LEDAP Condemns Killing Of Death Row Prisoners In Benin City

The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) has condemned the killing of three death row prisoners in Benin City Prison.

The group, in a statement on Wednesday by its national coordinator, Chino Obiagwu, noted that the death warrants of those executed were signed by the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

The convicts: Ogbomoro Omoregie, Apostle Igene and Mark Omosowhota were executed on December 23 2016 in Edo State, south-south Nigeria.

They were all convicted and sentenced to death about 20 years ago by military tribunals under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Decree as amended.

LEDAP noted that in an earlier petition it submitted to the Governor on behalf of the executed prisoners on December 21, 2016, protesting the plan for their execution, the prisoners had pleaded with the Governor to shelve the planned execution, saying there was a pending case at the Court of Appeal brought by all death row prisoners in Nigeria against their execution.

They pointed out that the appeal had not been decided and maintained that it was illegal to carry out the executions.

“LEDAP is appalled that the earliest social duty of Governor Obaseki upon assumption of office was execution of his citizen on death row. We reiterate that all prisoners, including those sentenced to death, retain all the fundamental rights endowed on all citizens by the 1999 Constitution. This was re-emphasised by the Court of Appeal in the case of Peter Nemi vs Attorney General of Lagos State in 1994. The Supreme Court of Nigeria also held in Nasir Bello vs Attorney-General of Oyo State that a prisoner cannot be legally executed while his case is pending in court.

Death Penalty Moratorium

“In so far as an appeal against the sentences of the death row prisoners in Nigeria are pending in court, to the knowledge of the prison authorities and the government who participated in the high court proceedings before the appeal, there is no legal justification for the Edo executions, more so when it was carried out cruelly on a day to the eve of Christmas.

“It is also appalling that Edo State government carried out the execution despite the declaration by Nigerian Government at its 2009 and 2014 Universal Periodic Reports (UPR) to the United Nations Human Rights Council that Nigeria has put in place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

“The December 23, 2016 execution of these three prisoners, as well as similar execution of four prisoners on June 21 2013 by the same Edo State government have undermined Nigeria’s declarations to the international community for death penalty moratorium,” the group said.

LEDAP has further called on the Federal Government to stop all death penalty executions forthwith.

“The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly should amend the Criminal Code and Penal Code, as well as the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act to remove death sentence as punishment for crimes and replace it with life imprisonment or term of years’ sentence,” the group proposed.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Osun Community Appeases Gods After Barber Commits Suicide

Residents of Oke-Itase area in Ile -ife, Osun State were thrown into confusion when the lifeless body of a 35-year-old man, Sunday Onifade, was found hanging on the iron rod of the ceiling fan in his living room.

The deceased, who was a barber, was believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself, but the reason for his decision could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report. His perplexed relatives refused to speak on the incident.

The younger brother of the deceased, Omotayo Onifade, was said to have proceeded to the ‘A’ Division Police Headquarters in Ife to report the death of his elder brother.

He explained that family members were shocked when they saw Sunday hanging on the ceiling fan.

Mr Folasade Odoro, a spokesman for the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, confirmed the incident.

The police chief said investigation had commenced on the matter.

Channels Television’s correspondent, Bosede Sodiq, in Osun State learnt that necessary rites and rituals have started taking place in the house to appease the gods over the incident so as to prevent incessant death among members of the family and the community as believed by the yoruba tradition.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Airbus delivers first A380 to Emirates

Airbus said Wednesday it has delivered the first A380 superjumbo to Dubai’s Emirates airline, equipped with a Rolls Royce-made engine.

“The first A380 with a Rolls Royce engine has been delivered to Emirates Airline,” a spokesman for the aerospace giant said.

In April 2015, Airbus selected Rolls Royce for the lucrative deal to provide the engines for 50 of its A380s that was worth a record at the time of $9.2 billion (8.8 billion euros).

The first delivery came a day after Airbus said it was postponing for a year the planned delivery of 12 A380 jets.

The delay was linked to the airline’s wish to purchase the finest Rolls Royce engines, an informed source said.

“We continue to work closely with Airbus and Emirates Airline to satisfy their requests,” a Rolls Royce spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.

Emirates, the biggest client for superjumbos, took delivery of its A380 in November and has ordered 142 in total.

A380s with the Rolls Royce motor are already being operated by other airlines such as Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

AFP
--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Pokemon Go, Trump top Google trend list

Donald Trump

The past year was a big one for Donald Trump, but also for Pokemon Go.

According to Google’s global trends report released Wednesday, the augmented reality game from Nintendo was the most-searched item online in 2016.

Trump was number three among the most-searched topics for the year, behind the iPhone 7 and ahead of rock icon Prince, who died in April.

But Trump topped the list of the most-searched people for the year, ahead of his campaign rival Hillary Clinton, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Trump’s wife Melania and gold medal gymnast Simone Biles, Google said.

Google publishes its global list each year along with trends from different countries, offering insights into the interests of internet users around the globe.

The top news item searched on Google was the US election, followed by the Olympic Games in Rio, Brexit, the deadly nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida and the Zika virus.

Among celebrities who died in 2016, the most searched-for was Prince, followed by David Bowie, slain US singer Christina Grimmie, British actor Alan Rickman and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

In consumer technology, the iPhone 7 topped the search list, while number two was Freedom 251 — the smartphone offered for sale in India for 251 rupees, or less than $4.

