News From Nigeria
I have challenged people to ask themselves if they can remember anything the main opposition committed to, when they were elected in 1999 and for the 16 years they allowed Nigeria to drift without any clear policy direction or articulation.
Other than slogans like “Transformation Agenda” whose details were undisclosed, during a period of prolific earnings from very elevated international crude oil prices, to a “Seven Point Agenda,” which later became a “Five Point Agenda” I am yet to receive a response.
Unless it remains hidden under their unreliable umbrella, it must be taken that we surrendered 16 years of our lives to a party from 1999 to 2015, that made no credible promises and no recognisable commitment.
To those who may wonder why I choose to start my intervention this way, it is my answer to those who erroneously assert that politics in Nigeria is not about issues. They are wrong.
APC came into office by identifying the major issues confronting Nigeria before the 2015 general elections and the National survey conducted showed that the issues at the top of mind of voters were security, corruption and the economy.
The APC made clear commitments about how to deal with those issues and got elected.
As far as the economy is concerned, one of its necessary drivers is infrastructure to which the APC has vigorously committed herself.
The results are manifesting with thousands of kilometres of roads and bridges, expanded airport runways and terminal buildings in 5 international airports, a new seaport in Lekki, the Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano Gas Pipeline, train seven of the NLNG, investment in the Dangote Refinery to support private sector initiative for local production of petroleum products as well as the upgrade of four (4) existing refineries.
Why are these important you might ask? Our opponents reluctantly acknowledge these giant strides but are unable to connect them to the economic opportunities they offer now to workers, construction companies and suppliers who operate in this economy; and they are unable to see what this means for Nigeria’s economy in the future.
On one hand they talk about stimulating the economy by “production, ” but their home economics model does not address how anyone can expect to produce without roads, ports and bridges or gas.
They are unable to relate cost push inflation to travel time, the cost of haulage or delays at the port or indeed to how continued importation of petroleum products that they could not reverse in 16 years impacts the cost of living.
I doubt whether they appreciate that the port that they privatised has not produced the desired results and it is APC government that has rebuilt the Apapa to Oworonshoki road that evacuates the largest and busiest port in Nigeria, and it is the same government that is building the Lagos – Ibadan Highway that facilitates distribution of goods and services. Yet, they want to privatize more.
The importance of this part of my intervention is to demonstrate without a shadow of doubt that infrastructure is the foundation for building any economy following which are policies that herald reforms.
The Buhari-led APC government has spent their time in office building this critical hardware of infrastructure and many parts of power sector infrastructure are already being put in place.
The agreement with Siemens, under the Presidential Power Initiative, seeks to remedy the shortcomings of the privatisation they undertook in 2013 especially the distribution sector where some of those who acquired the DisCos do not have the necessary financial means to finance the investment required to guarantee power to homes and businesses.
These are massive numbers of Distribution transformers and related assets.
The Buhari Power Initiative seeks to deliver in 3 phases:
In the same vein, many of the power plants constructed under the NIPP do not have sufficient gas supply or transmission lines.
I visited 23 out of the 28 generation plants in existence at a time. From Geregu to Omotosho to Papalanto and the Enron Power Station, gas supply was being rationed amongst turbines, so that all the existing capacity could rarely be deployed. This is partly what the Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano Pipeline Project seeks to address.
In other places, it was the transmission capacity that was struggling. This is what the Presidential Power Initiative is responding to by seeking to provide:
The Buhari government has also put in place a policy for mini grids, supported by NERC Regulation No. MERC/-R-/110/17 of 2017 that allows individuals and corporations to generate and distribute off grid, embedded power of 100kw without approval and up to 1Mw with approval.
This again puts a lie to the argument the grid needs to be decentralized. It has been decentralized and people need to take full benefit of the policy. The government in office has led with initiatives of embedded power in markets like Ariaria, Sabon Gari and Sura in Aba, Kano and Lagos.
There have been initiatives in university campuses, 9 (NINE) in total, with 7 (SEVEN) completed, with Phase 2 for an additional 7 Universities in procurement.
These are only part of 67 off-Grid power projects already implemented by the APC Government under the supervision of the Rural Electrification Agency.
You might then ask, why are there still power outages? My response is that there is still work to be done. The deployment of mini grids has not yet taken widespread application and this is where the private sector needs to be made more aware of the policy and the regulator needs to be more proactive. I will come to this shortly.
The Siemens Presidential Power Plan to address distribution and transmission and the gas projects are works in progress that have started and are at various stages of implementation and completion.
This brings me therefore to why we are here. The Asiwaju Framework for Power and Energy Reform.
This is well articulated in the APC tradition of identifying issues and proposing solutions; on pages 30 to 32 of Asiwaju’s Action Plan for a Better Nigeria titled Renewed Hope 2023.
First, he recognises at page 30 of the plan that the problems cannot be solved overnight.
He offers to eliminate the losses between generation and distribution by addressing the transmission problems which the current Presidential Power Initiative has started.
He connects with the problem of end users relating to provision of meters and offers support for domestic manufacturing on page 31.
This is more than a paper policy. It speaks to many things including Asiwaju’s known commitment for standing with people in need. It tells those who are victims of estimated billing that they are not invisible. It is a message that Asiwaju sees them and offers a solution.
It also demonstrates APC’s progressive credentials as a party committed to the improvement of the human condition.
The contrasting position is the policy on metering left by the main opposition before 2015, called CAPMI, an acronym for Credit Advanced Payment Metering Implementation which required consumers to advance the cost of their meters to DisCos.
The Buhari government inherited this policy from the previous administration and also inherited complaints from the hundreds and thousands of advance payments for meters that were not supplied. In effect, instead of advance payment for meters, it was becoming like an advance fee fraud that fits the definition in the famous Section 419 of the criminal code with payments made for meters not supplied.
The anti-corruption stance of the Buhari government could not share the same place with such a scheme and promptly dissociated itself from it as a government policy, leaving it to the discretion of the consumer whether to trust their supplier with advance payment.
In its place, the government through the Regulator started a new policy – the MAP, an acronym for Meter Asset Provider, as a new business that focuses on meter provision and expands the value chain of the power sector beyond GenCos, TCN and DisCos.
Asiwaju’s plan will therefore support meter asset providers.
On page 31, there is a renewable energy plan in the Asiwaju Framework, and this is the driver for rapid deployment of mini grids that I spoke about earlier, especially solar energy which he formally addresses as a point of focus.
Apart from the employment and entrepreneurship benefits for suppliers, installers and manufacturers, this brings Nigeria into the centre of global energy discussion and opens up a new market for carbon credits which is estimated at $261 Billion global, $50 Billion for Africa and $ 2.64 annually for Nigeria.
The low hanging fruits are the number of generator power plants that we can replace with solar and the renewables.
The plan on p.32 commits to a “Nigeria First Power Policy” which is very important. It simply means our power development will not subordinate our energy needs to global energy policies that do not take into consideration the energy inequality between developed and developing nations.
Rural dwellers are visible to Asiwaju as his plan clearly identifies them and their needs on p.32.
He offers incentives and change of policies that encumber investment for power in rural areas and seeks to mobilise local capacities in our universities and polytechnics to lead the research that unlocks delivery of power to rural areas (***).
Of course, I had earlier said that I will come back to speak about the Regulator. (The Role of NERC/Ministry/Manpower).
This is clearly identified in Asiwaju’s plan on p.32 under “Power Sector Governance and Reforms” where he offers “Reform of the Regulatory Structure…,” and “…improved efficiency, accountability for project management, design, procurement, construction and remittances.” (Cost of procurement and Tariff).
This clearly is the difference between us and the main or fringe opposition. We have the capacity to identify the problem, offer a solution and mobilize resources to confront them.
The heavy lifting and hardware has been done under the Buhari government. Asiwaju is bringing the reform and connections that drive the process to manifest results.
Thank you for listening.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Works and Housing
Wednesday 18th January 2023
“Julius Berger: “A most responsible company with a highly functional, productive and commendable Corporate Social Responsibility Culture’’, says Leading Women NGO, Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA)
The pioneer and foremost women Non-Governmental Organization in northern Nigeria, Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), has described and commended the country’s leading construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, as “… a most responsible company with a highly functional, productive and commendable Corporate Social Responsibility Culture…worthy of emulation by others.’’
The President of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa, made the remarks in Kaduna on thursday at the handing over of the renovated buildings at the Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Orphanage and Premier school. The renovation works were undertaken by Julius Berger as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives to partner with and assist the development of its host communities along the geo-strategic Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road construction project.
Hajiya Rabi Musa Salauwa who traced the history of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa to Nigeria’s First Republic, said it was founded in 1963. By 1st December 1964 Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa opened the orphanage in Kaduna. The take-off property for the Orphanage was donated by the then Premier of Northern Nigeria, the legendary Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sadauna of Sokoto along with a cash donation of £500 as takeoff grant. Hajiya Rabi celebrated that since its founding till date, over 3,000 orphans have successfully passed through the the Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa Orphanage and ist schools.
According to Hajiya Rabi, many of the children who passed through the institution are now graduates of universities and polytechnics. Two of such students are graduates of the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) and one attended Nigerian Aviation School Zaria and is now a pilot, while several others are now Police officers.
Hajiya Rabi, however, said the JMA Orphanage, office accommodation and schools overtime fell into a deplorable state of dilapidation due to paucity of funds, being an organization that depends solely on donations and the little income generated from the schools. She said the funds generated have been grossly inadequate to carry out any major renovations and for the smooth operations of the organization.
Thus, she heartily thanked Julius Berger for its very meaningful CSR intervention to assist with the renovation of the buildings of the institution.
Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, executive director administration of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, who represented the Managing Director of the company Engr. Dr. Lars Richter and led the company’s delegation to the event, offered the sincere regards and good wishes of the MD for a happy new year to all guests present at the ceremony.
Bayi, who grew up in Kaduna, also said that, “…on a very personal and nostalgic note, I equally feel a deep sense of happy homecoming to stand before you in this event in Kaduna. While I am here representing our MD, Dr. Richter, and officially on speaking for Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, please still kindly allow me to say it feels good to be home in your midst.’’ Bayi’s respectful remark was happily received with an appreciative applause by the well-acknowledged guests.
