WELCOME TO SILENT REPORTERS
BREAKING NEWS,POLITICS,GOVERNANCE,BUSINESS & BANKING,EVENTS
Sunday 22 March 2020
horrible bosses 2011 dvdrip xvid amiable
Wednesday 19 September 2018
Unveiling Linda Ikeji's Baby Father
His name is Sholaye Jeremi. He is from itsekiri, Delta State. Jeremi is an oil magnate. He is the father of Linda Ikejis son, though he has a child outside the country. He lives in ikoyi.
Monday 17 September 2018
EFCC Tells Customs To Arrest Fayose
The economic and financial crimes commission EFCC has told the customs and other agencies to be on the look out for Gov. Fayose in case he wants to escape via the borders.
View document below for this mandate
Linda Ikeji Delivers Baby Boy In Atlanta
Renowned blogger, Linda Ikeji delivers
Baby boy in Atlanta Georgia.
The father of the boy is yet to be known. However the son is not yet named but Linda refers to him as baby j"
Sunday 16 September 2018
Friday 14 September 2018
And Nigeria's Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun Resigns
It's not clear the reason she resigned but our source has it that she has resigned today.
Could it be linked to Pres.Buhari 2019 bid? Remember Nigerians asked the president to sack her after a failed attempt to produce her NYSC certificate
Dear Wives By Dr. Enitiolorunda Abiola-Idris
Thursday 13 September 2018
Read These Before You Launch An Online Business By Dr. Enitiolorunda Abiola-Idris
Before you launch an online store, you must take out time to think carefully about the kind of products you are going to sell online or the type of services you want to offer.
Often times than none, most people think about the following
1. The name of the website
2. The beautiful and colorful and latest theme to use.
3. The weight calculator software
4. The shipping methods
5. The payment method to be used
6. The size and color chart
7.The currency exchange software
8.The CSS homepage scroll.
9. The live chat
10. The mirror software amongst other things, etc.
All of the above are important too but the MOST vital is the product which would be sold on the website.
There are 2types of products that can be sold online and they are the
1. Commodities These are daily products people need e.g food, drinks, toiletries, car chargers, phones, etc
2. Niche - These are special products that cannot be found just anywhere.
However I always recommend that only Niche product be sold online and my reason is not far fetched, they are not just easy to come by. They are products people order for on a special delivery.
Monday 3 September 2018
THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF THANKSGIVING By DR.ENITIOLORUNDA ABIOLA-IDRIS
Why most salespeople dont sell by Dr.Enitiolorunda Abiola-Idris
Friday 31 August 2018
WHY MUST WE GIVE GOD THANKS -Dr. ENITIOLORUNDA ABIOLA-IDRIS
Thursday 30 August 2018
HOW TO OFFER THANKSGIVING TO GOD By Dr.Enitiolorunda Abiola-Idris
1. Remember him- It’s not possible to give thanks to God without remembering him. We have to think and speak of him, bless him, love him, do his will.
2. Recognize his hand- To give thanksgiving to God, you must recognize his hand in your lives. You must recognize him as the source. What has he done for you? What blessings has he given you? What battles has he won for you? How long has he preserved your life? How long has he preserved that your health till this age? A great idea is to get a plain piece of paper and number your blessings one by one and then thank him.
3. Give thanksgiving in prayer- one of the ways most people give thanks to God is through prayer. You need to thank him for what he has done, what he is doing and what he is still going to do. He awaits our expressions of gratitude each morning and night in sincerity, simple prayer in our hearts for our security, good health, blessings, promotions, gifts and talents and of course deliverance, lastly favour.
Through our show of gratitude in prayers, we display our dependence on him for a higher source of wisdom and knowledge.
4. Keeping a gratitude journal- An outstanding way to display gratitude to God is by keeping a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal isn’t just a list of blessings he showered upon us nor a list of battles he won for us but indeed it is a way to keep track of what the lord has done for you on a daily basis. Picture your child keep a journal of all you do for him/her on a daily basis and then shows it to you at the end of the month while praising and thanking you. How would you feel? The following month won’t you do more for that child?
