BUHARI CONGRATULATES FBN ON 40 YEARS OF CROSS-BORDER BANKING IN UK
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Board, Management, and Staff of First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) for cross-border services through FBNBank UK in the United Kingdom for 40 years, sharing almost 130 years of banking experience.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari noted the competence and professionalism that have become the hallmark of the Bank for many years.
This includes winning and retaining the trust of customers in Nigeria, and beyond, like in the United Kingdom, and successfully consolidating on its benchmark of reliability and professionalism.
“As the FBN, United Kingdom celebrates 40 years anniversary, the President believes the strength and buoyancy of any country depend largely on the capacity of the banking sector, extolling the organization for steady rise and expansion, with remarkable awards for transparency, accountability, and reliability,” the statement reads.
Buhari however, congratulates FBNBank UK for the milestone, and well-deserved acceptance and credence, urging the bank to further leverage on its strengths to retain the trust and confidence of the banking public.
FBNBank UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited, an African bank with a rich heritage, established in 1894 as the first banking institution in Nigeria.
FBNBank UK is authorised by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Operating in the City of London with a branch in Paris and a representative office in Lagos, FBNBank UK provides a range of domestic and international banking and financial services.
Interestingly, it is the international banking and treasury centre of FirstBank and acts as connecting hub between the group and its regulatory, financial and social partners. FBNBank UK equally provides world-class, cross border trade and investment services to institutions, corporates and individuals conducting business in and with Africa’s most dynamic and vibrant economies.
FBNBank UK has been operating in the United Kingdom since 1982 as the London Branch of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
It was initially established to service the UK banking requirements of Nigerian companies and FirstBank.
In November 2002, the Bank was incorporated in the UK as a registered and a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Limited with offices in the City of London.
Since then, FBNBank UK has developed into a much broader business in the gateway to Europe and beyond for African banks, companies and high net worth individuals.
Popular Nigerian inspirational musician and philanthropist, Funmi Ayinke has resigned from all forms of service to humanity after twenty years of active service today Monday, 31st of October, 2022. This is coming after she made a revelation last week that there will be a huge announcement today.
In a 22-minute video posted on her YouTube page few hours ago, Funmi Ayinke made it known that started humanitarian services twenty years ago due to the covenant she made with God while she was seeking admission into the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology (LAUTECH) in 2001.
She narrated that all her efforts to gain admission proved abortive till she pleaded with God on October 31, 2001 to see her through with a condition that she will serve humanity for twenty years if God is able to help her with admission, secure a good job for her and provide a good family.
According to her, God granted her requests and she started engaging in serious humanitarian activities in a way to fulfil her vows to God.
‘’I want to thank God for this day, October 31st 2022 which is a unique and special day of my life. I recall vividly how the journey started on October 31, 2001t. I told God when I was on LAUTECH campus seeking admission for pre-degree. I tried in 2000 but didn’t get it but in 2001, I was privileged to meet one or two people that God used for me to give me the admission.’’
‘’I remember this day October 31, I went to that campus sad because I was denied admission again, I slept overnight in the school bus, I refused to go home because I wanted to return to tell my mum that I had gotten admission but I didn’t get it. I remember that night around 12:30am in the bus, I woke up and asked God to help me because I planned to approach the pre-degree school again even though I knew nobody. I told God that if he can send someone to help me when I approach the school, I will use twenty years of my life to serve humanity. When I made that appeal, I felt a kind of movement in the bus, I told God again that if he will help me to graduate and give me a job without stress, I will use my life to serve humanity. For the second time again, I felt this kind of breeze into the bus, it was so much but the atmosphere was so cool to stay, it felt like I had company in the bus.’’
‘’On the 1st of November which was the next day, I went to the school as I told God and I met this amazing mummy of mine, she inquired of what I was looking for and I told her that I came to get my admission letter, she asked if I had been given admission yet and I said ‘Not yet, but you are about to give me’. She looked at me and asked that I followed her and within three hours, I got my admission letter and returned home to my mother with the good news.’’