Alhaji Bayi then proceeded to say that with a healthy sense of modesty, Julius Berger is a household name and sector leader in the construction industry in Nigeria. He added that, currently, the company is entrusted with several important federal priority projects across the country, including the geo-strategic Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road (AKR) project. According to Bayi, Since the inception of the AKR project, as part of the company’s standing culture of Corporate Social Responsibility and its derived initiatives, Julius Berger has proactively collaborated with and positively touched lives in its host communities along the project corridor. “We have achieved our Corporate Social Responsibility objectives by providing either new or making worthy improvement to existing utilities or amenities. Our CSR activities ranged from drilling of boreholes to supply water to our host communities, construction or renovation of classrooms, and donation of textbooks and other teaching, learning and sporting aids to schools, ’’ said Bayi. Other Julius Berger CSR contributions, said Bayi, include hospital donations and related needs such as ambulances, beds, mattresses, personal protective equipment to protect against the Covid-19 pandemic, emergency food supply through the Julius Berger ‘Food for our Communities’ Campaign; and insecticide treated mosquito nets to protect pregnant women and children from the deadly scourge of malaria.
The distribution of food palliatives was also extended to orphanages to mark the International Day of Charity and, most recently, to communities affected by the recent and sad flood inundation.
All along the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road corridor, several communities, he said, have benefited from Julius Berger‘s Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
Bayi further informed the gathering that, significantly, as a deliberate policy targeted at empowering its host communities, Julius Berger ensured that local contractors were used in executing all the projects and procurement of the items either in the form of construction materials or commodities. “Selection of beneficiaries of these projects was also tactically done on the basis of fair spread of community empowerment.”
According to Bayi, most distributed Julius Berger CSR items were also sourced locally from host communities. “This impacted positively on the economy of these communities through job creation and enhancement of local purchasing power….On the average, over 500 direct and indirect jobs were created from the execution of these Julius Berger Corporate Social Responsibility projects.’’
Alhaji Bayi informed the gathering that it was in line with Julius Berger’s proactive CSR policy that the Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Orphanage, Kaduna, which forms part of the host communities of the Abuja-Kano Road Project, was identified as a suitable institution that should benefit from Julius Berger’s Corporate Social Responsibility contribution. This led to the decision to embark on some rehabilitation works at the orphanage that was in dire need of restoration.
While commending the respected President of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) and her team for their commitment to selflessly revamp the Orphanage and its schools, Alhaji Bayi added that, the main driver of Julius Berger’s Corporate Social Responsibility intervention is to restore the historical monument to again reflect the vision of its founders and their lasting commitment to society’s well-being.
Julius Berger officially thereafter handed over the renovated Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) Orphanage to its President, Hajiya Rabi Saulawa and its Board of Trustees.
Julius Berger was thereafter given an award as an “Outstanding and compassionate Organization with a self-recommending Corporate Social Responsibility Culture.”
At the end of the ceremony, senior officials of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc who were present at the ceremony, including the executive director of administration, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, the technical director of the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road construction works, Engr. Benjamin Booth, and the Project Commercial Manager, Mr. Ralf Brendicke were all decorated by the President of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) with colourful togas bearing the historical Arewa Star as “Representatives of a Company Robustly in Support of Women Empowerment.”
Other important dignitaries who attended the event in Kaduna included the Hakemi Kawu, Alhaji Jibrin Mohammed Magaji who represented His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alh. Suleiman (Turakin Zazzau), the ageless Kaduna Matriarch, Hajiya Hon. Saudatu Sani, former Chief of Staff to Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senatorial aspirant, Kaduna Central, Alhaji Mohammed Sanni Datijo, Hon. Shehu Balarabe, Alhaji Sani Garba, HRH Hajiya Aishatu Amina Dantoro (nee Yahaya Guasau), Mrs Salomi Gwamna Kennedy, who represented the Hon. Commissioner for Education for Kaduna State; and Alhaji Balomi, the executive Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government Area, amongst many others.
Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA) is an umbrella social and non-political organization of women in Northern Nigeria from all backgrounds regardless of their religion, tribe and social status leadind and driving the process of women empowerment in the Nothern parts of the country.
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS & NOTARY PUBLIC
GOTTGUNST VILLA
27, Gbiaye Street
3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Nigeria
Tel: 08033136059
E-mails: info@amaetulegal.org
amaetulegal@yahoo.com
ama.etuwewe@amaetulegal.org
www.amaetulegal.org
JANUARY 2, 2023.
THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MAITAMA,
ABUJA.
Dear Sir,
RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. L
AURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.
MATTERS ARISING THEREOF:
As you are aware, we act as Solicitors to the ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY ably represented by CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO, MR. EDWARD OMAGBEMI & ENGINEER VICTOR WOOD, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Clients and we write to you on their precise, concise and unequivocal instructions.
iii. A Declaration that the nomination of the 5th Defendant who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful and contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act.
vii. A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 as amended, the Plaintiffs as suitable members of the ltsekiri nationality of Delta State are qualified to be nominated as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.
viii. Any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
10.0. Our Clients on December 12, 2022, filed an ex-parte application seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to wit;
AND/OR
11.0. As is customary, our Clients accompanied the ex-parte application with a motion on notice filed on December 12, 2022, seeking the following reliefs to wit;
AND/OR
12.0 The Federal High Court on December 15, 2022, in refusing reliefs 1 and 2 of our Clients’ ex-parte application filed on December 12, 2022, ordered the parties in the suit not to take any step that will render nugatory our Clients’ pending application for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022.
13.0 The Court also emphatically ordered that any act or step or action taken in order to render nugatory. the outcome of our Clients’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022, and scheduled for hearing on January 11, 2023, shall be a nullity. A copy of the said Order has been duly served on all the parties including your office.
14.0 Despite the fact that all the Defendants, your office inclusive, were served with the originating process, our Clients’ application for interlocutory injunction and the order of the Court restraining all parties from acting otherwise, the leadership of the Senate of the National Assembly proceeded to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on December 20, 2022.
15.0 Further displeased by the brazen act of the National Assembly in proceeding defiantly to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission in gross and total disregard to the order of Court restraining all parties from taking any step capable of rendering nugatory our clients’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,, our Clients on December 22, 2022, filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking inter alia the following relief;
AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on December 15, 2022, restraining the parties from taking any step that may render nugatory the outcome of the Applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.
All the Defendants have been served with the said application.
16.0 Whilst our Clients’ suit and in fact their most recent application to set aside the screening and confirmation of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC by the Senate of the National assembly has not been determined, our Clients are aware and already in the public domain, that the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is making plans and has circulated letters to that effect, to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, as ·the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC. The Minister has hinged his brazen disregard of the order of the court and the due process of law, on the purported approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the 1st Defendant in the suit under reference.
17.0 As the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a party in the suit, you are doubtless aware of the position of the law which is to the effect that once there is a pending litigation, all parties to the suit are expected to stay every action that will adversely affect the outcome of the adjudicatory process so as not to render the said process a nullity and foist upon the court a fait accompli. We most humbly refer you to the case of EZEGBU v. F.A.T.B. LTD. (1992) 1 NWLR PART 220 PAGE 699 PARTICULARLY AT PAGE 724, where NIKI TOBI J.C.A. (as he then was) stated thus:
“Where a matter is before a court of law, none of the parties can legally or lawfully take any unilateral decision that will prejudice or tend to prejudice the hearing or adjudication of the matter by the court. Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court order. They must whether they like it or not wait for the court to take a decision one way or the order. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am saying in effect is that a party who has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and disability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts.
None of the parties to a litigation process before a court of law is allowed to take the law into his own hands and foist upon the court a fait accompli thereby rendering it impossible for the court to arrive at a decision one way or the other on the merit of the issue before it render any decision it may take nugatory or futile”.
18.0 Furtherance to the reliefs being claimed by our Clients in the suit, there is a pending application filed by our clients seeking an injunction against the Defendants for an order of Court restraining the Defendants from taking steps capable of rendering nugatory the pending application for interlocutory injunction and an application seeking to set aside the confirmation made by the Senate of the National Assembly, which step more to undermining the Judiciary’s role and the Rule of Law, has pre determined the issues presented by our Clients for judicial determination in the substantive suit.
19.0 Having notified your humble self and the other Defendants of the pendency of an application for injunction, we wish to draw your attention to the following judicial authorities on the duty of a party or parties where there is a pending application for injunction. In the case of ELF MARKETING (NIG.) v. J.L. OYENEYIN 8: SONS (1995) 7 NWLR PART 407, PAGE 371 AT 380 PARAGRAPHS A-8, the Court held thus:
“Once the court is seized of a matter, no party has a right to take the matter into his own hands. Thus, after a defendant has been notified of the pendency of a suit seeking an injunction against him, even though a temporary injunction be not granted, that party acts at his peril and is subject to the power of the court to restore the status wholly irrespective of the merit as may be ultimately decided…”
20.0 Furthermore, in the case of OKEKE-OBA v. OKOYE (1994) 8 NWLR. PART 364, PAGE 605 AT 617-618 PARAGRAPHS H-A, the Court stated as follows:
“The general practice is that an application for an order of interlocutory injunction, all activities affecting the res, here the land in dispute, are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the application is pending. Such practice is encouraged by counsel in good chambers consistent with the ethics of the profession”.
21.0 THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO 8: 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 8: 5 ORS.
22.0 We wish to state without any iota of doubt that in the light of the development set out herein, no step whatsoever should be taken by the Federal Government to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as same will not only jeopardize the outcome of the litigation process but concomitantly operate to completely erase the confidence reposed in the Judiciary by the common man and a clog in the wheel of the administration of justice.
23.0 We have cause to believe, as documentary evidence clearly suggests, that the Federal Government through the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is making frantic and brazen efforts to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission despite the pendency of the suit as well as several applications, and order made by the Court, with the sole aim of stealing a match, stultifying the ·court process and bringing the Rule of Law to ridicule.
