In Akure, Tinubu Says Nigeria’s Revenue Strategy Should Be Reviewed to Stimulate Economic Growth

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September 6, 2020

National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, weekend tasked the Federal Government to review the current means of revenue generation and criteria used for allocation to states and local governments in the country.

Speaking at the commissioning of the ultra modern Ondo State Internal Revenue Service Complex tagged Revenue House in Akure, Tinubu described the current formula as faulty, saying the present revenue approach has created rooms for an encroachment into the statutory areas of revenue generation of state and local governments.

While explaining that his position should not be interpreted to be criticising the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, the APC national leader said he has a strong belief in national unity and even development of the country.

He described revenue generation as a very important means for the survival of any economy, adding that if any government at any level is denied needed revenue, development agenda may suffer greatly.

Tinubu also described Ondo State as a great potential for energy, economy and agriculture, noting that when the potentials were fully utilised and youths were engaged, social unrest in the region would become history.

“If all the South-west governors embark on physical federalism, which is what the country needs at this time. We are APC and in government today, but that does not translate to the fact that we cannot find faults and criticise ourselves to achieve the best for the country.

“The cumbersome revenue formula of the Federal Government today needs an urgent review. It has to be reviewed for the progress of the country.

“The South-west governors should be consistent in the level of financial inquisitiveness as to where and why and when the revenue formula will be at par with the physical federalism of the country.

“There are various encroachments that I have noticed and with you as a lawyer and financial experts, you should reform the financial bottlenecks in the country today.

“What is the element of stamp duty in the context of federal allocation? What element of transaction belongs to the state? Why are we getting involve in what should be a residual matter of the state? We need to tell each others the truth and not smile always. We will not be afraid to do the right thing for the country because it belongs to everyone.

“You can equally use the synergy with the Odua investment to collaborate not only on Amotekun syndrome. Amotekun is a creation of necessity for hoodlums caused by unemployment, frustration and hunger,” he said.

After the commissioning ceremony, Tinubu along with the Chairman of the APC National Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship election and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others held a meeting with Ondo State traditional rulers at Dome International Event Centre and later stormed Akure Township Stadium for the flag-off of Akeredolu’s re-election campaign.

Speaking during a meeting with the traditional rulers, Tinubu said APC leaders in the state as well as South-west and national level are united to ensure that Akeredolu is re-elected in the October 10 guber poll in the state.

He urged all the traditional rulers in the state not to relent in their support towards Akeredolu’s re-election, charging them to implore their subjects and people to work tirelessly for the governor’s second term bid.

He also implored the people of the state not to allow opposition to win the state, noting that voting for APC would be an added advantage to the South-west’s quest for 2023 presidency.

According to him, “We are all united to work for Akeredolu’s re-election so that APC will continue to govern Ondo State and other states in the country. We commissioned Revenue House today. Governor Akeredolu has performed very well and he deserves to be re-elected based on his performance and achievements in office in his first term.

“I want to implore all traditional rulers to endorse Akeredolu and work for his re-election. His re-election is in the interest of the people of Ondo State and Yoruba land at large. As the ruling party at the federal level, we should allow continuity in Ondo State.

“Please, we are here to tell you and show that there is no quarrel between children of Oodua. We will not go back to the situation of 1983.”

While addressing party supporters at the stadium, Tinubu said: “You don’t fight the PDP. There is no point fight a corpse inside the coffin, just settle down and calmly nail their coffin.”

He tasked the party members to rally round Akeredolu and give him all the support he needs to lead the state.

“Unity and adherence to collective purpose are hallmarks of progressive politics. Our ability to place the public welfare above our personal ambitions is what differentiates us from the political regressives who would rather that the general welfare suffer so they can fulfil their personal whims and wishes.

“As progressives, we must carefully tend to our bridge of unity. We must never allow it to break. We entered politics and governance to serve the people and this purpose should always bind us in ceaseless fraternity and togetherness,” Tinubu said.

