A yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons have been trapped following the collapse of a building under construction in the Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The cause of the collapse, which happened on Monday evening, is yet to be determined.

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of the state, who visited the site on Tuesday, said five casualties have been recorded so far.

Soludo described the incident as tragic and one “that was not supposed to happen”. He disclosed that 26 individuals had been rescued and hospitalised, with rescue efforts ongoing to locate those still trapped under the rubble.

“The contractor at his own cost will come and put down the illegal buildings he erected here,” the governor said.

“They are all going to come down. My government did not approve of this building. We will redesign this area and build it properly.”

He added that other buildings constructed without proper approval will be demolished, including structures currently under construction at other markets.

“A comprehensive inventory of buildings in Anambra markets and public places will be conducted,” Soludo said.

“Markets will undergo integrity tests to identify and remove potentially unsafe structures, and individuals found responsible for illegal construction will face legal consequences.”

The governor also assured that the hospital bills of those receiving treatment will be offset by the government, and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

A yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons have been trapped following the collapse of a building under construction in the Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The cause of the collapse, which happened on Monday evening, is yet to be determined.

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of the state, who visited the site on Tuesday, said five casualties have been recorded so far.

Soludo described the incident as tragic and one “that was not supposed to happen”. He disclosed that 26 individuals had been rescued and hospitalised, with rescue efforts ongoing to locate those still trapped under the rubble.

“The contractor at his own cost will come and put down the illegal buildings he erected here,” the governor said.

“They are all going to come down. My government did not approve of this building. We will redesign this area and build it properly.”

He added that other buildings constructed without proper approval will be demolished, including structures currently under construction at other markets.

“A comprehensive inventory of buildings in Anambra markets and public places will be conducted,” Soludo said.

“Markets will undergo integrity tests to identify and remove potentially unsafe structures, and individuals found responsible for illegal construction will face legal consequences.”

The governor also assured that the hospital bills of those receiving treatment will be offset by the government, and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Pro-democracy activists and scholars are concerned about the global decline of freedom, erosion of the rule of law, and the growing threats to Western-style liberal democracy, and rightly so.

In a lecture he delivered recently, Dr Larry Diamond, America’s renowned political scientist and a leading scholar on democracy studies, observed that “democracy globally has been in a prolonged recession since about 2007.

In the inaugural Distinguished Guests Lecture Series jointly organized by the Fixpolitics Movement, established by former Nigerian Education Minister and World Bank Africa Vice President, Dr Oby Ezekwesili and its affiliate, School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG), Senegal, Dr Diamond noted that there might be “many new (third wave) and old democracies (that) have been resilient, but many others (are) deteriorating.”

There are as many definitions of democracy as there are classifications by hardliners and followers of the liberal school of thought, but the definition credited to former British Prime Minister Winston Leonard Churchill finds accommodation even among anti-democracy advocates.

“Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…,” declared Churchill in 1947.

Experience has shown that other systems of government, such as oligarchy or autocracy, often lead to oppression and tyranny, and despite its flaws or imperfections, democracy has demonstrated a resilience for collective decision-making and efforts at striking a balance between freedom and responsibility.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is among those who believe that Western-style liberal democracy has failed in Africa and does not suit the continent's culture and traditions.  At a recent forum on rethinking democracy in Nigeria, held in Abeokuta, Western Nigeria, he therefore, advocated for the development of what he calls "Afro democracy," and charged a gathering of academics and politicians to clinically analyze the flaws of liberal democracy and proffer systems that are more effective and beneficial to Africa.

Whether it is liberal democracy that has failed, or the operators/practitioners (political actors) that have failed the people and the system is open to debate.

But from evidence-based analysis, the erosion of freedom, deterioration of the state of the rule of law, and threats to liberal democracy, though gradual, started around 2007, after the euphoria and celebrations that greeted the wave of multiparty democracy of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

There was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions, across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s, known as the first Arab Spring, which began in Tunisia in response to corruption, followed by political upheavals in the region called the second Arab Spring coupled with “people power” incidences against liberal democracy.

By 2022, virtually all parts of the World including Eurasia, Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, had witnessed one form of decline of freedom, or worrisome threats to the rule of law and democracy. Not even America, the “mother of democracy” was spared.

What is considered a retreat from liberal democracy and growing instability in West Africa and the wider African continent today is within the context and dynamic of the global landscape characterized by an unprecedented convergence of multiple threats and opportunistic vectors, such as geopolitical and strategic shifts, economic downturns, currency fluctuations, climate and environmental ecosystem changes, sociocultural dynamics, and digital advancements, especially the “invasion” of social media.

Welcoming Diamond, Ezekwesili emphasized the necessity for Africa to create a conducive political climate in her search of solutions to its governance challenges.

In the same vein, the Dean of SPPG, Senegal, Professor Emeritus Alioune Badara Fall, of the University of Bordeaux explained that the democratic project in Africa was complex and vulnerable to several influences. 

As the Convener of Fixpolitics, Senegal, Adama Gaye, a seasoned Senegalese journalist and former Director of Communications of ECOWAS underscored the need “to build a disruptive massive class of African leaders with character, capacity and competence.”.

