Why Buhari didn’t make assets public – Aides

Aides of President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, explained why the president did not declare his assets publicly. They said he will make his assets known to Nigerians within the first 100 days of his stay in power in line with his assertions before the election.

Meanwhile, there were mixed reactions, yesterday, on the report that the president and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had submitted their assets declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau without immediately making them public.

A civil rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, argued that it was imperative for the duo to make public their assets. It said the action will indicate “their desire and commitment to ending corruption in the country.”

Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari swears to an oath during his inauguration at the Eagles Square in Abuja, on May 29, 2015. Buhari, 72, defeated Goodluck Jonathan in March 28 elections — the first time in Nigeria’s history that an opposition candidate had beaten a sitting president. AFP PHOTO

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on its part, said it would allow Buhari to settle down for governance before taking him to task on his campaign promises.

However, some notable Nigerians disagreed over call for the public declaration of assets by the president and his vice president.

Among those who expressed divergent views were constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN; Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN; rights crusader, Mr Femi Falana, SAN; Mr Kayode Ajulo; Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed and rights activist, Mr Mohammed Fawehinmi.

A close associate of the president, however, debunked criticisms on the issue saying, yesterday, that the president still has 97 days within which to make his assets public as he promised during the campaigns.

President Buhari had in a document on his plan of action within the first 100 days of assumption of office as president promised to make his assets declaration public and influence his appointees to do the same.

“In the document the president said what he would do within the first 100 days and among them was that he would declare his assets publicly in the first 100 days. How many hours has he been in office? How many days after his inauguration?

“I think that the president should be given the benefit of the doubt. It is only three days since he came to office. Does he not deserve the benefit of the balance of the 96 remaining days? I think he deserves commendations”, the source close to the president said on the basis of anonymity.

He should declare assets publicly now— SERAP

Reacting to the development, yesterday, SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Mr Tokunbo Mumuni, said: “We recall that the President had said before the election that he would publicly declare his assets and liabilities, and encourage all his appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition for appointment. We now expect the President to fulfil this promise to the Nigerian people. SERAP trusts that the President and Vice President will move swiftly to publicly declare their assets and to publish widely the information on a dedicated website.

“Public disclosure of assets will give the general public a true picture of the assets of the President and Vice President and will send a powerful message that it is not going to be business as usual with this government. This will also follow the best practice set by former President Umaru Yar’Adua, boost this government’s fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators, and fully comply with the provisions of chapter two of the dealing with Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which among others require the government to take steps to eradicate corrupt practices and the abuse of power”, SERAP stated.

We’ll answer him later —PDP

In its reaction, the PDP said that it would respond to the issue in due season. Speaking with Vanguard, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said that the party would allow Buhari settle down for governance, and then come up with very strong opposition.

Metuh said: “We will allow President Muhammadu Buhari to settle down and address the promises made to Nigerians; we will talk on asset declaration later.”

That is where credibility starts—Sagay

Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, said it was compulsory for the president and his vice to declare their assets publicly saying, “that is where credibility starts”.

Sagay said: “I have no doubt that he will make it public because that is where credibility starts. That is where Jonathan started losing credibility. The late Umar Yar’Adua forced him to declare his assets in 2007, reluctantly, he did it. But when he was his own man, he said he does not give a damn and that is where he started sliding down. So, Buhari has no choice, it is absolute for himself and Osinbajo if change and credibility are going to be sustained. There is no other way out, so I expect in the next 24 hours or so that we would know what their assets are. He should apply it to every other appointee of his regime, not just himself and Osinbajo, it is compulsory and absolute.”

President and his vice didn’t err—Ngige

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, argued that the president and his vice did not err in the declaration of their assets. Ngige said: “There is nothing wrong in what the President and his vice have done. Anyone who is not satisfied with that should go to the Code of Conduct Bureau to get the information they need on the declaration. If the Code of Conduct refuses, they can invoke the Freedom of Information Act. When President Yar’Adua did his declaration, he asked the code of conduct to make it public.

