Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Recover stolen oil money, Buhari tells NNPC boss
President gives new helmsman Kachikwu six tasks
A NEW helmsman took the reins yesterday at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the Executive Vice Chairman/General Counsel of ExxonMobil (Africa), as Group Managing Director (GMD), asking him to give recovery of stolen oil money a priority, among other targets.
Buhari may also appoint Kachikwu, who beat three other candidates in the race for the job, as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to ensure synergy, a source said last night.
Those also considered and discreetly screened for the job, source told The Nation learnt, are former Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Executive Secretary Stanley Reginald; Shell Petroleum Development Company Managing Director Mr. Osagie Okunbor and a NNPC Deputy General Manager, whose name was not disclosed.
At the final negotiation with Kachikwu, the President gave him six terms of reference to reshape the corporation. They are to:
•clean up the NNPC system of corrupt elements;
•recover all stolen crude oil funds;
•work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Directorate of State Service (DSS) to trace and recover stolen oil cash;
•review the structure of the NNPC to compete globally;
•giving targets to all subsidiaries and put in place performance benchmarks; and
•fixe all refineries, which must work at optimal level, “even if it means using expatriates in the interim”.
A source said: “The new GMD of NNPC was picked after a thorough search by the President. Actually, at the end of the search, the choice was narrowed down to four candidates.
“The President opted for Kachikwu who is the Vice President of Exxon Mobil, not only in Nigeria but in Africa. Buhari was impressed by his impeccable credentials as the most senior black African in any multi-national oil firm in the world with 30 years experience.
“Apart from being a First Class graduate, Kachikwu also obtained PhD in Law which enabled him to rise to company secretary in Exxon Mobil.”
But it was not easy for the President to convince Kachikwu to accept the job because he was afraid that he might be messed up like other Nigerians, a source said.
“In their negotiation, President Buhari repeatedly said: ‘I won’t interfere with your work; I will give you a free hand because I want to reform this oil sector once and for all.’ The GMD accepted the job following what he realized as “the infectious patriotism and genuine intention of the President,: the source said.
Kachikwu yesterday took the reins at a brief ceremony held at the NNPC Towers, Abuja .
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, in a statement, said the new helmsman expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Dr. Joseph T. Dawha, for holding the Corporation. He pledged to work assiduously in achieving the President’s growth aspiration for the oil and gas industry.
“ExxonMobil Upstream affiliates in Nigeria congratulate our Vice-Chairman and General Counsel, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, on this opportunity to serve Nigeria as Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). We thank Dr. Kachikwu for his many contributions to ExxonMobil Nigeria, and wish him well in his new role.”
Inside the NNPC
The NNPC is the national oil company, through which the Federal Government regulates and participates in the country’s petroleum industry.
An Act to dissolve the former Nigerian National Oil Corporation and to establish the NNPC was created in 1977. The NNPC was established on April 1, 1977, as a merger of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.
By law, the NNPC manages the joint venture between the Federal Government and some foreign multinational corporations including Shell, Agip, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Total. Through collaboration with these companies, the Federal Government conducts petroleum exploration and production.
For lack of supervision, the NNPC degenerated to a rent-collector for the government with less attention to transparency and accountability.
Between 2007 and 2009, auditors found that the corporation over-deducted funds in subsidy claims to the tune of N28.5 billion and has not been able to account for the money.
In 2008, Willbros Group Inc of United States (U.S.) admitted making ‘suspicious’ payments of over $6.3 million to officials of the corporation and its subsidiary – the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) for assistance in obtaining and retaining contracts at the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS).
In 2004, ABB Vetco Gray, a U.S. company and its UK subsidiary – ABB Vetco Gray UK Limited – admitted paying over $1 million in bribes to NAPIMS’ officials, in exchange for obtaining confidential bid information and favourable recommendations from government agencies.
After the publication of a report In November 2013 by Swiss, a non-governmental advocacy organisation – Erklärung von Bern – allegations of fraud surfaced, placing the NNPC under suspicion of siphoning $6.8 billion of crude oil revenues.
From 2013, the NNPC has been battling with the allegation of non-remittance of $20 billion into the Federation Account.
These allegations, among others are responsible for the continued calls for the sanitisation and repositioning of the corporation.
Monday, 3 August 2015
INEC to initiate bill on electronic, diaspora voting
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has revealed that it was finalizing arrangements to send a bill to the National Assembly for adoption of electronic voting system and to enable Nigerians in diaspora cast votes during elections.
A deputy director of the commission and head of media, Nick Dazang, who made the disclosure after receiving award from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), yesterday, pointed out that as part of the commission’s determination not to disenfranchise Nigerians in any part of the world, the commission was working assiduously to send several other reforms to the National Assembly before the next general elections.
He said: “The introduction of reforms, such as permanent voter card and the smart card reader, proved to be the game changers in the 2015 general elections; in the sense that they added value and transparency to the process.
“The commission is determined to further improve its processes in terms of adding transparency. So, we are looking towards a commission that will for example, ensure other reforms such as the introduction of the use of electronic voting.
“For now, it is prohibited by law; but what the commission is likely to look at, is to canvass at the National Assembly to remove that prohibition; so, that the commission can introduce it in the subsequent elections.
“Another area, which President Muhammadu Buhari equally indicated interest recently, is the area of diaspora voting. We could not do it in the last election despite the clamour and clarion call for it, because it was equally prohibited by law.
“I also foresee a situation again, where the commission will canvass for diaspora voting to be allowed, especially when you take into consideration that there are millions of Nigerians in diaspora eager to exercise their franchise.
“In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that we have as much as seven million in Sudan alone and over three million in the United Kingdom. There are very huge Nigerian population in most of these African countries; yet,they don’t get to vote. I foresee a situation where the commission will also canvass for diaspora voting.
“There are other sections in the Electoral Act that are in conflict, like sections 31, 87, whereas one of the sections says INEC in concert with other functions, should oversee the activities of the political parties and ensure that they conform with the international democracy.”
Another section says the commission has no option than to accept any candidate forwarded to it by the political parties.
“What it means, is that a political party can even forward the name of a non-Nigerian to contest an election and the commission will have no option than to accept such candidate. I foresee reforms taking place in these areas.”
We’re identifying banks, countries where stolen funds were lodged — Buhari
Talatu Usman
President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that his administration has taken further steps to recover looted Nigerian funds by identifying the banks and countries where the monies were lodged.
Speaking at an audience with visiting United States Congressmen at the presidential villa, Abuja, Mr. Buhari acknowledged the support and cooperation given his administration by the international community in gathering all required intelligence for tracing and recovering stolen national resources.
“We are getting cooperation from the international community, including information on ships that take crude oil from Nigeria and change direction, or pour their contents into other ships mid-stream,” he said.
“Some monies were paid to individual accounts. We are identifying the financial institutions and countries that are involved.
“I have been assured that when we get all our documents together, the United States and other countries will treat our case with sympathy,’’ the president told the Congressmen led by Darrel Issa.
President Buhari also told the lawmakers that his administration will encourage more regular meetings of the Nigeria-United States Bi-National Commission.
He said the commission could serve as a more useful platform for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic relations as well as joint cooperation in the war against terrorism.