24.0 CONCLUSION:
Our Clients have done all that is required of them by submitting for judicial consideration and determination their grievances against the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, it behooves these Arms of Government to resist the urge to defy the Judiciary and indeed the judicial process by refraining from conducts which will render nugatory issues presented by our Clients to the Court.
25.0 The attendant implications on the faith and belief of the common man are dire and would almost be dampened if the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government continue to bond towards shattering the fabric and fibre of the judicial process upon which true democracy is enshrined; which the Judiciary seeks to mend and this certainly does not bode well for the Rule of Law if a precedent of Executive and Legislative disregard to court orders, is so easily displayed with impunity, just before the forthcoming general elections.
26.0 Having fought to ensure that there is peace and stability in the Country, it would be manifestly antithetical to the goals of this Administration of which you are a key player, if solely for a refusal to await and comply with the judicial process, all the Executive has worked for in the past seven (7) years, translates to naught.
27.0 We are of the firm belief, taking into cognizance the judicial authorities referred to above, that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, you will not in any way advise the President and indeed the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to proceed with the inauguration of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, as the Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC and or concretize their positions, pending the outcome of the adjudicatory process already initiated by our Clients.
28.0 Trusting you will advise the relevant parties on the need to allow the judicial process take its course and refrain from taking steps which will ridicule the Rule of Law and further weaken our nascent democratic structure.
We remain,
Very truly yours,
PP: AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
AMA ETUWEWE, SAN.
CC: THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS
ABUJA.
AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, ARBITRATORS & NOTARY PUBLIC
GOTTGUNST VILLA
27, Gbiaye Street
3rd Marine Gate, Warri, Nigeria
Tel: 08033136059
E-mails: info@amaetulegal.org
amaetulegal@yahoo.com
ama.etuwewe@amaetulegal.org
www.amaetulegal.org
JANUARY 2, 2023.
THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MAITAMA,
ABUJA.
Dear Sir,
RE: PENDING SUIT FILED BY THE ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY; ORDER OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE PURPORTED SCREENING AND CONFIRMATION OF MRS. LAURETTA ONOCHIE AND CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU AS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY OF THE NDDC BY THE SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CARRIED OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2022, IN THE FACE OF THE PROCESSES AND ORDER OF COURT IN SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022, IN WHICH YOU ARE A PARTY.
MATTERS ARISING THEREOF:
As you are aware, we act as Solicitors to the ITSEKIRI ETHNIC NATIONALITY ably represented by CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO, MR. EDWARD OMAGBEMI & ENGINEER VICTOR WOOD, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as our Clients and we write to you on their precise, concise and unequivocal instructions.
iii. A Declaration that the nomination of the 5th Defendant who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as the next Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission is unlawful and contrary to the intent and purpose of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act.
vii. A declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the Niger-Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 as amended, the Plaintiffs as suitable members of the ltsekiri nationality of Delta State are qualified to be nominated as the next Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger-Delta Development Commission.
viii. Any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
10.0. Our Clients on December 12, 2022, filed an ex-parte application seeking the following reliefs from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to wit;
AND/OR
11.0. As is customary, our Clients accompanied the ex-parte application with a motion on notice filed on December 12, 2022, seeking the following reliefs to wit;
AND/OR
12.0 The Federal High Court on December 15, 2022, in refusing reliefs 1 and 2 of our Clients’ ex-parte application filed on December 12, 2022, ordered the parties in the suit not to take any step that will render nugatory our Clients’ pending application for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022.
13.0 The Court also emphatically ordered that any act or step or action taken in order to render nugatory. the outcome of our Clients’ motion for interlocutory injunction filed on December 12, 2022, and scheduled for hearing on January 11, 2023, shall be a nullity. A copy of the said Order has been duly served on all the parties including your office.
14.0 Despite the fact that all the Defendants, your office inclusive, were served with the originating process, our Clients’ application for interlocutory injunction and the order of the Court restraining all parties from acting otherwise, the leadership of the Senate of the National Assembly proceeded to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, on December 20, 2022.
15.0 Further displeased by the brazen act of the National Assembly in proceeding defiantly to screen and confirm Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission in gross and total disregard to the order of Court restraining all parties from taking any step capable of rendering nugatory our clients’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction,, our Clients on December 22, 2022, filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking inter alia the following relief;
AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on December 15, 2022, restraining the parties from taking any step that may render nugatory the outcome of the Applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.
All the Defendants have been served with the said application.
16.0 Whilst our Clients’ suit and in fact their most recent application to set aside the screening and confirmation of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC by the Senate of the National assembly has not been determined, our Clients are aware and already in the public domain, that the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is making plans and has circulated letters to that effect, to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, as ·the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC. The Minister has hinged his brazen disregard of the order of the court and the due process of law, on the purported approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the 1st Defendant in the suit under reference.
17.0 As the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a party in the suit, you are doubtless aware of the position of the law which is to the effect that once there is a pending litigation, all parties to the suit are expected to stay every action that will adversely affect the outcome of the adjudicatory process so as not to render the said process a nullity and foist upon the court a fait accompli. We most humbly refer you to the case of EZEGBU v. F.A.T.B. LTD. (1992) 1 NWLR PART 220 PAGE 699 PARTICULARLY AT PAGE 724, where NIKI TOBI J.C.A. (as he then was) stated thus:
“Where a matter is before a court of law, none of the parties can legally or lawfully take any unilateral decision that will prejudice or tend to prejudice the hearing or adjudication of the matter by the court. Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court order. They must whether they like it or not wait for the court to take a decision one way or the order. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am saying in effect is that a party who has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and disability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts.
None of the parties to a litigation process before a court of law is allowed to take the law into his own hands and foist upon the court a fait accompli thereby rendering it impossible for the court to arrive at a decision one way or the other on the merit of the issue before it render any decision it may take nugatory or futile”.
18.0 Furtherance to the reliefs being claimed by our Clients in the suit, there is a pending application filed by our clients seeking an injunction against the Defendants for an order of Court restraining the Defendants from taking steps capable of rendering nugatory the pending application for interlocutory injunction and an application seeking to set aside the confirmation made by the Senate of the National Assembly, which step more to undermining the Judiciary’s role and the Rule of Law, has pre determined the issues presented by our Clients for judicial determination in the substantive suit.
19.0 Having notified your humble self and the other Defendants of the pendency of an application for injunction, we wish to draw your attention to the following judicial authorities on the duty of a party or parties where there is a pending application for injunction. In the case of ELF MARKETING (NIG.) v. J.L. OYENEYIN 8: SONS (1995) 7 NWLR PART 407, PAGE 371 AT 380 PARAGRAPHS A-8, the Court held thus:
“Once the court is seized of a matter, no party has a right to take the matter into his own hands. Thus, after a defendant has been notified of the pendency of a suit seeking an injunction against him, even though a temporary injunction be not granted, that party acts at his peril and is subject to the power of the court to restore the status wholly irrespective of the merit as may be ultimately decided…”
20.0 Furthermore, in the case of OKEKE-OBA v. OKOYE (1994) 8 NWLR. PART 364, PAGE 605 AT 617-618 PARAGRAPHS H-A, the Court stated as follows:
“The general practice is that an application for an order of interlocutory injunction, all activities affecting the res, here the land in dispute, are automatically terminated as a mark of respect to the court before whom the application is pending. Such practice is encouraged by counsel in good chambers consistent with the ethics of the profession”.
21.0 THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022: CHIEF EDWARD EKPOKO 8: 2 ORS. v. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 8: 5 ORS.
22.0 We wish to state without any iota of doubt that in the light of the development set out herein, no step whatsoever should be taken by the Federal Government to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as same will not only jeopardize the outcome of the litigation process but concomitantly operate to completely erase the confidence reposed in the Judiciary by the common man and a clog in the wheel of the administration of justice.
23.0 We have cause to believe, as documentary evidence clearly suggests, that the Federal Government through the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is making frantic and brazen efforts to inaugurate Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as the substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission despite the pendency of the suit as well as several applications, and order made by the Court, with the sole aim of stealing a match, stultifying the ·court process and bringing the Rule of Law to ridicule.
24.0 CONCLUSION:
Our Clients have done all that is required of them by submitting for judicial consideration and determination their grievances against the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, it behooves these Arms of Government to resist the urge to defy the Judiciary and indeed the judicial process by refraining from conducts which will render nugatory issues presented by our Clients to the Court.
25.0 The attendant implications on the faith and belief of the common man are dire and would almost be dampened if the Executive and the Legislative Arms of Government continue to bond towards shattering the fabric and fibre of the judicial process upon which true democracy is enshrined; which the Judiciary seeks to mend and this certainly does not bode well for the Rule of Law if a precedent of Executive and Legislative disregard to court orders, is so easily displayed with impunity, just before the forthcoming general elections.
26.0 Having fought to ensure that there is peace and stability in the Country, it would be manifestly antithetical to the goals of this Administration of which you are a key player, if solely for a refusal to await and comply with the judicial process, all the Executive has worked for in the past seven (7) years, translates to naught.
27.0 We are of the firm belief, taking into cognizance the judicial authorities referred to above, that as the Chief Law Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, you will not in any way advise the President and indeed the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to proceed with the inauguration of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku on January 4, 2023, as the Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the NDDC and or concretize their positions, pending the outcome of the adjudicatory process already initiated by our Clients.
28.0 Trusting you will advise the relevant parties on the need to allow the judicial process take its course and refrain from taking steps which will ridicule the Rule of Law and further weaken our nascent democratic structure.
We remain,
Very truly yours,
PP: AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
AMA ETUWEWE, SAN.
CC: THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
MINISTRY OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS
ABUJA.
Notable South-South leaders on Wednesday scolded the Representative of Abia North Senatorial District, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.
They also described his comment on the appointment of Chairman and Managing Director for the Niger Delta Commission (NDDC) as ‘’an attack on oil producing areas, classic example of conceit and proposal of anarchy’’.
‘’The NDDC Act is sound on the establishment of a governing body. To abandon it is unthinkable’’
In a statement read aloud to journalists in Abuja by the Chairman of the South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the leaders said it would be a disaster to the oil producing areas if President Muhammadu Buhari is diverted by Kalu and his co-travellers from the provisions of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act 2000.
