Buhari’ll sustain Niger Delta amnesty programme, says NNPC

The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari will sustain the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said.

Buhari

This was revealed by the Head of Nigeria’s delegation to the 167th meeting of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, who also stated that the new government would effect necessary changes to the Petroleum Industry Bill.

Shu’ara, while speaking in Vienna, Australia at the ongoing OPEC International Seminar, stated that Nigeria, under the leadership of Buhari, would continue to work for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the organisation.

She noted that the Buhari administration was committed to prosecuting the amnesty programme in Niger Delta with vigour, with a view to bringing about lasting peace and stability in the area as well as in other parts of the country.

This, she said, would make the country’s operational environment safe and attractive once again.

A statement from the NNPC quoted Shu’ara as saying, “I am here to covey to all heads of delegation of OPEC member countries, and indeed representatives of other countries, President Muhammadu Buhari’s gratitude, that of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to member countries of our organisation, and indeed, the international community, for the keen interest shown and, in some cases, the support given to Nigeria towards the implementation of what has become a very successful political transition programme.

“Nigeria is committed to tackling corruption, especially in the extractive industry, and will strive to bring back transparency and accountability in public life, especially in the petroleum industry, which is the mainstay of the national economy.”

On the PIB, Shu’ara noted that although the bill was still in the National Assembly, the Buhari administration would take a critical look at it with a view to effecting necessary changes that would facilitate its early passage.

“I would like to assure industry players that government will work assiduously to ensure the speedy passage of the bill and even speedier implementation of the related programmes,” she said

The NNPC official said the government would strive to diversify the economy and put in place essential infrastructure that would aid the growth of Nigeria.

Shu’ara said, “We are committed to investing in the whole petroleum value chain in order to add more value to our national economy from our natural resources and reduce our overdependence on exported crude oil revenue.

“I am to assure the OPEC heads of delegation of a new dawn in Nigeria and the capacities of a new President, who understands and appreciates the prospects and challenges of our organisation like no other former Nigerian head of state, having been a minister of petroleum resources before.”

In a presentation at the seminar, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha, stated that the struggle for crude oil markets would be increasingly fiercer in the future.

He said, “New technology and climate change would most likely once again dramatically change the landscape of future oil supply by rapidly increasing supply sources and applying significantly downward pressure on oil prices.

Buhari’ll sustain Niger Delta amnesty programme, says NNPC

Northern Elders Ask Buhari To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram

SOME prominent northerners including the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mohammed Uwais and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari have asked the President -elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, declare amnesty for Boko Haram insurgents when he takes over power on May 29.

Justice Uwais

However, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, dismissed the call saying it would amount to rewarding criminals instead of punishing them for crimes against humanity.

They also asked Buhari to give priority attention to the special economic programmes for the North East geopolitical zone which had been ravaged by the Boko Haram terrorists, just as they warned against the scrapping of the on-going amnesty programme for ex-militants in the Niger Delta region.

These were contained in a communiqué issued after a two-day conference with the theme: “Security and Governance Challenges in Africa’s largest Democracy,” by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, SCDDD, as part of its “Nigeria Beyond 12015 Project,” in Abuja yesterday.

Those communiqué was signed by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, founder of Savannah Centre, Major General Ishola Williams, Executive Secretary, Pan-African Strategic and Peace Research Group, PAN-AFSTRAG, Justice Mohammed Uwais (chairman of the occasion) and Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki, executive director of the Savannah Centre.

They also called on the Federal Government ‘’to expedite action on the compensation of victims of Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency through the established and funded Victims’ Support Fund,’’ and for urgent priority attention to the special economic programme for the North East by the incoming administration, just as they condemned ‘’the carnage, devastations and displacements, which the Boko Haram group inflicted upon many innocent Nigerians in the north east region.’’

Furthermore, the communiqué called ‘’for the establishment of a special economic programme for the affected states of the North-East, focusing on rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction,’’ as well as on the need for ‘’the governors of the North-East States and indeed of the entire North, on the necessity for a blueprint that addresses the issues of vocational and skills-acquisition education for the youths.’’

Among those who participated in the conference were the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki, rtd, (represented by Ambassador C.L. Olaseinde); the Secretary, Borno State Elders’ Forum, BSEF, Dr Bulama Gubio (who represented Governor Kashim Shettima); Dr. Zakariya Ousmane Ramadene of N’djamena, Chad. Prof. Abubakar Momoh, DG, Electoral Institute, INEC, Abuja and Professor Habu Galadima, director research, NIPSS, Jos, Plateau State.

