₦airaland Forum

MPSA:
You are the biggest losser in the world , the whole world knows your backward behavior, you are really useless, Shut up

Lol the poor Bantu is mad. Lol murder and rape culture in South Africa hard pill to swallow. I would be silent to if when confronted by those basic facts. Lol all you can do is run to an old article show g a few isolated incidents when fact remains south Africa more crime ridden than Nigeria. Click click Bantu boy.

MPSA:
You don't keep records in your country, that is why you talk too much If I can add baby factory and animal abuse in your list of rape, the number one position is yours on this department 2, Murder! I don't want to get deeper on this one, because is painful in your country, Boko Haram I forget the second group in your country, I'm not sure is the group of farmers in your country or what! But what I know they can top the whole continent

Lol international records are available your still have crown in violence and rape congratulations. Lol your murder rate almost 3x continent average. Only violent people in your society can achieve this. Stay silent click click.

MPSA:
Shut up

Lol or what you plan on commiting suicide if I dont. Please do pathetic devil I'll spit on your gave if they bother marking it. click click Mr Bantu.

Before you leave the Earth tell me why South Africa has one of the highest rates of rape in the world. I really what to understand the issue.

Details have emerged on the reasons the National Assembly changed the sequence of elections ahead of the 2019 polls.

Some lawmakers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES in confidence said negotiations that preceded the passage ended in majority favouring the change based on past experiences and calculations about the 2019 elections.

According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), presidential and National Assembly elections were slated for the same day on February 16, 2019.

However, with amendment to section 25 of the Electoral Act, election into seats in the National Assembly will hold on the first day before those of the state lawmakers and state governors on the second day, with the presidential election holding last on a separate date.

According to the section, the elections shall be held in the following order: (a) National Assembly election (b) States House of Assembly and Governorship elections (c) Presidential election.

The House of Representatives was first to amend the Electoral Act some weeks after INEC’s timetable was announced. However, the passage at the senate was not without drama and dissent.

The senate chamber was thrown into a rowdy session on Wednesday, February 14, following the adoption of the conference committee report on amendment to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act.

The senate in its justification of the amendment said members of the conference committee followed rules guiding legislative procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives in making the recommendation.

“Our rule says whatever position we have taken and there is a similar one in the house, we harmonise, but where the house has taken a position that we have not taken, we are bound compulsorily to adopt that of the house,” Senate spokesperson, Sabi Abdullahi, said on Wednesday.

While the plenary was still on, 10 senators left the chamber to address the press on their disapproval of the amendment to section 25 of the Act. They alleged that the change in sequence was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, two influential senators who supported the amendments, and who have deep insights of the political schemings that culminated in their passage, have now confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the changes were indeed targeted at President Buhari, with sights trained on the next elections.

Both senators asked not to be named so they are not victimised by the presidency and the national leadership of the ruling party.

The first lawmaker traced the decision to amend the sequence of elections to the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

“The change in sequence is as a result of APC crisis where it was predicted that senators and members of House of Reps will not be given ticket because the governors want to replace them with their own candidates,” he said.

“Almost 70 to 80 percent of APC senators and Reps members are working on moving to other parties. So, in order for them to move to other parties, the understanding is that if they will move to other parties, under the old order, it will be difficult for people to win elections. The idea is that if you move to a new party, people can be voted based on their own merit.

“The new arrangement favours three categories of people. One, the APC members who are aggrieved, second, it favours smaller political parties. Third, it favours the PDP.”

The lawmaker added that rather than fighting the President as the dissenting senators claimed, they are actually fighting for their political interests.

“Those who came up against it, outwardly, they are saying that it was targeted at Buhari but inwardly, what they were saying was that if they separate presidential election from National Assembly election, the APC will not release money for polling agents. That APC will not release money for the National Assembly elections. But it is only when they tie National Assembly election with presidential election that the APC will have no option than to fund it.”

The second lawmaker said the need to erase the notion that lawmakers won their elections in 2015 due to the bandwagon effect of Mr. Buhari’s election informed the new order. 

After the 2015 elections, analysts posited that majority of APC lawmakers rode on the popularity of Mr. Buhari to win their elections. This, some of the lawmakers consider offensive.