In the online lecture entitled “Power, Performance, and Legitimacy: Renewing Global Democratic Momentum,” attended by more than 300 participants, Diamond, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, U.K., warned that: “We (the World) remain in a volatile and uncertain period - democracy globally could sharply gain or contrast.”

The key trends identified in his thesis include “horizontal accountability… growing polarization, intolerance magnified by social media, authoritarian resurgence, and power projection, and decay of democratic quality in the U.S. and parts of Europe… with declining trust and satisfaction, high-profile movements for democracy, as well as illiberal populism, still spreading but can be reversed.”

The lecture examined “the global trends in democracy and freedom, the minimum standard for electoral democracy as well as free and fair competition for power - a level playing field.”

Using data from various peer-reviewed sources such as the Freedom House and the Economist Intelligence Unit, Diamond tested the practice of democracy by regions - between 2006 and 2022 with Europe topping the ranking, while Sub-Saharan Africa, some countries in the former Soviet Union, and the Middle East and North Africa bringing up the rear in that order. He also examined the Global Expansion of Democracy from 1974 to 2022 within countries and the Rate of Democratic breakdowns as a percentage of democracies over the same period, with the percentage of democratic expansion at 16% against breakdowns of 40%.

Also analyzed were the ratio of Democratic Transition to Breakdowns, and Gains to Declines in Freedom, with the “causes of Democratic Recession from 2006 traced to the “Backlash Against Iraq intervention by the US and its allies - perception of failed democracy promotion, and the 2008 Financial Crisis.”

Others were the “Rise of Social Media, the Technology boom, the growing concentration of wealth and income within countries, the Global Power shift, the Decline of US/European power and prestige, the Resurgence of Russia, and the Rise of China as a major power.”

On the chart for Democratic Gainers and Losers between 2006 and 2022, countries listed under “declining democracies” included Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, Türkiye, and the US. Nations under “Improving Democracies” were Columbia and Taiwan, for “Oscillating States,” were Argentina, South Korea, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Vietnam, while China, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Myanmar, Russia, were listed as “Worsening Autocracies.”

Under the trends in Political Rights, Rule of Law, and Civil Liberties between 2006 and 2022 across the regions, Sub-Saharan recorded the lowest scores of -18%, -11%, and -3% respectively, while listed under “Failed Democratic Transitions” were Venezuela 2019, Zimbabwe 2016-17, Iran 2009, Arab Spring: Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia; Sudan 2018, Ethiopia 2015, 2018, Myanmar 2011, Malaysia 2018, Algeria 2019, and Lebanon 2019-20.

The lecture also examined Norms versus Institutions that support liberal democracy, with factors that loomed large, including “shallow, eroding normative commitment to democracy (by elites), Eroding public trust in democratic institutions, and declining legitimacy, the demise of civic education, the impact of social media and the coarsening of civic life and Authoritarian propaganda, sharp power, and flooding of the information zone.”

The factors driving “Poor economic and political performance” were listed as “Weak economic growth, inadequate jobs and social safety net, Poor education (long-term deficits of human capital), Corruption, crony capitalism, kleptocracy, Extreme and rising inequality, Declining public order: crime, gangs … and very weak governance.”

The lecture further examined “Attitudes Towards Democracy, Satisfaction with Democracy, Rejection of One-Party State, Rejection of Military Rule, and Rejection of all three Authoritarian Alternatives across regions with selected countries.

In Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa, the four countries covered by the study in Sub-Saharan Africa, there were notable preferences for Democracy against the three Authoritarian alternatives.

Diamond explained that electoral democracy or the conduct of regular elections cannot equate to liberal democracy, which should be measurable not by government or individual performance, but by the aggregation of collective satisfaction of the aspiration of the majority.

His prescriptions for the strengthening of liberal democracy include promoting “cross-national learning, countering incipient democratic backsliding, defeating illiberal populism at the polls, effective policies for equitable and inclusive growth, and countering authoritarian sharp power.”

Other measures are “defeating populism, mobilizing cross-cutting civil society alliances, leading with bread-and-butter issues of the people’s needs and the populist government failure, exposing the corruption of populists' leaders and government, the fraud in its claim to represent the people, identifying reforms to improve democracy, but do not make those the centerpiece of the campaign.”

Diamond said, “Civic nationalism” should be embraced, with democracy and personal freedom made an integral part of what makes the nation great, adding that priority attention should also be given to Legitimacy and Performance in determining policy implications to encourage economic support and investment to promote growth and opportunity.

There should be vigilance against diplomatic pressure and Aid conditionality that could drive democratic backsliding, the lecturer warned, adding that there should also be training for “democratic policing, reviving of civic education in schools and efforts to counter authoritarian propaganda and disinformation.”

He also advocated for a Global Campaign for democracy that should include Project “Democratic Soft Power to promote democratic values, ideas, examples, and institutional designs, in multiple languages and forms.” This is to “counter and expose Authoritarian Sharp Power efforts to penetrate and sway democratic institutions (Universities, Thinktanks, Businesses, Parties, Communities, and Substantial Governments.”

On the influence of money on politics, Diamond suggested the strengthening of laws against foreign influence, including campaign funding, review of inbound Foreign Investment, and support for democratic media.”