In global sports events, internet users searched most for the Olympics, followed by the baseball World Series, the Tour de France, Wimbledon and the Australian Open tennis tournament.

The most searched-for movies were “Deadpool,” “Suicide Squad,” “The Revenant,” “Captain America: Civil War” and “Batman v Superman,” according to Google.

Among US users, the most-searched item was the Powerball lottery, which delivered a record $1.6 billion jackpot in January.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

At least 32 confirmed dead following fireworks chain-reaction explosion

At least 32 people are now known to have died at the site (Picture: AP)

 At least 32 people have been killed after a fireworks market was flattened by a deadly chain-reaction explosion on the outskirts of Mexico City.

Health Secretary Cesar Gomez Monge, of Mexico State, where the San Pablito market is located in the city of Tultepec, said 46 people remained in hospital, five of them in such serious condition they are fighting for their lives.

Ten of the injured were minors, including one girl with burns over 90 per cent of her body.

Juana Antolina Hernandez, who has run a stand for 22 years in San Pablito next to one operated by her parents, escaped the market in a mad dash when the explosions began on Tuesday afternoon.
Protester accidentally sets himself on fire while trying to light effigy

‘I can’t find my father and my mother is very badly burned,’ she said. ‘I am waiting here for them to tell me if my father is here, but up to this point, nothing.’

San Pablito was bustling with hundreds of shoppers when the blast reduced the market to a stark expanse of ash, rubble and scorched metal, casting a pall over the Christmas season.

Dramatic video of the explosion showed a towering plume of smoke that was lit up by a staccato of bangs and flashes of light, the third such incident to ravage the market on the northern outskirts of Mexico’s capital since 2005.
Three children are rescued by police after they spent days without food or water keeping vigil next to their mother's body in Majorca (Twitter)Children spent days in house with mother's dead body without food or water

Refugio Leon, who spent years working at the market and whose family ran seven stalls there, said vendors commonly stacked displays of bottle rockets and firecrackers outside their establishments in the passageways – even though the rules supposedly forbade putting merchandise in what was supposed to be a safety buffer to prevent chain-reaction explosions.

However, the president of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, Alejandra Barrales, noted that fireworks accidents take place regularly, including four this year alone.
Woman mauled by circus leopard while covering godson, 4, to protect him

‘This demonstrates the lack of care and attention not just here but in the whole state,’ Mr Barrales said in a statement.

Mexico State chief prosecutor Alejandro Gomez said some of the dead were so badly burned that neither their age nor their gender could be immediately determined, and that DNA tests would be needed.

He said the toll could rise because 12 people were listed as missing and some body parts were found at the scene.

A list of the nine bodies identified so far included a three-month-old boy and a 12-year-old girl.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Protester accidentally sets himself on fire while trying to light effigy

A protester is believed to be fighting for his life in hospital after accidentally setting himself on fire during a demonstration.

Sukhminder Singh Mann intended to light a government effigy at the rally for teachers’ contracts in Bathinda, India.

However, it appeared as though petrol had landed on his coat and jeans and he was quickly engulfed in flames.

He screamed and people patted down the flames before being rushed to hospital.
 

The incident happened when he was sprinkling petrol to burn the effigy.

The teachers said that the Punjab government has not regularised their services even after them completing two-year contract with the state government.

The union members claimed that the government had made a two-year contract with more than 7,000  volunteers in 2014 and promised to regularise their services after completion of the agreement.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Mike Posner I May Live Modestly But I Can Sell My Crib for a Mil

Ovie Okpare, Warri

The Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Orhifi Orovwagbarha Agbarha-Ide Ememoh II, who was abducted on Wednesday, has been rescued by operatives of state’s police command less than 24-hour after he was kidnapped.

The monarch was rescued by a team of local vigilante groups and the Delta State Police Command led by its commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, at about 3:12am on Thursday morning.

A palace chief confirmed the released of the Urhobo monarch to our correspondent on Thursday morning when contacted.

The Agbarha-Warri paramount ruler was abducted on Wednesday along the Ughelli/Asaba Expressway near Ossissa community in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of the state while traveling for a Security Summit in Asaba, the state capital.

The state police commissioner confirmed the rescued of the traditional ruler to our correspondent on telephone, saying would be conveyed to Asaba, where he was headed before the incident, but was relaxing in an undisclosed hotel as of the time of the phone conversation.

The commsioner said the monarch was rescued after he led a team of hundred police operatives and 30 local vigilante groups to comb the Ossissa forest along the area where he was waylaid by suspected herdsmen who had earlier robbed vehicles plying the busy road.

Ibrahim said, “The Ovie has been rescued by a police crack team personally led by me. The monarch’s abductors were fleeing with him to a different location after our men combed the entire bush in search for him.

“The monarch was abducted by herdsmen. They are very conversant with the bush even more than the indigenes. Our men sighted the movement of the hoodlums through a torch light and we shot into the air which they responded. They engaged us (police) in exchange of gun fire and left the monarch behind.

“There was laxity on the part of the driver who sighted the kidnappers robbing other vehicles but refused to reverse the car for safety. We have learnt our lessons from the kidnap of the monarch. The lesson is that we all need to be alert and vigilant.”

