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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria would have been much better and occupied a place of pride in the world but for its problem of self-centred leadership.
Apart from being self-centred, Nigerian leaders, according to Obasanjo, also have a knowledge deficit.
The former President spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital during the 2024 edition of the Leadership Empowerment International Conference.
The conference featured the conferment of Doctor of Leadership and Theology awards on some Nigerians by South-African-based Immanuel Theology Institute International in conjunction with Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc. based in Nigeria.
“There is no end to leadership and service to your community until you breathe the last. And you can never be too old to be a leader and to give something to the community in which you lead and serve as a leader, to serve your state, your country, the continent and the world.
“And if you asked me in one word, what is the bane of Nigeria today? I will not think about it twice. I will say it is leadership. Leadership that is self-centred, leadership that is a deficit in knowledge and understanding and leadership that does not see service as the centrepiece of what leadership is all about.
“If we can get the leadership right, we will get all other things right. That is what Prof. Olusesi Obateye is doing, which is commendable and very good. We must encourage and inculcate good leadership into every level of our national life,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo commended the International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative, Prof. Olusesi Obateye, and the President of the South Africa-based institute, Prof.Van Den Berg Edward Alfred, for recognising and encouraging some Nigerians with leadership capacities.
Earlier, Obateye, who spoke on the theme of the conference “Responsible And Responsive Leadership,” lamented the dearth of good leaders, saying it was responsible for Nigeria’s under-development almost 64 years after independence.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Obasanjo said Nigeria’s problems would continue to defy solutions until the country began to feed itself.
He stated this when a delegation from Niger State, comprising commissioners and Special Advisers to Governor Mohammed Bago, paid him a courtesy visit in his Abeokuta, Ogun State home at the weekend.
Governor Bago’s Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, made this known on Sunday in a press statement.
“The former President expressed his admiration for Bago’s initiative, likening it to his own ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ policy of 1976. He emphasised that with modern equipment now available, the impact of such initiatives can be even greater than before.
“Obasanjo highlighted the critical importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, stating, ‘Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will persist. A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a time bomb’.
“He urged other state governors to follow Niger State’s lead in agricultural development to ensure that Nigeria can produce the majority of its own food,” Wakaso stated.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the former President encouraged Niger State to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to enhance existing practices, expressing his intention to visit Niger State with his team to learn from their progress and exchange ideas to improve and add value to his own agricultural endeavors.
“Obasanjo also advised Nigerians to consider investing in soilless farming, warning that with the current rate of land use, Nigeria could soon face a shortage of arable land. He stressed that innovative farming techniques are essential to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity,” she stated
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued permits to Golden Penny Power Limited, MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy, and others for mini-grid electricity generation.
The NERC said it issued nine new off-grid generation licences in the first quarter of 2024 with a gross capacity of 109.69 megawatts and three new trading licences.
According to a report by the commission, Golden Penny Power Limited got a licence to build six off-grid gas plants in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Cross River states. The total capacity is 100MW.
Also, MTN was granted a permit to build four captive generation plants across Lagos State with 15.94MW capacity.
Aside from MTN, SweetCo Foods Limited, African Steel Mills Nigeria Limited, West African Ceramics Limited, Royal Engineered Stones Limited, and Armilo Plastics Limited were permitted to generate captive power.
“Captive power generation permits are issued to entities that aim to own and maintain power plants for generating power for consumption and not for sale to a third party. The commission issued nine captive power generation permits in 2024/Q1 with a total nameplate capacity of 52.57MW.
Our correspondent gathered that other licensed companies for mini-grids are Daybreak Power Solutions, TIS Renewable Energy Limited, Auro Nigeria Private Limited, Watts Exchange Limited, Centum Dopemu Energy Services Ltd, DMD Electric Limited Lagos State.
Section 165(1)(m) of the Electricity Act 2023 permits the commission to award licence of mini-grid concessions to renewable energy companies to exclusively serve a specific geographical location indicating aggregate electricity to be generated and distributed from a site with the obligation to serve customers to request service.
Under this, the commission said it has continued to encourage the development and utilisation of renewable energy by issuing permits and registration certificates for mini-grid development.
A permit is issued to a mini-grid developer for the construction, operation, maintenance, and where applicable ownership of mini-grids with distribution capacity above 100 kilowatts and generation capacity up to 1MW.
The commission disclosed that it issues registration certificates to a mini-grid developer for one or more systems with distribution capacity below 100kW.
“Following the satisfactory evaluation of mini-grid applications, the commission issued three mini-grid permits and two registration certificates in 2024/Q1,” the NERC stated.
During the period under review, NERC stated that it certified six Meter Service Providers, including four meter installers and two meter manufacturers.
A Meter Service Provider is an entity certified by the commission as a manufacturer, supplier, vendor, or installer of electric energy meters and/or metering systems.
A Meter Asset Provider is an entity that is granted a permit by the commission to provide metering services with roles that may include meter financing, procurement, supply, installation, maintenance, and replacement.
The certified meter service providers are Genobet Limited (installer), Mojec Meter Asset Management (installer), Epagad International Services Limited (installer), Abdulrahman Ahmadu Zubairu (installer), Smart Meters Company Limited (manufacturer), and Crestflow Energy Limited (manufacturer).
The commission also said it issued one regulation and 36 new Orders in 2024/Q1. They include NERC–R–001–2024 — Eligible Customer Regulations, 2024; NERC/2023/023—NERC/2023/033 — Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024 for the Distribution Companies; and NERC/2023/034 — MYTO 2024 for the Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc.
Other are NERC/2023/035 — Order on Performance Improvement Plan of the Transmission Company of Nigeria; NERC/2024/001 — Order on the Regulatory Intervention in Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc; NERC/2024/004 – NERC/2024/014 — Order on Noncompliance with Capping of Estimated Bill by DisCos for the period January – September 2023; and NERC/2024/016 – NERC/2024/036 — February 2024 Supplementary Order to the Multi-Year Tariff Order for the Discos.
During the quarter, the commission issued 36 orders to guide the activities of licensees.
Due to the current economic crunch in the country, payments by Nigerian students for the new academic session starting in September, this year, in universities in the United Kingdom have dropped by 65 per cent compared to last year, a report by the Financial Times of London has said.
The report also indicated that payments by students from India also dropped by 44 per cent, compared to last August.
The two nations are among the top three contributors to the League of International Students in the United Kingdom.
The paper, quoting data from Enroly, a web platform used by one in three international students for managing enrolment, said there was a 35 per cent drop in deposits for places on UK university courses overall by foreign students this month, compared to August 2023.
‘’Some will likely need to take further significant action to secure their financial sustainability,’’ said Paul Kett, senior education and skills adviser at PwC UK.
The number of international students applying to UK universities has remained far below recent levels, despite signs of a slight recovery this month, leaving some institutions facing financial crisis.
