28012020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 Britain and the new scramble for Africa LET me place my cards on the table: I have always been partial towards Britain. Apart from my country Nigeria, it is the only other place I can call “home”. Sadly, we would never forget that the British colonialists wilfully left behind a lopsided federal contraption that was inevitably to lead to a civil war that consumed more than two million Nigerians. To forgive, they say, is divine. The Britain-Africa Investment Summit came and went last week, the first of its kind on British shores. Some 21 African countries attended the event. In his welcome address, Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Britain as a “one-stop shop for investment and business.” He also spoke passionately about his ambitions to develop strong trade relations with Africa. In the preconference announcement, the organisers declared that their objective is to make London not only the destination of choice for “development financing” but also the largest source of FDI for Africa. They also aim to make Britain the largest investor in Africa among the G7 nations by 2022. The event was hosted by the Department for International Development, DFID, and featured prominent British leaders in government, industry and finance. In addition to the prime minister, among the prominent British leaders who featured at the event were: Development Secretary Alok Sharma, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Trade Secretary Elizabeth Mary Truss and Business North East Insurgency: Are the children to blame? By COLLINS ADAKA BEFORE now, I never knew the gravity of the plight of the children displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa until Florence DJ Cuppy Otedola, an ambassador of the United Kingdom charity, Save the Children, rescue humanitarian efforts came to the fore. According to Medicine sans Frontiers, MSF, 1.3 million children have been forced into internally displaced persons camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Moreover, three million children cannot go to school with most of them suffering from malnutrition and diseases. These stunted children must not be allowed to die. Every right thinking parent should join the crusade to save the lives of these children. It shouldn’t matter where they live or come from. DJ cuppy, Florence Otedola was reported in the Saturday Vanguard newspaper of November 16, 2019 as saying: “I was able to visit Save the Children’s work in Maiduguri, Borno State. At their stabilisation centre, the first child I met in the hospital was only two years old. She was so malnourished that she needed a blood transfusion. "Later I met more and more sick Secretary Andrea Leadsom. British captains of industry that also featured in the event included Vodafone boss Nick Read, CEO of BP Bernard Looney, Standard Life Aberdeen boss Keith Skeoch, G4S Chairman Ashley Martin Almanza, CEO of Associated British Foods George Weston and Managing Director of the London Stock Exchange David Schwimmer. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a one-on-one sessions with General Muhammadu Buhari, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Paul Kagame of Rwanda. He also met with various African business leaders. The event was finalized with a banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Among the immediate outcomes was the announcement by CEO of the financial agency CDC that they would commit funding to the tune of £2 billion (equivalent to $2.61 billion) to support companies investing in Africa, in addition to £400m ($523m) for SMEs aiming to develop trade and business investments in Africa). The CEO of the agency Nick O’Donohoe was quoted as saying that “Investors have a real opportunity to embrace the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals - in partnership with African countries and businesses - to fight climate change, create jobs and skills, and bring about positive social and environmental change”. The DFID also announced that they are creating a partnership fund with the African Development Bank children dying including a 16 year old mother who was also malnourished. I was told that I was only meeting the lucky few who were able to make it to the medical centre. My heart broke and is still broken as I stand.” The last sentence of cuppy’s experiences in Borno State at their stabilization centre touched me beyond measure. That is to say, those critically malnourished children at the stabilisation centre were only just fortunate to be there. What happened to the others? I feel a sense of urgency to add credence and support to the unfortunate plight of these North Eastern vulnerable children. Nigeria must stand up for their sake! We cannot and should not leave everything to the government. As it is presently, the government is overstretched with so many contending issues hence it has become totally inevitable for all Nigerians to rise up to this peculiar challenge. At the inaugural gold gala of the Cuppy Foundation, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo called on Nigerians to contribute towards the upkeep and education of children displaced by insurgency in the North East. He said: “What will you be remembered for? "No one ever remembers the number of houses, cars that anyone has. We do not need to be billionaires to start doing for investment in African infrastructures development. From all we gather, it was a successful event. Britain and our continent have had a long and chequered relationship. Britain was one of the imperial powers, the others being France, Portugal and Spain. British influence spans Southern Africa, to East Africa and West