The commissioner added that no arrest was made during the rescue operation but police operatives have been deployed in the area to smoke out the suspects.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Customs intercept 102 bags of plastic rice

Bags of rice

The Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 102 bags of plastic rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice’’ with no date of manufacture.

The Customs Area Controller of  F.O.U. Comptroller Mohammed Haruna, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said that the commodity was stored for distribution as Yuletide gifts for the public.

Haruna said that officers of the unit intercepted the plastic rice along Ikeja area on Monday, adding that a suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Before now, I thought it was a rumour that the plastic rice is all over the country but with this seizure, I have been totally convinced that such rice exists.

“We have done the preliminary analysis on the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it.

“I advise those economic saboteurs who see Yuletide season as a peak period for nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business.

“The unit has decided other operational modalities that will give them a run for their monies and count their losses,” NAN quoted the controller as saying.

He described smuggling as a global phenomenon, adding that such act could not be curbed entirely but could be brought to its barest minimum.

Haruna appreciated well-meaning Nigerians who provided the service with prompt information that led to the discovery of the bags of plastic rice.

The controller, however, advised the media to educate the public on the existence of plastic rice, adding that it was no longer a rumour.

Haruna assured Nigerians that the distribution point of the particular plastic rice seized by the unit had been blocked with immediate effect.

He said that investigation was still ongoing.

The controller said the unit would hand over the plastic rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for proper investigation.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

EFCC corrupt – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as unfit to fight corruption because it is “an irresponsible and corrupt organisation.”

The governor, who commended the judiciary for standing firm against the “EFCC’s tyranny,” said the way and manner the commission had been going about shopping for court orders against Nigerians should concern lovers of the rule of law in the country.

He said this in reaction to the Monday’s Federal High Court, Abuja, judgment ordering the EFCC to release all his properties that were attached based on the order of the court made on July 20 and August 2.

Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said, “It is the height of irresponsibility and fraud for the EFCC to have approached Justice Okon Abang for a similar order and concealed the fact that the order obtained from Justice Dimgba elapsed on September 3 and had failed to approach the same court for an extension.

“The EFCC and its corrupt elements fraudulently approached Justice Abang, …and the same EFCC has even moved to the Federal High Court, Akure in search of another order, ostensibly because they have realised that the judge in the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti won’t play ball.”

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Osun court issues warrant for Oluwo’s arrest

Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

A Magistrate Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has issued a bench warrant against the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, following the monarch’s refusal to appear in court in a case instituted by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, Oba Kadiri Adeoye.

The implication of the bench warrant, according to lawyers, is that the monarch should be arrested and brought before the court at its next adjourned sitting.

Although Oba Akanbi was represented in court on Tuesday by his counsel, Mr. Olaide Yekeen, Magistrate Olusola Aluko issued the bench warrant  despite the application for a stay of proceeding, notice of preliminary objection and a notice of appeal filed before the court.

 Oba Akanbi, the paramount ruler of Iwoland, was dragged before the court by the Oluwo of Iwo Oke, for alleged criminal offences.

The magistrate had, at the last sitting of the court on December 2, threatened to issue a bench warrant on the monarch if he refused to appear in court on Tuesday (yesterday).  Counsel for Oba Akanbi had told the court that his client had several applications before the court, adding that the notice of preliminary objection, which bordered on competence and jurisdiction of the court, should be heard first before the substantive application.

He said Section 19 (1) of the Magistrate Court Laws highlighted the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

 “When there is an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, such application should be taken first. We are vehemently and seriously challenging the competence and jurisdiction of this court and our applications should be taken first,” he said.

 But counsel for the applicant, Soji Oyetayo, in his submission, told the court that the court made an order which the Oluwo had refused to comply with.

 He stated that the applications, filed by the first respondent (the Oluwo) could not stop the order of the court that the monarch should appear before it.

 “I urge the court to jettison the applications. They have to obey the earlier order of the court. The first respondent should be in court today but he is not in a flagrant disobedience of the court order,” he said.

 The magistrate, in his ruling, agreed with the respondent (the Oluwo) on the issue of jurisdiction, but said the notice of appeal was not ripe.

 He said, “The court mandated the first respondent to appear in court. He has violated the court order of the last adjourned date. I hereby issue a bench warrant against him.”

 The counsel for Oluwo, while speaking with journalists on the court premises, said the applications for a stay of proceedings, notice of appeal and application on the jurisdiction of the court, ought to have been heard first before the magistrate issued the bench warrant.

 Yekeen stated that the authorities he cited during the hearing should suffice, adding  that even in a case of contempt of court, the court should hear such objections first.

He argued that the order was made in error.

Yekeen added, “As it is, what we have is that we are following the due process of the law and we believe that the law should be and grow and it should be allowed to follow the due process.

“If a doctor makes a mistake, the mistake is buried six feet under the ground but if a lawyer or a judge makes a mistake, the mistake will be inherited by generations unborn.  That is what we have today.”

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Youths to ministers: Tell Buhari we’re very hungry

President Muhammadu Buhari

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

Some ministers on Tuesday in Abuja appealed to Nigerians to exercise more patience, saying President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of hunger in the country.

They said the President and the Federal Government were working hard to alleviate their suffering.

The ministers spoke at the Special Edition of a Town Hall Meeting series dedicated to the youths.

The event was held at the Presidential Villa.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, hosted the event.

