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Osinbajo lambasts elite, says secession will lead to Nigeria’s extinction
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has again condemned calls for secession in some parts of the country, saying the action is the fastest way that can lead to extinction of Nigeria.
He also lambasted political, religious and economic elite, saying they had so far proved to be socially irresponsible.
He gave the position in Abuja on Thursday in a keynote address at the 2020 Leadership Conference and Awards organised by the Leadership Newspaper Group on Thursday.
The theme of the conference is, “National and Regional Security: Role of Political and non-Political Actors in Stabilization and Consensus Building.”
Some of the awardees at the event are the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele; President, African Development Bank, AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, as Persons of the Year; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State as Politicians of the Year; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State as Governors of the Year.
Other awardees are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha (Public Service Person of the Year 2020); Late Flying Officer Arotile Tolulope Seraph (Outstanding Young Person of the Year Posthumous Award); Shola Akinlade (CEO of the Year), Abdulrazaq Kutepa (Business Person of the Year); the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC (Government agency of the Year) and the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (Government agency of the Year).
Osinbajo said, “Often when we explore the concept of national and regional security, there is a tendency to situate the discourse around the machinations of externally generated vulnerabilities and external adversaries. So, we argue often that the problem is state fragility in Africa is on account of the colonial origins of her nation states. The notion for example that Nigeria is a hastily and arbitrarily cobbler together, patchwork of mutually alienated kingdoms and as a result it has remained plagues by fundamental challenges rooted in its founding.
“Now, this is a popular view but of course it is not the whole true. Indeed, it is my view that the colonial beginnings of African nation states do not constitute inimitable obstacle to nation building that it is often thought to be. After all, colonialism itself was a historic global phenomenon across states from Africa to Asia to Europe and America.
“The chief weakness that we have is a human one. Our political, economic and religious elites, who have so far proved to be socially irresponsible, have so far been unable to build institutions.
“We must be able to say to the young men and women who for instance say that secession is the only way or that we should break into little nations and that that is the only way that it is the way to extinction of Nigeria not development.”
In his remarks, Dr Adesina noted that Africa should not be begging for COVID-19 vaccines.
“Africa should be producing vaccines. Nigeria and Africa must put in place a health security defence system. Health security is only assured by being self reliant. It cannot be outsourced. AfDB will provide $3 billion for developing health infrastructure in Africa,” he stated.
News
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the state houses of assembly.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abba-Aji ruled that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly.”
News
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary FCDA Hadi Ahmad suspended indefinitely
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
His suspicion was on the order of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday evening.
No reason was given for the suspension.
Ahmad was directed to hand over to the Director, Engineering Services in the FCDA.
The statement read: “The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, has been suspended indefinitely.
“According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.
“The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, Engr in the FCDA.”
News
Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year
Just in: Rivers, Anambra high court judges suspended for one year
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two state high court for over acts of professional misconduct.
The NJC named the affected judges as Justice G. C Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice A.O Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court.
They were both suspended for the period of one year without pay and thereafter placed on watch list for two years.
The decision was taken at the 107th Meeting of the NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on 13 and 14 November 2024.
A total of five serving judicial officers were sanctioned for various acts of misconduct.
The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.
The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.
The Council considered the Report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled six committees for further investigation.
Twenty-two cases were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.
The Council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.
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