Also, speaking during the flag-off rally, Sanwo-Olu appealed to the people of the Sunshine State to vote for Akeredolu, who he described as a progressive man that has brought real development to Ondo State during his first term in office.

He said: “We are here today to campaign for Governor Akeredolu and his re-election has been endorsed by traditional rulers in the state. Akeredolu has really performed well during his first term in office and his achievements are visible in different parts of the state.

“On behalf of the National Campaign Council, I want to appreciate all of you. I want to say to you that Ondo State is receiving first class governance.

“Ondo State is receiving a progressive man that has brought about real development. Aketi has done well and I want you to re-elect him. Thank you for your support. We will see you in October for a resounding victory for Aketi.”

Presenting the party’s flag to Akeredolu, Buni said APC is united and the party would work toward winning the election.

He added that the party’s campaign for the APC candidate is easy because Akeredolu has delivered dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State in the last four years.

Buni also received business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, and former Commissioner in the State, Femi Adekambi, and others who defected to APC during the event into the fold of the ruling party in Ondo State.

In his remarks, Akeredolu commended all his colleagues and other party leaders and members as well as people of Ondo State for turning out in thousands to witness the APC governorship campaign flag-off.

He appealed to the people of Ondo State to vote for him in the October 10 governorship poll.

The rally was also attended by a former Interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande; Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; Deputy Chairman, APC National Campaign Council and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

Others are: Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); and Abdulahi Sule (Nassarawa).

Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Slyva; and a former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, among others also attended and appealed to the people of Ondo State to come out in large numbers to vote for APC during the governorship poll.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Lagos Denies Introduction of 5% Levy on Audio and Visual Contents, Suspends Board Executive

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 5, 2020

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The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Friday suspended the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele Balogun, over the recent announcement of 5% levy on Audio and Visual contents of all Physical and Digital Platforms in the state.

The Sanwo-Olu administration dissociated self from such levy, saying it would be insensitive to impose such policy on an industry that has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no levy on Audio and Visual contents of all Physical and Digital Platforms in Lagos State.

“The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Bamidele Balogun, is said to have announced a 5% levy.

“The state government hereby dissociates itself from the said announcement in the media.

“The Executive Secretary, who was not authorised to make such an announcement, has been suspended, pending an administrative enquiry.

“The fifth pillar of the THEMES Agenda, the development policy of this Administration, is Entertainment and Tourism.

“Practitioners are partners in our effort to ensure that Lagos State remains Africa’s leader in entertainment.

“The Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu Administration is not insensitive to the fact that the industry has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and empathizes with this and other sectors of the economy.

“All stakeholders in the Entertainment Industry are advised to disregard the said publication,” said a statement by Lagos State Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Buhari Says Akeredolu Will Win Ondo Governorship Poll Fairly

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 5, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja assured that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, would win the October 10 guber election in the state.

The President urged APC to work diligently and ensure fairness in electoral processes, while returning governorship candidate of the party for second term in office.

The President, who presented the party’s flag to the candidate at the Presidential Villa, said the reconciliation process in the state branch of the party had provided a solid ground for an easier clear victory for the candidate than he achieved in his first term.

READ ALSO:

Buhari Celebrates His Administration’s Efforts to Contain Spread of Coronavirus Pandemic

While assuring Akeredolu of the party’s full support, the President said a peaceful and fair election that reflects the will of the people should be upper most.

He urged adherence to the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the party’s mechanism for resolving differences was most effective, and would be sustained to strengthen relationships, and project the objectives of the party as people-focused and development oriented.

The APC candidate was presented to the President by the party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, who is also Yobe State Governor.

Photos:

Idowu Sowunmi

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COVID-19 Vaccine: NAFDAC Advises against Use of Covifor Remidesivir

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 5, 2020

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Pic.14.-NAFDAC-D-G-addresses-newsmen-on-2018-World-Day-against-drug-Abuse-in-Abuja-e1588427531834 — NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye

National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of Covifor Remidesivir 100 mg Injection for treatment of any illness.

NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

According to her, the label on the vaccine indicates that it was “not for distribution in the United States, Canada or European Union,” thus creating suspicion about its efficacy.

READ ALSO:

Russia Delivers New Coronavirus Vaccine to Nigeria

“The product is suspicious, and it could possibly be a falsified product. The general public is hereby warned to desist from the use of such product,” Adeyeye declared.

Remdesivir is an antiviral medication currently being studied for the treatment of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Idowu Sowunmi

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FG Reveals Names of Approved Airlines as International Flights Resume Sept 5

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 4, 2020

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Ahead of the September 5 re-opening of airports for international flights, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has released the list of the approved airlines for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

According to the list, the airlines approved include: British Airways, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Middle East Airline, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airline, WA, Turkish Airline, Virgin Atlantic, Air Peace, Asky, Ghana and Air Cote d’lvoire.

Airlines not approved include: Air France, KLM, Ethiad, RwandAir, Air Namibia, Air Almaroq, Lufthansa, Angola and South Africa Airways.

The minister stated that Lagos airport would welcome British Airways, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and Kenya Airways on Saturdays, while Ethiopian Air, BA, Egypt Air, Middle East and Turkish Airline would be on ground in Abuja.

Available airlines on Sundays include: Delta, Air Senegal, Virgin Atlantic, Ethiopian, AWA and Turkish, while Abuja airport would receive BA, Egypt Air, Ethiopian, Emirate and AWA.

For Lagos on Mondays, Turkish, Air Senegal, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, AWA, Kenya Airways and British Airways would be on ground, while BA, Emirates, Ethiopia and AWA would be available in Abuja.

Explaining how the decision was arrived at, Sirika said the available information was based on the Foreign Operator Carrier’s Permit which is statutorily required by law for every airline operating in Nigeria; the COVID-19 protocols by the Presidential Task Force; and other guidelines and restrictions from other countries.

He added that all intending travellers to Nigeria must test negative to COVID-19 by PCR in country of departure and the test of the PCR must be done four days before departure, preferably 72hrs before boarding, noting that PCR would only be accepted from identified laboratories from certain countries.

He said: “All intending passengers are required to register on an online Nigeria International Travel payment portal at http//:nitp.ncdc.gov.ng and also pay for a second repeat test to be done in Nigeria.

“Once payment is completed, passengers will receive an email for selected laboratory of their choice, providing them with the laboratory link to register for the PCR test on the 7th day of their arrival.

“Passengers would be allowed to chose a sample collection centre and an appointment time and date for sample collection.

“A list of private laboratory provided and the sample collection centers will be available on the NCDC website.

“Passengers will also fill the online self declaration form also located the same payment platform and submit online or submit for presentation on arrival.

“They must ensure that the information, contact details provided on the platform are correct and verifiable and can be reached when needed.

“Passengers must inform port health officials on arrival of any changes in their health, state completion of the health self declaration, in other words, take responsibilities.

“Prior to boarding, passengers must upload their COVID-19 negative test result on the payment portal and will have a copy for presentation at the airport.

“Prior to boarding, all travellers will undergo screening for fever and would be questioned for COVID-19 symptoms.

“Passengers with COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to board the flight and airlines must only board passengers with COVID-19 test result done within the stipulated four days.

“Airlines that board passengers without the negative COVID-19 PCR test will be sanctioned as follows:

‘Non-Nigerian airlines will be refused entry and return to country of origin. So, airlines would be made to return the people back to where they boarded from and the cost will be borne by the airline.

Sirika explained that Nigerians would be allowed entry and subjected to compulsory quarantine for 14 days at a government approved facility at the cost of the passengers.

Airlines would be fine $3,500 per passenger for failure to comply with the pre-boarding requirement.

The minister said passengers who fail to submit themselves or declare their PCR test would be placed on watch list for six months and denied foreign travel, assuring that test result would be available within 24 days.

