Day: June 16, 2023

Some activists have described the indefinite suspension of the Chairman of Economic and Finance Crime Commission (EFCC) Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as right step aimed at giving the anti-gratf agency the desired credence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, suspended Bawa indefinitely to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office following “weighty allegations ” of abuse of office against him.

The Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform, a Civil Society Organisation, Organisation, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the suspension was a brilliant posture by Tinubu

“It is as an inspiring departure from the past where public officials with corruption allegation continue in office without a whimper from the oversight authorities.

“The reputational challenge it foist portray the government as lame and ineffective, indeed subverts its advertised objective of fighting corruption.

`It’s a brilliant posture by President Tinubu. We hope he keeps it up,” he said.

Also, Hamzat Lawal, an activist and Chief Executive, Connected Development (CODE) said the suspension of Bawa was in order.

“President Bola Tinubu’s action is timely. I urge the president to immediately order for a holistic investigation of all the actions carried out under Bawa.

“Under him, the EFCC had become a toothless bulldog running after he so-called ‘Yahoo boys’ and ignoring those who have committed monumental economic sabotage against our nation.

“Of course, tackling cybercrime is commendable but Bawa looked the other way as officials of government raided Nigeria’s treasury with reckless abandon,” the CODE Executive alleged.

A constitutional lawyer, Mr Adeniyi Adegbite, said the President was on sound legal footing in suspending the EFCC chairman upon such weighty allegations of financial improprieties as well as other misconducts and abuse of office.

According to him, his suspension is to allow for thorough and unhindered investigation into the weighty allegations leveled against him.

“For instance, the immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawale, alleged that the chairman demanded for two million dollars bribe from him. This allegation cannot be swept under the carpet.

“The suspension has nothing to do with the independence of the Commission.

“Though it is important for the occupants of such sensitive offices as chairman of EFCC to have a secured tenure of office for stability and audacity to do the delicate job.

“However, the President is the ultimate accounting officer to Nigerians and he cannot watch helplessly where there are such weighty allegations of abuse of office,” he said.

Also speaking Prof. Sadiq Isah Radda, a former Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, said it was too early to comment because the issues are based on ‘weighty allegations’.

“ I think the President must have some facts at his disposal. Hence, I have no qualms when public officials are held to account.

“The process should simply be fair and facts-based. Frankly, we should learn to embrace the consequences of our actions or inactions while in office.

“Meanwhile, let us wait for the findings. May the truth and Nigeria succeed,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Some anti-corruption crusaders have urged Nigerians to reject the bill passed by the Senate to whittle down the power of the chairman of ICPC.

They also urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent on the amended bill.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had on June 4, passed a bill to amend the law establishing the ICPC, which steeply cuts down on the power of the commission’s chairperson.

Speaking in separate interviews, with NAN, they posited that signing the bill into law would undermine the war against corruption in the country.

An anti-corruption crusader, and former Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption. Prof Sadiq Radda, said that passage of the bill was an issue of corruption fighting back

“My take is that Nigeria should reject it; it is corruption fighting back, most of these legislators are not happy with ICPC because it is doing an excellent job.

“The implication is that ICPC cannot perform as it is performing and Nigerians should know that is very dangerous.

“It is our duty as academics, anti-corruption agencies, as media to help anti-corruption agencies to be very strong. “

Radda, from the Department of Sociology, Bayero University Kano, said that instead of whittling down the power, efforts should be made to strengthen the office of the chairman to be independent and vibrant

“We have a problem. So we should reject what the National Assembly is doing. We should give protection to all anti-corruption agencies because they are doing a wonderful job,” he said.

Similarly, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, faulted the procedure of the bill and said that it would not serve a good purpose in the anti-corruption war.

“The only thing I will say is that they did not comply with all the normal processes, there was no public hearing, and when you are doing that kind of amendment there should be a public hearing.

“It doesn’t serve any purpose if you whittle down the power of anti-corruption agencies, particularly the chairperson because they are doing so much risky work.