‘’I started the journey, it became as if God wasn’t there, I started and couldn’t continue medical school, I went to engineering and told God again when I was to cross that if he can see me through, I will definitely not forget my vows. I told Him that I want to go to engineering and graduate with 2:1, get a good job, be an employer of labour, have money, have a husband, have my kids and that if he can help me, I will use twenty years of my life to do humanitarian services. The only thing I heard in my heart that day was ‘You have it already, just keep fulfilling your own part of the journey’.’’
‘’From 2001-2008 on that LAUTECH campus, I didn’t live like a student, I lived for humanity, everyone in my street then cried when I was leaving for NYSC because I became mother to the motherless, as a student I gave all, the little I had on me I gave all because I was conscious of my vows to God. During my NYSC, I became a mother to the corps members. I didn’t sell myself out to humanity because of fame or so people can love me, I don’t even happen to love anyone because I grew up independently but because I love God passionately and because of my vow to God on that fateful night.’’
While narrating her experience over the years, Funmi Ayinke noted that she was exposed to the bullying of ingrates that don’t understand her journey, she recalled how people called her bad names because they never understood that all she was doing was fulfilling the vows she made with God.
‘’In the course of fulfilling my part of the vow to God, I exposed myself to the bully of ingrates that don’t understand the journey, they said I was using their glory, they said I am a bad woman, some came with the mind to quickly grab and go, some came with sense of entitlement. No Nigerian has the right to have anything on my table, it’s a privilege because of the covenant I have with God. Some listening to me have been beneficiaries of my vows to God, I told God I will be doing a humanitarian program for widows because they reminded me of my mother, they took the test of time and decided not to remarry, I told God some youths that remind me of me will have blessings on my table. Today, across the globe, nations, Africa, I have done everything possible with my hard earned money, I gave it all. ‘’
‘’I told God I will start saving money after twenty years of my covenant with him, I told him I will make the sacrifice and I did. Sometimes when I engage in my humanitarian activities, I get tempted not to do it because of ingrates but I remember that night in the bus and come back to do it massively, just to tell God that I am grateful for all he did for me and today, I am celebrating the grace to fulfil God’s purpose, the covenant, the grace to forge ahead and I am saying officially today that my twenty years of covenant is today, I am officially resigning. ‘’
‘’God has been good, his faithfulness endures forever, he didn’t give me any regret even if Nigerians give me 1 million regrets, I stayed focus on the covenant when I had reasons to leave, some that are grateful owe me nothing, the only thing I will never do is keep bad people around me.’’
‘’Officially, Funmi Ayinke nigeria limited is free officially from humanitarian activities, sacrifices, giving the resources I am meant to use for myself, my kids are free from seeing their mother being bullied, being molested by ungrateful Nigerians, my life is free from those that feel they must kill me if I don’t give them jobs government can’t offer them, if I sack them, they will deal with me, I am free from all forms of malicious activities.’’
‘’God has also blessed me with testimonies that will take me forty years to achieve because I served him for twenty years, it’s good to do business with God. Today, my announcement to the world is that I am resigning from any form of humanitarian activities, it was not easy fulfilling this promise because of bad people. Humanitarian services attracted me to bad ones that have no value for life. I have been able to take away the bad ones and today, no matter what they do, the defamation, bullies, God told me that they will suffer until they repent, it’s not a curse because I told God to have mercy but He said all my enemies will bow at my feet.’’
Over the years, Funmi Ayinke has spent millions of naira giving to the needy and less privileged in the society. She has operated an open policy that gave several people access to her, many youths have been employed through this covenant she has with God.
Flooding: Centre scores NEMA high on critical interventions, effective response
Following the recent rampaging flooding across the country, the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-economic Rights (CALSER) says the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has lived up to expectations.
The Centre, which made this known at a world press conference in Abuja today, said its Human Rights and Disaster Management team carried out an extensive analysis of responses and interventions to the natural disaster in the country.
In its assessment report, the Executive Director of the disaster management team, Dr. Mrs Cecilia Ikechukwu, said NEMA has risen to the occasion with critical relief for Nigerians in distress.
The Centre said the interventionist agency donated over 400 trailer loads of relief materials to the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the flooding.