“Yar’Adua did not make his declaration public. People should desist from making noise about it because the President and his vice did the right thing. Getting information about the contents of the declaration should be done accordingly through the code of conduct and if it refuses, people can approach the court and the court can order the code of conduct to make it public.”

Let’s wait for the 100 days—Falana

On his part, rights crusader, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, opined that “these men just took oath of office two days ago and they declared their assets officially as required by law which stipulates 90 days. Meanwhile, they’ve promised to declare their assets publicly within 100 days. I hope it is better we wait for the 100 days.”

The courts should decide—Ajulo

A lawyer, Mr Kayode Ajulo said the courts should be allowed to make a pronouncement on the matter. Ajulo said: “All I know is that we Nigerians just want to be intellectually lazy. It is so clear that Buhari declared his assets, there is no fuzz about anyone declaring his assets or not. When it comes to the declaration of assets under Code of Conduct law, you have to swear to an affidavit, that affidavit is pursuant to an old act, it is called the law of federation. In that act, any oath you are making in Nigeria, it is a public declaration.

Buhari should not be stampeded— Mohammed

Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed maintained that Nigerians should not blackmail or stampede President Buhari into declaring his assets publicly.

His words: “Nigerians must learn to live by what our rules and regulations say when issues like this come up. No democracy without rule of law and Buhari has done what he is supposed to do within the confines of the law”.

Mohammed added that “without sounding irrational, I can personally state everything owned by Buhari. We have to be realistic and it is sheer nonsense when you are trying to tell a man what he already knows or what he is supposed to do. But no one should stampede him in publicly doing it the Yar’Adua way. I don’t mind him declaring publicly but I will oppose anybody trying to stampede him into doing what our law clearly states which he had already done”.

Code of Conduct should make it public—Fawehinmi

IN his remarks, rights activist, Mr Mohammed Fawehinmi, said it was the duty of the Code of Conduct Bureau to make the declaration public.

Fawehinmi said: “They have done what is required by law by declaring their assets officially; it is now the duty of the Code of Conduct to make it open or published it. However, it becomes an obligation on Buhari and Osinbajo to publish their assets publicly as contained in their electoral promises. This will be the beginning of the fulfilment of their promises to Nigerians.”

Human rights activist, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome in his reaction, urged Buhari to declare his assets publicly in conformity with his campaign promises of breaking away from the old order. Ozekhome in a telephone chat with Vanguard in Abuja reminded Buhari that Nigerians now have a long memory and would watch him closely.

He said: “I think President Buhari should realize that all the promises he made with his party, the APC constitute a check list that Nigerians are keeping closely with a biro at hand ready to tick either performed or not performed. I wouldn’t want to believe that some of the promises he made were empty words customized to get votes from Nigerians and then refrains from them later.

Tech training to enhance participation of girls in ICT

AN independent fibre optic infrastructure and telecommunications services  provider across West Africa, Phase3 Telecom, is soliciting for early education and consistent technology training for the girl child in order to sustain them and active in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) space.

According to the firm, it is collaborating with eBusiness Life Communications to mark the 2015 edition of the globally celebrated International Girls in ICT Day.

The Chief Executive Officer of Phase3 Telecom, Stanley Jegede , said, Girls in ICT initiative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is a global effort to raise awareness on empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider studies and careers in ICTs.

To date over 111,000 girls and young women have taken a part in more than 3,500 events held in 140 countries around the world.

In commemoration of the 2015 Girls in ICT, themed “Expanding Horizons and Changing Attitudes”, Jegede, said, early education, digitalized training as well as developing technology skills for women and harnessing those skills promptly, are critical to Africa’s rapid socio-economic development and sustainability.

