intentional dissemination of often false, but certainly "compelling" claims to support or justify political actions or ideologies.

The public's discovery of propaganda has led to a great of lamentation over it. Propaganda has become an epithet of contempt and hate, and the propagandists have sought protective coloration in such names as 'public relations council,' 'specialist in public education,' 'public relations adviser.'

" In 1949, political science professor Dayton David McKean wrote, "After World War I the word came to be applied to 'what you don’t like of the other fellow’s publicity,' as Edward L. Bernays said...."

Identifying propaganda has always been a problem. The main difficulties have involved differentiating propaganda from other types of persuasion, and avoiding a biased approach.

The propagandist seeks to change the way people understand an issue or situation for the purpose of changing their actions and expectations in ways that are desirable to the interest group.

Propaganda, in this sense, serves as a corollary to censorship in which the same purpose is achieved, not by filling people's minds with approved information, but by preventing people from being confronted with opposing points of view. What sets propaganda apart from other forms of advocacy is the willingness of the propagandist to change people's understanding through deception and confusion rather than persuasion and understanding. The leaders of an organization know the information to be one sided or untrue, but this may not be true for the rank and file members who help to disseminate the propaganda.

Unlike propaganda, a lie is an assertion that is believed to be false, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone. The practice of communicating lies is called lying, and a person who communicates a lie may be termed a liar.

Generally, the term "lie" carries a negative connotation, and depending on the context a person who communicates a lie may be subject to social, legal, religious, or criminal sanctions.

However, fake news is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media.

The false information is often caused by reporters paying sources for stories, an unethical practice called checkbook journalism.

The news is then often reverberated as misinformation in social media, but occasionally finds its way to the mainstream media as well.

Fake news is written and published usually with the intent to mislead in order to damage an agency, entity, or person, and/or gain financially or politically, often using sensationalist, dishonest, or outright fabricated headlines to increase readership.

Similarly, clickbait stories and headlines earn advertising revenue from this activity.

Reports have it that, the relevance of fake news has increased in post-truth politics.

For media outlets, the ability to attract viewers to their websites is necessary to generate online advertising revenue. If publishing a story with false content attracts users, this benefits advertisers and improves ratings. Easy access to online advertisement revenue, increased political polarization, and the popularity of social media, primarily the Facebook News Feed, have all been implicated in the spread of fake news, which competes with legitimate news stories. Hostile government actors have also been implicated in generating and propagating fake news, particularly during elections.

In Kwara State Nigeria, where a 5 decades old Saraki dynasty was dethroned in 2019 election, Nigeria’s former senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki who was defeated in the election by sitting Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq through the popular otoge political revolution claimed that his inherited dynasty was dethroned with the aide of propaganda.

However, in an article by a leading Pro-Democracy group in Kwara State, Kwara Must Change, titled ‘’Propaganda made and unmade Saraki’’, it was argued that, though media has the capacity to paint evil as good and good as evil. The organization noted however that, if media paint an evil person good, it could also repaint the person to his or her original self-using propaganda.

Unfortunately, fake news cannot be reversed, once circulated and no amount of retraction can undo the damage of fake news.

*Abdulrazaq Hamzat writes from Abuja, Nigeria. He can be reached at Discus4now@gmail.com*

*Bank of Industry and its top notch customer service*
By Abdulrazaq Hamzat

Bank of Industry is a worthy model for civil service in Nigeria.

The bank gives you the best of experience as a customer, treat you well with dignity, listen attentively to your concerns, attend to your issues with utmost professionalism and make you feel that indeed, Nigerian are good people in a great nation.

If you have had any sweet customer experience in government offices abroad or even in private organizations in Nigeria, your memory of those places can't be better than what I got at the Bank of industry in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

From the security officials, to administrative officers and all the various departments, all of them are top notch professionals who make your experience at the bank a memorable one.

If I am to advice the civil service, I would advise that all civil servants should be taken to Bank of Industry to learn customer relations at it's best.

On Wednesday, 9th December, 2020, I was driving along Ahmadu Bello way in Ilorin, when i sighted the office of Bank of Industry.

