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Niger Coup: Anxiety grips Nigerians, businesses over FG’s next course of action
…President must get Senate approval to deploy military force — Falana
…Nigeria risks cutting ties with foreign economic allies — Economist
…LCCI calls for dialogue as better alternative to promote trade, investment
…Insecurity in Northern Nigeria to deepen if FG goes to war — Arewa Group warns
Fear and anxiety have gripped Nigerians and the business community over the proposed course of action of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy military force to oust the military junta in Niger Republic.
Nigerians and businesses who are still grappling with the hard effects of the removal of fuel subsidy worry that going to war with another country will impact on the standard and cost of living in the country.
According to the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking, losses due to theft and vandalism form part of the index that contribute to a country’s ratings. Already, Nigeria is battling internal insecurity, going to war will increase security risks and thereby affect the business environment which is just beginning to get back on its feet.
A renowned Nigerian comedian and United Nations Global Eminent Diplomat for Peace Advocate, Francis Agoda famously known as I Go Dye has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to take military action against the putschists in the neighbouring country of Niger, saying the military takeover in some countries is a failure of African leaders under Democracy.
In a post on his Instagram page, he wrote: “At this point, Tinubu should not allow himself to be misled by the people around him. The hardship and suffering is too much on Nigerians. The present outcry in Nigeria; expresses a ugly trend, like what is happening in some African countries, where the military has taken over.
“This is caused by the failure of African leaders under Democracy. In Nigeria, It’s on record that the military built four working refineries, tarred connecting roads in all the regions that’s now segmented into 36 States. Till date, some of these roads are still model of standard. In addition, they built world class hospitals, our doctors weren’t leaving the country in mass exodus as evident now. More worrisome is the fact that, as you are reading this now, doctors are even on strike.
“Moreso, they established Federal/State universities, built qualitative public primary and secondary schools, where our political leaders who are mismanaging our resources now even attended, including myself. However, our leaders under democracy have failed to maintain our refineries or build new ones. They have not upgraded our educational system, or built such that their children could attend. They have only succeeded in spreading poverty, unemployment and massive braindrain , to the extent that democracy, which ought to be a blessing to us, have turned out to be like a curse and mockery.
“The path of reform starts from one good leader, Tinubu should listen to the cries of Nigerians, he should not be deceived by those around him that all is well, because all is not well at the moment.You have a chance to be judged seperately from other leaders, if you strive to make a postive difference, as we patiently wait for the deeds that will either honour you amongst men or be judged as one of those who failed in our democratic journey. May God grant you wisdom to do what’s right before man and God.”
Reacting also to the proposed action, an Economist who is the CEO of Economic Associates, Mr Ayo Teriba urged the FG to refrain from going to war with Niger.
According to Mr Teriba, “It is not advisable for Nigeria to go to war with Niger. Coup has been happening here and there and no one is threatening Nigeria.
“I reasonably believe the military in Niger would not have struck without backing of foreign powers. So Nigeria should not meddle into their affairs so we won’t have conflict of interest with countries that have economic power than we do and who are potential/existing business partners.
“Let’s instead focus on resolving our internal issues,” he reasoned.
President must get Senate approval to deploy military force — Falana
Meanwhile, renowned Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana has urged President Tinubu to get the approval of the Nigerian Senate before deploying Nigeria’s military force.
In a statement by signed by Falana, as the Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB), on Sunday he said, “President Bola Tinubu administration is mandatorily required to seek the approval of both houses of the National Assembly, notwithstanding the resolution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resort to the use of force to flush the military junta in Niger in a bid to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.”
According to the statement, “This is in compliance with section 5(4) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which stipulates as follows: (4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section:
“(a) the President shall not declare a state of war between the Federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly, sitting in a joint session; and
“(b) except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”
He said further, “However, by virtue of section 5(5) thereof, the President, in consultation with the National Defence Council, may deploy members of the armed forces of the Federation on a limited combat duty outside Nigeria if he is satisfied that the national security is under imminent threat or danger:
“Provided that the President shall, within seven days of actual combat engagement, seek the consent of the Senate and the Senate shall thereafter give or refuse the said consent within 14 days.”