Also at the  programme were the  Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola(SAN);  Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (Finance) ; Chief Audu Ogbeh (Agriculture); Labour and Employment, (Dr. Chris Ngige);  Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung.

The ministers were responding to complaints by some members of the audience, who accused them (the ministers) of change in their lifestyles since they assumed office.

The youths insisted that the ministers must carry their message of hunger to the President.

Clapping as the questions were being thrown at the ministers, the youths said President Buhari and members of his cabinet must work to lift the country out of  the woods.

One of the youths from Kuje Area Council, said he would have preferred to send the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, to his principal about the level of hunger in the nation.

He, however, asked the ministers to take the message to the President.

He also asked them to know that the youths were waiting for the President and his team in 2019 when another election would be due.

The youth from Kuje asked, “I don’t know if the S.A on Media to the President is here. I would have loved to send him to the President. But honourable ministers, help us tell the President that we are hungry. Nigerians are very hungry.

“ If he has changed from his promises during the campaign, we are also waiting for him in 2019.”

While asking each of the ministers to answer questions directed at them, Mohammed said he was not going to come to the aid of any of them.

“Every minister would bear his own cross. I don’t have to repeat the questions,” the minister said.

But he said the present government was not responsible for the hunger in the country.

Ogbeh, in his response, said government was working hard to reduce the level of hunger in the country.

He said, “Government is working hard to make sure that we don’t go hungry.

“We are planning at least 10 dams in one state. Kano State has 23, yet no one is being utilised.

“The problem with us is that we have all become elitist. We have become so arrogant to label farmers as lazybones…

“If we can’t feed ourselves, we can’t go anywhere. A young man said Nigerians are hungry, we are aware.

“When we get to meetings and see the face of our President, you will know he is in pains. We are all in pains, we are supposed to solve the problems and we are driving ourselves as fast as we can, to solve them.”

Dalung also said the President and the ministers were aware of the problem of hunger in the country.

He said it was not true that the government had abandoned the youths.

He beret-wearing minister said, “The youth question has been on the front burner of this government. You said Nigerians are hungry, we know and we are working on it.”

Fashola, a former Governor of Lagos State, asked Nigerians not to lose hope, saying 2017 would be a better year.

Fashola also announced that an MoU had been signed with the CBN to assist the two meter manufacturing companies cleared by the ministry to get funds.

On his part, Mohammed said the Federal Government was determined to ease the hardship in the country.

Towards this, he said more than one million Nigerians would soon benefit  from the Bank of Industry micro-credit scheme planned for the nation’s youths.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Is N92bn budget vote for agric sufficient to ensure diversification?

In my own view, no amount is too much or too little to be invested in the agric sector but it depends on the utilisation of such funds. Even if N1tn is voted for agriculture and it is not well utilised, the money will amount to nothing.

I have no problem with the amount in the budgetary allocation this year but let it be utilised judiciously. I can see that this government is making efforts in this direction. N92bn budgetary allocation is not a joke and it can make a huge impact in the sector if the amount is judiciously spent.

The money should get to the farmers because the problem we have been having is that money allocated to agric before usually does not leave Abuja but this will make a great impact if the amount gets to the farmers.

My view now is that government should focus on value addition because that is where the money in agriculture is. Money is not on the farm but in value addition. We produce enough food to feed everyone in Nigeria but we lose a large chunk of if due to post harvest loss.

We must invest in food processing and value addition to have enough food for local consumption and even for export. We produce so much but we lose the food as well.

For example, five tubers of yam are being sold for less than N3,000; famers have to sell everything at the same time because they cannot preserve them. So, I want a large part of the fund to be invested in food processing and value addition because that is where the real money is.   •Prof. Labode Popoola (Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University)

The amount (N92bn) budgeted for the agricultural sector by the Federal Government in the 2017 budget is grossly inadequate for a country that is largely agrarian in nature and seeking to diversify its economy by taking advantage of the vast opportunities in the agricultural sector.

I wonder what percentage of the total budget the money would represent. The truth of the matter is that peasant farmers will still continue to struggle to feed Nigerians and I believe that the percentage can be increased because it is grossly inadequate considering the depression Nigerians are going through now.

I can imagine a situation where each local government in Nigeria prepares 1,000 hectares of land for farmers to use. If you multiply that by all the local government areas in Nigeria, it is a huge investment.

 Nigerian farmers are not carried along by the government before coming out with agricultural policies. In such a situation, those policies cannot work. Nigerian farmers don’t get the required financial support from the government. The policy on rice and wheat production is selective. What about other cash and food crops that Nigeria can produce? Are we going to eat rice and wheat alone?

Some years back, Nigeria was the third largest producer of cocoa but today, we are no longer reckoned with in that area. I wonder how we want to practise mechanised farming with such a ridiculous amount.

The tractors bought by state governments were given to politicians who hired them to farmers at huge amounts that farmers cannot afford. In Oyo State, a tractor is given out at N20,000 for a day. How many farmers can afford that? Farmers are using labourers who use cutlasses and hoes to cultivate the land. How many hectares of land can you prepare with cutlasses and hoes?

Nigeria must consider cluster farming where large farmlands are prepared by the government and given to farmers in groups in each local government. When they harvest, government buys the crops from them through produce board. This is what is done in Asia where we buy our rice.