“What purpose does it serve if we whittle down the power of the ICPC chair; we are actually not helping the fight against corruption

“And, it sends the wrong signal to the international community on the importance attached to the anti-corruption agencies. Instead of strengthening them; we are reducing their power to fight corruption.

“What message does that send to the international community? We need to watch out and guard against such so that we don’t end up shooting ourselves on the foot

“What I would suggest is that when it gets to the president, he should refer it to the Ministry of Justice which will take a holistic look at what is being recommended, whether it serves the purpose of its creation.”

Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of CODE, said that ”it would be a shame to water down the powers of the chairman, what we need is an institutional framework to strengthen the operation of the ICPC in the fight against corruption.

“If the lawmakers’ hands are clean they have no reason to be afraid of the operation of the ICPC, the commission has been doing a great job under the present leadership.

“If it has been passed, I call on Mr President to withhold assent to the bill, ” he said

A constitutional lawyer, Adegbite Adeniyi, however, said that the amendment has its positive sides.

”For instance, it will encourage and engender robust discussions by the commission before sensitive and far-reaching decisions are taken. This will prevent or at least reduce hasty and or arbitrary use of power by the chairman.”

He, however, posited that this may slow down the speed of actions expected as the chairman needs consultation with the board of the Commission before taking some sensitive decisions.

He also expressed reservation about the Bill, especially the provision of the new Section 22(3) which alters the seven years jail term and a fine of one million naira hitherto specified for bribery or official corruption.

The section also recommends a lesser fine of five hundred thousand naira without the terms of imprisonment for public officials who inflate prices or the cost of contracts during procurement processes.

He said that the details of the amendment were still sketchy and it might be too early to fully and impartially critique the same.

“ I think the speculation about “whittling” down the powers of the chairman of the Commission is being fueled by the mutual suspicion that exists between the members of parliament and the anti-graft agency,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, on Friday pledged commitment to the welfare of personnel to enhance their morale and well-being.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CNS made the commitment in Abuja when he inaugurated accommodation for officers and ratings, administrative building, Parade Ground and Special Forces Holding Bay.

The newly renovated and remodelled naval ratings accommodation is located at the National Defence College Camp Ushafa while the officers quarters is located at Gudu District of Abuja.

The Special Forces Holding Bay located at Navy Town Abuja, was named after the pioneer Commander of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), retired Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman.

Gambo said the inauguration of the projects was a milestone in the history of the Nigerian navy, and crucial to enhancing performance and operational capabilities of the navy.

He said it showcased the commitment of the navy to the welfare of personnel.

Gambo said that barracks were not just buildings but homes and sanctuaries where officers and ratings find solace and support from their families.

“By investing in the development of NN barracks and other infrastructure, we create an environment that enhances their morale, team spirit and a sense of belonging.

“Our personnel deserve nothing short of the best, and these new infrastructure demonstrate our commitment to their comfort and well-being.

“It is also in this vein that we prioritised the development of modern living spaces for rest and recreation of our special forces personnel.”

Gambo added that the SF holding bay was an acknowledgement of the vital role they play in naval and joint military operations.

According to him, a well-maintained parade ground is not only a space of military tradition but also a symbol of discipline, precision, and unity.

“It is on this hallowed ground that our naval personnel are mustered to demonstrate their skills, rehearse their drills, and express their readiness to protect our nation’s interests.

“The commissioning of a new parade ground emphasises our dedication to upholding the highest standards of military professionalism and ensuring that navy personnel have the necessary infrastructure to train and perform at their best,” he said.

Gambo said the new administrative building of the Naval Unit would enhance operational effectiveness, providing personnel with the necessary resources and facilities required for efficient administrative responsibilities.

The CNS added that the completion of the projects reflected the collective efforts of the naval personnel, engineers, and professionals, and commended their efforts.

He charged officers and ratings to rededicate themselves to the defence and security of Nigeria and continue to work together to protect the nation’s interests and uphold the honour and integrity of the navy.

The Commander of the Naval Unit, Commodore Abdulrahman Mohammed, said the projects were in furtherance of the navy’s efforts towards providing adequate accommodation, office spaces and training facilities for its personnel.