As the Senate declined the approval of President Tinubu to use force against Niger, amid opposition by many stakeholders to tread cautiously, Falana said, “in addition to the above constitutional mandate, the ECOWAS is required to seek and obtain the authorisation of the UN Security Council to launch an attack on a sovereign nation pursuant to article 53(1) of the United Nations Charter.
“Article 53(1) provides in part, ‘The Security Council shall, where appropriate, utilize such regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority. But no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council…”
It further said, “This means that the conduct of the ECOWAS, as a regional arrangement, is subject to the provisions of the United Nations Charter, particularly article 53(1) and general international law.
“Therefore, the ECOWAS cannot justify any intervention in Niger without the authorisation of the Security Council.
“It is also clear that any intervention by the ECOWAS, apart from being subject to the authorisation of the Security Council, must be on a collective basis and not a unilateral one.
“In the absence of explicit Security Council authorisation, any intervention by the ECOWAS would be illegal, unless it concerns a situation of self- defence, which is clearly not the case in the situation of the planned intervention in Niger.”
LCCI calls for dialogue as better alternative to promote trade, investment
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry encouraged the Federal government to adopt dialogue rather than resort to war.
In a statement by its President, Asiwaju (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole, the chamber regarded the ultimatum issued on 30th June 2023 by the Governments and Heads of States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), issued to use military force as hasty and ill-advised.
The Chamber, however, aligned itself with the regional body’s decision to restore democratic order in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, however, dialogue would be a better tool to achieve the objectives.
The statement by the LCCI reads thus, “The Chamber recalls with pride the game-changing role ECOWAS through ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), led by gallant Nigerian soldiers, played decades ago. Copied and praised by the United Nations (UN), ECOMOG was to become a model of peace enforcement for the rest of the world. The challenges in many spheres that the ECOWAS region face today are succinctly quite different. Like seasons, the time has changed. Economic growth in the sub-region is abysmally poor in the face of high birth rate, weak productivity, manpower shortage and technological challenges.
“The world today is more polarised and the propensity to engage in military conflict is high. In today’s world, countries’ actions, and decisions are largely driven by their strategic intents as they pursue their goals and objectives. At the Chamber, we are stressed to expose the strategic intentions and their benefits, whether in the near- or far-terms behind the inclination to apply the use of military force. In addition, the Chamber cautions that there may be certain undercurrents the ECOWAS leadership may not be aware of between the leaders and the populace in Niger.
“Currently, Nigeria has its political and economic challenges caused by insurgency by Boko Haram and weak security infrastructure. If we do not have the security paraphernalia to deal with Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, it would be detrimental to Nigerian society and economy to deploy troops to Niger.
“We understand the need of the Nigerian president, President Bola Tinubu as the Chairman of ECOWAS to make an impact. However, strategic dialogue would serve the purpose better. Nigerian troops should focus on solving our security problems, as this would promote trade, attract investment, and enhance economic development.
“While the Chamber backs the cutting off of electricity supply to the country as one of the measures to bring the junta to its knees and to the negotiating table, we do not support any decision to deploy Nigerian troops as part of the regional military force to Niger.
“We fear such a decision may have wider geographical implications. Besides, the consequences of war, if allowed to start, are quite likely to be too expensive for the weak economies of the member-states of the ECOWAS, especially at this time. In our opinion, top-level political, consultative, and diplomatic engagements with the putschists are likely to be more effective for the needed peace in the sub-region. We, therefore, urge the ECOWAS leaders to explore these routes to resolve the Nigerien impasse.
“In response to President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger, the Senate also advised that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should take other steps to reverse the coup. They rejected the option of military action in the poor West African nation. The position of the Senate is consistent with the Chamber’s perspective.” The statement read
…Insecurity in Northern Nigeria to deepen if FG goes to war — Arewa Group warns
A civil society groups named The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) has warned the Federal Government of Nigeria from going to war with Niger noting that it poses great security risks to the Northern part of the country.
In a statement, the group said it noticed “with great concern, the echoes of the drumbeats of war being sounded by the West African Regional bloc, ECOWAS, spearheaded by the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, to meddle into the internal affairs of Republic of Niger.
