- LASG has provided enabling environment for private sector growth, says Dangote
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, said the stories of President Muhammadu Buhari; President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote are a testament that prosperity can be achieved when leaders have shared vision for the people they are leading.
Sanwo-Olu shared three different stories on how President Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu and Dangote are connected to the newly commissioned first privately owned refinery in Nigeria, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, said the three leaders have shown Nigerians that leadership is about consistency and commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth.
He said: “The vision of Aliko Dangote, President Muhammadu Buhari and incoming President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a story of possibility when men have a shared common vision, purpose and they have the possibility that things can happen, things can change and things can be prosperous for the people they are leading.
“These three men; Aliko Dangote, President Muhammadu Buhari, and President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu epitomise all the great qualities of great leadership. They have shown us that nothing can be something. They have shown us that leadership is about consistency. It is about showing that whatever it is that you believe in, give it all it takes and at the end of it you will see the results coming out.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu while commending Dangote, said the business mogul is a completely detribalised Nigerian who has impacted many lives positively.
He said: “To our son Alhaji Aliko Dangote, we are indeed truly proud that you have put Nigeria and indeed Africa on that world map in which you have done the very first. We are proud of your belief in your country and your belief in the youth that you are giving the opportunity to. We are proud of the fact that you are a Nigerian that is completely detribalised and you have imbibed it in many ways.
“It is about the opportunity this (refinery) has provided for all the youth and young people of our country. It is about the fact we can say to them the work these three men – Mr. President, Alhaji Dangote, and our incoming president have done and will continue to do.
“It is about our future. It is about providing an opportunity for the youth because over 150,000 direct and indirect jobs that will be created are for our youths; young leaders that are in their 20s and their 30s for them to believe that indeed Nigerian is a place for them. Nigeria considers them as an important and veritable tool in developing and ensuring the very best.
“I want to also thank our President-elect who propelled a vision of what we are enjoying today. As governor and as Lagosian, he was the main architect of the modern history of the trajectory of Lagos and we are hopeful and praying that when he comes in as president, all of those additional vision that he has will come to reality.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was part of the birth of the Lekki free zone in 2006 during the tenure of Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State, praised the host communities for showing hospitality to investors in the area.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank our host community. This community has been the host to several firsts in our country and I want to thank all of them; from the traditional rulers to all of the indigenous citizens that have continued to reflect the true spirit of Lagos to be able to show hospitality and accommodation in everything that we are about,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office, saying the people of Lagos State are proud of what the President has done for Nigeria.
He said: “You (President) have spent 2,915 days out of 2,922 days that you have. Mr. President, you have spent 99.98 percent of your time. Mr President history will certainly judge you well. We in Lagos are happy. This is your third trip to the Lekki Free Zone in less than a year.
“We are proud of you. We are indeed excited that you have thrown everything you have into it and as you bow down, I might not have the opportunity of holding a microphone again, I want to say to you, that on behalf of Lagos State, we are truly proud of the things that you have done for us in this country.”
Speaking earlier, Dangote commended Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu for providing an enabling environment for private sector growth, particularly the Dangote Refinery.
He said: “Lagos State Government has been exceptionally remarkable in their efforts toward the completion of this project.
“The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has provided an enabling environment for private sector growth in the state and this project. It has allowed us to invest over $30 billion in different sectors of the industry.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
22 MAY 2023
WINB Africa Education First Series 2023: Shun Intimidations, Participate Actively in Nation Building, Women Charged
Nigerian women have been charged not to get intimidated and discouraged but tenaciously participate in political activities and nation-building.
The charge was given by participants at the second Education First Series (EFS) workshop organized by the Women in Nation Building, WINB Africa, held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The WINB AFRICA EFS, which was well attended by women from different backgrounds, focused on three different pulse points namely; Financial and Digital Inclusion as Key Drivers for Expanding Female Entrepreneurial Growth and Independence; Engaging Communities, Feminine and Advocacy Groups, Financial and Political Organizations for Feminine Entrepreneurial Success as well as Activism in Feminine Gender Coalitions: The Place of Financial Power and Education.
