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AbuUbayy1:
Today is Yawmul Ithnayn (Monday), 6th of MUHARRAM 1445Hijriyyah.
06 - 01 - 1445AH
#CountingOfTheSultan

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to invite popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, known as Davido and Logos Olori over their controversial video, which many Muslims criticised for portraying Islam in bad light.

The call was made by MURIC founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Davido and Logos Olori, whose name is Olamilekan Emeka Taiwo were heavily criticised at the weekend following the release of video music of ‘Jaye Lo’ on the internet.

In the video, Logos Olori and others were seen praying on the mat before they started singing and dancing, as he sat on top of the loudspeaker mounted on what looked mosque building.

Reacting on Monday, Akintola said, “We alert men of the Department of State Services to invite both men for questioning to explain why they chose to produce and promote a musical video capable of igniting anarchy in Nigeria.

“In the same vein, we invite the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to immediately ban the insensitive musical video captioned ‘Jaye Lo’ by Logos Olori.”

He further said, “MURIC objects to the lame excuse often given by Nigerian agencies charged with moderation responsibilities who claim that separate petitions should be addressed to them by complainants before they can take action. It does not work that way in saner climes. Nigerian agencies must be proactive.

“They must spring to action from the moment attention is drawn to an infraction capable of causing a breach of the peace so long as the authors of the infringement have been identified and whether or not the information contained an appeal to the monitoring agency or agencies. The agencies are, essentially, an integral part of the general public. They should therefore act without being prompted.”

• Change in military doctrines, practices a must’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday made a commitment to Nigerians to deploy state power for their security.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna, the President said he had given himself the charge to ensure the security of citizens’ lives and property.

”As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure security of our people and property in a just and democratic society,” he said.

”Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. We must now pick up the pace,” he added.

The President also advocated a new approach by Nigeria and its neighbours in the Lake Chad Region to the security challenge they currently face, in view of the unconventional nature of the threats.

He said the affected countries needed to rewrite their military doctrines and practices in the battle against “mobile and elusive irregular force” that disregards established rules of warfare.

”We must also be brave enough to reform military doctrine and practice. We do not face a conventional army on the traditional field of battle. No, we contend against mobile, elusive irregular forces that disdain the normal rules of warfare,” he was quoted as saying by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake.

”We must adjust accordingly to subdue the menace. This shall require a change in mindset, in strategy, in tactics in equipment and in gear”, he added, while encouraging African countries to work together against common threats.

Acknowledging the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region, Tinubu stressed that the collaboration should serve as a commendable example to be emulated and improved on wherever necessary.

The President also used the occasion to spell out his National Security Objective, saying it would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power.

He also took note of the commitment of the immediate past government in enhancing the combat readiness of the Armed Forces, and pledged to “pick up the pace,” by providing the necessary support to the military.

His words: ”As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure security of our people and property in a just and democratic society.

”Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. We must now pick up the pace,” he said.

President Tinubu described the role of the armed forces in combating Africa’s greatest challenge of violence and exploitation as crucial, urging them to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition.

Continuing, he said: ”We live in a moment of flux. Geopolitical change is afoot. Old alliances and assumptions are being tested as new ones are being shaped. Trade and global economic activity are fast, yet fragile and easily disrupted by war, weather or pandemic.

”Underlying it all is the often unspoken but urgent competition for precious resources. Water, food, gold, oil and other items have all been placed in contest.

”In too many instances, the contest turns violent. Areas that should blossom into economic prosperity and hope become factories of pillage and oppression.

”In Africa, this condition is perhaps our greatest challenge and harshest injustice.”

He told the 291 graduating officers drawn from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as students from Asia and sister Africa nations that their role combating in this grave evil was crucial, saying: “For we call on you to defend not only our land and resources but our people and their democratic existence.

”Your training was sculpted to fit the imperatives of our times.”

He told the non-Nigerian graduands that their presence in Nigeria underscored the fact that national security is not solely achieved through muscle and might but also in building friendships and alliances based on cooperation, justice, good governance and mutual respect.