To strengthen democratic legitimacy, he called for “improving the performance of democracies, economic and political, strengthening of Global Power Democracies, increasing support for New and Weak Democracies, waging the Global Normative Battle for Democracy, and training Coalitions for anti-corruption and rule of law reforms.”

There should also be “increased assistance to independent media, investigative journalism, and NGOs, to fight corruption and promote good governance reforms, while at the same time using diplomacy to defend civic space, denouncing human rights violations and defending democratic principles.”

Diamond also suggested “investment in public-private partnerships for new tools to defend internet freedom and security, coupled with defense and strengthening of electoral security and integrity with electoral reform (of majoritarian rules), regulation, monitoring, and reform of social media.

There should also be “reforms to combat kleptocracy and money laundering with bridging rather than polarizing campaign strategies with effective policy responses on immigration, jobs, and inequality,” he concluded.

*Ejime, is an Author, Global Affairs Analyst, and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance Communications

The deepening economic challenges in Nigeria and many other African countries have sent leaders and policy makers scampering frantically looking for solutions in foreign lands. President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have made over 20 foreign trips in just 8 months, looking for the elusive foreign investors to help Nigeria. They have appeared at the G20, G8, WEF and other global platforms to position the country as a suitable investment destination. It is the same road travelled by all our previous leaders. But why do Africans always fail to seek for solutions to their problems from within Africa? Can’t Africa help itself? Why are we so eager to run to the very people who contributed to the perils we are in?

These are the core questions that Pan Africanism has sought to answer for over 50 years now; they are the reasons that some university professors from Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world have come together to establish The Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), a civil society think tank for the study and propagation of Pan-Africanism. Pan-Africanism emerged as a response to the long history of the indignities of colonization, enslavement, and systemic oppression and exploitation faced by African people across the globe. TPADI, according to its President, Associate Prof. Effiong Udo of the University of Uyo, is a network of African academics, professionals and civil leaders within Africa and the diaspora, coming together to contribute to the building of developmental policies and practice in Africa. “As a civil society think tank, we take active interest in analyzing policy and practice frameworks of national governments as well as continental and global institutions with a view to advocating for all that which must genuinely benefit Africa and Africans. So, our work revolves around social, economic, political, religious and cultural issues, as well as scientific, environmental, educational, legal, gender and business domains’’, he told this writer.

The African Union defines Pan-Africanism as: “… an ideology and movement that encouraged the solidarity of Africans worldwide. It is based on the belief that unity is vital to economic, social and political progress and aims to 'unify and uplift' people of African descent. The ideology asserts that the fates of all African peoples and countries are intertwined. At its core, Pan-Africanism is “a belief that African peoples both on the continent and in the diaspora, share not merely a common history, but a common destiny.” According to Udo, from the early days of Pan Africanism till today, the advocacy for the unity, solidarity, and empowerment of people of African descent worldwide continues to be a potent force driving discussions on identity, liberation, and socio-political progress of the continent and its people.

The Pan African Dialogue Institute is therefore established to pursue the decolonization of the mind through policy analysis, policy building and advocacy around multi-faceted issues within the threshold of Pan-African principles.
“Our job is to inspire excellence and best practices in Pan Africanism, promote African values of community, hospitality, respect for human and environmental dignity, unity in diversity, love and solidarity with all, as encapsulated in the Ubuntu philosophy’’. We are seeking to reverse the mentality that Africans are not capable of helping themselves and solving their problems. We are seeking to celebrate the unity, resilience and collective identity of people of African descent around the world. And, we want to achieve all that by fostering dialogue and cooperation among individuals, communities, institutions and nations”, said Prof Udo, the Institute’s President.

He laments the seeming lukewarm attitude of African leaders towards Pan Africanism, and wonders why, for example, many African countries, including Nigeria, do not even remember to mark International Africa Day. It is on record that on May 25, 1963, leaders of the then 32 independent African States signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which brought the Organization of African Unity into existence. In 2002, the OAU established its own successor, the African Union, and adopted May 25 every year as a day to celebrate Africa and highlight the continents continued struggle against neocolonialism, exploitation and adversity.

‘’Surprisingly, ever since the day was declared, only nine African countries (The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) are known to observe May 25 as public holiday with celebrations. The other 46 countries, including Nigeria are less aware of this very important day’’, laments Prof Udo in a wide-ranging discussion in his office at the University of Uyo. For the 2024 Africa Day, The Pan African Dialogue Institute (TPADI) is taking the lead to mark the day in a grand ceremony. The institute would be formally launched on that day at the sidelines of the first international conference on “Dialogue and Pan Africanism’’ holding between May 23 and 26 at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The conference is held in collaboration with Centre for Deep Dialogue and Critical Thinking, Directorate of International Programmes and Faculties of Arts, Law, Social Sciences, and Communication and Media Studies of the University of Uyo.