This shows a slight improvement in May when the drop was 57 per cent, compared with a year earlier.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said last month that the new Labour government wanted to welcome international students.
She criticised the negative rhetoric of the previous Conservative administration which successive Tory ministers had deployed as they tried to cut overall migration figures.
The data showed a significant decline in students from Nigeria and India, two of the three largest international markets for UK universities.
Deposits from Nigerian students fell by 65 per cent, and from Indian, students were down by 44 per cent, when compared to August 2023.
Smaller markets, such as Kenya and Nepal, showed increased demand against a year ago.
Jeffrey Williams, Enroly’s Chief Executive, said the “early signs” of recovery reflected efforts by the new government to stabilise immigration policy.
“Concerns regarding the potential elimination of the postgraduate route work visa have been assuaged,” he said, adding that this had been helped by “continued political uncertainty” in other markets such as Australia and Canada.
Harry Anderson, Deputy Director of Universities UK International, the sector lobby group, said the international environment remained volatile for universities as they continued to look to diversify the range of countries from which they recruit students.
Labour has so far retained the Conservative’s ban on most graduate students bringing family members, which Anderson said would still present competitive challenges for UK institutions.
“Most of our competitor destinations do allow students to bring their family members, and most of the growth in recent years has been in postgraduate taught courses where students typically tend to be older and have family members.
“Still, the hope is that stability signalled by the new government will benefit the next admissions cycle after the turbulence of the last 18 months. But the sector needs to be working hard with embassies to communicate this,” Anderson added.
The regulator, the Office for Students, has already started to prepare for a potential wave of university insolvencies, advertising for a contract of up to £4million for professional services companies to handle restructuring programmes.
It made the move after financial accounts revealed over-optimistic assumptions about the growth of overseas’ recruitment in the next few years.
In its annual report this May the OfS accused universities of “optimism bias” for using projections of 35 per cent growth in international entrants in 2022-26.
Meanwhile, a recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s balance of payment compilation spanning the first six months of 2023, showed that Nigerians spent $896.09million on foreign education, with a large chunk going to the UK.
Foundation courses in the UK go for between £10,000 and £15,000 and an average student would need about £8,000 for other expenses yearly.
Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa state, says Nigeria’s woes stem from its leaders, and not the country’s constitution.
Lamido said this in reaction to a call by The Patriots, a group of elder statesmen who visited President Bola Tinubu and canvassed for a new constitution.
Emeka Anyaoku, former secretary-general of the Commonwealth, who led the group, had urged the president to convene a constituent assembly to draft a people-centred constitution for the country.
In an interview with THISDAY on Sunday, Lamido said the flaws in the 1999 Constitution’s implementation are a result of human error, not inherent weaknesses in the constitution.
“If you see smoke from the chimney and it is polluting the entire environment, and it is very black and you are choking from the smoke, what you have to do is to find out where the smoke is coming out from,” the former governor said.
“Don’t blame the chimney; calm down and find out the source of the smoke. Find out the problem and deal with it. The symptoms are only a manifestation of something that has gone wrong. Why do you blame the constitution?
“The constitution does not reason like human beings. It cannot contain every solution to your problems. It is supposed to guide you and not solve your problems.
“The people who are supposed to operate and implement the constitution are Nigerians. Now tell me who is doing the right thing in Nigeria: From the motor parks to the schools to the banks.
“So why are we running away from our own shadow? How many constitutions do we need to have before we get it right? After any problem, we shout ‘amend the constitution.’ How many new constitutions do we need to have?
“So no matter what you write as a constitution, so long as the operation is subverted, it can’t work. Look at the country, people are fighting each other: in the south-east, south-west, south-south, north-east, north-west. Clans are fighting each other; anywhere you go, people are fighting each other. Is it the constitution or because of the operators?
“It is not the constitution; it is the operation of the constitution. There is no perfect human being or perfect constitution anywhere in the world but we the operators.
“In other climes, constitutions become good through the way they are managed. So we cannot run away from our shadows. No matter how fast you run, your shadow will follow you.”
Lamido added that the country’s challenges “lie in the attitude and character of those who operate the constitution”.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the national assembly to disclose the total amount paid to lawmakers as “running costs”.
Recently, there has been public discourse on salaries and allowances of the 469 members of the house of representatives and senate.
Last Wednesday, Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano south, told BBC Hausa that he receives N21 million monthly as “running costs”.
Sumaila said the salary of a senator is about N1 million.
The senator’s comment came days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo accused federal lawmakers of fixing their salaries and allowances — a claim the senate has denied.
In a statement on Saturday, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s deputy director, asked the leadership of the national assembly to “promptly disclose the exact amount of the monthly running costs of millions of naira currently being paid to and received by members of the national assembly and the spending details of any such running costs”.
He said the alleged practice of paying money meant for “running costs” to the personal accounts of lawmakers amounts to corruption, which should be investigated.
“The allegations that members of the national assembly are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional oath of office and the object and purpose of the UN convention against corruption to which Nigeria is a state party,” the statement reads.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and other members of the national assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Accounting for and returning any misused or mismanaged running costs collected by members of the national assembly would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.
“Accounting for and returning any misused or mismanaged running costs collected would also enhance the ability of the lawmakers to effectively and efficiently discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.”
… Absolves NNPCL, NMDPRA Of Alleged Favouritism
Matrix Energy has refuted claims that it is behind the importation of substandard petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel and Jet A-1 fuel, from Malta and Russia.
A recent publication by a newspaper (Not This platform) alleged that Matrix Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, who is a member of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), was linked to the surge in imports from the countries.
This has sparked thousands of comments on microblogging sites X, with ‘Malta’ and ‘Dangote’ trending on the platform on Saturday.
The report said in 2023, Nigeria’s petroleum importation from Malta surged significantly to $2.8bn as against zero between 2017 and 2022, and a mere $13.32m in 2016.
The report alleged, “Matrix — which has three old ships (Matrix Pride, Matrix Triumph, and Matrix S.ILU) — reportedly loads diesel products exported from Russia in Lome, Togo.
“It is understood that the diesel from Russia is typically off-spec and is often corrected in places like Lome and Malta through blending with other components.”
This allegation was first brought up by Dangote Group when their Founder and Chairman, Aliko Dangote, claimed that oil traders and terminals have opened a blending plant in Malta.
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, further accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of indiscriminately licensing traders to import “dirty” diesel and jet fuel into the country.
This was after he failed to secure feedstock arrangement for his refinery — Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals —, resulting in alleged blackmail against the government to bend rules in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, according to experts.
In response to the claims made against its CEO, 20-year-old Matrix described the allegations as “lies” aimed at destroying the firm’s reputation as well as that of its CEO and founder.
Matrix Energy also absolved the NMDPRA and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) of any wrongdoing.