A day before, I had been searching for the bank without success.

I went to the website for direction, but website wasn't helpful because I couldn't get a contact address of its state offices nor contact phone numbers to call.

So, seeing the office when I wasn't looking, especially after searching for it days before, without success left me with some mis-feelings.

I parked and decided to go in, not really expecting much. After all, who will expect much from a bank, whose website couldn't provide necessary direction or contact to its possible clients, so I thought.

Getting to the entrance of the bank, an in house security official greeted from distance, in a friendly way.

He advised me to knock the door just once and I will be attended to without hustle.

Being that I was coming with some kind of irritation, I didn't find that very exciting, but nonetheless, I did as he said and within few seconds, another security official opened the door from within.

He asked me few questions and I was ushered into a sparkling and decent office, full of pleasant smell and fresh air.

The security official took me to a desk to fill in my details and after which I was walked down to a seat.

When I sat down at the waiting area, 3 people were ahead of me, so it was natural that these people will be attended to before me.

However, as i await my turn along with others, the security officials turn we, the customers into some celebrities of some sort.

Every now and then, they will come and apologize for the delay, explaining that they are attending to other clients.

When the next person get called to step forward, they will apologize to the others, assuring us that they will get to us as soon as possible and this was the situation until I was called in by the officials.

In my mind, probably the security officials were just being nice to us since they were engaged through a private security guard, but if you think the security officials are just the excellent one's there, you will be mistaken, because even the administrative official who attended to me isn't less excellent.

When I explained my mission to the officer, who simply gave his name as Tobi, he took his time to listen very attentively, taking notes and seeking clarification where necessary.

He would ask question gently, like you are a delicate substance that should be treated with care. Sometimes, he would even explain the reason why he's asking the question to ensure that proper context was provided.

When the information I provided didn't seems to fit specifically into their mandate, but had some element of alignment, instead of just saying it doesn't fit, he would excuse himself to go seek further information from senior officials.

Within the period of our engagement, he went to seek clarification about twice just to be sure and I felt very pleased with our engagement.

If I am to rate bank of industry, despite my earlier irritation with their website, I will still give them A1.

The point is that, Bank of industry has done a good job on its staff. Its customer relation is excellent.

The bank recognizes the need to accord everyone with human dignity, irrespective of status or personality and nothing could have have been better. This is not a standard known with many government agencies.

If any organization is looking for a public agency to recognize, I am nominating Bank of Industry in advance. They certainly deserve some accolade.

My advice to the bank would just be that, it needs to improve its website, especially its contact information.

Infact, I need to be there public relation officer.

*Abdulrazaq Hamzat writes from Ilorin

Very true

*Kwara Must Change restores my faith in Nigeria says Police Commissioner*

_Cannibalizing police is against humanity- KMC_


Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mr Kayode Egbetokun has described a condolence message delivered by Kwara Must Change to the police over the killing of 38 police officers during EndSARS protest as a message that restores his faith in Nigeria.

The Commissioner, who stated this during a meeting with leading Pro Democracy Group, Kwara Must Change on Thursday noted that, he almost lost faith in the country, when police officers were being killed, burnt and eaten by people who called for an end to now disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squared (Sars) and no one had the conscience to speak about the matter across the various media platforms.

According to Mr Egbetokun, "I saw videos of police officers being killed, burnt and eaten in some states by people who are calling for an end to sars, but I said to myself, if these people are engaged to replace the sars they were asking government to disband, what kind of country would we have?

Egbetokun explained that, the most disappointing part of the tragedy was that, highly respectable individuals in the society, who were given opportunity to speak across media platforms conviniently refused to aknowledge the death of over 38 police officers butcherd during the protest and over 256 stations burnt, a development, he said almost made him loose faith in the country.

" I almost lost faith in the Nigeria when I saw this development, because it means that there's no hope for the country, but with the visit of Kwara Must Change and the message delivered by the convener, my hope in the country is restored".