Mr. Darrel assured President Buhari that the United States will support Nigeria against Boko Haram by providing training, intelligence and military platforms.
“We look forward to helping you in many ways to end the Boko Haram insurgency and the theft of crude oil in the Gulf of Guinea,’’ he said.
Crime and Punishment in Nigeria
The Verdict By Olusegun Adeniyi; Email: olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
Because I would be driving to the airport last Friday morning and I was not sure the fuel in my car would take me there, I decided on Thursday evening to buy fuel from the black market. So I drove to the road linking Asokoro to Garki by Area 11 where many young “fuel merchants” were waiting. After much haggling, I eventually struck a bargain with three boys who agreed to accept N5,000 for a jerry can of 30 litres. That would translate into around N167 per litre (as against the official N87 per litre which you can hardly get anywhere in Nigeria today) but I considered it a fair deal in the circumstance.
Having been told that they were being hunted by policemen, the boys begged me to drive into a poorly lit corner of the road. Notwithstanding that I was a bit apprehensive, I felt that the boys were mere hustlers and not necessarily criminals out to harm me so I obliged their request. Even when they took a while to bring the fuel from where they kept it, I still waited. When they eventually appeared, there was a sense of unease about them that worried me. “Why are you looking scared?” I asked. One of them responded: “The police people are always after us and they have arrested many of our people.”
Although I kept asking questions, wanting to know more about the nature of their trade and the inherent risks, it was evident that they were more in a hurry to conclude their business, collect their money and go. But with almost three-quarter of the fuel discharged into my car, a pick-up van drove in almost from nowhere as seven gun-wielding policemen jumped out of the vehicle to engage the boys in what became a hot pursuit in different directions. With the police vehicle packed beside my car, I saw no fewer than 30 jerry cans of different sizes, filled with petrol which I presumed were seized from the boys selling at black market.
I decided to hang around because I had not paid for the fuel but since the police vehicle also refused to move, the boys never returned. The period of my waiting provided me ample time to reflect on what had just happened. The first question for me was whether it is a crime to be selling fuel at the black market. That question comes against the background that the boys were merely taking advantage of a problem they did not create (and in the process meeting the need of those of us who have neither the time nor the temperament to spend a whole day at fuel station). But it is a hazardous job because one of them was shot dead last month at the intersection between Maitama and Wuse in Abuja during one of such raids. Yet, these basically are young boys who live on the margins of society and cannot be held accountable for the fuel scarcity that has become our lot as a people.
Besides, assuming what the boys were doing was criminal, how many of such people have been arraigned in court in Nigeria? None! Since many of them are arrested every day, it means that their cases usually end up in police stations where they either pay to regain their freedom or are dumped there to swell the list of detained people. A corollary to that is the issue of the “exhibit”. What happens to the fuel usually seized from those boys? Do the police and other security outfits like the Civil Defence Corps whose men also pursue the boys have the right to deploy for their own use “proceeds of crime”, if we assume that selling black market is a crime in Nigeria?
That now brings me to the most important issue. As I watched the drama and waited, I expected to be accosted by the policemen when they returned to their vehicle. If by selling fuel at black market rate, the boys were committing a crime, the implication would be that the person also buying such product should be deemed to be committing a crime also. But the policemen didn’t bother about me as they entered their vehicle to wait. After a while when it occurred to me that they would not leave, I had to drive off.
Now, as I reflect on that incident and the enthusiasm with which the policemen pursued those boys, I cannot but wonder about how we have come to a situation in which the laws (including the ones that may not be in any statutes book) are made only for the poor. The message from the episode was simple: While those boys were pursued like common felons, I (as the big man in the scenario) was left alone because I was deemed to be above the law, even if the crime was an invented one. That unfortunately depicts the story of Nigeria where there is one set of laws for the rich and another set for the poor. And the problem goes even beyond the police to the courts.
Indeed, nothing demonstrates this as graphically as two contrasting verdicts delivered within an interval of five days in January 2013--one in Abeokuta, Ogun State and the other in Abuja. In Abeokuta, a magistrate courtsentenced a 49-year-old man by name Mustapha Adesina to two years in prison for stealing vegetables valued at N5,000. But five days later in Abuja, a former director of the Police PensionBoard, Mr. John Yusuf, who admitted to stealing N2 billion in the N32.8 billion police pension scam, was sentenced to two-year imprisonment with an option of N750,000 fine. From media reports, the man practically dipped his hands into his babanriga, paid his fine and was driven home in a SUV, perhaps with some drummers in tow!
In fact, no case has exemplified the rot in the Nigerian justice system than that of the pension scam. As at the time the man at the centre of the whole tragedy was declared wanted both by the police and the Senate for allegedly stealing several billions of Naira belonging to police pensioners, he was being driven around, including into Aso Rock then, in a long convoy of vehicles with contingents of policemen to guard him. That character, a mere assistant director in the civil service who absconded from duty, is now back in circulation and given the way we are in Nigeria, could even become the minister of police affairs tomorrow! The question therefore is: how can such a system dispense justice?
For sure, I have no problem with the police chasing those who steal chicken and vegetables in the market or those who sell fuel by the roadsides, assuming that is also a crime. But if the police expend a little of that energy checkmating the big men and women who conspire to steal, almost on a daily basis, about 250,000 barrels of Nigerian crude oil or their “petty cousins” who divert tanker loads of petrol from their designated depots, our society would be a better place for all of us, including them.
However, in all of us this, it is President Muhammadu Buhari that worries me. The thinking that he (with his military background and reputation as a no-nonsense man) would restore order while his deputy (also with his academic and professional background as well as reputation for standing by what is right) would help with the law aspect remains no more than mere speculations 62 clear days after they were sworn in. That perhaps explains why the criminal cartels that help themselves to our crude oil are still in business, as revealed by the president himself last week.
Ordinarily, the two most critical appointments any President makes on assumption of office are that of Finance and Justice/Attorney General but President Buhari has given no indication yet that he is ready to name such officials. In fact, he has told Nigerians that we have almost two more months to wait before he makes the appointments. This then raises questions about his recent United States trip since there was no Nigerian team in these two critical areas to engage their American counterparts. We see the same situation at home where the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, is practically left to run both monetary and fiscal policies in an economy that was already in serious trouble even before the change of guards in Aso Rock.
I know this is a touchy issue because one of President Buhari’s spokesmen said recently that it is politicians who are looking for jobs that are using journalists to raise the issue of critical appointments. But Nigerians will not be blackmailed into silence on what affects them. There is no law compelling the president to appoint all his ministers at once and I would want to believe that he cannot still be thinking of who to appoint as his finance minister, chief economic adviser, chief of staff, etc., more than four months after his election which, for the first time in our history, was not even challenged in court. Even the 15 advisers approved for him by the 7th Senate in the first week of June have not been appointed except for the NSA and that of Media while he runs his administration without a policy orientation in any sector which is almost akin to piloting a jumbo jet full of passengers without a compass or GPS.