“This, according to ECOWAS, is to oust the military junta that had staged a coup d’etat, which ousted the civilian administration of President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The move by Nigeria and other ECOWAS nations for Military intervention in Niger Republic, is hasty, ill-conceived and a miscalculated adventure that will eventually plunge the region and indeed the entire Northern Nigeria, already bedeviled with terrorists activities, into turmoil and anarchy,” the group stated.
The group in a statement titled ‘Don’t GoTo War With Niger Republic’ signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa Ajiyan Yauri, the Chairman, stated that “it is our conviction that the task of defending and sustaining democracy in Niger is the solemn duty of the people of Niger. The responsibility of its neighbours and friends like Nigeria, is not to exacerbate an already bad situation, but to support the Democratic institutions of the country and pray for her in its time of needs.
“Again, it is worth emphasising that any military action in Niger will not only begin and end in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, but will spill over and snowball into Northern Nigerian communities in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno states.
“Its humanitarian consequences, however, would be felt across the nation and the West African subregion.
“The coup in Niger which began as a palace coup, has now become a national rallying point for antineocolonial struggle, not only in Niger but in the rest of the Francophone West Africa. Even the nations of ECOWAS have come to terms with the reality of the coup as a fait-accompli that can’t be easily reversed.
“President Tinubu as ECOWAS leader, is also increasingly being seen as a Western stooge, doing the bidding of France and America. Anyone conversant with the historic role of Nigeria in ending colonialism in Africa, knows that Nigeria doesn’t deserve the accolade of a Western stooge.
“We applaud the courage and steadfastness of the Nigerian Senate and other well-meaning Nigerians who have preached caution and restraint.
“We urge other Nigerians to therefore rise with one voice to dissuade ECOWAS from this fatal misadventure.
“Before the Berlin Conference of 1884, where Europe partitioned Africa into spheres of influence, what is today called Republic of Niger and Northern Nigeria, were part of the Hausaland and Kanem Borno Empire. They share common cultural, historical, economic and religious affinities, which the Western-imposed artificial boundaries couldn’t severe.
“Since independence, the two nations have maintained mutually beneficial diplomatic, socioeconomic, security and cultural relationships. Through informal trade, marriages and other forms of people-to-people engagements, our two countries have welded into one, despite official impediments.
“In view therefore of the irreparable damage ECOWAS’ hasty resort to war would do to the Nigerian-Niger relations, we call on the Tinubu Administration to immediately take the following measures to return our relationship to the status quo ante: Suspend all entreaties towards war and seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Take immediate measures to restore diplomatic ties with Niger Republic.
“Immediately open all our borders and allow the free flow of economic activities and movement of people. Restore power supply to the Niger Republic. Seek a resolution of the crisis in Niger through time-tested give-and-take strategy of mediation, negotiation and compromise. The overall interest of the people of Niger, not the statutes of the ECOWAS Protocols, should be the overriding consideration.
“Call on all well-meaning Nigerians, the Civil Society, religious an traditional leaders and the press to rise with one voice to support the full restoration of diplomatic and other ties with the brotherly nation of Niger,” the statement read.
By Matthew Denis
In a bid to enhance economic growth, President Ahmed Tinubu has promised to inject a whopping sum of N2trillions into the economy.
The President stated this while inaugurating a 31-man Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), drawn from different sectors of society and the economy
The inauguration comes three months after the President established the committee on March 27, 2024.
After inaugurating the council, President Tinubu presented the outcomes of his review of the accelerated stabilization and advancement plan, which seeks to inject a total of N2 trillion into the economy in the next six months.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who led selected members of the council to brief journalists after the briefing, gave a breakdown of the areas to benefit from the emergency funding including Health, Agriculture, Energy/Power and other areas.
“The president has just inaugurated the Presidential Economic Coordination Council and that is a body that is made up of the President’s Economic Management Team, the Legislature, represented by the leaders of the National Assembly; the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as very importantly, the sub-nationals, represented by the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and, of course, the elite of the private sector.
“They were presented with the outcomes of Mr. President’s review of the accelerated stabilization and advancement plan and that was an emergency plan to cover the next six months, which Mr. President had directed that a combination of his own Economic Management Team and the sub nationals, the governor’s level, and the private sector put together for his consideration.
