What Reps Said About Viral ‘Bill’ Seeking Reintroduction Of Regional Govt, Increase Tenure Of President
The House of Representatives has disowned a viral “bill” seeking the reintroduction of regional government among others in Nigeria.
The document which has gone viral on social media was tagged, ‘A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’, the document proposes that Nigeria should return to regional government structure that would be led by a prime minister and his/her cabinet.
The bill also allows for individual ethnic groups to aggregate or disaggregate as provinces, divisions and districts while being in control of their affairs, as well as increase the tenure of the president from four years to 6 renewable term.
Reacting to the document, the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, said there was no such bill before the lower legislative chamber.
“The Committees on Rules and Business and Constitution Review have confirmed that there is no such bill before them,” Rotimi announced.
Similarly, the chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said that the said bill was not before the committee.
He said, “There are two routes to making presentations for constitutional amendments.
“One is by members proposing an amendment bill during the plenary. The second is by memoranda from individuals and groups to the Constitution Review Committee.
“Please, note that memoranda submitted should eventually come by way of bills sponsored by a member of the committee.
“On this specific memo (draft bill) under reference, I doubt if it has come before the Rules and Business Committee for listing. I speak as chairman of the committee”, he said.
1. I am grateful to the leadership of this university for the honour of delivering the 7 & 8th graduation of this great institution. I applaud the Vice Chancellor; the Board of Trustees, and the Faculty for the fine job you have been doing in continuing to raise the image of this institute and the quality of education in Nigeria.
2. It is an honour to speak on an occasion like this in an institution of higher learning named for one of the greatest Nigerians ever, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, first Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who held the office from 1979 to 1983. Dr Ekwueme, GCON, was a man of great learning who received degrees in disciplines as diverse as law, sociology, architecture, town planning, and history; he was at home with mathematics and Latin. He was also enormously cultured and principled. As the panel to probe him headed by Hon. Justice Sampson Uwaifo, then of the Supreme Court, found out, Dr Ekwueme left office with far fewer financial resources and assets than when he joined the government. A successful entrepreneur, Dr Ekwueme was the first person to build a standard hotel in the 1980s in Abakaliki, which was to become the capital of Ebonyi State in 1996. The hotel proved immensely useful, particularly in the early Ebonyi days.
3. Most people don’t seem to know that Dr Ekwueme played a pivotal role in my involvement in developing the Nigerian power sector. When the defunct National
Electric Power Authority (NEPA) wanted to construct a 330KV transmission line from the Shiroro Hydro Plant to Katamkpe in Abuja, it needed an emergency power supply for the two years the construction would last. Dr. Ekwueme went to then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Ph.D, and convinced him to give a team of Nigerian engineers led by me the chance to build a 22Megawatt Emergency Power Plant in Abuja that would guarantee supply of 15MW. The plant was built in record time and commissioned by then-Vice President, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON 2001. The emergency plant was initially scheduled to run for two years, but it operated for 2 years 4 months. During this period, it supplied electricity to the corporate headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Secretariat, the entire Central Business District of Abuja, and State House because of the deteriorating power crisis in Nigeria.
5. The topic you asked me to speak on today, Opportunities and Challenges in the Nigerian Electric Power Sector, is socially relevant. Nigeria currently generates less than 5,00MW for a nation of over 200 million, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Even so, the transmission network often cannot transport the paltry amount of energy generated due to its fragility.The distribution network is also in a poor state.
6. In contrast, Egypt produces over 59,500 MW, and the level of power keeps on rising. South Africa’s 56,000 MW for its almost 60million people, less than a third of Nigeria’s, has long proved grossly inadequate; it has been experiencing load shedding. For Nigeria to become a middle-income economy, it has to generate and effectively transmit and distribute at least 100,000MW within the foreseeable future. This will mean tremendous employment and business opportunities for millions of people.
7. The Aba Integrated Power Project (Aba IPP) is made up of two NERC licensed companies: Geometric Power Aba Limited (GPAL) which has the 188MW power plant with a 27 kilometer 12inch gage gas pipeline and APLE Electric Limited (popularly known as Aba Power) which is the distribution part of the project. Following the commissioning of the Aba IPP at its headquarters at the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba on Monday, 26 February, 2024, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, interest in how the private sector can drive power development in Nigeria has grown appreciably. Nigerians now feel that constant, reliable, quality, and affordable electricity throughout Nigeria is doable, as in Mauritius, Egypt, Botswana, Algeria, and Morocco.