While calling on Kwara Must Change to partner with the police, he maintained that "I now know that we still have people of conscience who will always do the right thing and place value on humanity"

Earlier, the Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat told the Police Commissioner that the group visited the police to condole with them over the loss of their men during EndSARS protest.

Hamzat explained that, Kwara Must Change have had cause to engage the police several times over the conduct of some police officers, but such engagement is to strengthen the police and make them improve their conduct and approaches while securing the nation.

According to the Convener, "we do not consider the police as an enemy that should be hated or eliminated, but as partner in nation building that should be strengthened".

"This is why we find it worthy to sympathize with police over the tragic dehumanization of over 38 of your officers during the protest"

Hamzat maintained that, police are human beings who also have human rights and losing over 38 officers is like a massacre against the police.

He assured the police that the group will always do its part in strengthening the police and not make an enemy out of them.

A respectable member of the delegation, Hon. Ibrahim Akaje who also spoke at the meeting appreciated the police for the work they are doing under difficult condition.

Akaje explained that, when we could no longer see the police during the height of the incident, the people began to be fearful, knowing that we are more insecure than ever before.

He maintained that police are an inevitable part of the society and we will continue to appreciate the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe.

Other members of the delegation including Comrade Suraj Adeyemi, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Awobimpe, Comrade Rasaq Jeje and Miss Jummai Ibrahim

There are almost 500 ethnic groups in Nigeria, yet only 3 wants to be rotating leadership amongst themselves.

Is that what you call justice?

adabeke042:
Bilms is back we miss you in 2019 boss. I was rooting for Hashim on your behalf

Good morning bro.

Hashim has a clearly articulated understanding of Nigeria's issues and has taken the pain to craft a well thought out solution.

The best we can do as a people is allow good ideas to flow.

That's the only way the country can move forward

*My experience with a kind staff at Nspri*

In my continued quest to understand the process of value addition in agro products and other consumables, I was directed to Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI) along Asadam road, Ilorin.

Based on my past experience with government offices, I decided not to go there in the morning to avoid unnecessary delay that may affect other businesses.

On Tuesday, 8th December 2020, I went to Nspri in the afternoon, precisely around 3pm or there about.

As I arrived at the entrance, i saw a massive space, with different huge structures, starting with the e-library.

The security officials were warm and one of them attended to me very nicely, ushering me in to park in the appropriate place.

Then, I was registered in and directed to the reception for my inquiry.

Upon getting to the reception, I met two pretty ladies, both of whom listened to me very attentively and without wasting any time, I was directed to the Agric extension office. When i informed them that I do not know the location, one of the ladies walked with me until she can site the extension office building from afar.

She pointed me to the office and wished me well.

At the extension office extrance, I met a deligent woman, who goes by the name, Mrs Olahan.

Mrs Olahan is fair and compassionate, caring and understanding, civil and customer friendly and most importantly, she's very respectful.

When she met me at the entrance of the building, she slowed down to ask what I was looking for.

After I explained my mission to her, she said I had probably been directed to a wrong place, because from what I said, I was supposed to be directed to the laboratory.

She directed me to the appropriate place, but when she realized that i had walked down to the extension office from another part of the space, she asked me to hold on a little so she can take me to the lab in her own vehicle.

We went to her car and she drove me down as promised. As we got to the place, she pointed me to the building and drove away.

It was before she drove off that I asked for her name, which she simply gave as Olahan. Mrs Olahan.

I eventually made my inquiry and left the environment.

As I reflected over this experience, it occurred to me that we have over generalized the attitude of civil servant in the country.

While many are quick to talk about their bitter experiences, hardly do people talk about their sweet experiences aswell. Especially, experience with people like Mrs Olahan.

Negative stories are good, they sell fast like garri. But good stories are better, far better than indomie.

I am therefore using this opportunity to thank Mrs Olahan for her kind gesture to me, during my visit to her office. More civil servants should be like her.

Abdulrazaq Hamzat

michlins:
You have spoken well like a very wise man but it's very important to know that Nigeria isn't yet that matured to play this type of politics. A country where a president choose the whole service chiefs from a particular region where he also hails from should tell you how backwards we are.