The sum of that very important exercise is that a N2 trillion package involving N350 billion funding for Health and Social Welfare; N500 billion funding for Agriculture and Food Security; N500 billion for the Energy and Power sector and general business support of about N650 billion.
“In addition to a range of policy measures and tax measures, there is a range of executive orders which Mr. President has signed and which are being gazetted to ease the cost of doing business at this particular time”, he said.
President Tinubu announced the constitution of the Council, which he personally chairs, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, of March 27, 2024.
Other members of the PECC are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Vice-Chairman; President of the Nigerian Senate; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security; Aviation and Aerospace Development and Budget and Economic Planning.
The song of that very important exercise is that a N2 trillion package involving N350 billion funding for Health and Social Welfare; N500 billion funding for Agriculture and Food Security; N500 billion for the Energy and Power sector and general business support of about N650 billion.
“In addition to a range of policy measures and tax measures, there is a range of executive orders which Mr. President has signed and which are being gazetted to ease the cost of doing business at this particular time”, he said.
Recall that Tinubu had announced the constitution of the Council, which he personally chairs, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, of March 27, 2024.
Top members of the PECC are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Vice-Chairman; President of the Nigerian Senate; Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Abdulrahkan Abdulrasaq , Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Wale Edun , Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Yemi Cardoso, Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security; Aviation and Aerospace Development and Budget and Economic Planning.
The council also comprises 13 persons drawn from the organised private sector including the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; UBA Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu; BUA Founder, Abdulsamad Rabiu, among others.
The members of the organised private sector would serve on the council for a one-year tenure.
They include Ms. Amina Maina, Mr. Begun Ajayi-Kadir, Mrs. Funke Okpeke and Dr. Doyin Salami, Mr. Patrick Okigbo, Mr. Kola Adesina, Mr. Segun Agbaje, Mr. Chidi Ajaere, Mr. Abdulkadir Aliu and Mr. Rasheed Sarumi.
The move is “in furtherance of his administration’s efforts at re-engineering the nation’s economic governance framework,” the Presidency said in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in late March.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu establishes comprehensive economic coordination and planning system for Nigeria.’
It came weeks after the President created an economic advisory committee comprising the federal government, sub-nationals, and the private sector, on February 25.
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#BigSamBigImpact: Old students to inaugurate, name library after NewsDirect Founding Publisher, Samuel Ibiyemi
…Ex-Ogun NUJ chairman calls for annual program to honour late NewsDirect publisher
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Olode Grammar School Old Students Association has announced plans to rename the school library after Late Dr Samuel Folorunsho Ibiyemi, a renowned journalist and founding publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect in recognition of his contributions to the school and the community.
Ibiyemi who was a past president of the Rotary Club of Ota has donated over 200,000 books to the school library, which has been a valuable resource for students and teachers.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the National President of the Olode Grammar School Old Students Association, Dr. Salau Dauda Folaranmi, during the first year remembrance of the late publisher at his residence.
According to the National President, “We will renovate the library and dedicate it to his memory. He loved people, assisted people, and donated 200,000 books to the school, which has been beneficial to teachers and students.”
Also, Engr. Niyi Adegoke, a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Ota, suggested the idea of renaming the library after Ibiyemi, saying, “Late Samuel Ibiyemi was a very active member of the club, and he lived his life for humanity. He was a philanthropist, and we will support the initiative to ensure that the project comes to reality.”
In the same vein, Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun State Chapter and current Senior Special Assistant to the National President of the NUJ, Wole Shokunbi, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Samuel Ibiyemi, a renowned journalist and publisher.
Shokunbi, who described Ibiyemi as a mentor and brother, recalled their close relationship, which spanned over two decades.
He praised Ibiyemi’s commitment to developing people and bringing joy to others, even at his own detriment.
Shokunbi called for Ibiyemi’s immortalisation, suggesting that the NUJ and the Guild of Editors come together to organise an annual program in his memory.
He also promised to take action to support the family, saying, “We will get back to the family soon.”
…Governor launches special health insurance scheme for all Lagos retirees
By Esther Agbo
Lagos State announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in pension administration by clearing a longstanding backlog, disbursing a total of N4,461,659,536.82 to 2,000 retirees.