Today, the gap between the official rate of the Naira to a Dollar and that of the black market rate is almost N50. That is a tidy sum of money to play with by anybody with some measure of connection in a nation where rent seeking is the order of the day. In the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, it is the same: with an official rate of N87 per litre at a time many Nigerians buy a litre of the product for between N100 and N150. When you create such perverse incentives for malpractices, even if the citizens are paragons of virtue, you are likely to breed more criminals than you can deal with. That is the story of Nigeria today.
Meanwhile, in their reaction to my piece of last week,The Multi-billion Naira Fuel Bazaar, a management staff of Mobil Nigeria Limited (reported to have diverted five trucks of PMS) called to explain their side of the story. He said the letter the company actually got from the PPMC was that six trucks were diverted and they have sent an official reply to dispute the allegation. Even if Mobil is correct (and I take their word for it), the issue here is the system that allows some operators to engage in such diversions. It is going on because those involved know that there would be no consequences for their action since the police are more interested in pursuing the “retailers” who sell such products by the roadside than the “wholesalers” who are deemed to be above the law.
To the extent that the embarrassing inequality that we have in our system today is the product of a justice administration that places those who ordinarily should be in jail (crooks, paedophiles, plain thieves and sundry others) above the rest of society, the task ahead is very daunting. And as I have stated repeatedly, I sympathise with President Buhari because of the accumulated mess he is inheriting for which there are no easy solutions. But he will succeed only if he realises that he cannot do the job alone. He must therefore learn to find the right people in every sector, especially in justice administration and economic management. And he must quickly put such team in place so that they can begin what will be a most difficult but important task, for the restoration of our country.
Beyond the Road to Arochukwu
My intervention of last week, “The Road to Arochukwu”, has elicited several responses and commendations, especially from Abia State. One young man wrote in, lamenting that his wedding is being delayed because his fiancee comes from Arochukwu and “the state of the road has kept our formal introduction on hold, due to the fact that it is impossible to ferry my aged parents and kinsmen from Imo State to embark on that deadly journey.”
However, in all the mails that I received, the most instructive one is by Mr. Ugo Okoro, who described himself as the Managing Editor of ‘Aro News’. He brought out some salient issues about the road which are very instructive. Here he goes:
“The Federal Ministry of Works on the 14th May, 2012, advertised the Arochukwu/ Ohafia road amongst several others in two national dailies (THISDAY and Daily Trust) and also in the Federal Tenders Journal. Based on the outcome of a stringent exercise, prequalified contractors were invited to submit financial bids accordingly. The evaluation committee thereafter recommended the award of the contract to Messrs Beks Kimse (Nigeria) Limitedat a total cost of N4,775,583,250.
“On the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Works, the project was certified and issued with the Certificate of No Objection by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). Out of the amount appropriated for the project, the sum of N346. 5 Million, being 7 percent of the total amount was provided for the commencement of the project in the 2012 budget and was released to the contractor who immediately mobilized to site.
“On 27th March, 2013 the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, approved an additional sum of N2.2 Billion Naira for the contractors. The flag off of the road project was done on the 29th March, 2013 at Arochukwu end of the road. In attendance were former Governor T.A. Orji of Abia State, late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, then representing Abia North under whose zone the road falls into; Hon. Arua Arunsi, former member representing Arochukwu/ Ohafia Federal constituency and a representative of then Minister of Works etc.
“Presently, the contractors are yet to execute up to one kilometer of the road which is about 30 kilometers and have abandoned the project. The firm is owned by Prof. Kimse Okoko from Bayelsa State. The contract is for a duration of 24 months from the date it was signed. It was however extended by one year by the Federal Ministry of Works on 5th December, 2014 to the 6th October, 2015. The extension granted was due to the failure of the contractors to complete the project within the original 24 months validity period. Indigenes of Arochukwu have set up several committees to liaise with the contractors on the way forward with no positive response. The road can now be described as a failed project.”
The information contained in the mail raises salient issues about our country and why it is now littered with abandoned projects running into several trillions of Naira. The law says mobilization fees should be no less than 15 percent but the contractor was given 7 percent, which was more like a dash because it was not going to be enough to mobilize to site. And that is the story of several of the road projects across the country for which the National Assembly must take a fair share of the blame because of the way they practically “canibalise” budgets just to accommodate their (mostly) questionable constituency projects.
However, as I stated earlier, it is an issue we must revisit because it is at the heart of the corruption, waste and mismanagement in Nigeria today. And until we address the challenge, it would be difficult to fix critical infrastructure, including the dilapidated roads, in our country.
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Can Baking Soda Be Used To Cure Cancer?
Dr. Tulio Simoncini is famous for his cure for cancer. He said:
“Cancer is a fungus called Candida albicans, and it can be treated with sodium bicarbonate solution. ”
He is an Italian oncologist in Rome that came to conclusion that all kinds of cancer are fed by candida albicans . This fungus is the root of almost all diseases. In many researches conducted on cancer patients, it is proved that cancer and tumors are made of candida.
Simoncini’s cancer treatment is the simplest of all: Sodium bicarbonate.
946798_382603771848300_1540780277_n_thumbHe says that cancer and tumors thrive in acidic environment. So to put an end to their comfort we should alkalize the body so that they shrink and stop multiplying. Keep in mind, this is a natural remedy for cancer.
First – Individuals with high acidity in their body are related to bad health and cancer.
Second – Individuals with less acidity and more alkaline ph level are able to fight cancer more vigorously.
Sodium bicarbonate alkalizes your body fast. People who are known to have a hard time digesting takes sodium bicarbonate. It is an antacid that is a main ingredient in many over the counter medicines. It is very cheap and can be easily purchased in any food shop or pharmacy .
Third – The friendly bacteria in your gut control 85 % of your immune system. They are responsible for releasing biotin, B-12, folic acid, vitamin K by digesting your food. They also generate the compound sodium biturate which destroys or makes cancerous cells auto destruct. The friendly bacteria will not be as friendly if the ph level the body (intestine) is acidic.
Forth – The friendly bacteria work at night too. They digest large quantities of microorganisms that have been taken from food during day time. The best thing about friendly bacteria is that they feed on yeast or fungus, like candida. These best friends of ours are the number one fighters against yeast infestation.
How does candida cause cancer?
This fungus called Candida has the ability to break out of the intestine and get into the blood stream. It is practically everywhere in the body and outside on the skin as well. It is placed around the outer membranes of the cells, stopping receptor cites from performing.
cancer670
Oregano oil and cinnamon are great at fighting candida. 25 % of type 2- diabetes patients showed to improve after using cinnamon. Candida releases toxins and high amounts of sugar, there fore diabetic and cancer patients suffer more or can’t make it compared to the others with normal sugar level. It is known that sugar generates acidity and acidity is a good environment for candida to thrive in.
Candida and yeasts or fungus are anaerobes. They do not need oxygen.
By entering the blood stream, Candida can colonize certain areas in the body and cause oxygen level reduction .
Now, candida being the best food for cancer blocks oxygen from reaching the cells thus making the cells alternate from aerobes to anaerobes . Meaning that they will produce energy for the cancerous cells which is not based in oxygen.