The lawmaker said the need to test the water, with or without the President, informed the decision to alter the election sequence.

Also, the new order was imperative due to alleged electoral attitude of President Buhari and the APC.

If the sequence was left the way it was, the lawmakers are of the opinion that Mr. Buhari will not be interested in other elections once he wins his.

Besides, according to our source, the APC will be forced to release money for other elections bearing in mind that the president’s election is at stake.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives, unlike the Senate, adopted the harmonised version of the amended Electoral Act on Wednesday.

The amendments, if eventually signed by the president, will effectively re-organise the sequence of elections in Nigeria.

However, if the president withholds assent, the lawmakers are empowered by the constitution to veto the amendment with the votes of two-thirds of their members.

The lawmakers told PREMIUM TIMES that they (senators) are ready to veto the decision should the president reject the bill.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/259067-exclusive-real-reasons-senators-reps-amended-2019-election-sequence.html

MPSA:
Look at this fool

Lol you still don't don't know anything about South Africa or the way. It's sad your ignorant about world around around you. I spit on you click click find the way you pathetic devil.

Please Mr. Bantu can you tell me why the rainbow nations murder rate is over 2 times the Continent's average. 33 murders per every 100k people. Its a violent society even by African standards. It's higher than Nigeria that has a war going on if Wikipedia anything to go by.

MPSA:
Duck! What is wrong with you?

You don't know this meme. I spit on you click click. Enlighten yourself about South Africa then go and find the way.

plusfield:
Am not surprised Rochas got that useless Imo house of assembly to reject the bill. For the past seven years he has been pocketing the allocation due to the 27 LGAs

Lol I wouldn't be surprised if the clown had convinced them to. In any case anyone that cares Bout this issue should email their wishes to state assembly. The not too young to run bill sailed through with minimal difficulties.

[quote author=MPSA post=65119017][/quote]

It seems this amendment might not get support from the various state houses of assembly. The teachers unions are against local government autonomy because their short sites interest. I'm pretty sure Akwa Ibom going to pass this bill since speaker is in full support of it.


LG Autonomy passed:
Plateau and Kwara

LG Autonomy rejected:
Kogi and Imo

By Chioma Onuegbu

Eket—Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has resolved to suspend voting on the passage of autonomy for local government administration in the ongoing constitution amendment process seeking alterations of some provisions in the Nigerian constitution.

The decision followed protests that had trailed the local government administration autonomy item by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT,  Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and other labour union leaders.

It will be recalled that primary school teachers took to the streets last year across the country protesting the granting of local government autonomy which will directly put them on local government payrolls for fear of being subjected to suffering because of  many months of non-payment of salaries experienced in the past.

The House unanimously agreed to consider the item after the National Assembly would have engaged labour leaders, especially the NUT, in further consultations.

However, majority of the members voted for the passage of remaining items especially those seeking financial autonomy/independence for the legislature and immunity for legislators against utterances made during plenary.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/ibom-assembly-suspends-voting-lg-autonomy/amp/

The money was exhausted and 3 years after you guys haven't budgeted more. Lastly are you insinuating that Akpabio didn't pay all the owners like he claimed to? If he didn't blast him don't dance around issue.

“The snag is that the money allocated for payment of compensation to property owners on that road has long been exhausted and many buildings are still standing on the way awaiting compensation. The money was exhausted before the coming of this administration.

By Emmanuel Ayungbe

UYO—AKWA Ibom State Government has made clarification on the controversy trailing the Ikot-Ekpene road dualization project, insisting that the project remains the focus of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s  administration.

It will be recalled that former Governor Godswill Akpabio (now Senate Minority Leader), had accused the governor of abandoning the Ikot-Ekpene Road project which he started and threatened to withdraw his support for Governor Emmanuel’s second term bid.

But the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, on  a live radio programme monitored in Uyo, the state capital, said the state government had not abandoned the road.

He said that the contracting firm handling the project, Julius Berger, has been paid as the project advances, adding:  “The snag is that the money allocated for payment of compensation to property owners on that road has long been exhausted and many buildings are still standing on the way awaiting compensation. The money was exhausted before the coming of this administration.

