03072019 - Buhari's Ruga policy, an explosive issue — SOYINKA

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16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 CONFERENCE: From left—NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, GGM, Ndu Ughamadu, incoming- NNPC Group Managing Director, GMD, Mele Kyari, MD, NCTL, Tunde Akinpelu and GMD, Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd, Victor O k o r o n k w o , welcoming the incoming GMD to Aiteo Mobile Exhibition at the 2019 Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG conference in Abuja. Your time is up, Kogi group tells Gov Bello LOKOJA—A sociopolitical group in Kogi State, Kogi Rainbow Democrats, KRD, has warned against the fielding of Governor Yahaya Bello as candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 16, Kogi governorship contest. The group lamented that the governor had made the party so unattractive in the state just as it alleged that governor Bello is among those creating tension in Politicians feasting from Obaseki, Oshiomhole's fued, says Abudah By Alemma Aliu BENIN CITY—AS the crisis between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and home state governor, Godwin Obaseki continues, the spokesperson of the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Usman Abudah yesterday said there were some politicians who are feasting from the crisis and were ensuring that the crisis continues. Reacting to the report by Vanguard yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari had three weeks ago directed Obaseki to settle with Oshiomhole, Abudah said the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III suggested a similar way forward when the governor and some other traditional rulers were with him to break fast during Ramadan. He said; “I think it is time the people lay this crisis to rest and it is Obaseki and Oshiomhole that can end that once they meet as they will call their foot soldiers to order once they both agree. “When Governor Obaseki visited the Otaru of Auchi to break fast with some other traditional rulers in Edo North during the Ramadan, the Otaru told him to meet with the party by plotting to fight the APC National Working Committee (NWC) due to his second term ambition. The group in a message signed by Jimoh Unuwa Kadiri, Secretary General, and issued in Lokoja, they accused governor Bello of employing foul tactics, all in the bid to force himself on the people of the state. According to them: "We are all familiar with the desperate instincts of a drowning man. No right thinking Kogi man or woman, boy or girl will Oshiomhole and that it is only two of them that will be able to resolve the crisis. “He advised the governor that that is the best way forward because they understand what is happening more than the other persons in the whole crisis. I believe that there Stronger Delta: PDP chieftain lauds Okowa for appointing Iyasere, Adigwe, others as SAs By Elizabeth Uwandu A S A B A — GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has appointed six additional Special Advisers, bringing on board some of the best individuals to assist him actualise the Stronger Delta Agenda of his second tenure expected to end on May 29, 2023. A statement by Secretary to Delta State Government, Chiedu Ebie, said the following persons have been appointed as Special Advisers by the governor; Chief Edwin Uzor, Mary Iyasere, Johnson Erijo, Prince Kelly Penawou, Mike Okeme and Pascal Adigwe. Reacting to the news of accept pleas for Governor Yahaya Bello's second coming, and sensing the clear and present danger of going through direct primaries of APC, Gov. Bellois allegedly spending more Kogi resources to recruit some APC governors to work against the National Chairman, so he can obtain his indirect primaries and procure a second term ticket through black market ploy. Let us warn all those in league with Yahaya Bello that the blood of the dead workers are some greedy politicians who are reaping from the crisis and don’t want it to end. The earlier they (Oshiomhole and Obaseki) know this the better for them” Vanguard reliably gathered that some elders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been holding series of meetings to resolve the appointments, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and and a Fellow of the Civilian Institute of D e m o c r a t i c Administration, FCIDA, Fred Oghenesivbe, in a statement in Asaba, yesterday, commended the governor, for bringing on board key professionals and technocrats who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields and in public service. He thanked the governor for bringing Iyasere on board as one of the strategic team members of the Stronger Delta Agenda, while also congratulaing May Iyasere, a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry who were denied years of unpaid salaries will be visited upon them and their generations , if not by man, certainly by God. "Let us thank President Muhammadu Buhari for upholding the tenets of internal democracy by replying Governor Yahaya Bello that the Presidential Villa is not the avenue for his return ticket of APC to recontest the forthcoming November Governorship election, but the overall decision of Kogi people." the rift between the two. It was gathered that the elders have met with Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, they are expected to meet with Oshiomhole and thereafter meet with the trio and other actors with the hope that once the issues are resolved between these actors, others would fall in line. in Okowa’s first tenure, for making the list of the new Special Advisers, pointing out that her service to Deltans and the State from 2015 to 2019, was exemplary which helped in the attainment of certain socio-economic objectives of the Smart Agenda. EU open to talks with U.S. in aircraft subsidies dispute THE European Union said on Tuesday it was open to talks with Washington in a dispute over aircraft subsidies after the United States threatened an additional $4 bln in tariffs on EU goods including olives, Italian cheese and Scotch whisky. Just days after reaching a truce in the U.S.