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Ezekwesili, Nweke Jr, others canvass decentralisation of power to LGs
A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has called for the decentralisation of power from the Federal to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) for speedy development of the country.
Ezekwesili made the call at a virtual democracy dialogue on LGA administration organised by Fix Politics Initiative as part of activities to mark the 2024 Democracy Day on Thursday in Abuja.
Ezekwesili, who is the founder of Fix Politics Initiative, a citizen-led movement operating in Nigeria and other African countries, called for an overhaul of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
She said that the amendment alone could not birth the desired Nigeria, adding that other structural challenges affecting the nation’s democracy and governance should be done as well.
“We believe that foundationally, we have to correct these structural defects by making sure that the local government system is at the centre of the kind of constitutional changes that we are looking forward for.
“We are an organisation that has put our voice out there to say that, tinkering with the 1999 Constitution on the margins will not deliver the new Nigeria we all want; we all want a Nigeria that works for all of us.
“A Nigeria that works for all of us has to be designed by the people and where do you often find the real people, it is at the local communities.
“And so placing them at the centre of the design of a Nigerian project that works is fundamental; the Nigerian project will only work to the extent that the people are at the heart of it,” she said.
On his part, a former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke Jr, said that citizens must continue to be reminded of their collective responsibilities to ensure good governance.
Nweke, who is the Chairman, Fix Politic Initiative, said citizens should not only vote, but support compatriots in government and jointly hold government accountable.
He said that citizens must understand the various roles and responsibilities of all the tiers of governments in the country to effectively track their performance.
Mr Oluwasesan Dayini, from Ebobobaiku Local Government Development Authority in Lagos, said that much attention should be paid to LGAs to make the people feel the impact of democracy.
He said that no state could function without LGAs in spite that current challenges of poor funding, limited administrative freedom among others being faced by the third tier of government in the country.
Dayini said that citizens should, however, call for accountability by tracking budgetary provisions, saying that it is more effective than waiting for anti-graft agencies.
A political activist, Ms Aisha Yesufu, said that there was the need for reorientation of the citizens to make the democracy work better.
She said the ordinary people including children should be allowed to be part of the decision-making process.
The activist said that in schools and religious gatherings, children should not be asked to shut up but make their contributions count based on their ability and understanding.
“By getting the children involved early, when they grow up, they will be able to effectively engage government and will not be intimidated or be blackmailed to keep mute for fear of being regarded as disrespectful,’’ she said.
Yesufu said that asking government officials questions did not amount to antagonism, but should be regarded as efforts to ensure good governance.
Other discussants which include, Ms Ngozi Iwere, a social activist, Mr Saseme Akume, a public affairs speaker, Mr Sam Amadi, a policy strategist and Mr Seun Onigbinde all called for capacity building for citizens and government officials.
They called for an access to data for citizens to track performances and a Constitution that allows LGA to function effectively among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that discussants at the dialogue tasked citizens on inclusive participation in governance especially at the LGA level.(NAN)
An ally of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has confirmed the defection move of the former governor of Kaduna State amid a viral social media letter.
In a letter making the rounds on social media, El-Rufai purportedly announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a party which he is a founding member.
Parts of the letter entitled: “Onwards to the future”, reads: “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC will align up to the time I choose to retire from politics.
“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party. On my part, I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the capricious trajectory of the party. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish. Today, the 10th of March 2025, I have submitted a letter resigning my membership of the APC to my ward in Kaduna, effective immediately. Subsequent to this, I had concluded consultations with my mentors, colleagues and loyalists alike about the future, and have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and adopt it as the platform for our future political engagements and activities.”
Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson of El-Rufai, did not respond to multiple messages seeking his reaction to the letter.
But sources in El-Rufai’s camp confirmed that all arrangements have been made for the former governor to submit his resignation letter to the APC at his ward in Kaduna.
An ally, who served as a commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration told Daily Trust that El-Rufai would be leaving the APC for the SDP today.
“Yes, we are all aware that he (El-Rufai) will tender his resignation from APC today, Monday, 10th March 2025, and join SDP. That is all we have been waiting for,” the source said.