8. I would like to use this opportunity to publicly thank the government and people of this great nation for their solidarity with Geometric Power Limited, the owner of the Aba Integrated Power Project. Very few things in our recent national history have united our people as their support for the Aba Independent Power Project in the days leading to the commissioning and after the event. We truly appreciate the confidence in us and in the Nigerian possibility. The support is comparable to the nationalism and patriotism we see anytime any of the Nigerian national football teams play a foreign team. There is still hope for our dear nation, although the Aba Power Project, originally scheduled for completion within three years, was commissioned a whole 20 years later.
9. There are greater opportunities in the power sector than ever. The 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSRA) ended the Federal Government monopoly in the sector.
The 2023 Electric Power Amendment Act, which amends the 2005 EPSR Act, enables states to create their own electricity regulatory commissions. Some states have already set up their own commissions. However, here is a word of caution: the electricity business is very expensive and also highly technical. It costs between $1.3m and $1.5m to produce a megawatt from a gas-powered plant, which is the cheapest. This doesn’t include the cost of installing evacuation and distribution infrastructure for the generated power or the cost of O&M and staffing to operate the thermal plant 24 hours a day. The Geometric Power Group spent almost $800m to build the Aba IPP including new substations and powerlines to distribute power to nine of the 17 local government areas (LGAs) in Abia State which we serve, as well as the 27-kilometre natural gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State to the Osisioma
10. Industrial Layout. This is the largest single investment in the Southeast. How much power does a state need? Some can make do with 100MW or less, but some require anywhere from 150 MW to 1000MW. How many states can afford the huge amount required? If the source of electricity is solar, coal, hydro, or wind, it will be far more expensive. How will the states source the funds? Who are likely to be the off-takers or end-users? Can they pay the commercial rates? Akwa Ibom and Rivers states have built their own power plants, but what is their experience? Obviously, not so flattering. Must state governments that build power plants manage them and the distribution network?
11. Since the Nigerian government has not been effective and efficient in managing businesses in the last few decades, it should concentrate on providing an enabling environment, including making the necessary laws, rules, and regulations as well as policies guiding electricity development.
12. All LGs and state governments in Nigeria plus the Federal Government collectively have a 40% in each of the distribution companies (DisCOs) privatized in 2013. They have not earned dividends from the investments since the privatization. They should divest completely from them. As has been stated many times, electricity is a value chain business. A chain is as strong as the weakest link. Contrary to perceived wisdom, the electricity value chain does not start from power generation but what is called fuel to power, that is, the sources of power like natural gas, hydro, coal, the solar, wind, nuclear, hydrogen, etc. The source must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
13. I recently called for a state of emergency in the gas sector. I hereby reiterate the call for the emergency. All thermal power plants in the country which account for almost 80% of the country’s electricity are going through a very difficult period because of inadequate gas supply. This is a supreme irony. Nigeria has proven gas reserves of 206.53 trillion cubic feet of gas, with estimated recoverable gas put at 139.4TCF. This makes Nigeria a rich gas province with sprinkles of crude oil since the crude available is only 37.1 billion barrels. If the acute gas shortages are not addressed soon with the required sincerity of purpose by stakeholders, the country will face more severe power shortages.The Public Good, Not Private Agendas
14. One thing that has bedeviled the electric power sector is the lack of policy consistency. This lack has awful consequences. President Obasanjo established the NIPP to fast-track electricity development and devoted a fortune to it. However, on coming to power in 2007,
President Umaru Yar’Adua suspended it. By the time President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office in 2010 and brought it back to life subsequently, a lot of things had gone wrong. For instance, work was suspended for years on numerous generation, transmission, and distribution projects. The clearing of electricity goods at the seaports had been abandoned. The payment of contractors had been suspended. The demurrage incurred at the ports was not payable, so I had to work with President Jonathan, the Minister of Finance, and the Customs leadership to find a way out of the conundrum.
15. Here is another instance of policy inconsistency, or what Nigerians famously call policy somersault. Immediately I resigned as the Minister of Power on 28 August 2012, rumours began to fly around that I owned Manitoba Hydro Company of Canada. The government consequently announced the cancellation of Manitoba’s contract with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), though it later reversed itself. A team was nevertheless dispatched to Canada to bring evidence that I owned the firm, only to discover that Manitoba Hydro is a state-owned enterprise that belongs to the government of Manitoba State, known as the Province of Manitoba in Canada. The company was set up in 1961 when I was only five years old!