-China trade war, the U.S. Trade Representative's office (USTR) opened the new front with Europe on Monday in the long-running dispute. It added the list of additional products to $21 billion worth of EU goods that could be hit with tariffs announced in April - alarming industries on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU hit back, saying the dispute should be adjudicated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United States could not make its own tally of potential hurt to calculate retaliation. Arizona to pull incentive for Nike plant over sneaker recall ARIZONA will withdraw financial incentives for Nike Inc's (NKE.N) manufacturing plant in the state after the sportswear maker pulled the release of a sneaker that featured a colonial-era version of the American flag, Governor Doug Ducey said on yesterday. The world's largest sportswear maker recalled the shoe after former NFL quarterback and Nike sponsor Colin Kaepernick asked the company not to sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive because of its connection to an era of slavery, the Wall Street Journal reported here on Monday. Nike had planned to release a new version of the Air Max 1 sneaker ahead of the Fourth of July holiday that featured a version of the U.S. flag with 13 white stars representing the first U.S. colonies. The flag is commonly known as the "Betsy Ross flag." "Words cannot express my disappointment at this terrible decision. I am embarrassed for Nike," Ducey, a Republican, said in a series of tweets here on the recall. Govt approves first CES for extractive companies, others THE federal government has approved Nigeria's first-of-its-kind community relationship management tool, the Community Engagement Standards (CES), developed by CSR-in-Action. This will serve as the acceptable framework for engagement between extractive companies and oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta and other oilproducing communities across the country. The CES was developed following empirical research findings of poor or inadequate and ineffective communication and engagement with communities as the major factor responsible for the lack of mutually beneficial relationship between companies and communities, which in turn has contributed to insecurity and retrogressive development in the sector. During a two-day CES Presentation Workshop to government ministries and agencies to adopt the CES in Abuja, Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR), described the CES as a "decisive tool towards the restoration of peace and stability in the Niger Delta". In his remark, Mr Charles Achodo, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, stated that the principal goal of the CES aligns with federal government's '7 Big Wins' for the industry. He opined that the CES will change the narrative from "Communities are polluted and ravaged because of the companies operating in them to communities fare better because of the companies operating in them" when operationalised by companies. He further suggested that that at operational level, the CES should be a criterion companies must meet for social development. Oil dives 3% on demand worries even as OPEC, allies extend cuts OIL prices fell about three percent on yester day, even after OPEC and allies including Russia agreed to extend supply cuts until next March, as weak manufacturing data had investors worried that a slowing global economy could dent oil demand. Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell $1.67, or 2.6 percent, to $63.39 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures fell $1.81, or 3.1 percent, to $57.28 a barrel, after touching their highest in more than five weeks on Monday. Some stories credited to Reuters
BUSOLA Dakolo, the wife of a popular entertainer, Timi Dakolo, sent shockwaves through the Nigerian media space over the weekend when she accused the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, of raping her as a young girl. Mr. Fatoyinbo was also accused of rape by another young woman, Ese Walters, in 2013 and a number of other women (some of them church members) have allegedly made similar allegations of sexual impropriety or outright assault in relation to him over the years. Interestingly, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, whom many expected to deal with the issue, released a statement saying the organisation could not “interfere” as it only deals with contacts and affairs between the church and government. Nigerians’ reactions varied from puzzlement to outrage: a member of CAN, a founder of a popular church was accused of rape which, whether we like it or not, smears the reputation of the church as an institution. Universal condemnation The Catholic Church had to issue an apology following the recurring scandals in relation to the abuse of altar boys by Catholic priests in the United States and the United Kingdom. Yet, in Nigeria, the central body which ought to supervise pastors and unite Christians in universal condemnation of wrongdoing, claims it can’t take a stand. Yes, Mr. Fatoyinbo has not been found guilty by a court of law. But CAN owes it to Nigerians, and to all those who look up to the church for moral leadership and guidance to condemn the act of rape first and foremost. And in the process, reassuring Nigerians and Christians; proving it takes the accusations seriously and is committed to finding out the truth after which it ought to have asked Mr. Fatoyinbo to step aside while a proper investigation is conducted. By refusing to do that, CAN showed it is only interested in the politicisation of religion, or the performance of religious activity for the political gain of Emir of Kano MUHAMMAD Sanusi II said there is “nothing like non-indigenship” in