‘’The chairman must be an indigene of oil producing area and the office rotated amongst the member states of the Commission in the following alphabetical order. (a) Abia State; (b) Akwa-Ibom State; (c) Bayelsa State; (d) Cross-River State; (e) Delta State; (f) Edo State; (g) Imo State; (h) Ondo State; and (i) Rivers State. Also, the Managing Director, and two Executive Directors must also be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and rotated amongst member states in the order of production’’ the leaders stated.
At a conference to set the matter straight with the press, the leaders denounced Kalu as the greatest enemy of the oil producing areas and the most pronounced foe of President Buhari.
The zonal leaders praised Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ajayi Boroffice, Ayo Akinuelure and Nicholas Tofowomo for rejecting the Ondo State nominee, Charles Ogunmola .
‘’We consider the decision of the governor and the good people of Ondo State splendid. It is the only way to bring political cabals to their senses’’
Principally, the leaders urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to tread the disastrous path charted by Kalu but to explore paths to better and perhaps to cure fundamental problems in the oil rich region.
They urged Buhari to take steps to foil criticism by replacing Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku with Itsekiri indigenes.
Itsekiri Leaders of Thought and Omadino Unity Forum representatives, Chief Edward Ekpoko, Engineer Victor Wood and Mr. Edward Omagbemi are seeking an order quashing the nomination of Onochie and Ogbuku as NDDC Chairman and Managing Director.
They are also seeking a declaration that the nomination of Onochie, who hails from a non-oil producing area in Delta State as Chairman of NDDC and Chief Samuel Ogbuku, who hails from Bayelsa State as Managing Director of NDDC by President Buhari is unlawful for being contrary to the intent and purpose of NDDC Act.
‘’It is the turn of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta State to produce the Chairman and Managing Director of the Commission’’ the leaders said.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
Suit No: PHC/ABJ/2294/2022
BETWEEN:
(Both representing Itsekiri Leaders
Of Thought) PLAINTIFFS/APPLICANTS
(Representing Omadino Unity Forum)
(All acting for themselves and on behalf of the
Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta state
AND
& MINISTER OF JUSTICE
MOTION OF NOTICE
BROUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION 6 & 35(1) OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (AS AMENDED); ORDER 26 & 56 OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT (CIVIL PROCEDURE) RULES, 2019 AND UNDER THE INHERENT JURISDICTION OF THIS HONORABLE COURT
TAKE NOTICE that this Honourable Court shall be moved on …………., the ……….. day of …………….2022, at the hour of 9’ 0’ clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as counsel may be heard on behalf of the Applicants herein praying this Honourable Court for the following orders (s):
AN ORDER setting aside the purported screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants on December 20, 2022, by the 3rd and 4th Defendants during the pendency of the order of this Honourable Court delivered on render nugatory the outcome of the applicants’ pending application for interlocutory injunction.
And for such further order and or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE APPLICATION IS MADE:
DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF DECEMBER 2022.
_______________________
AMA ETUWEWE, SAN. (Signed)
SANCHEZ AGUMOR, ESQ.
IKAYE MABIAKU, ESQ.
AMA ETUWEWE (SAN) & CO.
APPELLANT / APPLICANT’S COUNSEL
T4025, BRAINS & HAMMER ESTATE,
GWARIMPA,
ABUJA.
TEL: 08033136059
E-mail: info@amaetulegal.org
FOR SERVICES ON:
THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY OF THE FEDERATION.
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
THROUGH THE CLERK,
SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE WING,
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX,
THREE – ARMS ZONE, ABUJA.
ABUJA.
YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
Suit No: PHC/ABJ/2294/2022
BETWEEN:
(Both representing Itsekiri Leaders PLAINTIFFS/
Of Thought) APPLICANTS
(Representing Omadino Unity Forum)
(All acting for themselves and on behalf of the
Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta State, Nigeria
AND
& MINISTER OF JUSTICE
AFFADAVIT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON NOTICE
(a) An order of interim injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from screening or taking any further steps to screen or confirm the nomination of the 6th and 5th defendants as the next and substantive chairman and managing director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pending the expiration of the statutory (three) Months Pre-Action Notice already issued on the 3rd and 4th Defendants and or the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
AND/OR
(b) AN ORDER directing that the status QUO ANTE BELLUM be maintained by the 3rd and 4th Defendants, their servants, agents, privies, employees and committees concerning the screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive chairman and managing director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the expiration of the statutory (three) Months Pre-Action Notice already issued by the applicants on the 3rd and 4th Defendants on November 30, 2022 and or the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.
(c) An order granting leave to the plaintiffs to serve the 5th and 6th Defendants with the originating processes in this suit by substituted means by advertising the processes in at least one national newspaper circulating within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court and to deem same as proper service.
(d) Any order or further order as this Honorable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstances.
seeking the following reliefs to wit:
(a) AN ORDER of interlocutory injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th from screening or confirming or taking any further step to screen or confirm the nomination of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive Chairman and Managing Director respectively of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
AND/OR
(b) An order directing that the status QUO ANTE BELLUM be maintained by the 3rd and 4th Defendants, their servants, agents, privies, employees and committees concerning the screening and confirmation of the 5th and 6th Defendants as the next and substantive chairman and managing Director Representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
(c) Any order or further orders as This Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstances.
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
Suit no: PHC/ABJ/2294/2022
BETWEEN:
(Both representing Itsekiri Leaders
Of Thought)
(Representing Omadino Unity Forum)
(All acting for themselves and on behalf of the
Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta state
AND
& MINISTER OF JUSTICE
FORM 48
NOTICE OF CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE TO OEDER OF COURT
TO MRS LAURETTA ONOCHIE of F. C. T Abuja.
TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.
DATED THIS ………….. DAY OF ……………. 2022
_______________
REGISTRAR
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
Suit no: PHC/ABJ/2294/2022
BETWEEN:
(Both representing Itsekiri Leaders
Of Thought)
(Representing Omadino Unity Forum)
(All acting for themselves and on behalf of the
Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta state
AND
& MINISTER OF JUSTICE
FORM 48
NOTICE OF CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE TO OEDER OF COURT
TO CHIEF SAMUEL OGBUKU of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.
DATED THIS ………….. DAY OF ……………. 2022
_______________
REGISTRAR
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
Suit no: PHC/ABJ/2294/2022
BETWEEN:
(Both representing Itsekiri Leaders
Of Thought)
(Representing Omadino Unity Forum)
(All acting for themselves and on behalf of the
Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality of Delta state
AND
& MINISTER OF JUSTICE
FORM 48
NOTICE OF CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE TO OEDER OF COURT
TO MRS LAURETTA ONOCHIE of F. C. T Abuja.
TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.
DATED THIS ………….. DAY OF ……………. 2022
Julius Berger Nigeria PLC last weekend hosted senior journalists in the country to its traditional year-end executive management – media parley.
Representative of the Managing Director and Leader of the Julius Berger delegation to the Media Parley in Abuja, the Executive Director Administration, Alhaji Zubairu Bayi, in his remarks told the audience that “Julius Berger will always be appreciative of the contributions of our media partners to our success at all material times.“
The Director noted the reasonable and kind efforts generally made by respective media practitioners to contact the company’s Media Relations Office at various times on matters relating to the operations and reputation of the company.
Alhaji Bayi said it is to be noted that due to the environmentally impactful nature of construction work generally, which is the company’s core business, it is to be reasonably expected, also, that the ever watchful and robustly independent Nigerian Press which is always seized with protecting citizen interests, would be interested in the company’s operations, especially as it impacts citizens convenience and ease of life.
Bayi, however proudly alluded to the existing Julius Berger legacy on Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) record.
Bayi informed the audience that Julius Berger this December just rewarded 647 of its staff for successful job performance at the company‘s long service award ceremony.
“With the above number of workers rewarded for their service to the company, and considering the huge number of productive man hours they and all our other teeming workers have put into their jobs across the country, may I now happily inform you that, with regard to the Company’s Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) issues, Julius Berger has a proud and in fact unmatched industry record of Lost Time-Frequency Rate of 0.19, which is less than one Lost Time Injury for every five million man-hours worked.”
These policies, Bayi informed, “are now imbibed and observed in the way we conduct ourselves in and out of workplace.”
Tracing the rich history of the company right from its inception in Nigeria in 1965, Alhaji Bayi said each year, Julius Berger strives to outdo the previous year’s performance for the progressive benefit of shareholders, employees and country.
According to Bayi, “…the professional media publishers, bureau chiefs, editors and correspondents, as critical and progressive development partners, opinion moulders and intelligent guardians of society’s best interest, have always rationally and objectively helped to inform the public that the temporary inconvenience that our work may cause is essentially planned, implemented and intended only to put in place enduring infrastructures for the ultimately beneficial use and lasting enjoyment of the public at large.”
For the foregoing role of the media, Bayi, on behalf of the Board, Management and entire staff of Julius Berger thanked the members of the press for their great role in sustaining the necessary peace and social harmony that has led to the successful operations of the company in Nigeria, year in, year out.
“We significantly owe our continuing success to your rational understanding and cooperation by which you objectively continue to helpfully inform the public that Julius Berger is Nigeria’s loyal development partner and will always do its work with that irreducible commitment; and…together with the robust and respectable 4th Estate of the Realm, we remain developmental partners in Progress.”
Bayi stated that whenever misunderstanding had arisen, the media generally has consistently, rationally stood up to brilliantly enlighten and properly inform all stakeholders and the general public on the facts and true nature of every situation and circumstance. “Julius Berger does not take your good work for granted. We appreciate it,” Bayi said.
He therefore urged the media practitioners to continue to identify with the company’s efforts and never hesitate to “contact us if the need arises to clear any grey areas arising from any of your reports on Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.”
The National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr. Chris Isiguzo, MFR, who also attended the Media Parley in Abuja, was full of commendation for Julius Berger’s recognition of the serious role of the Press in nation-building and corporate success. Mr. Isiguzo who thanked the company for its policy of hosting the members of the press at the end of the business year, also enjoined other corporations in the country to take a cue from Julius Berger in their attempts to foster better corporate-media relations for their businesses in the best interest of their organizational bottom-line, employees and stakeholders.