16. Yet another example of policy summersault is the key financing instrument which Dr. Okonjo Iweala and I developed to support power development in Nigeria without costing the Government a fortune. The development of the electric power sector has been stalled for years because of the suspension of Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) to support power purchase agreements (PPAs). It was this instrument that enabled the emergence of the 461MW Azura-Edo Power Plant in Edo State. With the partial risk guarantee (PRG), a private firm can have the comfort of building a power plant knowing that an institution like the World Bank is providing such instrument to shore-up the payment of the distribution companies. I understand the financial implications to the country if it fails to meet its obligations to the GenCo, however these concerns should be addressed in the terms and conditions of the legal contract/Agreement, rather than halt the progress of the electricity generation sector totally. As things are now, no private sector investor will be attracted to invest in the electricity sector in Nigeria despite the enormous potential the market has if there is no bankable guarantee instrument. The key driver to unlock the power sector for investors is availability of credible and creditworthy off takers. We need innovative solutions that would provide the requisite comfort for potential investors and financiers in Nigeria’s power sector.
17. A fourth example of policy inconsistency is that I was able to secure the approval of the Federal Executive Council to build a 765KV national Supergrid. It was meant to radically improve power transmission in the country. But the moment l left, the project was abandoned, as though it were my personal enterprise. The nation thus lost a golden opportunity to address its perennial transmission problem significantly. I am glad that the current Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, is reviving the Supergrid project.
18. Now, the last example of policy somersault. The Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) was set up under my chairmanship by President Jonathan who also appointed me his Special Adviser on Power. Made up of a fine team of accomplished and dedicated Nigerians from both the private and public sectors, it operated in an agile manner, free of the bureaucracy and hierarchy of the civil service. It was an immense source of ideas and human resources when I became the Minister of Power in July 2011. The members share the credit of our achievements. Yet, it was scrapped after I left office for reasons I have yet to understand.
19. The cause of all this inconsistency was the absence of commitment to the public good. Personal agendas overrode public interest. Phenomena like this come with costs. Organizations that displayed a keen interest in the power reform sector, particularly the privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets developed cold feet. Jeff Immelt, then-global chairman of General Electric, the most capitalised company in the world then and the world’s biggest electricity manufacturing firm, flew directly from the United States to the Ministry of Power, his first visit to Nigeria, to see how GE could work with Nigeria to develop the power sector. Key government and corporate organizations in the United States, Germany and Brazil signed MoUs with Nigeria to develop the power sector. There were always teams of international media like The New York Times, Financial Times of London, The Economist, etc, in the Ministry of Power. But with the inconsistencies they saw in public policy, they failed to participate in the privatization of the power sector in 2013. All Nigerians are today the casualties.
Conclusion
20. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a chance to transform Nigeria for good. Our people do not ask for handouts. They like to work for their keep. But they can only work within the confines of the environment they live. These confines are defined by the infrastructure we provide to them. Can you imagine what our ingenious people will do if they suddenly have good roads, healthcare with a good drug industry, a good communication system, reliable, quality electricity, and reliable finance sources? Then the making of the African Tiger can commence. It is in the best interest of each of us to see that we play our role in providing this empowering environment.
21. Let us enable our very bright people to unleash their creative instincts so that tomorrow will be magnificent; so that we can join the small train of mighty emerging nations of the world; so that Africa can heroically have something to show for itself as the cradle of civilization. But more importantly, so that we live a higher quality life in our own society with our cultural values intact. So that generations unborn will look at our effort and be proud to have been our descendants: the descendants of visionary people who laid the foundation for leap-frogging our people into productive modernity.
22. Before I round up, a word of advice for the graduating students of this great Federal University. One of the key success enablers for a university graduate is your disposition for getting rewarded for your education and experience
23. You should understand that the reason why Obama became the President of America is because he sacrificed. After Harvard Law School where he was the first Black person to be editor of the famous Harvard Law Review, he had over 600 highly lucrative job offers. He turned them all down. Instead, he went to Chicago to work as a community organizer, earning perhaps 10 times less than what he would have earned from those jobs. But then, he became the President of America and none of his classmates stood a chance of comparing to him on the world stage. When he was done serving the public, he could have surpassed his classmates in income, if he so chose.
24. Finally, when our students graduate from universities, they normally look for jobs. Only very few think of creating employment for themselves and others. Entrepreneurship is a major enabler for economic expansion in the developed and emerging worlds. We have not been quite successful in Nigeria in stimulating young minds to engage themselves in self-motivated initiatives that can lead to the sustainment of their livelihood and potentially others. I believe that high-quality education, especially in any professional endeavor, can lead to entrepreneurship, be it in Accountancy, Medicine, Law, Engineering, the Arts, etc. In the field of technology, we all know the story of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, the Yahoo Founders: Jerry Yang and David Filo; as well as the Facebook creators, Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, and Chris Hughes. All became stupendously wealthy as young students or graduates like yourselves, determined to solve a problem and in so doing, create new ways of doing things in the world. They were courageous. They believed in themselves. I believe that many of you have similar characteristics but may not have come to an understanding that you can do the same. I challenge you to think about this.