5. Repentance of sins- Repentance by itself is a great way for which we ought to bless God for. It is one of the greatest way of appreciating God. Please note that gratitude is the basement upon which repentance is built upon.
6. Obedience of commandments- When you obey his commandments, you work hand in glove with him. Obedience is a unique way of thanking the lord. It is not possible to be sincerely grateful to God without obeying him
7. Serving in his vineyard- This one puts a smile on the face of the Almighty God, that’s the whole essence of thanksgiving.
8. Have an attitude of gratitude- Having an attitude of gratitude keeps your path glowing and shinning. If you have this attitude, everything that concerns you must shine. As long as you keep showing gratitude to him, your path continues to shine.
9. Humility- Humility begets gratitude, while pride begets ingratitude. In the parable of the Pharisee and republican(Luke 18 9:14) Jesus taught us what happens to those who are lifted up in pride, those who are humble. He said “For every one that exalted himself shall be abased, he that humble himself shall be exalted. In the face of adversity, we must make a choice. We can react to our afflictions by becoming humble and thankful or we can become angry and bitter. Choosing humility over pride is an art of thanksgiving.
10. Make a new resolution- Another way of showing thanksgiving to God is to make a new resolution or goal. To say goodbye to a bad habit or character.
11. Gifts/Money/Dance/Song/Talent- This is a very common way of thanksgiving yet very powerful. Thanking God with your substance commands a mighty outpouring from heaven. When I say honouring God with your substance I necessarily do not mean your physical cash. It could be your dance step! May be a special hymn for the lord! Perhaps a well packed gift for the church e.g. a musical instrument or painting the church or a standing fan or an air conditioner. Buying and distribution of bibles or hymn books too is acceptable. Sponsoring evangelism or a go a fishing is just fine. Provision of transportation for ministers and members for a crusade is also a good way to show appreciation. Feeding the less privileged and ministers is also a way of showing appreciation to God. Decorating the altar of God is a power way to say Thank you Jesus! Using your body to work for him is a way of thanksgiving- You could help out in the cleaning of the church or assisting in the vineyard is definitely a way of saying Thank you.
Sponsoring some less privileged children’s education is a way of appreciating your maker. Giving to his ministers, the widow, orphans are ways to say I appreciate you God.
Wednesday 29 August 2018
Why You Shouldn't Take A Bank Loan-Dr.Enitiolorunda Abiola-Idris
Taking a bank loan can be encouraging as you have more money in your bank accounts to do stuffs you have always wanted to do like buy a new car,get a new store,stock up your new store,stock up your existing store,some even do it for egoistic reasons but hey ! A short term bank loan cannot get you out of poverty neither would it do you any good. Yes i say so ! It would successfully enroll you in the school of rat race,it would get you a new job in the bank you borrowed money from,you would work day and night for them ,you would eventually have nothing to show for. So whats the essence ? Eventually you will need to make love to another bank to pay the first bank,the race goes on and on and on. Bank loans has sent lots of people to their early grave. Long term BOI loans for other businesses,not trading can be considered with experienced consultants. Loans for trading and from micro finance or commercial banks would only quickly expose your secrets and then send you to your early grave. However,that little kiosk can be gradually built into an empire,if and only if you work with the right set of business people
Thursday 9 August 2018
Real Reasons Isha Sesay Left CNN
Isha Sesay is a renowned anchor,journalist,correspondent at CNN(cable news network) whose journalistic career at the famed news platforms spans over a decade.
However,when Sesay dropped her resignation bombshell,some people said it was for her marriage while others said it was for personal development,we actually thought it was for further education,but none of these assumptions were correct,however Isha nailed it that CNN's content were basically around President Trump and his administration which doesn't sit well with her,hence her resignation.
Wednesday 18 July 2018
FFK's Hatred For Pres.Buhari Gets Deeper
"The Buhari govt. is confused and has gotten to the end of its tether"- OBJ.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) July 18, 2018
I proudly stand behind my father and leader OBJ in this battle.He is strong, decisive,fearless and bold.We shall remove the murderous herdsman called Buhari from power and send him back to Daura.