The executive director News of the Nigerian Television Authority, Mr M.A. Labbo also spoke in similar vein at the event. Labbo who said he grew up in the country seeing Julius Berger’s good work all across the nation said, “… I guess, in terms of quality infrastructural development and signature, I can factually say Julius Berger is Nigeria, and Nigeria is Julius Berger,” explaining that Julius Berger has historically till date been a worthy corporate citizen of Nigeria.
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo, in his goodwill message also commended Julius Berger for the official practice of the end of year media parley, which he described as a high quality public relations initiative from which other corporations should positively learn. He added,“… coming from Julius Berger and its widely acknowledged traditional adherence to high professional standards, it is not a surprise. Keep it up.”
As the event in Abuja came to a close, Alhaji Bayi wished the media practitioners compliments of the season and prayed for journey mercies for the guests and their families during the yuletide season. He also wished them a happy new year in advance.
At the media parley event in Lagos, the Head of the company’s Media Relations Office, Prince Moses Duku delivered the address of the executive director, Administration, to the media executives present.
Publisher of MediaGate, Henry Ebireri and the CEO of The Point newspapers as well as several other media chiefs present in their remarks gave kudos to the company for identifying with journalists in the country. “You are indeed a role model in modern day PR professional practice,” said the publisher of MediaGate Group.
The print, electronic, as well as the digital online media communities all attended the 2022 Julius Berger Executive Management – Media Parley.
Zipowei, Crown Troupe of Africa and Blackedge Productions will perform in Lagos.
Gifted Steppers, JP Artistic Troupe and selected up-coming solo artistes will also perform at this year’s National Theatre Festival of Unity
Zipowei, a graduate of the University of Ibadan and currently participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), made her debut in the music scene with the official release of her first single, “Free Falling,” in October 2022″ a statement issued Friday morning by the Director of Communications, MediaGate Nigeria, Mr. Victor Oki said.
The 2022 National Theatre Festival of Unity with the theme Celebrations is designed to consolidate upon the gains of the first two editions.
The theme was carefully chosen to give Nigerians an opportunity to take stock of God’s abundant blessings in their lives.
The edition which runs from 16-18th December 2022 falls within the last four months of the tenure of the President Muhammadu Buhari led democratic government.
‘’It is therefore only fitting to leverage this festival to take stock of the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari despite daunting challenges foist on Nigeria by escalating global economic recession and daunting security challenges’’.
The festival shall commence on Friday 16th December 2022 with a new addition to the activities- a virtual roundtable on play creation anchored by the Nigerian Centre of International Theatre Institute (ITI-UNESCO).
The innovative roundtable shall feature two leading Nigerian playwrights and former Chief Executive Officers of the National Theatre of Nigeria, Professors Femi Osofisan (2004-2007) and Ahmed Parker Yerima (2007-2014) as mentors and lead speakers.
The panellists shall include the three National Theatre Play Reading Series-award winning playwrights.
The National Theatre Festival of Unity was introduced in 2020 as an annual event by Professor Sunday Enessi Ododo, (fsonta, fta, fnipr,fsna, fana, FNAL), the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre.
The maiden edition which featured music, dance, and stand-up comedy held at the National Theatre complex, Iganmu-Lagos from 10-13th December 2020.
The festival was conceived to celebrate life, build bridges of unity, promote peace and harmony as well as rekindle hope in humanity following the disruption by the Coronavirus pandemic which rocked the globe.
Accordingly, the maiden edition had the theme: Healing Nigeria. In Nigeria, besides the pandemic, there was also the unprecedented youth protest that engulfed the nation shortly thereafter.
The maiden edition offered Nigerians and residents alike fresh opportunity to engage and enjoy live performances which were temporarily suspended because of the pandemic.
Continuing in its tradition of preaching hope and perseverance amongst Nigerians, the National Theatre hosted the second edition of the festival from December 10th- 12th, 2021 under the theme Enduring Optimism.
The 3-day event which also held at the National Theatre, Iganmu- Lagos featured more events than the maiden edition. The new events include carnival procession, film show, visual arts exhibition and awards ceremony. These were in addition to the usual live-theatre performances, music, stand-up comedy and dance.
The festival aimed to encourage advancement of the performing arts throughout the country, create opportunities for up- coming Performing Artistes and aid the promotion of social development and improvement of quality of life.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Zi always knew she wanted to be involved in the music scene. From primary school choirs to secondary school mini sessions in her classrooms during free periods, she always seized the opportunity to belt out a few tunes.
On some occasions, this involved approaching random classmates in hallways and singing to them.
Writing songs since age 13 has helped Zi develop her formula as she delivers lyrics laced with vulnerability and soul in expressions of love, hope, healing, and fun
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES STATE TECHNICAL, MONITORING COMMITTEES ON ENGINEERING REGULATIONS MONITORING
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday inaugurated the State Technical Committee (STC) and State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (SEMC) on Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM).
Governor Sanwo-Olu while inaugurating the committees at Lagos House, Ikeja, urged them to ensure that all infrastructure in the State meet the global standards of engineering practice.
The Governor warned that nothing short of the best standards will be tolerated and therefore urged the Committees to come up with stringent regulations that will guide the ethics and practices of the profession, as well as adherence to project specifications.
He said: “We have, with all sense of responsibility, given priority to the development of infrastructure. My tour of the State will demonstrate the attention of our administration to massive construction of roads, bridges, housing, water infrastructure, among others.
“The inauguration of the Lagos State Technical Committee of the Engineering Regulations Monitoring of COREN is the birth of a new dawn in what I consider COREN’s effort to revolutionalise the practice of engineering in Nigeria in general and Lagos State in particular.
“With this inauguration, the era of mediocrity should be gone. Engineering must take its pride of place and be the driver in our development effort in the State.
“Let me reiterate that in carrying out engineering projects in Lagos State, there will be no tolerance for quackery. In the same token, no Engineer will be allowed to supervise any project except he/she is duly registered by COREN and possesses current practising license. Possession of current Practising License shall be a condition for prequalification by Licence by all companies assigned to carry out engineering projects in the State.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu who congratulated members of the Lagos State Technical Committee and Lagos State Expatriate Monitoring Committee, for being found deserving of the selection, urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them and perform the assignment with maximum commitment and credibility.
He said “In selecting, the members of the Lagos State Technical Committee and Lagos State Expatriate Monitoring Committee, extreme care and diligence were applied. It is also ensured that these nominees are from very reputable organisations.”
Speaking earlier, the President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Engr. Ali Rabiu FNSE, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for being strategic and deliberately enhancing available human and material resources to serve the people of Lagos State.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration is being applauded for many projects in the State, which are transformational projects meant to improve the qualities of life in Lagos State
“You are transforming the state into an industrial and economic wonderland of the continent. This is particularly true in Mr. Governor’s efforts in the construction of over 308 roads and the delivery of the red and blue rail project, which he promised to be operational by the first quarter of 2023,” he said.
The Committees are to be guided by the responsibilities of locating document organisations and practitioners and report to the Registrar; verify and monitor the professional competence of works approving Officers; act as COREN watchdogs on maintenance, upholding Engineering codes of practice in public works, prohibit default, and ensure that all such works are in accordance with Engineering design and specification by Registered Engineers; among others.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
15 DECEMBER 2022
JULIUS BERGER LONG SERVICE AWARD PIX 52022 LONG SERVICE AWARDS: JULIUS BERGER HONOURS 647 WORKERS FOR PRODUCTIVE AND BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE
The Executive Director Administration of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, fniob, has described the company’s human capital as the reliable bedrock, which has continued to define the company’s strong performance in the industry and market. Bayi made the remark at the 2022 Long Service Awards Ceremony of the Company, which held in Abuja FCT. Bayi said, ‘‘…as worthy staff of our great company, your continuing hard work, loyalty, commitment, resilience, experience and cooperation, as well as the meticulous planning and continuous investments in both human capital and technology by the Company have all helped greatly in the laudable stability we have achieved as a corporate entity.”
According to Bayi, the award ceremony is an annual event to recognize Julius Berger’s long-serving staff and to show appreciation to the workers for their contribution towards the continued success and progress of the Company. “It is our annual tradition in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to appreciate and reward well-deserving staff.” He said 647 serving staff were honoured at the 2022 event. Bayi, on behalf of the executive management, acknowledged the workers as the bedrock of the Company. “Your loyal commitment, excellent professionalism, tenacity and can-do spirit have kept the Company on a steady path of progress through the years. This long service award event is in recognition of your good work, and also the reciprocal commitment of the Company towards our highly valued workforce.”,” said Bayi.
The Executive Director also said that in the outgoing year, Julius Berger put into place structures for optimization of productivity across the entire spectrum of the Company’s operations in order to keep the Company competitive and further support sustainable performance in the Company’s business for the years to come.
Bayi celebrated the leadership of the company, saying, “…under the strategic guidance of our diverse and extensively experienced Board of Directors, and the able operational dynamism of the Executive Management, regional teams and different heads of departments, Julius Berger has remained dynamic, successful and steadily primed for even greater success in the near future.” Bayi further added that, “the collegiate experience of the members of the Board of Directors and Executive Management, coupled with their collective determination to continue taking this company to the next level, has made Julius Berger the enviable and desirable destination for every serious investor in the market, today. To keep afloat as a going business concern, the Board of Directors and Executive Management, he said, developed three strategic pillars for Julius Berger’s operations, namely, the company’s core construction business, its well-integrated subsidiaries; and its transformative diversification policy. The operation of the above three pillars, Bayi said, has resulted in a positive client mix for the company from both the public and private sectors, adding, “good results are emerging.”
To a round of appreciative applause from the teeming workers and guests present at the event, the Director of Administration stated that, “…it is a testimony to the very focused work of the Board and Management that Julius Berger has received several recognition awards, amongst which is the most recent 2022 Pearl award as the Highest Dividend Growth Company in the Nigerian Stock Market.” Bayi called the Pearl award “…a bold and credible evidence of the company’s robust productivity and progressive success.”
