2015: PRO JONATHAN POSTERS FLOOD ABUJA

 

 

Highbrow areas in Abuja and the Area councils have over the weekend witnessed another barrage of posters of President Goodluck Jonathan which have flooded several strategic streets of the Federal Capital Territory. This is less than four months that similar posters dotted the nooks and crannies of the FCT canvassing support for President Jonathan to seek a second term in 2015 on the plank of "Transformation".

Over the weekend, the posters have dotted prime locations in FCT. High walls, Street bands, Street lamps, Bridge bands, concrete beams and overhead bridge columns. Paved stone layouts, road culverts and U-turns were not also spared.

 Glossy campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan were first sighted in December 2012. Information reliably gathered that it was the handiwork of a group which has now metamorphosed to "PROJECT RELOADED" also knowns as "PDP RELOADED". It will be recalled that the National Chairman of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Bamanga Tukur had in June this year inaugurated a pro-PDP group under the chairmanship of former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, with the aim of propagating the 3-Rs agenda introduced by Dr. Bamanga Tukur which stands for Reconciliation, Renewal and Reconstruction.

 

The inauguration of the group 'PROJECT RELOADED' was at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja. The event drew notable Party big wigs and party loyalists. Dr. Bamanga used the opportunity to charge aggrieved members to embrace peace in order to allow the Party forge ahead with the transformation agenda of the President Jonathan. Little did many party men and some political analysts know at the time that the group would emerge as the most powerful support group to actualize the 2015 ambition of President Jonathan.

However, this is contrary to the Electoral Act and INEC's directive forbidding politicians and political parties from campaigning ahead of 2015. The presence of these posters in the FCT and environs has prompted the National Chairman of the PDP Dr. Bamanga Turkur to call on politicians to comply with electoral guidelines as they relate to electioneering campaigns instead of trying to score cheap points against their opponents.

The recent posters have a picture of the President wearing a suit over a white tie. This time, the theme is: SUPPORT THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE. Though there is nothing wrong with their call, one wonders if this is not a subtle way of saying: SUPPORT GOODLUCK JONATHAN. My instincts tell me that this may be a clever ploy to propagate their agenda.

 It will be recalled that on several occasions, the people of the South-South region have not hidden their resolve to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan continues beyond 2015. One of such voices propagating this agenda is Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, an illustrious son from the Zone, respected Ijaw leader, elder Statesman, a confidant and unapologetic supporter of President Goodluck.

Also, a former Minister of the FCT Alhaji Abba Gana has stated severally that it will not do any harm for the North to allow President Jonathan contest for a second term in office. The likes of General Onoja, Asari Dokubo, Middle Belt and South-South forum, South East Progressives and several other  political elements in the North have consistently drummed support for President Jonathan.

The body language and some surreptitious political alignment and realignment to fine tune strategies for Mr. President's declaration by political jobbers has prompted the Chairman board of Trustees of the Party, Chief Tony Anenih to bare his mind on  the race for the 2015 elections. Chief Anenih called on President Goodluck Jonathan and other party members who are interested in contesting for elective offices in the 2015 general elections to declare their intentions before the end of September.

Chief Anenih spoke at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa at the special post-convention dinner of the party hosted by President Jonathan. At the event, 20 state chairmen of the PDP endorsed President Jonathan for a second term and requested him to contest the 2015 elections.

The president, on his part has since assured that the party remains intact in spite of the crisis. He described the walk-out by some members during the convention as a minor disagreement that can be resolved. So far, the President is holding his response to such several calls a closely guarded secret. Presidential spokesperson Dr. Ruben Abati and the Special Adviser to the president on political matters Alhaji Ahmed Gulak have denied knowledge of the  intention of their Boss.

The 'PROJECT RELOADED' platform is considered by some political observers as the main engine room for the President's 2015 campaign. It has already become a 'Mecca' for political strategists in recent times as their Expansive offices in Highbrow Maitama,Abuja. The several political heavyweights the group parades is a clear testimony of its formidability and the seriousness it attaches to its mission: propagate the president's selling points to the electorate for the 2015 elections.