Speaking on the topic titled ‘Celebrating A Nation Builder’s Legacies’, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kwara State on Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) who was the Special Guest of Honour, said active participation of women in politics and governance would help secure visibilities for female politicians and decision-makers as they would not only be able to draw attention to issues affecting them but put in place policies that will favour the women folks.
She expressed optimism that women’s active engagement in political activities would help them develop and express their opinion in society as well as be able to take part in making decisions that affect their lives.
“Women’s active participation in politics, especially at the local level will promote inclusive representatives of leadership, promote women in leadership and decision-making at all levels,” Dr Ibrahim submitted.
Speaking on the challenges faced by women who are already in politics, Dr Ibrahim encouraged them to always be strong-minded and developed well-formed minds to avoid being discouraged due to intimidation by men in society.
“The place of financial power and education cannot be overemphasized. While knowledge is the primary ingredient, economic power is the catalyst for women’s development and empowerment, women must constantly seek more knowledge and know whom we are.
“We must seek the knowledge of self, which is a holistic knowledge by not just pursuing academic and technical knowledge, but we must also seek spiritual and religious knowledge, because as women if we are well-rounded as individuals, we hardly get pushed around. We might get called names in an attempt to break our spirit, because we refuse to be pushovers, this is where a thick skin comes in here handy. Do not allow your spirit to be broken. Go ahead, push on and you would achieve it,” she submitted.
Also speaking, the Chairman and keynote speaker at the event, Barrister Mike Dada, urged women to always encourage one another not to give up regardless of the challenges they face, as he noted that problems are part of everyday life, and individuals only need to fathom out how to confront and defeat them.
Dada, who is also the Managing Director, PRM Africa Marketing and Communications, added that “We can’t talk about nation-building without talking about women. Women are very powerful but many of them don’t realise the power they have; however, we must continue to fight for more spaces and opportunities for women, we must not keep quiet.”
Speaking earlier, Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, the founder of African Women in Nation Building, in her welcome address, noted that WINB Africa was founded in 2014 as a pan-African women’s organization with the sole aim of bringing consciousness to women’s role in nation building in Africa.
Dr Jaiyesimi said the WINB Africa was deliberately created by her and four other women from four other African countries as a result of a noticeable gap in nation-building. According to her, “While women are seen as foremost nation builders worldwide, surprisingly, many women are being seen taking the back seat in nation building, apparently as a result. I saw the gap and was very determined to bridge the gap.”
She said while women are the foremost nation builders in the world as they start from family units with different daily tasks, that position must not be relegated by anyone, community, institution or government.
A strong advocate for women’s role in development and nation-building, Dr Jaiyesimi expressed her belief in the fact that there is a need for more women to be involved in business, trade, governance and other sectors of the African economy.
“Good governance has been on the rise in the nations of Africa, as the continent now witnesses women taking on roles as president of nations, corporate and business leaders, where jobs and opportunities are created. There are a lot of untapped opportunities for the reinvention of social emancipation in Africa as decision-makers could work closely with non-governmental organisations in the nation-building process. There is a need for more women to be involved in business, trade, governance and other sectors of the African economy. In addition, women organisations can also be catalysts for development in Africa.”
“With this deliberate creation of the NGO, we started launching different projects such as Education First Series, because women need to be educated. We engage in topics that are brought on the front burner. Another project we hold dearly in our heart is the orphanage project where we teach the orphans what education means,” she added.
“We provide food, clothing and comfort for them, so we can bridge the gap that is created by that sector that could be a threat to you and me in the future. Another project is the WIMB Africa Business Roundtable, a monthly programme where we focus on different sectors. WIMB Africa Project Sapphire, where we help young women to get into male-dominated sectors in partnership with universities and colleges all over the world. WIMB Africa Project Back To School where we ensure that we reduce drastically the number of out-of-school children. Also, we have Project WIMB Africa Food Bank where we ensure that vulnerable people are fed.