Kano. Whoever lives in Kano, he said, is an indigene irrespective of their ethno-religious belonging. He is right and it should be the same for all states in Nigeria. State of origin and indigeneity divide Nigerians who compete on that basis for benefits from the state. The Constitution should be amended to enable our nation building efforts to move beyond the realm of dreams into reality. What is CAN’s true focus, the politicisation of religion or people’s wellbeing? •Cattle colony...solution to herders-farmers' clashes? private actors rather than the well-being of the faithful. Are Nigerian pastors granted a license before they are allowed to open a church? If so by whom? What are churches’ governing structures? Where are the checks and balances to protect their congregations from abuse? It isn’t enough to say “God will judge”. The Bible warned of false prophets, yet the prosperity gospel preached by the church in a socio-economic climate as harsh as Nigeria’s carries with it a cult of obedience to seniority and status which hands every rich and powerful individual a “get out of jail free” card, granting them permission to break laws under the cover of their “anointing”. Also, if CAN isn’t the supervisory body for churches, then who is? Does this mean that pastors in Nigeria make their own rules, picking and choosing when to abide by •Sanusi, Emir of Kano them? It always takes a scandal to get us thinking about public morality, governance and various forms of misconduct in Nigeria. The closeness between former President Goodluck Jonathan and CAN gave rise to a number of allegations CAN ignores the crimes committed by the rich and powerful, preferring to define crime by ethnicity and religion which were never investigated. Prominent pastors also participated in the reconciliation between the PDP’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo, after which more claims surfaced hinting that “God’s work” or “pastoral South-East governors GOVERNOR Umahi, the Chairman of the South- East Governors' Forum, says the zone will give grass to herdsmen in exchange for meat. Those who aren’t being mischievous and unnecessarily Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 —17 intervention” also came with Nigeria with substantial a cost. Pastors are constantly contributions to food security involved in politics in Nigeria in the country”. Jonathan also where there is no real said his government was separation between church “developing cattle rearing in and state. But when does CAN Nigeria to a level where the stand up for ordinary men and nation can earn higher women? Leah Shuaibu is revenues from meat exports”. CAN’s favourite topic of Why wasn’t CAN conversation because she was propagating conspiracy kidnapped by Islamist fundamentalists which fits into CAN’s narrative of “islamisation”. Also, it is interesting that Busola Dakolo’s story went viral in a way Ese Walters, another accuser of Pastor Fatoyinbo’s, didn’t. Do we only care about wrongs done to people of a certain status? Have Nigerians chosen what “victims” are more believable? Miss Walters was instantly castigated and called names because she was a single mother, but Mrs. Dakolo is a married woman with “celebrity clout”. There is something very unsettling about a society that picks and chooses whose pain deserves our attention, or whose story is worth fighting for. In fact, CAN has proven it will only fight over politics and (some) politicians. After all, how does one explain that when former president Jonathan was proclaimed “life patron” of the Miyetti Allah cattle breeding organisation during the 2015 presidential election, CAN didn’t protest. Nor did it complain when Jonathan praised cattle herders, calling them a “a major economic group in divisive know the Ruga settlements are optional. In fact, Governor Umahi should be commended for his approach: creating economic and business ties between diverse populations is the smart way to manage ethnicity. theories about land seizure and “islamisation” or “fulanisation” then? Cattle ranching has always been a policy of the Federal Government. In fact, it was already supported by Awolowo, premier of the Western Region as far back as the 1960s. It was military rule and the rampant corruption under successive administrations which destroyed ranching and impoverished those involved in animal husbandry. Furthermore, no law then or now says that ranch owners must be Fulani. The derogatory, divisive political sentiments encouraged by CAN over the ranching issue begin to make sense when one considers that the organisation has stated its objectives: political affairs but of a very specific sort. Nigeria has many government interventions for farmers; why do some people insist on politicising the intervention for cattle rearing? When government (AMCON) bails out businesses belonging to private individuals who leave shareholders and staff to deal with their financial mismanagement, why doesn’t CAN complain? Social justice is one of the founding principles of every major religion. Yet, CAN ignores the crimes committed by the rich and powerful, preferring to define crime by ethnicity and religion. Ethnicity and religion The “Ruga settlement”, which has become politicised, is optional. No states are being forced to give up land. No one is being colonised. Primarily Northern states have opted for settlements on their lands. Besides the obvious objective of tackling clashes between herders and farmers over land, water and other resources threatened by climate change, the overall gains for our economic prosperity once this business is professionalised and standardised will benefit us all. Does CAN care about people’s well-being if there is no “islamisation” story to tell? Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.
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03072019 - Buhari's Ruga policy, an explosive issue — SOYINKA

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