”Notwithstanding the demands of your training, I hope you have enjoyed our customary Nigerian friendliness as well because Nigeria is one of the most hospitable countries you can find. We have opened our arms like friends and brothers to you,” he said.

”To the graduating students from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you have warranted the confidence of your respective organisations.

”The knowledge gained here will prove invaluable in our mission to harmonize all aspects of government policy and programs toward the twin goals of national security and national prosperity,” he said.

The President also commended the college’s efforts in curricula improvement and facility upgrade, encouraging the graduates to stand brave and unwavering in their constitutional responsibilities as defenders of the nation.

”I leave you with a charge much like the one I gave myself. Your nation has invested much in your training.

”Much faith has been placed upon your broad shoulders. Our collective safety rests in your hands.

”Your graduation today is a call to greater duty for the nation you love. May you stand brave and unwavering in the discharge of your constitutional responsibilities, and may you always do honour to the sterling name of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.”

At the ceremony, many of the participants who distinguished themselves were awarded various prizes. Squadron Leader S.S Yikawe got both the Chief of Defence Staff Award (Department of Joint Studies) and Chief of Air Staff Award (Department of Air Warfare) prize. Major A.A Bako was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Award (Department of Land Warfare) while Surg Lt Cdr. K.O Nwagwu got the prize for Chief of Naval Staff Award (Department of Maritime Warfare).

Dr. K.O Adams got the prize for the Commandant’s Award for Best Non-military Student. Major PJ Nartey from Ghana won the Commandant’s Award for Best International Student.

Present at the colourful occasion were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, all the Service Chiefs and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Importers have lamented the high charges slammed on Nigerian-bound transit cargoes by the government of Benin Republic, making it impossible for them to bring in transit cargoes through the Seme land borders.

Nigeria currently pays about CFA2.2m as charges on 40ft transit containers, as against CFA500,000 paid by other neighbouring countries to move the same consignment out of their port.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that cargo importation through Seme border has dropped by 23.09 percent in the first quarter of 2023 as a result of the retaliatory policies introduced by the government of Benin Republic on Nigeria bound import and export cargoes.

Also, export trade in the first quarter of 2023 compared to Q1 2022 dropped by 75,000 metric tonnes.

It was gathered that the drop in the period under review was due to Benin Republic anti-trade policies targeted at Nigeria in retaliation for border closure by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019.

Data seen by this paper showed that trade between the two countries had dipped by 23.09% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022 Q1.

For instance, the Customs command generated a total of N350 million in revenue from imports in Q1 2023 which signified a dip of N150.1 million shortfall as against N455 million realised in 2022.

On export trade, in Q1 2023, the command experienced a shortfall to the tune of 75,000 metric tonnes of cargo.

The command facilitated 1,243 trucks bearing 40,096.47 metric with free on-board value of N4.3 billion and the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee of N21.5 million in first quarter of 2023

But in the first quarter of 2022, 3006 trucks bearing 116,053.9 metric tonnes of cargo with FOB value of N6.5 billion with NESS fees of N33 million was recorded.

Immediate past president of Nigeria, Buhari, had shut down the land border with neighboring countries, Benin Republic, Chad and Niger over insecurity, smuggling and for food security.

Following the border closure, Benin Republic slammed retaliatory charges on Nigerian-bound transit cargoes making it impossible for Nigerian importers to bring in transit cargoes through the Seme land borders.

Also, the country slammed high charges on Nigeria bound ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) cargoes, thereby making intra African trade expensive and breaching the trade protocol of the Economic State of West African States (ECOWAS) trade scheme.

Confirming the development, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dera Nnadi, said the economic policy of the Republic of Benin that charges on goods in transit to Nigeria constitute tariff barriers to trade along the corridor, which also affected the command’s revenue.

Also speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the former chairman, Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Lasisi Fanu, said shortfall of cargoes was as a result of the retaliatory policies introduced on Nigeria import and export bound cargoes by the government of Benin Republic.