“I want to see women scale new heights. Women are dynamic, able to multi-task and innovative. With the energy and dynamism that women have been endowed with, their role in nation-building cannot be undermined but amplified and supported by all,” she said.
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU, HAMZAT’S SECOND-TERM INAUGURATION KICKS OFF WITH YOUTH CARNIVAL, ROBOTIC COMPETITION
- Students urge LASG to include Robotic Science in school curriculum
Lagos State Government on Sunday kicked off the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for a second term in office with Youth Carnival and Robotic competition.
The Youth Carnival and Robotic competition were held simultaneously across the five divisions of Lagos State comprising Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe, as Lagos residents gathered in their thousands to celebrate the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
The Youth Carnival and Robotic competition held simultaneously at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja; Badagry Grammar School, Badagry; Ikorodu Town Hall Premises, Ikorodu; Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos Island and Epe Recreation Centre, Epe, were parts of the 11-day programme lined up to celebrate Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, who have performed excellently in office in the first term, with the promise of improved performance to effectively achieve ‘A Greater Lagos Rising.’
Governor Sanwo-Olu was represented in the five divisions by top government officials.
Speaking at the event in Ikeja, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu, said the Governor deserves a second term in office to enable ‘A Greater Lagos Rising’ agenda.
She said the Robotic competition among students was part of the feats achieved in education during the first term of Governor Sanwo-Olu, adding that Lagosians should expect more when the second term takes off on May 29.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Hon. Abdulhamid Salawu, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for empowering the youths.
“We can all see what Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu did during his first term, which is about to end and we are preparing for the inauguration of another term.
“The youths are happy with Governor Sanwo-Olu because they felt his impact during his first term and we believe he is going to do more for youths in his second term,” he said.
The council boss also urged youths in Lagos State to be focused on achieving their goals.
Some of the Students who took part in the Robotic competition at JJT Park Ikeja said they used their robots to showcase Emergency Response Services on Hospital Incidents and Traffic related issues.
Speaking at the event held at Muri Okunola Park, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, of the Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, said the event was to thank the youths for their support during the last gubernatorial poll and for them to embrace artificial intelligence for development which they did through the Robotic display.
He advised the youths to shun violence and drug abuse and do things that would ensure the rising of Greater Lagos.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Princess Rashidat Adu, said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration had so far embarked on inclusive governance especially on youth-related issues, which had led to his re-election with his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for a second term.
She said a lot of talents had been displayed at the Robotic Competition. She assured the youth that more programmes that would be of benefit to them would be embarked upon by the administration.
At the Ikorodu event, students appealed to the Lagos State Government to include Robotics Science into their school curriculum to further develop the technology set skills of the younger population.
Speaking during the Robotic competition organised in the Ikorodu division of Lagos State, the students expressed confidence that investment in the ecosystem will build the science and technology space of Lagos State and Nigeria.
A representative of the CMS Girls Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu, Miss Joe Halimat, said that it becomes imperative for government to give priority to Robotic studies in schools as they do to Sports and Entertainment.
Halimat whose school came second in the competition explained that building a robot for traffic management has taught her perseverance and tolerance which has changed her way of life.
Also speaking, the Head of the Department, Co-curriculum for Science and Technology, Education District II, Mrs. Amaka Oto, advised students to brace up for technological advancement and acquire more knowledge in line with the THEMES agenda of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
During the events held simultaneously across the five Lagos divisions – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe, youths thrilled the gathering with various displays, including dance, singing, among others.
Students from the six Education Districts in Lagos State also participated in the Robotic competition held simultaneously in the five divisions in the State.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
21 MAY 2023
Professor Igho Natufe blames Okpe backwardness on absence of true political leaders
Okpe Union, a foremost socio-cultural and political organization in Africa, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 celebrated its 93 years of existence with a call for the Okpe Nation to be accorded recognition as a distinct ethnic nationality in Nigerian federation.
The dignitaries who congregated to celebrate the Okpe Union Day fumed at various attempts by some uninformed and mischievous elements within and outside the group classifying Okpe as a sub-group or clan of any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria, ostensibly referring to the Urhobo people.