  The Advisory Council of 'Project Reloaded' is truly loaded with time tested politicians. Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu, a former Deputy President of the Senate is the chairman and Chief Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, a powerful philanthropist, Financier and confidant to Mr. President is also a member of the advisory board. Others include; Dr. Bolere Ketebu,Ambassador designate to Ireland and a powerful ijaw woman.Hon John Odey,Dr. Kairo Ojuigboh,Buruji kashamu amongst others. Just last week the same group which has organic spread into several political machinery also emerged this time under the aegis of 'GOODLUCK SUPPORT GROUP'

 The so called 'PROJECT RELOADED', has as its national coordinator the indomitable Chief Richard Lamai. Chief Richard is the son of late senator E.A Lamai and very close to Chief E K Clark. His associates describe him as a careful planner, deft strategist with an uncanny ability to succeed against all odds.

The fugar born politician who is also a cousin to Mike ogiadome,Chief of staff to the President has a sound grasp of political arithmetic and mobilization and is not new in Nigerian political space. It was reliably gathered that the said platform according to him was crafted to provide volunteer contributions to "create a template to energize and reinvigorate the PDP brand through loyalty and brand assistance programmes which will form the plank of the 2015 campaign.

The quantum leap and tremendous achievements the Transformation has made in several critical sectors like Power, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Roads, Aviation, Health, Sports, Rail, with the economy growing at almost 7%, SURE-P, and other key sectors will be showcased. The whole idea of Project Reloaded according to him is to cultivate a crop of young PDP faithfuls (Marshalls) bring to their knowledge what the PDP government under President Goodluck Jonathan is achieving in line with the party manifesto,".  

Political watchers are however of the opinion that the main agenda of the group is to 'RELOAD' President Goodluck Jonathan on Nigerians in 2015.

 

 

Reviving Nigeria lost glory in Palm Oil production

 

Stakeholders from Palm oil producing states, government agencies, corporate bodies and international partners are brainstorming on reviving the nations lost glory in the sector, Industry Correspondent Ayodele Samuel writes.

 Palm production remains a very significant sector of the Nigerian economy, that has existed for a very long time. In the 1960s, Nigeria was the leading producer and exporter of palm oil, accounting for 27 percent of the global market but today the accolades suddenly disappeared.

Presently Nigeria ranks 26th in the world of palm oil production, a feet dishearten to stakeholders in the sector as local production hardly satisfy her local demand.

President Goodluck Jonathan while declaring the median  International Palm Produce Conference (IPPC) called on stakeholders in the sector to explore available investment opportunities in palm produce industry in Nigeria taking advantage of investment friendly climate and various incentives that have been put in place by the present administration.

The conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) has as its theme "Investment in oil palm and its derivatives, a panacea for economic growth and sustenance"

President Jonathan represented by  Minister of State for  industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, pointed out that the aim of the landmark conference was to bring together global stakeholders to share ideas on new technological development and ways of improving the quality and availability of palm produce in order to maximize the growing investment opportunities in both domestic and international palm produce trade.

He expressed satisfaction with the timing of the conference because, according to him, it was holding at a time when the government has put in place all necessary policies to create enabling environment and framework for sustainable business and economic growth in agriculture commodities such as the oil palm where we have significant comparative advantage.

 " as one of our cardinal goals under the Transformation Agenda, we are unrelenting in our effort to explore and unlock the enormous potentials of our agriculture. We are doing this through the rapid transformation of key agriculture value chains in order to meet our objective of adding additional 20 million metric tonnes of food to the domestic supply by 2015 and stimulate the creation of over 3.5 million jobs along the agriculture value chains. President  Jonathan noted that his government has identified oil palm as one of the important commodities and key drivers to promote and has intensified  efforts to provide enabling environment to accomplish this task.

