Opinion
Where Did Billions Of Naira or COVID Go?
BILLIONS of Naira rolled in for the COVID war in 2020 without any announced appeal by the Federal Government. The emergency deserved emergency philanthropy. With the virus ebbing our billionaires have forgotten that we do not have hospitals or medical facilities that could answer to those names. Our other infrastructure remain embarrassing
Nobody should blame our billionaires. I am not. I will not. They hardly live here long enough to realise the way we are. Their medicals, foods, down to ice creams are from abroad. They have done well for themselves and must wonder most times why people are poor.
We also wonder how people are rich, so stupendously rich that there are not words to adequately address the expanses of their riches in the many ways that they manifest.
A trying moment for billionaires is when conversations steer towards poverty. Their perspectives are above the issues. When people talk of not having what to eat, billionaires think the of which of the world’s most expensive restaurants made the meal or if the price tags were at least in the range of $15,000, per person!
How does one explain to such people that some people do not earn up to N300 a day? Poverty has not been the billionaire’s fate for years. He has forgotten what it means to be poor, in case he once encountered poverty. The occasional media interviews where he mentions poverty are all part of being a billionaire.
Out of the N17.6 billion voted for flood relief and rehabilitation from the Dangote-led effort in 2012, N13.3 billion was allocated to the States and N4.3 billion to Federal Government agencies. Huge sums were allocated to Ministries of Works and Environment, National Emergency Management Agency, National Commission for Refugees, and Technical Committee on Flood Impact Assessment. Ministry of Works alone got N2.6 billion. There was hardly any evidence of how the money was spent or projects that lasted months after the floods.
The affected States shared N13.3 billion the Federal Government released to them. Just like the federal agencies, nobody knows what they did with the money.
Dangote in 2017 revealed that some of those who made pledges never redeemed them. He threatened to publish their names, hinting at the criminality involved in their act. According to Dangote, some corporate bodies enjoyed the tax reliefs and waivers that the government attached to the donations without giving a dime. Three years after, Dangote has not published the list of defaulters. He is unlikely to do anything of the sort.
Any account of the COVID fund would be a surprise. The money has be expended as intended.
We need our billionaires to run more initiatives – individually or jointly – that would ameliorate poverty across the land. Poverty is becoming a permanent national emergency. Among our billionaire class, a solution could be found that would ignite the various innate development handles for Nigeria.
Our billionaires need to work at lessening the suffering of Nigerians on more sustainable bases. Governments are unwilling to do it. On their part, our people no longer expect that our governments would ever care that our democracy has degenerated to government of the people, by some people, for some people without the people.
Finally…
SO much faith has been placed in the powers of the Electoral Act 2022, which President Muhammadu Buhari signed after a thorough reading of the document, to cure Nigeria’s numerous election issues. Will the Act change behaviour of party, INEC, security officials involved in elections?
WITH all Ukraine was supposed to mean to United States, Britain, European Union, with all the noise, all the threat, all the sanctions, did they lift a finger to help Ukraine? Unfortunately, lives have been lost, some have been maimed, places bombed.
MUST something go wrong? The Super Falcons were celebrating their 13th qualification for the 13th WAFCON, meaning they have qualified for every edition of the competition from inception. No problems from Abidjan where they secured victory until at the Abuja airport. Airport COVID clearance claimed more than six hours, during which a player passed, airport officials would not burge. We must find ways to do things better.
HOW was the fuel scarcity resolved? Was anyone sanctioned, sacked?
Isiguzo is a major commentator on minor issues
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.