The notable leaders therefore dismissed as unverified, the narrative being propagated by some traditional rulers and political turn-coats referring to Okpe kingdom as one of the twenty four kingdoms of the contemporary federated Uhrobo nationality of Delta central senatorial district.
Addressing journalists, President General of Okpe Union, Prof Igho Natufe, insisted that the Okpe Union remains committed to the agitation for the restoration and recognition of Okpe as an independent and distinct ethnic group in Nigeria.
He called on stakeholders and institutions of nations and Okpe people worldwide to focus on achieving synergy for the growth and development of the Okpe Nation so that Okpe can once again attain its rightful place in the committee of other ethnic nationalities in Delta state and by extension Nigeria.
The occasion provided an opportunity for some of the leaders to review Okpe Kingdom past and draw a roadmap for the future.
Their suggestions once again centred on the unity and development of Okpe kingdom.
Natufe whose speech was entitled: Restatement of Okpe distinct ethnic nationality reviewed events in Delta State and express dismay at the role of politicians in the underdevelopment of Okpe Kingdom.
Amidst intermittent applause from the cream of the nation’s social and political elite, who gathered to add colour to one of the events marking the union’s 93rd anniversary in Lagos, Natufe condemned the marginalization and often the denial of some positions as a result of lumping of Okpe with Uhrobo , citing the case of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), where the Okpe Nation has been denied its rightful slots of appointment and awards of projects due to the placing of Okpe under Urhobo whereas the Ijaw , Ika , Isoko ,Itsekiri and Ndokwa ethnic nationalities were accorded due recognition and therefore received their respective slots as recognized ethnic nationalities.
Paying tribute to Okpe Union founding fathers, Natufe however noted the pathetic case of Orerokpe which is one of the oldest local governments in Nigeria and yet without a bank and other amenities as a result of neglect by succeeding governments both at the federal and state levels.
He restated the call for the restoration of Sapele, Warri and Koko Ports abandoned by successive governments as these will shore up social-economic activities and create value addition in these areas.
The Okpe Union President General also noted with commendation the recent Federal Government directive on the teaching of indigenous languages in local government across Nigeria as this will give credence to the age long agitation for the teaching of Okpe language in all educational institutions situated in Okpe kingdom as a critical component of Okpe identity.
He urged elected officials to change the world’s perception of Okpe Kingdom and making the people proud by performing creditably.
Failed Abuja CCTV project: Court orders Buhari govt to account for $460m Chinese loan
A Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to “account for the spending of $460 million Chinese loan to fund the failed Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project.”
The Court also ordered the government to “publish the total amount of money paid to Chinese and local companies and contractors and specific details of the names of the companies and contractors and status of the implementation of the project.”
Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite made the orders while delivering judgment in a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1447/2019 brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The suit followed the disclosure in 2019 by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed that “Nigeria was servicing the loan”, adding that she had ‘no explanations on the status of the project.’ She reportedly said, “We are servicing the loan. I have no information on the status of the CCTV project.”
In his judgment, Justice Nwite agreed with SERAP that “there is a reasonable cause of action against the government. Accounting for the spending of the $460 million Chinese loan is in the interest of the public. It will be inimical for the court to refuse SERAP’s application for judicial review of the government’s action.”
Justice Nwite also said that, “The Minister of Finance is in charge of the finance of the country and cannot by any stretch of imagination be oblivious of the amount of money paid to the contractors for the Abuja CCTV contract and the money meant for the construction of the headquarters of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).”
Justice Nwite also ordered the government “to provide the details clarifying whether the sum of N1.5 billion Naira paid for the failed contract meant to construct the headquarters of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) was part of another loan obtained from China.”
Justice Nwite’s judgment, read in part: “SERAP’s core objectives are to promote human rights, transparency and accountability and anticorruption in Nigeria.”
“I am of the humble view that there is a reasonable cause of action against the government [through the Minister of Finance] and I so hold that SERAP has made out a case to be entitled to the reliefs sought.”
“The law is well settled that where a document or letter is sent by post, it is the law that same is taken or presumed to have been delivered.”