Monday 9 July 2018
R-APC,SDP,PDP COME TOGETHER TO UNSEAT PRES.BUHARI
The Reformed APC (R-APC) members were led to the Monday event by their leader Buba Galadima.
Allegedly ,the faction is believed to have the backing of Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
The actions of the faction have been condemned by the APC leadership.
Today, Mr Galadima met with leaders of opposition parties like the PDP and SDP to sign the memorandum of understanding.
Apart from Mr Galadima, others at the Monday meeting from the PDP include Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Dino Melaye, Governor; Emmanuel Udom, Senator, Ben Obi, who briefed journalists, said the parties gathered to sign a memorandum for a coalition that will take over power in 2019 and ensure the defeat of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC.
He described the 2019 election as a battle between light and darkness, saying the coalition is the light that has come to rescue Nigeria.
He said the signing of the memorandum is a signal to the ruling APC and the international community that they are ready to take over power in 2019.
Femi Fani Kayode Calls Min.of Finance Out
Only a primitive and savage cow-loving herdsman can appoint a low class cockney-accented peasant from the slums of East-End London and a barely-educated misfit with a forged NYSC certificate as Min.of Finance. No wonder we are in a recession! Its time for Kemi Adeosun to resign!— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) July 7, 2018
Friday 6 July 2018
Yemi Osinbajo is a very sick man, a very sick man indeed. — Femi Fani-Kayode
"The farmer's family that were killed by Fulanis will be given money. If your family member was affected, you qualify for the money" - Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) June 30, 2018
Yemi Osinbajo is a very sick man, a very sick man indeed.
Court Vindicates Bukola Saraki
At the end of a tortuous journey of 1018 Days counting from September 22, 2015 when the case began at the Tribunal, I am happy that I have been vindicated. The Supreme Court has affirmed that there is no evidence of false declaration of assets- BUKOLA SARAKI
Monday 28 May 2018
Orji Uzor Kalu Slams Obasanjo Again
Anything That Involves Obasanjo Is Not Good For Nigeria - Orji Kalu. https://t.co/vBGqRrLK1I pic.twitter.com/euyEXR2gcQ— Channels Television (@channelstv) May 28, 2018
God Told Me That I Will Replace Buhari Or Osibajo- Ayo Fayose
God told me I am going to @AsoRock to replace either @MBuhari or @ProfOsinbajo Ekiti @GovAyoFayose claims. pic.twitter.com/3uusPBLl2k— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) May 28, 2018
Video:Man climbs four storeys to save dangling boy in Paris
Wednesday 16 May 2018
Court Ruling Favours Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Over Senate
The upper chamber had suspended Omo-Agege after he took the senate to court for amending the electoral act that altered the dates of the 2019 general election.
Real Reasons Court Granted Dino Melaye Bail
Asides the N10m, Melaye is expected to provide a surety in like sum and also the surety must tender his/her international passport to the court.
Melaye is being charged by the police for allegedly arming deadly criminal gangs and convening a political rally that ended with the death of at least one attendee.
.
What A shame! Nigeria's IG Flaws In Kano
The IG of Police was in Kano on Monday to commission the Force Technical Intelligence Unit. In this exclusive video by Voice of Liberty, an embarassing footage catches him struggling to read his speech, making multiple errors and unable to pronounce words. Why? 😲 pic.twitter.com/tfjsOuDwmM— May 16, 2018
Sunday 6 May 2018
Buhari is a monstrous and bloodthirsty tyrant- Femi Fani-Kayode
Nnamdi Kanu spoke against the slaughter of the Igbo, you arrested him. El Zak Zaky spoke against the slaughter of the Shiites, you arrested him. Teshaku spoke against the slaughter of the Tiv, you arrested him.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 29, 2018
Yours is the black heart of a monstrous and bloodthirsty tyrant!
Monday 23 April 2018
Buhari Is A Vampire-FFK
Buhari has always had hatred for Nig. youths. In 2011 he encouraged his supporters to slaughter youth corpers in the north after losing the election and they did. Till today he has refused to apologise for that. He feeds off the glory and destiny of the youth. He is a vampire.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 21, 2018
"Buhari said a lot of Nigerian youths, not all, are lazy"- Femi Adesina.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 20, 2018
At this point I am constrained to advise my aburo Femi Adesina to keep his very dirty and smelly mouth shut!