From all this it is clear that Oxygen is a strong anti cancer fighter.
psoriasis-increased-cancer-risk-eczema-adults-with-for-shampoo-fullerton-california-12064
It is Otto Warburg, the Nobel prize winner in 1931 that told the world that Oxygen kills cancerous cells.
It is obvious that people who often take antibiotics in their life are at risk of getting cancer. Antibiotics make the unfriendly bacteria and candida grow fast while weakening the immune system in the gut by ruining the friendly bacteria. So women that have taken antibiotics more than 25 times in their lives, are at risk of developing breast cancer. This was concluded in a research conducted by Cancer Watch.
Doctor Simoncini knew all this very well. He proved that yeast thrive in acidic environment. Candida is yeast or fungus and cancer is fed by Candida . Sodium bicarbonate is the best natural alkalizing product. So if you destroy the acidic environment, Candida can’t survive and cancer cells will die.
It is the discovery of the century that he gave to the world. Of course he was imprisoned in Italy. The cheap cure was not in favor of the drug industry.
The Buhari Presidency: Behind the scenes.
Since President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of power on May 29, his governance style has been a major discourse among citizens. His traducers, especially the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have turned fault finders overnight and won’t give him a breathing space. In this piece, YUSUF ALLI, MANAGING EDITOR, NORTHERN OPERATION explores the ‘slow and steady’ pace of Buhari and his unsung silent initiatives which may turn the nation around.
Contrary to the awkward and uncomplimentary claims of a governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the countdown to the March general election, President Muhammadu Buhari is waxing stronger by the day. His capacity to cope with the workload has remained amazing to his aides, friends and associates. And in the last two months, it is becoming obvious that a new dawn is imminent for the nation. There can be no better testimony than that of President Barrack Obama, who lodged Buhari at the famous Blair’s House meant for philosopher leaders, and gave Nigerians a lot to cheer about their president. Obama said: “President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda that is to make sure that he has been bringing safely security and peace to his country.”
Trailing Buhari in the last two months has revealed many dimensions of the new President and the how he is laying foundation for a robust future for the country.
Buhari’s unusual schedule causes stir in The Villa
Apart from going through some discomfort (through a make-shift life) before packing to the Presidential Villa, the President lives an austere life. He works from 7am to the wee hours of the night with intermittent time for his five daily prayers. He consults with few underground advisers (close and old associates of many years) in House 7 and aides on daily basis to weigh options. Talking on the tight schedule of the President, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “Maybe because of his military background, the President wakes up early and he is an avid listener to radio stations. Before he reports for work by7am, he must have listened to all the talk shows on radio and you will be amazed how he picks you up on some national issues discussed on radio. Most times, he starts his day by 6am.
“The President works from the early hours of the day till 1am and 2am. In fact, there was a time the team around him had a meeting and expressed worries that the President was having only three hours of sleep. They therefore redesigned his schedule by saying no more appointment by 9pm. The new policy did not last more than one week. After that, the President worked till 1am.” Responding to a question, Shehu said: “I think it has to do with his military training because it got to a point that one of the youngest staff working with the President could not cope with his schedule.”
Unveiling Buhari’s moral curtains
Coming into power with a hard-earned reputation, Buhari has changed the face of Aso Rock – the seat of government. Unlike in the past administrations, loafers, busy bodies, political heavyweights, multi-colour businessmen masquerading as investors, chieftains of banks seeking to influence financial policies, portfolio investors and money bags do not have easy access to the Presidential Villa again. Instead, they now loiter around the corridors of the Senate and House of Representatives to have a peripheral feeling of what Buhari or the Federal Government is up to. This is the first time since 1999 when those who usually alter the fortunes of Nigeria at night over champagne have been shut out of the Villa. They can no longer drive in and out of the Villa at will; they cannot have gossip dinners with the President and have no access to every file signed by the President or a privileged knowledge of appointments and government policies again.
The situation got to a ridiculous stage under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua that a businessman was always getting the copy of policy statement even before Ministers or Permanent Secretaries knew of the government direction. While ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was in charge, some businessmen and money bags could influence policies within minutes after a shuttle to the Villa. They sought monopoly of everything in the country, they wanted waiver to direct the economy as they like or determine how Nigerians breathe, and some of them manipulated the oil, industrial and financial sectors from the tip of their fingers. At a stage under Jonathan, Ministers feared these money bags and Presidential friends than the ex-President himself. All the luxury is gone with Buhari in charge. A source said: “To Buhari, any businessman, political heavyweight or money bag visiting the Villa must come to add value and not to diminish or deplete the system.”
These men of means are unhappy being on the same pedestal with the poor but Buhari is unruffled. Besides having quality time to meditate on the state of the nation and plan, the Vila is saving huge cost often spent on accommodation at state expense, choice foods and exotic champagne like Vodka which was the delight of some people in the last government.
Instead, Buhari runs a tight administration with a code of conduct for his immediate family and aides. Aides must live above board and keep sealed lips on official secrets, especially crucial policies and itinerary. Once you cross the border line, you are either redeployed or isolated or ejected from the Villa. To the shock of every staff in the Villa, Buhari woke up one day and relieved his Chief Security Officer, Abdulrahman Mani and Administrative Officer Widi Liman of their jobs. Although the government has kept mute on the removal of these confidants, findings revealed that Mani might have been redeployed for allegedly “leaking Buhari’s itinerary to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who strove to travel on the same flight to London in May. It was also learnt that Mani was sent out of the Villa following power tussle between him and the Aide-de-Camp of the President, Lt. Col. Muhammed Abubakar Lawal over the security changes effected in the seat of government. Another source said Buhari was unhappy with Mani and Liman on how they mismanaged the ‘opportunity’ to take care of his appointments. He suspected some connivance when unwanted guests or some corrupt elements were placed on appointment list.
Also a desperate businessman looking for an oil block had attempted to bribe a brother-in-law, Musa Yola, to get access to the President but the in-law paid dearly for it. The dubious transaction was not only busted, Buhari ordered the arrest of his in-law in handcuffs. He ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the scam.
This is the first time that the First Family will be under some restrictions. Buhari has listed no go areas for his wife and children in order to avoid abuse of power. When his wife and children went for lesser Hajj (Umrah) a few weeks ago, he made sure they travelled on Emirates Airline, a commercial flight with a caveat that they must not receive any gift from wealthy Nigerians who are usually using the pilgrimage to curry favours. A top source said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has adopted a strict policy on the use of presidential aircraft in order to save cost. His wife and relations have been restricted to the use of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.
“A situation where the aircraft were used anyhow by some friends, associates of the President during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan can no longer be applicable in this dispensation.
“For example, the Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and three children travelled for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Emirates Airline instead of using presidential aircraft.
“Buhari is determined to ensure the judicious use of the presidential aircraft to save cost. He is also setting a new template for governance. Do not be surprised if you see the President using commercial flights.”
Findings also revealed that Buhari is blazing another moral trail as a leader because his wife still cooks for him. While hosting some children to Eid-el Fitr festival, the wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, made the unusual disclosures. She said: “I’m going to leave you soon. I want to go back home to cook for my husband. Because my children are here playing with you, nobody is at home, only my husband. I want to go back home to be with him and also cook dinner for him.” As at the time of filing this report, Buhari is yet to acquiesce to pressure to make his wife to go about with the appellation of the ‘First Lady’. A source added: “I think the President does not want the Office of the First Lady hijacked by vested interests as the case between 2010 and 2015 when Jonathan was in charge. So far, Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the ‘Wife of the President.’
Awaiting the fate of presidential jets
Going by his level of contentment, it was apparent that the President does not need all the aircraft in the Presidential Fleet but he is yet to make up his mind on what to do. During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, about N9.08billion was spent annually to maintain the 10 aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). The aircraft are two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulf stream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulf stream IVSP.
Others are one Gulf stream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.
A presidency source said: “Do you know that it costs about N747 million to fuel the aircraft in the presidential fleet per annum. President Buhari said his administration cannot afford such a luxury. He has limited the use of presidential fleet by his wife, immediate family and friends.
“The US President, Barrack Obama uses only two Boeing jets and one helicopter. So, Buhari is determined to cut cost. In any case, he lives an austere life. If he can ask his wife to fly on a commercial jet, then other public officers must emulate his standard.”
How he is running government without ministers
Gradually the President is restoring the old glory of the nation’s civil service in line with the 800-page report of Ahmed Joda Committee, which was submitted on June 11. Ahead of his appointment of ministers next month, the President is running the government with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, Permanent Secretaries (who are the accounting officers of ministries) and the Chief Executives/ Directors-General of parastatals and his key aides like some Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants. The Permanent Secretaries and the CEOs of agencies are enjoying every bit of freedom because for the first time since 2007, they can now make suggestions, rub minds with the President and implement without anyone breathing down on them. The Senior Special Assistant on Media, Shehu said: “The Permanent Secretaries are there to assist him and he has given them independence to take decisions (including financial ones) unless it is something extra-ordinary.”
Reforms/ the coming structure of government and new ministers
Sources in the Presidential Villa confided in THE NATION that the report of the Ahmed Joda Committee and the 2012 document of Steve Oronsaye panel will go a long way in shaping the surgical reforms which Buhari will carry out. These reforms may include merger of ministries and agencies, cutting waste in public service and putting in place a culture of transparency and accountability. In its report, the Joda committee said: “There is no direct relationship between the number of ministries and efficacy of service delivery. The US with a population of 316million and with GDP of $17, 328 trillion (30 times Nigeria’s GDP) has 15 ministries. India has 24 ministries while the UK has 17.
“The current structure of the Federal Government of Nigeria with 28 ministries and 542 agencies (50 of which have no enabling laws) results in very high cost of governance. The portfolios of ministries are not responsive to all the major critical national challenges such as family and child affairs; religious affairs; vulnerable and elderly group affairs as well as the North-Eastern crisis.
“There is an apparent conflict between the desire of reducing the cost of governance through cabinet downsize and the constitutional requirement of a cabinet-level ministerial appointment from each of the 36 states of the Federation.”
More than any group, the new ministers coming into Buhari’s cabinet may not enjoy the same luxury like some of their reckless predecessors in the administration of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Shehu said: “The President has said he will cut wastes everywhere. He used to tell us that as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, he was always applying to the Federal Executive Council for estacode each time he was going for OPEC meeting. You can predict his policy.”
But the only challenge Buhari might have is about his plans to reduce the number of ministers from 42 to 18 or 19 because it will amount to a violation of the 1999 Constitution unless the relevant Section 147(1-3) is amended.
The section says: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.
“Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President.
“Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution:
“Provided that in giving effect to the Provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.”
When contacted, one of the strategists of the new administration said: “The President is still keeping the list of ministers to his chest; he has not disclosed any list.”
What has changed in the past few weeks?
Nothing sums up the turn-around being championed by Buhari than a confession by one of the immediate past ministers who said: “I don’t believe that everything can be done in an orderly manner as presently the case. Buhari’s personal leadership qualities, including hard work, have made a difference. Former President Jonathan said he was caged but I have realized that we were all caged.” Without firing any shot as a military General or visiting any establishment, the President’s body language has done much magic in the past few weeks. The system is working in every Ministry, Department and Agency because public servants and government officials know that Buhari will not take nonsense. Since no one wants to incur the president’s wrath, civil servants now report at their desk on time.
The same body language charm afflicts the electricity generating, transmission and distribution companies such that the nation’s power supply is reasonably stable since May 29 when Buhari only inherited a “historic low” of 727 megawatts (mw). According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday, the National Transmission Grid has recorded another peak of 4,662 megawatts (mw) of electricity. The TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Seun Olagunju said: “Power generation and transmission have been recording new peaks above 4,500mw following improvements in gas supply to the generating stations as well as equipment/ infrastructure upgrade and enhanced human capacity of system operators.”
Revving up anti-corruption agenda
Contrary to the posture of his predecessors who used to receive brief from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies, Buhari has only left these agencies to “read his lips and be on the same page” with him in fighting corruption. A presidential aide, who spoke with our correspondent in strict confidence, said: “Do you know that Buhari has not asked any of the anti-corruption agencies to arrest anyone? He has not called for the file of any suspect or given them a list of the untouchables. Suddenly, these agencies increased their pace because Buhari does not place any inhibitions on their way, no presidential interference at all.” In the last few weeks, some heavyweights either quizzed or arraigned in court were ex-Governor Sule Lamido and sons; ex-Governor Martin Elechi and son; ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim; Mrs. Oluwatoyin Saraki (the wife of the Senate President); Hajiya Zainab Dakingari (the daughter of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua); ex-Governor Murtala Nyako and son; a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi and Mrs, Ifeoma Nwobodo, who was the Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime.
Asserting the principle of separation of powers
For 49 days, the National Assembly was on the verge of brinkmanship because the President refused to interfere in the internal affairs of the Legislature. There were conflicting reports on whether or not ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo prevailed on Buhari to intervene, it was however obvious that the President took a constitutional risk which almost overshadowed his victory and the electoral gains of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the end, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Speaking on a live interview chat with NTA on Monday, the President explained why he refused to interfere. He said: “I have to be very sensitive to the Constitution of the country. I do not like to be told by anybody, especially the legislators that I am interfering in their matter. There are three arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Over the years, they have developed the system of choosing their leaders.
“There is no way I can directly interfere. All I can do through the party is to appeal to their conscience that what I already observed, we should go over it as soon as possible. When I say we, I mean the APC.”
Corroborating his claim, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said Buhari stuck to his stand till the end. He said: “Mr. President made it once again clear that everybody has no alternative but to listen to what the party says. He emphasized the fact that all of us were what we are thanks to the platform that the party provided for everybody. I think this message resonated very intensely with all the members of the House. He still did not interfere and his parting words to us were that the leadership of the House and the party should go and resolve whatever issues that were militating against a resolution.”
