Amaechi: Obasanjo spent €400m on maritime equipment — but it all disappeared by Haleem Olatunji

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo spent between €300 million and €400 million on equipment for fighting insecurity in the maritime sector. The minister alleged that the equipment purchased is nowhere to be found. Amaechi said this at the inauguration of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure in Nigeria (also called the Deep Blue Project) at the ENL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos. The event which took place on Thursday was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari. Amaechi said Obasanjo spent up to €400 million on a similar project to fight insecurity in the maritime sector. But he claimed that the equipment “disappeared”. The minister accused the Nigerian elite operating in the sector of unpatriotic acts. The minister said a war was waged against him during the implementation of the project by stakeholders in the industry, but that he was determined to complete the task. “Just because of this project, three committees were set up against me; one led by the vice-president, one by the minister of defence and another by the EFCC,” he said. “While they were set up and all of them were cabinet committees; the accusation was this is Amaechi’s contract. Mr. President, I don’t do contract. “But I want to tell you why I did it. Nigerians are not patriotic, most elites are not. They were making billions of money in insecurity. Anybody who wants to fight insecurity, they will fight the person and I was very determined. “I am surprised that the MD of Shell read his speech without saying that the oil companies met and promised me a gift if I can survive in this war. This war has sacked two ministers, they were taken to the EFCC and they were sacked. “This war, under President Obasanjo; they spent between €300 million and €400 million to buy the same equipment we have bought and they have disappeared. “Until the day you sack me or I leave office, I will make sure that this equipment remain because Nigerians who do business on the water are not good people. Most unpatriotic Nigerians are not good.” In his address, Buhari expressed confidence in the project, saying it will boost maritime security infrastructure and improve law enforcement. Advertisement “I am confident that the project, which provides a robust maritime security architecture, will enhance maritime domain awareness capability and improve law enforcement action, particularly in the prosecution of suspects under the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act which I signed into law in June 2019,” he said. “This flag-off is an important step in the continuing shift in strategic action about regional maritime security. “It will serve as a benchmark for member states in the Gulf of Guinea and other relevant stakeholders to further develop innovative strategies and align efforts with the subsisting framework to improve maritime security in the region.”

NANS suspends June 12 protest, distances self from ‘Buhari-must-go’ campaign by Kayode Oyero

The National Association of Nigerian Students has suspended its planned June 12 nationwide protest, The PUNCH has learnt. NANS President, Sunday Asefon, made this known in a statement on Friday morning. It was titled, ‘NANS Suspends June 12 Protest Over Concerns About Safety Of Protesters And Fear Of Possible Hijack By Politicians – Comrade Sunday Asefon’. According to the NANS president, the planned protest was aimed at decrying the insecurity in the country, especially the serial abductions of students. However, Asefon said some politicians with “different agenda” have perfected plans to hijack the protest to “ventilate their political opinions and sentiments”. He also said the students’ body was not associated with the secessionist campaign or the ‘Buhari-must-go’ campaign slated to hold on Saturday by some politicians and activists. He said, “Having considered the current security realities and the danger to the lives of our members in case of possible hijack of the planned protest, I in consultation with all the structures of NANS, therefore, announce the suspension of our proposed protest for June 12. “The suspension of the protest is necessary to avoid a clash of interest and clash with security agencies that are on red alert to protect the nation’s infrastructure from security breaches on the proposed date as a result of many other protests slated for the date. “We intend to protest for better security and improved welfare for our students, we must therefore not put the life of any of our students at risk to ventilate our grievances.” Asefon further noted that the protest was not cancelled but postponed, adding that a new date would be announced for the demonstration.