The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo established a marketing board in the western region that has now been scrapped with no replacement. I know several farmers who call me regularly that they have hectares of farmland with mature crops waiting to be harvested. Government should establish a board that will assist these farmers in the marketing of their produce. •Chief Olatunji Bandele (Secretary of Agbekoya Farmers Union in Nigeria)

For what we need to resuscitate agriculture, that N92bn is too small. In the situation we have found ourselves now, agriculture should be the first priority sector in the budget. It should be a sector that should give us what we are looking for. We have the land, good weather, large population and the potential for employment in agriculture is very high. So, I thought that the government would have looked at all the potential and invested in it. If you look at our cocoa, it could be processed to chocolate. We have many raw materials from agriculture that could be processed and even serve our industries as further raw materials. The investment is not just to produce but to also process. •Prof. Job Atteh  (A specialist in Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin)

It (N92bn) is not enough to ensure diversification. All along, the nation has been operating on a mono-economy – oil. But as it is now, the oil is no longer selling in the world market, so there is the need for us to diversify our resources. Going by the normal requirement, every country is supposed to earmark 10 per cent of her total budget for agriculture.  By the time you look at that rate, the budgeted amount is even lower than 10 per cent of the total budget.

The issue now is, would the budgeted amount be managed well? Is it not going to be managed by some of these politicians who would embezzle part of the money? Even if some of the money is allocated to farmers as incentives to mobilise them or subsidise and provide fertilisers, it will be better. Some of the allocated funds do not get to farmers. That is where we have been having problems in this country. We have people who will get these funds on behalf of farmers but divert them into their personal coffers.

To ensure diversification as a nation, we have to be serious. We have to be up and doing. All hands must be on deck. We must face the reality.

Corruption must end in all ramifications. There must be monitoring organisations to follow up the implementation of financial allocations and disbursements. There should be a prudent management of available resources to boost agricultural development.   •Dr. Salau Abdulganiyu (Lecturer Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, College of Agriculture, Kwara State University)

The N92bn budgeted for the agric sector cannot ensure the needed diversification of the sector because it is grossly inadequate. There’s no gainsaying the fact that agriculture is critical to the development of the country.

In the first instance, all the materials used by industries are derived basically from agriculture. Many of the industries depend on agricultural products to survive. As far as I am concerned, that amount is too small if we are serious about really developing the economy.

If we are really serious about diversification into agriculture, agriculture should get much more than that amount.

I don’t think there is anybody who does not eat. That shows you the kind of importance that should be given to agriculture.

Food is so important. Without food, there is nothing anybody can do. Without food, there is no life.

If the country is really serious about turning the economy around, we need to pump more money into agriculture.

Agriculture, science and technology are vital to the nation’s development. But even scientists need food to be able to think well.

It is only those who take balanced diet that will not fall sick. •Mr. Segun Dasaolu (Ogun State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria)

Considering the current economic recession and shortage of funds, I think N92bn, if effectively and judiciously put in the right place, will get Nigerians an encouraging result. The economy is presently in a bad shape. So, we can manage that (N92bn) for now. The entire funds must be put into the agricultural sector.

If not for the recession, I will say that the amount is too small and will not be able to move us from a mono-economy to a diversified economy. Agriculture can actually become the mainstay of the Nigerian economy as against the current reliance on petroleum products.

For now, we have to make do with what we have and I am calling on those that will manage the funds for the development of the agricultural sector to make a judicious use of what is available. Nigerians can guarantee this by being vigilant and ask those in position of power to be transparent and do the needful by managing the resources at their disposal well. The only way we can make them to do the needful is to keep an eye on them and ensure that the N92bn does not go into private pockets.   • Mr. Anyakwe Nsirimovu, (Executive Director, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law)

The budget was anchored on pulling the economy out of recession and stagflation as well as taking the path of self-sustainable growth. What is important is not the budgetary amount set aside for funding agriculture.

We need to focus on the policies that support backward and forward integration and seek to make agriculture a business rather than just for self-sufficiency.

The National Bureau of Statistics data has shown that the contribution of agriculture to nominal GDP, for example, has grown higher than it was.  This, however, needs to be complemented by walking the talk in ensuring the 2017 budget fiscal stimulus is implemented as much as possible. •Mr. Rislanudeen Mohammed (Former Managing Director, Unity Bank Plc)


--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Agriculture bank disburses N21.5bn to Nigerian farmers

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has disbursed more than N21.5billion to farmers nationwide in an empowerment initiative involving no fewer than 107,200 households.

Mrs Idiat Folorunsho, the Zonal Manager, South West Region, Bank of Agriculture(BOA), made the disclosure at the Ooni Ogunwusi Agric-empowerment Programme in Ile-Ife.

Folorunsho said that dwindling oil revenue had forced a rethink in strategy in favour of agribusiness

She noted that BOA had taken necessary steps through deliberate policies and special programmes to galvanise the agriculture sector and engender the development of agribusinesses.

The Zonal Manager also stressed that the bank was always ready to produce young farmer entrepreneurs to assist in food production and to make the nation to be self-reliant in all agricultural products.

She also said N40billion had been set aside as a special purpose vehicle to ensure proper implementation of the programme to farmers nation wide.

Folorunsho also said the bank’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) involves the Anchor providing some degree of support through the supply of inputs and technical advice to farmers.