Speaking on industrial harmony within Julius Berger’s operations, the director of administration said that due to the constant, mutual consultation between the junior workers’ Union and the senior staff Association, and the Management on all pertinent issues, the company has continued to enjoy industrial peace nationwide. “I make bold to say that, as evidence of the well-nurtured, closely guarded and continuing industrial harmony between Management and our teeming workers, we are again this year rewarding a total number of 647 workers for their unbroken record of productive service and brilliant performance to the company over the years,” Bayi said. The understanding and cooperation between the company’s workforce, the workers’ industrial Union and Association on the one hand, and the Management on the other hand, Bayi highlighted, has remained helpfully peaceful and productive. This, he said, will be mutually sustained for the progressive growth of the company.
With regard to staff development policy and initiatives by the company, Bayi informed the workers that, “…Management attaches high priority to planned enhanced value of our workers…. During the year, thousands of our workers were trained and retrained; cutting across professional courses with relevant professional bodies, Health Safety and Environment, as well as local training for artisans at the strategic Julius Berger Plant and Equipment Academy, which only recently graduated its first set of trainees.” Management, Bayi stated, envisioned the Academy to be “a leader institution in technical training, the company’s funnel for dynamic, highly trained and resourceful technicians to fill the needs of the company and the industry in general.”
The 2022 long service awardees have worked without break of service for periods ranging from 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and, believe it, to 45 years of service. Their categories and numbers are as follows:10 years (195 Awardees);15 years (307 Awardees); 20 years (62 Awardees); 25 years (41 Awardees); 30 years (20 Awardees); 35 years (17 Awardees); 40 years (4 Awardees); and 45 years (1 Awardee)
Bayi identified a synergy between the large number of the 2022 long service awardees, the commensurate huge volume of man-hours they put into their jobs during the year, and the company’s proud HSE legacy. He said, “…with regard to the Company’s Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) achievements, Julius Berger has a proud and in fact unmatched industry record of Lost Time-Frequency Rate of 0.19, which is less than one Lost Time Injury for every five million man-hours worked.” These operational HSE policies, Bayi added, are now imbibed and observed in the way Julius Berger personnel conduct themselves in and out of the workplace.
On the company’s responsibility towards its host communities, Bayi said Julius Berger has also been proactive with its initiatives that rest on four pillars, namely Health, Education, Sports, and Emergency Response Assistance. He added also that the company’s most recent donation of food to flood victims across its operational areas, its continuing donations to hospitals and orphanages, its educational assistance and book donation initiatives to schools, are all targeted at supporting community-based initiatives in order to promote social and economic inclusivity.
Speaking on the future of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Bayi drew the attention of the workers to the words of the Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, during the company’s recent Investor Relations Forum, where the MD confidently stated, “Julius Berger, today, is endowed with the largest market share, limited competition of similar scale, quality and financial capacity. We have a strong brand equity, a seasoned management, an experienced and diverse Board of Directors, and a well-defined Diversification Strategy; all projecting for a strongly-rooted and positive business outlook…” The Managing Director, Bayi further highlighted, had emphasized that the company, “is synonymous with the best quality infrastructure in Nigeria, and the company is assigned… a Stable Outlook with a National Scale rating of A.” At this juncture, looking straight at the attentive workers, Bayi then fully aligned with Engr. Dr. Richter and said: “Ladies and gentlemen, on this occasion of the year 2022 Long Service Awards, I say to you, Julius Berger’s business future remains only progressively good and beneficial to both its shareholders and workforce.”
Bayi also thanked the spouses of the long service award recipients saying, “…whether as wives or husbands, let me also congratulate and thank all the spouses of the awardees for their support, encouragement and perseverance through the years. Without your co-operation, these recipients would not have had the zeal to perform their enviable duties over the years for which they are now honoured. We are therefore grateful for all you have done to make this day possible.”
As the company appreciated the long service awardees, Bayi enjoined the workers to let the occasion to serve as a tonic to propel them to greater heights, as the company shall continually recognise and reward deserving staff. The Director of Administration also craved the understanding of the workers to understand and accept the administrative and structural changes being implemented across the company, emphasizing that the ongoing changes are designed for the further development of the company to achieve its identified goals.
Finally, Bayi used the occasion to thank the members of the Press who were present for what he referred to as their very kind and positive cooperation and work with the company since the year began. “As society’s chief opinion moulders, by your deeply rational understanding and objective reportage of our numerous projects and endeavours across the country, you have continued to sustain our critically necessary and hard-earned good image with the Nigerian public. We appreciate your partnership for peaceful progress in our business operations. On behalf of the Board, Management and entire staff of Julius Berger, I say to the media that we remain partners in progress. Thank you very much,” Bayi said.
Alhaji Bayi congratulated the awardees and wished them, their families and their guests a happy yuletide season and safe travels, even as they continued their well-deserved celebration. The Julius Berger Long service award for 2022 held in all of the company’s operational regions as well
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is the country’s leading construction company offering holistic services covering the planning, design, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings, infrastructure and industry projects in Nigeria.
Since its pioneer project in 1965, Julius Berger has played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria’s industrial and civil infrastructure. The company specialises in executing complex works requiring the highest level of technical expertise and Nigeria-specific knowhow. The company deploys state-of-the-art methods and precision technologies to ensure that quality and innovation are prioritised for the benefit of clients. Subsidiaries and additional facilities make it possible for the company to realise multifaceted projects at the highest level of performance. This structure allows Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to effectively manage and fulfil construction projects, starting from the initial idea, through to planning, design, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance.
The Group is guided by a value system that defines and differentiates it. Adherence to internationally specified standards and a focus on efficient and value-driven delivery of services further solidifies its competitive edge. With unwavering reliability, unmatched quality, leading governance and a true focus on sustainability, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and its subsidiaries continue to set a benchmark for success.
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Foremost engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has assured the Federal Government over the quality of work to be done on the Phase 1 section of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
Managing Director of the company, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter who was represented at the flag-off of rehabilitation works on the first Phase of the secretariat by Regional Manager for Abuja Operations, Engr. Oliver Berger in a short speech said the Federal Secretariat was first built by Julius Berger decades ago and has stood the test of time. “It might interest you to know that this building, the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase 1, for which we have been awarded a contract to rehabilitate, is one of our company’s proud legacies”, he said, adding that, “our company’s relationship with the Federal Secretariat Complex dates back over three decades. Oliver Berger recalled that “On January 22, 1990, Julius Berger was given the contract to build the Federal Secretariat, and we are proud to say that the building’s structure is still strong to this day, making it a point of reference for quality construction.”
He further said the rehabilitation work will bring the building back to its former glory “and infuse it with an impressive touch of modernity”. The main work, he continued, “is fixing up the wet areas, which include tearing down and replacing all the plumbing components, tiles, partitioning walls, ceilings and all the pipes and cables for the mechanical and electrical systems”. Other aspects of the rehabilitation works to be effected by Julius Berger include repairing the roof by replacing the old felting that has reached the end of its life span; installing a new booster station with pumps to serve the entire building, rehabilitation works on the lighting, aluminium vents, natural stone flooring, glass panels and painting. “The building’s two lifts will be replaced with new ones, while the emergency stair cases will be upgraded for easier and safer exit. The 10th and 11th floors which were damaged by fire a while ago will now undergo renovations”, Oliver Berger said.
On fears of disruptions to the daily work of Government in the Federal Secretariat, he said, “…as it is our usual tradition at Julius Berger, working seamlessly on an operating site, we have come up with a plan to fix up this building without getting in the way of the officials who work there. Along with doing our work in phases and weekends, one notable intervention is giving the client portable toilets to use while the wet areas are being fixed”. He assured that the company will in conjunction with the users of the building ensure that all works are carried out successfully, while still providing comfort to the civil servants at work.
The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who flagged off the rehabilitation on Tuesday at the complex, described the exercise as a milestone in the efforts of the FCTA to rehabilitate public buildings and infrastructure in the Nation’s capital. He said that the secretariat complex, like many other public buildings in the FCT, was constructed 30 years ago and hence require rehabilitation adding that the exercise came as a result of several discussions with the Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Esan, who was passionate about providing a conducive working environment for civil servants.
Speaking on funding, the Honourable Minister said the budgetary provisions were a constraint and called for serious efforts to ensure adequate funding. He also frowned at the level of abuse on public buildings in the FCT and called for reforms in the existing procurement system for the maintenance of public facilities.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Folashade Esan, commended the FCTA for working to ensure that the environment where civil servants spend most of their time was conducive, noting that the rehabilitation would come with increased productivity. She added, “I am glad that the FCT with the FCDA, alongside Julius Berger is working to make sure that the environment is very conducive for civil servants. I am also looking forward to the end of this rehabilitation”.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad explained that the Federal Executive Council, after due process, graciously approved the award of the Phase 1 of the contract to Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with completion period of 24 months. He added that the rehabilitation work would be carried out in phases to ensure that government activities are not paralyzed as the works are being executed.
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IN NIAMEY, AFRICAN LEADERS SHARE TESTIMONIES ON PRESIDENT BUHARI’S STERLING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
African leaders, who attended the launch of the French version of the book entitled ‘‘Muhammadu Buhari: the Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’’, in Niamey on Thursday, have shared glowing testimonies on the leadership qualities of the Nigerian leader.
President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Head of the Transition Military Council and President of Chad, and former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou gave speeches at the launch of the French version of President Buhari’s biography authored by John Paden, a Professor of International Studies at George Mason University, northern Virginia, United States.
The event took place at the margins of the African Union Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, as well as the Extraordinary Session on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), running from November 20 to 25, 2022 in the capital city of Niger Republic.
Shortly after his arrival in Niamey, President Buhari had earlier inaugurated a 3.8km and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of the Republic of Niger.
Speaking at the book launch, the President of Niger described the Nigerian leader as ‘‘an austere man, uncompromising, humble man, an ardent patriot and a committed democrat.’’
‘‘Professor John Paden, you were well inspired to have chosen to write about the life and work of an exceptional man. I commend your work for being comprehensive, objective, and for shedding new light on the personality of the patriot, the courageous military man, and the conscientious politician that is President Muhammadu Buhari.