25. One way to ensure that you are making the right contribution if you are lucky to find a job or to be part of the creation of the company is to always ask yourself; “What value do I bring to this enterprise? How does what I bring impact my organization, my society, and the humanity of people in my country or even Africa?” Do not ask, “How do I maximize my personal benefit from the value I bring to this enterprise?” Resist the temptation to be a hawk in a field full of chicks.
26. Like the fountain of spring water from a rock, go out there and be a fountain of great ideas and solutions where your rock is the pillar of integrity. Ask yourself how can I be part of doing something great that significantly and positively impacts my society? How can I balance living well and doing good deeds? How can I stand out among my peers so that those who follow me will say, “I want to be like him.”
27. Go out there and be a shining example of what Nigeria and Africa can give to the world. Become part of a movement that will drop Nigeria from the list of the most corrupt nations in the world. Be a game changer. Change your world as many young Africans are already doing. Become the reason why Nigeria will be an industrial economy. Give something of yourself to society without expecting much in return. Refuse to be mediocre. Become an asset rather than a liability.
28. Once more, I congratulate the graduating students on finding the fortitude to make it through your courses and emerge victorious.
I congratulate your parents, uncles, brothers, sisters, mentors, etc who supported you through the period you were soaking up knowledge here. Finally, I congratulate the faculty and staff on minting you into a self-directed weapon ready to strike the world market for positive good. Well done!
29. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let us think of Tomorrow that will be better than today. Let us not be discouraged by the inadequacies of our time. Let us rise to the challenge of experiment and creativity that today’s circumstances demand. I believe that we can do it if we set our minds to it.I thank you for listening
The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, a civil society organization composed of legal practitioners, has declared its intention to file a lawsuit at the Federal High Court to contest the recently enacted National Anthem Act, 2024.
The legislation, which was signed into law on Tuesday, reinstated the former national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, which the organization seeks to challenge through legal action
ALDRAP, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Secretary, Tonye Jaja, announced its decision and argued that the law’s enactment did not comply with the necessary constitutional requirements, rendering it unconstitutional.
The statement read, “The lawsuit would be challenging the National Anthem Act, 2024, because of the following reasons:
“No public hearing was held before the said legislation was enacted as required under Section 60 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
“Members of the public were not invited to make their contributions, as was done when the other National Anthem was enacted in the year 1978.
“There was no letter of transmission of the said Bill from the President to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly.
“The expenditures associated with the National Anthem Act, 2024 (which was done on 29th May 2024 and on other dates) are not captured in the Budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Act, 2024 (as can be attested to by the Accountant-General of the Federation) and therefore the said National Anthem Act, 2024, should be declared illegal.”
According to ALDRAP, the National Anthem Act, 2024, should be declared null and void due to its impracticality and potential to cause financial strain on citizens.
The group noted that the financial burden of implementing the new national anthem would include costs such as man-hours, updating official documents, and other related expenses.
The group argued that these costs would be too high for ordinary citizens to bear, especially without a corresponding increase in income
Stating the grounds for the lawsuit, the statement added, “Attorney-General of Bendel State vs. Attorney-General of the Federation (1981) is the major grounds of our application: any law that fails to comply with each stage of the legislative procedures of lawmaking as prescribed under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, would be declared null and void and of no effect.”
The respondents in the case include the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and several other government officials.
Tinubu signed the National Anthem Act, 2024, into law on May 29, effectively reinstating the former national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, as the country’s official national anthem.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Chioma Okoli, a lady facing trial for purportedly giving a negative review on Facebook for a tomato paste manufactured by Erisco Foods.
The trial judge, Peter Lifu admitted Mrs Okoli to bail in the sum of N5million and two sureties in like sum one of whom is her spouse, with June 13 now scheduled for trial.
Chioma Okoli was arraigned on Tuesday, May 28 on two counts of alleged conspiracy and cyberstalking levelled against her by the Inspector General of Police. This is a case which is at the instance of Eric Omeofia CEO of Erisco Foods, who had alleged in 2023 that the alleged negative product review negatively impacted his business.
Following her arraignment where she denied any wrongdoing, Okoli was remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre till Friday.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who’s the counsel to Okoli has hailed the decision of the judge to grant his client bail on “liberal terms.” And he says efforts are on to perfect the bail conditions to ensure she returns home to her family.
Effiong had previously told the court that his client suffered miscarriage in the course of the case and eventually lost her baby.