Buhari’s unique visit to the US
This trip was a major breakthrough for Buhari because it came early in the day of his administration and he can now settle down for work. Besides mending the strained diplomatic ties between the US and Nigeria, Buhari was able to seek support for the nation’s war against Boko Haram and anti-graft campaign which may lead to the repatriation of about $6billion looted funds. The shuttle also fetched a commitment of $2.1billion loan from the World Bank (through its International Development Agency) to rebuild the insurgency-ravaged North-East. While the first 10 years of the loan will be interest free, additional 30 years would attract interest “lower than capital market rate.” On its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) might invest about $300million on immunization against malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is expected to work with Dangote Foundation for a zero polio free system in the country. A former Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora told THE NATION’s correspondent during the week that the gains of the trip were significant. He said: “It is a measure of goodwill Obama and the United States have for President Buhari and his administration. That goodwill goes beyond America; it also extends to international community especially the Western world.”
Giving anti-terror war a new bite
Since the appointment of new Service Chiefs, the nation’s counter-insurgency campaign has heightened. Troops have seized many camps of Boko Haram, killed more than 300 insurgents and set free hundreds of captives including a six-day old infant. Buhari has also initiated a military alliance with Chad, Niger Republic, Cameroon and Benin Republic. A military source said: “With the way we are going about the campaign, we will rout out Boko Haram in the next six months if we sustain the tempo.”
Bail out for states
Worried by the collapse of the economy of most states, the President has reeled out some bail out measures including the release of N713.7billion intervention funds for states; N413.7billion represents special intervention funds; and the balance of about N250billion to N300billion as a soft loan to states. While about N413.7b ($2.1b) was sourced from the recent LNG proceeds, the remaining N300b came from a Central Bank-packaged special intervention fund. The Debt Management Office (DMO) is expected to assist states to restructure over N660billion commercial loans crippling their economy.
What should Nigerians do?
National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during the week asked Nigerians to be patient with Buhari to effect the much desired change. He said: “Change is not by magic, it is driven by the people… You see, we have had so much problem in this country in the past because we run into policy blindfolded without adequate and effective planning. You don’t have results unless you plan well. The time it takes you to plan, examine, re-jig, re-evaluate is more important than the time you just rush into taking action because you are either being sentimental, being emotional and being driven by forces that are not expected.”
Contrary to the awkward and uncomplimentary claims of a governor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the countdown to the March general election, President Muhammadu Buhari is waxing stronger by the day. His capacity to cope with the workload has remained amazing to his aides, friends and associates. And in the last two months, it is becoming obvious that a new dawn is imminent for the nation. There can be no better testimony than that of President Barrack Obama, who lodged Buhari at the famous Blair’s House meant for philosopher leaders, and gave Nigerians a lot to cheer about their president. Obama said: “President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda that is to make sure that he has been bringing safely security and peace to his country.”
Trailing Buhari in the last two months has revealed many dimensions of the new President and the how he is laying foundation for a robust future for the country.
Buhari’s unusual schedule causes stir in The Villa
Apart from going through some discomfort (through a make-shift life) before packing to the Presidential Villa, the President lives an austere life. He works from 7am to the wee hours of the night with intermittent time for his five daily prayers. He consults with few underground advisers (close and old associates of many years) in House 7 and aides on daily basis to weigh options. Talking on the tight schedule of the President, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “Maybe because of his military background, the President wakes up early and he is an avid listener to radio stations. Before he reports for work by7am, he must have listened to all the talk shows on radio and you will be amazed how he picks you up on some national issues discussed on radio. Most times, he starts his day by 6am.
“The President works from the early hours of the day till 1am and 2am. In fact, there was a time the team around him had a meeting and expressed worries that the President was having only three hours of sleep. They therefore redesigned his schedule by saying no more appointment by 9pm. The new policy did not last more than one week. After that, the President worked till 1am.” Responding to a question, Shehu said: “I think it has to do with his military training because it got to a point that one of the youngest staff working with the President could not cope with his schedule.”
Unveiling Buhari’s moral curtains
Coming into power with a hard-earned reputation, Buhari has changed the face of Aso Rock – the seat of government. Unlike in the past administrations, loafers, busy bodies, political heavyweights, multi-colour businessmen masquerading as investors, chieftains of banks seeking to influence financial policies, portfolio investors and money bags do not have easy access to the Presidential Villa again. Instead, they now loiter around the corridors of the Senate and House of Representatives to have a peripheral feeling of what Buhari or the Federal Government is up to. This is the first time since 1999 when those who usually alter the fortunes of Nigeria at night over champagne have been shut out of the Villa. They can no longer drive in and out of the Villa at will; they cannot have gossip dinners with the President and have no access to every file signed by the President or a privileged knowledge of appointments and government policies again.
The situation got to a ridiculous stage under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua that a businessman was always getting the copy of policy statement even before Ministers or Permanent Secretaries knew of the government direction. While ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was in charge, some businessmen and money bags could influence policies within minutes after a shuttle to the Villa. They sought monopoly of everything in the country, they wanted waiver to direct the economy as they like or determine how Nigerians breathe, and some of them manipulated the oil, industrial and financial sectors from the tip of their fingers. At a stage under Jonathan, Ministers feared these money bags and Presidential friends than the ex-President himself. All the luxury is gone with Buhari in charge. A source said: “To Buhari, any businessman, political heavyweight or money bag visiting the Villa must come to add value and not to diminish or deplete the system.”
These men of means are unhappy being on the same pedestal with the poor but Buhari is unruffled. Besides having quality time to meditate on the state of the nation and plan, the Vila is saving huge cost often spent on accommodation at state expense, choice foods and exotic champagne like Vodka which was the delight of some people in the last government.
Instead, Buhari runs a tight administration with a code of conduct for his immediate family and aides. Aides must live above board and keep sealed lips on official secrets, especially crucial policies and itinerary. Once you cross the border line, you are either redeployed or isolated or ejected from the Villa. To the shock of every staff in the Villa, Buhari woke up one day and relieved his Chief Security Officer, Abdulrahman Mani and Administrative Officer Widi Liman of their jobs. Although the government has kept mute on the removal of these confidants, findings revealed that Mani might have been redeployed for allegedly “leaking Buhari’s itinerary to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who strove to travel on the same flight to London in May. It was also learnt that Mani was sent out of the Villa following power tussle between him and the Aide-de-Camp of the President, Lt. Col. Muhammed Abubakar Lawal over the security changes effected in the seat of government. Another source said Buhari was unhappy with Mani and Liman on how they mismanaged the ‘opportunity’ to take care of his appointments. He suspected some connivance when unwanted guests or some corrupt elements were placed on appointment list.
Also a desperate businessman looking for an oil block had attempted to bribe a brother-in-law, Musa Yola, to get access to the President but the in-law paid dearly for it. The dubious transaction was not only busted, Buhari ordered the arrest of his in-law in handcuffs. He ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the scam.
This is the first time that the First Family will be under some restrictions. Buhari has listed no go areas for his wife and children in order to avoid abuse of power. When his wife and children went for lesser Hajj (Umrah) a few weeks ago, he made sure they travelled on Emirates Airline, a commercial flight with a caveat that they must not receive any gift from wealthy Nigerians who are usually using the pilgrimage to curry favours. A top source said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has adopted a strict policy on the use of presidential aircraft in order to save cost. His wife and relations have been restricted to the use of the aircraft in the presidential fleet.
“A situation where the aircraft were used anyhow by some friends, associates of the President during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan can no longer be applicable in this dispensation.