“If compensation was paid by the Godswill Akpabio-led administration and the structures are still standing and the property owners are still demanding for compensation, it means something is wrong.”

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/ibom-govt-clears-air-ikot-ekpene-highway-controversy/

Ucheosefoh:
I wonder why this is not on front page mod too bias

This was on the front page. You're just late to the story.

booblacain:
Please I throw the challenge open: name at least 5 things of economic value that Nigeria is going to get from Niger.

I'll humor you. MITatlas updates are usually 2-3 years behind. Notice the trade deficit.

Niger exports to nigeria:
Refined petroleum
Petroleum gas
Cows
Sheep
Horses

I remember Osinbanjo giving effective order about the single window operations. Either Amaechi is lying or they aren't carrying out order.

This shall be applied with immediate effect, and that all agencies currently physically present in Nigerian ports shall within 60 (sixty) days harmonize their operations into one single interface station domiciled in one location in the ports and implemented by a single joint task force at all times, without prejudice to necessary backend procedures.

Link

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, says the Nigerian government is constructing a rail line to link Kano with Maradi in Niger Republic in order to boost Nigeria’s economy.

Maradi is at the border with Nigeria in Niger Republic.

Mr. Ameachi explained the reason the Nigerian government is taking up the project told journalists in his office Thursday afternoon.

“Currently, Niger Republic, Chad and others have abandoned the Nigerian market. They do not use our seaports again,” he said.

“They go to countries like Benin Republic and they are growing the economy of those people and we do not have deep seaports in Nigeria.”

He said Benin Republic was the first to build a deep seaport in Nigeria.

According to the minister, Nigeria is the only country in West Africa without a single window for clearance of goods on the same day of arrival.

“Nigerians are now importing through Benin Republic, Lome (Togo) and Ghana because they have a single window.”

He also said corruption has made it impossible for Nigeria to adopt the single window.

He said the government of Muhammadu Buhari had been trying to adopt the technology for the past two years but to no avail.

He added that the Niger government is not contributing to the project and they do not need to do so because Nigeria is at advantage.

“We have to also provide the same infrastructure that makes them go to other countries for business.”

“Those countries already have the access and that is why Niger can go there go there for business.”

On some achievements recorded so far in his ministry, Mr. Ameachi said his ministry have increased the coaches and locomotives on the Abuja-Kaduna rail thereby curbing the issue of ticket racketeering.

He also said completion and opening of the Abuja airport runway a day before the announced date was one of his ministry’s milestone achievements.

The Abuja airport was in 2017 closed for six weeks to undergo maintenance of its runway.

This action led to diversion of its activities to the Kaduna airport.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/258837-constructing-maradi-kano-rail-ameachi.html

James Emejo in Abuja

A bill seeking for Act to amend the National Health Act to regulate or prohibit international medical trip by public servants and for other related matters yesterday passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The sponsor of the bill, Hon. Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), said it is desirable and timely in recognition of the need to support government’s initiatives to strength statutory institutions for optimal performance as well as the need to generate more revenue to address developmental deficits and other lingering challenges.

He said such funds could be sourced from the huge resources spent on unregulated foreign medical trips particularly by public servants.

He argued that most of the medical trips abroad do not have positive impacts on the country’s economy.
In his lead debate, Ogun said given Nigerians preferences for anything foreign, it’s not surprising that over 5,000 citizens fly out on a monthly basis to seek medical treatment in India and other countries.

He said the country loses over $500 million annually with India alone scooping about $260 million of the resultant capital flight.

Among other things, he said though there exist a few good private hospitals which are too expensive for ordinary Nigerians, existing public health facilities, health personnel, health regulatory authorities and enabling legal frameworks which regulate the sector do not provide the conducive environment that guarantees the delivery of qualitative, affordable and standard health care services in the country.

As a result, he said the bill had been proposed to amend the Principal Act to regulate international medical trip especially by public servants who are the custodians of public institutions.

He said: “This amendment will no doubt facilitate the development of effective health care facilities and general economic development.”

This bill generated a lot of interests from members who all gave their support and expressed reservations in specific areas.

