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2024 NBA Conference: Okonjo-Iweala Tackles Govt, Says Oil Theft, Weaponisation of Insecurity Must Stop

Published

3 weeks ago

August 26, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), who was Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has come hard on the government of the day, urging public office holders and politicians in Nigeria to stop weaponising insecurity, oil theft among a plethora of governmental lawlessness.

The former External Affairs Minister made her stance while delivering a keynote address as the Guest Speaker during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Sunday, held at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The theme of the 2024 edition, which is the 64th series is Pressing Forward: A National Posture for Rebranding Nigeria.

Frowning at already established path of discussing Nigeria’s challenges, Okonjo-Iweala reiterated that time has gone when it should just be a discussion, but an action.

“I said it is not in recreation, but it’s moving our country and advancing in quick steps. We are leaving in very difficult times, nobody care in Nigeria or also globally. We have seen protest in this country few weeks ago, and we have also seen protest elsewhere on this continent and beyond.

“These difficulties should make us think deeply and decide on what is needed to move this country forward so we can have the right time of conversation not about playing games of reprimandation, but about what we actually need to do to tackle present and emerging problems to assure the bright future for our young people in this country; that is why my speech today is tagged “a social contract for Nigerians”.

She further admonished the public to desist from quoting her out of context as she intends to blame no one in her address.

“I know I have read just a bit of the present need of the press, I am not here to castigate or blame anyone, I just want you to say my words or put out any points that don’t reflect what I am saying. I am here to speak to all governments of my country, all political parties, all Nigerians about possible ways to help the country.

“If we look at health care, it is clear that Nigerians don’t have what it takes to succeed. I want to remind you in the first half of the 1960s, South Korea took up from exporting primary products to manufacturing goods back then, it was textile and footwears compared to today’s integrated circuits, electronics, shipping and autos,” she said

The keynote address was titled, ‘A Social Contract For Nigeria’s Future’, in an event that attracted some of the nation’s political bigwigs and legal luminaries including President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Former President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama; President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Governors of Lagos and Plateau states, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Barr Caleb Mutfwang, outgoing President of NBA, Yakuba Maikyau SAN; and NBA President-elect, Mazi Afam Osigwe.

Others were Prof Ihonvbare, who represented the Hon Speaker of the Hiuse of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass; Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Hon Adewale Rabiu, who represented Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife; Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mrs. Oyinkansola Okusanya and former President of NBA, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye.

Chief Folake Solanke SAN, who is the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as well as first female Commissioner in Western Nigeria, attended via pre-recorded virtual, where she delivered her goodwill message.

“We cannot have socio-economic development without security. We certainly cannot have security without development.

“We all know that security has been weaponised in our country for political purposes by political actors, leading partly to the situation we have now.

“We have politicians who believe that the best way to make their opponents look bad is to instigate insecurity,” Okonjo-Iweala noted.

Taking the audience through a lane riddled with policy somersaults, the WTO DGadvocated policy consistency in Nigeria regardless of change from one administration to another.

She said, “Maintaining good economic and social policies; maintaining policy consistency and adding more reforms on top of that will lead us along the path of good progress that we all desire.”

The globally respected developmental economist, whose best preferred attire is African print Ankara wears and headgear to match, decried a phenomenon she labelled as the “not-in-my-administration syndrome” in governance which she said has been responsible for the not-so-good economic performance of Nigeria.

She said Nigeria needs a social contract and that all Nigerians regardless of political or other affiliations should agree on a social contract.

She said certain sacrosanct policies should not be changed whenever Nigeria witnesses administration changes, adding that some of these policies should be made into law after being scrutinised by the public.

Okonjo-Iweala said maintaining policy consistency, adding more reforms among other factors will foster good governance.

The woman, whose introduction was heralded by the loudest Ovation at the event said the security of lives and national assets should be prioritised in the social contract, adding that basic organs of the economy should be left to work independently, especially the Central Bank.

“No one should tamper with the Central Bank asking for the manipulation of interest rates or exchange rates. Do not use the Central Bank as a fiscal agent asking for the printing of naira beyond agreed Ways and Means limits as this can fuel inflation,” she said.

The former World Bank top executive said the provision of basic infrastructure should form the third element of the social contract. She said the crafting of social safety nets for the most vulnerable of society should be included in the social contract.