Already, Professor P.L.O Lumumba has confirmed his participation as the keynote speaker at the conference, while plenary speakers will include Prof. Mutombo Nkulu-N’Sengha (DR Congo/USA), Prof. Mary Nyangweso (Kenya/USA), Prof. Emmanuel Akpabio (Nigeria), Amb. Daniel Guttierez (Rep. of Belize), Prof. Joseph Ushie (Nigeria), Dr. Donatus Ukpong (Nigeria), Prof. Chris Ekong (Nigeria), Prof. Peter Esu (Nigeria), Dr. Jean-Louis Ikambana (USA), Prof. Aniekan Brown (Nigeria), Prof. Mojisola Iseyin (Nigeria), Prof. Gabriel Umoh (Nigeria), Dr. Ubong Essien Umoh (Nigeria), among others.

The conference seeks to provide informed Pan-Africanist perspectives on a wide range of issues affecting Africa and its people everywhere in the world. Presenters are invited to explore the trajectories of development in the continent from the lens of Pan-Africanism. It will be interesting to probe the different approaches, theories, philosophies or ideologies that have been adopted at community, national and continental levels by key players to drive developmental efforts. How much have the indigenous knowledge systems and practices been embraced or discarded in propelling the continent towards genuine freedom and development? The transformation of the lingering social, political and economic impasse in the continent requires the critical evaluation of African scholars and professionals toward the achievement of stability, peace, and freedom as envisioned in the 2063 Agenda of the African Union.

President Effiong Udo is full of gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo, Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo and his Management team for embracing the study of Pan-Africanism, and supporting the hosting of the conference.
“We are expecting a host of dignitaries from across Nigeria and the globe, including the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Chairman of the Africa Day events, and the Vice President of Colombia, Her Excellency, Francia Marguez, who had since indicated interest in attending. In this regard, we are working with the Federal Government of Nigeria to actualize the coming of Her Excellency, the Colombian Vice President. We are also hopeful that the Akwa Ibom State Government ably led by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno will be happy to help facilitate the hosting of this global event in Uyo because of the attendance of so many international dignitaries’’, said Prof Udo. His expectation is that with the launch of the institute and the hosting of the international conference, “Nigeria will not only join to keep alive the intellectual dimension of Pan Africanism, but also become a major player in championing the struggle for unity, human and environmental dignity, self-determination and cultural renaissance that are needed for the lasting peace and prosperity of the African people’’.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, has asked President Bola Tinubu to begin the implementation of the Orosanye report by reducing the size of his cabinet.

Naija News reports that the decision to implement the Oronsaye report was taken on Monday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was chaired by President Tinubu.

The Orosanya report recommended, among other things, discontinuing government funding of professional bodies and councils to free funds for capital projects.

It established that there are 541 Federal Government parastatals, commissions and agencies (statutory and non-statutory) and recommended that 263 of the statutory agencies should be reduced to 161, while 38 agencies should be abolished and 52 should be merged.

The panel also recommended that 14 of the agencies should revert to departments in ministries to pave the way for a leaner government.

Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Adegboruwa said the cabinet size was too large, calling on the President to begin the full implementation of the report with the presidency.

Adegboruwa said there is too much wastage within the bureaucracy, which requires urgent curtailing, especially in this era of technological advancement.

The senior lawyer, however, hailed the President for directing the full implementation of the Oronsaye report to reduce the cost of governance.

He said: “I must commend him for the courage to implement that report. There is too much wastage within the bureaucracy especially now in the deployment of technology.

“There is a lot that can be achieved through such harmonisation. But the president must start the implementation from his cabinet. Charity should begin at home.

“The size of the present cabinet is unwieldy. For him to embark on the implementation of the Oronsaye report concerning other agencies and leave the presidency in the bloated manner it is will not achieve the desired purpose.

“The president should set a good example by merging all those ministries that have no impact.

“The president should also cut the number of aides that follow him on official trips. That is the right message to send to the people of Nigeria.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that it would present a Certificate of Return to its Edo State governorship candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, today (Tuesday).

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

The statement said the party also commended all leaders, critical stakeholders, and members in Edo State for the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship primary election.

The statement read, “Following the successful completion of the Edo State governorship primary election and the ratification of the exercise by the appeal panel, the National Working Committee of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, hereby announces the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Dr Asuerinme Ighodalo, the elected candidate of our party for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

“The Certificate Presentation ceremony is scheduled as follows: Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024; Venue: National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja; Time: 12 noon.

“The national leadership of the PDP commends all leaders, critical stakeholders, and members of our party in Edo State for the peaceful and successful conduct of our governorship primary election in the state.

“The NWC charges all members to be guided by the above-stated date and time and continue to work together to ensure victory for our party and candidate in the forthcoming election.”

The party was, however, silent about the fate of the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, who emerged as the candidate in a parallel primary held on the same day.

The Federal Government on Monday said it would extend its social security payments net to graduates with qualifications from NCE and upwards.

Addressing journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun, disclosed that the programme would see unemployed Nigerian youths being paid stipends.

“At this period of heightened food prices, Mr. President has committed to doing all that can be done to assist in giving purchasing power to the poorest and in that line.

“He has committed and instructed that the Social Security unemployment programme be devised, particularly to cater for the youth, for the unemployed graduates, as well as the society as a whole.

“So, we have coming, in the nearest future, an unemployment benefit for the young unemployed, in particular,” the Minister announced.