Africa, together with Sudan and Egypt. Today, Britain has a population of 67.5 million and a nominal GDP of US$2.982 trillion, the fifth largest economy in the world; coming behind USA ($21.506 trillion), China ($14.242 trillion), Japan ($6.231 trillion) and Germany ($4,210 trillion) and closely tailed by India ($2.935 trillion) and France ($2.934 trillion). As the leading economy on the continent, Nigeria ought to assume leadership in driving British-African business relations; the opportunities are immense Britain is a world leader in technology and innovation. Its firsttier universities - Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, London School of Economics, University College London, Edinburgh and Warwick - are the gold standard throughout the world. The computer is a British invention. It was invented by a Cambridge mathematician, Charles Babbage, while he was developing an algorithm to decode German military communications during the Second World War. The World Wide Web was also invented by another Briton, Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, an Oxford-educated engineer and computer scientist. Britain is a world leader in petrochemicals as well as in biotechnology. British scientists discovered DNA and Britain has been a pioneer in developing a DNA data base. It is also a world leader in telecoms, aerospace and shipping, railways and other transport infrastructures technology. Peter Higgs, of Edinburgh University, working with five other physicists, first propounded the theory of the Higgs boson, a particle that was later discovered in 2012 at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, a $10 billion dollar laboratory constructed by the Europe Centre for Nuclear Research. The new discovery explains how mass works at the subatomic level. The Thatcherite neo-liberal economic policies of the eighties did serve to rejuvenate Britain as a nation; but it was largely at the expense of industrial development. Most of the capital and investments moved into high finance, with the City of London becoming the financial hub of Europe and the world. More than a trillion dollars pass through the City of London financial hub every single day. Today Britain is the centre of the global Eurodollar market as well as the highest net exporter of financial services in the world, ahead of the USA, China, Japan and Germany. The biggest factor driving Britain’s new scramble for Africa is the imminence of Brexit. After years of heard-wringing and rather bitter political altercations, the December 2019 elections and the emergence of Boris Johnson as prime minister have settled the debate. It is now a foregone conclusion that Britain will leave Europe. British leaders themselves are aware that Brexit will come with consequences. Already, several major firms are relocating to continental Europe. Capital worth more than $770 billion is forecast to be haemorrhaged out of the City of London. It has, therefore, become imperative for Britain to cultivate new business and trading partners. The obvious suspects are the United States and the older Commonwealth Dominions of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the virgin territories of Africa. I did my doctoral work on European politics and economics. Brexit has been one of the biggest surprises of my career as a global something. It is time for everyone of us to decide that we really can make a difference”. He is absolutely right. We have to make a difference. I sincerely believe Nigerians can and will come to the rescue of these kids for the sake of humanity and posterity. In addition to what the vice president said, I believe before we transit to the great beyond, it doesn’t really matter your The Federal Government must do all within its powers to bring this Boko Haram “joke” to an end earthly possessions or the huge amount of money you have in both your local and foreign bank accounts but it is all about the legacy you leave behind that is what you will be remembered for so many years when you are gone. Also speaking at the occasion, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote challenged wealthy Nigerians to donate to charitable causes. He restated an earlier promise he made to donate a large chunk of his wealth to charity before his transition. The children must not be blamed for the unfortunate situation they have found themselves. You can make the difference. When you give to save the lives of these Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com analyst. I spent five years in Brussels as chief of staff of the 79-member African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, APC, an intergovernmental body that has treaty agreements covering trade, finance and development cooperation with the EU. I have worked closely with colleagues in the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. I have first-hand understanding of European institutions and their workings. We never really expected Brexit to become a reality, despite the uncouth ranting of Eurosceptics like Nigel Farage in the gilded chambers of the European parliament. With the benefit of hindsight, however, we ought to have seen it coming. There is, in the heart of Europe, a bureaucratic beast that has no soul and no spirit. The beast speaks a strange bureaucratic language anchored on the idiom of power without accountability. It is the kind of language that was bound, sooner or later, to grate with the recalcitrant island dwellers of Britain that fought a bitter war to save Europe from Hitler and the Nazis. Having never been conquered since Roman times, the Anglo-Saxon Britons will forever be suspicious of any supranational scheme that may eventually result in a surrender