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) swung into action to alleviate the suffering of victims of the flood. They distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to support persons affected across the different states. The items included the president’s special intervention involving the release of assorted grains from silos,” she said.
“NEMA distributed relief materials, an equivalent of 400 trailer loads of grains to all states of the Federation and the FCT. This is a statement of fact and has been verified by our independent assessors.
“In Ondo state for example 2,100 bags of 50kg maize; 1,774 bags of 50kg sorghum; 3,948 bags of 25kg garri; 1,000 bags of 10kg rice; 1,000 bags of 10kg beans; 1,000 bags of 10kg maize; 75 bags of 20kg salt; 75 kegs of vegetable oil (20ltrs); 150 cartons of seasoning cubes and 75 cartons of tin tomato.
“The non-food items comprised 7,350 pieces of nylon mats; 1,000 pieces of treated mosquito nets; 600 cartons of bath soap; 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade (5 yards); 1,000 pieces of children’s clothing; 1,000 pieces of women’s wear and 1,000 pieces of men’s wear.
“This gesture was also extended to other states affected, especially in Kogi, Anambra, Benue, Delta Bayelsa, and the Rivers States. Internally Displaced Camps were put in place to settle victims who have become homeless. Items were also delivered to the various state governments to assist the most vulnerable groups. The grains were distributed directly to the deserving persons in collaboration with the state government, senators from the various states and the ministers representing the affected states. The aim is to ensure that the relief materials reach affected individuals.
“NEMA played a central role in having the government release grains from its silos. Its assessment reports were forwarded to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, after which President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of 12,000 metric tons of assorted grains from the National Strategic Reserve Stock for distribution to all states affected and the FCT.”
CALSER also acknowledged the assistance of International groups such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which provided $1 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the unprecedented flooding.
The Centre, therefore, appealed to the State Emergency Management Agencies to “imbibe the spirit of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties towards ensuring that citizens affected by this are properly taken care of.”
To avert a future reoccurrence, CALSER, however, advised both the state and federal governments to:
“Build canals and dams to help in controlling the water levels. Especially in Adamawa and Benue, to contain the water released from Ladgo Dam in Cameroon.
“Dredging of the major rivers to allow for easy passage of water. Improved drainage of waterways to avoid obstructions.”
PIlgrimage: Centre lauds SGF, govs over visit to Rome to pray for Nigeria
…advocates increased funding for NCPC
The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) says the trip by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, some state governors and deputies as well as traditional rulers to Rome for prayers is timely and necessary.
The Centre, which made this known today during a press conference in Abuja, also said the move could ultimately make the difference in the fight against insecurity as well as the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking to the media and other guests, CESJET’s Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, said by this singular act, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has demonstrated special concern for the country.
Ikpa said the Centre is particularly pleased with the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam for this bold initiative to pray for the nation.
“The Center for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) is however worried that some people, out of mischief, are creating confusion around this issue that Nigerians should be cheering. We have since reviewed the outcry and discovered that it is the doing of the opposition that is bent on politicising every single aspect of national life even when there is no basis for it”, he added.
“As a background, we want Nigerians to note that the country critically needs prayers in view of the reality of our existence. In terms of the security challenges Nigeria faces, all the interventions known to mankind have been applied to address the problem but these have not completely solved the issue. This should tell us that the God factor must be brought in for us to get permanent solutions that will restore peace to the land.
“As for the forthcoming 2023 General Elections, we are all aware that the enemies of Nigeria, within and without, are beating drums of war in anticipation that the polls will become the trigger for a meltdown and eventual disintegration of Nigeria. This is enough reason to approach God in prayers to turn the tide in favour of the country. It is important to pray for the General Elections to become a turning point that would usher the country into greatness.
“Anyone that concludes that prayers in the Holy Land are not needed to seek God’s intervention for these pressing national matters is definitely against the interest of Nigeria and should be feared as an enemy. Only people that want these serious issues from getting the God touch would condemn the steps taken by the Executive Secretary of NCPC in galvanizing leaders to embark on special prayers for the country”.
According to the Centre, the efforts of the NCPC may “have helped the country to overcome bloodshed by evil men, external conspiracies targeted at destabilizing the country and other vices”.
