NSITF faces Reps over fresh N17bn illegal transfer, 50 queries listed by Leke Baiyewu

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts, on Tuesday, grilled the Managing Director of the National Social Insurance Trust Fund, Michael Akabogu, over the transfer of a total of N17,158, 883,034.69 to persons and companies without payment vouchers and other supporting documents provided for audit. The Office of the Auditor-General of Federation, in an audit query issued against the NSITF, said the transactions were carried out in 2013. The query was contained in the 2018 report of the AUGF which listed 50 queries against the NSITF. According to the report, vouchers shall be made out in favour of the person or persons to whom the money is actually due and under no circumstances shall a cheque be raised, or cash paid for services for which a voucher has not been raised. The report said, “Audit observed from the fund’s Statements of Account No. 1750011691 with Skye bank Plc, for the period 1st January, 2013 to 20th December, 2013, and Statements of Account No. 2001754610 with First Bank Plc for the period 7th January, 2013 to 28th February, 2013, that amounts totalling N17,158,883,034.69 were transferred to some persons and companies from these accounts. “However, payment vouchers relating to the transfers together with their supporting documents were not provided for audit. Consequently, the purpose(s) for the transfers could not be authenticated.” The auditor-general said where funds were transferred without adequate records, there may be the possibility of diversion of such funds for personal use. The report recommended that the NSITF MD be required to account for the sum of N17,158,883,034.69, failing which the amount should be recovered and paid back to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and sanctions should apply. Other queries against the fund in the 2018 report are the alleged diversion of N5.5bn to a commercial bank account not approved by the accountant-general and irregular payment of unapproved allowances to the tune of N1.87bn among others. PUNCH.

Senate passes campaign hate speech bill, offender risks 10-year imprisonment Sunday Aborisade

The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to establish the Electoral Offences Commission. The red panel prescribed among others, at least 10 years imprisonment or at least N20m fine or both against any person who uses hate speech to stir up ethnic, religious or racial hatred, social or political insecurity or violence against anyone or group of persons during electioneering. It also prescribed a 20-year jail term or a N40m fine against any candidate or agent who damaged or snatched ballot boxes, ballot papers or election materials before, during and after an election without the permission of election official in charge of the polling station. The Senate also approved at least 15 years imprisonment for any person who influenced voters. It also prescribed three years’ imprisonment for any employee who directly or indirectly exerts undue influence on a voter in his employment. The upper chamber also gave the nod to prohibit any campaign against national interest. It provided a 20 year-jail term without option of fine for any person who propagated information that undermines the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, or unity of the federation. The Senate also gave its nod to a term of at least 10 years upon conviction for any election official who prevented any person from voting at the polling station, rejected or refused to count any ballot paper validly cast. The upper chamber in Clause 20(2) approved at least 15 years imprisonment for any judicial officer or officer of a court or tribunal who corruptly perverts electoral justice, during or after an election. Senate okays 20-year jail for candidates snatching ballot materials It also gave at least 15 years jail term or N30m fine for any security personnel or election official engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission or State Electoral Commission who attempted to influence the outcome of an election. The bill also prescribed punishment against anybody who defame the character of any candidate in an election or his family members. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), in his presentation, said the bill became imperative in view of Independent National Electoral Commission’s inability to prosecute electoral offenders in accordance with the provisions of a section 149 and 150(2) of the Electoral Act (as Amended). He said, “It is unrealistic to expect INEC to conduct free, fair and credible election and simultaneously prosecute offences arising from the same elections.” The Senate during consideration of the INEC Committee report approved the establishment of the National Electoral Offences Commission. The Commission’s membership consists of the Chairman, Secretary and representatives from the Justice, Interior, Defence, and Information Ministries. PUNCH.