According to him, “One of the key elements of addressing poverty is the empowerment of women and there is no better way of doing that than ensuring the sustained representation of women in the world of technology to aid rapid socio-economic development in Africa”. He said building a crop of young African girls to actively participate and compete in the evolving as well as innovative global ICT space, is the basis for Phase3 Telecom’s commitment to continue to support the International Girls in ICT day initiative.

Jegede, said he is optimistic that this global evolution will gain greater influence in Africa as more and more institutions and agencies advocate ICT skills for women on the continent. He believes that “young African girls must be encouraged early to see the advantages and dividends of the dynamic and fast-evolving-sector”.

He commended eBusiness Life commitment to the initiative year-on-year to mentor and support girls who have keen interest in walking the ICT career path whether in engineering, design, operations or research.

Gynaecologist Warns Women To Start Having Children Before 30 Or Risk Barrenness

A BRITISH fertility specialist, Professor Geeta Nargund, has advised women to start having children before the age of 30 or risk never having children.

In a letter to Britain’s Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, she lamented the increasing cost to the taxpayer, which she attributed to the surge of women in their 30s and 40s wanting IVF treatment.

Nargund said: “I have witnessed all too often the shock and agony on the faces of women who realise they have left it too late to start a family.

“For so many, this news comes as a genuine surprise and the sense of devastation and regret can be overwhelming.

“And so often the cry will be ‘Why did no one warn me about this?’

“Information is power and the best way to empower people to take control of their fertility is through education.

“Ideally, if a woman is ready for a child, she should start trying by the time she is 30. She should consider having a child early because as a woman gets older, her fertility declines sharply.”

Similarly, the outgoing chair of the British Fertility Society, Professor Allan Pacey, backed Nargund’s view.

He said: “You need to be trying by 30 because if there is a problem and you need surgery, hormones or IVF, then you’ve got five years to sort it out.

“If a woman starts trying at 35, doctors have got to sort it out when she is already on a slippery fertility slope.”

Pacey insisted that teenagers should be sensitised on this, even as from primary school level.

Nargund, a consultant gynaecologist, who works as the lead consultant for reproductive medicine at St George’s Hospital in London, added, “as women get older, they experience more complex fertility problems, so treatment tends to be less successful and more expensive.

“On average, more [IVF] treatment cycles are required for a successful pregnancy. So educating people about fertility is very important for the public purse, because it will help us to get more babies within the same NHS budget.”

Giving mineral deposits back to the people

THE immediate past government’s entreaty the other day to the new Muhammadu Buhari administration to sustain the ‘one local government, one mineral commodity’ policy targeted at developing one mineral in each local council in the country again is a reminder of the warped federalism Nigeria has struggled with over the years.

It has also exposed further the renowned scarcity of ideas on the part of successive leadership on diversifying the economy or developing other sources of revenue which can benefit the people.

Nonetheless, even in the absence of genuine federalism, the people’s control of resources is a necessity and the campaign must be sustained until a positive step is taken by any serious, forward-looking government to allow maximum exploration and utilisation of the nation’s natural resources.

The policy which the past Mines and Steel Development Minister Musa Sada said was a potential job creator has so far fallen short in implementation.

The then minister rightly observed that each of the 774 local councils in the country is blessed with at least one mineral deposit but he missed the point with his claim that the ministry’s “structured exploitation” would diversify the economy from its mono-product status, solve unemployment (problem) and boost the GDP.

The ministry’s structured exploitation involving the 774 local councils is suspicious, hardly convincing. The proposed programmes implementation under SURE-P even gives it out as a makeshift arrangement instead of an institutionalised economic plan in a properly organised federal system.

Really, to what extent would the ministry’s programme encourage exploitation of solid minerals by the states, a matter that has remained a sore point in the states-Federal authorities’ relationship owing to constitutional limitations on the states to control or mine mineral deposits in their domains? Certainly, a lack of pro-people policies in a defective political system has only heaped all manner of injustice on Nigerians who are supposed to benefit from their God-given deposits.