of their sovereignty and hard-won liberties. The London summit was not without its critics. Civil society groups picketed outside the Docklands Intercontinental - the venue of the event - with banners such as, “Stop the New Scramble for Africa” and “No to Empire 2.0”. An academic the School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS, lamented that, “British politicians have long used Africa as a space into which to project a sense of personality of moral purpose, particularly at times of drift or crisis at home. This imageprojection often disguises a paucity of ideas”. As the leading economy on the continent, Nigeria ought to assume leadership in driving British-African business relations. The opportunities are immense. malnourished children, God, who sees in secret will reward you openly. The claim by the Boko Haram sect that Western education is a sin or taboo should be completely discarded. The whole idea in life is to get education since it will shape and prepare individuals for the globalised digital 21st century. Without education, man is completely empty upstairs and as such useless so to speak. It shouldn’t matter where the education is coming from be it Western, Eastern, Southern or Northern as long as it is acquired. It doesn’t stop anyone from practising whatever religion he or she chooses. No fewer than 35,000 people have been reportedly killed since 2009 when the Boko Harm insurgency became active in the North East. About 1.8 million people have been internally displayed while 7.1million people are in need of humanitarian assistance spanning the three ravaged states in the North East. Also, 230,000 people have fled to neighbouring states of Chad, Niger and Cameroon. The Federal Government must do all within its powers to bring this “joke” to an end. The military high command should examine how Boko Haram obtain their food and ammunition supplies? By and large, I dare say that when this evil eventually stops, then we shall heave a sigh of relief. Now and until then, please remember, we must save the children. •Adaka, a social commentator, wrote from Port Harcourt C M Y K
Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 — 33 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 Obaseki lifts suspension on Egor LG Chairman ANNIVERSARY: From Left: Mrs. Bukola Bodunyefa, GM. Marketing Operations, GDM Group, Mr. Victor Afolabi, Founder, GDM Group, Olusegun Fafore, Executive Assistant, New Media&Public Relations to Lagos State Gov. and Mrs. Omolabake Yussuff, COO. GDM Group, during the unveiling of the GDM Group new Logo to mark 10 years anniversary in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: KEHINDE SHONOLA. Your pipelines are obsolete, causing spills — Rivers community tells NAOC By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT— A group, Egbema in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, have alleged that most of the facilities used by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, in their operations have outlived their time and required to be changed. This was just as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, has been commended for moving to resolve differences between it and host community. The communities spoke in Port Harcourt, weekend, after a meeting convened by NOSDRA to resolve the issues of the Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, on a spill that occurred on a facility belonging to Agip in October last year. Speaking, the President of Ogbakor Egbe- Akwa Ibom re-run: Ekong reassures commitment to constituents’ welfare By Chioma Onuegbu U YO—CANDIDATE of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, and member-elect for Ikot Ekpene/ Essien Udim and Obot Akara Federal Constituency in the last Saturday re-run election held in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Mr. Nsikak Ekong has reassured his commitment to his constituents’ welfare. Ekong, in a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Uyo, ma, Francis Igubike, alleged that facility used by NAOC in their operations have outlived their time, calling for intervention. He said: “We are here to preach peace and unity in Egbema. There has not been agreement between the community Cultivate habit of thanksgiving to God — Okowa tells politicians By Festus Ahon A SABA—DELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, told politicians in the country to cultivate the habit of thanking God irrespective of their political gains. Speaking at Evwreni during the thanksgiving ceremony of a former member representing Ughelli North Local Government Constituency I, specially thanked the people of the council for standing for the truth and coming out in their numbers to affirm their stance for what is right and just. His words, “To you my beloved constituents, thank you so much for demonstrating again that you trust and believe in me. Thank you for desiring progress, unity and prosperity of this constituency. “All the obstacles and barriers that halted our march to a new constituency where everybody matters and Agip. “If nobody has tampered with the system, this is the right time we will get a better JIV. When this thing happened that place was seriously flooded. This spill could have been as a result of equipment failure. A lot of their equipment at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Marierie, held at Saint Paul Anglican Church, Okowa said: “Politicians think it is only when you win election or you are given a political appointment that you thank God but that is wrong. “The Bible told us in Psalms 100:4 that in everything we should give God thanks. Whether you win election or not, you should give God thanks. regardless of social standing have