Ikpa added ” NCPC has equally enthroned the highest level of transparency in the face of dwindling revenue across the country, managing its meagre allocation to carry out the much it has achieved. In this wise, we call on the Presidency to accelerate funding for the agency so that it can onboard more well-meaning faithful on its prayer train”.
CESJET, therefore, charged Pam to “lead the NCPC to do more in the area of peace-building and national cohesion while remaining undeterred by those that have decided to deliberately mix up the issue so that they can create crises that provide blood for them to suck.”
The Centre, however, urged the Federal Government to revisit the allocation for the commission, noting that it needs improved funding to achieve more.
Star musician, Funmi Ayinke has left her fans guessing after she put them on alert concerning an event set to occur on Monday, 31st Of October, 2022 via her Instagram page.
Funmi Ayinke is known for several things; she is a musician, philanthropist, an engineer. It is however not known which part of her she was referring to when she made the post.
The inspirational artiste who made news when she shut down the prestigious O2 Arena in London last week is known for classics and whatever will be happening on October 31, 2022 won’t be anything short of that.
While the details are still sketchy, fans are to stay glued to her Instagram page ( https://instagram.com/funmiayinkeofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) as they anticipate.
Check out her performance at 02 Arena, London Below
Asiwaju Tinubu’s Political Track-record and Achievement My Reason to form a Path in Politics – Seun Olufemi-White (Clifford Chance Trained Lawyer and Investment Adviser)
Many of us grow up with the belief that the political process in Nigeria is designed by and for those with the worst character traits, no scruples, talent or wherewithal to succeed at anything else.
Until now, this negative perception has made me a bit unsure about how to explain my transition to my peers; that, I, mid-twenty, left a promising legal career with a world-leading firm, for a seemingly less prestigious field they see as marred by violence, mal-practice, avarice and unrestrained ambition. So I have been quiet, up until now.
As a young Nigerian lawyer, qualified in Britain and in New York and having trained at one of the world’s most preeminent law firms, Clifford Chance, I have worked on some of the largest finance deals in history. In my time in practice, I advised and invested in impact ventures. In selecting leaders for the venture, we would assess past records of candidates. If there’s a proven track record, the odds are higher that success can be repeated.
Having become an active investor in project ‘a better Nigeria’, I have chosen to align myself with the leader who has the best track record, capacity and doggedness to renew hope in our country. My abiding belief is that through democracy and progressive governance, Nigeria will grow and achieve its best destiny. This is why I have pitched my tent where I have.
It is almost a year into the change in my career path and political orientation, I am now convinced and ready to discuss why I have pitched my tent where I have. In doing so, I hope to encourage more young people, who look like me, wherever they can and with whomever they find the conviction, to pull up a chair and sit at a table with the intention to shape Nigeria for the better. If we do not, we leave our destinies in the hands of others.
June 12, 1993
My record goes back to 1993 when Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (‘MKO’) Abiola won the landmark presidential election on June 12 and the subsequent events that follows, but my point of attention is to how a young senator representing the Lagos West district was bold and unrelenting in the quest for reestablishing democracy. That senator, was Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Investigation revealed how young Tinubu took his elderly mother, Alhaja Mogaji, who had known Babangida for years to plead with the general to affirm the democratic election, when he realized that the emotional appeal failed to persuade the military head of state he turned to another branch of state; the judiciary, to seek the redress of justice. Assembling an outstanding team led by Professor Alfred Kasunmu SAN, he ‘engineered and proposed’ one of the ‘most significant court cases in Nigeria’.
At the trial, the legal team assembled by Tinubu were able to establish the illegality of the military-imposed ING. Proving that the Babangida signed Decree 59 had officially ended his eight-year reign with effect from August 26, 1993. Whereas the Decree 61 that establish ING was signed on August 26 when technically he’s no longer the military president of Nigeria. Though the judgement of the court that restrain the extension of the military rule through the ING was disobeyed, it was the case instituted by the young senator that snowballed into the fight for democracy that would take several years and, unfortunately, claim many lives including that of MKO Abiola.