Yes, your idea is good but eh.......

What is the meaning of Nigeria is not ripe? Is Nigeria a fruit?

This kind of attitude and reaction is exactly why the country is not moving forward.

Every time a good cause of action is identified to be done, we kill such initiative with baseless argument of Nigeria is not ripe.

*2023 Presidency: Rotation Is Divisive- Olawepo-Hashim*

A Presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has said that rotation of the presidency in 2023 would be counter-productive to the polity.

In a statement he issued on Tuesday, the businessman who said rotation will not foster national unity and development, added that the country needs a good president from any region who is prepared and capable of promoting the socio-economic development.

According to him, those who want power must construct a national platform and build a national consensus behind their programme.

Nigeria needed a president that will unite the country, secure it and transform its economy from an under-developed economy to a modern productive economy.

The business mogul maintained that the envisaged president “should not be based on tribe, religion or region, but on an ability to support the all-round social and economic development and provide sustainable employment for Nigeria’s massively unemployed hands.”

Olawepo-Hashim stressed that “Nigerians from every corner are always readyto vote for a good president when they see one,” recalling that without anyzoning in 1993, the late Chief Moshood Abiola got votes from Kano against Alhaji Bashir Tofa, his main opponent, who hails from Kano.
He also recalled that in 1999, “despite the fact that President Olusegun Obasanjo’s home base, the Southwest, did not vote for him, he still became president, based on of votes from the six regions.

Olawepo-Hashim said: “The talk of zoning of the Presidency is therefore, a false narrative, divisive and inimical to national development.”

He noted that the notion of ” it is our turn president” makes leaders to become escape accountability because when he is questioned, the so-called ethnic base and constituents would gather to say ‘you cannot touch our man because it is our turn.”


Olawepo-Hashim added: “This phenomenon is dangerous for national unity, cohesion and national development, and more importantly, rotating president is a pedestrian diversion from the current subject of devolution and decentralization of power from the over centralized centre to the federating states in Nigeria.

“Nigeria would not just become a just and equitable federation, simply because a Southerner is exercising the over blotted power at the centre.

“It will be more equitable and efficient when the powers are devolved more to the states, regardless of who occupies the office of the President.

“Most of the people talking of how Obasanjo, a Southerner became president in 1999, were not there in the PDP. They are over simplifying issues. I was one of the conveners of the PDP in 1998. I know the proper context for what was done. It was not as if other people from other zones did not contest against Obasanjo. Alhaji Rimi contested against him in 1999 from Kano; also Dr.Alex Ekwueme.

“In 2003, Chief Barnabas Gemade from the North contested against President Obasanjo. Ditto for Buhari in 2015. Chief Rochas Okorocha from the Southeast contested against him.

“The emergence of any particular leader or presidential candidate at anytime is usually a product of intense horse trading, negotiations and bargaining, not outright zoning to any particular region.”

He said those who want power must construct national platform and build a national consensus behind their programme.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/2023-zoning-of-president-is-counter-productive-olawepo-hashim/amp/

Hum

*PeacePro urges media, CSO's and global community to rally round Nigeria Police*

_Seek justice for slain officers and reconciliation for the society_

A Non Governmental Organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has called on the media, Civil Society and the global community to rally round the Nigeria Police Force over the gruesome and inhumane killings of over 22 officers during the EndSars protest in the country.

The organization also stated that, the attitude of Nigerian government and the people has made it impossible for police to secure the country in a professional manner, arguing that justice and peace building cannot be done without giving the slain officers and their families justice.

In a statement by Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the Executive Director of PeacePro, the organization explained that, Government, Media, Civil Society and the global community must lead the charge in rallying round the police and ensuring that, just like the Endsars protesters, police officers killed during the protest must be given justice and their families given platform to seek compensation.

Recall that 22 police officers were confirmed killed by ‘rampaging protesters and over 205 police stations were reportedly damaged.