He pointed out that passengers who display COVID-19 symptoms on arrival would not be allowed to self quarantine, but would be placed on institutional quarantine.

Idowu Sowunmi

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FG Reviews Curfew; Oyo Cancels Restriction, Tasks People on COVID-19 Protocols

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 4, 2020

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images — National Coordinator, Presidencial Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria, Sani Aliyu

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, have sharply disagreed over the imposition of nationwide curfew to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

While the Federal Government on Thursday struggled to review the nationwide curfew from 10pm-4am to 12am-4am, Makinde announced the total cancellation of human and vehicular restrictions in the state, saying “the curfew was abolished after a series of review of the situation.”

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, announced that henceforth both human and vehicular movements were expected to be restricted between 12am and 4am.

“I will first of all start with general movement. We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4am nationwide, effective from 12:00 tonight (Thursday).

“This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that might be returning from abroad,” Aliyu said during a briefing at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Federal Government had imposed a nationwide curfew on May 4, 2020 from 6pm to 8am, but later reviewed it from 10pm to 4am on June 1.

However in Oyo State, Makinde on Thursday said there’s no more prohibition of people’s movements.

File photo of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The governor, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, advised residents of the state to continue to comply with the COVID-19 protocols, adding that “the cancellation of the curfew did not mean Coronavirus has disappeared completely.”

Makinde directed the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) not to relent in data gathering and analysis in order to appropriately situate the context of the virus within the state.

The governor, besides, approved the conversion of Aawe Isolation Centre to a Level 3 Primary Health Care Centre, directing that the facility should be decontaminated and handed over to the Hospital Management Board.

Makinde’s administration has also approved that except for the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo in Ibadan, other isolation centres in the state could be converted to Level 3 PHC.

But, the governor said “whenever a spike in COVID-19 cases is noticed in the location where any of the facility is situated, such a facility will be re-converted as an isolation centre or a part of it will be so utilised as an isolation centre.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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Presidency Describes UK Court Judgement on P&ID as Right and Just

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 4, 2020

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The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has welcome the judgement by the United Kingdom (UK) court granting Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions in a $10 billion arbitration case with Process and Industrious Development Limited (P&ID) in Nigeria.

A judge of the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales, Ross Canston, had Thursday granted Nigeria’s application for an extension of time and relief from sanctions.

The Federal Government described the judgement as right and just, alleging that it would provide a strong prima facie case that the fraudulent gas deal with P&ID and the subsequent judgement debt of $10 billion against Nigeria was a clear attempt to cheat the country of billions of dollars by a company that had not invested one Naira in the country.

“On the arbitration award, it is a source of huge satisfaction that the UK Court, among others, had ruled that:

‘‘Nigeria has established a strong prima facie case that the Gas Supply and Processing (GSPA) was procured by bribes paid to insiders as part of a larger scheme to defraud Nigeria.

‘‘There is also a strong prima facie case that that (P&ID) main witness in the arbitration, Mr. Quinn, gave a perjured evidence to the Tribunal, and that contrary to that evidence, P&ID was not in the position to perform the contract.’’

The Presidency expressed delight with the processes that led to this outcome in the English Court, noting that it has given relief to the Nigerian government to further protect our national assets from criminally-minded organisations and individuals.

The views of the UK court thus provide sufficient grounds for the Federal Government to go ahead and challenge the alleged frauds perpetrated by the company and overturn the arbitration award.

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the team of lawyers who represented Nigeria in the matter with P&ID.

He reassured all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community of his unwavering commitment to fight corruption in all its forms and manifestation.

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Russia Delivers New Coronavirus Vaccine to Nigeria

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 4, 2020

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In keeping to her promise, Russia has begun mass deliveries of her newly discovered Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to the world as the country handed over the vaccine to Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, on Friday in Abuja.

Russia had registered the Sputnik V adenoviral vector-based vaccine and it had been described as the world’s first despite it not having undergone large-scale trials to prove its safety and effectiveness.

Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin, handed over the vaccine to officials of the Ministry of Health during the envoy’s courtesy visit to the ministry.

Shebarshin explained that countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Mexico, among others have expressed interest in the Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The Ambassador charged Nigeria to put together a team to interface with his Embassy to drive the process of human trials not just for the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, but to explore further disease and health areas where the Russian Federation has expertise to manage with vaccines.

Shebarshin admitted that he’s a non-scientist, explaining that he’s in the ministry to formally hand over the Russian-made vaccine against COVID-19 to Nigeria with an aide memoir which explains the details for Nigerian teams to study and get ready for further researches, patronage and application.

Responding, Ehanire said Nigeria has been participating in series of knowledge exchange, contacting different research bodies and countries to find solutions to the COVID-19 challenge.

The minister admitted that Nigeria has contacted the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria for right of access immediately the Russian COVID-19 vaccine was announced.

Russian Envoy and ministry’s officials reached a consensus decision to immediately refer the vaccine to the necessary professional institutes and agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health beginning with the National Agency for Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), and for a team of scientists and advisors to the ministry to get to work on possible patronage of the Russian vaccine to alleviate the plight of Nigerians under the COVID-19 pandemic.

A ministerial team is also expected to be raised to continue further engagement with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria on the vaccine as well as other areas of interests highlighted at the meeting.

Ehanire was supported by the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, and other top management of the ministry and other Nigerian scientists, researchers and advisors, who participated in the meeting online.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Gbajabiamila’s Legislative Diplomacy to Accra, Akufo-Addo Endorses Nigeria-Ghana Business Council to Resolve Trade & Investment Disputes

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 4, 2020

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Gbaja at ghana 7 — Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila & his Ghanaian counterpart, Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Oquaye, PhD co-chairing a Bilateral Committee Meeting aimed at resolving issues between the two countries at the Ghanaian Parliament House in Accra on Wednesday 09/ 02/ 2020.

President Nana Akufo Ado of Ghana has endorsed a proposal for the establishment of a Nigeria-Ghana Business Council to be established by law in both countries.

The Ghanaian leader has also suggested the setting up of a joint ministerial committee between the two countries that would “shepherd” issues between Ghana and Nigeria.

Speaking at a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was in Accra for a two-day extensive dialogue towards resolving some of the challenges confronting Nigerians doing business in Ghana, Akufo-Addo said a request by the speaker for a review of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to make certain concessions was in order as it “makes a lot of sense”.

Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila & his Ghanaian counterpart, Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Oquaye, PhD co-chairing a Bilateral Committee Meeting aimed at resolving issues between the two countries at the Ghanaian Parliament House in Accra on Wednesday 09/ 02/ 2020.

The President promised to also raise the issue with President Muhammadu Buhari when they meet at the ECOWAS Summit on Monday.

He assured Gbajabiamila of the readiness of the Ghanaian government to consider the resolutions reached at the ‘Legislative Diplomacy Bilateral Meeting’ between Nigeria and Ghana’s senior legislators on September 2 at the Ghanaian Parliament House.

Speaker of Ghana’s parliament, Mike Oquaye, led his Nigerian counterpart on a courtesy visit to the President at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday.

The legislative diplomacy dialogue became imperative as the parliaments of the two countries sought modalities to resolve challenges and provide an enabling business environment for foreign traders including Nigerians doing business in Ghana.

Several foreign businesses, many Nigerian-owned, in Ghana have been facing challenges in the demand for $1m capital base for foreign traders, as enshrined in the Ghana Investment Promotion Center GIPC Act (2013).

“I think the way forward, which is really what matters in situations like this, that is being suggested, one that I find very acceptable, the idea of legislation, a Nigeria-Ghana Business Council that will superintend trade matters and investment matters between our two countries, maybe long overdue.