Jonathan pointed out that Nigeria is an oil palm producing nation and was a foremost producer and exporter especially in the fifties and sixties, when the nation dominated the palm produce industry and became world largest producer and marketer between 1961 and 1965 contributing an average world production share of 39 percent. He regretted that we allowed this position to slip out of our hands.

He assured that his administration was resolved to return to the former glorious level of performance which is part of our overall commitment towards embarking on the sustainable expansion of the area under cultivation, promoting the replacement of semi wild grove with improved tenera planting material, upgrading the quality and number of palm oil mills and vegetable oil refineries in the country, and expanding our domestic and international market outreach.

Also speaking at the conference, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina represented by   Dr. Dickson Okolo said that the fortunes of palm produce industry in the country has increased through improvement in the supply of planting materials and effort to support the production of 9 million improved tenera sprouted nuts by the Nigeria institute for Oil Palm Research which are being raised into mature seedlings and distributed to smallholder farmers in 24 states.

He added that his Ministry will distribute 73 motorized harvesters at subsidized and affordable price, each of which is capable of harvesting 500-900 fresh fruit bunches per day. According to him, "We are currently fabricating better mills for small and medium scale plantations to be made available soon to farmers and processors to support the now expanding scope of fresh fruit bunch harvest".

  The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Godwills Akpabio, represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr.  Udom Emmanuel on his part said that investment in oil palm production would not only restore Nigeria pride and glory but would boast our economy and create jobs for teeming youths which in turn help in reducing unemployment statistics.

He added that his state has created enabling environment for investors and invested  heavily in oil palm production through assistance to oil palm producing plant across the state, provision of improved seedlings to farmers as well as soft loans and grant to women under the scheme call "Our Women  in Agriculture  Development Programme".

How new automotive policy would increase smuggling, drop revenue – Importers

The Federal Government's introduction of a new national automotive policy, aimed at encouraging local production of new vehicles prompted Ayodele Samuel to ponder, in this report, on the ability of existing local auto makers to meet demand at a reasonably affordable cost and the expected implications for the nation's economy.

 