Matrix Energy clarified that the NMDPRA is the sole regulatory body empowered by the PIA 2021 to issue import licenses and enforce the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) product specifications adding that the company has never compromised quality or sabotaged the country.
Matrix said, “Matrix Energy has consistently imported products that meet the approved specifications, and we have never been found wanting in this regard. Our commitment to quality is reflected in the fact that none of our customers have ever rejected our products; indeed, demand for Matrix products often exceeds our capacity to supply, a testament to our reputation for reliability. This success is equally reflected in our fertilizer businesses.
“Our depots boast a storage capacity of 150 million liters of liquid products, including LPG and bitumen. However, contrary to the claims made in the aforementioned publication, we did not discharge 200,000 metric tons of PMS into our facility in July 2024.
“While we have the capacity and customer base to handle such volumes, Matrix Energy has never imported or distributed any substandard cargo in our two decades of operation. Our quality test has never been doubted by the regulators and Nigerians who have found a partner in us.”
The NNPCL on August 5, 2024 introduced its Utapate crude oil blend from OML 13 and the state-owned company has exported its first shipment.
Matrix said, “NNPC traditionally tenders its free crude cargoes, and any company that wins the tender is operating within the law. Matrix Energy like other companies also won the tenders. As a people-oriented company that operates above board and in line with international best practices, we welcome constructive criticisms.
“Our Chief Executive Officer, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu is a talented and dedicated Nigerian with the right to associate freely as well as trade freely in any part of the world. Like he stated in his presentation before the Nigerian Senate, we are not aware that Nigerian companies have been banned from bringing in legitimate and standard products from outside the country and until such is done, we will continue to serve the public with best quality products.”
The firm said its CEO is deeply committed to making a positive impact adding “his selection by Mr. President to serve as a member of the Economic Coordination Council is a recognition of his dedication to shared values and his commitment to the betterment of Nigeria.”
The company said it will not relent in its commitment to supporting Nigeria by ensuring the availability of petroleum products at competitive prices.
President Bola Tinubu has directed that only authorised officials with justifiable reasons should attend the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
The 79th session of the UN General Assembly, set to commence on September 10, 2024, will cover a wide range of global issues, including sustainable development, economic growth, and international cooperation.
The meeting’s provisional agenda seen by THE WHISTLER comprises 178 items, including climate change, human rights, peacekeeping operations, and international security, among others.
The directive, aimed at reducing unnecessary expenditures, was announced by the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a retreat at the State House on Saturday.
During the one-day retreat organised for heads of government agencies under the supervision of the State House management, Gbajabiamila said the directive was in line with the president’s commitment to prudent resource management and reduction of overall cost of governance.
According to him, the upcoming 79th session of the UN General Assembly will be a test of President Tinubu’s policy directive on reduction in cost of governance.
”I just discussed with the President this afternoon. In the next few weeks, we are going to see a test of this policy during UNGA in New York,” he said.
Gbajabiamila recalled the recent protests against economic hardship and high cost of governance, noting that “Everyone is waiting to see if Nigeria, as in the past, will send the ‘largest delegation’ to UNGA.
”From experience, we know that some individuals use the opportunity of such international meetings to go about their personal businesses.
”I have received a directive from Mr. President that this time, we will be strict. If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President,” Gbajabiamila said.
The Chief of Staff stressed that all heads of agencies must comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would not be tolerated.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery,” was an avenue to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, particularly those under the State House.
Gbajabiamiala urged the State House management and chief executives of agencies to lead by example by ensuring compliance with statutes, laws, regulations, and various policies designed to enhance governance.
”We must demonstrate excellence in our compliance with the Public Procurement Act, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, the Finance Act, and various appropriation acts in operation.
”Compliance with the civil service rules and the scheme of service guidelines, especially regarding recruitment, promotion and presidential approvals is also non-negotiable,” he added.
The controversy surrounding seized presidential jets in Paris, France, linked to Ogun State government, has taken a new turn as two former governors, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, yesterday, opened up about their involvement.
Amosun, who governed Ogun State from 2011 to 2019, revealed that the issue is a “Chinese against Chinese” dispute, stressing he was ready to work with the agencies of government in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment Co. Ltd or any other entity.
Gbenga Daniel, who governed the state from 2003 to 2011, has also weighed in on the matter, stating that he has documents to assist in the investigation.
News broke Thursday that three Nigerian presidential jets, including a newly purchased Airbus, have been seized under the authority of a French court following a protracted legal battle between a sub-national and Zhongshan Fucheng.
The seizure includes a newly acquired Airbus A330 valued at over $100 million. The aircraft in question—a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330—had either been part of the Nigerian presidential fleet or were recently purchased by government.
Seizure Order
According to the report by Premium Times, the seizure of the presidential jets was a result of an application by the Chinese company whose export processing zone management contract was allegedly revoked by the Ogun State government in 2016.
The report added that despite an arbitral tribunal, chaired by a former President of the UK Supreme Court, ruling in favour of Zhongshan and awarding them €74,459,221 in compensation, the decision has yet to be honoured.
As a result, Zhongshan sought enforcement of the arbitral award through the French legal system. The enforcement judge at the Paris Judicial Court granted the company authority to seize the aircraft, stating in the court order, “this protective seizure will take place to secure and preserve the claim arising from the arbitration award dated 26 March 2021, made by an ad hoc arbitral tribunal.”
The court further ordered that the aircraft be secured in such a way as to prevent their movement, saying, “The aircraft… will be positioned so that the cockpit faces a wall or building or in any other way that prevents it from taking off again autonomously.”
My Story – Daniel
Daniel, in a statement titled, “Seized National Assets/Ogun/Guangdong FTZ: Our Story”, made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, reads: “We need to establish clearly that Otunba Gbenga Daniel or his administration is not in discussion on the matter before the courts and arbitration, neither were the terms or proprietary of the Agreement for the establishment of the FTZ, rather it is the termination of a Management Contract. The judgements in all the courts are very clear on this.
“Rather than engaging in media comments, the most reasonable course of action that Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel would rather engage in is helping Nigeria, through the President, Bola Tinubu, to find a diplomatic solution to the issue at hand with available records that could assist the Federal Government in pursuing its course at the arbitration and before the courts. He cannot do this on the pages of the newspapers and on other media which may also compromise the strength of Nigeria’s arguments in the courts. We need to also appreciate that this matter is before various courts in several countries and it is subjudice for anyone to speak on them.
“However, let us emphasize once again that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone project still exists and several Nigerians are working there as we write, just as there are several companies still doing their legitimate businesses. It is from this perspective of development that the efforts of Otunba Gbenga Daniel should be well appreciated.
