My Wish For Nigeria

By Friday Olokor

During my days as an undergraduate, my activities in campus Journalism was like that of a COBRA. Apart from keeping a DATELINE of global history, I was a constant MONITOR of The NATION and gave oppressive regimes THE PUNCH they deserve. For all these, I received OVATION and TRIUMPH over forces of darkness. 

One day, I will TELL all THE NEWS of how the TIMES tried to bring back a lost heritage. I promise that in later years, I will dump my past and become a NEW NIGERIAN that will be in the VANGUARD of THE NEWS to better THE COUNTRY. I pray to remain THE GUARDIAN Angel that will TELL stories about how a nationalist became a CHAMPION in the agitation for Nigeria to be INDEPENDENT.

As THE OBSERVER of the unfolding drama towards 2019 which has reached its TEMPO, my prayer is that the THE SUN should shine on our country for a DEMOCRAT to take over THE LEADERSHIP in our NATIONAL INTEREST because Nigeria is TELEGRAPH through which the world see Africa.   

By then, all relics of militarism would give way for THE ECONOMIST. For now, Nigerians should choose THISDAY who should be their leaders.

But in doing that, Nigerian journalists should not TRUST politicians in our determination to defend THE REPUBLIC but should always CHRONICLE and give a DAILY SKETCH of their activities because the day of judgement will come through TRIBUNE. As my Bureau Chief will say, let us MONITOR our beats and leave the rest to God.

Friday OLOKOR, is a Nigerian Journalist with THE PUNCH.

Dickson Hails APC Committee On Restructuring

Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson

...Urges implementation of committee’s recommendations before 2019 elections

...Calls on FG to constitute multiparty committee on APC on restructuring 

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has commended the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, on its far reaching recommendations on the issue of the proposed restructuring of the country. 

Dickson said that the recommendations had further strengthened the agitations for true federalism and resource control in the Niger Delta.

While calling on the APC to be sincere with the implementation of the recommendations, Dickson said restructuring Nigeria would calm frayed nerves and strengthen the nation’s unity.

However, the Governor called on the leadership of the APC to ensure implementation of the recommendations of its committee on restructuring before the conduct of the 2019 General elections.

According to him, implementing the report before 2019 general elections was the true test of the sincerity of the APC on the issue of the recommendations.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as having made the comment in an interview with journalists on the recommendations of the APC’s Committee on Restructuring led by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State in Abuja on Friday.

The El-Rufai Committee had recommended state ownership of onshore mineral resources including oil, state control of police, prisons among others while presenting its report to the leadership of the APC on Thursday.

Dickson said that he had to commend the APC for the recommendations on restructuring which he said came from an unexpected quarters some of whose leaders had opposed the calls to restructure the country.

The Governor said that what the APC committee did in its recommendations was the most fundamental of all the approaches to the burning issue of restructuring in the best interest of the country.

He stressed that as a politician driven by conviction, he had to commend the APC on its bold recommendations on restructuring because it was right and worthy of appreciation.

He said, “This development came from an unexpected quarter in a matter that is dear to us; the subject matter of restructuring to address the inequalities in our country. Yesterday, El-Rufai, who chairs the APC committee submitted the report; While it is true that we are dealing with a proposal, this is coming from an unexpected quarter, and in the light of the opposition to structuring from some leaders, I thought that what the APC did was unexpected.

“Let me start by commending the committee and the leadership of that party for making what I will call the most fundamental proposal dealing with the issue of restructuring. This is very refreshing, and for me, when I see what is right, I commend it; when I see what is in the best interest of our country, I commend it because my politics is driven by conviction, not convenience.

“With the kind of proposals that they have done, I thought I should appreciate their patriotism and commitment to building an equitable and prosperous Nigeria.”

Dickson further called for the establishment of a multiparty committee to work out the final details for the executive arm to sponsor a bill to the National Assembly.

He stressed that there was need to mobilize national consensus to engage the National Assembly in order to ensure the implementation of the core issues raised in the report before 2019 general elections.

“I want to say that at this time, if we are all sincere about the injustices, and inequities, then I call for a multiparty committee to deal with the final details of the issues, the issue of the police, the judiciary, the control of land. We need a multi party committee to discuss and agree and work on draft legislation bills that will be jointly sponsored at the National Assembly.

“All of us need to mobilize national consensus to engage the National Assembly. So that we can drive all these issues, before the next election. That is the test of sincerity."

Business Eye Magazine Returns To Newsstands

After a season of absence from newsstands across Nigeria, BUSINES EYE Magazine is set for a return to the market as its first edition for the year 2018 hits the stands.

The latest edition, anchored on the old traditions of the magazine, which touts itself as Nigeria’s business intelligence monthly, is a bumper of 88 pages packaged in all-gloss, full-colour inside.