Sadly, the constitutional amendments or even the laws made by the various National Assemblies till date have all failed to address this important matter which touches at the heart of genuine federal system.

In a proper federation, all terms would have been spelt out to give citizens their rights, including the right to exploit mineral resources and then pay royalties to the Federal Government.

In the absence of this, what has played out so far in the country is a resort to self-help through illegal mining across the land. This bleeding of the economy has been so widespread, creating a gash on the soul of the nation and should end.

It is proper to restate the fact that anything about governance that fails to take cognizance of the people is a waste of time and resources.

The prevailing structural arrangement in Nigeria calls for re-consideration in the face of the economic plight of the people, among other things.

The minerals remain on their lands and so policies must be enunciated to address the people’s needs.

Indeed, with the spread of natural resources all over the country, each state, with appropriate legal backing and necessary support, should be able to sustain itself through exploitation of those deposits, as against the present total dependence on oil revenue by both the Federal and state authorities.

Global developments which keep sending oil prices down are enough to set the leadership thinking at creating avenues for survival outside of oil and the best time to start working is now.

From the gold deposits in Osun to the kaolin in Katsina or Oyo, to the lead in Zamfara or the uranium in the north eastern belt, the states must gear up for a new era of sound governance, investment and creative management of resources and put an end to the hand-outs they collect from the federal purse on a monthly basis.

The executive and legislative arms of government should not shy away from confronting the issue of fiscal federalism headlong to give the country a new lease of life and the implementation of the recommendations of the last Constitutional Conference should provide a good beginning.

The mineral deposits are meant to be exploited for development and for improving the people’s welfare, not to be kept in the ground.

The new leadership of Nigeria must set the tone by fully seizing every opportunity to diversify the nation’s income base and create for all Nigerians an abundant life outside of oil.

The least the new leadership can do to touch the lives of the people and make them remain economically sufficient is to ensure a liberation of their creative energy and freeing their resources for development.

President Buhari Appoints Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu As Spokesmen

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the first set of appointments into his administration.

The President on Sunday evening, May 31st 2015 named Mr Femi Adesina and Mal. Garba Shehu as his spokesmen.

Femi Adesina will serve as Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) while Garba Shehu will be the new Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity).

The President has also approved the appointment of Mal. Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure as the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP).

Nigeria Loses Billions of Dollars To Smuggled Poultry Products

Poultry Industry in Nigeria is seriously threatened by the activities of smugglers as Nigeria reportedly loses over $2 billion to smuggled poultry products.

Speaking during the 2015 edition of the annual national poultry summit of  National President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Ayoola Oduntan said   loosing such a whopping sum is detrimental to the growth of poultry business in Nigeria.

Oduntan stated that over 1.2 million tonnes of poultry products, mainly frozen chicken and turkey smuggled into the country have adversely affected the business of poultry farming in the country.

According to him, Nigeria produces 300,000 tonnes of poultry products locally. Compared to the million of tonnes being smuggled into the country every day, Oduntan noted that there is a wide gap between the aggregate demand and supply in the country “Nigeria cannot continue to be a subtle dumping ground for all kinds of poultry and poultry products. Considering the high level of unemployment in the country, the government must do everything it can to reopen closed farm and develop the poultry industry, rather than wasting hard earned foreign exchange on products that gives nothing but financial losses to the economy,” he said.

Oduntan indicated that the outbreak of avian influenza that affected about 1.2 million birds in 25 states in the country has increased to 1.4 million in 5 months.

READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/450453-nigeria-loses-billions-of-dollars-to-smuggled-poultry-products.html

"I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody" - New Nigerian President's inaugural speech

The new President saluted the the resolve of Nigerians who voted in spite of the rigours and shortcomings of the past election.