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1470 and sell at N1490 on Wednesday 29th May 2024, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN)
Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate
N1470
Selling Rate
N1490
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN)
CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate
N1329
Selling Rate
N1330
Please note that the rates you buy or sell forex may be different from what is captured in this article because prices vary.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, has said that his administration is not interested in going into unnecessary confrontation with the promoters of the May 30 sit- at- home in honour of those killed during the Nigeria civil war.
The Governor who spoke with Vanguard in Umuahia, said that people had right to mourn their dead ones.
Gov. Otti who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said that Government was in touch with schools to ensure that students currently sitting for the West African Examination Council, WAEC, exams in the state were not adversely affected.
He said that Government was engaging with all the actors to ensure that the academic interest of the WAEC candidates were not hurt.
He said:” Government is in touch with all the schools affected to see what could be done so that WAEC exams are not disrupted. We are in touch with schools on how to handle the situation.
” We are not interested in unnecessary confrontation with the people who are appealing for sit- at-home in honour of their dead ones. They have every right to mourn their own especially going by the history of that war.
” It’s something we shouldn’t politicise. It was an emotional period when we remember the genocidal onslaught. We don’t have any interest confronting those who are asking people to observe that moment of honour for those who were victims of the genocidal war.
” It’s something we are handling with wisdom and diplomacy. We are engaging with all the actors that are involved. We are putting measures in place that Government may not want to make public.
Today marks the 57th Anniversary of the emergence of the Republic of Biafra in the comity of nations.
On the solemn day of 30th May 1967, the Consultative Assembly from the then Eastern Nigeria, unanimously affirmed the right to self-determination of their indigenous population to be identified as Biafra with their millennial name Biafra.
The flag of the Republic of Biafra consisting of a horizontal tricolour of red, black, and green, charged with a golden rising sun over a golden bar was mounted to be suppressed no more. It also inspired the rhyme of the national anthem: “Land of the Rising Sun”. The motto of the republic is “Peace, Unity and Freedom”.
Why do the Republic of Biafra anthem has classical music symphony ? Apparently and often overlooked. But in reality there is a deep reason. Republic of Biafra anthem text Land of the Rising Sun, was composed on the notes of the Finlandia symphony written by Jan Sibelius in 1899 to celebrate the independence of Finland from Russia. The text of the anthem was written by Nnamdi Azikiwe, first president of Nigeria. In short the resistance of Biafra against Nigeria with her colonial and post-colonial cronies in collaboration with allied international powers resembles the victorious struggle of Finland against tsarist Russia.
The right of self-determination in international law is the legal right for ‘people’ to ascertain their sovereignty by a legitimate process.
The Right of Self-Determination as of then was only anchored in the United Nations Charter, which states in Chapter 1 Article 1 Part 2 that the purposes of the UN is ” to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples”. This has been reaffirmed in UN successive Resolutions and Declarations. African Union Charter on human rights came into force later on 27 June 1981.
Biafra is the first nation of the world that put into effect this act of the universal declaration of human rights. Though similar event previously happened in Katanga from 11 July 1960 to 15 January 1963 and South Kasai from 9 August till 5 October 1962 then Belgium colonies but was only in the form of shifting of powers and territories. Biafra was muscled down by colonial and post colonial cronies contrary to Bagnlandesh that she shares similarities with which had her independence on 26 March 1971.
Nigeria declared war against the Republic of Biafra on the 6th of July 1967 aberrant to any peaceful negotiation and dialogue in what it deceitful coded as ‘police action’.
Biafra was drawn into an unprepared war and she fought for survival and for the true independence of Africa as rightly noted by Biafran Statesman and world reknown writer Chinua Achebe. It stood out as the first challenge against post colonialism – a net fracture and radical refute of ugly deceit of colonial and postcolonial boundaries. Unfortunately it resulted to a tragedy of world relevance.
Late Gen Odimeqwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the first Head of State of the Republic of Biafra pinpointed massacre and genocide of innocent Biafran people as the core reason why Biafrans needed to have and defend a homeland for survival. In an address to the Organization of African Unity on 5 August 1968, he accused the Nigerian military dictatorial government of waging a ‘genocidal war’ against Biafra, and argued that it was ‘appalling’ that ‘this palpable genocide is being openly financed and directed by major non-African powers whose interest in the event is the economic and political advantage of their own countries’ .
African statesmen Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Omar Bongo of Gabon and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia clearly stood behind Biafra and condemned this African tragedy.
True images of genocidal crimes against Biafran children denuded, de-nutrited dying with terrific kwashiorkor epidemics: symbolize how, when and why the world nations failed humanity.
Let’s clarify a point. The recall on genocide and continual atrocities being melted against the people of Biafra is not a call to gain sympathy rather it is redress for justice, which we must seek no matter what it takes. Human sympathy is a duty to all persons of good will; liberty and justice is a right.