“Following this principle of law and relying on exhibit OS2, SERAP’s Freedom of Information request sent to Ms Ahmed is deemed to have delivered. Therefore, the averment by the government [through her] that they were not served with the letter is hereby discountenance. I so hold.”
Joined as defendants in the suit are Ms Ahmed and the Minister of Police Affairs.
Justice Nwite granted the following orders of mandamus against the Nigerian government:
- AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the government [through the Minister of Finance] to provide and make available to SERAP information on the total amount of money paid to contractors, with specific details of names of companies local contractors involved, from the $460 million loan obtained in 2010 from China by the Federal Government of Nigeria to fund the failed Abuja CCTV contract.
- AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the government [through the Minister of Finance] to provide the details of the local companies and Chinese contractors that have received funds from the $460 million loan for the finance of the Abuja CCTV contract as well as details of the status of implementation of the project.
- AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the government [through the Minister of Finance] to provide the details clarifying whether the sum of N1.5 billion Naira mobilisation fee reportedly paid to the contractors for the construction of the Headquarters of the Code of Conduct Bureau in Abuja was part of another loan from China. This is the judgment of the court.
SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The onus is now on President Buhari to immediately comply with the court’s orders. We commend Justice Nwite for his courage and wisdom, and urge President Buhari and Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to immediately obey the court orders.”
“This is a victory for justice, rule of law, transparency and accountability. The judgment shows the way forward in the fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators. We will do everything within the law to ensure full compliance by President Buhari with this ground-breaking judgment on Chinese loans.”
“We call on President Buhari to use the judgment as the basis for publishing details of spending of all Chinese loans and other loans obtained by his government since May 2015.”
Nigeria’s total borrowing from China climbed from $1.39 billion to $4.29 billion between June 2015 and December 2022, according to data from Debt Management Office (DMO).
Nigeria’s 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) revealed earlier in the year that the federal government will spend N6.31 trillion on debt servicing in 2023, which amounts to about 74.6% of the government’s projected revenue of 8.46 trillion for the year.
Nigeria risks losing key national assets to China in the event that it defaults in paying back loans obtained from China.
According to a report, Nigeria may have defaulted on Chinese loan repayment and stands the risk of paying a penalty amounting to N41.31 billion. The report quoted the Debt Management Office (DMO), which said Nigeria has failed to fully service its debt to China, which has accumulated to N110.31 billion in the last two years.
It would be recalled that SERAP had in December 2019 filed a lawsuit against Ms Ahmed over failure to “disclose information and specific documents on the total amount of money paid to contractors from the $460 million loan obtained in 2010 from China to fund the apparently failed Abuja CCTV project.”
The suit number, read in part: “Servicing Chinese loans for failed projects is double jeopardy for Nigerians—they can neither see nor benefit from the projects; yet, they are made to pay both the loans and the accrued interests.”
“The $460 million loan got for the failed Abuja CCTV project and the N1.5 billion for the construction of CCB headquarters, which may be part of another Chinese loan, may have been mismanaged or stolen, and in any case, remain unaccounted for.”
“Transparency in the spending of Chinese loans is good for everyone, as this would help to increase the effectiveness, legitimacy, and contribution of the loans to the development of public goods and services, and the general public interests.”
“The information being requested does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure under the Act. The Respondent has no legally justifiable reason for refusing to provide SERAP with the information requested.”
“Democracy cannot flourish if governments operate in secrecy. The citizens are entitled to know how the commonwealth is being utilized, managed and administered in a democratic setting.”
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
21/5/2023
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact: +2348160537202
PRESIDENT BUHARI REVIEWS NAVAL FLEET, PLEASED WITH NIGERIAN MILITARY’S COMBAT READINESS
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday expressed confidence that the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu would continue to provide crucial support to the Nigerian Navy, maintaining the positive trajectory achieved during his own tenure.
Speaking at the Presidential Fleet Review held at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, possibly the last by him in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief, the President expressed immense satisfaction with the array of naval assets on display and combat readiness of the Nigerian military.