Nigeria's new president, Muhammadu Buhari, after being sworn-in and the release of the ceremonial white doves - signaling freedom and a new era, proceeded to give his inaugural speech today at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

He started by thanking the past president, Goodluck Jonathan, and social media users for the support throughout the entire process.

The president saluted the the resolve of Nigerians who voted in spite of the rigours and shortcomings of the past election. He then said that he belonged to everybody and nobody, metaphorically affirming his stand against favoritism and penchant for service.

He also thanked those who did not vote for him but supported the system to ensure that the country had a functional democracy. He thanked Chad and the Niger Republic for supporting the country in the fight against Boko Haram and stated categorically that his government would not interfere with the legislative system.

"From tomorrow we face enormous challenges, but we must not succumb to hopelessness," said Buhari. "I am grateful for the efforts of our past leaders. Daunting as this task may be, It is not insurmountable."

He promised to reform and rebuild the public service to ensure effectiveness and admonished the the media and social media to exercise their freedom with responsibility and a sense of patriotism. The President also noted that the administration can work without the support of union, the press, and civil organisations.

Buhari also said that the military command centre would no longer be situated in Abuja but in Maiduguri until Boko Haram was defeated and that no one can claim to have defeated Boko Haram until the Chibok girls, as well as other hostages being held by the Islamic sect have been rescued. He also assured that his government will guard against every form of human rights violation, adding that it was a national shame that Nigeria as a country of over 120 million people, only generates 4000MW of electricity.

Furthermore, he noted that it has been a long time since Nigeria enjoyed as much international goodwill as it did at the moment, reiterating his appreciation for the support, advice and messages from the all the countries that have shown concern for the countries plight.

Nigerians jubilate as new Nigerian President is sworn in

Shouts of “Sai Baba, Sai Buhari” rent the air as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmoud Mohammed administered the oath and declared the 72-year-old as Nigeria’s new leader.

Muhammadu Buhari has been sworn in as Nigeria’s fourth democratically elected President.

Today, May 29, 2015, at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Buhari promised to uphold Nigeria’s constitution without fear or favour; and Nigerians believed him.

Shouts of “Sai Baba, Sai Buhari” rent the air as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmoud Mohammed administered the oath and declared the 72-year-old as Nigeria’s new leader.

With the whole world watching, Buhari gave a warm hug to his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan who will be heading to his hometown of Otuoke in Bayelsa state.

The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army subsequently fired a 21 gun salute in honour of Nigeria’s President.

The atmosphere at the Eagle Square is one of hope, excitement and anticipation as Nigerians expect the change that Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have promised would come.

Muhammadu Buhari sworn in as Nigeria's President!

President Buhari was sworn in at exactly 10.51am (Nigerian local time) after taking the oath of office.

Muhammadu Buhari has been sworn in as the 15th president ofNigeria.

President Buhari was sworn in at exactly 10.51am (Nigerian local time) after taking the oath of office with his wife by his side.

Moments before, Yemi Osinbajo was also sworn in with his wife by his side.

Administering the oath of office for both men was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmoud Mohammed.

President Buhari, who had previously ruled the country in a military regime from 1983 - 1985 takes over the mantle of power from now former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meanwhile, a 21-gun salute has been performed in honour of the swearing in and President Buhari has performed his first role as president, by inspecting the parade.

This is in the history of Nigeria, its first democratic transfer of power from one political party to another.

Hike In Price Of Food, Transportation As Fuel Scarcity Spreads In NIgeria

Residents in most Nigerian states are facing hard times, as the scarcity of fuel has triggered hike in the price of food commodities and transport fare.

In Kaduna State, service stations are currently selling fuel between 130 and 150 Naira per litre.

The development has brought untold hardship to residents who are now appealing to the relevant authorities to address the problem.

In Lagos State, a litre of petrol sells for over 300 Naira, leading to huge hike in the price of food items. Transport fare has doubled or trippled in some cases. In some areas of the Lagos State, the amount the commuter pays depends on his bargaining power.The price of food items has doubled, with sellers willing to see their perishable items lose value than to sell at the old price.