Biafra stood out as sacrificial lamb for humanitarianism after the second world war. Biafra travails were made known to the world through the diligent work of Swiss Publicity Agencies – Mark Press.
Bruce Mayrock on 29 May 1969 martyred for the people of Biafra and humanity.
Many personalities, writers and academics were not indifferent over this human tragedy : Graham Greene, Kurt Vonnegut; Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Leslie Aaron Fiedler, Aubery Wanf and Suzanne Cronje authors of Biafra: Britain’s Shame.
Bernard Kouchner (Founder in1971 Medecins sans Frontieres). Daniel Jacobs functionary of UNICEF in his book – The Brutality of Nations – exposed the indifference of U Thant UN Secretary general and international complot against the people of Biafra.
The 1977 additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions were consequent to genocide by starvation against Biafrans. International revulsion at the use of starvation as a mayhem on innocent Biafran children by Nigerian government and cohorts was instrumental in the inclusion of clauses prohibiting starvation as a method of warfare in the 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions.
In recent years, questions on genocide in Biafra have also become topics of academic debates. The Journal of Genocide Research, published by researchers of the International Network of Genocide Scholars, edited a special issue titled “ The Nigeria-Biafra War 1967- 1970: Postcolonial Conflict and the Question of Genocide (XVI, 2-3, 2014).
Republic of Biafra is now in a state of quiescence. Biafra has the appeal of first African political civil rights techno administrative creativity. So much so that her anniversary is still a popular current phenomenon.
Biafra’s political land mark in the comity of nations, despite ‘colonial and post colonial complot’ demonstrated to Africa and the whole world, that there was no human rights more sacrosanct , than right to self-determination when all the other reasons for the survival of a human family has been threatened by an colonial created political union ‘.
It is a duty that this day must be remembered and celebrated by the Biafran families.
Yes, ‘the reason’ why Republic of Biafra must be celebrated annually is still same: the ‘survival of Biafran people’. It has been from the onset legitimately sought by her generations from different perspectives and currently interpreted by the young generation in civil acts of fundamental freedom and liberty.
Biafrans feel the energy and the potential in their own rights as citizens, civil rightist or activist to remember and celebrate this day. It is a moment for the sharing of experiences, reflections and appraisal which if correctly understood and exercised in view of the Nigeria national predicaments is beneficial for our common good.
The recollection of memories by Biafrans home and abroad from all works of life have been essential in the revive of Biafra heritage and legacy that were being negated and cancelled by Nigeria authorities that have been. Equally important have been the experiences handed over by our heroes, heroines and veterans.
Biafran anniversary is also an important moment of unveiling the Biafran values to younger generation Biafrans, friends, well wishers and detractors, such like when it comes to values of nationhood created under the detects of human liberty.
Biafran legitimate defense for self-determination has been one of the best documented in the history of conflicts in Africa. Unfortunately, it has also been the mos t denied and hidden even under threat by Nigeria government and cohorts. Substantial facts and evidence of declassified documents and files from archives are now revealing what transpired, with silence offensiveness engaged by the master-minders and protagonists. Much is still expected and need to be done , as to always remember and not to forget the heinous act against peace loving people of Biafra.
Today marks the 57th anniversary of the emergence of the Republic of Biafra in the comity of nations. On the solemn day of May 30, 1967, the Consultative Assembly from the then Eastern Nigeria unanimously affirmed the right to self-determination of their indigenous population, identifying themselves as Biafran.
The flag of the Republic of Biafra, consisting of a horizontal tricolor of red, black, and green, charged with a golden rising sun over a golden bar, was raised to be suppressed no more. This flag also inspired the national anthem, “Land of the Rising Sun.” The motto of the republic is “Peace, Unity, and Freedom.”
The right to self-determination in international law is the legal right for peoples to ascertain their sovereignty by a legitimate process. At that time, the Right of Self-Determination was anchored in the United Nations Charter, which states in Article 1 (2) that one of the purposes of the UN is “to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.” Biafra and Quebec were the first two entities in the world to put into effect this act of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Biafra was the first African state to grant state pardon to captured Italian citizens, Eni petroleum oil technicians, working in the disputed Biafra territory of Kwale on June 7, 1968. In a recent act of friendship, Vatican Head of State Pope Francis prayed and blessed the people of Biafra.
The 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions were a response to genocide by starvation against Biafrans. International revulsion at the use of starvation as a method of mayhem against innocent Biafran children by the Nigerian government and its cohorts was instrumental in including clauses prohibiting starvation as a method of warfare in these protocols. In recent years, questions about genocide in Biafra have also become topics of academic debates. The Journal of Genocide Research published a special issue titled “The Nigeria-Biafra War 1967-1970: Postcolonial Conflict and the Question of Genocide” (XVI, 2-3, 2014). The true images of genocidal crimes against Biafran children—emaciated, malnourished, and suffering from kwashiorkor—symbolize how and why the world nations failed humanity.