Buhari set to represent Onochie, PDP, Senator differ over rejection John Alechenu, Sunday Aborisade, Friday Olokor and Stephen Angbulu

Despite the Senate’s rejection of the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Presidency on Tuesday reaffirmed its confidence in her. A Presidency source told The PUNCH, “The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari — who made the nomination — had not chosen to withdraw it shows that he still has faith in the process and Onochie’s candidature is viable. So far, he hasn’t withdrawn his confidence in Onochie.” Onochie’s nomination attracted public outcry because of her open partisanship and the fact that her appointment would have amounted to a breach of the federal character principle. The Chairman of the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), had disclosed that the petitions against the Presidential aide were against the backdrop of her involvement in politics and alleged membership of a political party. Gaya said, “In the case of Ms. Lauretta Onochie, we studied her curriculum vitae and other relevant documents, followed by exhaustive interaction around the petitions against her nomination which she responded to accordingly, including attesting that she is not a registered member of any political party.” Attempts to get a response from the Special Assistant to the President of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu were futile. Calls to his mobile phone indicated that he was unreachable. He had yet to respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report. Senators have distinguished themselves, Says Jega While reacting to Onochie’s rejection by the Senate, a former INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, commended the Senate for rejecting her nomination. An elated Jega told The PUNCH late on Tuesday, said that by their action, the Senators have “Distinguished themselves.” He said “The Senators had on this matter ‘distinguished’ themselves. We hope that they would do better on the Electoral Bill 2021. Speaking in a similar vein, the Peoples Democratic Party, welcomed the decision of the Senate to listen to the voice of reason. National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbodinyan, told The PUNCH, “It was a victory for Nigerians, it was a victory for reason and morality in the interest of democracy. “The fact remains that the All Progressives Congress is desperate to hang on to power by all means. Allowing people like Onochie to get into INEC would have compromised any election even before the first ballot is cast.” In response, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, dismissed the PDP’s claim. He told one of our correspondents in a telephone interview that the opposition party was sulking that it was losing members “by the minute.” Nabena said, “The argument that her political affiliation is enough reason to reject her is not even an argument. As we speak, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Johnson Alalibo, was a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, he is a card-carrying member of the PDP appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan; so what is the PDP talking about.” ‘Why we rejected Onochie’ Gaya also explained that the presidential aide was not rejected based on political affiliation. Gaya said this while addressing journalists after Tuesday’s plenary. He said, “We couldn’t approve the appointment of Onochie because she is from the same state as an INEC commissioner from Delta State, Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu, whose tenure may expire by December this year. “Agbamuche-Mbu is still serving in INEC till December this year. That’s why we cannot clear another candidate from the state.” Gaya said the committee considered various legal implications of the confirmation or otherwise of the nominees and also studied the mood of Nigerians before coming up with its report. The Senator said his panel did not rely on the submissions of Onochie when she told the committee that Agbamuche-Mbu was actually representing Cross River State on the board of INEC. “President Buhari actually specified her (Agbamuche-Mbu) state, which is Delta, in the letter. “Also, during her confirmation by the 8th Senate, I was there when two senators from Delta, Messrs Ovie Omo-Agege and James Manager, stood up to congratulate the Senate for confirming her. “We also got records from the past senate screening that Agbamuche-Mbu was a nominee from Delta State.” On her membership of the APC, Gaya said the committee could not disqualify Onochie based on the records before it. He said, “Madam Onochie has said she has ceased to be a member of the APC. “The law said we can only disqualify a card-carrying member of a political party and since she denied her APC membership, we cannot hold that against her.” Gaya had said in his report at plenary said the Committee received several petitions against the nominations of Onochie and Adam. The Senate had earlier confirmed the appointment of five nominees as National Commissioners of INEC. The upper chamber also stepped down the confirmation of Prof. Sani Adam (North Central) for further investigation by the committee. The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Gaya-led Senate Committee on INEC. Those confirmed include Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru (North-West), Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah (Katsina), Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Ekiti), Dr. Baba Bila (North-East), and Saidu Babura Ahmad (Jigawa). However, a PDP Senator from Benue State, Abba Moro, insisted that the nominee would still have been rejected even if not for the federal character principle. Moro stated this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday. He said the Senate Committee on INEC, gave her a soft landing. Moro said, “The truth of the matter is that the majority of Nigerians objected to the nomination of Lauretta Onochie, right from when she was presented to the Senate. PUNCH.