The Zonal Manger equally noted that all projects were being adequately taken care of with supplies of inputs to farmers after training.

She expressed the belief that a vibrant agro-industrial value chain in the agriculture sector would serve as a springboard for the growth of the manufacturing sector.

Agribusiness, she said, was expected to serve as a rallying point for rejuvenation while ABP was intended to create an ecosystem to link out-growers (small holder farmers) to local processors.

She stated further that this would increase banks’ financing to the sector, increase capacity of anchor companies involved in rice production and increase the productivity and incomes of out-growers.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

How I became a lecturer at law school – 24-year-old Okwor

Okwor

Only 24, Kenneth Okwor is an adjunct lecturer of Corporate Law and Practice at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, and a Templars Law Firm Associate. In this interview, he tells KEMI LANRE-AREMU, about his love for the legal profession and some of his career milestones

What schools did you attend?

I attended the University of Jos where I obtained a Bachelor of Law degree; and for my vocational and professional training, I attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus. I graduated with a Second Class Upper Honours from the University of Jos, and First Class Honours from the Nigerian Law School. I graduated top of my class at the Nigerian Law School, winning several awards and prizes.

What is your work history?

Presently, I am employed as an Associate at Templars and I am also an Adjunct Lecturer of Corporate Law and Practice at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School.

What are your job responsibilities?

At Templars, I sit primarily in the finance practice area and we basically advise clients on matters relating to banking, capital markets, mergers, acquisitions and other forms of external and internal restructuring options, project finance and other financing and refinancing structures, and general advisory services on corporate and finance matters.

At the Law School, I teach Corporate Law and Practice.

Did you set out to become a lawyer or you had other professions in mind?

I actually wanted to study Literature in English. However, when it was time to fill the form that would enable me sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Law was the first choice.

Why the sudden change of mind?

I do not think the decision was actuated by any altruistic feeling or by a desire to define a path for my life. Honestly, it was really about gaining admission to the university to study a prestigious course. However, when I began to study Law, I saw that I could be more and I could do more. The study of Law exposed me to deeper issues that have gone a long way in defining who I am today and what I represent.

What are your areas of speciality?

I am specialising in corporate law and finance as my core areas. For me, these areas are niche areas of practice both in Nigeria and across the world and I believe that on account of my love for corporate law and all that concerns it, I would be able to learn, grow, and contribute my quota in developing the jurisprudence in these areas.

You graduated with second class upper honours from the University of Jos and a first class from the Nigerian Law School. How did you achieve these feats?

Like I always say, it was all a function of God’s grace and hard work. Studies at the university are quite different from studies at the Law School. The approach is very different as the university emphasises substantive law and it is usually very theoretical, while the Law School teaches practical law. Even though the Law School keeps an eye out for substantive law, its emphasis is on the practical application of these laws. Therefore, if properly utilised, the knowledge gained from the university can play a key role in facilitating success at the Bar Exams.

At the university, I was diligent and hard-working, and only missed classes when they conflicted with mock trials. Why I placed more emphasis on the mock trials was because they taught me to contextualise the knowledge gained in class and taught me how they would operate in practical reality.

At the Law School, I was also diligent and hard-working. The Law School’s calendar was, and still is, properly structured such that it was perfectly possible to actively participate in the law clinic and the mock trials without missing any class, and this contributed in making the difference.

Can you recollect your first time in court?

Of course I can. It was June 6 this year. My superiors at Templars insisted that I go alone.  I was scared and spent the entire weekend studying the file and rehearsing the court’s language in front of my mirror. It was a defamation suit and we were the counsel representing the claimant. In court that morning, I was nervous but the longer I waited, the more relaxed I became because I noticed that the court’s procedure was not significantly different from the mock trials I had experienced in my undergraduate and Law School days. When my matter was called, I got up and successfully did the needful.

Who and what have impacted your legal career so far?

I am an academic and a practitioner and I have mentors in both aspects of my professional life.

Albert Einstein is reputed to have observed that he saw far only because he had the privilege of standing on the shoulders of giants. My case is not different from his. My life and my story is a product of mentorship, with my parents being my first and foremost mentors. They inspire me and consistently encourage me to do more. After my parents, Mrs. Adetoun Adebiyi, the Deputy Director General and Head of Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School is one woman who believes that there is nothing I cannot achieve. Next on the list are my academic fathers and mentors: His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Prof. Nnamdi Aduba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN (the one I watch from a distance), Prof.Dakas CJ Dakas SAN, Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, Prof. Shaakaa, Mr. Alimi, Mrs.Odukoya, Mrs. Egbe, Mr.Ogbuanya, Mr. Sam Oguche, Mr.Udemezue, Mrs. James, and my best friend as far as international law is concerned – Mr. Matthias Zechariah. These persons have, whether actively or passively, consistently spurred me to aim for more.

As a practitioner, Mr. Chike Obianwu tops the list of those I work hard to be like and I learn from him daily. Working with him and Desmond Ogba has made me commercially aware, has changed the way I think, and given me deeper insights into the practical application of legal principles and the provision of ‘A’ grade services to clients.

All these persons have had positive impacts on my legal career and have contributed in pushing me this far in my very young career. I mean, I only became a year old at the Bar on December 16, 2016.

What key skills and qualities must one possess to become a successful solicitor/barrister?