He said charges on 40ft transit containers is about CFA2.2m as against CFA500,000 paid by other neighbouring countries to move the same consignment out of their port.

According to him, the government of Benin Republic calls the payment administrative charge, but it is definitely not so.

“Third party goods are also known as transit cargoes and they originate from South Korea, China, London among others, but those containers are not coming anymore and even if they come, it may be once in month. The only goods coming into Nigeria through Seme border now are ETLS. The 3rd party goods are not coming anymore because of the charges we pay in Cotonou.

“For instance, Nigerians pay between CFA2m to CFA2.2m in Cotonou. If we come to Seme border, we pay normal duty for Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) before containers can come into Nigeria and it’s the same Pre Arrival Assessment Results (PAAR) for Cotonou that will be used in Nigeria,” Fanu said.

“With this, we are paying twice on a 40ft container and when we add logistics, that is much because the administrative charges we pay in Cotonou is too much and that is why the 3rd party goods are not coming through Seme border for now except for ETLS,’’ the foremost clearing agent stated.

Fanu also stated that the ETLS cargoes coming into the country have reduced due to the high charges slammed on it by the same Cotonou government.

He, however, called on the Nigerian government to engage the Benin Republic government on the high administrative charges on cargoes slammed on Nigeria-bound transit cargoes.

“The ETLS that is coming is 25 percent. Activities at the border before and now, definitely everyone knows that there is a difference. The terminal for transit containers is empty and the main reason is extra money we pay in Cotonou. They call it administrative charge but we call it Customs duty because it is exorbitant.

“If it’s administrative charge as they claim, it shouldn’t be more than 500,000CFA for 40ft because the cargoes are not used in Cotonou but just passing through their country. They said since we have ports in Nigeria we use them. But they don’t give neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Niger these same exorbitant charges. Niger Republic doesn’t pay the same amount of money they charge Nigeria. Land locked Niger Republic pay between CFA500,000 to CFA600,000 for 40ft but they charge us CFA2.2m.”

On the way forward, he said, “For the cargoes to come in, Benin Republic should adhere to ECOWAS protocol agreement that consignment not used in their country should not be charged Customs duty but administrative charges because the customs duty is to be paid to Customs at its point of entry.

Also speaking, the chairman, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (ARFFN), Seme border, Innocent Elum, said activities are yet to fully return to the land borders after the reopening of the border by the federal government.

He also complained about high administrative charges on Nigerian-bound transit cargoes from Benin Republic.

According to Elum, devaluation of naira also made importation through the land borders unattractive.

He said, “Seme remains as it were since the borders were closed and later re-opened. The policies of government affecting importation of goods through the land borders are still being enforced. So, the containers are not yet coming unless on a skeletal basis and only some people who can finance the clearing of their goods, no matter how costly they are, that now come through the land borders.”

“The exchange rate is also another challenge. Our money is being devalued by so much naira pursuing the CFA. Those are the problems basically between Benin Republic and Nigeria. What is obtainable is not supposed to be full duty payment because it is for transit cargoes. What should be paid by Nigerians making use of their port is administrative charges but because the government of Benin Republic don’t want to enforce the ECOWAS treaty, we pay higher and that makes the corridor unattractive for transit Cargoes.

“But ECOWAS treaty is being followed for other countries. While Nigeria pays full duty of CFA2m on transit cargoes, other West African countries pay administrative charges between CFA200 to CFA300 on a 20ft container of goods.”

He, however, disclosed that all pleas from the clearing agents to the Beninois government have proved abortive with no hope of a change of trade policies.

“We have engaged the government of Benin Republic and received no response. At a point, there was hope but they never changed and the situation continued. We hope this new government will come and engage with them because we believe that the Benin Republic government under President Talon is reacting to the border closure by the outgone government. We hope the new government will take it up and discuss with them to see how things can improve.”

Meanwhile, clearing agents have disclosed that multiple checkpoints by security operatives at the border are hampering transborder trade.

Tony Akabueze, who operates at the Seme border, stated that there are about 100 checkpoints from the Seme border at (J5 around the border Back gate) to Gbaji Bridge.