According to Hamzat, Police Officers are human beings who also have fundamental human rights and the violence suffered by them during EndSARS protest should not be swept under the carpet.

The PeacePro director explained that, for fairness to be established on #EndSARS protest and for societal reconciliation to be possible, CSO's, Media and the global community must rise up to demand justice for police officers who are equal victim of violence and extra judicial killings.

In his words " we must not shut our eyes to the violence suffered by police during the protest, perpetrators of the violence must not be left to go unpunished and the family of victims must be supported to get justice"

Hamzat hold that, there is need to reconcile our society based on fairness and justice, but this justice should not be enjoyed by individual citizens against the institutions or by institutions against individuals, it should be an all round justice and reconciliation for all Nigerians in such a manner that nobody is left with the impression that violence against anyone could be justified under any guise.

"Police should be made to realize that brutality against citizens will not be left unpunished, while citizens should also be made to understand that violence against police is intolerable". He said

Speaking further, the Peace Professional explained that, victims of police brutality and even the EndSARS protests stand a chance of getting justice and compensation through the ongoing independent judicial panel of inquiry on EndSARS, but police officers who were unlawfully deprived of their God given lives during the protest have not been provided any platform to receive justice, a development he said doesn't encourage reconciliation.

"Police cannot be made to feel unwanted in our society, their lives cannot be made to seem unimportant and perpetrators of violence cannot be made to feel that they can get away with the cruelest human rights violation against police officers"

Hamzat maintained that, police is not the enemy of Nigeria to deserve the jungle justice meted out against them, they are simply a reflection of the society, and responding accordingly, adding that police officers are from amongst us, as our parents, our friends, our colleagues and our neighbors.

He therefore called on the media, CSO's and the global community not to diminish the tragedy that befall the police by not giving it adequate attention, noting that killing over 22 police officers amounted to massacre against police.

End

Hum

*You are not defending the north*

Defending individuals who have milked and continue to milk the north should not be mistaken for defending the north.

You cannot love a region of the country at the expense of the other. That's purely a regressive orientation that keeps the nation stagnant.

Our parents did the same and failed and we can't repeat the same mistake.

You do not love the north more than anyone else, to think that you are defending the north with your divisive antics and regional agitation.

North doesn't need anyone to defend it, it actually needs people to build it, unfortunately, you are not doing the building.

What you are currently doing is purely a misplaced priority that has kept the north down for decades and made it the region with highest poverty in the world, within the poverty capital of the world.

You have not made any point worthy of intellectual or rational engagement since raising your regional slant under the guise of defending the north. All you are doing is re-echoing popular lines by failed politicians, who see the north as their business center and are ready to milk it dry, even in midst of wide spread poverty, insecurity and outright backwardness.

Nigeria's problem came from the north, from the south, from Muslims and Christians.

Defending the wrong doing of some northerners amounted to hating the north, not loving it.

Attacking people who point out the wrong doing of some northerners doesn't amount to defending the north, it simply means you are defending wrongness and impunity.

Let me conclude by saying that, sir, you have not been defending any north, you are simply showing us the wrong mindset of some northern people that needs to be corrected.

If you truly want to defend the north, defend it against the misgovernannce of northern leaders, defend it against backwardness and widespread insecurity, defend it by amplifying the call for ending almajri, defend it by calling for improvement in its educational development and reducing infant morality rate and many others.

Defending individuals who have milked the north dry and continue to do so is not defending the north.

You should decide what you really want to do.

Abdulrazaq Hamzat comment on a forum

!?

Olawepo Hashim

COURT RESTORES ABIGBORODO HELY CREEK FIELDS TO TRANSNATIONAL ENERGY LIMITED, AWARDS US$20MILLION AS DAMAGES.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo fields in OML 49 farmed-out to Transnational Energy Limited by Chevron/NNPC (Joint Ventures partners) back to the company, Transnational Energy Limited.

The Farm-out which was concluded in 2017 between Transnational and the Joint Venture operators, Chevron Nigeria Limited, was amongst other things for the purpose of providing feedstock to a gas-to-power project developed by Transnational Energy Limited and partners which started in 2012.