Let’s clarify a point. The recall of genocide and the continual atrocities being meted out against the people of Biafra is not a call to gain sympathy but a call for redress and justice, which we must seek no matter what it takes. Human sympathy is a duty to all persons of goodwill; liberty and justice are rights. The Republic of Biafra is now in a state of quiescence, but its appeal as the first African political entity based on civil rights and administrative creativity remains strong, making its anniversary a popular phenomenon.
Biafra’s political landmark in the comity of nations, despite colonial and post-colonial opposition, demonstrated to Africa and the whole world that there is no human right more sacrosanct than the right to self-determination when the survival of a people is threatened by a colonial-created political union. It is a duty that this day must be remembered and celebrated by Biafran families. The reason why the Republic of Biafra must be celebrated annually remains the same: the survival of the Biafran people. This goal has been legitimately sought by its generations from various perspectives and is currently interpreted by the younger generation through civil acts of fundamental freedom and liberty.
The late General Odumegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the first Head of State of the Republic of Biafra, pinpointed the massacre and genocide of innocent Biafran people as the core reason why Biafrans needed to have and defend a homeland for survival. In an address to the Organization of African Unity on August 5, 1968, he accused the Nigerian military government of waging a genocidal war against Biafra and argued that it was appalling that this palpable genocide was being openly financed and directed by major non-African powers whose interest in the conflict was the economic and political advantage of their own countries.
Biafrans feel the energy and potential in their own rights as citizens, civil rightists, or activists to remember and celebrate this day. It is a moment for sharing experiences, reflections, and appraisals, which, if correctly understood and exercised in view of Nigeria’s national predicaments, can benefit our common good. The recollection of memories by Biafrans at home and abroad from all walks of life has been essential in reviving Biafra’s heritage and legacy, which were being negated and canceled by the Nigerian authorities. Equally important are the experiences handed down by our heroes, heroines, and veterans.
Biafra’s anniversary is also an important moment for unveiling Biafran values to younger generations, friends, well-wishers, and detractors. These values relate to nationhood created under the dictates of human liberty. Biafra’s legitimate defense for self-determination has been one of the best documented in the history of conflicts in Africa. Unfortunately, it has also been the most denied and hidden, even under threat by the Nigerian government and its cohorts. Substantial facts and evidence from declassified documents and archives are now revealing what transpired, despite the silence and offensiveness engaged by the masterminds and protagonists. Much is still expected and needs to be done to always remember and not forget the heinous acts against the peace-loving people of Biafra.
A concerned UNIBEN student and social media user, Ademola Josh, has reacted to what he termed “misleading information” circulating on WhatsApp groups within the university community.
The student said after reading the content of the message tagged “THREAT BY BEDC TO DISCONNECT THE UNIVERSITY” and supposedly signed by the university management, it became imperative to clarify that,
“The claim that the April 2024 electricity bill being outrageous is actually mis-leading, as the bill was based on actual meter readings, as cosumed by UNIBEN.
The significant increase in the billed amount from previous months is due to a government-mandated tariff increase for Band A customers, which applies to all DISCOs, including BEDC.
The increase was from N68/KWh to N225/KWh but later slashed to 206/KWh. see link for details https://tinyurl.com/tariffincrease”
He ended by stating that “the purported threat of the withdrawal of supply by BEDC is likely as a result of the University Management refusal to make payment for energy consumed in April 2024”, expressing hope that payment is made ASAP to avoid the said disconnection.
I had the privilege of chairing the APC Committee on True Federalism (Federal) which submitted its report back in January 2018. This committee of distinguished Nigerians was set up as part of our party’s attempt to put forward a position on federalism, an issue that has been intensely debated in recent decades. For the sake of our country and its people, we need to put as much passion into effecting what has been agreed, even as we further debate that which is awaiting consensus or resolution. We are in our 25th year of democratic governance, long enough for a panoply of deliberate actions to be taken to undo the distortions injected into our federalism by decades of military rule.
Propelled by ideology or driven by pragmatic desire for a working and dynamic country, many Nigerians see the merit in devolving powers and responsibility to the subnational level. It is seen as key to further unleashing the productive impulse, spurring creativity, rewarding the competitive instinct, and promoting better governance across the states. Devolution of powers will also free the Federal Government of some burdens and enable it to concentrate better on discharging its most consequential responsibilities in national defence and security, monetary and fiscal policy and foreign relations.