Similarly, Edun said the FG will urgently establish a consumer credit scheme to alleviate the pains of economic adjustment.

He explained that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, will lead a committee that includes the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Attorney-General of the Federation and himself, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

“There is coming a social consumer credit programme. By making consumer credit available, goods become more affordable, the economy even gets a chance to revive faster, because people have purchasing power that allows them to order goods, products,” he stated.

Edun also spoke on the review implemented by the Special Presidential panel on the National Social Investment Programme, which has submitted a preliminary report to the president.

He noted that the president gave the highlights to the Council meeting noting that what was done was “a review of the existing mechanisms, a review of the existing programmes, and where there have been successes, such as the 400,000 beneficiaries of the GEEP programme.”

He added, “So, the direct payments to 12 million households comprising 60 million Nigerians is to resume immediately with the important proviso that every beneficiary will be identified by their national identity number and the bank verification number.

“Therefore, payments will be made into bank accounts or mobile money wallets. So, that whether it is before or after, there is verification of the identity of beneficiaries.

“Each person that receives 25,000 Naira for a total of three months will be identifiable, even after they have received the money, it will be clear who it went to and when it went to them. And that is the big change that has allowed Mr. president to approve the restart of that direct payments to beneficiaries programme.”

On his part, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijjani, explained that beneficiaries would be vetted through their Bank Verification Number and National Identity Numbers to avoid multiple payouts to one individual.

He said, “One of the initial moves that we’re making is leveraging the existing dataset that we have on our people. As you know, the BVN is well known to be extremely credible. NIN on the other side, which is now the most popular data identity system for Nigeriansm, is also to a largest and credible, and it covers quite a significant number of people as well.

“And what we’re looking to do here is the triangulation of this data set to ensure that not only are we using the register that has been properly populated, but that we also do proper verification of every individual that will benefit from that social investment programme, which means we will get commitment to ensuring that no one is paid twice, because you have to be properly IDed before you can benefit from that programme.”

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Monday said the current salaries of federal lawmakers cannot take them home to do the jobs they were elected to do.

While stressing that the take home pay of the average lawmaker is a ‘far cry’ from what people insinuate, Kalu called for understanding, saying the call for the slashing of their salary by 50 per cent is not the solution to the current problem.

The deputy speaker spoke when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday.

Kalu said, “At the moment, talking about the salary of the National Assembly. I have said this over and again, it is not as much as people think. Salary is different from allowance, which is meant to do the jobs our constituents have sent us to do.

“Nobody is allowed to touch allowances. It is the salary that belongs to you. Allowances have no subheadings for which they are made for. If you use it wrongly, when you are retiring it, you will be sanctioned for that.

“So talking about the salaries of the National Assembly, it is a far cry from what is supposed to be. And I can assure you that even if we reduce it by 50 per cent or 80 per cent, it will not really impact what the Nigerian lawmakers should be earning, which does not go in tandem with the economic situation of the country.

“I can assure you that based on economic indices at the moment, inflation rate and the rest of them, the amount members of the National Assembly receive cannot actually take them home to do their their jobs in their various constituencies.

“Considering the cost of transport, running constituency offices and the number of maintaining aides who are supposed to have you achieve what the mandate of that office demands, it is not a discussion that will add value to the crisis we are faced with.

“But I can assure you they will be willing to adjust. If that is what will move Nigeria to the next level, why not? After all, we did not send ourselves there. We were voted in by the constituents.”

The Abia politician also praised President Bola Tinubu for having the courage to order the full implementation of the 2012 recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye panel.

Tinubu had directed that a committee be constituted to implement the mergers, scrapping and relocations of the 541 parastatals, commissions, and agencies owned by the Federal Government within 12 weeks.

“Like you rightly pointed out, you mentioned cutting cost of governance. This shows that when you look at the President’s body language and determination, he is intentional about reducing the cost of running the government. If he’s not, he will not be looking for that document.

“I want to thank him for (that) because some of the issues mentioned in that report, we are going to use them as source materials for the work we are doing on Constitution review. And we’re happy that Mr President is forward thinking for him to embrace that report. He means well for Nigeria, especially during this period when we are facing a lot of challenges. In reducing the cost of running government, the need for it cannot be overemphasised,” he stated.

...as police deploy anti-riot squad 

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed anti-riot operatives in strategic locations ahead of today’s nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the economic crunch in the country.

The force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained on Monday that policemen had been placed on red alert.

The Presidency and the police authorities had on Sunday warned the NLC against carrying out the protest which was thumbed down by the Trade Union Congress and 65 civil society groups.

But the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, insisted that the demonstration would go on as planned, hinging his decision on the economic situation and hardship in the country.

The NLC is protesting the government’s alleged failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against the widespread hardship in the country

However, Adejobi in a statement said the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the state commissioners of police to protect the protesters.

He expressed the police’s commitment to ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights and freedom to engage in protest.

Adejobi, in the statement, said while the police recognised the importance of the protest, the agency remained vigilant to prevent any attempts to hijack the protests, noting that officers would also curb any attempts to create unrest, as the police would not tolerate a breakdown of law and order.

He stated, “While recognising the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intents.

“Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.