In a statement signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Ibim Semenitari, the returnee magazine has been re-branded, re-packaged and re-invigorated even as it retains the great traditions that made it the go-to publication for all things business and economy.

According to Semenitari, BUSINES EYE delivers an annual prediction series, reviewing the past year and projecting, using empirical evidence on how the New Year will pan out. “Of course we understand why this is very important to you. You are in business to grow the profits. You need to understand what the future holds for your business. You need to be able to cut through all the fat and foliage to get to the meat of it all.”

Semenitari said the reports in the latest edition were well-researched with such an accuracy that knows no fault. “What we have done is assemble the brightest and the best minds in the various sectors to speak to you no-holds-barred. Every piece uncovers the layers, taking away the peels that often times shroud policy.”

Reports in the latest edition cover all business genres including the government.

According to Semenitari, every page has something audible to speak about the Nigerian economy.

“Not only does it analyse the economic statistics of 2017 but much more, forecasts the 2018 horizon. This edition is a collector’s copy that nobody should miss. Those who drive Nigeria’s economy, whether at the federal, state or local government level should study our analyses and projections for their guide. They need not ignore our forecasts.”

The edition covers aviation, the environment, transportation, the Niger Delta, states’ budgets, judiciary, power sector, the economy with trending rate.

“Ten years after, we have reviewed our shared values, mission statement and vision. We haven‘t changed the core of who we are. No way! We have simply upped our game to guarantee you more clarity and better service delivery. So now we are C.L.E.A.R on the values we share with you as we provide you credible business news and economic intelligence that enable development of both the public and private sectors in Nigeria.”

Africa Prefers Fair Trade to Marshall Plans – VP Osinbajo

Remarks by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, The Vice President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, at an Interactive Session Titled “Stabilizing the Mediterranean” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, 24 January, 2018

DAVOS, Switzerland, January 25, 2018/ -- Remarks by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, The Vice President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, at an Interactive Session Titled “Stabilizing The Mediterranean” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, 24 January, 2018: Q: How realistic is Africa replacing China as the factory of the world, how realistic is that? How do you look at the Marshall plan for Africa, is it something you think is credible? Vice President: Let me begin with the Africa Rising narrative and all of the possibilities around Africa replacing China as the factory of the world. I think that probably is in the natural cause of things. Even now, we see that as wage costs go up in China, Africa is becoming the obvious choice for some certain industries, so it is clear that will happen and there are quite a few initiatives in that direction already; there are a few countries like Ivory Coast, Nigeria, with the development of Special Economic Zones, with partnerships coming from China. I think those sorts of arrangements will very quickly absorb labour because obviously, you are looking at growing populations in Africa, the projections as you know are in the next 20 years or so, we are looking at the youth population... probably 70% of Africa’s population would be young people and Africa would probably about be the third largest population. I think that the critical thing is to see that we cannot deal with this in any quick way, there are no quick fixes to this, we have got to look at this long term, because clearly there’s no way that African economies will ramp off quickly enough to be able to meet all of the expectations, especially all of the projections around population. So this is going to be a long walk and I think that it is important for all of us to see this as such. The idea of the Marshall Plan is to me, in some sense, bringing old solutions to what really is a dynamic problem. I think that what Africa needs and what a lot of the southern neighbours of the Europeans need are fairer trade policies and a cocktail of policies that centre on job creation in those locations, more investments, but I think more thinking through those ideas and policies that creates more opportunities, partnership between Europe and Africa. I don’t think that aid has worked through the years. I think that there’s a need for possibly just much more commitment to the whole process. I mean there have been multi-processes, several of them, but I certainly think that if we look at this as a major global problem and when you look around and look at extremism, terrorism and all of the various things that are exported along with illegal migration, it is a global problem and we really does deserve a global solution and the way to look at that is by coming together to reason these things through, but frankly it is not by those Marshal Plans off the shelf, I think it is more nuanced than that. Q: Do you feel that values of human rights are being compromised in order for Europe to have tactical immediate solutions? Vice President: I certainly agree that it was a great shock to see actual slave dealings in this century; it was absolutely horrifying to see that. What we are seeing is a degeneration of criminal activities where you find that state capacity is unable to maintain international human rights norms. One of the crucial things is to encourage repatriation. Nigerian government for example is working with the Libyan government in repatriating everyone who is in the camps. It is a slow process because there are those who claim nationalities because they see a way out of the camps. There is also a great deal of willingness on the part of those who are in the camps to go back because it is entirely voluntary. There is pressure where there is no state capacity or inadequate state capacity to maintain law and order and international human rights norms. The pressure is a bit too much for the Libyan authorities, so what you find is that the criminal gangs and all of these asymmetric type organizations dominate the space and we may not be able to do much without relieving the Libyan authorities of a lot of the illegal migrants in their custody or their country. Q: With a Yes or No, 5 years from now, are we still going to be seating here having the same discussion? Vice President: Would you give us a chance to say, “I hope not?” (Laughter). I really suspect yes.