Tinubu’s role in the formation of the National Democracy Coalition (NADECO), when the military ignored the courts and continued their hold onto power is also very important. In response to the decision of the military to hold on to power, on May 1994 a group of veteran politicians and pro-democracy groups, under the leadership of Pa Ajasin, formed the NADECO. Tinubu was also one of the founding member of NADECO and its backbone for financial support.
It was during this struggle when the leadership of NADECO gave the military government a deadline by which to resign that Tinubu’s popular quotes of ‘the lovers of democracy in the country will…make this country ungovernable’ was made when he was asked what would happen if the dictatorship refused to obey the step down deadline of NADECO. This was the reason he had to go into exile since he was seen as threat to their continued stay in power, and his name was subsequently burnt and dragnet set to arrest him. While in exile, he continued to support NADECO and Abiola’s judicial trial. Lawyers like Alao Aka-Bashorun, Femi Falana and Ajibola Olanipekun all worked closely with him.
After more than four years of fierce advocacy outside the shore of the country Tinubu, the former Mobil executive was elected governor of Lagos State as the AD candidate after the sudden death of Abacha and the subsequent death of MKO Abiola. His journey into executive role in politics was also bedeviled by the interest of many party leaders who had been active in politics in previous periods of civilian rule. Tinubu had to grapple with serious internal and external political threats during his first term. He drew the anger of influential AD party elders early on by appointing political outsiders to ministerial positions. In interviews, some of the former governor’s critics said he installed his clique. Most interviewers however, emphasized the high caliber of top Tinubu appointees.
It was his competency as a consummate professional adept at building excellent teams that attracted new people, people like me, then, to public service in Lagos state. It was therefore not surprising when he decided not to follow the order of the leaders of AD who want all governors under their party to give President Obasanjo their platform to campaign, this was rejected by Tinubu and the result apart from him being the last man standing as other governors of AD were defeated at the polls, this also largely responsible for the numerous clash Lagos State had with Obasanjo led Federal Government.
In 1994, Robert Kaplan wrote that Lagos’s “crime, pollution, and overcrowding makes it the cliché par excellence of Third World urban dysfunction.”
This was the kind of Lagos Tinubu was appointed to govern and he immediately hit the ground running overhauling the old tax system by increasing compliance, he also ensured government accountability on expenditure, building roads, improving security, and the revenues shot up from $190 million in 1999 to over $1 billion, in an unprecedented move, Tinubu’s government began the payment of WAEC fees for all final year students in Lagos public schools irrespective of the state of origin; this singular act prompted mass migration to Lagos from all regions, of the country.
His mida’s touch and the blueprint he designed for the development of Lagos attracted a different type of international attention, not for the disorder but instead as a possible model of effective governance—in Nigeria and in Africa.
Jagaban of Borgu, Asiwaju of Nigeria
One thing that made Tinubu exemplary is his decision to take excellence above everything else a situation that that sees Lagos becoming the template of what Nigerian unity truly could be; cabinet members from various regions of the country – chosen for excellence, and long-term development planning, focused on bringing jobs, opportunity and a fair chance to people previously disregarded.
The unity his appointment brings makes it easy for his party to easily merge with others to form the All Progressive Congress that eventually end the political dominance of the PDP in the country, Tinubu’s openness and his philanthropy giving is what has prompted the loyal following he has.
Many in my generation reading this, would not have known that among those vying for the presidency, he alone has a consistent track record of personal sacrifice for our democracy, adept governance and progressive reform, in spite of deep difficulty. In reading this, whether you like the man or not, I hope you understand he is not the enemy and at the very least you now have facts, not opinions or emotions to form your conclusions.
I now serve as the youngest aide to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also serve as the youngest (female) executive in his Presidential Campaign Council. In my service, I hope to draw more attention to the multi-dimensionality of human ability and excellence. I continue to devote myself to becoming a polymath per excellence, pioneering a unique path. I remain dedicated to creating impact and amplifying the voice of young people, particularly the heretofore.
Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has described the Nigerian Army and media relationship as a call for collective efforts to enthrone a safer Nigeria for citizens and investors.
The Army boss made this remarks on Monday at the 3rd Quarter Comic Media Chat 2022 organized by Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs at the 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Lagos.