Some positive steps towards restoring and practicing federal ethos have recently been taken. The constitutional amendments passed by the 9th National Assembly in January 2023 included significant adjustments to the exclusive list, shifting some important responsibilities like electricity, railways and prisons to the concurrent list. This empowers state governments to regulate the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, intra-state rail networks and establish correctional facilities. Happily, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to some of the constitutional reform bills enacted by the 9th Assembly. This step towards decentralisation has been reinforced by President Bola Tinubu who swiftly signed the Electricity Act 2023 that bestows on state governments powers to regulate electricity markets within their boundaries.
Some state governments have moved with admirable speed to actualise their newfound regulatory powers in the electricity supply industry. In compliance with the law, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has also commendably ceded regulatory powers to such state governments. Given the well-known challenges in the electricity sector, there is much hope that the involvement of subnational actors and the private sector will help mobilise more resources to help address gaps in the sector. Efforts by the state governments to participate in the sector may also help to further build professional, technical and regulatory capacity across the states, to the benefit of all.
There is also renewed interest in decentralising the internal security structure, particularly policing. The weaknesses and inadequacy of a centralised police structure in a federation are painfully obvious. Government efforts to secure our people, their property, livelihoods and communities would be enhanced by introducing additional law enforcement footprint at the state, local government and community levels. Such subnational policing structures should be empowered with the necessary resources in personnel, training, equipment and technology to deter and prevent crime, protect citizens, businesses, and property, and to arrest and prosecute criminals. I hope that the conversations going on now would produce concrete measures in this regard, with strong nationwide regulation to address the concerns of those fearful of abuse or politicisation of policing powers by State Governments.
These welcome steps should spur us to complete the work that remains to be done towards reclaiming the federal in the official name of Nigeria. One of this is a conclusive clarification of the status of the local government councils. Nigeria’s federation is a union between its 36 states and the Federal Government. The APC Committee on True Federalism considered it an anomaly that the local government areas are named and listed in the Constitution and that they more or less receive direct funding from the Federation Account. Our Committee recommended that local government should be a matter for states which should decide on, legislate for, and fund the type of democratic local government system that best suits them.
As things stand, the contention over local government councils across the country stems largely from the funding that they receive from the Federation Account. In my view, a more prudent, and truly federal, option would be to let the Federation Account fund only the federal and the state governments, while the state governments should then fund and manage governance at the local level as they deem fit, and as reflected in the enabling laws that their respective Houses of Assembly shall enact to that effect. Every state can then have as many or as few local government councils as they may choose.
The APC Committee on True Federalism recommended that the federation be rebalanced, with more powers and responsibilities devolved to the states. Our federal system needs to strengthen the state governments to effectively deliver on the many human capital and infrastructural development responsibilities that are vested in them by the Constitution.
Another pending issue is the question of restoring a federal structure in the judiciary. The powers of the National Judicial Council should be limited to federal courts (and the Federal Capital Territory), while the state judiciaries should be vested in the State Judicial Councils to be created by constitutional amendment.
As a country, we also have to develop consensus on the application of fiscal federalism and the control of mineral resources. Let us discuss and settle the question regarding whether the vesting of land in the states by the Constitution and the Land Use Act should be extended to include ownership and control of minerals below the land, including oil and gas resources. That scenario will see the Federal Government collecting royalties and taxes, while retaining control of all offshore minerals in the continental shelf and the recently enlarged extended economic zone, in accordance with public international law.
The APC Committee on True Federalism had worked in the hope that its report would help enhance nation-building. Our consultations and deliberations highlighted the enduring appeal of federalism across the country. The patriots that negotiated our independence in the 1950s built a national consensus on federalism, with strong regions and a weak federal government. Federalism as a principle was made even more appealing over the decades by the evident distortions and clear limitations of military rule. The apparent failure of the creeping centralisation that set in after the tragic events of 1966 to build a strong Nigerian state and an efficient political and economic system has further reinforced the argument for federalism.
Excessive centralisation has neither strengthened national unity nor encouraged a productive instinct. As I observed during a Chatham House talk on restructuring in 2017, “unitarist and distributive impulses did not accelerate the evolution of national unity nor encourage productive endeavour. Rather, it created a rentier economic structure.” A federal restoration will help correct this.
This country was birthed as a federation. The imperative of the moment is to restore a federal structure that challenges and rewards creative efforts by the states to build up their subnational economies and governance capacity and frees the Federal Government to better discharge its core responsibilities to secure the country, grow its economy and be the leading voice of the Black race in international relations. A unique opportunity beckons for the federal and state governments and the 10th National Assembly to further accelerate the evolution of a better functioning federation within the next 12 months.
