Opinion
Forum of Concerned Niger Delta Ex- Agitators Raises Alarm over Desperate Moves by some dissidents.
BY Ibrahim Lawal .
The Forum of Concerned Ex-Niger Delta agitators from Okosenegbe community in Delta state has accused Kingsley Kuku, Boy loaf and Shoot at Sight of inordinate collaboration to run down the already built good reputation of the Amnesty Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro.
The ex Niger Delta agitators in a statement issued on Saturday and jointly signed by Chief. General Otega Ayebi, (the last don) ,General Benjamin Ekeremor , and General Adowei Binaebi said the appointment of Dr Otuaro has dislodged the likes of Kingsley Kuku, Ebokabowei Victor- Ben alias (Boy loaf) and Bibopri Ajube alias (Shoot at Sight) who does not understand the mandate of the new Amnesty Administrator and leadership under Dr Dennis Otuaro .
The dissidents ex agitators and their collaborators has devised a failed attempt to return the hand of the clock back in their favor, as was obtainable under the infamous Kuku that guaranteed them unfettered access to ill gotten wealth of the Niger Delta people, cocooned into their private investment and using the amnesty outfits as a conduit pipe to milk both the indigenes and federal government.
While passing a vote of confidence any time any day on the leadership of the Amnesty Program , Dr Dennis Otuaro , they described their activities as a demonstration of crazy taken to the highest level, to poison the minds of beneficiaries and Niger Delta people with regards to the Amnesty Program, that had taken a good course since the new dawn against the contemplation of these people.
Their past antics according to the forum and the release of harassing the previous leadership of Amnesty Program, could not fly with the dispassionate and candid Dr Otuaro who would not yield to their old and renewed antics. they opined.
They described Dr Dennis Otuaro as a discernible front row leader during the days of restivenes in the Niger Delta, who will not fall cheap to their sophistries and blackmail of these desperate individuals.
While describing Kuku as a guest to the anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, saying his tenure was sharply against the lay down procedures required of a public officer because of his penchant to corrupt activities.
They opined that his stolen funds and slush funds invested in airline was mismanaged as a result of glaring inexperienced saddled with corrupt tendencies of public funds.
Having lost all the ill gotten wealth and slush funds meant for the Niger Delta public , he was now critically bankrupt that he could not survive the current economic quagmire, hence the evil collaboration.
Not sure of the next moves to enrich himself and his followers , with his inglorious and abberation days over to feast on Amnesty Program fund.
“FORUM OF CONCERNED NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS
OKOSUGBENE COMMUNITY, DELTA STATE.”
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2024
“EXPOSING A DESPERATE PLOT TO DESTABILIZE THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME BY A PALE DOT OF BITTERLY DISPOSED AND CRIMINALLY INTENDED NIGHT SOIL INDIVIDUALS TO WIT: KINGSLEY KUKU; BOYLOAF, SHOOT-AT-SIGHT IN A DELUSIONAL FREE FALL TO PULL DOWN AMNESTY ADMINISTRATOR, DR. DENNIS OTUARO .”
“The appointment of Dennis Otuaro as Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme rocked the existential monolith of disquieting revisionism and accepted attitudes represented by Messrs Kingsley Kuku, Ebokabowei Victor-Ben (Boyloaf), and Bibopri Ajube (Shoot-at-Sight), who unfortunately do not understand the mandate and stewardship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme ”
” These individuals, imaged in quasi literal term as pale dots continue to suffer split in their personality, easily forgot that they were part of the league of night soil men who had mistaken the Amnesty program as opportunity to expand their vagrancy and criminal misappropriation of Amnesty Funds for their personal gains, and who in their frustration and resigned tone of fatalists and in the manner of mysterious breed of dogs, mews like cats as dogs, and as much like foxes as cats, are in an uninspiring mission, to throw spittle on the renewed Hope agenda that is at the core of the Administrative philosophy of Dr Dennis Otuaro, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme ”
“There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than the isolated chicanery and divisive cynicism of these men to seek to distract the noteworthy inroads the present Amnesty program leadership has made to the hearts and minds of the impacted community of former agitators. it underscores their poverty of character and irresponsibility to draw themselves into a scorch earth battle, with the present leadership of the Amnesty program for denying them the free funding they have become accustomed to. ”
“In the past, they had intimidated and harassed Amnesty administrators to get their way, but have met a dispassionate and candid Dr. Otuaro who would not yield to their non deterministic old antics. ”
“Dr. Dennis Otuaro himself was a discernible front row leader in the days of youths restiveness in the Niger Delta. He can’t fall to the cheap sophistries and blackmail of these desperate and trounced individuals. ”
“To be sure, Kingsley Kuku, a former fugitive, who escaped the shores of the country, just before the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for fear of being apprehended for looting Amnesty Funds, while he Administrator of the PAP, recently returned to Nigeria, wrecked, immobile and torn financially. His case file is still at the Economics and Financial crimes commission registry.”