Human Rights: IHRC report absolves Nigeria, Kenya authorities by Soni Daniel

Human Rights: IHRC report absolves Nigeria, Kenya authorities Keyantta…Clears Kenya of rights violation in IPoB’s leader’s arrest, repatriation to Nigeria …Says Kenya played no role in arrest of Kanu to face trial in Nigeria …Expects FG to handle Kanu’s trial in line with laws and respect to human rights …Resolves to monitor Kanu’s trial to ensure his rights are not violated The International Human Rights Commission based in Geneva has admitted receiving no fewer than 25 petitions from individuals and groups worldwide in respect of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently re-arrested and repatriated to Nigeria to face trial over alleged treasonable felony. The International human rights body said in a statement dated July 7, 2021 and seen by Vanguard on Monday night that majority of the petitions, which came from Nigeria, urged it to conduct an independent inquiry into human rights violations and possible breaches to established international and regional diplomatic protocols. The statement which was signed by the IHRC’s Special Envoy for Africa Region, Evans M. Mutavi, and International President for Kenya, said that it accordingly, conducted an independent investigation into the matter and found out that there was no violation of Nnamdi Kanu’s human rights in the events leading to his re-arrest and repatriation to Nigeria. “The IHRC is committed to safeguarding the rights of citizens across the globe in line with the organization’s core mandate,” the agency said. “The commission upon investigation is unable to establish a case of human rights violation of Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya by the special Police Forces. “The Commission is convinced that the Kenyan Government played no official role in the event that led to Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest. “The Commission expects the Nigerian Government to follow up the trial of Nnamdi Kanu in line with the country’s laws and respect to human rights. “The commission has resolved to monitor the trial of Nnamdi Kanu to ensure his human rights are not violated by the Nigerian Government,” the IHRC stated.

FG commences construction of Kaduna-Kano rail Agency Reporter

In a bid to link the country through rail, President Muhammadu Buhari will do the ground breaking of the Kaduna-Kano standard gauge by Thursday. Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. Read Also: Why PH-Maiduguri, Kano-Maradi rail projects are stalled, by Amaechi The statement by Eric Orjiekwe, Director, Press and Public Relations, said the event would be at Zawaciki, Dawaki Local Government Areas, Kano at 10.a.m. According to her, the project will further boost the president ‘s programme of linking the country through rail in order to enhance economic growth of the Nation. She added that major stakeholders in the transport sector have been invited for the occasion.

‘Nigerians in Positions of Authority Fail to Realise They are in Those Positions to Serve’ by Nseobong Okon-Ekong

Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a conversation with Mr. Joko Okupe, the Main Source of Mindshift; a new movement set to evangelise and educate Nigerians to change their mindset from ‘me’ to ‘we’ Can you point to a few examples of awkward ways the mind of an average Nigerian works? I believe that a major root cause of our problem as a nation is our unprogressive mindset as Individuals, as a society and as a nation. A mindset is a set of beliefs or a way of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook, and mental attitude. As we all know, mindsets influence the way we think, the way we do things and ultimately, our behaviour. Our wrong mindsets have brought about wrong orientation, eroded value system and a thwarted worldview of ourselves and issues. The way we have become, or should I say, the way we have made ourselves, due to our wrong mindsets, has been coined “the Nigerian factor”; a horrible phenomenon, which has given a shameful image of Nigerians as a people and Nigeria as a country, with the rest of the world. In as much as there are many Nigerians doing great things the world over, these negative mindsets and the attendant outcomes seem to drown the goodness of the country and accentuate the ugly sides. There are many negative mindsets of Nigerians across all social divides, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, young or old. If we are to catalogue the mindsets of Nigerians, it can be the subject of a whole book. This is because wrong mindsets permeate almost every sphere of our lives. Be it in the family or home front, in business, in education, in relationships, just in about everything we do. Because these mindsets are majorly anti-progress, we can see indications of continuous underdevelopment all around us as visibly manifested in increasingly worsening governance, leadership standards. We now have more persons of low substance, who lack vision and purpose finding their way to positions of leadership. What about our increasing culture of wastefulness, high level of poverty, and the list can go on and on. I’ll go on to highlight a few major mindsets that influence the behavior of Nigerians at all levels. The first one I’ll like to talk about is what I call “short-cut mindset”. Most Nigerians believe in the short cut method to success. This makes our people shun hard work, merit and all similar positive values. Unfortunately, this mindset is further strengthened by the explosion of seemingly successful people, who achieved the so-called success by taking the short cut route. This mindset fuels laziness, lethargy, immorality, exam malpractices, forgery of results/certificates, stealing, embezzlement, fraud, corruption, get-rich-quick syndrome, amongst others, and it destroys the fabric of society. It makes people want to cut corners wherever and whenever possible. People now want money without working for it; want certificates without studying hard, some even want the certificates without seating for exams; politicians want to win elections without the required hard work; employees want promotion without meriting it, etc. Worse still, some of our cultural values seem to support this mindset. One may believe that this mindset is pervasive among the low-income group of society, who are desperate for survival, but it’s not so. Experience and observation indicate that the attitude that stems from this mindset, cuts across all strata of society. Otherwise, what can we make of an executive, who already earns six figures who cuts corners to get promotion? Or a top-grade contractor who bribes a Procurement Manager to secure a juicy contract? Can we say these categories of people are desperate to survive? Definitely not! The gains people derive from the initial experience, fuels greed and increases its propensity. It’s like the act of gambling, which in itself, is a short cut. Once you win a jackpot, it lures you to want to keep trying. This mindset promotes the ideology of “the end justifies the means” and spells disaster for the entire society. When some of our people exhibit this mindset in sane societies outside of the shores of Nigeria, they get into trouble big time and give the country a bad image. We see this “short cut” mindset at work everywhere. Another one is the “National cake mindset”, where Nigerians perceive appointments or opportunities to serve or represent their people, as their own chance or time to have their own “share of the national cake”. One wonders where the mentality behind the concept of “Juicy Ministries” or “Juicy Appointments” comes from. Many complain when people from their tribes, their relatives, or their associates are not appointed into “Juicy Ministries or Departments”. This mindset traverses both the rivate and public sectors and is closely linked with the tribalism mindset. The third mindset I’ll like to talk about is the “Merit does not matter” mindset. In this case, choices of appointments, job placements, asset acquisition, contracts awards and any other decision are not based on merit, but on other variables and sentiments, which sometimes may include tribal, religious or family ties. What do we get? Mediocrity, in high and low places. We see mediocrity all around us. Square pegs are put in round holes in both public and private sectors. Excellence is sacrificed whenever you shun merit and you promote mediocrity. When mediocrity is enthroned, the house falls. This is very obvious in the Nigerian situation. A well -functioning Public Service is a catalyst for the development and growth of any nation. When public officers are appointed on any other basis other than ability, competence and capability, we all get messed up. In some countries of the world, only the best in education, qualifications and competence get recruited into the public service and enrolment is through open examinations, strict review, competition on equal opportunity and merit-based selection. Promotion is a rigorous exercise based on performance. In those countries, for anyone to serve in public positions, such must be first class brain. Nothing less. What do we have in Nigeria? It is obvious. recruitment, retention and promotion are based on the “Nigerian factor”, therefore, such institutions cannot function as they ought to. If we are serious about development, we need well- functioning public institutions that run on merit and excellence to drive the process of implementation of policies. When merit is relegated in the process of recruitment in such institutions, then the future is bleak and development is just a mirage. The entire concept of the type of “Quota System” we practice and the method of implementation needs to be reviewed and overhauled, if we are to make any serious progress. It sacrifices merit and promotes the culture of mediocrity. Should it matter where capacity is available? The last one I’ll like to talk about is “You’re under me” or “I’m your master” mindset of the leaders. This mindset makes most Nigerians in positions of power, authority or leadership, power-drunk. They fail to realise that they are in those positions to serve people. Rather, they believe they are above the followers and these followers are under them to be oppressed and trampled upon. Leadership across board have this wrong mindset, especially the political leaders. They see the citizens as subservient to them and as people they should push around. They actually see themselves as “Lords and Masters” over the citizens. What do you think influences the thoughts of the average Nigerian on issues concerning the country? Is it religion, ethnicity or personal welfare? It is all of the things you have mentioned. But the issue is not really those things you mentioned, rather, how the average Nigerian mindset works – in relation to ethnicity, religion, or personal welfare. It’s just greed and self-centeredness. If he thinks about ethnicity, or religion, it is on how it benefits him and how it improves his lot. It is about ‘Self.’ Although there are some exceptions, there are still Nigerians who are selfless, but the majority are self-centered, and this drives their everyday lives, and everything about them – whether in government or in other spheres of life. When Nigerians talk about religion it is not in respect to spirituality and service to God. It is as it can be a tool to foster self-interest, mislead, manipulate and oppress others. Our religious leaders are also guilty of this self-centeredness. Just watch their lifestyles against the standard of living of their followers. It all says the same thing. Except for a few of them who are truly focused on serving God and humanity, others are just using the platforms to enrich themselves and their families. This is the situation in all our spheres of life. What do you think assures peace to the average Nigerian – money, position or power? The average Nigerian wants to be an oppressor – whether he’s a gateman or a managing director – he wants to be an oppressor. For him, it is all the above – money, position, and power. He is not thinking of general peace but his own peace and security. He wants to lord it over the next man. So, you go to a place where a gateman unilaterally begins to decide who goes in and who comes out. He sets the rules and does what he likes. You get to such a place to see his boss and he tells you; “sorry, sorry. He’s not available”. You cannot see him”. And you can’t reach him to know whether he’s available or not. And right there in your very own eyes, somebody else comes and asks for the same person and the gateman will open the door and let them in. This oppressor mentality in Nigeria cuts across every class. When some people do not have access to money, position or power, these traits are subdued in them. Once they have access to power, money or position, like when a driver becomes the ‘Chief Driver’, you will see a different animal. This is not supposed to be the case, but that is the case, with very few exceptions. What do you wish Nigerians to understand about themselves that you think they currently don’t? I would appreciate Nigerians to know that they are gifted and resourceful. They need to know that they do not need excess wealth, position, or power to live the good life. They need to know that contentment is the juice of life – that they should be content with what they have, and also to be joyful in the process. For the leaders or those that occupy political positions, they need to know that the production and equitable distribution of public goods for the common good is the essence of politics and leadership. Political office holders need to know that they are in those positions to serve the citizens. Nigerians should hold one another up for the development of the country. In Mindshift we are set to evangelise and educate Nigerians to change their mindset from ‘me’ to ‘we.’ We should meditate on our national anthem and pledge and internalize the ideals to direct our actions. What is the most negative experience you have had as a Nigerian? Also state your most positive experience Those doing the terrible thigs that give this country a bad image do not realise how much damage they are doing to the rest of us, and how terrible their deed and action hurt others. In 2004 or so, I applied to join the Design Management Institute, the frontline institute for Design Education in the world. I was to attend an Annual Conference of the Institute but the Institute refused to give me a letter of invitation, because according to them, they had previously over some years given similar letters to quite a number of Nigerians, who were granted visas, came into the country and never attended the conferences. Worse, still, they flouted Immigration regulations by coming in and overstaying. It took the President then, to stick his neck to sign the letter. When they saw me at the conference, they were surprised and embarrassed. They kept apologizing to me all the way. Interestingly, one of the most positive experiences was also attached to this event. A couple of days after the conference, the President invited me out for lunch at a very exclusive and expensive restaurant in Boston to commend my conduct, contrary to their experience. I was quick to tell him, that there are millions of honest and credible Nigerians. It was quite elating that I was able to change that image. Tell us about Nigeria’s most vivid failure as a nation? Lack of elite leadership. The political elite with the support of the other segments of the elite class are supposed to be the leading light of the society, or the Nigerian nation in every ramification – cultural, political, economic, spiritual, and otherwise. What gives any one the right to lead others? You lead because it is expected that you know better than the people you are leading. The elites unfortunately are responsible for many of Nigeria’s problems. Each elite has a long list of contacts for different needs, which they utilize majorly to by-pass the law and for personal advantage. The primary responsibility of leadership is to lead the people – to protect their lives and to take care of their wellbeing. The Nigerian nation has failed in this. Our failure manifests most in our lip service to our national symbols. There are not many national anthems in the world that have the richness and the value system that the Nigerian National Anthem has, but what have we made of it? Does it really mean anything to us as a people? Does it really mean anything to those in authority? Does it mean anything to those in positions of leadership? If only they can lead by example what we utter and recite every day. We need to transmit those words of our Anthem and Pledge from our mouths to our minds and hearts and begin to live and express those virtues and values in them. Perhaps, then, we may begin to have some light at the end of the tunnel. Leadership means a lot and to some school of thought, leadership means everything. If you take to lead by example, some people will begin to follow. Again, part of politics is the resolution of conflicting interests amongst the people, and the various groups in the society. But, right now, there are various issues bedeviling the nation to the point that some people are agitating for one thing or the other. This has heightened insecurity and increased poverty in the land. So, the inability of the political elites to resolve these issues constitutes failure of politics, and by implication failure of the nation. However, Nigeria is a resilient country. What pushed to you to play this role of instigating Mindshift among Nigerians? We murmur and complain a lot in Nigeria, without taking any action. We live under so many illusions. We blame every other person for our woes and misfortunes, but ourselves. We are masters at the blame game. We blame our colonial masters. We blame foreign powers. We blame our past leaders. We blame our ancestors. I believe it’s about time we stopped the blame game and take action. We need to face the brutal facts of our situation and address our collapsed value system and deal with our wrong mindsets, individually and collectively, instead of continuing the finger pointing game and take action. We need to realise that no one can help to solve our problems if we don’t solve them ourselves. I decided to take the path of taking some action. QUOTE I would appreciate Nigerians to know that they are gifted and resourceful. They need to know that they do not need excess wealth, position, or power to live the good life. They need to know that contentment is the juice of life – that they should be content with what they have, and also to be joyful in the process. For the leaders or those that occupy political positions, they need to know that the production and equitable distribution of public goods for the common good is the essence of politics and leadership. Political office holders need to know that they are in those positions to serve the citizens. Nigerians should hold one another up for the development of the country