Some of them couldn’t control their emotions as they recounted personal experiences about the dysfunctional health care delivery system in the country, worsened by sheer neglect by past administrations.

Hon. Abdulrasak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) said the situation was pathetic stressing that foreigners ought to be attracted into the country for their medical need rather than Nigerians spending a fortune on medical trips abroad.

He said doctors in public hospitals have their respective private hospital and do not take government medical centers seriously.

He added that some public officials particularly tell lies in other to embark on fake medical trips abroad- thereby squandering public resources.

Hon. Edward Pwajok (APC, Plateau) said the bill should be allow for public hearing so that grey areas such as whether to regulate or out-rightly prohibit medical trip abroad would be addressed.

He regretted that so much money was bing spent outside the country by public officers, stressing that “Thing must be made to work properly.”
Also, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma (APC, Edo) blamed successive administrations for failing to provide good hospitals over time.

But Hon. Nkem Uzoma Abonta (PDP, Abia) said though the intention of the bill was good, the practicability remained a source of worry for him.

He said the issue was a regulatory one which could have been addressed through a motion.

He said there was need for further clarity on whether the prohibition would affect all public servant- those who make such trips with their own monies- and those who rely on public funds- as well as whether the bill seeks to regulate or prohibit foreign medical trips.

Also, Hon. Nnenna Elendu warned that the bill, unless fine-tuned, could infringe on the rights of persons to make personal decisions on their health.

She said: “Can we really stop a person from going medical trip abroad? It may infringe on persons’ rights. I don’t think there’s anywhere this is obtainable. I fear it will infringe on people’s rights.”
However, members expect that the grey areas highlighted in the bill will be addressed by the time it is subjected to a public hearing where stakeholders will be allowed to make input on the subject matter.
Nevertheless, the bill was unanimously passed through voice vote and referred by the House Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara to the committees on health services and institutions for further legislative action.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/02/15/bill-to-prohibit-foreign-medical-trip-by-public-servants-scales-second-reading/

MPSA:
Listen to this one

I'm right though. Maybe it's not as depraved as where you hail I don't know. It doesn't change the basic facts though.

South Africa is a violent society, has abnormal high rates of rapes, farmers murders are frequent (mainly whites), these xenophobic attacks because it's not limited to "Nigerian criminals". I say crimals in because nobody tried these guys.

Yeah right we know this is bologna considering how incompetent South Africa is in terms of secruity. It's a known fact south Africans black south Africans don't like foreigners and attack them. That goes for people in neighboring countries like Malawi, and Mozambique. South Africa in general is a violent society only the clowns on Nairaland don't know this. Just look up farm murders in South Africa it's just as bad as Nigeria. On top of that the country is known as the rape capital of world for good reason.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that most violent conflicts and killings of Nigerians in South Africa were more of criminal activities than xenophobic attack

The ministry’s spokesperson, Tope Elias-Fatile, stated this while briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja on a wide range of issues and activities of the ministry.

Mr. Elias-Fatile said the ministry was in constant touch with the Nigerian mission in South Africa to get reports of criminal-related issues involving Nigerians living in that country.

“”From the report I can authoritatively tell you that the killings of Nigerians in South Africa were more of criminal issue,” he said.

Nigerians living in South Africa had suffered series of attacks by mobs in that country, causing loss of lives and destruction of properties.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 116 Nigerians have been sent to their early graves in the country through extra-judicial means in the last two years.

More recently in January, two Nigerians were killed in Rustenburg and Durban in an attack on some Nigerians in South Africa.

On January 20, Nigerian community in South Africa said that a mob destroyed four shops and several houses belonging to their members at Krugersdorp, near Joha.

In the same vein on January 21 two Nigerians including 27-year-old Ebuka Okori, were killed in that country.

Another two Nigerians were viciously killed within 48 hours, barely a month after President Jacob Zuma was honoured by the Imo Government in 2017.

On October 11, 2017, Jelili Omoyele, a 35-year-old cellular phone technician, was allegedly shot dead in Johannesburg while Olamilekan Badmus, a 25-year-old from Ogun, was also killed at Vaal Vreneging, near Johannesburg.

Mr. Fatile maintained that most of the extra judicial killings were more of crime related issues against Nigerians than xenophobic attacks.