Do not compound your principal's gratutious insult on our youth with a second one from you.
...What type of leader takes pleasure in slandering, shaming, denigrating and humilating his own people before the world? What type of man tells foreigners that his own children and youths are lazy and unproductive?U have destroyed ur own people and shamed them before the world!
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 19, 2018
Femi Fani Kayode Displays Hatred For Buhari
In Nigeria if u are in the opposition u are in trouble. If u are a Christian u are in trouble. If u are in IPOB u are in trouble. If u are a Shiite Muslim u are in trouble. If u are a southerner u are in trouble. If u are a Middle Belter u are in trouble.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 23, 2018
Buhari IS trouble!
"How can a semi-illiterate, school certificate holder lead a nation of almost 200 million people? It is like a blind man leading men that can see!"
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 23, 2018
-Rev. Sampson O. Ayokunle, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Port Harcourt, 23rd April 2018.
"When a President is incompetent, he blames the opposition. When he is intellectually lazy, he blames the youth. When he fails to protect Nigerians, he blames the Libyans. A man who appoints the dead will always disappoint the living. Let this fossil just go in 2019"- Debo Olumo
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 20, 2018
Bishop David Oyedepo said:
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) April 23, 2018
"Can I tell you my anger against this govt.? No feeling for human lives. You know what God said? I am angry with the wicked everyday. You see where change brought us today since 2015?
If you bring the scoresheet out, it’s 0%....1/2
Wednesday 28 March 2018
Femi Fani Kayode Throws Weight Behind Gen.Danjuma
Only fools will dispute the fact that Gen. T.Y. Danjuma was right when he said Nigerians must defend themselves against ethnic cleansing.Only an idiot will sit down and allow himself,his family and his kinsmen to be wiped out in the name of one Nigeria and political correctness.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) March 28, 2018
Monday 5 March 2018
Read: Saraki's Full Speech In Ghana
PROTOCOL.
1. It is wonderful to be here in solidarity with lawmakers of the Parliament of Ghana for the symposium commemorating 25 years of parliamentary democracy. I bring warm greetings from the people of Nigeria. We congratulate you on this milestone. Much as the independence of Ghana served as a pointer to us that Nigeria’s own liberation was not far behind, we celebrate this silver jubilee with you in the knowledge that ours is round the corner.
2. I thank the House for the honour done to me, the Nigerian National Assembly and my country, to give this address on ‘The Future of Good Governance in Africa’. My profound gratitude to the Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye, Speaker of Parliament, for his gracious invitation. When we met at the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Russia last year, you said that you would invite me here as a way of cementing the legislative relationship between our two countries, and you kept your word. I commend you.
3. Mr. Speaker, I must also, specially congratulate you because your personal story and involvement in democratic struggle and the outcome of so many years of sacrifice, represents the unique character that makes democracy the best form of government. Who would have imagined that you would, today, be here as the custodian of Ghana’s democracy? yours is a shining example why we must never relent and remain unflinching in our pursuit of a virile democracy across Africa. I congratulate you.
4. I have reflected over the longstanding relationship between our countries; and the budding foundation and collective vision of our leaders past and present. It is 59 years since Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s historic visit to Nigeria - in 1959 - in those heady days after the first All African People’s Conference, which Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe hailed as the beginning of a Federation of Independent West African States. Noting that Ghana and Nigeria’s struggles were identical in many respects, Dr. Azikiwe had declared that, “The very diversity of our peoples, and customs and languages, means that we have much to contribute to each other.” He looked forward to our two countries becoming “models of honest and democratic government” capable of giving hope to all of Africa.
5. Typically, when we hear of a ‘special relationship’ between nations, it is with regard to Britain and America; and as the Reagan and Thatcher era showed forth, these are relationships that outlive governments. Ours, too, is a special relationship, which should outlive us and be a reference point of special relationship in Africa. The onus and leadership rests on us. What we do now, lays the basis for the continent’s future.