“For example, the Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and three children travelled for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia on Emirates Airline instead of using presidential aircraft.
“Buhari is determined to ensure the judicious use of the presidential aircraft to save cost. He is also setting a new template for governance. Do not be surprised if you see the President using commercial flights.”
Findings also revealed that Buhari is blazing another moral trail as a leader because his wife still cooks for him. While hosting some children to Eid-el Fitr festival, the wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, made the unusual disclosures. She said: “I’m going to leave you soon. I want to go back home to cook for my husband. Because my children are here playing with you, nobody is at home, only my husband. I want to go back home to be with him and also cook dinner for him.” As at the time of filing this report, Buhari is yet to acquiesce to pressure to make his wife to go about with the appellation of the ‘First Lady’. A source added: “I think the President does not want the Office of the First Lady hijacked by vested interests as the case between 2010 and 2015 when Jonathan was in charge. So far, Hajiya Aisha Buhari is known and addressed as the ‘Wife of the President.’
Awaiting the fate of presidential jets
Going by his level of contentment, it was apparent that the President does not need all the aircraft in the Presidential Fleet but he is yet to make up his mind on what to do. During the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, about N9.08billion was spent annually to maintain the 10 aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). The aircraft are two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulf stream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and Gulf stream IVSP.
Others are one Gulf stream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Siddley 125-800 jet.
A presidency source said: “Do you know that it costs about N747 million to fuel the aircraft in the presidential fleet per annum. President Buhari said his administration cannot afford such a luxury. He has limited the use of presidential fleet by his wife, immediate family and friends.
“The US President, Barrack Obama uses only two Boeing jets and one helicopter. So, Buhari is determined to cut cost. In any case, he lives an austere life. If he can ask his wife to fly on a commercial jet, then other public officers must emulate his standard.”
How he is running government without ministers
Gradually the President is restoring the old glory of the nation’s civil service in line with the 800-page report of Ahmed Joda Committee, which was submitted on June 11. Ahead of his appointment of ministers next month, the President is running the government with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, Permanent Secretaries (who are the accounting officers of ministries) and the Chief Executives/ Directors-General of parastatals and his key aides like some Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants. The Permanent Secretaries and the CEOs of agencies are enjoying every bit of freedom because for the first time since 2007, they can now make suggestions, rub minds with the President and implement without anyone breathing down on them. The Senior Special Assistant on Media, Shehu said: “The Permanent Secretaries are there to assist him and he has given them independence to take decisions (including financial ones) unless it is something extra-ordinary.”
Reforms/ the coming structure of government and new ministers
Sources in the Presidential Villa confided in THE NATION that the report of the Ahmed Joda Committee and the 2012 document of Steve Oronsaye panel will go a long way in shaping the surgical reforms which Buhari will carry out. These reforms may include merger of ministries and agencies, cutting waste in public service and putting in place a culture of transparency and accountability. In its report, the Joda committee said: “There is no direct relationship between the number of ministries and efficacy of service delivery. The US with a population of 316million and with GDP of $17, 328 trillion (30 times Nigeria’s GDP) has 15 ministries. India has 24 ministries while the UK has 17.
“The current structure of the Federal Government of Nigeria with 28 ministries and 542 agencies (50 of which have no enabling laws) results in very high cost of governance. The portfolios of ministries are not responsive to all the major critical national challenges such as family and child affairs; religious affairs; vulnerable and elderly group affairs as well as the North-Eastern crisis.
“There is an apparent conflict between the desire of reducing the cost of governance through cabinet downsize and the constitutional requirement of a cabinet-level ministerial appointment from each of the 36 states of the Federation.”
More than any group, the new ministers coming into Buhari’s cabinet may not enjoy the same luxury like some of their reckless predecessors in the administration of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Shehu said: “The President has said he will cut wastes everywhere. He used to tell us that as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, he was always applying to the Federal Executive Council for estacode each time he was going for OPEC meeting. You can predict his policy.”
But the only challenge Buhari might have is about his plans to reduce the number of ministers from 42 to 18 or 19 because it will amount to a violation of the 1999 Constitution unless the relevant Section 147(1-3) is amended.
The section says: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.
“Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President.
“Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution:
“Provided that in giving effect to the Provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.”
When contacted, one of the strategists of the new administration said: “The President is still keeping the list of ministers to his chest; he has not disclosed any list.”
What has changed in the past few weeks?
Nothing sums up the turn-around being championed by Buhari than a confession by one of the immediate past ministers who said: “I don’t believe that everything can be done in an orderly manner as presently the case. Buhari’s personal leadership qualities, including hard work, have made a difference. Former President Jonathan said he was caged but I have realized that we were all caged.” Without firing any shot as a military General or visiting any establishment, the President’s body language has done much magic in the past few weeks. The system is working in every Ministry, Department and Agency because public servants and government officials know that Buhari will not take nonsense. Since no one wants to incur the president’s wrath, civil servants now report at their desk on time.
The same body language charm afflicts the electricity generating, transmission and distribution companies such that the nation’s power supply is reasonably stable since May 29 when Buhari only inherited a “historic low” of 727 megawatts (mw). According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday, the National Transmission Grid has recorded another peak of 4,662 megawatts (mw) of electricity. The TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Seun Olagunju said: “Power generation and transmission have been recording new peaks above 4,500mw following improvements in gas supply to the generating stations as well as equipment/ infrastructure upgrade and enhanced human capacity of system operators.”
Revving up anti-corruption agenda
Contrary to the posture of his predecessors who used to receive brief from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies, Buhari has only left these agencies to “read his lips and be on the same page” with him in fighting corruption. A presidential aide, who spoke with our correspondent in strict confidence, said: “Do you know that Buhari has not asked any of the anti-corruption agencies to arrest anyone? He has not called for the file of any suspect or given them a list of the untouchables. Suddenly, these agencies increased their pace because Buhari does not place any inhibitions on their way, no presidential interference at all.” In the last few weeks, some heavyweights either quizzed or arraigned in court were ex-Governor Sule Lamido and sons; ex-Governor Martin Elechi and son; ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim; Mrs. Oluwatoyin Saraki (the wife of the Senate President); Hajiya Zainab Dakingari (the daughter of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua); ex-Governor Murtala Nyako and son; a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi and Mrs, Ifeoma Nwobodo, who was the Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime.
Asserting the principle of separation of powers
For 49 days, the National Assembly was on the verge of brinkmanship because the President refused to interfere in the internal affairs of the Legislature. There were conflicting reports on whether or not ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo prevailed on Buhari to intervene, it was however obvious that the President took a constitutional risk which almost overshadowed his victory and the electoral gains of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the end, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Speaking on a live interview chat with NTA on Monday, the President explained why he refused to interfere. He said: “I have to be very sensitive to the Constitution of the country. I do not like to be told by anybody, especially the legislators that I am interfering in their matter. There are three arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Over the years, they have developed the system of choosing their leaders.
“There is no way I can directly interfere. All I can do through the party is to appeal to their conscience that what I already observed, we should go over it as soon as possible. When I say we, I mean the APC.”