“It is vital to state that the police have spread their tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage the nationwide protests to create brouhaha, and such will be met with approved legal and proportional force as the police will not allow the wanton breakdown of law and order, loss of lives and property like we had experienced, in some instances, in the past, in some parts of the country,’’ Adejobi stated.

The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Police Force on the heels of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress hereby affirms the fundamental right of all citizens of the country to engage in peaceful protest in line with extant laws.

“As such, the NPF reiterates its commitment to ensuring the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.

“In line with its lawful duty to maintain law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.

“All commissioners of police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on the ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.’’

In a move to ensure a peaceful rally, the Delta, Benue, and Niger State police commands have met with labour leaders to strategise for a hitch-free protest.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Abaniwonda Olufemi, has ordered massive deployment of personnel across the state to ensure adequate security and safety during the protest in line with the IG’s directive.

A statement on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bright Edafe, said the CP warned all intending protesters that “anyone found wanting will be immediately arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The statement explained that the CP, during an interaction with area commanders, tactical commanders and divisional police officers directed them to put in place measures to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

It read, “As part of measures to ensure that the protest is seamless, the CP had stakeholders meeting with the leaders of NLC, TUC and IPMAN on 22nd February 2024, and discussed measures to achieve a peaceful protest.

“The CP stated that it is the primary responsibility of the police to ensure the protection of life and property which includes the security of protesters, but also reiterated that citizens’ right to protest is a right to peaceful protest. Violent protest is criminal and will not be tolerated.

“The CP directed the State Intelligence Department to deploy undercover operatives who will monitor and report back findings.’’

Edafe disclosed that additional manpower had been drawn from various tactical teams including the Safer Highway, Dragon Patrol, Safe Delta, Raiders Unit, Rapid Response Squad, Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, CD-Decoy, CP Monitoring Unit, State Anti-Cult Unit, Crack Squad, X-Squad, and the Department of Operations, area commands and divisions.’’

In a similar development, the Niger State police command and the Department of State Services Monday held separate meetings with the leadership of the labour leaders over the protest.

During the meeting which was held at the police headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmamman, stressed the need for a peaceful protest.

The state NLC Chairman, Idrees Lafene, who confirmed the parleys, said the DSS warned the labour leaders against going on strike and that they would be held responsible for any security breach during the protest.

The command’s spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement, said the police have beefed up security and deployed tactical teams across the state.

He also revealed that security had been strengthened around critical infrastructure, government offices, banks, police stations and other public assets.

Abiodun told the organised labour that “despite having the right of peaceful protest, which the police must protect, the protesters must ensure that all processions are conducted within the ambit of the law.”

According to him, in the process of exercising their rights, the protesters must not violate other people’s rights.

“They must conduct themselves in a very civilized manner devoid of unruly character as the police will be on the ground to provide security and subdue anyone or group of persons who may want to use such an avenue to cause a breach of public peace.”

Abiodun equally urged parents and guardians to warn their wards against any act of violence during the protest.

In a related development, the Bayelsa State Police said they would protect public assets during the rally and ensure that it was not hijacked by miscreants.

The Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Idu, in a statement titled, ‘CP deploys police personnel and assets across the state’, issued by the spokesperson for the command, Musa Mohammed, on Monday, said he has ordered a massive deployment of police assets across the state.

“The deployment is to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums. The CP during an interaction with the area commanders, tactical commanders and divisional police officers directed them to emplace measures to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“As part of the measures to ensure that the protest is hitch-free, the CP had a stakeholder meeting with the leaders of NLC and TUC on the 26th February 2024 and discuss measures to achieve a peaceful protest,’’ the statement said.

Idu said it was the right of citizens to protest peacefully just as the police had the obligation to protect lives and property “by regulation and social harmony.”

He warned that “Anyone who tries to turn the protest from its peaceful intent to violence would be restrained and arraigned before the court for prosecution.”

The police commissioner assured all residents to go about their lawful duties without fear or harassment as law enforcement machinery was in place to guarantee social harmony and stability in the state.

Also speaking on the scheduled protest, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire-Adeyemi Adetoun, disclosed that the command will mobilise men and officers to guarantee a peaceful rally.

Revealing their plans for today’s protest, the Benue State NLC Chairman, Terungwa Igbe, disclosed that labour leaders met with the police and DSS on Monday.

“We are right now at the police headquarters, (Makurdi). They invited us and we are here based on their invitation. We just finished with DSS and now at police headquarters,’’ he said but declined to disclose what transpired at the meetings.

In a move to ensure a large turnout, the Ogun, Plateau, Sokoto NLC chapters said they have mobilised their members for the rally which said would be held as planned.

The Ogun State Chairman of NLC, Hammed Ademola-Benco, stated that the union was going ahead with the planned protest.

He said only the leadership of the 40 affiliates would participate in the rally and not the workforce, adding that the workers would still be at their various duty posts.

He stated, “The protest rally is to further draw the attention of the government to the issues of hunger, insecurity and the continued rise in poverty across the country.

“We have sent out our letters already to mobilise the 40 affiliates of the union to join in the procession. This is not a strike; workers will still be at their duty posts.