The communiqué read in part, ‘’After thought-provoking, incisive and lively discussions, the Conference resolved follows:

SECURITY

Recognizes the need for security shift from military-centred to military-civilian centred. Mindful of the military’s cherished role as security provider, calls on all security organs to play their pivotal role in protecting citizens’ life and property as well as protecting them from fear and physical harm;

‘’Affirms the primacy of developing integrated comprehensive national security policies addressing the major military and human security concerns;

Abubakar Shekau

‘’Observes the need to redress the current communication deficit by improving on information sharing by the defence and security establishments on a need-to-know basis with stakeholders and the citizenry;

‘’Notes with dissatisfaction, the proliferation of institutions of state with overlapping functions and calls for urgent need for this to be addressed with a view to stream-lining their functions, and also cutting the cost of governance as well as reducing unnecessary bureaucratic misunderstandings;

Acknowledges the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in pioneering, initiating and developing policy and operational framework documents to enhance effective and efficient security and defence service delivery; encourage the ONSA to properly enlist and engage other relevant agencies and stakeholders in implementing these laudable initiatives and wide-ranging responsibilities encapsulated in these documents;

‘’Emphasizes the efficacy of adopting, nurturing, developing, consolidating and strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations with Nigeria’s neighbours by evolving strategic and tactical, military, socio-economic and political cooperation with Nigeria’s neighbours, particularly Niger, Cameron and Chad, Benin Republic as well as Mali and Burkina Faso in combating the Boko Haram terrorists;

‘’Recommends that Nigeria must seek to enhance her security through a combination of strategies. First, is through careful and full implementation of the various provisions in the recently released National Security Strategy Document. Second, through a revitalized Bilateral arrangement with her immediate neighbours, namely Cameroun, Chad, Benin Republic, Niger as well as Mali and Burkina Faso. Third, through Multilateral arrangement by way of an expanded Multinational Joint Security Task Force (MJSTF) under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), taking into account the strategic location of Benin Republic to Nigeria’s security interest;

‘’Acknowledges the high vulnerability of the Lake Chad region, which is currently compounded by the Boko Haram insurgency and urges member-states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission,as a matter of priority to ensure the operational effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Security Task Force. Pursuant to this, member-states are further urged to quickly conclude the ongoing negotiations on the legal status and operational modalities of the Task Force, to enable it quickly take control of the security situation in the sub-region.

POLITICAL

‘’Notes the successful and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections, and calls for the urgent need for party building and the institutionalization of management mechanisms;

Recommends that political party organization and management in Nigeria should be based on the rules, guidelines and constitution of the party. In this regard, parties and members should always allow internal party democracy to prevail;

‘’Reiterates the supremacy of party constitution paramount so long as it is not in conflict with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act as amended;

‘’Urges the Political Parties to move away from the current syndrome of political elitism to building the real political class whose focus is anchored on sustainable development of party politics; devoid of the current political nomadism whose sole purpose for power acquisition is to satisfy the parochial interest of its political class (not of the people). In order to attain this, it is important that parties are built on interests, issues and ideology;

‘’Recommends that inter-party cooperation and understanding should be strengthened; calls on the Nigerian political parties must return to the original concept of party-building and democratic values, guided by a disciplined political class in order to stem the spate of defections that have characterized the Nigerian political system;

MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION

‘’Urges the media to strictly adhere to professional ethics, standards of journalism, and any violation should attract severe sanctions

Calls on the Media and Civil Society Organizations to be agents in the promotion of national interest, religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence, national integration and cohesion;

ECONOMY

‘’Stresses the necessity for full implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to check corruption as well as strengthen the relevant state Institutions, such as the EFCC and ICPC;

Notes that while due process as a procurement policy is important and necessary, it must be conducted in transparent manner;

Observes with disappointment that the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission, RMFAC. has abdicated its responsibility of mobilizing revenue and instead concentrating mainly on allocation;

‘’Calls on the Nigerian-State to expedite action on the compensation of victims of Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency through the established and funded Victims’ Support Fund;

Condemns the carnage, devastations and displacements, which the Boko Haram group inflicted upon many innocent Nigerians in the Northeast region;

Calls for the establishment of a special economic programme for the affected States of the North-East, focusing on rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction;

‘’Underscores the necessity for the incoming Government to reduce the size of governance by collapsing appropriate MDA’s and other institutions of Government; Notes the success story of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (for Niger Delta ex-militants) which terminates in 2015 and called for targeted review of the scheme to forestall the relapse of the region into its turbulent past. ‘’It further calls for a similarly arrangements to address the peculiar issues arising from the insurgency in the Nort-East, while noting the singularity of purpose for the General T.Y Danjuma Victims Support Funds;

COMMENDATION

The Conference commends the Savannah Centre for organizing this Conference on “Security and Governance: Challenges in Africa’s Largest Democracy” at this critical moment in Nigeria’s security development and sub-regional security challenges.’’

 

 

Northern Elders Ask Buhari To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram

Jonathan Declares Amnesty For Boko Haram Members -Minister

Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, on Thursday disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan has announced amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect as parts of his administration’s youths-friendly programmes and policies.

Haruna disclosed this while giving an overview of youth’s position in the present administration’s transformation agenda at a special event tagged “A day with young leaders of Nigeria” to mark the nation’s Democracy Day in Abuja.