“The time has come for us to take these worthwhile steps. I suggested to Mr. President that it will be a good idea to set up a joint ministerial committee of ministers from both sides who will be responsible for shepherding Ghana and Nigeria issues, reporting to both presidents at any one time, and that is how they should be resolved.

“I am hoping when I see him on Monday at the ECOWAS Summit, we can advance these discussions and come to a final conclusion.

“The way you yourselves have come about this matter is very satisfactory, and it requires our support. The review that you are asking for, why not? if it works in our mutual perspectives, we can take it for granted that your request will be taken seriously. We will have a look at it.

“So, the request for the review makes a lot of sense,” Akufo-Addo said.

Earlier, Gbajabiamila, who was in the company of some of his colleagues in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, which included the Chairmen of House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Media and Public Affairs, deputy chairmen of committee on Diaspora, Federal road safety and a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, told the Ghanaian President that they were in Ghana to “make efforts through parliamentary diplomacy to resolve the issues at stake.”

According to him, “We have appealed to the (Ghanaian) Parliament that if it’s possible at all to look again at the issues, as far as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act is concerned, they should please do so.

“If it is not possible, then let us look at ways the pain can be reduced, like those expectations required in the law.

“We’ve proffered a few suggestions one of which is the establishment of Ghana-Nigeria Business Council backed by legislation on both sides,” Gbajabiamila said.

Meanwhile, in a communique issued jointly at the end of the bilateral meeting between members of the two parliaments led by their respective Speakers, Gbajabiamila and Oquaye, it was resolved that “measures will be adopted to support law-abiding traders to properly regularise their business operations to alleviate the trade challenges occasioned by the alleged closure of the retail stores, in view of the ravaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and families in both countries.”

They acknowledged that many stakeholders in the retail sector have limited appreciation of the trade laws of Ghana, in particular, Section 28 of the GIPC Act, which provides for the conditions under which non-Ghanaians could engage in trading activities.

They urged the relevant regulatory authorities including the GIPC and Trade Attaches of foreign missions to educate their citizens on the trade laws.

They equally emphasised the need to respect the sovereignty of member states of ECOWAS and their laws, but, in doing so, efforts must be made to ensure that the ECOWAS Agenda for free movement of people and goods in furtherance of a shared and prosperous future of citizens of the sub-region is not compromised.

“A meeting will be held between the Trade and Foreign Affairs Committees of both Legislatures to deliberate on applications of Trade Laws, in particular, the GIPC Act, 2013 (Act 865) and make recommendations for appropriate solutions; and

“A Joint Committee will be established and composed of Members of both Legislatures to explore the possible passage of reciprocal legislation, which could be potentially called the “Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act” which shall propose “Ghana-Nigeria Business Council” to provide a framework to sustain the friendship and benefits to citizens of the two nations.”

Departing Ghana on Thursday, Gbajabiamila expressed his gratitude to his counterpart for his statesmanship, leadership and hospitality, which made it possible for both countries to resolve thorny issues through legislative diplomacy.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Power Is Nothing Without Control – Part 2

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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September 4, 2020

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images (14) — Seat of the President of Nigeria at the Council Chamber in the State House/Presidential Villa, Abuja.

By Dapo Akande

The Aussies, known for their love of beer or the Amber Nectar, as they like to call it, are an interesting people. If you think you’re a big beer drinker, then try challenging an Australian to a drinking contest. I can assure you, he’lI drink you under the table, any day. Aussies literally drink like fish.

There was a great advert in the United Kingdom for Castlemaine 4X which parodied this, several decades ago. In preparation for a barbecue (another thing Aussies are known for) party, two men were seen leaning on a truck in the outback (desert like area of Australia) and patiently watching while the drinks for the party were being loaded up. What were they being loaded unto? A trailer. What were the variety of drinks? No variety, only Castlemaine 4X.