This accomplishment follows a previous payment of N3.1 billion to 1,013 retirees earlier this year, marking a commitment fulfilled.
Employees of Lagos State Government who retire from the civil service will now get their full pension benefits and gratuity immediately after retirement.
This unprecedented record has just been set by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who fulfilled his promise to settle all arrears and current pension liabilities in the State’s public service.
Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, presented pension bond certificates totaling N4.5 billion to 2,000 retirees at the 105th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony hosted by Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) in Oregun.
The clearing of the accrued pension liability essentially implies that the State Government owes no outstanding pension benefits and any form of entitlement to any individual who retired from its public service.
By implication, fresh retirees will no longer wait endlessly after service before being paid their retirement benefits. Settlement of the State’s pension backlog has transitioned Lagos pension administration from servicing a liability to an era of pay-as-you-go.
Besides, Sanwo-Olu launched a special health insurance scheme for all living retirees, who served the State.
The Governor said the development marked a milestone in the State’s pension administration, stressing that the new template of “Pay-As You-Go” had prioritised quick payment of accrued rights in order to ensure retirees in the State enjoy dignity and financial stability after their retirement.
He said, “Today, we mark the 105th Retirement Bond Certificate presentation and I am pleased to present bond certificates worth a total of N4,461,659,536.82 to 2,000 retirees from our civil service.
“This development marks a historic milestone as our dear State transitions into a new era of Pension Administration known as ‘Pay-As You-Go.’ From now on, all retirees of the State Government will be paid as they retire, provided all procedures and approvals have been completed before retirement.
”We have strategically prioritised clearing all backlogs of Accrued Rights payments to ensure our retirees enjoy dignity and financial stability after retirement. This commitment extends to the welfare of both current and former members of our workforce, recognising their unblemished careers in the State’s public service.
“These funds, along with their monthly contributions, have already been remitted into their respective Retirement Savings Accounts with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).”
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was the first State in the country to embrace the Contributory Pension Scheme when it commenced in 2004, pointing out that the State Government had paid N141.2 billion to 35,191 retirees till date.
Under his administration, the Governor disclosed that the State had paid N59.7 billion to 17,039 retirees over the last five years, making Lagos a top performer in pension payments.
Sanwo-Olu said the newly introduced health insurance scheme for the retirees was to further appreciate the service of the senior citizens in addition to payment of their financial entitlements.
He said, “We have also launched a Health Insurance Scheme tailored specifically for our retirees. This scheme will provide access to a wide range of medical services, from routine check-ups to specialised treatments.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to the well-being of our retirees, while ensuring that they receive not only what is due statutorily but also additional support and assistance to enhance your lives in retirement.”
LASPEC Director-General, Mr. Babalola Obilana, said the settlement of all backlogs of accrued rights demonstrated a significant achievement in public service, adding that the development reflected the Governor’s dedication to addressing the challenges faced by our retirees.
He said the Pay-As-You-Go template would help secure comfortable and dignified retirement for the retirees.
Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, observed that the Sanwo-Olu administration had been steadfast in recognising invaluable service of the State’s workforce, which made the Governor push all efforts to clear all backlogs of Accrued Rights Payments.
Agoro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, said, “The State Government recognises and appreciates the remarkable contributions made by our esteemed retirees. Your commitment, dedication, and sacrifices have been instrumental in the achievements of our Public Service, which in turn have significantly contributed to the progress of our great State.”
Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, said the transition to Pay-As-You-Go template had set a precedent for establishing a sustainable and dependable pension system, which would serve as a model in the country.
Ayantayo, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Establishments and Training, Mrs Olubukola Abidakun, noted that the ministry had worked collaboratively with LASPEC and PFAs to ensure the disbursement processes were efficient and transparent.
“This gesture will undoubtedly impact the lives of our retirees positively, rebuild trust in the State’s pension system, boost employee morale, enhance productivity and ensure that public servants can anticipate a secure retirement,” the Commissioner said.
The retirees, in appreciation of the Governor’s gesture, held a special prayer session for Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. The senior citizens also trooped out to dance with the Governor.
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