Oluomo Owolabi: Osun People Very Eager To Vote For PDP In The Sept Governorship Election

Chief Gbenga Owolabi 

A governorship aspirant of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 22 gubernatorial election in Osun state, Chief Gbenga Owolabi has said that the people of the state are really eager to vote for PDP in the election. 

Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the interreligious prayer organized by the party at its Secretariat located at Biket area in Osogbo, Owolabi said the people of the state are willing to vote out the All Progressive Congress (APC) government and bring in the PDP administration.

His words "I have gone to the nooks and crannies of Osun State and I know what our people really want. I know what our people need. They want leadership. They want leadership that will carry them along. Its not just about performance. It is about good leadership that will be for the people.

"People of Osun are eager to vote for PDP in the governorship election. They experienced PDP government before now and they have seen the difference between PDP and the APC now. At the moment, there is urge and strong desire to vote for PDP in Osun. So, our chances are very bright and even brighter now."

"As you know, we didn't know that there was going to be a by-election in the Osun West Senatorial District but the election came and we won it. Nobody would have thought that we could win that election. We didn't just win that election but we won it very well. And I can assure you that people of Osun state are really ready and very eager to change the current government in Osun State and bring in the administration of PDP."

"Our people know that PDP will care more for them. Everybody knows this in Osun. PDP will care for the people or are you going to eat the roads and the buildings. We will perform and we will carry our people along. Remember that under the PDP government in Osun, even a councilor did projects such as boreholes and had a direct impact on the lives of the people even at the grassroots. Are you seeing that now?"

"We will not encourage solitary leadership in which someone will think he is the only one that can do everything. We are bringing visionary leadership and bring everybody together and everyone will be okay," Owolabi said.

On the leadership crisis rocking the party, Owolabi said "when two or three siblings are fighting for the same cause, they will eventually come back together. We will surely come back together in a couple of weeks. We all have one singular goal winch is to win the governorship election in September and take over government in the state."

Nigeria Police Receives Solidarity Support From GPMI and RTEAN

The United Kingdom based Global Peace Movement International in collaboration with Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria on Thursday embarked on solidarity rally to support the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris and the Nigeria Police Force.

While reading the solidarity letter presented to the Inspector General of Police, Global Peace Movement International President Mike Uyi said that the solidarity rally was to address the positivity of what the Nigeria Police has done in the society.

Also, the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria National President, High Chief Musa Isewelu said that the RTEAN partnered with the Nigeria Police which has resulted in violent free relationship between Nigeria Police and Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria. He also said the relationship has reduced kidnapping and other social vices.

Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, The Commissioner of Police, Federal Operation, CP Esa Ogbu thanked the group for the solidarity rally. He said despite some negative report about the Police, it is a thing of joy to still identify with the Nigeria Police to promote Peace in the society.

The group later proceeded to the EFCC and the National Assembly.    

PDP Reconciliation: Stay And Rebuild PDP, Dickson Tells Aggrieved Aspirants

The Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, has appealed to aggrieved members of the People’s Democratic Party to stay in the party to rebuild and reposition it for electoral victory.

Dickson called on the membership of the PDP to show more understanding, solidarity and a willingness to sacrifice for the general good of the party.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Agbo, quoted Dickson as having made the comment while addressing aspirants of the last National Convention of the party held in December, 2017 at the Wadata Plaza Headquarters òf the party in Abuja on Thursday.

He commended the aspirants for demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice their individual interest for the progress of the party.

He explained that the meeting was designed to thank the membership of the PDP for clinging onto the party especially through “this trying period.”

He said, “This is an opportunity to thank you all for your contributions to the development, sustenance of our party especially at this trying period.

“If we had had this meeting three years ago, this place would have been filled to the brim but since after the unfortunate event where the change came and gave us a terrible change, it seems that even people who profited so much from our party, have gone to the other side and yet people like you, steadfast members of the party like you are still in the PDP.

“Let me use this opportunity to call for more understanding and solidarity by members of our party and greater willingness to sacrifice for the general good, to sacrifice individual ambition, individual interest for the greater good, which is what you people have clearly displayed.

“And I will like to also make a call to our party men now that they are seeing things clearly. People should not cross over to the other side, stay back, strengthen, rebuild and reposition this national platform that we already have.

“Let me use this opportunity to call for more understanding and solidarity by members of our party and greater willingness to sacrifice for the General good, to sacrifice individual ambition, individual interest for the greater good, which is what you people have clearly displayed.”

Dickson said that the meeting was designed to effectively interract with the aspirants in order to hear their stories and the proferred solutions to the crisis rocking the party.