He, however, said that the ministry was working with relevant authorities in South Africa to ensure that there is an end to this heinous crime

“There is a plan for a meeting to address the issues holistically. As I am talking to you the Ministry is in touch with South African authority because that is one of the volatile area.

“”Consistently we are in touch with the ambassador and the consular in South Africa and that is why I said that the pockets of killing are not actually xenophobia they are more of crime related issues,” he said

On the situation of Nigerian returnees from Libya, Mr. Fatile said the ministry was working with the National Emergency Management Agency, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, and other relevant government agencies to ensure their welfare.

He said the minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had also directed a senior official of the ministry to liaise with state governments to evacuate returnees abandoned at the reception camp in Port Harcourt.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/258685-nigerians-killed-south-africa-foreign-ministry.html

Ogun State Government on Wednesday says it has the law in place and does not need to frame new ones to check the menace of herdsmen/farmers clashes, which has been reported in Yewa North local Government Area of the state.

The government stated this at the end of a security meeting held at the governor’s office in Abeokuta.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, the anti-land grabbing law of the state has taken care of the contemporary challenges involving herdsmen and farmers.

Mr. Adeoluwa who addressed journalists in company of heads of security agencies in the state and the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, said the state government will also strengthen its conflict resolution committee which he said has been in place since 2012.

He said the government had directed village heads in the state to conduct a census and keep record of herders in their areas with a view to combating the menace locally.

He, however, commended the people for not engaging in reprisal attacks against herders alleged to have trespassed their farms or attack residents, adding that the government was paying attention to the possibility of Boko Haram elements’ involvement in the menace.

He said government would pay compensations to genuine victims of the clashes from both sides while being careful not to open a floodgate of claims.

Mr. Adeoluwa said Ogun State intends to remain a peaceful place for all residents, adding that it has laws to ensure peace in the state.

“All Nigerians would be welcomed in Ogun State but there are laws and rules that every stakeholder, every visitor, every herdsman, every farmer must comply with.

“The one that is very key in the packs of local laws is what we call the land grabber law; but the correct title is Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Land and other Properties Law,” he said.

“The (security) council also took note that this law already provides for most of the contemporary challenges that confronts us today as far as herdsmen, settlers and farmers are concerned. Council reaffirmed government determination to continue to fully implement this law which already prohibits forcible entry on lands.

“Council decided that for us in Ogun State, we want everybody from all parts of the country and even outside but we will continue to insist that our laws be respected and obeyed. Our existing conflict resolution committee is a standing committee that has been put in place since 2012 when the crisis first arose and we’ve decided to further strengthen the committee’, the scribe said.

“Council looked at the sister issue of Boko Haram because as they are rooting them out of that place (North East), they are going to all other areas for refuge and Ogun State is not exempted from the collateral damage of success in the North East’,Adeoluwa said.

The State House of Assembly last year passed the anti-land grabbing law tagged ‘Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties Law, 2016’ which prescribes 25 years imprisonment for any violator and death sentence in case of loss of lives.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/258655-wont-enact-anti-open-grazing-law-ogun-govt.html

It's strange how these Chinese nationals are so willing to break laws. They wouldn't try half the things back in their country. Nigeria needs to screen them more because their crimality also high in illegal mining.

A Fisheries Consultant for Norwegian Seafood Council, Abiodun Cheke has said that Nigeria loses an estimated $20 million annually to illegal fishing by foreigners. An estimated 50 lives are also said to be lost annually through the sinking of fishermen’s boats and outright shootings by sea pirates.

In a chat with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY last week, Ms Cheke said, “There are loss of lives, maybe on the average we lose about 50 people in a year; that is the documented figure and it was also given by the villagers. In terms of value of the shrimps and prawns, I would say we are losing up to $20million a year. The foreign vessels fishing illegally on our waters are predominantly Chinese.”

The Fisheries Consultant highlighted some of the crimes perpetrated on the waterways and lamented that the war against illegal fishing might not be won without adequate patrol vessels.

She said, “There is a lot of transshipment of product at sea and the problem of people coming in illegally on a fishing boat into the country without immigration knowledge and smuggling through fishing boats.