In Lokoja, Kogi State capital, few service stations sell the product between 120 to 150 Naira.

One of the service stations at Nataco that had fuel sell for 130 Naira per liter. Commercial buses that must refuel in the state, had no choice but to buy.

Professor James Adeosun told Channels Television that the high level of corruption in the oil and gas sector led to the difficulties that Nigerians were facing.

In different states, most commercial vehicle owners now patronise the black market, as it has become difficult to get the product at service stations.

The fuel scarcity in the oil-rich nation has lingered for about four months now, with residents experiencing the worst moments. There is no end in sight of the problem, as most service stations are shut.

Motorists and those who do their daily business with petrol complain of spending their fortunes to get the product officially put at 87 Naira per litre.

The black marketers, who had stored the product and are now selling, are ripping off residents by selling at high prices. Some residents have resorted to buying the  product for their daily activities in spite of its exorbitant rate.

The scarcity had been linked to the demand by petroleum marketers for full payment of their outstanding subsidy owed by the Nigerian government.

Fuel marketers are insisting that they will not lift petroleum products except the Federal Government pays them their balance.

But one of them, Capital Oil, is defying the directive, pushing out 15 million litres. If the company sustained supplies, in the next nine days, 135 million litres would be available for consumers.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is also discharging 36 million litres currently, as the corporation attempts to cushion the effect of the scarcity on Nigerians.

Nigeria President Elect snub PDP FG handover programme.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed disappointment with what it describes as the apparent snub by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari of the handover programme lined up by the Federal Government to transmit power to him by Friday, May 29, 2015. The PDP said such behaviour was a measure of lack of democratic discipline.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Sunday said the President-elect owes Nigerians explanations on why he snubbed the prayer sessions scheduled for Friday and Sunday for Muslims and Christians respectively to usher in four years of his in-coming administration as well as the embarrassing protocol gaffe and low-down treatment that characterized his visit to British Prime Minister, David Cameron, last Saturday.

The PDP said it was disgraceful that due to poor coordination and crass ineptitude in the handling of issues, the President-elect was left almost stranded while waiting for about thirty minutes before he was received by the British leader and wondered if such is a foretaste of the muddling to be experienced under the All Progressives Congress’ administration.

“Nigerians, as citizens of a sovereign nation were thoroughly embarrassed when they saw their President-elect cheapened and kept waiting at the door of 10 Downing Street to see the British Prime Minister due to shoddy arrangements by his handlers.

“Indeed, they are becoming increasingly worried about the frightening unpreparedness of the APC for governance and the huge embarrassments they have been attracting to our nation. We know that the APC has been lying over issues. We also know that the APC and the President-elect have been flip-flopping and reneging on their campaign promises; but to embarrass the nation by embarking on such a sensitive visit without adequate preparations is shameful and completely unacceptable.

“We share the fear of well-meaning Nigerians on how a party which cannot adequately handle a simple task of organizing a diplomatic outing will effectively administer a country as complex as Nigeria.

“The APC has continued to give signals that it lacks capacity to face the challenges of governance. Such has been evidenced in the uneasiness of the President-elect who in apparent loss of confidence in himself has started reneging on his promises of quick fixes while confessing in a meeting with APC governors-elect on May 5, 2015 that he has ‘started nervously to explain to people that Rome was not built in a day’.

“Instead of settling down for governance and working out how to fulfill its promises of making the naira the same in value with the dollar, paying N5,000 monthly to 25 million poor Nigerians, providing electricity on 24/7 basis, providing free meals for school children and allowances for discharged but unemployed youth corps members among others, the APC is busy inventing excuses for failure and blaming everyone else but themselves. We hope they will not blame the PDP for their Saturday’s embarrassing outing at 10 Downing Street.