Incorrect Reports
“At the time of his handover in 2011, about 56 companies were at various stages of operations, construction and showing interests in the Free Trade Zone and through which various life-impacting developments have taken place in the Igbesa area, which was an otherwise rural community before the establishment of the Free Trade Zone.
“There are so many incorrect reports and misrepresentation of facts on timelines of activities relating to the establishment and Operations of the Free Trade Zone in circulation especially on social media, and we plead that the media should partner with the Nigerian government in finding a very productive solution to this matter in Nigeria’s interest.
“It is not time to play politics with the assets and integrity of our dear country. We sincerely appreciate all efforts at reaching out for Otunba Daniel’s side of the story as we also seek the understanding of all those who called to appreciate his sturdy silence to be able to assist the President on the way out of this testy time and situation”
Impostor
On his part, Amosun, in a statement titled, “Presidential jets seizure: Zhongfu firm is an impostor, it’s Chinese against Chinese dispute”, said: “The agreement that was entered into at inception in 2007 with our predecessor is what is still in operation and there was no need for any negotiation or re-negotiation of any contract when we came in and throughout our eight (8) years tenure.
“We have read various media accounts of the above in both the print and social media. We have also read and aligned with the very appropriate responses from Ogun State and the Federal Government. At different levels, government is a continuum and the various segments of events leading to this unfortunate situation occurred before, during and after our administration.
Business Dispute
“Our administration assumed office on 29 May, 2011. Very shortly after we took office, two different sets of Chinese companies, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE laid claims to management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ). The business dispute and rivalry between the Chinese concerns soon became fierce, grounded seamless business activities and threatened public peace and safety within the Zone and neighbouring communities.
“There were claims and counterclaims as to who between the two was the lawful representative of the original joint venturer, Guangdong Province, China and consequentially who had the right to manage the Zone.
Damaging information
“Zhongfu International Investment FXE, pretending to be a concerned and genuine tenant and Zone stakeholder, volunteered very damaging and destructive information about the official representatives of Guangdong Province, the Joint Venturer and lawful Zone Managers, China Africa Investment FXE and subsequently requested to be appointed as Interim Zone Managers.
“Based on the information at the disposal of the government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE was on 15/03/2012 appointed as Interim Zone Manager pending further evaluation. The whole idea was to ensure that someone was in charge and thereby prevent unwholesome and untoward development in the Zone pending the completion of our fact-finding exercise.
“It was later discovered that the information and claims volunteered by Zhongfu International Investment FXE against China Africa Investment FXE were tissues of lies.
Diplomatic Note
“Unknown to Ogun government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE merely sought to de-market China Africa Investment FXE and to surreptitiously covert the State-owned assets of Guangdong Province in China together with the Zone ownership and management rights of their business rival.
“It was further discovered – much later – through the intervention of the Chinese Government via Diplomatic Note 1601, dated March 11, 2016.
“The Government of the Peoples Republic of China, via its Diplomatic Note 1601 dated March 11, 2016, clarified to the Ogun State Government, that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor. After due consultation with the relevant organs of government, we gave effect to the request of the Chinese government.
Four court cases
“We do recall, that Zhongfu International Investment FXE approached Nigerian courts in different jurisdictions to ventilate its legal and business rights. They lost all their four cases in court.
“We also consulted with and took advice from the State Security Services and the supervising Agency, NEPZA, on the best way to proceed. Accordingly, we served Zhongfu International Investment FXE with a formal Termination Notice dated 27 May, 2016.
“For completeness of records, we must mention that Zhongfu International Investment FXE proceeded to Court.
“Among others, the proceedings in Suit No HCT/417/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs OGFTZ and, FCT/ABJ/CS/601/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs NEPZA & Ors will help to throw light on this business dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa.
Special circumstances
“The final judgement in one other case, Suit No AB/04/2017: Zenith Global Merchant International Investment Ltd Vs Zhongfu International Investment FXE delivered on 29/3/2017 specifically restrained a reference to arbitration in the special circumstances of the matter being a trade dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa, with little or no connection with either Ogun State or the Federal Government.
“Not satisfied with the decisions of the various courts, Zhongfu International Investment FXE took its case, and wrote petitions at various times, to higher authorities in Abuja; the Presidency, Hon Minister of Trade & Investment; Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Inspector General of Police, EFCC and the National Assembly (both the House of Representatives and the Senate) among others.
“We successfully defended our actions at all levels before these organs of government, and they all agreed with our position. Shortly after, our administration left office in May, 2019.
“In conclusion, without prejudice to the ongoing efforts of the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and with all sense of responsibility, I wish to categorically state that the Agreement that was entered into at inception of the Zone in 2007 with our predecessor is what is still in operation and there was no need for any negotiation or re-negotiation of any contract when we came in and throughout our eight (8) years tenure.
Common patrimony
“It is also not true that our administration sent police or any security agent to harass, intimidate, or beat anyone. If there was any such situation, it must have been from among the disputing rivals in the bid to outdo one another. Security agencies can further investigate the allegation and uphold the truth.
“Nigeria should not give Zhongfu International Investment FXE any listening ear as doing so would amount to indulging and, encouraging an unlawful entity without locus standi to appropriate our common patrimony.
“Stemming from the above, this matter of Zhongfu International Investment FXE should be treated the way Nigeria treated the P&ID case. There is no basis for negotiation.
“I am ready to work with the agencies of government in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment FXE, or any other entity.
“Like every Nigerian, we are concerned that a purely business dispute between two Chinese nationals and corporations has now degenerated into an unlawful attempt to appropriate Nigeria’s sovereign assets.
“This is unacceptable to all people of goodwill and must not be allowed to stand”.
Sowore Hails Success Of #EndBadGovernance Protests, Cites Three Waves Of Victories
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and the convener of the Take-It-Back movement, Omoyele Sowore, has commended the success of the 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.
During an X Space discussion titled "#EndBadGovernance in Nigeria Protest: What Next?" held on Saturday, Sowore highlighted the achievements of the protests, which he said were strategically planned and executed.
The convener of #RevolutionNow Movement explained that the first 10 days of the anti-bad governance protests were announced almost a month in advance, giving the movement ample time to gain momentum.
"The oppressed Nigerians succeeded before the protest, during the protest, and continue to succeed after the protest," he emphasized, noting that this marked three distinct waves of success.
“Before the protest, we knew what we were doing despite concerns that the announcement might allow the government to sabotage it. As the saying goes, "’Anything not properly planned is planned to fail,’ but we were prepared. We identified 15 different tactics used to try and sabotage the protests,” he said.
Sowore said in the South-South, they brought out former militant Asari Dokubo, who threatened that no protests would occur there.
He said, "In Lagos and the Southwest, they distributed money street by street and threatened people with thugs. They even announced that all secret cult members had been relocated to Lagos.
“In Abuja, they used heavy-handed tactics, but despite these threats, we prevailed.