been removed hence paving the way for me to give you that effective representation you’ve always yearned for. Nsikak Ekong who polled a total of 45,366 votes while Emman Akpan of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), scored a total of 22,759 stressed that the unprecedented solidarity and support of his constituents during the re-run has given him the belief that the people will always stand by him even in moments of trials. have outlived their time.” However, Pastor Evaristus Nicholas, the Leader of Egbema Voice of Freedom commended NOS- DRA for the intervention, regretting that three months after the spill JIV has not been carried out. That is why I’m commending and congratulating my brother, Samuel Marierie today (yesterday) for remembering to return to thank God. “As a two term member of the Delta State House of Assembly, he has served the state and his constituency very well and it is deserving of giving God thanks. I will urge all politicians to always imbibe the attitude of giving God thanks no matter the situation.” Okowa also rejoiced with the Most Revd. Cyril Odutemu, the Bishop of Ughelli Dioceses of the Nigerian Anglican Communion on his recent elevation as the position Archbishop of Bendel province. In his remarks, Marierie, said he was thanking God for his political journey so far, noting that “but for the grace of God I would not have achieved anything in life or gotten to the position I occupy in the society. I thank all those who have come to join me in thanking God”. By Gabriel Enogholase B ENIN—GOVER NOR Godwin Obasekiof Edo State has lifted the suspension on the Chairman of Egor Local Government Area, Ms. Eghe Ogbemudia. In a statement in Benin, yesterday, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the suspension was lifted after an investigative panel cleared Ms. Ogbemudia of the accusations that led to her suspension. Recall that the council chairman was suspended after several petitions were written against her by officials of the council, alleging financial misappropriation and UPU backs Amotekun as security outfit U GHELLI—THE APEX body of the Urhobo Nation, Urhobo Progress Union, (UPU), has expressed its support for Amotekun, the security outfit being put together by the South West to combat rising insecurity within the region. In a statement from the office of the President General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, “Amotekun is a response to the current security challenges in the South West. Amotekun is meant to help the federal government combat insecurity in the land. The baby should not be thrown away with the bath water because Amotekun is needed. Alubeze enrolls 38 pupils for first sch leaving certificate LEADER, BURUTU Council Legislative Arm of Delta State, Mr. Joseph Alubeze, has defrayed the cost of 38 pupils enrolled for first school leaving certificate, just as he donated educational aids to improve the teaching and learning of Ijaw language in Ngbile Primary School, in Kiagbodo Community. Alubeze, while presenting the audiovisual aids to the school head teacher during the Ngbile Primary School 13th Inter-House Sport, athletic competition, also disclosed that in the past three years, he has been assisting parents pay for their wards financial commitment for enrolling abuse of power. Also, a number of local council chairmen have been suspended, with some of those who were found culpable of financial misdeeds replaced over a year ago. “The cases brought against her have been reviewed and she has been cleared of the allegations, thus, her reinstatement. She is to resume office immediately,” Osagie said. He said the reinstatement would provide her the opportunity to continue in re positioning the local council area in line with the vision of Obaseki-led administration of efficient management of the councils on the principles of probity and people-driven development. Amotekun’s target are criminals, not a religious or ethnic groups. Criminality knows no ethnicity.” UPU urged the South West to “continue to dialogue with the federal government to smoothen the rough edges. The Urhobo Progress Union fully aligns with the ideals of Amotekun.” The union therefore, called on the South South, especially the government of Delta State, to study what the south west has done and the ongoing dialogue with the federal government so that the region, especially Delta State, could set up a similar security outfit to support the police to combat insecurity. for their first school certificate. He noted that he was poised to ensure that pupils of school age in Kiagbodo community were given the basic and secondary education. Alubeze, urged the school head teacher and staff to make judicious use of the aids and protects the equipment from vandals. Speaking further, Alubeze commended the Delta State Government for its policy on compulsory school sports activities, stating the policy of government would continue to yield fruits as young talents would be discovered and developed.
Page 1 and 2: C M Y K Visa ban'll affect vulnerab
Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
Page 17 and 18: As Supreme Court goes on trial IHAV
Page 19 and 20: CBN moves to plug $2.5bn gap in tom
Page 25 and 26: Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 , 202
Page 27 and 28: Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 , 202
Page 29 and 30: Crisis looms in troubled Delta king
Page 31: Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
Page 39 and 40: As part of efforts to guarantee the
Page 43 and 44: VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
Page 47 and 48: How Kobe Bryant's doomed helicopter

28012020

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?