With the Federal Executive Council's approval in October of the new national automotive policy meant to discourage importation of mainly cars and buses, the Federal Government raised tariffs on the importation of both new and used cars and buses by 50 percent.
With the policy becoming effective in January next year, prices of imported cars and buses are expected to rise astronomically as a result of the increased import duty.
Specifically, the new policy is expected to boost activities and production of local auto manufacturers, such as Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Ltd, Nnewi; VON Automobile (formerly Volkswagen), Ojo, Lagos; National Trucks Manufacturers, Kano; PAN Nigeria, Kaduna and Stallion Motors. It is also expected that the policy will encourage existing automobile dealers, whose businesses are now facing a new challenge, to switch to assembling locally, instead of importing the fully built units.
"The above measures are to create an environment to support existing assembly plants and attract other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who have expressed interest in Nigeria," the minister noted. The federal government aims at cutting down importation of automobiles in a backward integration policy that seeks to encourage production of cars and buses in the country.
However, the new policy is not going down well with operators in that sectors, they have many fears to worry about its implications on their businesses and the nation's economy,as they say the policy will invariably lead to loss of revenue, unprecedented increase in smuggling and massive loss of jobs in the ports with vehicle importers arguing that the cost of transportation will equally increase.
The importers, who already are soaked with fear over what next year will have in stock for them, said they were considering quitting the business to seek for other means of livelihood, while others said the business will now be conducted from the bush."We cannot pay the new duty and levy. Even if we do, who'll buy the car? Doing the business from Cotonou is now the only way," they said.
They maintain that illegal routes through which imported vehicles pass from neighbouring ports to Nigeria will resurface and that the Nigerian Customs Service must be ready to put their lives on the line in order to address the increased level of smuggling that will come with the implementation of the policy.
Most of the importers said that the move by the government will certainly lead to massive loss of jobs by operators in that sub-sector of the automobile industry, while others said that the business would no longer be of benefit to them, due to the expected low patronage.
Some, however, there is need for government to put in place facilities to enable the policy to be effective because the country lacks infrastructure that could make the new auto policy to work.
Chief Nnamdi Onwuamaegbu, who specializes in sells of second-hand cars, urged the government to reconsider the move, saying that it will have adverse effect on the economy.
He said the hike will make other neighboring ports more user-friendly and also increase the rate of smuggling of vehicles into the country.
"The various illegal bush paths that vehicles ply from Cotonou to Nigeria will resume again, "there are some riverine communities within that axis in Cotonou and Badagry and the smugglers will build more barges to convey smuggled vehicles from Cotonou and it will be another task for the Nigeria Customs to curb smuggling of vehicles," he told a journalist in Lagos.
He said the discouragement of imported used vehicles into the country will only affect the poor as the affluent Nigerians are the ones that will benefit from the new policy on vehicle.
"Importation and the sales of used vehicles in Nigeria have sustained so many people and I wonder why the government has chosen to punish the masses. I would have advised the government to allow the competition to continue because people love new cars, but they can't afford it, that is why they go for Tokunbo," he said.
The importer added that the policy is unfair as the few importers that will remain in the business will have to struggle to compete with foreign investors in the automobile sector.
"Most customers find it difficult to buy even the Tokunbo cars we sell in Lagos talk less of the new cars the government is willing to encourage."
Collaborating his stand, David Agunna frowned on the new tariff policy insisting that, "It is a way of reviving smuggling of vehicles in the country."
"Many of the informal operators will resort to smuggling so as to evade payment of duty. I know it will affect the economy because many people will have to look for another business to do, "he predicted.
The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, (NAGAFF), Chief Eugene Nweke, said that the increase will only enhance the fortune of neighboring
Cotonou Port.
He said with 35 per cent duty increase and 35 per cent levy, only few cars will enter the country through Nigerian ports. "Almost all imported cars meant for Nigeria will come through Cotonou and will be smuggled into Nigeria," he said.
Nweke said the federal government should have rehabilitated the motor vehicle assembling plants in the country before coming up with the policy.
"What is the state of Volkswagen of Nigeria in Lagos, the Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO), Steyr Nigeria in Bauchi, Leyland Nigeria in Ibadan and the National Truck Manufacturers in Kano. The policy will make the desired impact in creating jobs and attracting billions of naira in revenue
if these assembling plants are working effectively,'' he said.
He accused government officials for killing the local auto industry by their preference of imported cars.
He said the tariff hike will lead to astronomical increase in the cost of vehicles in the country, with the middle class not being able to afford even a 'Tokunbo' car. "The price of imported cars, currently being sold between N1.4 million and N3 million, would go up to about N5 million.
"Also the price of fairly used vehicles popularly called 'Tokunbo' being sold for N800, 000, will rise to N1.3 million or more," he regretted.
The NAGAFF President said that in deciding on the new tariff on cars, government failed to put into consideration the state of its borders. "We have 37 approved borders guarded by security officials, but we have about 200 unapproved routes where smugglers can use to bring in cars.
"I am afraid that the country will lose revenue through this policy and insecurity problem will also rise. Many people will be out of job as a result of the new policy,'' Nweke said.
A Nigerian Customs sourcewho spoke to Peoples Daily, but preferred anonymity,said that the government action will drastically affect customs revenue. He said the policy coming with the tariff hike on rice will lead to a sharp drop in customs revenue while Benin Republic will reap all the benefits.
"They did not consult Customs for their input," he said, "and that is very unfortunate."
A frontline customs clearing agent and former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Lanre Sanni Shittu, however opined that government is encouraging manufacturers of new vehicles in Nigeria and that does not stop the importation of Tokunbo vehicles.
"But the question is: how many Nigerians can afford new cars?" he queried."The policy should run in phases that is if government is serious about making sure that Nigerians use good cars; the manufacturing companies should be empowered by way of assuring them of infrastructures like regular power and to ensure that our iron and steel industries are working, other petrochemical companies must also be working in order to assist these companies", he advised, stressing that unless these things are in place, the policy cannot work.
Interestingly, Nigeria's neighbour, Benin Republic has taken position to feed fat from the new policy on automobile importation. The country, which enjoys the biggest trade volume with Nigeria through the land borders, has since taken advantage of the policy as a leeway to further deepen her breakthrough into Nigeria's automobile importation market.
The French-speaking country has announced an average of 35 per cent reduction of tariffs on vehicles imported into her country. The trade decision was a strategic move to make Nigerians resort to port of Cotonou to do more automobile importation business.
Expectedly, a policy such as this will herald uncertainties. Experts said the success of the policy would depend largely on government's sincerity and not towing the path of previous governments with similar initiative that only eventually benefited a few and created a monopoly.
According to a major Toyota dealer, who did not want his name in print, the new policy is the way to go if the government "provides a level playing ground and avoid eliminating certain players in order to help others."