6. Here then is the imperative of unity between our two nations and in the region. With unity and democracy as standard, we can lay the groundwork for good governance and development. We are thus presented with the opportunity to work for democracy, using the instrumentality of parliament.
7. Honourable colleagues, it is hardly a coincidence that every country in ECOWAS is governed by a democratically elected government. Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia have seen peaceful transfers of power from incumbents to the opposition. We have crossed the Rubicon in West Africa; and I have no doubt that ECOWAS has helped catalyse the thinking, that democracy is the way forward for Africa.
8. The legislature, by reason of its composition, represents the interest of the people; and serves as counter-balance to executive power. Parliament is therefore the best representation of the diversity of the nation, and the fulcrum for harmonising initiatives that express the will of the people, while providing clarity on how best to implement those initiatives.
9. If Africa is to be fully integrated into the global economy, its constituent nations must be governed by the rule of law, and we have to commit to making the required adjustment now. The strength of democracy starts with the strength of parliament. It is our responsibility to instil in the body politic the time-honoured principles of participation, transparency and accountability, and to fight corruption, always making the space for stakeholder participation. This is the modern model of governance.
10. Honourable colleagues, you will agree with me that parliaments are a stabilising force in democracy, especially with regard to our oversight responsibility. We must be courageous; even when some of our initiatives fly in the face of special interest, ours is to do what is right for our people. To do this, we must defend democracy. We have seen for ourselves the beauty of democracy in its infancy. That should give us the inspiration to steer it to a level where it can compete favourably with older democracies in the developed world.
11. Let me use this opportunity to re-echo my long-held belief that democracy is not a destination, it is a journey. We cannot therefore take it for granted. Unless we are eternally vigilant and alive to our duties to provide our people with effective and responsible governance which guarantees that we listen to them at all times and ensure that their needs are met we run the risk of derailing our hard-end democracy in the region. The recent events in Zimbabwe make this eloquently clear that bad governance is the Achilles heel of democracy. To ensure democracy is well and strong in the sub region, the legislature which is the most critical institution of democracy has a very vital role to play. If we play our role properly, we can expect to be back here celebrating 50-100years of uninterrupted democratic governance, nothing can be taken for granted in democracy and events across the world point to this fact.
12. As a community of democratic West African states, ECOWAS makes it that much easier to build consensus; and the organisation can serve this purpose very effectively on security and the economy. As many regional challenges indicate, our people suffer when the needed policies are not in place. We simply have to put the right policies in place in ECOWAS. In Nigeria, Boko Haram insurgency and Herdsmen-and-Farmers conflicts come with regional dimensions. These are further aggravated by porous borders that advertise the weakness in trans-national security, while facilitating irregular migration and human trafficking. There is a need to strengthen our security apparatus so that together, we can fight terrorism. It is a threat to government, education and economic development.
13. We have much to build upon, my honourable colleagues. Trading relations between Nigeria and Ghana have begun to peak. Collaboration between the Nigerian film industry - Nollywood - and Ghanaian actors, directors and producers, remind us that age-old competition in football and even music – for who can forget the glory days of E.T. Mensah and his co-travellers in Highlife? – all of that, can be channelled in truly great and creative directions.
14. The Pan-African vision of Joseph Casely-Hayford’s National Congress of British West Africa was only one great beginning in regional cooperation. We may recall some institutions that thrived during the pre-independence era. The West African Airways Corporation, West African Frontier Force, West African Currency Board and many others. The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has stayed relevant down the years. It is my belief, therefore, that we can achieve the unity and cooperation needed to build even more effective institutions, and strengthen them for the challenges of today.
15. We are the richest continent in resources and yet we are the poorest, because we have allowed ourselves to be pigeonholed as the supplier of raw materials to the world. The leaders of our two countries are clear in their stance on the raw materials pivot of our economies. President Muhammadu Buhari has said that, “Our vision is for a Nigeria in which we grow what we eat.” And President Akufo-Addo is unequivocal: “We must add value to [our] resources, we must industrialise and we must enhance agricultural productivity.”