He also informed that from the Gbaji Bridge/Iyafin axis there are no fewer than 30 checkpoints on both sides of the road before you get to Badagry roundabout.

Akabueze specifically confirmed the presence of a new Police checkpoint inwards the border, alleging that the additional checkpoints mounted by the Customs, Army and Police are basically for extortion and not to checkmate smuggling.

He said, “It is not only Customs that create these additional checkpoints. Like the one we just passed now has the presence of Soldiers, Police, Border patrol and Customs. Concerning the issue of checkpoints mitigating smuggling activities, I would say this is Nigeria and we know that people who man the checkpoints are just pretending.

“Ostensibly it is to checkmate smuggling activities but the reality is that they are just working for themselves. So, I wouldn’t say the multiple checkpoints are mitigating smuggling activities because of course smuggling activities go on in the night unhindered here at Seme and that is the truth.”

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The National Economic Council (NEC) has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately distribute grains to states within one or two weeks to bring down the price of food items across the country.

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the NEC meeting, chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

The governor said that Shettima directed NEMA to release the grains immediately, adding that states would be involved in the mechanism.

Mohammed, who expressed concern over the high prices of food items, noted that food was a key component of what was considered by the council.

“The National Economic Council (NEC) discussed giving broader interventions to all the sectors and all the segments of the society.

“Food is a key component of what is on the table in terms of food security. On the escalation of prices of food stuff, we are happy because NEC has seriously engaged with NEMA, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and indeed with the Ministry of Agriculture.

“We have some buffer stock that is already there with NEMA, so council directed that the states will immediately be allocated substantial portions of food items, grains and so on for distribution so that the prices of food stuff will come down.

“These grains will be given at subsidized rates or at the rates they were acquired. The CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme and its Agric. programme have ensured a large stock of rice and other grains. These will be made available within one week so that they will be distributed to the states.”

He explained that states are at liberty to give out the grains at subsidized rates, or free of charge or sell it in such a way that it would crash the prices of food items and make them affordable for the common people.

“Across the sectors of the economy, public and civil servants and even farmers will benefit maximally. Again as I said, NEMA has lots of stock which it will also bring out so that this particular aspect of food security can cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on all Nigerians.

“This will be done within one or two weeks. In terms of the quantity of the grains that will be distributed, I just learnt from the acting CBN Governor that they have more than 2,52,00 metric tonnes of grains and almost equivalent number of bags of fertilizer that will be distributed within the time frame.

“As for Agriculture, everybody knows that they have the buffer stock programme where they have silos and they are all stocked with grains. They have not given out the quantity and I don’t want to be presumptuous. The same thing with NEMA because all their stores are there.”

The governor revealed that NEC had established a robust agreement that states and Local Governments would be involved in the distribution of the grains.

He also said that NEMA would collaborate with the corresponding institutions in the states and Local Governments so that the grains would be distributed with ease.

He said that the council had recognised the need for transparency in the distribution of the grains, assuring that all members of the society would be involved in the exercise.

“The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations and everybody will be involved because the states are involved and of course at the end of the day you will see that these things will reach the target.”

(NAN)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. and UTM Offshore Ltd. on Thursday signed the Heads of Terms Agreement to provide clean energy to Nigerians through the UTM FLNG Project.
The signing ceremony, which took place in Abuja, allows 20 per cent equity contribution of the NNPCL in the UTM FLNG Project.

The agreement is a significant step towards growing the gas market and making cooking gas more accessible and affordable for consumers.

Mr Julius Rone, Group Managing Director, UTM Offshore Ltd., promoter of the project, said the signing, joint effort not only aim to bring down and stabilise the price of cooking gas, but also has the potential to create a healthier environment.

According to him, it will bring investment opportunities and numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.

He noted that it was encouraging to see such initiatives that promote the well-being of the people and the economy.

The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), is already on in Lagos, Yokohama and Paris with JGC, Technip and indigenous companies acting as consultants.

