Lawan praises Buni’s accomplishments in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

The President of the Ninth Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan PhD, GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District, has said that since assuming office on May 29th, 2019, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Rt. Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has spearheaded significant accomplishments that have transformed the socio-economic fortunes of Yobe State.

The former Senate President maintained that one of his notable achievements lies in the realm of governance transparency, where he has implemented measures to enhance accountability and public trust.

“In making this a reality, Governor Buni strengthened the Yobe State Bureau of Public Procurement established in 2007 by the Public Procurement Act to promote transparency in government contracting, ensuring that contracts are awarded based on merit and that public funds are utilized efficiently.

According to Senator Lawan, as a prudent manager of resources, Governor Buni’s diligence as an astute administrator won Yobe State the World Bank’s overall top performer award on State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) in Nigeria.

“His impactful leadership positioned the state as a trailblazer in due process and transparency when it comes to the conduct of government business and application of public funds, Senator Lawan added.

He maintained that the Buni-led administration has adopted transparency mechanisms that guide the implementation of a biometric payroll system to eliminate ghost workers and streamline the state’s wage bill.

The president of the 9th Senate revealed that these initiatives have strengthened public finances and instilled a culture of accountability within the government.

Lawan praises Buni’s accomplishments in Yobe

ECOWAS Court Orders ₦10 Million in Compensation in favour of Nigerian Student for Human Rights Violations

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has held the Federal Republic of Nigeria accountable for the unlawful detention and mistreatment of Nigerian student Glory Okolie.

The Court in a ruling on Thursday awarded ₦10 Million in compensation and issued directives to safeguard human rights.

The case arose from the detention of Glory Okolie on 13 June 2021, by Nigerian police authorities without judicial authorization.

According to the Applicants, Okolie, along with One Love Foundation and Incorporated Trustees of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, she was denied access to legal counsel, subjected to forced labor, and physically abused during her detention.

The Applicants argued that these actions breached several human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, seeking declarations, reparations, and a cessation of Nigeria’s unlawful conduct.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria refuted the claims, citing Okolie’s alleged connection to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed group linked to terrorist activities. The Respondent justified her detention as a matter of national security.

In the Judgment delivered by Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, the Judge Rapporteur, the Court found that Okolie’s prolonged detention without judicial authorization contravened Article 7 of the African Charter, violating her right to a fair trial. The Court also found that her deprivation of liberty, absent legal justification, breached Article 6 of the African Charter. Therefore, it ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compensate Glory Okolie by paying her ₦10 million for the violations she suffered. It also ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to cease the harassment, ensuring non-repetition of such acts.

Meanwhile, The Court dismissed the claims of the co-applicant NGOs for procedural reasons.

The three-member panel of the Court were Honourable Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves (presiding judge and judge rapporteur), Honourable Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma (panel member), and Honourable Justice Edward Amoako Asante (Panel member).

ECOWAS Court Orders ₦10 Million in Compensation in favour of Nigerian Student for Human Rights Violations

NEC Moves To End Grid Collapse, Sets Up Committee On National Electrification

*** Private sector distributed renewable energy generation vital to increasing electricity access – VP Shettima

*** States’ position on state police due next council meeting

By: Our Reporter

The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to reinforce implementation of the National Electrification Strategy in a bid to end the collapse of the nation’s power grid.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima who is Chairman of NEC told members of the Council that access to energy is a fundamental right and not a privilege because electricity is the oxygen of economic growth.

Accordingly, the Council has constituted a committee on National Electrification to help address the challenges in the power sector.

The formation of the committee was among decisions taken by NEC at the end of its 146th meeting on Thursday chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The committee headed by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, is to work towards deepening states’ engagements within the Electricity Reform Act 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.

Following a presentation by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), NEC observed that Nigeria needs a reformed and diversified electricity system, noting that by empowering states, accessibility and affordability of electricity can be enabled, ensuring that all regions effectively meet their specific energy needs.

Members of the committee include Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

Others are Ministers of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu; Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change; Special Adviser to the President on Power; Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

Earlier in his address, Vice President Shettima maintained that access to energy is a fundamental right and not a privilege because electricity is the oxygen of economic growth.