16. The two leaders have identified this flaw in our economies, and we in parliament must support them with appropriate legislation in order to realise their vision. African parliaments have to come together to cross-pollinate ideas about how to move the continent forward. There is an urgent need to fast-track development so that our people can feel the impact of responsive government. But what is the place of law in the development trajectory of Africa? It is by guaranteeing freedoms, rights and opportunities.
17. The rule of law and accountability are the hallmarks of democratic legislature. We must, therefore, begin to look at the implications of laws passed across the continent. Integration is about frameworks, and this is largely legislative in nature. There is a relationship between the laws we make and the development our people can see. We cannot shirk the responsibility of creating a more integrated African development paradigm.
18. Honourable colleagues, let me use this opportunity to call for collaboration in ECOWAS. The economic community already has the framework; it is left for us to make it work for regional integration, and even use it to actualise the African Union (AU) agenda. ECOWAS has the capacity to drive the economic prosperity of Africa; and in order to have a diversified economy, long term issues cannot be driven by policy but by legislation, which we are responsible for. We must rise to the challenge, so that we can get our people out of poverty. And whatever is to be done in ECOWAS, our two countries should be at the driving seat.
19. Let us stir up that spirit of regional integration and cooperation that moved this great continent once. It is in this vein that I propose the creation of a legislative platform comprising the leadership of our two legislatures, one where cross-national dialogue can flourish, and recommendations made to aid integration and development.
20. Africa’s population of 1.3 billion will double by 2050, and youths will account for more than half of that increase. We already have the largest concentration of young people in the world, according to the United Nations. Half of Uganda’s population is under the age of 15; almost 80 percent are under 30. Here in Ghana, 57 percent are under the age of 25, according to the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE); 18-35 year olds constitute about 65 percent of the population. As for Nigeria, we are set to become the third most populous country on earth by 2050, surpassing the United States; no fewer than 68 percent of us are in the 18-35 age bracket.
21. And yet, the demographic dividend that is expected to accelerate the growth of Africa is undercut by the apparent capitulation of frustrated youth. We are witnessing the phenomenon of young Africans trekking through the Sahara Desert and on to the Mediterranean Sea into horrors including slavery and death. Of irregular migrants in limbo in Libya, Ghanaians number 59,870, while 44,608 of them are Nigerians. Our youths do not see a future for themselves on the continent and are willing to go elsewhere or die trying. We must reverse this unfortunate trend; and we can only do so by making our continent a place of opportunity.
22. Honourable colleagues, it is unacceptable that Africa’s trade with Europe far outstrips that between African nations. British foreign investment in Africa totalled $54.1 billion in 2014. China had an estimated 2,650 projects ongoing on our continent in 2015. Meanwhile, Africa’s share of the global trade stands at 3 per cent, inter-Africa trade is 11 per cent - this is unsustainable. The attention of British investors is expected to shift from Africa to Europe, post-Brexit. In the United States, the clamour is all about America First. Let us ask ourselves: what about Africa? Not a moment can be spared in our efforts as Africans to cover our flanks in trade. We must devise an economic model that produces and manufactures primarily for the African market, and then use that as a basis upon which to engage with the wider world. Africa’s engagement with the wider world will be stronger where the world perceives that the legislature is actively involved and on the same page with the Executive.
23. Travel within Africa is another area of concern. If we do not make the necessary investments in transportation, and remove encumbrances that make it easier for Africans to travel across Europe than within Africa itself, we would not be able to take full advantage of the opportunities that abound on our continent.
24. Happily, the expected launch of the Continental Free Trade Area by the AU, later this month, should open up the continent to greater integration, particularly in trade between African countries. The Lagos-Tangiers Highway Project; the Trans Sahara Pipeline and new Railway projects to connect East African countries, are all encouraging developments. We are in Ghana, and so I cannot fail to commend the vision behind the proposed Ghana Railway Project that would link you to your northern neighbours in Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso.
