13062019 - Politicians, religious leaders fueling insecurity — BUHARI

More documents

Recommendations

Info

18—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 FOLLOWING the expiration of the eighth National Assembly consisting of the Senate led by Dr. Bukola Saraki and the House of Representatives headed by Hon. Yakubu Dogara, a momentous era of feisty Legislative - Executive relationship came to an end on Thursday, June 6, 2019 as President Muhammadu Buhari formally dissolved it in line with constitutional provisions. Tuesday, June 11, 2019, marked a new beginning for our bicameral Federal Legislature, as the 109 newly-elected or re-elected Senators and 360 Members of the House elected their principal and other officers. These included the President of the Senate, the Deputy President of the Senate as well as the Speaker, House of Representatives and the Deputy Speaker. Other officers will emerge later from their party caucuses and appointments. The emergence of the principal As the 9th National Assembly is inaugurated leadership through election comes with arcane but exciting intrigues that sometimes produce surprises as in 2015. The parties with the majority of members in both chambers have always sought to impose leaders of their choice. This session was not different. Most well-meaning Nigerians concerned for the healthy growth of our democracy, however, preferred strict adherence to Section 50 (1a and b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), which directs that the above-named four principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives “shall be elected” by members “from among themselves”. It not only throws the contest open to all members but also gives the power to choose to the membership, not their political parties. We are gratified to note that since 1999, the membership of both chambers of the National Assembly have established a strong track record of independence, even when the ruling parties commanded overwhelming majorities. This independence of conscience is responsible for the National Assembly refusing, at any time of our 20-year renascent democracy, to become the rubberstamp of the Executive Branch. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the Legislature at the State level, and that is why corruption and impunity reign supreme at that level. It has enabled the governors to transform into quasiemperors with the power to do unchecked. The day this ugly syndrome makes a landfall at the national level our democracy is doomed. The President could turn into a monster and manipulate the NASS membership to grant him unlimited tenures. That will finally sweep away our hardwon freedoms and turn Nigeria into the proverbial “Banana Republic”. We call on the Ninth Senate and House of Representatives to remain true to their consciences and refrain from betraying their constituents and the Nigerian people over ephemeral selfish gains or fear of intimidation. For the Ninth session of the National Assembly it should be Nigeria first before anything else. OPINION Deadly consequences of improper e-waste disposal By Kayode Ojewale IT is a fact that we cannot completely do away with e-wastes because of technological advancement in the world of electronic gadgets. E-wastes are electronic wastes. They include used or discarded electrical or electronic devices like mobile phones, computers, TVs and other electronics that have reached the end of their usage. After few years of usage, some electronics become obsolete, and turn to e-wastes which are either reused or refurbished, while others are recycled. While the old electronic devices are still in use by those yet to catch up with modern technologies, the volume or quantity of e- wastes increases as technology advances with new inventions and innovations of gadgets. Information technology firms worldwide are in an unending research to develop improved technologies. These new electronic gadgets are massively welcomed by users as long as they come with new features and functionalities. Some devices donot reach their end-oflife span before they are replaced with new ones. Old or near end-of-life gadgets are sold as second-hand or as scrap to be dismantled and burnt in order to obtain valuable precious metals(gold, silver, copper) for sale. The bare-hand dismantling and open burning of e-waste is regarded as informal e-waste handling. Another informal e- waste management practice is by dipping dismantled electronic pieces into acid to wash off the valuables. Some toxic substances are released to the environment in the process. Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, once enlightened the public on the consequential effects of improper and informal handling of e-waste on health and environment. The ex-minister said: “The challenge that e-waste poses to the environment and Nigeria as a nation can no longer be ignored: at the same time, e-waste is an economic opportunity that can be exploited to generate wealth”. Alhaji Jibril pointed out that e-waste is a real challenge and environmental hazard. He further said that there is a concerted effort by major players in electronics all over the world to tackle e- waste challenges. Some electronics manufacturing companies have come together to take the initiative, knowing they have the responsibility of recycling these products which they initiated in the first place. The problem of informal recycling of e- waste has caused untold harm to air, soil and water components of environment, and indirectly on health of Nigerians. E- wastes contain some hazardous heavy metals which include lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and brominated flame retardants. Household batteries are potentially hazardous forms of e-wastes because they contain some heavy metals too. These batteries, when improperly disposed or recycled, become toxic to the environment. An e-waste dumpsite is a one-way ticket to the grave for the scavengers and dumpsite workers. Metallic toxins released during the open burning of the dismantled gadgets are regularly being inhaled by these people. Exposure to these heavy metals by contact or ingestion may cause various forms of cancer, damage