He outlined issues before the Council that require urgent attention to include energy infrastructure, human capital development, creative industries, fiscal strategy, industrial innovation, and long-term development planning, describing them as foundational to the transformation Nigeria needs.

VP Shettima explained that it is for this that experts and stakeholders from some of the critical sectors have been invited to share their insights and contributions.

He stated: “The past few months of collapses in our national power grid compel us to reinforce the pace with which we are adopting and implementing the National Electrification Strategy. Energy access is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the oxygen of economic growth.

“Our blueprints must, therefore, strive to expand access, empower rural communities, and drive productivity, especially for MSMEs. I hope that our discussions today will inspire solutions to light up homes, power businesses, and fuel Nigeria’s industrial future.

“Whatever path we agree upon, it is clear that a private-sector-led distributed renewable energy generation approach is essential to increasing electricity access for households and small enterprises alike”.

The Vice President also urged the Council to take Nigeria’s creative industry seriously, saying it presents an avenue to redefine the nation’s economic trajectory.

According to him, “new technologies have not only amplified the global appeal of our arts, crafts, and culture but also opened up revenue streams and job opportunities for Nigerians.

“Our music, films, art, and cultural heritage are not just global symbols of Nigeria’s soft power but also vital engines of economic growth. We cannot afford to relegate the promise of turning creativity into wealth, empowering our youth, and positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovation and cultural excellence,” he added.

Meanwhile, the position of states on state police will be ready by the next NEC meeting.

Deliberating on the updated submission on the establishment of state police, Council mandated states that were yet to make their submissions on the subject matter should comply within the next one week to enable NEC to come up with a unanimous position on state police at the next meeting.

Other highlights of the meeting include:

PRESENTATION BY THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION ON ACCOUNT BALANCES UPDATE AS AT 20TH NOVEMBER, 2024

Excess Crude Account – $473,754.57

Stabilization Account – N33,324,135,076.39

Natural Resources Account – N26,847,747,874.93

PRESENTATION ON SPECIAL AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING ZONES BY THE SAPZs NATIONAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, DR KABIR YUSUF

The programme is currently being implemented at varying stages in 8 States of the federation namely; Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and FCT, under phase 1 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.

Under the second phase, a total of 24 States were visited by the selection team to assess their readiness for the programme. The implementation model is a government and private sector-led (SPV) arrangement hence, discussions are underway to partner with private developers & co-financiers on the project estimated to cost about $1 billion.

The SAPZ coordinating office is working out a multi-tranche financing arrangement to accommodate additional States over the next 3 years. It is structured in three tranches.

Prayers:

· Provision of intervention funds for each State’s ATC to boost production.

· Office of the VP to use its convening power in obtaining additional co-financing for the SAPZ phase 2 (SAPZ-2) States.

· Fast-tracking of the BADEA $300m multi-tranche financing for SAPZ-2 by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Resolution:

Council urged states to key into the programme and noted that the SAPZ will be a game-changer if states give it the necessary support and consideration.

States to hold a special meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and the SAPZ management to address issues and requests made in the presentation by the SAPZ management.

PRESENTATION ON THE NEW NIGERIA SOVEREIGN INVESTMENT AUTHORITY (NSIA) GOVERNING COUNCIL

A presentation by the Minister of Finance requested NEC to ratify the nomination of persons to serve as chairman and members of the governing council of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

Members of the Council, when appointed, shall have the opportunity to raise questions of and give counsel to the Board and Management of the Authority.

Council Resolution:

Council commended the management of NSIA and recognised the importance of the fund towards investment in critical sectors of the economy.

Council consequently approved NSIA’s request to onboard First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) as an alternate custodian.

A presentation by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) showed the agency’s latest innovations and strategic initiatives including products like a solar irrigation pump, electric vehicles, coal-based fertilizer, NASENI solar home systems, and smart devices.

States were urged to leverage NASENI’s tailored support for manufacturing, industrial development, and access to public sector markets, alongside infrastructure and policy benefits to enhance economic growth.

In its resolutions, Council directed NASENI to repair tractors and other agricultural machinery across the country and scale up the establishment of lithium battery factories in regions rich in raw materials.

NEC Moves To End Grid Collapse, Sets Up Committee On National Electrification