Humility, hard work, diligence, high moral and ethical standards, commercial awareness, reliability, a sound knowledge of the law, continuous professional development, and of course, paying clients!

What do you think are the most important characteristics and abilities for any person’s success?

At the risk of sounding ecclesiastic, grace is a necessary tool for success in whatever we do. In addition to grace, anyone who wants to attain success must merge humility with hard work, smart work, diligent work, and excellent work. Having said that, I must state that I would typically not advice anyone to pursue success alone. I advocate excellence and if I am permitted to quote Ranchoddas of the 3 Idiots, “pursue excellence and success will pursue you pants down.”

How did you arrive at the decision to become an Adjunct Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School?

I have always wanted to teach and I developed that dream while I was a sophomore at the University of Jos. However, the opportunity to teach came when I least expected it and at a level that is best left to imagination. In my eyes, the Law School is a sacred institution reserved only for superior legal minds and I did not permit myself to dream of teaching at the Law School because I did not know that I had the requisite superior mind. Consequently, when Mrs. Adebiyi invited me to be her adjunct lecturer, I was overwhelmed with joy and disbelief.

How do you relate with your students considering your young age?

That has been a challenge – a major challenge actually. I started out by being very friendly with them, but trust students, they started abusing it. Then I switched and became strict, and they said I was proud. Even elderly students consistently try to use the age factor against me. But by and large, God has kept me through. I try to be very friendly with them, but I draw lines where necessary.

What is your ultimate career goal?

To develop the jurisprudence in the theory and practice of corporate law and finance in Nigeria as a scholar and as a practitioner, to fight for a vibrant Nigerian Bar that is made up of lawyers who are driven by a positive sense of ethics and high professional conduct, to fight for the protection of human rights (particularly the rights of internally displaced persons), to make positive impacts on legal education pre-call and mandatory continuing professional development post-call. These are at the vanguard of the career I am building.

In between all that you do, what other things interest you?

Classical music! They always bring peace with them. I also love to watch law-related television series. Arts and nature also interest me. Besides these, I lead a very boring life!

How do you achieve a work life balance?

Truthfully, I do not. In between church, Templars, the Law School, and my personal efforts towards self-development, I have no extra time to myself. Right now, the prospects of a work life balance for me is utopian.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Police officer clubbed to death in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command says it has commenced investigation into the clubbing to death of a police officer who was attempting to apprehend some hoodlums smoking Indian hemp in Enugu metropolis.

The incident took place at about 5.p.m on Saturday at the popular New Artisan Market within Enugu metropolis.

It was gathered that the hoodlums overpowered the officer and then used hard objects to club him to death.

Reacting, the command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said that the police had begun massive crackdown and investigation into the matter.

“We are saddened with the development that we lost one of our own in the line of duty.

“It is unfortunate that at this age, people still engage in maiming law enforcement officers meant to protect and ensure they live peacefully in their neighbourhoods.

“We have launched investigation into the matter.

“The command would unravel what happened and deal with the culprits decisively,’’ he said.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Don’t politicise Moremi, scholar tells Ooni, Olugbo

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

PETER DADA

A Professor of Humanities from the University of Texas, United States of America, Prof. Toyin Falola, has called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, not to allow the historical issue of Moremi to cause disaffection between them.

“I will write to the two monarchs. They should leave politics out of this matter (Moremi). They should leave the matter for the academics.”

He decried the low level of socio-economic development of Yoruba coastal communities in spite of abundant natural resources in the region when compared with other parts of the country.

Other participants who spoke at the conference however noted that for the situation in Yorubaland to improve, there was the need for the government at all levels to pay more attention to the provision of education, employment and basic amenities such as good roads, potable water and health facilities for the people of the coastal communities.

In his remarks, the Provost of the college, Prof. Olukoya Ogen, stated that the conference was organised as part of efforts by his administration to promote intellectual development and enhance human capacity in the institution.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Ghana varsity bars Bayelsa students from hostels, taking exams

Bayelsa State students studying at King’s University College, Accra, Ghana have been prevented from staying in the institution’s hostels and taking examinations, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

This is coming more than three weeks after the Bayelsa State Government said it had approved the payment of sundry fees for its stranded students studying abroad.

The government had on November 24, 2016 said Governor Seriake Dickson released £300,000 and $450,000 for the payment of tuition fees for the students from the state on scholarship abroad.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr. Markson Fefegha, was quoted as saying that the release of the funds, despite the sharp decline in the revenue accruing to the state, was a show of the government’s commitment to the education of its people.

The commissioner said the release of £250,000 was made to offset tuition fees and other fees of Bayelsa students studying for their PhD degrees in the United Kingdom.

But SUNDAY PUNCH learnt on Saturday that students of KUC were still stranded.

A final-year student of Human Resources Management of the institution, who did not want to be identified for fear of victimisation, said their school fees had not been paid.

The student added that the development prevented them from participating in the ongoing examinations in the institution.

Besides, she said Bayelsa students in Accra had scattered following their expulsion from hostels by the university authorities more than a month ago.

The distraught student, who confirmed the development to SUNDAY PUNCH on the telephone, stated, “They have not yet paid our school fees. However, we learnt the government representatives are on their way to our school.

When contacted, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Markson Fefegha, said the money had been released up to three weeks ago but that the procedure of transferring the fund was “a bit delayed.”