CDS meets military chiefs, prepares 70 generals for exit by Eniola Akinkuotu

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Thursday met with major-generals, Air vice Marshals and the rear admirals who are members of the Regular Course 36 and senior to the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya. The meeting was convened with a view to tactically easing out no fewer than 70 major generals, AVMs and rear admirals out of the service, The PUNCH can authoritatively report. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had skipped 29 major-generals and appointed Yahaya who is a member of Regular Course 37, a move which has been generating controversy in the last two weeks. Irabor subsequently asked members of Course 36 to proceed on courses of their choice and to no longer report at their duty posts. The Thursday meeting was sequel to a letter marked DH/ABJ/401/38/ADM dated June 4, 2021 which was marked ‘restricted’ but was obtained by our correspondent. The letter was signed by Rear Admiral AB Adamu on behalf of the CDS. It read in part, “Ref A (NOTAL) under the cover of Ref B (NOTAL) approved the commencement of annual leave in respect of Maj Gen JB Olawunmi (N/8795) and 28 others who are members of 36RC in the NA. The snr offrs (senior officers) were to proceed on the annual leave wef 1-30 June. However, I am directed to invite all serving members of 36 RC in the AFN (Maj Gen and equivalent) to a meeting with the CDS as follows. Thursday, June 10, 21; DHQ Conference Hall; 11.00hrs prompt.” It was learnt that Irabor, based on approval from the Federal Ministry of Defence, asked all the members of regular course 36 across the three services to proceed on courses of their choice for the next one year. Read Also Wike urges CDS to tackle insurgency Insecurity: Fear, despair shall be extinguished from Nigeria, says Irabor Ekiti bye-Election: INEC asked to ban parties, candidates involved in violence A general, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said, “Gen Irabor made it clear to everyone that because all course 36 members of the army who are seniors of the current Chief of Army Staff, are being eased out, it would be wrong to retain their course mates in other services. “To this end, all air vice marshals in the air force and all rear admirals in the navy that are members of Course 36 have been affected. They will not be allowed to continue to report at their respective services or at DHQ. The intention is to get all to resign without forcing them to do so.” The source said some of the generals would go to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies while others would go to the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria on course. When asked why the military was taking the action, the general added, “The military now has a tradition whereby when a new chief of any of the branches is appointed, all those who senior him, including those who are in other arms of the military, are eased. This was how members of the Regular Course 35 were all eased out in February.” Copyright PUNCH.

CBN’s digital currency’ll begin before 2022– Bankers’ Committee by Nike Popoola

The Director-Information Technology Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs Rakiyat Mohammed, has said that the banking regulator will launch a digital currency before the end of 2021. Muhammed disclosed this during a press briefing on the Bankers’ Committee meeting on Thursday. “As I said before the end of the year, the Central Bank will be making special announcement and possibly launching a pilot scheme in order to be able to be able to provide this kind of currency to its populace,” she said. She said about 80 per cent of central banks in the world were exploring the possibility of issuing central bank digital currency and Nigeria could not be left behind. For over two years now, she added, the CBN had been been exploring technology and had made tremendous progress. Explaining what the Central Bank digital currency would be, she said there were currently two forms of money in the country. She added, “We have in two forms in Nigeria as of now, there are the notes and there are the coins. “So the Central Bank currency is to be the third form of money which means just as we have electronic money, digital money is not new in Nigeria. “Just as we are about the third or fifth in the whole world as far as advancement in the use of digital money is concerned. “So this is going to compliment the coins and cash that we have. “The Central Bank digital currency will just be as good as you having cash in your pocket and even as you have the cash in your pocket, you are going to have the cash on your phone.” She said the Central Bank was looking at different use cases such as remittances. The director said, “We all know how money has to travel for someone to send money from Nigeria to abroad and it is a huge money in Africa. “We also know that recent report by EfiNA was that our target was to achieve 80 per cent financial inclusion. We are about 60 per cent and at the rate at which we are going, we are not going to meet this target. “Central Bank digital currency will accelerate our ability to meet this target.” PUNCH.