“We have received assurance of police coverage during the rally. We don’t have a problem with the security agencies and we equally have a governor showing lots of understanding, so we are good to go by the special grace of God.”

The NLC in Plateau State also said it was ready for the rally, adding that its members were eager to hit the streets.

The state chairman of the congress, Eugene Mangji, also disclosed that the labour leaders in the state met with the police authorities on Monday.

Mangji said, “We don’t have any problem here in Plateau regarding the planned protest because we will go ahead with the protest. Our NLC secretariat is not sealed by the police.”

The Sokoto State chapter of the NLC is also ready to protest the economic situation in the country, according to its Chairman, Abdullahi Jungle.

Jungle who spoke through his secretary, Hamisu Hussain, said the union held a meeting with the security agencies to agree on the modalities for the protest.

“As you can see, we were just coming back from the office of the DSS and commissioner of police to discuss on our proposed protest.

“We have discussed with them and they too have agreed with us on the modalities, by the special grace of God, we’ll embark on the protests tomorrow (today),” he added.

In Lagos, CP Adegoke Fayoade met with various security agencies to strategise ahead of the rally just as the spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin dismissed reports that the police sealed the NLC secretariat.

Hundeyin told the News Agency of Nigeria that the CP went to the NLC secretariat to address protesters, giving reasons for the heightened security in hotspots around Lagos on Monday.

Heavily armed police operatives were seen at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota and other parts of Lagos in readiness for the planned protest by organised labour.

Less than 24 hours before the protest, the Trade Union Congress again insisted that it was not part of today’s protest declared by the NLC.

The labour centre had a letter dated February 19 said the decision to protest on February 27 and 28 as announced by the NLC was not taken collectively by both unions.

Fielding questions on the planned protest, the TUC President, Festus Usifo, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, explained, “When you agree jointly that is the way to go and along the line, you now decide that you are not doing it again.’’

“Comrades, can any of you show us where there is any agreement for us coming together? Whenever we are doing things together you always see us together addressing you. On that particular day, did you see any members of TUC there?”

The congress also urged the Federal Government to order the importation of food items to cushion the effect of hardship in the country.

The president added that “national pride of striving to achieve food sufficiency locally should be temporarily relaxed.”

He advised, “Nigerians must live to see tomorrow before we can understand how beautiful a government policy is.

“Governments at all levels should immediately purchase sufficient quantities of food items from different parts of the world and share them with vulnerable Nigerians.

“Importing food abroad at this point will assist to reduce the hyper-inflation of food in the country. FG should allow the importation of food items for Nigerians consumption within the next two weeks.”

The TUC leadership also called for the passage and implementation of a new minimum wage law that reflects the current economic realities.

According to him, the Federal Government’s economic team should work towards a more realistic rate of the naira to dollar, which they pegged between N500 and N800 to the dollar.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of the Labour Civil Society Front, have declared their support for the protest.

The CSOs urged its members and allies across the country to join the protest against what it described as the “unmitigated sufferings and impoverishment of Nigerians foisted by the mindless implementation of dehumanising policies of the government.”

The coalition clarified that its decision to join the protest was not politically or ethnically motivated.

This was contained in a statement on Monday co-signed by the Spokespersons of the LCSF, Nkoyo Toyo, the United Action Front of Civil Society, Hamisu San Turaki, and the Convener of the Country First Movement, Chris Nwakobia.

In the joint statement, the coalition stated that its endorsement of the protest was to compel the government to take immediate action on the general insecurity of lives and properties of Nigerians, the abject poverty of Nigerians, pervading crimes and kidnappings for ransom, and the high cost of healthcare services and drugs, among others.

Part of the statement read, “The Labour – Civil Society Front, a coalition of eminent civil society leaders and groups collaborating with the Labour movement on pro-people, pro-poor issues in Nigeria, is once again, compelled at this point to state unequivocally that we are unwavering in our support to the organized Labour and therefore fully endorse the nationwide mass protest on hardship slated to hold on Tuesday, 27th and Wednesday, 28th February 2024.

‘’Consequently, we urge our teeming members and allies across Nigeria to join and participate fully in the peaceful national protest to draw the government’s attention to the unmitigated sufferings and impoverishment of Nigerians foisted by the mindless implementation of dehumanizing economic policies of governments at both national and sub-national levels of the country.

‘’For us, this is the time to ask the government of President Tinubu to halt this avoidable slide, act in the overarching interest of the masses by listening to their demands and draw immediate positive actions that go beyond countless unpredictable cosmetic palliatives to its primary obligation to protect lives and property and ensure the welfare and wellbeing of all citizens”.

Committee To Effect Restructuring Of Agencies In 12 Weeks

Yesterday, the federal government announced that it was set to begin the implementation of the Stephen Oronsaye report, about 12 years after it was first put together.

In a move long-awaited by many Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the implementation of the Oronsaye Report, a blueprint for restructuring federal agencies and commissions.

Addressing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said,  “So, in a very bold move today, this administration, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consistent again with his courage to take very far-reaching decisions in the interest of Nigeria, has taken a decision to implement the so-called Oronsaye Report.⁣

“Now, what that means is that a number of agencies, commissions, and some departments have actually been scrapped. Some have been modified, and marked while others have been subsumed. Others, of course, have also been moved from some ministries to others where the government feels they will operate better.” ⁣

Also speaking, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, said Tinubu’s directive was in line with the need to reduce the cost of governance and streamline efficiency across the governance value chain.