Recognizing the nation’s pride in the navy’s numerous achievements during his eight-year administration, the President stated:
‘‘I have no doubt that the incoming administration of President-elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sustain the current tempo of my administration in giving the Navy necessary support to effectively carry out its assigned tasks.
‘‘My best wishes to our Navy for protecting our maritime domain and the economic prosperity of Nigeria. As I leave office on 29th May, I wish you all fair winds. ONWARD TOGETHER and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’
President Buhari stated that he had no doubt that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Navy would continue to acquire new assets, expand shipbuilding for export purposes, promote indigenous production, intensify the fight against piracy, and address issues pertaining to crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He noted the significant reduction in piracy over the past seven years, leading to Nigeria’s removal from the list of piracy-prone countries by the International Maritime Bureau in March 2022.
He applauded the application of technology in securing the maritime domain, which facilitated intelligence-driven deployment of naval ships and enhanced their effectiveness.
The President specifically commended the diligent prosecution of MT HEROIC IDUN, which was detected and apprehended for attempting to load crude oil without authorization offshore Bonny in August 2022.
He noted that this successful interdiction further reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to protecting the country’s resources.
President Buhari, who acknowledged the significance of the diverse ships and helicopters on display, noted that it symbolized the nation’s maritime power and its preparedness to carry out the Navy’s constitutional roles.
Praising the impressive combat displays staged by elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, alongside a combination of assets from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, he said:
‘‘I expect this to translate into actual capability to dominate Nigeria’s maritime environment and secure the vast resources therein for the socio-economic development of our great country.’’
Furthermore, the President highlighted the strong link between maritime security and economic prosperity.
Given that the maritime environment serves both as a storehouse of resources as well as medium for maritime transport in the country, he stressed the importance of the safe and secure utilization of these resources to drive national prosperity and support Nigeria’s aspirations for a thriving Blue Economy.
On the administration’s efforts in recapitalizing the Navy Fleet in the last seven years, the President listed the acquisition of 20 capital ships for the Navy, comprising encompassing Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transports, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats, helicopters, as well as over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault Craft.
During the Fleet Review, President Buhari also inaugurated several notable additions to the Navy’s fleet, including a new helicopter, NN410, manufactured in Italy, as well as the landing ship transport NNS KADA, constructed in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
He thanked the People’s Republic of China for the generous donation of NNS IBENO, highlighting the importance of mutual military cooperation with partner nations, which has also encouraged local shipbuilding efforts by the Nigerian Navy.
He declared that the Nigeria Navy’s endeavors in indigenous shipbuilding, in line with the nation’s local content development plan, have yielded positive outcomes.
‘‘Our naval engineers were wholly responsible for building 3 Seaward Defence Boats namely, NNS ANDONI, NNS KARADUWA and NNS OJI. In December 2021, I performed keel laying foundation for the construction of 2 Seaward Defence Boats, which will be ready by 2024.
‘‘At this rate, I have no doubt that our Navy will soon commence construction of larger ships for itself and other navies in the region and beyond.
‘‘This achievement is a great pride to Nigeria and an impressive contribution to national development,’’.
On the theme for the 2023 Fleet Review, “Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity,” the President explained that it emphasizes the Navy’s ability to respond to threats in maritime spaces and the Gulf of Guinea, highlighting its pivotal role in promoting national prosperity.
He commended the Navy for effectively deploying these vessels, resulting in successes in combating crude oil theft, conducting counter-drug operations, and addressing piracy.
He also expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Lagos State, as well as other maritime stakeholders, for their crucial support in facilitating the Fleet Review.
He added that more than half of Nigeria’s maritime trade passes through Lagos ports, which serves as a lifeline for the nation’s industry and economy, fostering cordial working relations becomes even more imperative.
The President congratulated the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and the entire naval personnel for their exceptional organization of this historic event.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
May 22, 2023
1999 CONSTITUTION DEFECTIVE, CAN NOT ENGENDER DEVELOPMENT-GOV AKEREDOLU
- Recommends 1963 Constitution As Veritable Guide
- Says FG Must Divest Itself Of Overwhelming, Self-Imposed Duties
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has identified the law regulating interactions among component units and agencies of the state as the major reason for backwardness in the country.