In a letter dated 20th February 2017, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had conveyed a letter of Ministerial Consent by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources approving the farm-out and its terms, it equally directed the company to pay a prescribed premium to Federal Government, after which the farm-out will become effective. The company, Transnational Energy paid the prescribed fee; but in a twist, in January 2019, the Late Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Alhaji Abba Kyari authored a memo revoking the earlier Ministerial Consent, purportedly on the instruction of the President.

The Department of Petroleum Resources without any notice to the farmee (Transnational Energy Limited) put the two fields in the 2020 marginal fields basket, though the fields were not part of the original 57 fields approved for the bid round. The Plaintiff, Transnational Energy Limited, and its sister company in the power business (Bresson A.S. Nigeria Limited) filed a suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1067/2020 in the Federal High Court Abuja to challenge the actions of the respondents, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Department of Petroleum Resources, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

In the said suit, which was filed by way of Originating Summon by Transnational Energy Limited’s lawyer, Dr. Sijuwade Kayode, backed by a 27 paragraphs affidavit and 16 exhibits
Transnational Energy Limited (TEL) contended that the fields were legally farmed-out to TEL and having paid the prescribed premium to the Federal Government the farm-out was completed and that later actions of the Chief of Staff to the President, Late Abba Kyari was null and void.

The Plaintiff asked for 4 reliefs amongst which is the award of US$20million (Twenty Million United States Dollars) as liquidated damages against the defendants. The company exhibited its audited accounts, business plan and financial model which shows both plaintiffs had jointly expended US$22.718million (Twenty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand United States Dollars) on the development of the gas and power side of the project.

The financial models also show it has lost an estimated sum of over US$164million due to the actions of the defendants while Federal Government itself may have lost over US$68million in Royalty and taxes not earned as a result of the actions of the defendants.

In paragraph 7 of the affidavit, the plaintiffs asserted that its gas-to-power project elicited a massive international cooperation spanning over 15 countries and involving over 100 international experts.

As a matter of fact, the Hungarian Exim Bank went to parliament to amend its legislation in order to raise her scope of participation in the power side of the projects

The defendants on their own part argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case and that the actions of the plaintiff were “Statute Barred”. They also argued that Department of Petroleum Resources which communicated the letter of 2017 has no power to grant marginal fields and that only the President can do so.

In two and a half hours delivered judgment running to 58 pages, the presiding judge in the case, Justice Taiwo-O-Taiwo held that the court has jurisdiction because the issue is the issue of contract. He listed a plethora of authorities to back his judgment.

On the main opposition of the defendants to the plaintiffs originating summons, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo held that the doctrine of presumption of regularity for action of Department of Petroleum Resources in the cases favours the plaintiff. He further held that the Late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari has no locus to act in a manner that he acted. He counselled Government officials to always abide by contract entered into and not to seek to terminate or abort them after Government has financially benefitted from such contracts and that the sanctity of contract is fundamental to the development of the economy.

The Judge also held that the defendants did not challenge the claimant’s deposition and exhibits of its financial statements and therefore, he will be granting the main relief sought and not the alternative reliefs. He awarded US$20million as liquidated damages against the defendants.

Information from the court registry reveals that one of the defendants might have filed a notice of appeal backed by an application of stay of execution of Judgment.

The plaintiffs on their own part, according to a source that prefers anonymity, would welcome an amicable resolution of the dispute rather than further disputation at the appellate level, especially since this viewpoint had earlier been canvassed by Senior Government Executives in the industry. “You know government may have lost over US$68m (Sixty-Eight Million United States Dollars) in possible royalties that could have been earned if the farm-out has not been disrupted; apart from the gas that by now could have been available to many power plants. Transnational Energy Limited too has lost a lot of money. It is in the nations interest to resolve the matter quickly amicably”. The source said.