“Mr. Kuku’s investment of looted Amnesty Programme’s funds, in airline business which failed miserably, as his then trusted ally, hijacked the investment, leaving him stranded, deeply indebted and vulnerable.”
“Today, he is not sure when the next meal would come. Feeling frustrated and beaten from his huge financial loss, Kingsley Kuku now surreptitiously resorts to want to undermine the present Amnesty leadership. He would only succeed to the point that his recent criminal misrepresentation of the PAP is dead on arrival.”
“There is no more free monies for him and his cohorts at the Amnesty Office. His inglorious days that were steeped in barefaced thievery are over.”
“It is to be noted that Kingsley Kuku, Boyloaf and Ajube (Shoot-at-Sight) have recently recruited one Jude Gbaboyor, an established illiterate, to discredit Dennis Otuaro and the Amnesty programme through media interviews.”
“Gbaboyor’s recent poor showing on ARISE Television Network on Friday, October 11th, where on prime time television he continues to exhibit sheer ignorance and absent mindedness. He had a script hidden between his thighs from where he was reading to misrepresent the PAP leadership.”
“It is laughable and disheartening that Gbaboyor, who was previously sacked from the Amnesty Office for official misconduct, looting of the KAIAMA TRAINING CENTER and leaking official information has become the willing tool for these individuals. He should hide his head in shame.
The refusal of Dr. Dennis Otuaro to reverse his dismissal, that apparently infuriated him. He is livid and angry that he could not return to the Amnesty Office to resume as conduit to his benefactors.”
“His main godfather, Boyloaf, is notorious, serial , unapologetic betrayal – having been dismissed and evicted from the Niger Delta struggle abinitio “CAMP 5”for his jekyll and Hyde demeanor and for his being a mole and informant. ”
“Boyloaf’s history of being a blackleg, turncoat and deceptions are well-documented, including his betrayal of his leader and benefactor MUJAHID ASARI DOKUBO, TOMPOOLO, FARRAH DAGOGO & finally HENRY Okah, who now languishes in a South African jail.”
“Boyloaf and his lackey, Gbaboyor, were never in the mainstream of the Niger Delta struggle. They are are not known. Shame on Ajube (Shoot at Sight), who never seems to grow up from his petty witchcraft, childishness and crooked ways of earning a living. He jumps from one racket to the other just to collect ransom from government institutions.”
“We urge Kingsley Kuku , Boyloaf and Mr Ajube to seek for alternative funding sources for their opulent lifestyle.”
“Dennis Otuaro’s message is clear: the Amnesty Fund is no longer available for exploitation by those who feel privileged and entitled.”
“The programme now serves only ex-agitators to bringing peace and stability to the Niger Delta region.”
“We implore Otuaro to resist blackmail and intimidation, and to ensure the programme doesn’t revert to its dark past under Kingsley Kuku’s leadership.”
“Kingsley Kuku should relinquish his feeble siege on Dennis Otuaro and allow the Amnesty Programme to flourish.”
” His term ended years back. It is time to move on. We hope he didn’t forget anything at the Amnesty office?”
” It is important that Dr.
Dennis Otuaro should not succumb to these subtle blackmails. He should rather fight back beecause he knows them to their homes, and he should not be scared of anyone from that group.”
“So far, so good, we are happy with Dr Otuaro’s leadership styles. He should keep taking the right steps, regardless of whose ox is gored.
We repose utmost confidence in his leadership .”
SIGNED:
CHIEF. GENERAL OTEGHA. AYEBI
( THE LAST DON).
GEN. BENJAMIN EKEREMOR.