“Furthermore, we find it curious and more than a co-incidence that the nation is experiencing an acute shortage of fuel and electricity supply at this point in time, when such has not been the case under the current PDP-led administration. We ask, are there some forces sabotaging the system to create an impression that the APC is inheriting poor infrastructure and complete system breakdown?

“Is this also part of the larger plot to embarrass and defame the PDP-led administration in an attempt to justify APC’s excuses for failure”, the PDP said

The party insisted that despite the challenges of insecurity and global economic recession that negatively affected many other nations, its administration had in the last 16 years worked very hard in repositioning critical sectors of the polity and laying strong infrastructure backbone that that any prepared and result oriented in-coming administration can comfortably leverage on.

It therefore asked the APC to get ready to apply its much-mouthed manifesto or be bold to apologize to Nigerians for presenting false messianic posture and making false promises to them.

Nigeria Can be GREAT AGAIN.....

A former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, says the oil-rich nation has a new opportunity to be great again under the leadership of the President elect, General Mohammadu Buhari.

He expressed this hope in a meeting with Women Leaders from the south-west states of Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Lagos at his hilltop residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Mr Obasanjo, however, urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, as it finds solution to those challenges facing the country.

The former President also asked all Nigerians to continue to pray and support the administration in its onerous task of rebuilding the nation’s socio-economic and political life.

The leader of the delegation of the Women, Mrs Alaba Lawson, asked the former President to continue to offer the leadership that would ensure the success of the new administration, especially in the task of ensuring growth and development in the face of the challenges facing Nigeria.

Addressing the delegation, Obasanjo asked Nigerians to be patient with the incoming administration and also urged General Buhari to take the right steps in the right direction, especially in his first three months in office, as Nigerians’ expectations are high.

While asking Nigerians to play their path in the development of the country, he, however, expressed his willingness to continue to offer support until his service is no longer needed.

He also asked the president-elect to leverage on his acceptability both at home and abroad by providing the much needed leadership and direction for Nigeria.opinionvoices.blogspot.com

NIGERIA FACES A FULL BLOWN NATIONAL CRISIS.

Nigeria is facing a full-blown national crisis as virtually all sectors of the economy has grounded to a halt as the fuel scarcity bites harder across the country.

As the economy races to breakdown, the Nigerian government appears helpless, with President Goodluck Jonathan merely counting days to hand over the problem to the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

From the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to the 36 states of the federation, reports are that virtually all public and private institutions have shut down in the face of shortage of fuel to maintain normal businesses.

Worse hit are hospitals, schools, banks, transportation companies and telecommunication operators, which have either suspended normal operations or issued notices of closure or scaling down on full business hours for lack of fuel to power the engines that power their activities.

For most part of last week, several airline operators announced plans to significantly alter their normal flight schedules, blaming it on their inability to get aviation fuel for their aircraft.

“Due to the current scarcity of Jet-A1 fuel being experienced in the country, we regret to inform you that all our flights will not operate regularly as scheduled,” one of Nigeria’s premier arlines, Aero Contractors, informed its customers on May 22. “We regret any inconveniences the changes will cause. All efforts are being made to ameliorate the situation and revert to our regular flight schedule.”

At the airports in Abuja and Lagos, thousands of travellers were stranded as most airlines cancelled their scheduled flights.

Both MTN and Airtel, two of Nigeria’s major telecommunications operators, have all notices to their customers to inform them that their services might be disrupted till the fuel supply situation improves.

The text message from Airtel management to its customers on Sunday read: “Dear Valued Customer, this is to inform you that due to nationwide fuel crisis our services may experience some strain. We are doing everything possible to manage the situation. Thank you for understanding.”

In a similar message on Sunday, the management of GTBank issued notice of early closure of its branches nationwide.

“The current shortage of petroleum products in the country has limited our ability to supply diesel to all our branches, in order to continue normal branch operations.

“Due to this, we unavoidably have to close our branches nationwide at 1 pm, from tomorrow Monday, 25th May 2015,” the bank said in the text message.