He noted that the protests started strong on the first day, especially in Abuja. I must praise the participants in Abuja for their courage.”
Sowore said that despite initial skepticism, by the end of the day, the protests had spread, with thousands joining in Kano, Maiduguri, and other places.
He said by 4 pm, it was clear that the protests had gripped the entire nation. Those who thought it would fizzle out were surprised.
He said, "On the second day, the military was drafted in to intimidate people. Our northern colleagues faced harassment in Sokoto and Kaduna, with arrests in Kano, but we managed to get them released in time for the protests.”
He said the army even threatened the media to prevent coverage, but this didn't discourage people. More cities, including Port Harcourt, Kano, and Yobe joined in full force. Abuja continued to erupt in different parts.
According to Sowore, "This was one of the most extensive protests we've seen in Nigeria in a long time, both in terms of geographic reach and the unity of the oppressed”.
"I want to keep thanking those who participated, especially those on TikTok who kept mobilizing people. Thanks also to those who protested in London, New York, and other places I haven't mentioned. In terms of reach, impact, and demography, this was a protest that spanned all generations," he said.
He said, in Lagos, for example, there was a judgment that restricted protests to Ojota, and in Abuja, to the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
"We see this all the time whenever there's a mass revolt—the ruling class often overreaches. One of the first casualties of these protests were those court orders. As soon as the protests began, people broke through any barriers,” he said.
Sowore added that in Lagos, the protests at Ojota were well attended, but there were also smaller groups in Alausa and other places. In Abuja, the court orders quickly became irrelevant.
He said a federal judge even refused to issue more orders because they were starting to sound ridiculous. Ogun State had an order, but protests still happened there, not confined to the designated areas.
"These court orders failed completely to prevent the protests. The intention was not to manage where people could exercise their rights but to prevent protests altogether,” he said.
He said that when the protests succeeded, even those at the designated areas like Ojota and the National Stadium were attacked by the police and Department of State Services.
According to him, the judges didn't care about this, showing that these orders were not legitimate.
"As I've always said, if the law keeps breaking the people, the people will eventually break the law to free themselves," he added.
Listen to the recording here:
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![[PRESS RELEASE] Shettima, Jonathan, Osinbajo expected at book launch in Abuja](/media/k2/items/cache/c344fa999236e1d2b991159a10123e7a_S.jpg)
Many distinguished Nigerians, including Vice President President Kashim Shetima; former president Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo are expected to attend the launch of a book co-authored by Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman on Thursday, September 26 at the Musa Yaradua Centre, Abuja. Dr. Usman was Minister of Finance between 2007 and 2009; Minister of National Planning between 2009 and 2013; Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. He was also the pioneer DG of TCPC (now known as BPE), among other positions he has held.
The book titled, Public Policy and Agent Interests: Perspectives from the Emerging World is a unique publication on both the impetus for, and impediments to growth and development in emerging economies. It provides a fascinating and penetrating insight into the workings of government and the boardroom, in terms of policy formulation and implementation, economic management as well as the overall growth paradigm in the developing world, with Nigeria as a case study. It is also an account of the interactions between the government, its agencies and the private sector and how such engagements impact national growth, investments and the overall performance of the economy.
The book will therefore be a veritable reference material for policymakers, technocrats, business leaders and public officials on the workings of government and governance and the tradeoffs they have to make in in designing and implementing public policy.
It is without doubt a go-to publication for universities; public and home libraries and for students, academics and public and private sector officials.
Other contributors to the book are experts in their own fields, carefully selected, based on their impressive records in the public and private sectors, to share their experiences in key areas of policy making and development. Their unique contributions helped to broaden the book’s scope and impact, and give it its unique character and flavour.
The high-profile event will also witness the formal unveiling of the Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation (SUF) founded and registered by his children in his honour and dedicated to the promotion of education in the country. The foundation’s mission is to create a collaborative that empowers individuals, corporates, researchers and students to explore and develop advanced AI and technological solutions for real-world challenges. Its signature project is the establishment of an AI and Technology Development Centre whose main focus will be skills development, innovation and economic development. The foundation will be formally introduced at the event.
The proceeds of the book launch would be used to support the activities of the foundation.
"We are expecting the cream of the society in large number to come together to honour, Dr Usman, who is one of the nation's most respected elder statesmen for his meritorious service to our fatherland", said Sadiq Usman, the Chairman of the Planning Committee.
The event would be attended by many dignitaries and distinguished Nigerians, some of whom are: His Excellency, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima, who will be the Special Guest of Honour; His Excellency, the Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who will be the Chairman of the Occasion; His Excellency, the former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; former and current State governors; Senators and other senior political leaders. We are also expecting some first-class traditional rulers and many other iconic personalities, including media executives.
Other personalities expected at the event include state governors; senators and industry chiefs.
ETIM ETIM
Chairman, Media SubCommittee
August 19, 2024
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#EndBadGovernance ‘Prisoners’: No bail, no lawyers as courts send 1,423 protesters to prison
AFOLABI
•Kano, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Plateau top list, Russia flag demonstrators flown to Abuja
•NBA says data not collated yet
•Association goes to court on behalf of those brutalized in Abuja
The 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests may have ended, but the fallout will continue to be with us for some time to come.
For instance, several protesters arrested in some states, mainly in the North, have been charged to court and remanded in prison pending their trial which may not commence anytime soon, going by the delay in trial which has characterized our courts.
Consequently, they are now ‘prisoners-awaiting-trial’.
The arraignment is in line with the law which provides that a suspect must be arraigned in court within 48 hours of arrest, but there is no evidence to suggest that the #EndBadGovernance protesters had legal presentation during the arraignment as it ordinarily should be.
It was not clear also whether their pleas were taken, and, worse still, there was no bail for them.
For instance, the police confirmed that none of the 600 of the 832 protesters arrested in Kano State and charged to court had the opportunity for bail as they were all sent to prison pending the next hearing of their case.
The situation is nearly the same in Plateau State where 51 suspects were arrested and charged to court without legal representation and bail.
The police, however, confirmed that a lawyer called in respect of one of the suspects but did not elaborate.
The next adjourned dates for the cases of the protesters could not be confirmed but if the case of those charged in Plateau is used as a yardstick, then they may have to remain in prison custody for at least the next one month.
The Plateau protesters’ case was adjourned to September 18 and 19, that is, about one month away.
The situation in Katsina State is different where out of the 120 protesters arrested and charged to court, 64 were represented by lawyers and bail successfully secured for 30.
The remaining 90 protesters were remanded in prison but the lawyers who represented the 64 were upbeat about freedom for the rest of their clients (34) as soon as possible.
Many of the 110 protesters arrested on the first and second days of the protests in Sokoto metropolis are, according to sources, still languishing in correctional homes.
The suspects were summarily remanded in prison custody after being presented by the police before a mobile court set up the state government.