25. The recently launched Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is also heartening; it will open up transport routes for 12 African countries and create over 150,000 jobs, boosting Africa’s GDP by an estimated $1.3 billion. Taken together with the agreement by a number of African countries to ease visa requirements for African nationals, the benefit to continental economy is immense. However, there is the need to take a critical look at challenges in some ECOWAS treaties that are open to abuse, and review to ensure we achieve desired results.
26. I strongly believe that our people’s talent for innovation and enterprise makes them our most valuable resources – it is our role therefore, to give them opportunities to translate these into going concerns. This will create wealth and enable us to compete globally. The world community is moving at lightning speed in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and in overall modernisation as well as renewable sources of energy. Africa cannot afford to lag behind. Government has to perform in a way that gives confidence to civil society as well as the private sector, in order to stimulate economic growth and security. We must work to make the sub-region a place of investment. We must generate wealth for the people of Africa.
27. It is to this end, that the 8th National Assembly under my leadership has, since its inception, prioritised the passage of landmark economic laws to enable SMEs to grow and prosper, including: the Warehouse Receipts Bill; Secured Transactions in Moveable Assets Bill; Credit Bureau Reporting Bill; we have also targeted laws to stimulate agriculture as a way of steamrolling our diversification agenda through the passage of the Commercial Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Institute of Soil Science Bill, the Food Security Bill etc. we have pursued as an overarching policy the revamping of our industrial base through the made-in-Nigeria initiative under the Public Procurement Act (Amendment) Bill; and the Federal Competition Commission Bill. We are reviewing our company law regime through the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) in order to reduce the regulatory burden of Nigerian businesses and create a globally competitive market regulatory regime in Nigeria.
28. Outdated infrastructure related laws have been reviewed and bills passed to increase private sector participation in those sectors. Among these are: the Nigerian Railway Corporation Bill; the Federal Road Authority (Establishment Etc.) Bill; the Nigerian Ports and Harbours Authority Act (Amendment) Bill; and the National Roads Fund (Establishment) Bill. Creating an economic regulatory framework for the infrastructure laws is the National Transport Commission Bill, which is on the verge of being passed.
29. Anti-corruption is a very important focus for us, to cleanse the Augean stables and strengthen institutions. We have stayed the course with laws such as: the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, and the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill. A day or so ago, the Auditor-General of the Federation welcomed the passage of the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, and described the legislation as ‘historic’.
30. We are also focusing a great deal of attention to the modernization of our electoral system to make it more accountable and insulated it from politically influence. The National Assembly passed the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill to reduce the age limits for running for office by a wide margin, to open the window of political participation wider to incorporate our youths in the mainstream of governance. deepen democratic participation. Constitutional amendments have also been concluded, the aim of which is to strengthen our electoral processes, to ensure credible elections.
31. It is incumbent on us to make clear promises, therefore, and to deliver on them. If the people do not feel that they are governing themselves, it is not good governance no matter the goods we deliver. Our two nations can forge ahead by sharing experiences, building upon valued discourses about the way the world works, and how to make our people beneficiaries as well as contributors to the great leaps of this century.
32. I would like to touch on the importance of education. If we are to deliver good governance to the next generation of Africans, and if the demographic dividend is to come to fruition, education is key. We must invest in primary, secondary and tertiary education – up to the 26 percent of the national budget as recommended by the United Nations. It must be mandatory for every child to go to school; we should ensure that there are incentives for those that send their children to school, and penalties for those that do not. We have to pull every one of our citizens out of the cycle of poverty and ignorance, and education is the means by which to do so.
33. Let me say that my vision for Africa is an optimistic one. I am very upbeat about the continent, I am very upbeat about the future. There is much to build on. Greater educational, scientific and technological interaction can lay a basis for our part of the world to match the rest of the world. Democracy is not just about elections; it is about putting knowledge at the disposal of a people determined to take their future into their own hands.
34. In closing, permit me this iteration, that if the African continent is to be a success story – or even the AU for that matter, ECOWAS must play a key role. And for ECOWAS to lead the charge, Ghana and Nigeria must step up to the plate, and fulfil their leadership role on the continent. So, my colleagues, let us take the first step on that journey today, and do so together.
35. Thank you for your attention. Long live the Parliament of Ghana. God bless the beautiful people
DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA