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
My
remarks on 'The Future of Good Governance in Africa'-- Delivered to the
Parliament of the Republic of Ghana at the Symposium Commemorating 25
Years of Parliamentary Democracy 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
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
s of Ghana and Nigeria.
DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
.DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Despite Nigeria's New Hate Speech Bill,FFK Still Attacks Pres.Buhari
Wow,FFK must be so courageous!Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue state says that no less than 60 more people have been slaughtered by Fulani herdsmen in his state since the burial of the 73 that were butchered last month. Buhari is the most cold-blooded, bloodthirsty and insensitive man that has ever ruled Nigeria!— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 26, 2018
Tuesday 20 February 2018
VIDEO: Patient Jonathan supporters at Federal High Court In Lagos: Our 'mama' never wrote EFCC for plea bargain
VIDEO: Patient Jonathan supporters at Federal High Court In Lagos: Our 'mama' never wrote EFCC for plea bargain.@officialEFCC @GEJonathan pic.twitter.com/slO6a1DEVZ— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 20, 2018
SOURCE-SAHARA REPORTERS
Buhari's Aide,Femi Adesina Pleads With Nigerians
“Facts are stubborn things.” —@FemAdesina— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) February 20, 2018
- FX reserves up to $42bn—86% increase in last 17 months
- Inflation down 12 consecutive months
- Sovereign Wealth Fund has seen additional inflows (new savings) of $500m in last 2 years, versus NOTHING between 2012 & 2015#AsoVillaToday pic.twitter.com/rW7pWuMq1X
Dana Aircraft Overshoots Runway In Port harcourt
A Dana aircraft with registration number 5N-SRI performing a flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt has overshot the runway and ended up in the bush in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Passengers on board the Dana aircraft are currently being evacuated from a nearby bush in Omagwa neighborhood where the Port Harcourt International airport is located in Rivers state. Emergency officials state that no one was injured as at the time of filing this report.
FAAN Suspends Akure Airport Manager Over Cows Invasion
FAAN Suspends Akure Airport Manager Over Cows Invasion. https://t.co/swuN9o6tvO pic.twitter.com/V9wyCjvEOs— Channels Television (@channelstv) February 20, 2018
Femi Fani-Kayode Says Emphatically Again That Buhari Will Go
First Mugabe went.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 14, 2018
Now Zuma is going.
Next Buhari will go.
After that Biya and Museveni will go.
All these dinosaurs from the distant past fell in love with power and have refused to step down with dignity.
What is it about African leaders and power?
First Suleiman warned u.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 13, 2018
Then Oyedepo.
Then OBJ.
Then IBB.
Now Soyinka.
U are not just in a "trance" but in a spiritual voodoo cage.
The broom spell has been broken, the sacrifices have failed, the sorcerers' enchantment has come to an end: it is time for u to GO.
Wednesday 14 February 2018
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma finally resigns.
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma finally resigns.
President Jacob Zuma, 75 years old South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has heeded the call by the ANC’s
top decision-making structure, the NEC, by publicly announcing this
evening at the Union Buildings in Pretoria that he will resign as the
state leader.
“I do take seriously and am grateful to the ANC for ensuring a better life for all. I was also elected in terms of section 86 of constitution and from that moment pledged my commitment to the constitution. It has been a great learning experiencing, the performance of which can never be done without learning," he said.
“None of us can claim the building of a new society and marshaling of former liberation movement…that it all happens in a straight line. It has detours and human errors and boulders strewn along the path.”“I understand full that wile I serve at the pleasure of my party the ANC…the door through which I officially came is through thr national assembly, without which no political party can impose its electorate on the state. As we fight our own battles in the corridors of political power, serving our very interests and serving our oppressors of yesterday who joyfully celebrate as we lynch one another, we forget the citizens for which we create a better life.”"I am not above reproach," Zuma said, adding that in his political responsibilities he was not the epitome of perfection and that he respected the prefix of the constitution. Zuma also said that he did not take up the role of president to enjoy the benefits of the office or the perks.“Make no mistake no leader should seek an easy way out, simply because they could not see life without the perks that come with the the office,” he added.
Zuma’s announcement follows that which was made by the
party’s secretary general, Ace Magashule, yesterday at the
organisation’s headquarters, Luthuli House in Johannesburg, at a press
briefing, that the NEC took the decision to recall Zuma.
Magashule said the resolution taken by the NEC was in
accordance with the ANC’s “rule 12.2.21.2 of the party’s constitution,
which accords the NEC the authority to recall any public
representative.”
The secretary-general stated that the party was resolute
that recently elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa will take over from
Zuma and be the one to deliver the state of the nation address (Sona).
The Sona was postponed from February 8 – Speaker of
Parliament, Baleka Mbete, said at the time the decision to push back the
Sona was based on fears of disruptions. However, the postponement was
in no doubt influenced by ANC internal power struggles, with the NEC
calling for Zuma to step down as the country’s president.