Suspects arrested later, and who were supposed to be presented to court on Thursday, were not in seen in any of the magistrate courts in the state capital.
11 states
Sunday Vanguard’s survey across 11 states showed that 1, 423 suspected protesters were arrested by the police and charged to court.
Those accused of flying Russia’s flag among them, it was learnt, have been flown to Abuja for further interrogation.
Kano tops the list with 832 suspects, followed by Sokoto, 110, Borno, 97, Katsina, 90, Bauchi, 60, Plateau and Yobe, 51 each, Kaduna, 50, Nasarawa, 40, Niger, 23, and Zamfara, 19.
The charges vary from state to state and they include criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief and arson.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which had vowed ahead of the protests to provide legal aid to arrested protesters whose rights may have been violated, did not show up in any of the courts in all the states where arraignment took place.
Mr Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute and Member, NBA Free Legal Support Team for #EndBadGovernance protesters, however, said the association was intervening on behalf of some protesters in Abuja who were harassed and brutalized at the MKO Abiola Stadium, the venue designated for the protests, by security forces, saying a suit was being filed in court on their behalf.
“The branches of the NBA were mandated to provide legal assistance to anyone arrested or whose human rights were violations during the protest”, Obiagwu told Sunday Vanguard late last week.
“There were a number of reports from the branches about support provided to diverse range of people. Most of the cases are still going on and so the data have not been collated at the central NBA level.
“In Abuja, some protesters, including women, were molested at the stadium when they came to arrange for the August 10 protests.
“This was the stadium the court designated as the approved place for the protests, yet they were beaten and harassed by law enforcement agents in the same venue.
“So, the NBA Human Rights Institute intervened and some of the molested protesters are filing a suit to challenge the denial of their right to peaceful protests.”
The protests took place nationwide from August 1 to August 10.
Tagged #EndBadGovernance protests, it was organized by youth groups to call government’s attention to the downturn in the economy and the hunger in the land.
Efforts by government to dissuade organizers from proceeding with the action on the grounds that it may be hijacked by hoodlums to cause destruction proved abortive.
The protests were largely peaceful in Abuja and Lagos, among others, where government obtained court orders to restrict demonstrations to designated venues.
But in many states, especially in the northern part of the country, the protests took a violent turn as hoodlums came in, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.
The police called many of the arrested persons ‘rioters’ but some of them disputed the claim, saying they were protesters
Additionally, the protests turned to pro-Russia rallies in Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states, among others, as demonstrators carried Russian flags in a manner suggesting they want Nigeria to turn to Russia in search of solution to her challenges.
Kano
Kano State Police Command said it arrested no fewer than 832 suspects for various offences during the nationwide protests in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP, Salman Garba, said 600 were rioters while 76 were arrested in connection with the displaying of Russia flags.
Garba said others arrested include six who allegedly masterminded the looting of the Kano Printing Press and 150 violators of curfew imposed by the state government as a result of the protests.
“The Kano State Police Command has worked diligently and professionally towards addressing the aftermath of the August 1st to 10th nationwide protests, and these efforts resulted in the arrest of 873 suspects and recovery of large quantity of exhibits”, he said.
“Arrest and prosecution of six hundred (600) suspects for various offences, including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief and arson were made.
“Similarly, arrest and prosecution of one hundred and fifty (150) suspects for violating the curfew enforced by the Kano State government while additional (6) suspects arrested were linked with masterminding the destruction, setting ablaze and looting of the Kano Printing Press (KPP) are undergoing investigation.
“We also arrested and transferred seventy-six (76) suspects flying Russian flags, including a foreigner to Force Headquarters, Abuja for discreet investigation on charges of sedition”.
When contacted for additional information on the number of suspects granted bail after arraignment in court, spokesperson for the state Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, said no one was granted bail.
Kaduna
In Kaduna State, suspects arrested in connection with the protests, it was learnt, were also charged to court.
Although a source close to the police in the state said the police arrested over 50 youths, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, could not disclose the actual number of those arrested.
“All the suspects have been changed to court and some were transferred to Abuja for investigation”, Hassan simply told Sunday Vanguard.
Meanwhile, there were complaints that some of those arrested were peaceful protesters and had not participated in looting or vandalizing of government and private properties.
Malam Ahmed Rufa’i, a tailor in Kaduna North Local Government Area, alleged that the police, in their mass arrests, had not differentiated between protesters and miscreants.
Plateau
51 suspects were arrested in Jos, Plateau State during the protests and they were immediately charged to court, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed.
Recall that some of the persons were arrested for defying the curfew imposed on the area by the State Government in the aftermath of the protests.
A credible source at the state Police Command disclosed that none of the arrested persons had been bailed at the time of this report.
“Shortly after they were arrested, they were all charged to court for inciting disturbance and failure to comply with an order made by the government. A lawyer called for one of the suspects but none is bailed yet. Some of them were arrested with dangerous weapons”, the source said.
“When they were arraigned, they all pleaded guilty, so they were remanded in prison custody and the matter was adjourned to the 18th and 19th of next month. So those that can afford to get lawyers, their lawyers will file bail applications which will be considered.
“They were arraigned at the time of the protests, and so the court exercised its discretion to remand them and some of them were arrested with dangerous weapons”.
Katsina
120 protesters were arrested in Katsina State for allegedly engaging in destructive activities and causing unrest during the protests.
According to ASP Abubakar Sadiq, spokesperson for Katsina Police Command, all the suspects had been arraigned in court.
Sunday Vanguard learned that the alleged offenders were brought before multiple courts but their hearings were adjourned.
While some secured bail, a significant number were sent to correctional facilities awaiting trial.
A legal team from Lawyers for Rule of Law and Human Rights, representing 64 protesters, said it secured bail for 30 protesters.
The team, led by MM Lawal and DD Sani, noted that efforts were underway to release the remaining 34 detainees.
Sunday Vanguard understood that some of the protesters were still in custody because the charges against them were bail-able only in a High Court.
A check at the two correctional facilities in the state capital revealed that 42 protesters were earlier admitted at the facilities.
Prominent among those still in detention at press time were Kabir Shehu ‘Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, along with five others who championed the protest under the ‘Struggle for Good Governance’ umbrella.
The court had directed that the protest leaders, among others, be presented for the continuation of their trial slated for September 11, 2024.
Sokoto
Many of the 110 arrested on the first and second days of the nationwide protests in Sokoto metropolis were at press time, according to sources, still languishing in correctional centers.
The suspects were summarily remanded in prison custody after being presented by the police before a mobile court set up the state government.
More suspects, who were supposed to be presented to court on Thursday, were not in seen in any of the magistrate courts in the state capital.
When contacted, Sokoto State Police Command spokesman, ASP Ahmed Rufai, said the matter was before the court of law and, as such, the police would not make further comments.