NAF Fighter Jets Neutralise 120 Bandits In Zamfara Forest by Chris

At least 120 armed bandits were eliminated in multiple airstrikes executed by the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) fighter jets at Sububu Forest in Zamfara State. According to PRNigeria, the airstrikes were executed on Monday, after some locals alerted security personnel on the arrival and movements of a large number of bandits within Sububu axis. An intelligence operative told PRNigeria that a reconnaissance aircraft was deployed for spotting, collection of imagery and observation of the bandits before precision airstrikes were carried out on the targets. “Following an intelligence, on 12 July 2021, that groups of bandits were amassing around SUBUBU, JAJANI and DAMMAKA, a reconnaissance aircraft was dispatched to recce the area for confirmation before carrying out the airstrikes. “Accordingly, the A-Jet conducted air recce over the said locations and observed several bandits arriving in droves and taking cover over large trees at the southwestern part of SUBUBU settlement. These targets were subsequently engaged and hit. “The few surviving bandits were seen fleeing the area. It is estimated that over 125 bandits were neutralized in the attack based on the information we received from our sources around the area,” he said. When contacted by PRNigeria, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the multiple airstrikes on the hideouts of the bandits, and the destruction of their motorcycles. He, however, did not give further details on the human casualties recorded. Commodore Gabkwet only specified that the military carried out “the precision airstrikes on the armed bandits after an intelligence and identification of the locations to avoid collateral damages.” Nigerian troops under Operation Hadarin Daji, comprising operatives of the Nigerian military, security and intelligence services are jointly involved in the fight against bandits in North-West.