N50bilion compensation :WHY DISECRATING IYAYI'S LEGACIES?

Could it have been poverty or the morbid penchant of the African to benefit from the misfortune of others or a combination of both, that pushed the Onojie of Ugbegun, home town of late Professor Festus Iyayi, to demand the sum of N50bilion as compensation for the death of their son?

Why is life's worth always reckoned in Naira and Kobo? Whose course is the traditional ruler fighting? Luckily for us, the family is not involved in all of this.
Prof. Robert Ebewale, a cousin to the deceased, has said that it was embarrassing to try to equate the life of Prof Iyayi with money, saying that the family was embarrassed with N50billion demand.
According to him, "No amount of money can be compared with the life of that calibre of person, so we want to dissociate our family from that. It is embarrassing to us,".

Let us remind the mercantile-minded kinsmen of Professor Festus Iyayi that the late ASUU President (1986 - 1988) was integrity and justice personified. No one, not even his immediate family, has the moral right to turn Iyayi's death into a money-making venture.

Anything contrary to this would be a disservice to, not only what Iyayi stood for, but also to his memory which must be kept untainted.

That is one of his cardinal principles.

is Sule Lamido the most corrupt Governor or he's been victimize by Jonathan's EFCC?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two sons of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State for allegedly laundering N11 billion. The spokesman for the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest of the duo to newsmen in Kano on Friday, gave their names as Aminu and Mustapha.

A few days ago Gov. Sule Lamido told the world that one of President Jonathan's favourite, most pampered and closest Ministers demanded and received a 250 million USD bribe. The President did nothing about it and a few days later two of Lamido's sons are arrested and detained by the EFCC for allegedly laundering 12 billion naira from the coffers of Jigawa state.

Who is fooling who here and how petty can this President be? Nigerians should wake up. We are living in a vicious dictatorship where criticising the government, the President or any of his Ministers or exposing their most evil deeds means that you are endangering the lives and liberty of your loved ones. What a shame.

 

It is shocking to know that the Governor Sule Lamido, two of his Children, Aminu and Mustapha, and 10 of their family companies transferred the total of N10billion from the Jigawa state government accounts.
  But another point of view is that the Governor is been victimized by PDP for rebelling against the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan. 

Also for a poor state like Jigawa, N11 billion is about 10% of the state budget for 2012 fiscal year.

Aminu Lamido the eldest son of the progressive governor was arrested nearly a year ago, while trying to export about $50,000 dollars to Egypt on the pretence that it was for his sick daughters treatment.
EFCC exposed that the little girl was discharged nearly a year before the arrest.

 EFCC detectives uncovered the money that was transferred from Jigawa state government accounts into the accounts in which governor Sule Lamido and his two sons.

The spokesman for the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest of the duo to newsmen in Kano on Friday, gave their names as Aminu and Mustapha.
Uwujaren said they were arrested on Thursday night in Kano by operatives of the EFCC in connection with money laundering.