Nigeria a broke Country has find her way out

By Christopher Udheno Onovukpe

Saying Nigeria is broke is no longer a news just as its effects  been seen among her citizens.

Recall that on OCTOBER 31, 2015. President Muhammadu Buhari had admitted that Nigeria is indeed broke. Saying that the country is at the moment strug­gling to pay workers salaries.

To prove his point he went to say that the coming days he would have to prune the number of min­istries so as to be able to pay salaries.

The current fuel scarcity is another way of proving to Nigerians that the country is broke. 

The president who is also the minister for petroleum has altered no WORD on the on going long scarcity which has made the masses experience on told hardship.

MOVES BY THE GOVERNMENT TO GENERATE EXTRA INCOME.

The only way the government realize they can get fund is to embark  exorbitant fining on companies who by any single means fail to follow given instructions. Below are various companies heavily fined above what they can willingly pay:

☆ Fining of Telecommunication Companies

On 26 October 2015 it was reported that NCC fined MTN Nigeria N1.04 trillion ($5.2bn) for not deactivating incomplete SIM cards on its network.

1.04 trillion Naira isn't it to much?

In addition, the other we're fined as follows; Globacom was slammed with N7.4 million; Etisalat, N7 million; and Airtel, N3.8 million.
(for more details )

Due to the fact the governors  have no adequate funds to carry out their various projects, they have involved them selves on the issue between NCC and Telecom companies because they believe they will get their own share from the money when paid. 

According to DAILY POST on 19th November 2015. The 36 states Governors (under the NGF) back NCC's MTN fine, insist company must pay in full. 

The Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF

The Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, rose from their meeting on Thursday with a resolve to throw their weight behind the Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC, in the fine it imposed on one of Nigeria’s telecommunication Giants, MTN to pay the $ 5.2 billion, (N1.04) trillion for failing to deactivate unregistered subscribers.

The 36 states governors commended the NCC for its strict enforcement of the law in its regulation of the telecom sector, and encouraged the commission to go ahead with its strict regulatory duties without any fear or favour. They also insisted that that MTN must pay up in full.

Chairman of the Forum, Governor Abdulazeez Yari told newsmen that the governors after receiving a presentation from the NCC chairman, congratulated him on his appointment and assured to collaborate with the commission to assist in boosting the telecommunication industry.

“The Forum also commended the NCC for its strict compliance and enforcement of the law with regards to the fine issued to MTN and advised the Federal Government to ensure prompt and full payment,” he said. (for more details )

☆   Fining of Banks

CBN fines Skye Bank N4bn
November 09, 2015 It was reported by the vanguard newspaper that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had imposed a fine of N4 billion on Skye Bank Plc for failing to render appropriate returns on accounts of some government institutions and agencies. This is contained in a statement by Skye Bank to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele

The bank said that the fine imposed by the apex bank was misdirected since it did not conceal any information of the accounts from the central bank.

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd Falls to 10-Year Low After Banking Unit Fined
Shares in the parent of First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. plunged after the country’s biggest bank by assets was fined 1.88 billion naira ($9.4 million) over a directive to transfer deposits of state companies to the central bank.

☆ Fining of Electricity Companies 

NERC fines Abuja Disco N18m over electrocution of eight-year old
FOR alleged negligence leading to the electrocution of an eighth -year old child, Faithn Yakubu , the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has fined the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) N18 million.

Faith Yakubu was allegedly electrocuted at Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, FCT.
The accident allegedly occurred when a staff of AEDC disconnected the wire feeding the Yakubus’ residence over allegation of accumulated bills and left the wire lying on the ground even as he failed to disconnect supply from the transformer.

☆ Fining of Guinness  

According to ThisDay Live on November 12, 2015, Guinness Nigeria Plc confirmed that it was fined N1 billion ($5 million) by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over alleged infractions relating to the destruction and re-validation of expired raw materials without prior approval.

Diageo, owners of Guinness, said it did not fully understand the basis for the fine, nor the particular regulations infringed, but was in talks with NAFDAC to resolve the matter. (for more details )

 ☆ Leadership newspaper reports on Nov 2, 2015 states "Late Submission Of Financial Statement: 34 Firms Pay N59m Fines"

Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has fined 34 companies about N59.4 million for filing their financial statements after the regulatory due date.

The Exchange explained in the latest edition of its ‘X-Compliance Report’ released on October 26, 2015 that it applied sanctions in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Appendix 111 of its listing rules. (For more details )

Checking the dates it will be noticed that this all happen within the period of a month and same time of Nigeria is broke speech of President Buhari.  

Truly, Nigeria is a broke country and the government have resolve that one of the way out is by imposing exorbitant fines on the Companies operating within it's shores. 

Stakeholders advocate total safety for school children

By Elizabeth Uwandu

THE question on how,”How Safe is your Child in School?’ formed  the basis of “2015 Movement Against Negligence in School, MANIS, Child Health & Safety Week Summit” which had stakeholders from the education, health and safety sectors, as well as students and parents, marshalL out ways to improve on the overall safety of a child, whom they agreed is the responsibility of all.