Several meetings have been held by the ANC’s NEC and NWC
for over a week to discuss Zuma’s resignation following his repeated
refusal to do so on request from these party structures.
On Monday, the NEC convened a special meeting at the Saint Goerge Hotel in Pretoria to discuss Zuma’s future.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule said the decision to
recall Zuma was taken “only after exhaustive discussion on the impact
such a recall would have on the country, the ANC and the functioning of
government.”
He further said the resolution had not been taken because
Zuma had done any wrong but because the organisation is of the view that
state and party leadership should be aligned.
On Monday, opposition parties called on Mbete to reschedule the motion of no confidence in Zuma a week ahead from the initially planned February 22.
However, yesterday Magashule said some of the issues the
NEC had to consider during its meeting regarding Zuma’s resignation were
“the opportunistic manoeuvers by the opposition in parliament including
motions of no confidence in the President, calls for dissolution for
parliament and other desperate acts.”
He said the decision about who would deputise Ramaphosa now that Zuma has resigned rests with the party’s president and its NEC.
Wednesday 7 February 2018
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Tuesday 6 February 2018
Monday 5 February 2018
Femi Fani Kayode Attacks Buhari Again
Thousands are slaughtered by Fulani terrorists yet Buhari has refused to arrest even one of the killers.7 Fulani are killed in Benue and not only are dozens of Tiv youth arrested the next day but the Tiv DPO is summoned to Abuja and accused of helping his people to kill Fulanis!— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 2, 2018
73 innocent and precious souls are slaughtered in Benue by Fulani herdsmen and Buhari refuses to visit the state to commiserate with its people. 40 cows are butchered in Nassarawa and Buhari insists on going there to express his condolences to Fulani herdsmen and Miyetti Allah!— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 5, 2018
Kudos to IBB for telling Buhari to go. That, together with OBJ's timely warning, has made Buhari history. We wait to hear from Gen. TY Danjuma. Once he slams Buhari too it is all over. It is either he goes quietly in 2019 or the dogs and the baboons will both be soaked in blood.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 4, 2018
Fulani terrorists with their AK 47's about to launch an attack and taking orders from their leaders on their cell phones. This is frightful. This is what Buhari has brought to our country: death and destruction! God have mercy on Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/6APu8Des8J— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 5, 2018
2018: Buhari pampers the Janjaweed Fulani terrorists,says they"must be accomodated",calls them his "brothers", remains Life Patron of Miyetti Allah and enters into negotiations with them.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 2, 2018
CONCLUSION-Nigeria is OWNED by barbaric ethnic supremacists and genocidal Jihadi warlords.
Thursday 1 February 2018
Video: Femi Fani Kayode Celebrates His Son
Happy birthday son! pic.twitter.com/xCTwU2E1u3— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 1, 2018
Tuesday 30 January 2018
POLICE IG,IBRAHIM IDRIS GIVES HIMSELF A PASS MARK IN POLICING NIGERIA
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has given himself a pass mark, saying he has done well as Nigeria’s police chief.
Mr. Idris, who delivered a keynote address on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 9th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said his “successes” in the police was because of a code of conduct for police officers, which he said he successfully “institutionalized”.
The code is otherwise called ‘Our Creed’, Mr. Idris said.
“This code of conduct for police officers has succeeded in eliminating all forms of illegal and unlawful conducts that are not in conformity with the principles of democratic policing, such as unlawful arrest, prolonged detentions, torture, commercialisation of bail process, incivility to members of the public, extra-judicial killings and victimisation,” Mr. Idris told the traditional rulers, which included the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar.
He said such conducts had in the past contributed to the negative perception of the police.
He appealed to the traditional rulers to help sensitise Nigerians that they do not have to pay money to secure their release on bail at any police station.
“Encourage your subjects to report any police officer who demands money for bail to the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) which is domiciled in my office through the online media and phone calls,” the IGP said.
The IGP acknowledged the recent nationwide campaign for the abrogation of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS for its impunity.
He said the abrogation would be counter-productive to the nation’s fight against crimes.
“The Unit is now to concentrate only on heinous crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping. They are not to be involved in land cases and other minor offences. The Commissioners of Police in the states are also to have a close supervision on the activities of FSARS in their states.
“The traditional rulers have the role and responsibilities to observe the activities of FSARS and you can attest that they have been a tremendous improvement in their conducts and actions,” the IGP said.
The IGP said his “successes” in crime-fighting across the nation was because of the support from the various traditional rulers.
He, however, advised the traditional rulers to desist from conferring chieftaincy titles on persons with a questionable source of livelihood.
“If children and youth in our communities are aware early in life, that crime is evil and does not pay, it will reduce criminal tendencies in them,” he said.
source-premium times
What Is Ayodele Fayose Up To?
Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti has ruled that EFCC lacked power to investigate finances of a State.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 30, 2018
The court said, in federalism, the FG is not an overseer or supervisor regarding finances of a State.
That only the State House of Assembly can investigate finances of a State.
Thursday 25 January 2018
EFCC Detains Ex-SGF Lawal
After an eight-hour grilling, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal was detained yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Lawal’s interrogation by a team of detectives is expected to continue today.
He is being investigated over a N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, which is linked to him.
The contract was awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.
A presidential panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo found Lawal guilty of infractions in the award of the contract.
The panel recommended further probe of some of the activities of PINE.
The ex-SGF was removed from office in connection with the matter.
Lawal arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 11am following an invitation. He wore a Safari suit with a pair of black sandals.
After the interrogation, the EFCC opted to detain him so as to continue with the interrogation today.
A source, who spoke in confidence said: “Following the receipt of the report of the committee headed by the Vice President, it was important to interact with the ex-SGF.
Upon arrival, he met with a panel of investigators who had done preliminary work on the report.
Lawal was asked to make a statement and explain his role in the activities of PINE.
“In view of the volume of issues he needs to clarify, it was more expedient to detain him till he is able to complete the first phase of the ongoing interrogation.”
The source added: “We are looking into the accounts of the company implicated in the contract and Lawal’s.
“Some other officers of PINE are already under probe and some assets have been seized from them.
The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Sammin Ammadin confirmed the detention of the ex-SGF at about 7.45pm yesterday.
“He is with us to respond to a few issues,” he said.
source-the nation
Buhari’s Minister Dares Obasanjo
Barely 24 hours after former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019. Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, on Wednesday attended the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting with a bag full of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign caps.
The caps were packed inside a big bag popularly known as “Ghana-must-go.”
Shortly before the commencement of the meeting presided over by the President at Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the minister handed over the bag to the council’s secretariat staff members.
The workers are the ones saddled with the responsibility of distributing council documents and other items to members.
They were meant to distribute the caps to ministers and other council members in attendance.
Shittu, decked in a pair of suit, adorned himself with a blue cap.
The cap has the logo of ruling All Progressives Congress and the inscription “Continuity ‘19: Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo” on it.
Shittu had on Saturday inaugurated South-West Zonal Office of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The caps he distributed at the council meeting were believed to be souvenirs he produced for the Ibadan event.
Shittu later told journalists that he decided to share the caps at the council’s meeting so that they could serve as samples for those who are interested in working for Buhari’s re-election.
He said, “The cap is for politics. It is not for FEC deliberations. The caps have been distributed to all members of FEC so that they will be samples for other persons who are interested in doing what we have done.
“I know that everybody will be involved, everybody will be guided and people will take decisions largely to support the President in the 2019 elections.
“A lot of people across the country have started calling us that they want to be part of our programme. They are glad that we have started this early and I am sure that we will be able to neutralise the nay sayers.”
source-punch
Wednesday 24 January 2018
Atiku Visits Fayose
Today, Jan 24th,2018,Former Vice President Of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar visited Gov.Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.Could the Turaki of Adamawa's historic visit be in view of the upcoming 2019 presidential election in which the both the host(fayose) and the visitor(atiku) are eyeing?
Could this visit be linked to Ex President Olusegun Obasanjo's Outburst to President Muhammadu Buhari?
Obasanjo's Letter Should be Backed With A letter of Apology To Nigerians-Enny Idris
I am of the opinion that, President Obasanjo's open letter to President Buhari is quite revealing,but I must mention that the former who recently bagged a Ph.D in Theology was instrumental to the victory of the latter in 2015 against Jonathan . However, I opine that the octogenarian should write an open letter of Apology to Nigerians for aiding Buhari election in 2015
The End Has Come For Buhari, The Oppressor And Suppressor Of Nigeria-Fayose
The end has come for Buhari, the oppressor and suppressor of Nigeria and its people.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 24, 2018
Power to change this fraudulent change belongs to Nigerians and in 2019, they will exercise that right appropriately. Today, the only alternative to the oppressive govt of Buhari is a PDP govt
Fayose To Buhari:" Im Peter,The Rock,Avoid Hitting Your Head On The Rock"
My name is Peter, The Rock, the wise people in APC should tell Buhari to avoid hitting his head on the rock.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 24, 2018
Tuesday 23 January 2018
Femi Fani Kayode To Pres.Buhari "Your End Is Near"
When ur wife Aisha condemns u, when ur pol. associates like Bola Tinubu, Tunde Bakare, Wole Soyinka, Bisi Akande, Father Mbaka, Dele Momodu and others criticise u and when OBJ endorses restructuring and calls for equity for all the tribes under ur watch know that ur end is near.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) January 21, 2018
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