“Nigeria has no patrol vessels to check this crime. We have informed the Navy to assist but you know Naval boats are so heavy that they cannot match the speed of the foreign fishing trawlers. A lot of these things occur in Bonny areas, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“We cannot say how often it happens but we know that it takes place mostly at midnight from the report of villagers in seaside communities in Rivers State.”

However, the Acting Command Information Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, Lieutenant Godwin Sampson said, “Navy is doing a lot to make sure all the illegalities on our waterways are curtailed or completely curbed.”

In reaction to the illegal migration of foreigners through the waterways, a top officer in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said that there were a lot of issues concerning the maritime domain. 

“The only area where Immigration is concerned is the status of the person as regards their presence in Nigeria. It is when they run afoul of our laws that we can now pick them up on that. As to legality or illegality, it is only when you found them not having the required status that is when you now bring them to the office and check their document. Only then can we determine if what they are doing is legal or illegal,” the officer who did not want his identity disclosed because he had not been authorised to speak on the issue, said.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in a news report last year raised the alarm over the presence of Chinese, Russian and other foreign vessels in Nigerian waters, fishing with impunity.

He said, “Our territorial waters are not being policed to prevent illegal unregistered fishing. Part of the reports we have received is that these vessels are hardly arrested and brought to Nigeria on account of fishing illegally without permit on our territorial waters.

“These foreigners bribe your officers who are on the high sea with dollars, and then they fish as much as they want and they go back.”

The Chairman, Association of Indigenous Seafood, Lamina Rasheed, in a recent report, said, “The government loses about N9bn revenues to illegal fishing. We are still trying to create awareness to let the government know that the crime still persists.

“Until they arrest somebody and apply the penalties, the perpetrators will not stop. The government said they will set up a monitoring committee but up till now, we have not seen any committee.

“As long as the committee is not in place, we will not make any meaningful progress in the seafood business. Local production of fish is currently still very minimal.”

Source: http://shipsandports.com.ng/nigeria-loses-20m-annually-illegal-fishing/amp/

I'm not sure they can legally dissolve local go ernment council. I do think these guys should be in jail though. The guys are robbing tax payers. They're to lazy to even hold there council meetings.

The Niger House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion dissolving the 25 Local Government Councils in the state for alleged poor performance and misappropriation of funds.

The assembly also directed Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger to immediately implement the resolution and conduct fresh council elections within 90 days.

This was contained in a report by the House Committee on Local Government read at plenary by Hon. Abdulmalik Kabir (APC-Paikoro), who is the chairman of the committee. The motion seconded by Hon. John Bahago (APC-Munya), directed the chairmen of the 25 councils to handover to Directors of Personnel Management (DPM).

The lawmakers upheld that the legislative councils have also failed to hold meetings and sittings as required under Section 38; subsection (1) of Niger local government law, 2001.

The Assembly also discovered that none of the council’s legislative arms had up to 50 sittings, which was short of the required 90 by law, adding that the highest sittings by the councils was 47 in two years.

The Assembly decried absence of the chairmen from office and indiscriminate award of contracts.

NAN

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/niger-assembly-passes-motion-councils-dissolution/

This is such a weird exchange. This needs to be investigated. Everything he's saying is too wild. How does some aide have so much clout in government to get security personnel to look other way.

Mr. Marafa said the Emir of Zamfara, who is the chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers, said at the Kaduna meeting of the council that “about 5,000 women, including underage girls, were raped and molested” in the state.

“I have given you the summary, the summary is two: the chief adviser of the governor is the principal accused and the government disbanded all organisations for these people to protect themselves. From that day, criminals roam my constituency with rifles. Nobody can defend themselves in Zamfara.

A senator, Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) on Tuesday accused Senate President Bukola Saraki of preventing members from expressing themselves at the Nigerian senate.

The senator levelled this accusation on Tuesday after Mr. Saraki asked him to go straight to the point as he narrated an issue relating to security in his home state of Zamfara.

Mr. Marafa had started by explaining how he was invited to a meeting of his state’s council of chiefs in Kaduna, and how an aide to the state governor was allegedly a principal actor in widespread breach of security in the state.