Corroborating his claim, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said Buhari stuck to his stand till the end. He said: “Mr. President made it once again clear that everybody has no alternative but to listen to what the party says. He emphasized the fact that all of us were what we are thanks to the platform that the party provided for everybody. I think this message resonated very intensely with all the members of the House. He still did not interfere and his parting words to us were that the leadership of the House and the party should go and resolve whatever issues that were militating against a resolution.”
Buhari’s unique visit to the US
This trip was a major breakthrough for Buhari because it came early in the day of his administration and he can now settle down for work. Besides mending the strained diplomatic ties between the US and Nigeria, Buhari was able to seek support for the nation’s war against Boko Haram and anti-graft campaign which may lead to the repatriation of about $6billion looted funds. The shuttle also fetched a commitment of $2.1billion loan from the World Bank (through its International Development Agency) to rebuild the insurgency-ravaged North-East. While the first 10 years of the loan will be interest free, additional 30 years would attract interest “lower than capital market rate.” On its part, the World Health Organization (WHO) might invest about $300million on immunization against malaria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is expected to work with Dangote Foundation for a zero polio free system in the country. A former Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora told THE NATION’s correspondent during the week that the gains of the trip were significant. He said: “It is a measure of goodwill Obama and the United States have for President Buhari and his administration. That goodwill goes beyond America; it also extends to international community especially the Western world.”
Giving anti-terror war a new bite
Since the appointment of new Service Chiefs, the nation’s counter-insurgency campaign has heightened. Troops have seized many camps of Boko Haram, killed more than 300 insurgents and set free hundreds of captives including a six-day old infant. Buhari has also initiated a military alliance with Chad, Niger Republic, Cameroon and Benin Republic. A military source said: “With the way we are going about the campaign, we will rout out Boko Haram in the next six months if we sustain the tempo.”
Bail out for states
Worried by the collapse of the economy of most states, the President has reeled out some bail out measures including the release of N713.7billion intervention funds for states; N413.7billion represents special intervention funds; and the balance of about N250billion to N300billion as a soft loan to states. While about N413.7b ($2.1b) was sourced from the recent LNG proceeds, the remaining N300b came from a Central Bank-packaged special intervention fund. The Debt Management Office (DMO) is expected to assist states to restructure over N660billion commercial loans crippling their economy.
What should Nigerians do?
National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during the week asked Nigerians to be patient with Buhari to effect the much desired change. He said: “Change is not by magic, it is driven by the people… You see, we have had so much problem in this country in the past because we run into policy blindfolded without adequate and effective planning. You don’t have results unless you plan well. The time it takes you to plan, examine, re-jig, re-evaluate is more important than the time you just rush into taking action because you are either being sentimental, being emotional and being driven by forces that are not expected.”
We Will Defeat Boko Haram by December, Buhari Vows
• Insurgency in North-east will soon be history, says Osinbajo
By Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano
Despite the increase in bombing of civilian targets by Boko Haram, President Muhammadu Buhari has given assurance that the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Commission will defeat the insurgents by the end of this year.
Buhari, who was on a one-day visit to Cotonou as the special guest of honour at the 55th independence anniversary of Benin Republic, said this yesterday at a gala lunch held in his honour by the President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi.
Similarly, Vice President Yomi Osinbajo, while on an official visit to the IDPs Camp in Kano over the weekend, said that the on-going insurgency ravaging the North-eastern part of the country would in a matter of time become a thing of the past and that those displaced from their homes would soon return to their normal lives.
According to Osinbajo, the scourge of insurgency had disastrously taken a heavy toll on the economic potentials of the North most especially the North-east saying the federal government is doing everything possible to inject succour into the minds of those traumatised by the destructive conflict.
Also, President Buhari commended Yayi for increasing the number of Benin troops to 800 for the MNJTF, saying "and I assure you that we will defeat Boko Haram by the end of this year."
He also said he was completely overwhelmed by the honour of inviting him for the independence anniversary and by bestowing a national honour of the Republic of Benin on him and noted that even when he was a military head of state, Nigeria had always learnt to live peacefully with her neighbours.
He said: "I am impressed by your concern and critical approaches by increasing your contributions to the multinational task force of the Lake Chad Commission. This is a great sacrifice on the part of the Benin Republic.
"Even in my first coming into office under a different arrangement, we have learnt to live in peace with our neighbours. Within the week I was sworn in, I went to Niger, Chad. I was supposed to go to Cameroon but I was summoned by the G7 leaders to brief them about the security situation in Nigeria concerning Boko Haram, which declared allegiance to ISIS which gives it international dimension."
Earlier, Yayi had pledged that his country was ready to send about 800 troops as part of its contributions to the fight against terrorism.
Yayi said that his country would collaborate with Nigeria in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, noting that "Your Excellency, I am by your side. You are not alone. We are ready to send about 800 men."
Yayi acknowledged that the Republic of Benin is the 37th state of Nigeria and described Buhari as a man of integrity who, according to him, was concerned about the integration of the sub-region.
He said: "You are a man of integrity. The integration of the sub-region is your concern. Your coming here brings our two countries together. Our customs services should meet about economy. Benin is the 37th state of Nigeria."
Meanwhile, Vice President Osinbajo also assured people displaced and affected by Boko Haram that the Federal Government will remove all mines laid on their farms by the insurgents.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande said the Vice President spoke yesterday in Kano at a reception held at the Kano State Government House in honour of Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant- Media and Publicity to the President.
Osinbajo said the government was doing a comprehensive de-mining of the affected areas to enable the displaced persons to return to their communities to resume their businesses and economic activities, including farming.
According to him, several farms in the North East had been planted with mines by the insurgents and that it was the plan of the Federal Government to remove all the impediments in the land.
Osinbajo had earlier visited the IDP camp in Mariri, Kano where he told the children displaced from Borno State not to lose hope.
He was accompanied by the Kano State Governor Dr Abdullai Umar Ganduje and other officials and dignitaries from the state.
Osinbajo interacted with the children at the Internally Displaced Persons’ School, where some 100 children from Borno state are receiving education and psychological therapy courtesy of the Kano state government.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was committed to the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) to take care of all those affected by insurgency in the country.
He recalled the interaction the President had on Friday with the Victims Support Fund, VSF committee, headed by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma in Abuja, adding that besides the education of the children, the government was also interested in rebuilding places destroyed by terrorists.
He said PINE and the VSF have huge plans that had immediate, medium and long term plans, which the Buhari administration will ensure are well implemented.
At a reception held in honour of Mallam Garba Shehu, the Vice President explained that there was a somewhat ideological question on how to handle the problem of the poor, but that the Buhari administration was very clear on what needed to be done.
He then restated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) social welfare policies of the N5000 Conditional Cash Transfer help for the aged and the disabled among others "are well on target."
Speaking earlier at the reception, elder-statesman Alhaji Maitama Sule said God put President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo together and then added the biblical phrase "what God has joined together let no man put asunder."
The former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations said the president and the vice president could bring the desired change to the country, adding that the international community had also observed the discipline and integrity of both leaders.
On return to Abuja from Kano, the Vice President later at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport received the President who just returned from a visit to Benin Republic.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)