Rone, who spoke on how important that stage of the project is, said that it would enable UTMOL to have an idea about the project cost, prepare a full budget and work towards the FID, noting, particularly, that it could not be skipped.

“Final Investment Decision (FID) is expected to be taken in the fourth quarter of 2023 with planned project start-up in the fourth quarter of 2026.

“When completed, it will produce 1.7mmtpa of LNG and 300,000 metric tons of LPG (cooking gas) which will be fully dedicated to the domestic market.

“The project is estimated to provide direct employment for 3,000 Nigerians and another indirect employment for an additional 4,000 people.

“The LPG produced will help bring down the price of cooking gas, improve the socioe-conomic wellbeing of Nigerians, reduce deforestation and attendant carbon emission,” Rone added.

According to him, the facility which will be located about 60km offshore at 64m water depth, will be built by reputable engineering companies – JGC of Japan and Technip of France – with the support of KBR as the Owners Engineer.

He noted that the two contracting companies and KBR were the consortium that built the six existing LNG Trains for Nigerian LNG Ltd.

“Having got the first outcome, which is level four, the next outcome will be level three while the final outcome will be level two.

“At the same time, the Engineering Procurement and Construction draft contract is being worked with Templers, UTMOL’s lawyers and their international counsel, White and Case,” he added.

“We understand how important this is to Nigerians and Nigeria’s economy, and we are committed to enlisting and partnering with only the best to actualise this project.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in terms of the quality of companies that will deliver this project.

“So, apart from these international companies of foremost global reputation that have been contracted to build the facility, our historic partnership with NNPCL today signals yet another milestone in our dedication to ensuring that this project is not only realised, but also meets the set objectives.

“Our aim is to complete the FEED towards the end of October 2023 and, hopefully, start work on the Open Book Estimate, OBE, for the EPC contract in November 2023.

“There are many intellectual property rights attached to such a project and such rights cannot be moved from one company to another. It may end up in the EPC with JGC and Technip.

“And once that is done, in line with international best practice, they need to also do the OBE negotiation with us.

“It was for this reason that we brought in KBR Consulting Limited of the UK, an international engineering company of the same status as JGC and Technip.

“This is to serve as our engineering consultant since we do not have the experience yet to measure the deliverables from the outcome of the feed,” Said Rone.

He noted that the company would help in ensuring that whatever JGC and Technip are doing in terms of engineering, is in conformity with the project schedule and expectation.

“The importance we attach to this project, because of its immeasurable value to our country, means we have to be meticulous about the quality of those we engage on it.

“The Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, has also encouraged us to go on with the project without any anxiety and we are confident that government will demonstrate sufficient political will in this regard.

“It is worthy of note that this is the first indigenous company to embark on such a project and, by the grace of God, we will succeed.

“It is in light of this that we appreciate the group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, and his management team, for demonstrating the uncommon zeal and patriotism by staking their own commitment to the project.

“It says a lot about what we are doing and the direction we are headed. I can assure you that in no distant time, Nigerians will start reaping the benefits of the project,” he concluded“It is worthy of note that this is the first indigenous company to embark on such a project and, by the grace of God, we will succeed.

“It is in light of this that we appreciate the group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, and his management team, for demonstrating the uncommon zeal and patriotism by staking their own commitment to the project.

“It says a lot about what we are doing and the direction we are headed. I can assure you that in no distant time, Nigerians will start reaping the benefits of the project,” he concluded

Also speaking, Kyari said that NNPCL was optimistic and committed to the project, describing it is “a project of utmost importance to the nation that must be supported to succeed at all cost.

“No matter the amount of reserves you have underground, if you haven’t brought it up to the surface, you have done nothing.

“This is why we are very interested in this project and we are going to do our own part to ensure its success. Be assured that NNPCL is solidly behind this project,” he said.

Kyari, who was optimistic, declared that the company had the ability and capacity to bring the project to realisation, particularly under the leadership of Rone.

According to Kyari, the company’s investment in NNPCL is indicative of that fact.

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