( THE OPU ABADI
GEN. ADOWEI BINAEBI.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
In line with the decade of action , realizing SDGs 2020-2030 agenda, the mission and vision of government agencies, parastatals and departments must be in tandem with the present realities.
Therefore, efforts by the Financial Reporting Council, FRC to implement the already reviewed annual fee due for over two years cannot be over emphasized.
The challenges posed and identified by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), as the umbrella body of companies operating in Nigeria may be normal and usual resistance to positive changes, posed by such bodies in the development, improvement and payment of dues across board.
But , irrespective of that , FRC under the leadership of Dr Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo has developed a new template, innovations and initiatives to drive the new council in line with not only the economic indices and realities in the country, but global requirements.
This is in accordance with the zeal to generate more revenues, increased revenue generation for remittances into the federation account to enable government meet up it’s obligations, through internal mechanism and revenue drive .
With the global standards and realities, FRC cannot be operating under the cocoon of archaic policies and programs, leaving behind the modern and modest standards of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), among others requirements.
Penultimate, the experience of the council towards payment of dues and remittances had been lackadaisical and laced with various resistances , litigations and sharp practices, particularly before the new fee reviewed under the guise of many anomalies, which MAN had overlooked .
Therefore, as the administrative head charged with controls and regulations, The Financial Reporting Council, FRC cannot be seen to be underpinned between new evolution and old order , as a government agency under an act amended , the singular decisions to review its activities is encumbered as an independent entity.
Experience have showed that some publicly traded companies, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), continue to underreport the claims and litigation section of their annual reports, This is despite the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC)’s pledge to curb this before now.
The companies, published their 2023 audited financial reports at various times in 2024. However, each report contained figures lower than what was earlier revealed in a 2023 report.
According to the reports, the companies claimed cases against them in court amounted to huge amount .
“There are certain lawsuits pending against the companies in various courts of law. The total contingent liabilities in respect of pending litigations as at 31 December 2023 is ₦7.42 billion.”
“Some companies had the highest reported figure for claims and litigation of some companies in 2023. They stated that the cases against them amounted to N1.008 trillion claims. However, by June 30, 2024, the figure had become zero.”
This is at variance with FRC position, were many companies were underreporting their claims.
Since litigations may not stand the taste of time as adopted by previous leadership, the best solution is to effect an administrative decision beyond stagnating the activities of the new council and effect a new lease of life into the organization, through the enactment of the new regulations, reviews and controls.
“Not disclosing these claims in their annual reports for over a decade violates the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), hence the new leadership envisaged in its new position and decision.”
“Despite the FRC’s vocal commitment to addressing inaccurate financial reporting, it was revealed that partial compliance two years later.”
“The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting standards introduced to govern how particular types of transactions and events should be reported in financial statements. They were developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).”
“This IASB has a set of accounting standards that guide certain aspects of financial reporting.”
“IAS 37 is a standard for accounting for and disclosing provisions, contingent liabilities and assets.”
It describes contingent liabilities as “possible obligations whose existence will be confirmed by uncertain future events that are not wholly within the control of the entity”.
“An example is litigation against the entity when it is uncertain whether the entity has committed an act of wrongdoing and when it is not probable that settlement will be needed,” it states.
“A contingent liability is not recognised in the statement of financial position. However, unless the possibility of an outflow of economic resources is remote (distant), a contingent liability is disclosed in the notes.”
“Going by this provision, all defendants in the suit had contingent liabilities of at least N1.2 trillion each.”
“It is important to highlight that companies in business either have assets or liabilities. Assets add to the financial health of the company while liabilities are losses. ‘Contingent’ is a term that refers to something that is subject to probability or chance, and just as there are contingent liabilities, there are contingent assets.”
“Some companies were taking advantage of an exploitable gap in the IAS37 to operate .”
Interestingly, Council generally observed an exploitable gap in disclosure requirements as per IAS 37: ”
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, especially as it relates to Contingent Liabilities. Paragraph 92 of IAS 37 which states that ‘In extremely rare cases, disclosures of some or all of the information required by paragraph 84-89 can be expected to prejudice seriously the position of the entity in a dispute with other parties on the subject matter of the provision, contingent liability or contingent asset.”
” In such cases, an entity need not disclose the information, but shall disclose the general nature of the dispute, together with the fact that, and reason why, the information has not been disclosed’ is instructive in this regard. This implies that entities are not compelled to disclose number of claims and financial implications thereon as such information has the potential to prejudice their position in disputes with other parties.”