Muhammed thanked the naval chief for conceiving and executing the projects, adding that the projects would enhance capability, efficiency and proficiency of officers and ratings of the Naval Unit.

According to him, it will also boost their morale and commitment to efficient service delivery.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE) has empowered adolescents in schools to speak up against sexual abuse and other violent acts.

Mrs Elizabeth Abimbola, Regional Coordinator, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), South-West, made this known on Wednesday at the CLHE Graduation ceremony held at Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan.

Abimbola said that over 60 per cent of the Nigerian population was made up of adolescents and young people.

According to her, it ranges from unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence, genital mutilation, personality issues, among others.

Abimbola said that CLHE was the replacement for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) manual taught in schools, but was found not sufficient.

“It is being affected by religious, social and cultural factors among parents, adolescents and teachers in the community.

“There were lots of resistance and misconceptions over the topics among parents and guardians, teachers and the general population.

“PPFN, therefore, reviewed the manual and upgraded it to Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE), which comprises seven modules.

“The new manual is being piloted in FCT, Oyo and Kaduna States. The programme is Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE) sponsored by PPFN, in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education (OSMOE),” she said.

Abimbola said that the programme was aimed at creating awareness and teaching the correct, age-appropriate information and quality services on sexual reproductive health and rights among the adolescents in schools and out of schools.

According to her, some of the achievements were that students are well informed on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) than before as demonstrated in the highly keen quiz competition.

“Others are improved access to SRH services by adolescents and parents in the PPFN clinic, exposed cases of attempted sexual harassment, parents freely discussed issues on SRH with students and access clarification in the PPFN clinic,” the Regional Coordinator said.

She said that 700 students were enrolled in 24 secondary schools and 400 students completed the modules.

Abimbola said that was just the beginning of the programme as it would be scaled up to other local government areas and states within Oyo and in the federation.

“PPFN is set to embark on the research component of the project, which will make an evidence-based proof of concept in order to include CLHE in the school curriculum in Nigeria,” she said.

In his remarks, Mrs Christiana Abioye, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, appreciated PPFN for the initiative, adding that CLHE had been equipping students with life skills for a better future.

Abioye, represented by Mr Julius Oladapo, Deputy Director, Secondary Education, said: “Without these skills, the students would be a danger to themselves and also put those around them at risk.”

In a goodwill message, Mrs Folasade Oladele, Desk Officer, Adolescent and Youth, Oyo State Ministry of Health, said that the programme had helped to address issues of violence and given voice to victims of abuse.

Also, Mr Oladimeji Olapade, Principal, Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan, commended organiser of the programme, urging the students to share the knowledge gained to other peers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the graduation ceremony included quiz competition in which United Mission College, (UMC), Ibadan won the first position; St. Paul’s Anglican College won the second position, while Queen School (Senior School) won the third position.

The event also featured the decoration of 44 champions, who have been influencing their peers using the knowledge of CLHE.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Cameroonian renowned comedian Cabrel Nanjip Nyamton died in a ghastly car accident on June 15, 2023, in Boumnyebel, a locality between the Pouma and Edea road along the Douala-Yaoundé highway. His car was brutally hit by a truck which ended up in a valley.

According to reports, he had an appointment at the Canadian High Commission in Yaoundé to collect his visa.

Early that morning, he set off in his Lexus car for Yaoundé. About 30km from Edea at the Boumnyebel village, Cabrel had just come out of a bend when he was surprised by a truck that was trying to overtake another tractor.

Eyewitnesses say “Cabrel was driving at high speed and faced with the obstacle, he chose not to drive straight into the truck, but instead to swerve to the left in the hope of finding a way out but unfortunately, he got hit by the truck,”

Residents are said to have rushed to the scene and succeeded in pulling him out of the vehicle. He was immediately rushed to the Edea regional hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries and died an hour and a half later.

The corpse of Cabrel Nanjip left Douala last night for Bangangte. He has been deposited at the Bangangte District Hospital mortuary.

Cabrel Nanjip Nyamton, 33 was known for his innate talent for making people laugh through his humorous videos and skits, he was also an actor and influencer.

Source: Cameroon News Agency