He said the security situation in Zamfara was not being reported because the state does “not have strong voices.”

Mr. Marafa said the Emir of Zamfara, who is the chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers, said at the Kaduna meeting of the council that “about 5,000 women, including underage girls, were raped and molested” in the state.

Following the lengthy narration, the senate president interjected and asked the Zamfara senator to give a summary of the issue he was raising.

“Distinguished Senator Marafa, with all due respect, I have tried to always accommodate you for these issues and I think we must not abuse these issues with your personal explanation.

“I am sure everyone here has issues to do with their state, I think you should summarise that but now you are going into details where people are being accused. So what I appeal is that you should give us the summary of this issue and let us try and keep within those confines,” he said.

But Mr. Marafa, who was clearly not happy with the senate president’s lack of interest in his narration, said:

“Thank you Mr. President, but this is my constituency, this is why I am here. Mr. President, I am representing people. My people are under siege. We are saying that 5,000 women who are raped and molested.

“Mr. President, this senate needs to know, this senate needs to lend its voice to the plight of these people. There is no way I can say this except here. This is why I am elected. If I cannot say this on this floor, I better resign and leave. There is just no point.

“When I first said this, you said my personal safety is of your concern. How can somebody sit down as an official of the government that is being accused of masterminding these things? And Mr. President, you say you don’t want to hear that? Mr. President you need to know.”

Mr. Saraki, in a bid to clarify his statement, urged the senator to report the issue without “some details that would not help us in going forward.

“Give us the summary of the reconciliation so that I can now guide accordingly because you came under personal explanation, which there cannot be any debate. So I want you to give me a summary of what happened and then from there I can be guided.”

Mr. Marafa, who was already angered by the senate president’s comment, then accused Mr. Saraki of not letting members express themselves.

“I have given you the summary, the summary is two: the chief adviser of the governor is the principal accused and the government disbanded all organisations for these people to protect themselves. From that day, criminals roam my constituency with rifles. Nobody can defend themselves in Zamfara.

“I was also told that then we had 70 military officers but now we have more than 1,000 and nothing is being done. It is going on every day, people being kidnapped. This senate needs to ask some questions.

“If these military men are not answerable to the governor or they are disobeying him, the governor needs to say it so that this senate or the federal government can take a position. It is just not enough to keep the blame on the door step of the federal government.

“You don’t allow members of the National Assembly to discuss anything, you don’t allow anybody to take it, and you don’t allow leaders to take action. Mr. President, my zone is under siege and I would continue to say it on this floor of the senate. Unless I am allowed to do this, I will resign from this floor of the senate and go,” he said.

Mr. Saraki therefore called on the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, to “take note” but frowned at Mr. Marafa for being absent to take up the matter at the just concluded National Security Summit that the senate held in Abuja and which was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“I am happy that the Leader of the Senate who is the chairman of the security ad hoc committee is here. It is a pity that considering how strongly you felt about this matter, I noticed your absence at the security conference yesterday where your government was there.

“It would have been a good opportunity for us to address. Be that as it may, Leader (Mr. Lawan), please take note of these issues because I know that you can invite these security agencies and look into the matter,” he said.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/258517-dont-allow-members-national-assembly-discuss-anything-senator-tackles-saraki.html

The chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland of Odstock, has asked the UK government to make Nigeria one of its post-BREXIT trading ally.

Jonathan Marland who was speaking ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF), told The Telegraph of London that apart from Singapore and Malaysia, Nigeria offered some of the major investment opportunities for UK investors.

Nigeria is reputed to be the largest economy in Africa, while Commonwealth markets currently account for approximately 30 per cent of Nigeria’s exports.

Besides, Nigeria is Commonwealth’s fifth largest economy with a total GDP of about $480 billion, with India accounting for 15 per cent of Nigeria’s exports

Also, Nigeria and South Africa account for about 70 per cent of Commonwealth African trade

In 2015, Nigeria had a positive trade balance of $8.26 billion after exporting a total of $47.8 billion against imported $39.5 billion.

Britain is Nigeria’s second-largest trading partner, after South Africa, with the bilateral relationship worth around £3.8billion per year.