“In the course of the reports, some companies declared huge amount of N11.3 trillion in contingent liabilities in its 2023 annual report; the highest it had ever declared since 2014.”
However , to achieve the global SDGs 2020-2030 agenda with Nigeria playing a leading position, the ongoing sharp practices, inactions, anti government and anti council policies by companies in the area of declaration of transparent and accountable financial reports , that is in tandem with the global standards and practices must be adhered to, in line with the intention of the new management and leadership under Dr Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo as the Executive Secretary, Chief Executive Officer ES CEO of Financial Reporting Council, FRC.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
There is something common in politics and with Politicians in this clime, it stems from the arrogance of power, it stinks to high heavens, it is shit in its worst form; that a few men and women play God, they assume that their egocentric predilections represent the collective will, and they undermine the Law as well as the mindset of the electorate. They move to Party B with the mandate given to Party A by the People. And they Cross-carpet or decamp to another Party without deference to the provisions of the Law.
Just yesterday the entire Political Structure in my home State of Delta was led by the State Governor Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressive Congress APC, that tsunami of sorts happened without firm reasons but the usual refrain that ‘they want to align with the centre for more democratic dividends to come to the State’. I wouldn’t have opted to do this piece had the All Progressive Congress APC made great feats of the States under its watch, alas President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) and his followers are masters of deceit, subterfuge and perfidy. They spew soulless propaganda, having no soul they lack moral margins, they lie about everything and they destroy the moral fabrics of our nation. They are shameless, spineless and have no scruples.
Where is the Soul of the men of power who dumped the PDP just yesterday for the APC in Delta State? They have chosen to stand on a Blood Stained Mandate. They have elected a Hunger ridden mandate. They have chosen a corruption riddled mandate. They laud an insecurity enabling mandate. They salute a nepotistic mandate. And they dance to a frustration festering mandate. Had the PBAT led APC at the Centre made Nigeria better than it met her, I would applaud Governor Sheriff and his fellow travelers, but the truth is what consistently the APC, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his men have chosen to trample upon, nay the Truth is that under the PBAT led APC Government, Nigeria is today worse than it was yesterday.
What logic situates the movement of the Delta State Political Structures from the PDP to the APC at a time when Nigerians feel the most unsafe in their homeland? When the States of Plateau, Benue and Bornu have become theatres of human barbecues. Is it not stupidity to elect a blood stained and a blood soaked mandate over being in a Party in the opposition?
Is it not a show of shame to elect a mandate that has left the masses of the people in poverty, despondency and want over fueling the fervour of an opposition seeking a new deal and a new Republic of hope for the people? Which sincere and people oriented leader would dump the opposition for a Party that is absolutely rudderless and progressively multiplying poverty? Only the soulless and the shameless, surely.
The fulminating shenanigans that undermine the monstrous corruption of the APC Government, the unending Infrastructural decay, the unhinged failure of the energy and the power sector, the pervasive hunger, disease and pain in the land, and the murderous gangs killing and maiming citizens with reckless abandon defines the Olympic soullessness of the Delta State Political Merchants who have elected a Blood Stained Mandate over matching for the redemption of Nigeria.
I believe that it is manifest stupidity to desert the opposition at a time that our nation is in dire straits and badly craving vibrant opposition. I believe that it is a show of shame to decamp to a Party and a Government that has failed to protect lives and property.
And I hereby lampoon with unbridled vehemence all those who have chosen to stand on the blood stained and blood soaked mandate that PBAT epitomizes.
Hmmm, so suddenly my home State is now APC, interesting. A class of less than 300 people nay ‘leaders’ met at the Government House in Asaba, and in one fell swoop changed the political colour, temperature and identity of the State, interesting. My People, this One-Party State wey APC and PBAT dey push and pursue na to what end? PBAT and his Party the APC through this manifest antics of State capture have tied democracy to the stake, and are daily through acts of impunity, lawlessness, and braggadocio shooting violently at democracy, I pray they do not shoot this jingleover democracy to death. I pray that they understand that One Party State is the precursor to Authoritarian Rule and Dictatorship. And I pray that they are not oblivious of the politico-social tendencies of the Nigerian State, a State that cannot and has never been captured by any one tendency. In any case, before they completely murder democracy, it must be on record that someone warned against the Stupidity, against the Show of Shame and against the Shenanigans of our Political Operators.