COURT RESTORES ABIGBORODO HELY CREEK FIELDS TO TRANSNATIONAL ENERGY LIMITED, AWARDS US$20MILLION AS DAMAGES.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo fields in OML 49 farmed-out to Transnational Energy Limited by Chevron/NNPC (Joint Ventures partners) back to the company, Transnational Energy Limited.

The Farm-out which was concluded in 2017 between Transnational and the Joint Venture operators, Chevron Nigeria Limited, was amongst other things for the purpose of providing feedstock to a gas-to-power project developed by Transnational Energy Limited and partners which started in 2012.

In a letter dated 20th February 2017, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had conveyed a letter of Ministerial Consent by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources approving the farm-out and its terms, it equally directed the company to pay a prescribed premium to Federal Government, after which the farm-out will become effective. The company, Transnational Energy paid the prescribed fee; but in a twist, in January 2019, the Late Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Alhaji Abba Kyari authored a memo revoking the earlier Ministerial Consent, purportedly on the instruction of the President.

The Department of Petroleum Resources without any notice to the farmee (Transnational Energy Limited) put the two fields in the 2020 marginal fields basket, though the fields were not part of the original 57 fields approved for the bid round. The Plaintiff, Transnational Energy Limited, and its sister company in the power business (Bresson A.S. Nigeria Limited) filed a suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1067/2020 in the Federal High Court Abuja to challenge the actions of the respondents, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Department of Petroleum Resources, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

In the said suit, which was filed by way of Originating Summon by Transnational Energy Limited’s lawyer, Dr. Sijuwade Kayode, backed by a 27 paragraphs affidavit and 16 exhibits
Transnational Energy Limited (TEL) contended that the fields were legally farmed-out to TEL and having paid the prescribed premium to the Federal Government the farm-out was completed and that later actions of the Chief of Staff to the President, Late Abba Kyari was null and void.

The Plaintiff asked for 4 reliefs amongst which is the award of US$20million (Twenty Million United States Dollars) as liquidated damages against the defendants. The company exhibited its audited accounts, business plan and financial model which shows both plaintiffs had jointly expended US$22.718million (Twenty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand United States Dollars) on the development of the gas and power side of the project.

The financial models also show it has lost an estimated sum of over US$164million due to the actions of the defendants while Federal Government itself may have lost over US$68million in Royalty and taxes not earned as a result of the actions of the defendants.

In paragraph 7 of the affidavit, the plaintiffs asserted that its gas-to-power project elicited a massive international cooperation spanning over 15 countries and involving over 100 international experts.

As a matter of fact, the Hungarian Exim Bank went to parliament to amend its legislation in order to raise her scope of participation in the power side of the projects

The defendants on their own part argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case and that the actions of the plaintiff were “Statute Barred”. They also argued that Department of Petroleum Resources which communicated the letter of 2017 has no power to grant marginal fields and that only the President can do so.

In two and a half hours delivered judgment running to 58 pages, the presiding judge in the case, Justice Taiwo-O-Taiwo held that the court has jurisdiction because the issue is the issue of contract. He listed a plethora of authorities to back his judgment.

On the main opposition of the defendants to the plaintiffs originating summons, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo held that the doctrine of presumption of regularity for action of Department of Petroleum Resources in the cases favours the plaintiff. He further held that the Late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari has no locus to act in a manner that he acted. He counselled Government officials to always abide by contract entered into and not to seek to terminate or abort them after Government has financially benefitted from such contracts and that the sanctity of contract is fundamental to the development of the economy.

The Judge also held that the defendants did not challenge the claimant’s deposition and exhibits of its financial statements and therefore, he will be granting the main relief sought and not the alternative reliefs. He awarded US$20million as liquidated damages against the defendants.

Information from the court registry reveals that one of the defendants might have filed a notice of appeal backed by an application of stay of execution of Judgment.

The plaintiffs on their own part, according to a source that prefers anonymity, would welcome an amicable resolution of the dispute rather than further disputation at the appellate level, especially since this viewpoint had earlier been canvassed by Senior Government Executives in the industry. “You know government may have lost over US$68m (Sixty-Eight Million United States Dollars) in possible royalties that could have been earned if the farm-out has not been disrupted; apart from the gas that by now could have been available to many power plants. Transnational Energy Limited too has lost a lot of money. It is in the nations interest to resolve the matter quickly amicably”. The source said.