‘‘Nigeria is Niger’s main trading partner. It is therefore normal for any Nigerien politician to follow the evolution of political life in Nigeria. That is why I have closely followed Muhammadu Buhari’s political struggles, especially his participation in the presidential elections from 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Bazoum disclosed that the fight against Boko Haram being waged together with Nigeria and other neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad Basin has allowed him to discover the strategist and statesman in Buhari, who is ‘‘determined to ensure peace for his country and the sub-region.’’
‘‘His fight against corruption and for good governance has earned him the esteem of all. It is a pleasure to work with a man of conviction like him.
‘‘I am sure that those who read the book will not fail to draw useful lessons for their political or professional careers. They will not fail to learn life lessons at all. This book will certainly educate the younger generation,’’ he said.
Embalo, who is also the current chairman of ECOWAS, told guests at the event that his father was equally called Muhammadu and was born the same year as Muhammadu Buhari.
‘‘I just want to emphasize that there is a reciprocating affection for this man. Today l am the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, firstly it is God and secondly it is this man, Baba. Thank you very much,’’ the Guinea Bissau leader said.
He added that the book is a portrait of a great African leader, saying:
‘‘I pay homage to President Buhari for his patriotism and commitment in maintaining peace in our sub-region.
‘‘We have an Avenue in Guinea Bissau bearing Buhari’s name since a year ago. Baba, as I fondly call him, is a mentor, always available to offer solutions. Baba is a tireless artisan in the maintenance of peace and solidarity in the sub-region.’’
On his part, the President of Chad described President Buhari as a very experienced man with a great dream for Nigeria and a clear vision for Africa.
‘‘President Buhari brings a heritage and a source of knowledge for us all. Thank you for this inestimable gift, Mr President.
‘‘President Buhari is undoubtedly an icon whose role and action makes the African voice to be heard in the world. He has always contributed to development in Africa by protecting and defending Africa and Africans. You are undoubtedly a model. You taught us perseverance in politics.
‘‘As a major actor in fight against terrorists and trans-border insecurity especially in the Lake Tchad region where Boko haram is, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the relations between my country Tchad and Nigeria and to President Buhari for his availability especially in difficult times,’’ he said.
Issoufou, the immediate past President of Niger, praised the incumbent for launching the French version of the book, whose idea was conceived during his tenure as President.
He recounted that he graced the launch of the English version of the book in 2016 in Abuja, commending the author for documenting the life ‘‘of an exceptional man.’’
‘‘As a military head of state, his primary preoccupation was fighting corruption, and even now as a democratic president, he is a leader who knows the close links between security, democracy and development.
‘‘His fight against Boko Haram, organised crimes and corruption are notable. Part of his priorities include education and health development, climate change, democratic transition.
‘‘I agree with John Paden to state that Buhari is known for patience, honour, faithfulness and sense of duty. These helped him rule Nigeria differently from a military leader.
‘‘He is Mr Dignity and Mr Truth as he’s called and a sincere friend of Niger,’’ the former President said.
One of the book reviewers, Prof Abdallah Adamu, former Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) said President Buhari has rightly earned the name ‘‘Mai gaskiya’’, which is translated to mean, “someone who keeps his words”.
He added that the author, John Paden, has fairly provided a biography of the current Nigerian President where he exposed the qualities of President Buhari that may not be known to many.
‘‘The author is very much qualified to give an account of President Buhari, having been involved in Nigerian politics in the 1970s and 80s,’’ he said.
Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, recounted the role played by the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura, in the publication of the book, describing him as the initiator and driving force.
‘‘It is a book on the personality, character, content of President Buhari, what he stood for and what he still stands for,’’ Sirika said.
Sirika and three other Nigerians, Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources (OER), Sayyu Dantata, Chief Executive Officer, MRS Holdings Limited and Farouk Adamu Aliyu, a chieftain of the All Progressives received awards from the President of Niger for their roles in fostering excellent bilateral relations between Nigeria and Niger.
Oil mogul Indimi donated 1000 free copies of the book to AU Summit delegates in Niamey.
The President of the Niger National Assembly, Seini Oumarou, Prime Minister, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, the High Representative of the President of the Republic of Niger, Foumakoye Gado and the Presidents of the Institutions of the Republic were also present at this ceremony.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 25, 2022
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MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO COMBAT MULTIPLICITY OF THREATS IN WEST AFRICA: PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for greater cooperation among neighbouring countries with Nigeria to better combat escalating volatilities and multiplicity of threats across West Africa and the Sahel.
The President was speaking on Thursday in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, at the launch of the French version of his biography, Muhammadu Buhari: the Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria, after inaugurating a 3.8km length and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of Niger Republic.
‘‘My remarks will not be complete if I did not mention the escalating volatilities and multiplicity of threats across our region of West Africa and the Sahel.
‘‘The ever-evolving nature of the threats we face underlines the need for enhanced coordination. There is no doubt that we have made incremental progress in our collective fight against terrorism and other trans-border crimes.
‘‘However, a lot remains to be done, especially in the face of renewed efforts by violent extremist groups to expand their operations and footholds in West Africa,’’ the President said at the book launch attended by President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau as well as the current Chairman of ECOWAS, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Head of the Transition Military Council and President of Chad, and former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou.
Expressing the belief that ending terrorism and trans-border crimes in the region is achievable, President Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral as well as multilateral initiatives, with neighbouring partners such as Niger, Chad and Cameroun, toward realising this objective.
On the launch of the French version of his biography, the President said it was his fervent hope that it ‘‘would serve as a clarion call to emerging leaders across Africa, and inspire them to always be guided by the core values of hard work, integrity and patriotism.’’
He added that the lessons from the book should spur leaders to also work in accordance with the rule of law and constitutional constraints.
The Nigerian leader thanked President Bazoum for the honour bestowed on six Nigerians in August of this year, in recognition of their roles in strengthening the bonds between the two nations.
He described the relationship between Nigeria and Niger as a true one, characterized by shared history, values and tradition.
‘‘No wonder our people are able to coexist peacefully across our shared border, which spans over 1500 kilometres, and we remain the best of brothers and neighbours.
‘‘It gives me great pleasure to note that President Bazoum has taken active steps to consolidate those fraternal bonds since assuming leadership in April last year.
‘‘Mr. President has undoubtedly championed the expansion of frontiers of cooperation between our two countries and fostered an environment of mutual trust, further underscoring the importance that Niger attaches to the strategic nature of our relations.
‘‘It is within this context that I find it auspicious that Mr. President dedicated time and resources to translate into the French language, a book chronicling my modest life,’’ he said.
President Buhari also commended former President Issoufou for initiating the project and the incumbent for seeing to its completion and launching it.
‘‘There is no greater honour than when one’s life is considered worthy of emulation.
‘‘Your kindness translated through this gesture, is a further testament to the affinity that exists between our two peoples since time immemorial,’’ he said, expressing deep appreciation to the Nigerien President ‘‘for the enviable honour’’ bestowed on him in a profound way.
The book reviewer was Prof Abdallah Adamu, former Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
At the occasion, the President of Niger decorated four Nigerians for their roles in fostering excellent bilateral relations between both countries.
They are Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources (OER), Sayyu Dantata, Chief Executive Officer, MRS Holdings Limited and Aliyu Farouk, APC chieftain.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 24, 2022
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PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS RECORDS LOWEST ROBBERY INCIDENTS IN DECADES
…Sanwo-Olu: ‘LSSTF model largely successful, its triumphs justify donors’ confidence’
…149 robberies foiled by police, cache of arms recovered
For the third consecutive year, Lagos State has recorded no single case of armed robbery attacks on banks and other financial institutions operating within its boundary. The development hinted a significant improvement in security surveillance and the sustainability of measures adopted in checking organised crimes.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, shared the progress with stakeholders in the security circle and private sector donors at the 16th Town Hall Meeting on security organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) at Civic Centre in Victoria Island.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration adopted a technology-driven strategy that enabled the security agencies respond proactively ahead of potential breaches at vulnerable spots, including a web of undercover operations to frustrate armed attacks on possible targets. This, he said, has bolstered the confidence of the financial institutions to freely move their cash around the State with limited risks.
The Governor said the collaborative security approach had yielded significant results in crime fighting, leading to a sharp reduction in rate of criminality across Lagos.
In the last 12 months, the State recorded only 21 incidents of armed robbery – the lowest rate in the last decades. From last year November till date, the police and combined team of security agencies have foiled 149 armed robbery attempts across communities.
Sanwo-Olu said the State had not only boosted the morale of the security personnel with constant training and provision of equipment, but had also raised its capacity to contain emerging threats.
He said: “As a Government, our approach to security is holistic and collaborative. Our security policy is driven by the need to engender a wholly secure environment that enables the wellbeing, prosperity and fulfilment of all the residents. We consider no amount of investment too big to be put forward in ensuring the progress we have achieved since inception is sustained. In the last three and a half years, we have continued to maintain the record of zero incident of robbery attack on banks or any other financial institution operating in our State.
“LSSTF has been at the forefront of these security efforts. Through the agency, we have continued to provide interventions to the police and other security agencies operating in Lagos in the areas that include operational capacity, training and logistics. Our efforts have yielded encouraging results in crime fighting, as Lagos remains largely safe for business and living. This relative peace and safety that we have been experiencing in this massive mega city will not be compromised. We will continue to strengthen the security operation to ensure the progress recorded is not reversed.”
Next week, the Governor said Divisional Police formations will get 25 new pick-up trucks to assist in quick response to security threats in their areas of operation.
Sanwo-Olu said the State Government’s intention to employ digital surveillance in combating emerging crimes had started to take shape, given the phased rollout of technology tools, including high-definition cameras to monitor strategic locations across the State.
The Governor sent a loud warning to criminals still operating in Lagos to vacate the State before the law caught up with them. He pledged not to spare any effort in making the State unsafe and inhabitable for criminals.
Provision of security, Sanwo-Olu said, should not be seen as a one-way process, urging residents to collaborate and provide information to security agencies whenever they notice suspicious activities within their communities.
He said: “I am sending a strong and loud message to all purveyors of crime and criminality in Lagos. We will stay ahead of your intentions and actions, and we will fight you with everything we have. There will be no room for actions that undermine our well-being and our capacity to achieve our dreams and aspirations.”