The source further stated that El-Rufai’s supporters were not surprised by the leaked letter, as they were already aware of the development.
He said having worked closely with the former governor, he could vouch for the authenticity of the letter, which is yet to be posted on any of the social media platforms of El-Rufai, an avid social media user.
Importers to pay more as shipping company increases EU approves Bollore Logistics
Clearing agents operating at the nation’s ports have kicked against the increment in charges by leading French shipping company, CMA CGM, stating that the increment will add to the economic burden being passed on to the end users of the imported items at the nations markets.
Recall that the CMA CGM recently announced an increment in its charges, blaming it on the recent adjustment of Port & Marine Fees by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
CMA CGM, in a mail to Importers stated:”We are writing to inform you of a review of our charges following the recent increase in Port and Marine charges implemented by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which came into effect o the 1st of March 2025.
“As a result of such adjustment, we find it necessary to update our tariff structure to account for the new cost environment, effective 10 March 2025.
“Under the review, a 20ft container will now be charged N145,327 while a 40ft container will attract N290,654.
“A 20ft Reefer container will attract N145,327 while a 40ft Reefer container will attract N290,654.
Reacting to the price review, the National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Frank Ogunojemite, stated that the increment will cripple the purchasing power of the common man and further increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
According to Ogunojemite: “Shipping and terminal charges are critical components of the logistics and supply chain management process. Increases in these charges can have far-reaching effects on various stakeholders, including having effects on Importers and Exporters via Increased costs.
“Higher shipping and terminal charges lead to increased costs for importers and exporters, which will be passed on to consumers.
“Businesses may experience reduced profit margins due to higher logistics costs. This can make Nigerian businesses less competitive in the global market.
“The recent increment by CMA CGM will lead to higher prices for goods and services in Nigeria while making consumers experience reduced purchasing power due to higher prices.
“This increment can also contribute to higher inflation rate in the country, forcing businesses to reduce staff or close operations due to increased costs.
“NPA told us that the 15 percent hike will not lead to additional charges at the ports, but now the CMA CGM has blamed its recent increment on the hike in port tariff by the NPA.
“NPA must look into this price increment by the shipping companies before other shipping companies follow suit.”
Also speaking on the increment, a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Olayiwola Shittu blamed the Federal government on the increment by CMA CGM.
“The fault is from the Federal government. There is no way NPA will increase its charges by 15 percent and it will not affect shipping charges. Now, CMA CGM has announced an increment; expect other shipping companies to follow suit.
“And this will have far-reaching consequences on importation because the cost of clearing cargoes from the ports will go up.
“With the situation we currently find ourselves economically, should we be talking about prices increment here and there? It’s quite unfortunate because the masses suffering will keep increasing,” Olayiwola Shittu lamented.
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni CON, has approved the employment of 267 health technicians to boost manpower requirements in health facilities in the state.
The employment covers 140 Buni Scholars who recently graduated in various fields of Medical sciences in India.
A statement issued by the DG Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, Buni Scholars include 43 Bsc Nursing, 43 Bsc Pharmacy, 22 Bsc Medical Laboratory Science, 24 Bsc Radiology, 7 Bsc Optometry and 1 Bsc Public Health graduates.
Similarly, Governor Buni approved the employment of 127 health technician currently serving as volunteers in health institutions across the state.
The Governor directed the employment of the medical technicians who graduated earlier but were not formally employed but had been serving as volunteers in the medical centers.
The Buni Scholars are placed on CONHESS 8, while the volunteer technicians were placed on CONHESS 6/2.
The Buni administration had in the last five years consistently offered automatic employment to graduates of the state-owned Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery to improve personnel in the medical facilities.
It could be recalled that, the Buni administration established primary Healthcare centers in the political wards of the state to bring Healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the people.
Similarly, the government upgraded the four General Hospitals in Gashua, Potiskum, Geidam and Buni Yadi to Specialist hospitals, and eight Primary health centers to General hospitals while, the State Teaching hospital was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to make Healthcare delivery accessible and affordable across the state.