Also, to be merged or scrapped, according to the report, are the Standards Organisation of Nigeria; the Consumer Protection Council (CPC); the National Orientation Agency (NOA); the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR), the National Troupe and the National Theatre and the National Gallery of Arts; and Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

Others are the Nigeria Leather Science Technology, the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), the FIIRO, NASENI, NCAM; the National Rural Electrification Agency (NREA), the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN).

Also affected are the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA); Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR); National Economic Recovery Fund (NERFUND); National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA); Nigerian Institute for Education Planners and Administrators; National Metallurgical Development Centre Jos; and National Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG) Jos.

Also are Nigerian Geological Survey; National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA); National Productivity Centre; Nigerian Copyright Commission; NTA, FRCN, Voice of Nigeria; National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Roll-Back Malaria, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Also for merger include: 

1. The National Agency for the Control of HIV Aids (NACA) to be merged with the Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the Federal Ministry of Health.
2. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to be merged with the National Commission for Refugee, Migration and Internally Displaced Persons.
3. The Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa to be merged with the Directorate of Technical Aid with a function as a Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. The Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission to be with Bureau for Public enterprises.
5. The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission to be merged with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council.
6. The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure to be merged with National Centre for Agriculture Mechanisation and the Project Development Institute.
7. The National Biotechnology Development Agency to be merged with the National Centre for Genetic Resource and Biotechnology.
8. The National Institute for leather science Technology to be merged with the National Institute for Chemical Technology.
9. The Nomadic Education Commission to be merged with the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult Education and Non Formal Education.
10. The Federal Radio Corporation to be merged with the Voice of Nigeria.
11. The National Commission for Museums and Monument to be merged with National Gallery of Arts.
12. The National Theater to be merged with the National Troupe of Nigeria.
13. The National Metrological Development Centre to be merged with the National Metrological Training Institute.
14. The Nigerian Army University, Biu, to be merged with the Nigerian Defence Academy to function as a faculty within the Nigerian Defence Academy.
15. Air Force Institute of Technology also to be merged with the Nigerian Defence Academy to function as a faculty of Nigerian Defence Academy.

Those to be subsumed include:

1. The Service Compact of Nigeria, Servicom to be subsumed to function as a department under the Bureau for Public Service Reforms.
2. The Border Communitied Development Agency to be subsumed to function as a department under the National Boundaries Commission.
3. The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to be subsumed into the Revenue Mobilisation, and Fiscal Allocation Commission.
4. The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution to be subsumed under the Institute for International Affairs.
5. The Public Complaints Commission to be subsumed under the National Human Rights Commission.
6. The Nigerian Institute for Triponosomiases to be subsumed into the Institute for Veterinary Research.
7. The National Medicine Development Agency to be subsumed under the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.
8. National Intelligence Agency Pention Commission to be subsumed under the Nigerian Pension Commission.

Agencies to be re-located:

1. The Niger Delta Power Holding Company to be relocated to the Ministry of Power.
2. The National Agricultural Land Development Agency to be relocated to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
3. The National Blood Service Commission to be converted into an agency and relocated to the Ministry of Health.
4. The Nigerian Diaspora Commission to be converted into an agency and to be relocated to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

here are 12 highlights of the original version of the much talked about document.

•Scrapping and merging of 220 out of the existing 541 government agencies at the time the report was prepared.

•Management audit of 89 agencies, capturing biometric features of staff as well as the discontinuation of government funding for professional bodies/councils.

•Merging of Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) with Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to be called Public Enterprises and Infrastructural Concession Commission (PEICC).

•Fusing of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and National Commission for Refugees (NCF) to be called the National Emergency and Refugee Management Commission (NERMC).

•Merging of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the Voice of Nigeria (VON) under one management called the Federal Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria (FBCN).

•Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to become an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

•Among the 38 federal agencies to be abolished, also include: Public Complaints Commission, National Poverty Eradication Programme, Utilities Charges Commission, National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, National Intelligence Committee etc.

•In addition, 14 agencies are to be fused into ministries where they were created from, while the Debt Management Office (DMO) is to return to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Public Health Department is expected to go back to the Federal Ministry of Health

•The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) will become a department in the Nigeria Police Force, also, the Universal Basic Education Commission, Nomadic Education Commission, and National Mass Literacy Commission, the report said, are performing overlapping functions and should be brought under one body.

•If the 800-page document is implemented in its original form, at least 102 heads of agencies and parastatals are expected to lose their jobs.

•At the time, Oronsaye said that that if the committee’s recommendation was implemented, the government would save over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015.

While N124.8 billion would be reduced from agencies proposed for abolition, at the time, about N100.6 billion was to be saved from agencies proposed for mergers; about N6.6 billion from professional bodies; N489.9 billion from universities; N50.9 billion from polytechnics; N32.3 billion from colleges of education and N616 million from boards of federal medical centres.

•Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are expected to be merged if the report is implemented in its original form.