Call me names, but let it be on record that when the elders and the hoard of egotistic political merchants that predominate our political kaleidoscope fiddled with the poisoned chalice of sycophancy and hypocrisy, I wasn’t quiet. Let it be on record that when they ate poisoned bread baked with blood stained and blood soaked mandate, and when they chose to dance on the tombs of the dead across our space who were unlived because government failed to protect them, that someone called out the discerning, and warned against the omnious times that they make certain.
The sequel to this patriotic effort shall most certainly tell more, reveal more and foretell the pitfalls that a most arrogant and self-seeking political class weave in the path of our ‘democracy’. We have got some difficult days and difficult times ahead.
Call me the Wailer, that’s ok, for I Wail that Nigeria may become Great.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
It was the famous American former President, Abraham Lincoln who noted that the people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust.
Thus, when the trust level gets high enough, people exceed apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were formerly unaware.
When trust is placed on those who occupy public office, they need to work had to continue to justify the trust in the people they preside over.Appointment into office is premised on the facts that the appointee is capable and will be of immense values to the realization of the aspirations of the government in power.
Thus, with the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into office, series of strategic appointment of respected and credible niger9ians were made thereafter.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had the qualities of appointing the right people in the right position, having judged their qualification and capabilities. This is a unique ability which good leaders to possess in abundance.
It was this sense of judgement that made him to appoint Chief Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola CON as the current minister of Marine and Blue Economy.He was the former chief of Staff to the former Governor of Osun State and later became the governor of the state.
Whereby he displayed integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. This role allowed him to exhibit his administrative shrewdness and dedication to the advancement of the state.
During this time, he played a critical role in implementing policies and initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure.He was later appointed minister of transportation by President Bola Tinubu on 16 August 2023, but redeployed four days later to the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Despite the newness of the ministry, his leadership abilities and acumen as well as his professional qualification eminently qualifies him for the arduous job, for he pursued his education with diligence, earning a degree in Applied Accounting from the prestigious University of Lagos.
With a passion for learning and a keen eye for effective management, he embarked on a career that would see him excel in various sectors.
According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”
European Commission defines it as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts, the realization that Nigeria has vast ocean ecosystem justifies the creation of the ministry.
The ministry’s four action pillars for its first four years (2023–2027) are: promoting sustainable blue economy investments; transforming port operations; enhancing port infrastructure; and strengthening blue governance.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, the ministry targets attracting $2 billion in investments in offshore renewable energy by 2025; establishing at least five new fish processing plants by 2025 and at least two new coastal tourism sites by 2026; and creating three million marine and blue economy-related jobs by 2027.
The importance of this ministry lies in the fact that the life of the planet and correct functioning of ecosystem services are sustained by marine ecosystems.
The blue economy thus has the potential to achieve a sustainable development which does not compromise life on Earth tomorrow.
Thus, his appointment eminently justifies and in line with the aspiration s to make Nigeria a great nation.His achievements in office are attributed to maritime security and safety, port operational efficiency, infrastructure rehabilitation, connectivity and blue economy development.
The Minister, who unfolds the strategic plans of the Ministry and the Agencies which would focus on maritime security, safety, ship building & maintenance, maritime governance, port infrastructure rehabilitation, capacity building, among others.
Under his leadership, the Nigeria’s territorial waters became safer especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) in the past one year, with the maritime sector recorded zero incidence of piracy and maritime terrorism for more than one year.
Ports were upgraded and his ministry worked assiduously to actualize the implementation of the National Single Window at the nation’s ports to facilitate trade and competitiveness of country’s port system.
The value his outstanding leadership will also impact on the acceptability and reelection of the present administration in 2027.
We Commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the confidence reposed in and the subsequent Appointment of Chief Gboyega Oyetola as the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy.
He is honest and transparent in his stronger determination to reposition the sector as the leading source of revenue to the country and will surely do more based on his past robust antecedents. We thus call on all Nigerians to support his vision and pragmatic leadership in the office, so as to enable impact the lives of many more citizens of the country.
Dr K.M.Tugga is an Abuja resident and public affairs commentator