In its own notice to customers, MTN announced that the intractable fuel shortage might force it to shut down some of its base-stations that are powered by diesel-operated generators.

“The management of MTN states that the current diesel scarcity in most parts of the Nigeria is posing threat to quality of services and the ability to optimally operate the network,” the company said in a statement released on its Twitter handle.

“MTN’s available reserves of diesel are running low and the company must source for significant quantity of diesel in the very near future to prevent a shut down of services across Nigeria. If diesel supplies are not available within the next 24 hours the network will be seriously degraded and customers will feel the impact.”

Car dealer, Cosharis Motors, has also warned buyers of its new BMW cars to park them until fuel is available, apparently in other to avoid using adulterated fuel purchased from the black market to run the vehicle that may cause serious mechanical damage in the cars. Experts say the new BMW cars have zero tolerance for adulterated fuel.

Throughout last week, as the fuel scarcity took its toll on businesses, parents experienced difficulties transporting their wards to school and back, as no filling station opened for business following the continued strike action oil workers.

Some schools’ management in Abuja and environs were compelled to order early closure of their schools for mid-term break, as most teachers and parents could not cope with the unprecedented pressure imposed on them by lack of fuel.

On Sunday, the Divine Scholars School in the Lekki area of Lagos informed parents it is closing for mid-term break till June 1, although insiders in the school said the forced holiday was caused by the biting fuel shortage

A visit to some public hospitals, including the National Hospital and Garki General Hospital, witnessed significant reduction in activities at the weekend.

Similarly, churches and other places of worship in the Federal Capital Territory also witnessed low turnout of the usual population of worshippers, most of whom found movement difficult.

At Jabi and other locations where there are motor parks, the usual hustle and bustle of activities by travellers were almost absent, as very few commercial transport operators were on duty.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Sunday called on the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari to consider the deregulation of the oil and gas downstream sector as a priority on assumption of office.

The President of the Chamber, Remi Bello, said the current fuel scarcity and power supply situation in the country have grounded the economy
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Mr. Bello said only the immediate deregulation of the sector would help resolve the recurring problem of scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

The Chamber identifies massive corruption in the fuel subsidy regime, collapse of the country’s refineries, dwindling investment in the downstream sector and loss of jobs as some the key challenges the sector was facing.

The current fuel subsidy regime and government’s direct involvement in the operations of oil and gas sector should be stopped if normalcy is to be restored in the nation’s economy.

Regardless, while the people continue to suffer untold hardship as a result of the fuel supply crisis, the oil marketers and the outgoing government continue to bicker in their unending blame game over unpaid subsidy claims.

The marketers, under the umbrella groups of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), the Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association (DAPMA) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), have continued to accuse government of refusing to pay outstanding claims of about N200 billion.

But the outgoing Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Saturday accused the marketers of blackmail, claiming that government had agreed with marketers that N159 billion would be paid after a reconciliation by a committee constituted for that purpose.

Meanwhile, another systems collapse has been reported at Shiroro Power Plant on Sunday amid the worsening energy crisis.

The latest systems collapse reported at about 4.10 pm on Sunday by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said the development has left the zone with just 15 mega watts (MW) at about 5.05 pm.

The AEDC said at about 6.50pm, only sensitive installations within the Central Business District had electricity supply.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, had on Friday reported that power generation nationwide had dropped from 4,800MW to 1,327MW, leading to the massive load shedding ongoing across the country.

The AEDC said it has sent alerts to customers in the FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states to apologise to them for the difficult situation caused by the huge drop in power supply from the national grid, from about 450MW daily to less than 200MW in recent times.

The company said allocation to the zone for Friday, May 22 was 145MW, while allocation for both Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, was 115.6MW.

“The situation has been worsened by the system collapse at Shiroro this evening, which brought our supply down to 15MW,” the company said in a statement.