The minister said series of integration programmes have been lined up for members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

He therefore called on them to embrace the government’s gesture.

The minister said, “President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.

“Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

“Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key to amnesty programme.”

He recalled that in the wake of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta, the government came up with a development programme which provided an opportunity for the youth to express themselves and have a meaningful life.

Haruna said although the amnesty programme was a fallout of a bitter national security, its effect on the youth had been profound.

He disclosed that 30,000 youths have benefitted from the programme which has seen beneficiaries transforming from militants to wealth creators, employers of labour and skilled citizens.

Jonathan, while answering questions from youths who attended the programme, said military alone was incapable of stopping terrorism or any kind of radicalism.

He said terrorism could not succeed in any community without local supports.

He stressed the need for people who are respected by the insurgents to join hands with government to persuade them to desist.

The President said, “Terror succeeds with local support. It will be difficult for terror to thrive where people reject it. It is a major challenge to all of us.

“Military alone cannot stop terror or any radicalism. Terrorists have people they respect, they have community, traditional and opinion leaders they respect. All of us can deradicalise them.

“We will through persuasive activities encourage people to shun violence.”

He said his government was already working out the modalities for reintroducing moral education into school curriculum.

This, he said, would assist in re-orientation the young people in order to distinguish between right and wrong things.

Jonathan promised that his administration would continue to encourage young people because they are no longer leaders of tomorrow but of today.

He said youths are already leading because they decide who rules at all levels of government by virtue of their population which he put at 60 per cent of the electorates.

The President also reiterated his position that the nation’s income distribution was skewed.

While saying that government was working hard to redistribute wealth, he added that one of the emphasis of the government is to encourage self-employment.

Responding to a question on the need to have a youth as the Minister of Youth Development, Jonathan said “the best person to take care of a child may not necessarily be a child.”

He added that the young ones needed to tap from the experiences of older ones.

He also stressed the need for political parties to give women more opportunities.

The event which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja was nearly marred by interruption in power supply.

The ugly incident occurred at the time Jonathan mounted the podium to present a compendium of his administration’s achievements in the last one year and answer questions from youths who attended the event.

Jonathan remained standing in front of the participants with his security aides for about 15 minutes while the power failure caused by the generating set being used lasted.

He was at the verge of returning to his seat to give organisers time to rectify the fault when power was finally restored.

President of the Senate, David Mark; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, were among dignitaries who were conspicuously absent at the special event.

Among former Heads of State, only the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, attended the event.

He was joined by a former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme; and a former Chief of General Staff, Oladipo Diya.

Jonathan attended the event alongside his wife, Patience; Vice President Namadi Sambo; and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Maryam Mukhtar.

The tone for the event was set by the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, who narrated the circumstances leading to his appointment as a minister at a young age of 33.

The event featured the presentation of the third anniversary of the present administration’s transformation agenda in book form by the President, a video documentary of the third anniversary of the transformation agenda and the launching of Youth Entrepreneurial Mentorship and Empowerment Scheme among others.

Highlight of the event also included a motivational talk by the Chief Executive Officer, Mara Foundation, Mr. Ashish Takker, said to be the youngest African billionaire.

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Jonathan Declares Amnesty For Boko Haram Members -Minister

Governor Wada grants amnesty to 67-year-old man on death row for 18 years

KADUNA — Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has granted amnesty to Mr Lasisi Yusuf, a 67-year-old convict, who has been on death row in Kaduna prison for nearly 18 years.

This followed intensive advocacy efforts  by Avocats Sans Frontieres France, ASF, France.

Lasisi, a Kogi State indigene, was arrested over charges of culpable homicide and sentenced to death in 1996 by a Kogi State High Court. He was transferred to Kaduna Prison in 1997 and has been on death row since then.

Lasisi’s case was taken up by ASF France through the medium of its Saving Lives, SALI, project, which is targeted at promoting international standards on human rights in Nigeria generally and, the restrictive pronouncement of capital punishment and abolition of death penalty specifically.

Other detainees who were released from incarceration owing to the legal intervention of ASF France include Zuwaira Tukur, Fatima Haruna and Mohammed Isyaku, all of whom were also charged for capital offences in Kaduna State.

Statistics collated for 2013 alone show that over 140 death sentences were handed down in Nigeria bringing the total figure of those on death row so far to approximately 1,200.

A total of 140 detainees on death row in Nigeria are currently benefitting from the free legal services being offered by ASF France on the platform of the SALI Project.

Speaking on the objective of the SALI Project, ASF France Head of Office, Angela Uwandu, said: “What we are aiming for is the protection of the rights of humans whether they are inmates in prison or citizens on the street. The governor must be commended for making a decision that might very well be a sterling example for others who have such powers to emulate.

“ASF France is determined to continue its objective of contributing to the legislative and legal changes towards a restrictive application of capital punishment in Nigeria.”

 

Governor Wada grants amnesty to 67-year-old man on death row for 18 years