to body organs and brain, and sometimes death. The managing director of a Lagos-based e-waste recycling firm, Mr. Andrian Clews, said: “Some of those electronic wastes contain harmful substances. All of them are safe when in use but when you start breaking or burning them, they become harmful; by touching these metals people expose themselves to danger.” It may interest you to know that the e- waste scavengers and dumpsite workers are not the only ones at risk of health The onus to keep the environment safe also lies on the user by handling and disposing e-wastes properly problems, those who stay in that vicinity are also at risk. The soil and water bodies around e- waste dumpsites are contaminated. Burning of plastic-coated components of e-wastes is responsible for this and may portend imminent health hazard to unprotected recycle workers and people living within the vicinity. It is expedient to state clearly here, especially to the scavengers and those directly involved in informal e-waste recycling, that the business feeds you first and then it kills you! The DG, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Mr. Lawrence Anukam, while speaking on ‘Solution to the growing e-waste problem facing Nigeria’, in one of the editions of a Channels TV programme, ‘Earthfile’, said the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, will help solve the e- waste problem. The EPR programme, he said, involves the manufacturer of a product taking the responsibility for what happens to the end of life of that product - to be returned to producer or to be recycled. He added that the EPR programme would be effective if all stakeholders (manufacturer, user and recycler) are involved. To tackle this growing e-waste challenge in Nigeria, three stakeholders are principally involved - the government, manufacturer and the user. The government must ensure increased sensitisation of the general public, periodic and regular review of legislations, guidelines, standards, policies and regulations through its environmental and health ministries. Law enforcement agencies are also not left out in the fight against e-waste menace. The EPR programme checks the manufacturer’s role in the area of end-oflife product take-back by the producer through proper recycling. Manufacturers are advised to use less hazardous chemicals to reduce inherent health risks in handling and recycling these e-wastes. Product users must channel their used or old electronics to recycling companies only, not to dumpsites where open burning is done. The onus to keep the environment safe also lies on the user by handling and disposing e-wastes properly. So, when it comes to gadgets, think before you throw or dump! •Ojewale wrote via kayodeojewale@gmail.com.
No change in forex policy, says CBN By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has not changed its foreign exchange rate (forex) policy, after a revision on its website led some analysts to speculate that it was ending a system of multiple exchange rates. “Nothing has changed in Nigeria’s exchange-rate structure,” and the naira’s value continues to be determined by trading in the Investors and Exporters’ FX Window, Isaac Okorafor, CBN spokesman, informed Bloomberg in a text message. The I&E FX window was introduced in 2017 as Nigeria sought to attract capital inflows by offering investors a weaker and market-determined naira rate. CBN’s website on Tuesday stated that the official rate was “market-determined,” whereas it previously gave a fixed value. The website, however, reverted to its original form yesterday. The naira was little changed at 360.46 per dollar on the I&E market in the afternoon yesterday, and was 306.5 on the official market. Bonds rose slightly, with yields on oneyear interbank Treasury Bills (TBs) falling five basis points to 13.93 percent. CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was reappointed for a second fiveyear term last month, says the current system, which includes restrictions on imports, is the best way to diversify Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy and boost manufacturing. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has long been critical, saying the absence of a single exchange rate creates confusion and deters foreign CURRENCY BUYING SELLING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR DANISH RAND $ 97.35 -1.25 2,562.00 18.00 $12.53 0.13 $62.60 0.31 $53.60 0.34 306 306.5 307 388.5282 389.1631 389.7979 346.239 346.8048 347.3705 308.1571 308.6606 309.1641 2.813 2.8176 2.8222 0.508 0.518 0.528 423.0098 423.701 424.3922 44.259 44.3318 44.4046 81.5891 81.7224 81.8558 423.6876 424.3799 425.0722 46.3496 46.4253 46.5011 . 20.6897 20.7235 20.7573 CBN Exchange rate as at 11/06/2019 investment. “By limiting the circumstances in which Fund members may introduce and maintain multiple exchange rates, the multiple-currency practices policy aims to 138.6 million Nigerians uninsured — Insurers Committee By Rosemary Onuoha About 138.6 million Nigerians are uninsured, the Insurers Committee, the body of the Nigerian insurance industry regulators and all chief executives of insurance companies, has said, declaring this has made it imperative for Nigerians to imbibe insurance as a lifestyle and not as a regulatory necessity as. Vice Chairman, Sub- Committee on Publicity and Communications of the Insurers Committee, Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, who gave this information also noted that the situation has necessitated the rebranding of the country’s insurance industry. Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Nwachukwu said that the Insurer’s Committee engaged Alder Consulting, a creative intelligence firm, which began a brand marketing programme in 2018 to rebrand the industry and make it better understood by Nigerians. She disclosed that the initiative was born out of the need to redefine the narrative about insurance and to educate Nigerians on its importance. She said: “The campaign was also designed to change the perception of the sector and increase the market penetration of insurance in Nigeria. Considering that less than one percent of the Nigerian adult population was insured. About 80 percent of those insured are 35 years and above. Millennials below 35 years, who form over 70 percent of Nigeria’s population, or about 138.6 million, form a large part of the uninsured. “In line with the foregoing, the project was designed to showcase the advancements made in the insurance sector and to encourage more Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 — 19 promote orderly exchange arrangements and a stable system of exchange rates,” IMF said in a statement. From left, Arch. Jacob Olufemi Williams, Managing Director, Willao Nigeria Limited, Abiodun Amokomowo; ManagingDirector, Ibile Holdings Limited and Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Commissioner for Commerce Industry and Cooperatives (Representative of Lagos State Governor) at the Commissioning of The Campbell Centre in Lagos. Nigerians to take up insurance. It would also highlight real customer testimonials of insurance. At the end of the day, insurance would be positioned as desirable and not just a regulatory necessity.” On his part, Managing Partner, Alder Consulting, Mr. Leke Alder, explained that instead of pushing a message of fear and tragedy, the campaign focuses on the fulfilment of hopes and dreams, when insurance serves as a safety net in life. Hence, the phrase “Live with Freedom” was adopted as the theme for the campaign. FG urged to tackle multiple taxation, explore more opportunities By Peter Egwuatu The Federal Government has been advised to fight multiple taxation and explore better ways of raising tax revenue by bringing more people into the tax net. The former Chairman, Managing Director/CEO Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Executive Vice Chairman, Alpha African Advisory, Mustapha Chike-Obi, who gave this advice also stated that intervention funds by governments have not worked effectively in the country. Speaking at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Bi-Monthly Forum, with theme: Repositioning Nigerian Economy for Sustainable Growth, he said: “Nigeria’s tax rate at 30 per cent is one of the highest in the world, adding that multiple taxation should be discouraged.” Speaking on the intervention funds, he stated: “All these intervention funds, don’t work. And let me tell you why they don’t work. If you lend to a farmer at five per cent, you think you are helping him but everything around him is at 26 per cent. So, he gets a little bit of relief on his financing, but he doesn’t get relief on his supplies, diesel, food, employees, so at the end of the day, those things he gets at 26 per cent invades his five per cent.” Chike-Obi said intervention funds also don’t work because “the default rates are as high as default rates of non-intervention funds. So, they don’t work. They are not very efficient”. According to him, what the FCMB tasks FG on generating local wealth The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FCMB Bank (UK) Limited, Mr. James Benoit, has emphasized the need for the federal government to reduce the proportion of the country’s diaspora remittances to the total budget if it must achieve its growth agenda in the near future. In 2018, diaspora remittances to Nigeria stood at $25 billion, (an estimated N9 trillion), representing 83 percent of the federal government’s budget and 11 times the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country. The figure also represents 6.1 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Speaking in an interview with the media, Benoit urged African economies to look more inward by creating wealth that will ensure sustainable development of the continent and reduce over reliance on foreign remittances. He stressed the need for African countries to eschew excessive regulation, saying that it is responsible for unnecessary bureaucracy hindering growth. Speaking about what is needed to be done to fast-track growth in Africa, Benoit said:”There is no fast-track because it is part of the problem. We need to stop thinking of fast track, one-off game changers. Africa has a major demographic challenge, which will be its growth engine or else drown it. Red tape bureaucracy must be cut, youth must get education or trade, and other skills and the empowerment of women must all be addressed. The continent must also be joined up to trade among itself rather than just export, which is low valueadded,”. He emphasised that the critical role of technology in Nigeria’s economic growth and advancement must be accorded priority consideration, adding that the extent of adoption of technology would depend a lot on its accessibility, with requisite infrastructure deliberately built for that purpose. economic managers need to do is to provide capital at a reasonable interest rates that work for everyone. He also kicked against foreign borrowing by government, arguing that borrowing in foreign currency may not be cheaper in the long-run. He stated: “Even when one borrows dollar at eight per cent for instance, the creditors will be looking at the exchange rate at the time of repayment, which is unlikely to remain at N360/$. He said the foreign creditors also consider borrowers that have the capacity to generate needed funds for repayment of loans. “The reason why they are lending money at eight per cent, instead of 16 per cent, is because they know that by the time that money matures, your Naira will not be exchanging at N360/$. This is because the Naira always depreciate by approximately 50 per cent in every five years.”
Page 1 and 2: OLU FASAN STATE OF THE NATION June
Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019
Page 5 and 6: vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguar
Page 11 and 12: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Page 15 and 16: Vanguard, THURSDAY JUNE 13 , 2019
Page 17: Obasanjo, Fulanisation and Islamisa
Page 23 and 24: •Bashorun MKO Abiola The fortuous
Page 39 and 40: VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019
Page 41 and 42: Continues from Page 5 Speaking furt
Page 43 and 44: Dr Agbakoba, SAN Restoring hope to

13062019 - Politicians, religious leaders fueling insecurity — BUHARI

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?