Fefegha stated, “As I speak with you, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scholarships Board is in Accra. I secured the approval of the money for her about three weeks ago. Let me reiterate that the government is very concerned about the welfare of its students anywhere in the world.”

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Family of Police Sergeant Shot By Colleague Demands Justice

The family members of Sgt. Salvation Adaka a Policemen who was shot dead by his colleagues over N20,000 ‘largesse’ on November 7, 2016 in Yenagoa have called on the Police authorities to prosecute the culprits.

It was gathered that Adaka and three of his colleagues from Agudama-Ekpetiama Police Division were on patrol duty on November 7 2016 and stopped over at a wake-keep where they were rewarded with N20,000

Trouble however started when an argument ensued over the sharing formula for the gift received by Adaka, the most senior member of the patrol team and he was shot dead in the scuffle.

Prince Joseph Yabefa, the representative of the family of the deceased policeman said that the family just received the autopsy reports which confirms that Adaka died of gunshots.

He said that the pathologist who conducted the post mortem and autopsy found pieces of the lethal bullets in the spinal cord of the deceased.

Yabefa, who expressed satisfaction with the steps so far taken by the Bayelsa Police Command on the incident, noted that the family is demanding the prosecution of the suspects.

“We have been following developments on the case, our interactions with the Police indicate that three of the Policemen with Adaka on that day were immediately arrested and detained.

“We were also told that one of them who was found not to be culpable have been released while two are still in Police custody awaiting prosecution.

“Most importantly, investigations have indicated that they were on official duty when the incident ensued and not illegal duty as being speculated.

“We are still in grief because Salvation Adaka was the bread winner of the entire extended family including his immediate family; he has an aged mother, five children as well as elder and younger brothers that depended on him.

“We urge the Police to sustain the tempo and not to tamper with the evidences available that will form the basis of prosecution and we shall follow this matter to a logical conclusion,” he said.

Sources at Bayelsa Police Command revealed that the two policemen indicted in the case have been dismissed.

Spokesman of Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Asinim Butswat, however said on telephone that discipline and sanction of the three policemen lies within the administrative powers of the Bayelsa Police Commissioner.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Enugu: Police yet to identify beheaded woman

Ihuoma Chiedozie

The Enugu State Police Command on Saturday said it had not yet identified the beheaded lady whose body was dumped in a street in the state.

It added that it also had not received any report of a missing person from anyone.

The command told SUNDAY PUNCH that it embarked on a full-scale investigations in order to unravel the mystery behind the headless body.

Spokesman for the command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, told our correspondent that none had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He added that there were indications that the lady was not killed within the area where her body was dumped because there was no blood on the ground.

He said, ‘‘We are still trying to establish her identity. We are trying to find out who she is, where she came from and the circumstances that led to her death. When we get the answers to these questions, we will be able to find out those behind the killing. Until we do that, we cannot make any arrest.’’

The naked, headless body of the unknown woman, believed to be in her late 30s or early 40s, was discovered in the Abakpa area of Enugu on December 7.

Her assailants apparently made away with her head before dumping the body in the street.

The headless corpse was eventually evacuated by the police. The body is currently in a mortuary and has not been claimed by the late woman’s relatives.

Meanwhile, residents of Enugu were apprehensive over the discovery of the beheaded corpse. Many of them attributed the case to ritual killing.

A shopkeeper, Chidera Uneze, told our correspondent that she was worried over the development.

The woman warned ladies to be careful while going out.

“Nowadays, you don’t know who is who; you don’t know who to trust,” she said.

On his part, Ndubuisi Igwe, a civil servant, linked the incident to greed for money by some diabolical individuals.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.

Military warns soldiers against extortion at checkpoints

Newly appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole (left) and other officers

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, has warned soldiers against extorting money from motorists at checkpoints.

Oluwole gave this warning at the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, Cross River State during a sensitisation campaign for members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on value system and re-orientation.

Oluwole, who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer of the command, Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile, said the army was bent on bringing back the core value of discipline among its officers and men.

He said the campaign was organised by the Defence Headquarters to achieve accountability, transparency and dedication to service with a view to complementing ‘the change mantra of the present administration.

According to Oluwole, the objective of the orientation is to instil discipline, attitudinal change, patriotism, bring back the value systems and ensure dedication to service.

He warned military personnel to desist from collecting money from motorists along the highways, adding that anyone caught in the act would be disciplined.

He said the duty of soldiers on the highways was to provide security for motorists and not to extort money from them.

“If anyone extorts money from motorists along the highway and the matter is brought to the notice of the authorities of the Armed Forces, that matter will be dealt with decisively.

“We will not condone that because we all know the basic expectations in the Armed Forces; what you are supposed to do and what you are not supposed to do. Collecting money from motorists is a very dirty thing and we will not condone that.

“Mr. President has launched the ‘change begins with me, campaign to correct many things that have gone wrong. The campaign is to restore our values in the workplace,” he said.

The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigeria Army, Calabar, Brig-Gen. Bulama Biu, also said the military had imbibed the ‘change mantra’ of the present administration.

Biu said the Armed Forces were ready to deliver the dividends of security to the populace, adding that the present administration attached top priority to issues of security.

One of the facilitators of the workshop, Maj-Gen. O.S Adeosun (retd.), said the workshop was organised to build a bridge between the military and the government.

--Roluyo Hammed contributed reporting.