You can’t sit in Lagos and determine zoning in APC, says Buhari by Eniola Akinkuotu

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), says the issue of zoning in the All Progressives Congress will be determined by the party and not any single individual. READ ALSO: I’m not surprised by my husband’s death, TB Joshua’s widow declares He added that no one will for instance sit in Lagos and determine what the party will do. The President said this during an interview with Arise Television which aired on Thursday. Buhari added that the caretaker committee of the APC led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State was working to reposition the party. He said, “I told the acting chairman and a committee to give me the report by the end of the month on the convention they are going to conduct and then arrange general elections until 2023. And we started this from bottom to the up, so that members of the party will be sure they are involved in decision making. “Nobody is just going to sit in Lagos and tell them what to do. This is what we are arranging.” Several supporters of APC leader in Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, have been clamouring for the party to zone the Presidency to the South, adding that there was a gentleman agreement for such when the party was being formed in 2013. Tinubu is believed to be nursing a Presidential ambition although he has yet to confirm or deny it. However, the dissolution of the party’s National Working Committee last year was believed to have been orchestrated by those opposed to Tinubu’s ambition.

I’ll secure Nigeria despite challenges, Buhari assures Nigerians by Stephen Angbulu

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday promised Nigerians that despite its current challenges, he will secure the country. Buhari made the promise in Lagos during the handing over of security equipment by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the Lagos State Police Command during the President’s one-day official visit to the state. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari: My directive on criminals with AK-47 remains in place, vows decisive action on those attacking security personnel.’ The President was quoted as saying that, “As Commander-in-Chief, my primary responsibility remains the security of the country and the safety of all citizens. “Despite the many challenges we are facing, I want Nigerians to rest assured that we will secure this country. “We will secure our infrastructure, our highways, our communities, and our forests, and we will secure the lives of our people.” Buhari said his regime was currently working to recruit 10,000 new police officers and increase police salaries and wages. He said, ‘‘We are currently recruiting 10,000 new Police officers to reinforce our personnel capacity across the country. “In addition to this, I have directed the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to carry out an upward review of Police salaries and benefits.” The President stated that no administration since 1999 has been as committed as his in reforming and repositioning the Nigeria Police Force and national policing architecture. He said, ‘‘In 2019, I signed into law the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, the first in the history of the Force, to provide guaranteed funding to support Police welfare, logistics and equipment. Read Also Interview: Buhari claimed our projects, says PDP VIDEO: If the youth wants jobs, they should behave themselves, make Nigeria secure -Buhari [VIDEO] Insecurity: We have given the police, military the power to be ruthless -Buhari ‘‘In September 2020, I assented to the Bill amending the Nigeria Police Act, which was originally enacted in 1943. ‘‘This new Act, a vast improvement over the old one, among other things spells out the modalities for the implementation of a National Community Policing Scheme in Nigeria. The scheme, he said, will restore confidence within local communities and enable them to become active stakeholders in the safety and security of their environs. In a similar vein, Buhari insisted that his directive to security agencies, to shoot any person or persons found illegally wielding AK-47s and other assault weapons, stands. The President cautioned that a nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction is a nation on the path of self-destruction. He charged the officers, men and women of the Nigeria Police that both Nigerians and the government expect so much from them even as the government strives to improve their welfare and capacity. He also commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Force for their recent success in minimizing the spate of violence in troubled parts of the country. ‘‘I have charged the Inspector-General to leave no stone unturned in rebuilding the morale of his officers and men, especially in the aftermath of the mindless violence associated with the EndSARS protests, as well as the recent spate of attacks on Police Stations in some parts of the country.” Buhari added that the newly acquired security equipment and assets will boost the morale of the Police, and further enhance their capacity to fight crime and combat criminality. He also praised the Governor and people of the state for remaining resilient despite the carnage and destruction experienced last October; urging other states to emulate the resilience and resourcefulness of Lagos.

#EndSARS protest was to remove me from office —Buhari by Deborah Tolu-Kolawole

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has claimed that last year’s #EndSARS protest against police brutality was aimed at removing him from office. Buhari said this when he appeared on Arise TV on Thursday morning. The president stated that those who participated in the protest have made Nigeria unattractive to investors. He also blamed the protest on the dwindling inflow of foreign direct investment to the country. I’ll secure Nigeria despite challenges, Buhari assures Nigerians He was asked how he could improve foreign direct investment in Nigeria. In response, he said, “This question was answered last year when there was the #EndSARS protest. You remember the young people that wanted to march here and remove me?” He added, “Tell the young people to behave themselves and make the country safe, then we can attract real investors to the country”.