The CWEIC is an organisation facilitating trade and investment throughout the 53 states of the Commonwealth and supporting private sector companies and governments to promote economic activity.

“If the UK wants to initiate something, there are one or two really encouraging, optimistic places on the horizon to start a block for a commonwealth trade zone. You’ve got the big populations such as Nigeria, which is going to be 320 million people – bigger than the United States – in under 10 years. They love British products…It’s a huge consumer market. Fundamentally there is a lot of disposable wealth,” he added.

Asked which other products Nigerians were particularly keen to buy, he replied: “Everything.”

Mr. Marland said leaving the EU’s customs union was one of UK’s “great negotiating strengths,” as it would grant the freedom to stimulate trade by lowering tariffs and other trade barriers.

He said the benefits of doing so would extend beyond the Commonwealth as a potential free trade deal with Japan was already “worrying” German car manufacturers who rely on exports to the UK.

The CBF is expected to hold for the first time in 20 years alongside the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, scheduled for April 2018 in London.

Discussions would focus on easing the pathway for business and growth; harnessing Commonwealth technology and innovation; creating a new attitude to sustainable business; mobilizing an export economy, and attracting inward investment.

With the Commonwealth’s cumulative population at about 2.4 billion, the combined gross domestic product, GDP of the nations is expected to reach $14 trillion by 2020.

Intra-Commonwealth trade estimated to be worth $525 billion in 2015 is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2020.

CWEIC said its ambition is to encourage and grow intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, and assist member organisations in developing high quality trade and investment opportunities.

The CBF would convene 800 senior business leaders with approximately 30 Heads of Government at three Central London venues.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/258421-commonwealth-investment-council-chief-wants-nigeria-post-brexit-trade-ally.html

baralatie:
and. now that it is an fg supreme court and bpe.do you want akwa ibom to go court to be joined in the matter

I said speak on the issue. Tell them to obey court orders and stop disrupting the state's economy with dumb shenanigans. I dont on what grounds they could sue on and don't think it's necessary. BFIG handling the issue already.

vonxe:
I agree with baralatie the case is beyond akwa ibom, we are talking of a federal government property! A property that has been moribund for decades.
If you are an adviser to the governor on matters relating to this, what would you have advised?

They've made it their business to rant on issues they can't control already. Why did ou conveniently ignore examples I listed oil company headquarters. You didn't complain then and nobody said why bother. If I was the governors advisor just tell him to speak truth to power like anyone with a back bone is supposed to do. Lastly the governor has met with fayemi and Osinbajo and Buhari on multiple occasions yet is mute on issue.

vonxe:
If fayemi can pull this one off, it will be a great achievement for him and Nigerians, but it seems the case is beyond him

The supreme court ruled against Nigeria in 2016 because the broke the law. All the courts say the rightful bidder is BFIG. The only thing Fayemi has achieved is being inept like PDP before him by bending over to Russians.

baralatie:
it is beyond akwa ibom state hands

That's no excuse to be silent on the issue. The state rant about issues that are outside of its control frequently. The governor whines about IOC not having there HQ in the state, NNPC not having DPR office, allocation, railway projects, federal government owing state etc. Yet they want to be silent on this issue.

The six month time table going to be stalled because BFIG never gets tired of sueing besides the courts rule against FG all the time. It might end up being a 2019 election promise if it gets drawn out long enough. It's always amazing how guys like fayemi can get up lie so easily.

On Sunday, January 21, 2018, Mr. Fayemi announced the signing of a “renewed Share Purchase Agreement, SPA” between BPE and the Russians over takeover plans expected to become effective in six months’ time.

“Our (BFIG) litigation over the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s order is continuing, and the Minister has not negotiated any mediated resolution of our outstanding disputes,”

Mr. Williams

He urged the Minister and the BPE DG to immediately retract their statements. Mr. Williams warned of serious legal consequences if they fail to do so. He noted that their “continued unimpeded publications of these false reports are extremely injurious” to BFIG.

This soap opera seems endless. It's crazy to see how federal government can sabotage itself for a nearly a decade. All they have to do is get paid and move on. The Akwa Ibom state government silence on this issue is deafening. You would think their industrialization agenda and unemployment rate would be motivation enough.