*My bad experience at Nafdac's office in Ilorin*

_A Nafdac staff in Ilorin didn't treat us well, she kept us sitting for over an hour. Actually, she didn't attend to me at all, another person eventually did and I am wondering if this is the standard practice in Nafdac._

Nafdac as an organization has been an abstract term for me, because I only see and hear about the organization from distance.

Apart from reading about them in the news, there was never a time I had any first hand encounter with the organization.

However, all that changed today and the experience wasn't a pleasant one.

Since the beginning of this week, I have been trying to create time to visit Nafdac's office in Ilorin for some inquiry, but due to numerous engagements, I couldn't create time until today, 26th November, 2020.

As a person who love to be guided by standard and regulation, i made it mandatory on myself to get appropriate direction from relevant institutions before embarking on any venture and in this case, Nafdac has a role to play, hence my decision to visit their office for inquiry.

This morning, at exactly 9:30 am, I and my partner drove down to the federal Secretariat Ilorin, where Nafdac's office is located and by 9:45am, we were already at the Secretariat.

Our aim was to make a simple inquiry, which wouldn't take more than 5 minutes, but it turned out that things wouldn't be that easy.

Upon getting to the office, the security lady who first attended to us was very civil and active.

A simple explanation about our mission instantly drove her into action. She went into the office to convey our presence to the appropriate personel hoping for quick response, but when she returned from the office, instead of ushering us in to make our inquiry and leave, we were given what looked like a bad news, "please seat down and wait".

Upon further inquiry, we were made to understand that the oga madam, who was supposed to attend to us wanted to eat and we have to wait for her to finish eating.

All we wanted to ask about wouldn't take 5 minutes we said, but the security lady prevailed on us to exercise some patience, as she was under strict instructions, which she has to comply with.

Ten, Twenty and 30 minutes later, this oga madam didn't finish eating.

We prevailed on the security lady to notify her oga madam, that all we wanted to inquire about wouldn't take 5 minutes, because our idle sitting is at the expense of other important task waiting for our attention.

The security lady went in and come out with a sad face, more like someone that had been scolded by the oga madam.

The deligent security lady shielded her pain and frustration, while calming us down in the most excellent manner, but we could see it through her eyes.

The oga madam has most likely been intimidating and diminishing her self worth over time and that's probably what repeated itself today.

At some point, she had to explain that, she had tried to reach out to some other people to attend to us, but they often refer her back to the same oga madam and there's nothing she can do, other than plead with us to remain patient.

As this back and forth continued for 30 minutes, my partner had to leave me there to attend to an urgent call.

Surprisingly, after my partner left, I thought I would just spend few more minutes and sort out our inquiry, but I still spent another 30 minutes waiting for this oga madam and yet, she never finished eating.

At some point, I was forced to ask myself, if she was eating elephant.

It occurred to me that this has nothing to do with eating, but more about general poor attitude to work.

Anyway, the deligent security lady actually saw my restlessness and was doing everything possible to get someone to attend to me as soon as possible.

She went upstairs to a director's office and fortunately got someone who was willing to attend to me and I was taken to his office.

This excellent official offered me a seat and apologizes for my bad experience, meaning that the security lady must have told him about the situation.

He responded to my short inquiry, which actually took less than a minute and provided valuable lead and direction. I later learnt his name is Mr Muhammed and I say a very big thank you to this official.

If not for the deligent security lady, who is actually not Nafdac's staff, and Mr Muhammed who later attended to me, I don't know how I would have described my experience with Nafdac.

Nonetheless, this encounter with Nafdac's office in Ilorin is to say the least, frustrating.

A Nafdac staff in Ilorin didn't treat us well, she kept us sitting for over an hour. Actually, she didn't attend to me at all, another person eventually did and I am wondering if this is the standard practice in Nafdac.

*Abdulrazaq Hamzat*