True independence of the judiciary should form the fourth element of the social contract, she said, while charging the NBA to hold the government accountable on all grounds.

She said a social contract will enable a strong and stable foundation for Nigeria upon which citizens and residents can thrive.

The NBA Conference is a yearly retreat of all Nigerian lawyers that kicked off in 1959 in Lagos.

Headline

Edo Election: Police Acting in Interest of APC, Says Obaseki

Published

1 day ago

September 12, 2024

Eric

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called out the Nigerian Police Force, saying they are working in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the buildup to the 2024 Edo Governorship Election. He added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not sign the Peace Accord for the September 21 election.

The accord is an official agreement among political parties to be of good conduct before, during and after election.

Obaseki said the agency, the Police, responsible for enforcing the accord, have through their actions, shown that they are acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and waging war against the PDP.

He expressed worry that “the Police under the manipulation of the APC, has arrested not less than 10 PDP chieftains, who they perceived would be strong political opposition to them in the coming election.”

The governor who spoke when he received the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar said those arrested include a serving Local Government chairman, Hon. Collins Aigbogun.

He stated that the party chieftains were arrested and whisked to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Obaseki queried: “how do one enters a peace accord with an umpire who, from the onset has shown bias in favour of one of the parties in the election.”

He added: “you are very conversant with the politics of Edo State. You were here in 2020 and we had a very heated election. You know this is an off-circle election and there is a lot of attention.

“Unlike 2020, I am very worried with the developments in the State today. The party met yesterday and we might not likely sign this agreement.

“The opposition party in the State, the APC has always argued that they may not be as popular and didn’t win in the last election, but however promised to use Federal might to determine the outcome of the election.”

He added: “We thought it’s just rhetoric. But in the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed gang policemen have come into Edo State to invade, arrest and take away PDP members.”

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Ighodalo Ridicules APC’s Okpebholo, Says Edo Can’t Risk Having Illiterate As Governor

Published

2 days ago

September 11, 2024

Eric

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has advised the electorate against voting an illiterate as the next governor.

Making a veiled reference to the gaffe by the candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governorship hopeful, while addressing a crowd on Monday, said: “Edo doesn’t need an illiterate who will bring insecurity to the state”.

Ighodalo, who spoke at the Olua Primary School field, Uselu, venue of the PDP campaign rally in the Egor Local Government Area, pledged to bring out the best in the youth by harnessing their potential in a positive way for the good of all.

He said: “We will work and bring out the creative potential of our youths in a way that will benefit all. We don’t need an illiterate who will bring insecurity.

“It’s time to move forward. Ogie (his running mate) and I are very ready to work for you all. So, don’t fear, don’t worry, we’re for you all. Prosperity has come for all. Just go out on the 21st and vote early and protect your votes.”

Also speaking, Governor Godwin Obaseki said he had done his best for the state and that Ighodalo and Ogie would continue when he hands over to them.

He added: “I have done my best. Ighodalo and Ogie will continue from 12 November. We want progress. We want to move forward and not backward. Looking at the people here, you see a lot of youths. I am not surprised because Egor is home to youths. We have the University of Benin and the Benin Technical College.

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Ajaero: Amnesty Int’l Accuses Tinubu of Setting Record of Impunity

Published

4 days ago

September 9, 2024

Eric

Global rights group, Amnesty International, has condemned the arrest and detention of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said with the attack on Ajaero, President Bola Tinubu is setting a new record of impunity.

Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport in Abuja on Monday on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment, the NLC said.

The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today (Monday).

Sanusi said: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services (DSS) today. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released.

“The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu.

“President Bola Tinubu’s government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC, through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers’ rights to organize and seek better welfare must stop.

“President Tinubu is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law.

“Amnesty International has observed, in the last one year, the increasing crackdown by the Nigerian authorities on the labour union and civic space. The authorities continue to weaponize the police and SSS to repress the human rights of Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, including trade union membership and activities. The country is also a member of the International Labour Organization, whose fundamental principles include the right to organize, are binding on all members.”

“Under international human rights law workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.

“Joe Ajaero is arrested solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights and must be immediately and unconditionally released,” Sanusi concluded in a statement.