Governor Akeredolu lamented that the current socio-political structure in the country is hostile to development.
He added that there would be no end to the misery of the people unless the basic law is tinkered with to reposition the country to prepare for the production of goods and services.
The Governor spoke at the 59th Founders’ Day
Anniversary Lecture, Award, and Endowment
of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, held on Saturday.
He was represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye.
The Alumni Association of the Institution presented the Governor with a Distinguished Award of Honorary Fellowship of Adeyemi Alumni Association.
The Governor’s Special Adviser on Education, Dr. Olawunmi Ilawole, and member of the House of Representatives, representing Ondo East/ Ondo East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde, also received the distinguished Award.
Governor Akeredolu, who delivered the Anniversary lecture, noted that the component units of the federation must be able to chart the course of development in their localities.
He said every State should be free to explore its areas of strength for the benefit of the indigenes and inhabitants, saying States should not be reduced to pathetic beggars in a Federation as the situation is at the moment.
“A defective law cannot engender peace and progress. It is, more often than not, the source of the seemingly intractable crises.
“There can be no development in a place where the law and its application are skewed, heavily, against the majority of the people. When the law becomes an instrument of repression, the society is imperiled.
“A codification which alienates the people from its intendment is not only repressive but also fraudulent.
“There can be no meaningful achievement from the existence of a set of regulations whose purpose is to sustain the privileges enjoyed by a parasitic few at the detriment of the majority.“ the Governor said.
Governor Akeredolu explained that the existence of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, represents an experiment in audacious mendacity.
According to the Governor, the subversion of the people’s Will cannot engender progress in any society if the essence of development is the amelioration of the challenges faced by them.
He said any law which imposes the whims and caprices of a select but partisan few on the majority of the people, cannot be used to advance the cause of the society.
“The current civilian dispensation commenced after the departure of the military on the 29th May, 1999. The 1999 Constitution, as amended, was promulgated to law by the regime of General Abdulsalam Abubakar, GCFR, in the same year.
“If there is any document whose existence represents an experiment in audacious mendacity, it is this so called Constitution of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Constitution tells manifest lies against itself. It purports to represent the wishes of the Nigerian people but nothing can be farther from this obvious lie.” Governor Akeredolu said.
The Governor recommended the 1963 Republican Constitution as a veritable guide for the desired development.
He said the independence era witnessed phenomenal development in all the three Regions, saying great achievements were achievable because the policies and programmes of the Governments were owned by the people.
Governor Akeredolu called on the in-coming Administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be courageous to confront the problems headlong.
“The in-coming Administration has its job clearly defined. It is inheriting not only a heavy backlog of disaffection and complaints from the citizenry from all parts of the country, it has sold its campaign on the promise of a Renewed Hope.
“This clearly points at its readiness to address existential issues which bedevil the country at the moment. The expectations are high but the obstacles which have been erected to militate against progress are enormous.
“The tasks are going to be arduous but not insurmountable. The President and his team, as well as the Governors in the States, must be courageous to confront the problems headlong.
“The Federal Government must divest itself off the overwhelming but self-imposed duties for the country to breathe. The States must be encouraged to explore their domains and be creative.
“The Federal Government must ban importation of all items which the country is capable of producing. The taxation on luxury goods must be heavy.
“The States must be allowed to operate fully without hindrance as it is the case from federal agencies which encroach steadily on their sphere of influence.
“The States should control their resources and pay taxes to the Federal Government. Proceeds from sales tax, Value Added Tax, must be distributed according to contributions.
“Any State which feels incapable of proceeding as a socio-economic cum political entity may seek to join others. The States must be allowed to assume their full identities. They are no junior partners to the Federal Government. They enjoy coordinate powers.
“The development of Nigeria will continue to be an imagined possibility unless these measures are considered, all efforts geared towards development will amount to reinforcing failure.” The Governor said.