Themed “Media as a Critical Tool in Addressing Insecurity in Nigeria,” General Yahaya who was represented by the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Ajuwa, emphasized that the media must endeavour to eliminate rumour from its duties of reportage to avoid distortion of facts that could derail the progress that has been made in securing Nigeria.
The Army Chief stressed the importance of the media chat which becomes necessary in view of heightened end of year activities as well as the 2023 general elections.
He explained that unverified reportage has the potency to disrupt the success of both Army kinetic and non kinetic operations.
Yahaya noted that the Army he leads would continue to be professional and apolitical during and after the 2023 general elections in line with global best practices.
“The media should always reflect and cross check what they report in order not to make enemies of state and other forms of insurgency feel happy for creating distortions in the system,” he advised.
While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Defence, Major General Salihi Magashi and Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea Irabor for their inspiring leadership and supports to the Nigerian Army, Yayaha called for a renewed relationship between the Army and media adding that he would continue to engage citizens through the Department of Civil-Military Affairs for a better understanding of expected roles and duties to minimize conflict of interest.
How Yemisi Edun led FCMB Aided Orelope-Adefulire and others in Multi-Million Naira SDGs Fraud
The Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) is currently under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over an alleged fraud running into millions of naira involving collusion of government officials with private contractors to defraud Nigerian government.
The EFCC, acting on a petition written to the anti graft agency by the Anti Corruption Advocacy International (AAI), a Non Governmental organization (NGO), alleged that fraudulent transactions were carried out by the OSSAP-SDGS through double payment to a contractor for the same contract with the same narration of the same project at Aliyu Mustapha Primary School, Yola, Adamawa State.
The EFCC, which had since swung into action to determine the level of involvement of the officials at the OSSAP-SDGs in the fraud, was said to have invited Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President heading the SDGs for questioning last week where she was drilled for couples of hours. She was ordered for another round of questioning on Wednesday
It was gathered that some senior officials who might be culpable in the alleged fraud are also being questioned. Senior Directors in the Accounts and Finance Department as well as Special Project Unit (SPU) who were in the known and are in charge of processing of contracts at the OSSAP-SDGs may be invited for questioning by the EFCC.
According to the AAI’s petition dated 20 September, 2022, received and acknowledged by the EFCC the following day, the contractor, “Exceed Klass Nigeria limited, registered in May July, 2018 with RC Number 1508363 with accounts number 6546654010 at FCMB was given the job to construct 3 nos of 6 classroom blocks with VIP toilets at Aliyu Mustapha Primary School, Yola, Adamawa State with contract sum of One Hundred and Five million four Hundred and thirty Nine thousand, Nine hundred and twenty One Naira,Seventy five kobo (N105,439,921.75).”
The AAI says on 24 December 2020, OSSAP-SDGs paid the sum of N105,439,921.75 to Exceed Klass Nigeria Limited, and just 19 days after, which was on 13 January 2021, another same N105.439,921.75 payment was paid by OSSAP-SDGs to the same contractor through Remita Payment Platform.
“it is an indisputable fact this alleged fraud was carefully planned and executed by these perpetrators within the OSSAP-SDGs,” the anti graft crusader informed the EFCC in the petition.
The President of AAI, Victor Chinasa said: “The OSSAP-SDGs has been embroiled in various corruption cases since 2020 and only God knows when it will stop unless government of President Muhammadu Buhari orders for special investigation of the finances of the Office and dissolved the entire management of the OSSAP-SDGs if truly the President really wants to fight corruption in the country.
“OSSAP-SDGs has turned to be a den of corruption.”
Tukur Buratai: Past performance produces present privileges By Femi Oyewale
You have to perform at a consistently higher level than others. That’s the mark of a true professional. ~ Joe Paterno
Of a truth, Past performance produces present privileges. This aptly describes Ambassador Tukur Buratai (CFR) who remains an exceptional diplomat and whose service record speaks volumes of an unalloyed commitment to the Nigerian dream and an equally astonishing level of patriotism to those ideals that define us as a people and country.
Interestingly, only few know that Ambassador Buratai is a humble man who is a perfect example of a man who beautifully has power but don’t use it. A man of few words whose compassion Is a direct opposite of the archaic impression that military men are expressionless, mean and authoritarian.