Rufai directed our correspondent to the state High Court where the Public Relations Officer, Mr Nakwanta Mohamned, also declined comment on the matter.
The Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto Correctional Service, Abubakar Dingyadi, on his part, said the Service was still waiting for a production warrant from the court that remanded the suspects in the Central Correctional Home in Sokoto metropolis.
The relations of some of those arrested in connection with the protests, however, told our correspondent that many of the suspects who pleaded guilty as charged were fined between N130,000 and N150,000 depending on the nature of the allegation against them.
The protests had turned violent in Sokoto on the first and second days which saw many infrastructures in the state capital vandalized including those around the Government House, the seat of power.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu vowed to punish severely all those who took part in the wanton vandalization of public infrastructures during the protests.
Nasarawa
In Nasarawa State, the Police Command said it arrested 50 protesters from different local governments across the state but released 10 minors and charged the remaining 40 to court.
DSP Ramhan Nansel, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in Lafia, the state capital.
The PPRO noted that 25 protesters were apprehended in Lafia,16 in Karu, six in Keffi and three in Mararaba-Udege.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, speaking on the protests, expressed worries over Almajiris, who, he said, were used to carry out the demonstrations in the state.
Sule regretted that after interrogation, it was found that the Almajiri were minors who did not even know what the protests were all about.
Taraba
Taraba State recorded no detention during the protests.
While the protests lost steam after the first day, security operatives were on ground to maintain peace and order.
Borno, Yobe
In the aftermath of the first and second days of the protests, which later turned violent in some parts of Borno and Yobe states, Sunday Vanguard understood that about 97 suspects were arrested and detained in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, while 51 were arrested in Yobe in connection with violence, with property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Daso, confirmed the arrests made by the police in the state in an interview.
He said: “The suspects include seven social media instigators, seven persons who hoisted Russia flags and 83 violent protesters who were arrested at various locations in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere local government area.
“They vandalized public infrastructure and private property, caused mischief by fire, rioting, theft and looting of items.
“Some of the significant actions include the looting of office and food items of World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse at Baga Road, removal of interlocks, destruction of flower vases, street lights and pedestrian bridge barricades at Bulumkutu, Lagos Street, Baga Road and Gwange”.
The PPRO urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities within their domain or area to the police or other security agencies, adding that the Command remained committed to ensuring public peace and security.
Daso also said all the suspects after spending 24hours in custody were taken to court for trial and “punishment”.
Our correspondent gathered that the Borno State Mechanical Workshop and police patrol vehicle were vandalized while dozens of people lost their lives and injured during the first day of the protests in Maiduguri metropolis.
In Yobe, protesters went berserk in Nguru, Potiskum and Gashua local government areas, even as the state capital, Damaturu, witnessed peaceful protest.
In Potiskum, for example, it was gathered that some youths vandalized seven buses belonging to the Potiskum Council. Also destroyed were streetlights, and traffic warden sheds among others.
In Nguru, a pharmaceutical store owned by one Alhikma and a storage facility belonging to the local council were affected, while an ICT Centre named after former Senate President Ahmed Lawan was vandalized, in addition to other public and private properties in Gashua and the other two council areas worth millions of naira destroyed.
According to the Yobe State Police Command spokesman, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, 51 suspects were arrested out of which 35 have been remanded in the Potiskum Correctional Centre while the underage children among them may be released on bail.
Kwara
There were practically no protests in Kwara State and therefore no arrests.
The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun, told Sunday Vanguard:
“There were no protests in Kwara State, so we didn’t arrest any protester”.
Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Auwal Musa Mohammed confirmed that a police officer was injured and over 60 protesters were arrested during the first day of the protests in the state.
The protesters, who numbered over 3,000, became violent and unruly, engaging in phone theft, property destruction, and stoning police officers.
Despite attempts to disperse them, the protesters regrouped and tried to force their way into Bauchi Government House.
According to the CP, the arrests were made due to breaches of public order and unlawful assembly, as the protesters did not obtain police permission before embarking on the exercise. He noted that 52 of the arrested protesters, including women, were detained for their violent behavior.
Mohammed emphasized that the police acted professionally and did not use lethal force, despite the protesters using women and children as shield.
When Sunday Vanguard called the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, to ascertain the number of protesters released, he said: We charged all to court. Only the courts have the details please”.
Zamfara
Zamfara State Police Command said it arrested 19 suspects during the protests. A spokesperson for the state Police Command, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, said the suspects were immediately charged to court without spending 24 hours in their custody.
According to him, the police did not arrest protesters conducting their protest peacefully but only arrested those who were caught boggling shops and stealing public property.
He further explained: “Those arrested were charged with criminal conspiracy because they were caught with stolen public properties worth five hundred (500) million naira.
The PPRO also stated that some of the suspects were charged with armed robbery as they were caught with dangerous weapons.
“None of the arrested 19 was released on bail by the state Police Command, they were screened and we charged them all to court”, Abubakar said.
Niger
In Niger State, most of the violent protests took place in Suleja, headquarters of Suleja local government area, and Sabon Wuse, headquarters of Tafa local government area.
23 persons were arrested in Sabon Wuse alone.
The Public Relations Officer for the State Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest of the 23.
“On the 1st of August, the day the protest started at about 1000hrs, some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Sabon-Wuse Tafa and Hayin-Dikko Gurara area of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja, Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State”, Abiodun said in a statement.
“The hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat, partly set ablaze two cars while two others were vandalized.
“They further looted office valuables such as computers, refrigerators, file cabinets, ceiling fans, office chairs, television sets and office burglaries. “The police and other security agencies responded and a total of 23 suspects were arrested with different dangerous weapons, while others were dispersed from the scene and most of the looted items were recovered mostly from Kagarko in Kaduna State”.
The suspects, it was learnt, were transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and they were scheduled to be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation was concluded.
[Vanguard]
The former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has spoken regarding the ongoing dispute between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm, and the Nigerian government.
The disagreement has recently escalated, leading to the seizure of three Nigerian aircraft stationed at Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse airports in Europe.
The dispute stems from a contract the Ogun State government revoked in 2016 during Amosun’s tenure as governor.
The revocation led Zhongshan to pursue legal action, resulting in the seizure of the aircraft as part of an arbitration ruling against Nigeria.
The firm alleged that the Nigerian government had reneged on an agreement, prompting it to seek enforcement through international arbitration.
In a recent turn of events, Zhongshan agreed to release one of the seized jets after learning that President Bola Tinubu required the aircraft for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Reacting to the situation, Senator Amosun, in a statement personally signed by him on Saturday, recounted the role he played in the original deal and expressed his readiness to work with the federal government to ensure any foreign entity does not exploit Nigeria.