The Governor said the LSSTF model adopted by the State in raising security standards had been effective, urging private sector donors to contribute their quota for the sustainability of the Fund.
LSSTF Executive Secretary, Dr. Abdur -Razaq Balogun, noted that the constraints necessitating the establishment of the Fund were far from being fully addressed, but said there was no alternative to the resource model in scaling up security response.
Since 2019, Balogun said LSSTF had provided 240 units of fully equipped operational vehicles to all security agencies in Lagos, in addition to provision of 230 units of motorbikes and security accessories, including 100 digital walkie-talkie, 167 cellular communication gadgets, 2,000 units of Level 4 bulletproof vests and ballistic helmets, among others.
Despite the successes achieved in the year, the LSSTF boss said the Fund had received the lowest public donation to the tune of N153 million, representing 6.3 per cent of public donations received in 2021.
Appealing for more funding from the private sector, Balogun said: “The necessity for crime-fighting agencies is continuous, as we must accept that crimes are still with us. As this is an election period, political violence is another clear danger we are facing. There is need to raise the capabilities of our security agencies to contain these threats as we approach general elections.”
Reviewing of crime report between November 2021 till date, Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said Lagos Police Command arrested 146 armed robbers in 149 foiled attempts. In the same year, Lagos recorded 52 cases of cultism-related attack, with 240 suspected cultists arrested and charged.
The police chief disclosed that 89 high-grade arms and 376 assorted ammunitions were recovered, while 280 dangerous weapons, including cudgels, were seized from criminals.
Alabi said: “In the period under review, Lagos Police Command recorded a remarkable feat in crime fighting when we began checkmating the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, following Mr. Governor’s proscription of Okada in the State. Crimes being committed using motorcycles have reduced. Out of 8,105 Okadas we impounded from last year, 4,815 were seized between June and September 2022.”
The Commissioner appreciated the Governor for material and logistic support rendered to the State Police Command, assuring that his men would not rest on their oars towards ensuring peace and safety in Lagos.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
24 NOVEMBER 2022
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Election Converging Complexities In Water Terrain, Jimoh Ibrahim Commends INEC For Job Well Done
Billionaire business mogul and candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ondo South in the 2023 general elections, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim has commended Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for conducting elections in the riverine communities in Ondo State despite the terrain.
He gave the commendation on Thursday while on familiarization tour of ward to ward at Igbobini, Apoi in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
Ibrahim noted that considering the terrain of the riverine communities in Ondo South senatorial district, the INEC officials who travel on the sea to perform their duties in the communities were really patriotic.
He noted that INEC could have raised different excuses to avoid going to most of the island communities in the district during election period.
According to him, “Today, I must commend INEC officials for coming to the communities in Ese-Odo Local Government to conduct electoral exercise.
” It’s not easy to travel on water for two hours in the name of performing official duties as electoral officers during the election period.
“I marvelled at the rate of waves and the way speed boats manoeuvre on the sea while sailing and the level at which the are prone to common mishap in the terrain.
“It is worthy of commendation and definitely all officers sent to our riverine communities by INEC are truly patriotic.
” We must all join hands to support INEC before, during and after the election to make the exercise worthwhile.”
Okowa urges youths to leverage on govt training programmes to unlock potentials
Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, charged youths in the state to leverage on the opportunities provided by the state government to acquire vocational skills that would unlock their potentials in life.
Okowa who is the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the charge while flagging off the third cycle of the Rural Youth Skills Acquisition (RYSA) programme at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government ( SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, the governor disclosed that, RYSA like other state government’s empowerment programmes, had been strategically designed to tackle the problem of youth unemployment in rural communities with a view to checkmating rural-urban drift.
He said the inauguration of RYSA was a testament of his administration’s quest to continue to provide opportunities for youths in the state to explore their potentials so as to enable them become self employed and wealth creators in a globally competitive business environment.
According to him, RYSA comprises of two components which he listed to include the hands-on skills training aimed at upscaling the vocational skill of participants and the community business school which focuses on life skills, mindset change, leadership and business management skills development necessary for participants to become successful enterprenuers.
While saying that three participants from each of the 270 electoral wards in the state were drawn into the third cycle of RYSA making it a total of 810 participants, Governor Okowa encouraged the participants to emulate their predecessors by taking the training with utmost sense of seriousness and responsibilitiy.
“Today’s event is a testament of our administration’s quest to continually provide opportunities for youths in the state to be self employed and wealth creators.
“Like all our empowerment programmes such as Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP); Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP); Women Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (WESAP) and the Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (GEST) Programme, the Rural Youth Skills Acquisition Programme have been strategically planned and designed to tackle the problem of youth unemployment in our rural communities to curb rural-urban drift.
“The focus of RYSA is to concentrate efforts at developing youth entrepreneurs in rural communities who will stimulate the growth and development of businesses in their immediate communities,” the governor said.
He, therefore, commended the management and staff of Ministry of Youth Development for ensuring that each of the cycles of the RYSA programme was successful.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga urged the trainees to be good ambassadors of the training programme by making a difference in words and action to enable them actualize their dreams.
Comrade Egwunyenga said the training would expose the participants to a lot of new ideas that would enable them to contribute their quota to the local economy and the stronger Delta agenda.
“I wish to reiterate the State Government’s willingness to ensure that you get the best from this training Programme and we believe in your potentials and trust that, as participants in the programme, your skills will be sharpened and your knowledge of business management greatly improved.
“However, you must also keep to your own end of the bargain by being disciplined throughout the training duration and pay attention to details, that is the only way you can get the best of the training programme.
“It is crucial to emphasize that by studying properly and working hard, you set a good example for other youngsters who might eventually apply for the programme.
“You must, therefore, be determined to be good ambassadors of the programme and truly make a difference in words and action,” Egwuyenga stated.
Okowa mourns Delta-born gospel singer, Sammie Okposo
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has commiserated with the Okposo family and people of Isoko in the state over the passing of renowned gospel singer, Sammie Okposo.
The late Okposo hailed from Ivori-Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta. He reportedly passed on in the morning of Nov. 25, in Lagos. He was 51.
Okowa, in the condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, expressed sadness over the passing of the “Wellu Wellu” crooner, saying that it was a big loss to the deceased’s family, Deltans and lovers of gospel music across the world.
According to him, the passing of the popular gospel artiste is a big blow to music lovers, his family, Ivori-Irri community and Isoko nation, considering his immense talent and outstanding contributions to the growth of gospel music locally and globally.
The governor described the late Okposo as a “gentleman gospel artiste”, who contributed to the growth and development of modern entertainment industry in Nigeria.
He said that as one of the scions of the gospel genre of the music industry, Okposo would be greatly missed by his colleagues and fans.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of an illustrious son of our state and a great minister in gospel music.
“The news of his death was shocking and it is indeed, a great loss because he was a valued asset to Deltans and Nigerians, especially as his songs continue to inspire many to worship God,” he said.
Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends to bear his exit.
A group, Delta Women Vanguard, on Sunday described the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Candidate in Kogi Central, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the defender of the people.
‘’What the time demands is a woman with strength, who by practical, creative and visionary leadership can embark on a new beginning; a woman with a sense of mission in a rescue operation; a woman of vision and focus; a woman with courage to face difficulties. Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is dedicated to the uplifting of the Ebira man, woman and youth’’
The group also declared its readiness to host the PDP, Kogi Central flag bearer in Warri on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
A statement issued in Warri urged Kogi Central voters to reject narrow minded, untrustworthy, manipulative, selfish and unpatriotic candidates.
‘’Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is polished, beloved by the wonderful people of Kogi State and her name is etched in their minds. We are determined to convince Kogi Central people. We shall urge the voters to reject Kogi APC in 2023’’
DWV National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Esther Umukoro in the statement in Warri, applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan for raising a lot of women and youths to a higher level of existence and sacrificing to enable them to enjoy good life.
‘’We will make Kogi Central voters be aware of the issues involved in the 2023 senatorial election and the advantage they stand to gain by voting for PDP. We will explain her ideals and priorities and how best to solve the problems of Kogi Central. We will then tell why they have to vote for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’’
The statement underscored the desire of the good people of Kogi Central to break away from the stranglehold of Governor Yahaya Bello and his cronies.
‘’They will know who has a better grasp of the issues at hand and who is better equipped to solve them. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not a typical Nigerian politician who speaks from both sides of the mouth’’
The statement also emphasized Akpoti Uduaghan’s benevolence, wisdom, charm, competence, roles played at critical points in the development of Kogi Central and identification with public worthy causes.
‘’Kogi Central is behind in development requirements. Kogi APC will no longer be allowed to pollute the stream from which the people drink’’
The group accused those parading as Concerned Delta Women of advertising ignorance and prejudicing the minds of people by deliberate lies and perversion of the truth.
‘’It is foolish talk and sheer nonsense. These renegades do not have the rectitude to speak on marriage, development and the future of Kogi Central’’.
‘’No crumbs, however tempting, should distract Kogi Central voters from ensuring the electoral victory of Akpoti-Uduaghan in 2023’’ the statement added.
A law firm, Indemnity Partners, has dissociated itself from a document in respect of Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Alema of Warri Kingdom, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan.
‘’Our attention has been drawn to a letter trending on social media purporting to have been issued from our law firm in respect of our client and her husband’’.
‘The law firm said in a statement signed by B. C. Igwilo SAN that the document was inauthentic and of dubious origin.
‘’ That letter is inauthentic and of dubious origin’’.
The firm urged the discerning public to ignore the document in circulation in its entirety.
‘’We categorically distance ourselves from the purported letter and its alleged contents’’ the statement added.
Below is the full text of the disclaimer
INDEMNITY PARTNERS
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS, NOTARIES PUBLIC
4th November 2022
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
DISCLAIMER
We are solicitors for Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Our attention has been drawn to a letter trending on social media purporting to have been issued from our law firm in respect of our client and her husband.
We categorically distance ourselves from the purported letter and its alleged contents.
That letter is inauthentic and of dubious origin.
Accordingly, we urge the discerning public to ignore it in its entirety.
Indemnity Partners