Guest speakers at the summit included Dr. (Mrs) Ronke Akinlembo, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, Proprietor of Dansol High School, Dr. Gertrude Ogunkeye of Child Paediatric Hospital, Mrs Fayo Williams, Executive Director, Rely Supply Limited. And Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State. Others were Mr. Kunle Olusola, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lagos and representatives of FRSC and Oyo State governor’s wife.

Speaking on the idea behind the summit, the founder, Mr. Toye Arulogun said the need to fight and ensure that adequate measures are put in place to reduce to the barest minimum,death of students occasioned by negligence on the part of school authorities formed the basis of the summit.

A representative of parent, Dr Ronke Akinlembo, said the safety of a child first of all rests on the shoulders of the parents who determine the location of the child’s school.

She said “parents should not choose schools based on financial status or on relationship with owners or stakeholders of a school but on the location and security measures put in place by the school in cases of illness or accident.”

Mrs. Adun Akinyemiju said the safety of a child in school rests on school owners and their staff by providing well structured clinic with resident doctor and nurses.

She advocated for proper training and orientation of staff to give them a sense of responsibility on children placed in their care.

For Dr. Gertrude Ogunkeye, “no parent wants to send his/her child to school and would not want them back, hence parents should choose schools with care and also provide records of them to the school.”

She listed measures to be put in place by school authorities to ensure adequate safety of the child to include upgrading of medical forms in line with current practice, provision of treated net for doors and windows, compulsory house master\mistress, availability of portable water, regular fumigation of the school’s environment and yearly health screening of the staff and students

Photos: Buahri, Tinubu, Senators in a dinner

President Muhammadu Buhari hosted a presidential dinner organised in honour of Senators at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

The dinner attracted the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, some presidential aides and other top government functionaries.

Dinner with Senators 1: President Buhari exchanging compliments with Senate President Bukola Saraki during   the interactive dinner at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Statehouse on 25th Nov 2015

President Buhari, Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu all exchanging compliments with Senators during the President’s interactive dinner with the Senators at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Statehouse on 25th Nov 2015

President Buhari with Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Bukola Saraki in a group photo with other leaders of the senate during  President Buhari interactive dinner with senators at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Statehouse on 25th Nov 2015

Saro-Wiwa’s death, watershed in N-Delta struggle —Prof Darah

ABRAKA – A lecturer in the English and Literary Studies Department, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Prof. Godini Darah, has described the death of the late President of the Movement of the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others, as the singular factor that paved the way for the Niger Delta struggle.

*Ken Sarowiwa: Died in the struggle for Ogoni people

Prof. Darah, at the Ken Saro-Wiwa 20th Anniversary Lecture organised by the university’s Department of English and Literary Studies, took a swipe at the Nigerian military for its role in the hanging of Saro-Wiwa, stressing, “From antiquity, the primary duty of the military has been to invade, conquer and loot treasures.”

Darah, who is a former Chief of Staff to the Delta State Government, spoke on the topic, “Rethinking Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Niger Delta Question.”

According to him, “The hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight compatriots by the Nigerian government on November 10, 1995, marked a watershed in the struggles of the Niger Delta people to emancipate themselves from internal colonial yoke.”

“Despite the fact that MOSOP conducted its programme largely through petitions, rallies and did not bear arms nor set up guerrilla wings, the late Gen. Sani Abacha led military government fabricated charges against MOSOP’s leadership, arranged a kangaroo trial and sentenced them to death.

“The ideals of self-determination, democracy and justice that inspired the struggle for independence are yet to be met and this is an eloquent reminder of the unfulfilled aspirations and demonstrations by advocates of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.”

Other speakers at the event include a former Commissioner for Basic and Primary Education in Delta State, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, DELSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Peretomode, Professors Rose Aziza, Abel Diakpomre, Victor Jike and Dr. Wilfred Ehwarieme.

Rivers elders decry increase in kidnapping

PORT HARCOURT— Rivers State Elders have expressed worry over the rising cases of kidnapping in Port Harcourt and related issues of insecurity.

*Militants

Chairman, Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, RELEC, Chief Albert Horsfall, who spoke to newsmen at the end of a meeting of the body in Port Harcourt, said the deplorable state of insecurity had forced many not to travel to their villages.

He enjoined government and security agencies to rise up to the task of securing lives and property.

“So, we ask the Rivers State authorities, the Police and all security agencies to put their acts together and act more firmly and decisively against the issue of insecurity in Rivers State.”

He also kicked against appointment of non indigenes into political offices in the state, adding that the government should also discourage award of scholarship to non Rivers indigenes.

According to the elders, the government should consider sons and daughters of the state for political appointment, adding that in the award of scholarships, Rivers indigenes should be the beneficiaries.