The statement, titled, ‘Zhongfu firm is an impostor, it’s Chinese against Chinese dispute’ reads, “Our administration assumed office on 29 May, 2011. Very shortly after we took office, two different sets of Chinese companies, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE laid claims to Management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).
“The business dispute and rivalry between the Chinese concerns soon became fierce, grounded seamless business activities and threatened public peace and safety within the Zone and neighboring communities.
“There were claims and counter claims as to who between the two was the lawful representative of the original joint venturer, Guangdong Province, China and consequentially who had the right to manage the Zone.
“Zhongfu International Investment FXE, pretending to be a concerned and genuine tenant and Zone stakeholder volunteered very damaging and destructive information about the official representatives of Guangdong Province, the Joint Venturer and lawful Zone Managers, China Africa Investment FXE and subsequently requested to be appointed as Interim Zone Managers.
“Based on the information at the disposal of Government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE was on 15/03/2012 appointed as Interim Zone Manager pending further evaluation. The whole idea was to ensure that someone was in charge and thereby prevent unwholesome and untoward development in the Zone pending the completion of our fact finding exercise.
“It was later discovered that the information and claims volunteered by Zhongfu International Investment FXE against China Africa Investment FXE were tissues of lies.
“Unknown to Ogun Government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE merely sought to de-market China Africa Investment FXE and to surreptitiously covert the State-owned assets of Guangdong Province in China together with the Zone ownership and management rights of their business rival.
“It was further discovered – much later – through the intervention of the Chinese Government via Diplomatic Note 1601, dated 11 March, 2016.
“The Government of the People’s Republic of China, via its Diplomatic Note 1601 dated 11th March, 2016 clarified to the Ogun State Government, that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor. After due consultation with the relevant organs of Government, we gave effect to the request of the Chinese Government.
“We do recall that Zhongfu International Investment FXE approached Nigerian courts in different jurisdictions to ventilate its legal and business rights. They lost all their four cases in court.”
“We also consulted with and took advice from the State Security Services and the supervising Agency, NEPZA, on the best way to proceed. Accordingly, we served Zhongfu International Investment FXE with formal Termination Notice dated 27 May, 2016.
“For completeness of records, we must mention that Zhongfu International Investment FXE proceeded to Court.
“Among others, the proceedings in Suit No HCT/417/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs OGFTZ and, FCT/ABJ/CS/601/2016: Zhongfu International Investment FXE Vs NEPZA & Ors will help to throw light on this business dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa.
“The final judgement in one other case, Suit No AB/04/2017: Zenith Global Merchant International Investment Ltd Vs Zhongfu International Investment FXE delivered on 29/3/2017 specifically restrained a reference to arbitration in the special circumstances of the matter being a trade dispute between two Chinese entities- Zhongfu and China Africa, with little or no connection with either Ogun State or the Federal Government.
“Not satisfied with the decisions of the various courts, Zhongfu International Investment FXE took its case, and wrote petitions at various times, to higher authorities in Abuja; the Presidency, Hon Minister of Trade & Investment; Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Inspector General of Police, EFCC and the National Assembly (both the House of Representatives and the Senate) among others.
“We successfully defended our actions at all levels before these organs of government, and they all agreed with our position. Shortly after, our administration left office in May, 2019.
“In conclusion, without prejudice to the ongoing efforts of the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and with all sense of responsibility I wish to categorically state that:
“The agreement that was entered into at inception of the Zone in 2007 with our predecessor is what is still in operation and there was no need for any negotiation or re-negotiation of any contract when we came in and throughout our eight (8) years tenure.
“It is also not true that our administration sent police or any security agent to harass, intimidate, or beat anyone. If there was any such situation, it must have been from among the disputing rivals in the bid to outdo one another. Security agencies can further investigate the allegation and uphold the truth.
“Nigeria should not give Zhongfu International Investment FXE any listening ear as doing so would amount to indulging and, encouraging an unlawful entity without locus standi to appropriate our common patrimony.
“Stemming from the above, this matter of Zhongfu International Investment FXE should be treated the way Nigeria treated the P&ID case. There is no basis for negotiation.”
A fresh investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed alleged corruption linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The investigation focuses on printing one billion pieces of ₦100 banknotes and the production of 5,000 acrylic blocks in commemoration of Nigeria’s centenary celebration in October 2014.
Sources within the EFCC who spoke with the Premium Times disclosed that Emefiele allegedly bypassed the standard approval process by securing direct approval from former President, Goodluck Jonathan without first passing the proposal through the CBN board as mandated by the CBN Act of 2007.
According to the investigation, this contract, valued at $121.66 million (₦18.91 billion at the time), was awarded to Swedish company Crane Currency, raising concerns of overinflation and kickbacks.
The EFCC’s findings indicated that the payment arrangement breached established practices, with 60% of the contract sum ($72.99 million) advanced to Crane Currency through its Nigerian subsidiary.
Investigators allege that only $39.85 million was actually transferred to Crane, while the balance of $32.72 million was held back, converted to naira, and used to enrich top officials of the CBN and their associates.
The EFCC has reportedly recovered ₦3.18 billion of the inflated amount so far.
However, sources say that pressures are being mounted on the anti-graft agency’s leadership to release the funds, with claims that the proceeds are from legitimate transactions.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing but declined to provide further details, stating, “There is nothing I can tell you at this point because our people are still working on the matter.”
Peter Obi, flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, has criticised the exorbitant cost of governance in Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He highlighted that an average PhD holder would have to save for years to afford the N160 million SUVs driven by lawmakers.
Obi, in a series of posts shared on his X page on Friday, August 16, 2024, said the reckless spending by the government is the reason for the decline in the standards of the university education system.
The former Anambra state governor lamented that while a Grade 2 lecturer might earn just N150,000 per month, an average lawmaker takes home about N21 million monthly, revealing a stark disparity between the government’s prioritisation of education and its extravagant expenses.
Recall that former President Olusegun Obasanjo alleged that federal lawmakers now fix new salaries and allowances for themselves.
The Nigerian Senate quickly refuted his claims. Interestingly, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in a statement, disclosed that each senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of the sum of N1.063 million; this further sparked a fresh debate in the polity.
Reacting to the controversy over lawmakers' actual salaries, Obi tweeted: "If fortunate, one might be employed as a lecturer in Grade 2 with a monthly salary of around N150,000, often paid irregularly, totalling N1,800,000 annually. In stark contrast, our legislators, whose required educational qualification is merely a secondary school certificate, receive a monthly salary of N21 million, which is more than the 10 years' salary of a PhD holder.
"This disparity is the root of the problem. Additionally, legislators are provided with SUVs worth N160 million from the public purse. For a PhD holder to afford such a vehicle, it would take over 85 years of saving every kobo earned. The solution lies in shifting our society from a consumption-driven mindset to a production-oriented approach, where hard work, innovation, and talent are valued and rewarded."