Only after totally overloading the trailer with Castlemaine 4X beer to the point where one could clearly hear the trailer creaking under the sheer weight of it, did they remember that they hadn’t packed any drinks for the women. Very casually, with folded arms and a can of Castlemaine 4X he was already drinking in hand, one of the two men said to the other who was doing exactly the same, “I guess we better add a couple of bottles of wine for the Sheilas (ladies)?” His friend agreed and promptly, two bottles of wine were plonked on top of the hundreds of crates of beer. The two men were shown looking satisfied that they had done a good job and then the camera quickly shot back to the trailer as we heard the creaking increase and before we knew it the trailer came crashing down. Without the slightest hint of any panic but with undisguised regret, one of the two men said to the other, “I guess we over did it for the Sheilas”, to which his friend in equal regret just uttered, “yeah”.

The men in the advert above who felt, “Na we dey there” packed the trailer to overload with beer, pampering to their selfish whims and giving little to no thought to the interest of others. Their greed, powerlessness to rein in their voracious appetite when opportunity came knocking to satisfy it and total misuse of position and chance to meet the needs of all, eventually caused the trailer to collapse, so it could not even move anywhere. In the end it didn’t serve anyone’s interest as the drinks were needed at their party.

Forecourt of the State House/Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Nigerian Government seat of power.

But the saddest part about the whole scenario was this; they didn’t ascribe the trailer’s collapse to their greed at all. They blamed it on the two bottles of wine they patted themselves on the back for so thoughtfully including for the women.

Likewise, the problem with Nigeria from the perspective of our political leaders is not current poor leadership but the people who are in too much of a hurry to enjoy a good life. The same good life the majority have been denied all their lives, frustratingly in the midst of plenty. Our leaders will brag in the media about accomplishments which the ordinary man can barely see or feel and explain it away with the usual mantra that government resources are limited, therefore people should understand.

As far as they’re concerned, the lack of good hospitals, good roads, good educational system and the most dismal looking future for coming generations of Nigerians actually has little to do with their current performance and only to do with the corruption and profligacy of past leaders. Like the two Aussie men, they calmly try to explain away something which is so painfully obvious.

We urgently need to do something about the average Nigerian’s “do you know me?” attitude. “Don’t try me, I’m a mad man. My head no dey correct o” mentality. It beats me, why anyone would boast of not being normal in the head. I just can’t understand why people brag about something which should ordinarily be a source of concern to any normal person.

Both the “big men” and “small men” in the streets boast of their “power” and threaten to show their antagonists who they are. It’s just unfortunate that neither the big nor the small oppressor has yet realized that they’re both in the same category – they’re both small minded people – who only feel big by demeaning others. All such are nothing but “small men” no matter their position or financial wherewithal.

I don’t see how such oppressors are any different to wife beaters. Included in this category of wife beaters are the few bad eggs amongst our uniformed men, whose presence ought to be a source of comfort to the citizenry but decide instead to use it to physically or psychologically brutalize those unable to fight back. In the same category are people in positions of authority who instead of using their position to provide an enabling environment and make things happen opt instead to plant endless bureaucratic bottlenecks and strangulate all effort to catalyze industry, just because they can. I ask you, how different to wife beaters are those who boast of past appointments held, not to remind us of how well they transformed the lives of ordinary Nigerians while they were there but to now brandish such credentials as a licence to intimidate and belittle those they supposedly went there to serve? All the above are “little men” but if only they knew. Nigerians are still reeling from one such case but I doff my hat to the individual in question for offering an unreserved apology to the victim and Nigerians in general; a rarity in these climes, I must say.

Sadly, like the case of the two Aussies who were presented with a golden opportunity to meet the needs of all but were blinded by an unrestrained desire to satisfy themselves only, the ship called Nigeria is stuck and currently appears to be moving no where. Power, just for the sake of it is far from a blessing, it’s an albatross.

Changing the nation…one mind at a time

Oladapo Akande is a Surrey University (UK) English graduate with a Masters in Professional Ethics. He’s an alumnus of the National Institute for Transformation and a two time author; The Last Flight and Shifting Anchors. He writes from Lagos.

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