My encounters with him during his service years as the chief of army staff and currently as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin made me realise that he is an exceptional personality who is imbued with unsual intelligence, charisma, compassion, discipline, vision and mission to help individuals, organisations and nation interpret their dreams. He is a barrier breaker and a line crosser. This explains why he is grossly misunderstood by many who wonder how can one man be so favoured and endowed with exceptional qualities and achievements. No wonder among his peers, he is greatly flavoured.
He is a great listener with a listening ear, cool, calm and collected. I can say with with all modest that he is not the flamboyant type. Rather, he invest in human assets by helping them to interpret their dreams and visions.
Like someone rightly recalled of the lofty exploits of Ambassador Tukur Buratai while he held sway as the chief of army staff. I call those days the impeccable days in the annals of the Nigerian Army in terms of strategy and tactics; Ambassador Tukur Buratai indeed came to the party.
The way and manner he was able to turn around the fortunes of the Nigerian Army were also outstanding and in record time. From a lethargic situation to a combatant position in less than a year, the result was felt across the country with regards to addressing the security situation in the country. That was the vintage Tukur Buratai.
Again, Ambassador Tukur Buratai was able to contribute his quota in service to the country because the President and Commander-in-Chief recognized his capacity to deliver in that critical assignment and eventually provided the enabling environment for him to flourish.
Truth be told, his nomination as a diplomat was indeed a masterstroke by President Muhammadu Buhari towards utilizing his wealth of experience in service to the country over the years.
His Excellency’s resume is rich and replete with acts of patriotism that would make any nation green with envy. Little wonder he was among notable Nigerians conferred with National Honours by President Buhari few days ago.
I quite agree with the fact that Buratai stands tall from the lot and I have no reservations in his strides as a politician. I am aware of his commitment to the Nigerian cause in the course of the several engagements he has had with the members of the intelligentsia community in Nigeria. He has always been robust in his thoughts and engagements which somewhat culminated in the numerous awards and engagements as speaker in a number of intelligent discourse.
Buratai is a lesson in history on what patriotism entails. His passion and energy towards the Nigerian cause cannot be questioned by any well-meaning Nigerian conversant with how he led the Nigerian Army in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and others. I made bold to say that Nigeria is yet to see or tap from the multidimensional leadership qualities embedded in this great General cum Ambassador. He is indeed like a moon among the stars.
The House also commended itself for passing laws that have favoured the female gender in the State just as they appreciated the State Government for doing its best to protect the girl child.
At a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and in commemoration of the 2022 International Girl Child Day, the lawmakers also appreciated the various non-governmental organisations championing the cause of the girl child, carrying out advocacy and ensuring their protection.
Dr. Obasa, while commending Hon. Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, prime mover of the motion, noted: “The International Day for the Girl Child is an opportunity to bring to the fore the challenges facing the girl child such as violation of babies by men, abuse of drugs, and cultism.
“It is also an opportunity to scrutunise the performance of government agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting the girl child,” the Speaker said.
Dr. Obasa commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his efforts at ensuring that the girl child in Lagos has equal opportunities as the male gender.
Moving the motion earlier, Hon. Alli-Macaulay, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, noted that the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) had set aside October 11, every year to celebrate the girl child and recognise her rights and the unique challenges she faces around the world.
She added that this year’s theme ‘Our Time is Now – Our Rights, Our Future’ is aimed at girls across the world who are demanding recognition of their power, inclusiveness and sustainable pathways to political participation.
Hon. Alli-Macaulay argued that “girls all over the world have shown interest in politics, education, poverty-related issues, environment, climate change amongst others.”
She noted the enactment of the Child Right Law and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law by the House of Assembly as part of its efforts to keep the girl child protected.
In a related development, the ‘Bill for a Law to Amend the Office Of The Public Defender Law, 2015’ was read for a second with the lawmakers describing it as important.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, noted that the amendment is to introduce new sections that would help to strengthen the extant law.
Thereafter, Speaker Obasa commited the bill to House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC chaired by Hon. Victor Akande.
The committee is expected to report back to the House in two weeks.
