Analysis II On Buhari's Newest Executive Order

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

         

In his apparent bid to strengthen the ongoing war against graft and allied matters, on Monday 8^th October 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari graciously endorsed a new executive order.

         

The order, which is tagged Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS), is targeted to tackle money laundering and tax evasion taking place within the shores of Nigeria. Similarly, it’s branded “Executive Order 8”, perhaps in accordance with the total number of orders recognized thus far by the government.

         

First, we need to painstakingly comprehend the real meaning of an executive order and its essence. An executive order is a directive issued by the president that manages the affairs of a federal government and which automatically possesses the force of law. It originated from the United States of America (U.S.A).

         

The major difference between a law and an executive order comes in how they are made. The former is required to go through the entire legislative process; it suffices to say that it must be approved by both chambers of the legislature and duly endorsed by the sitting president. By contrast, the latter does not have to pass through any of these procedures.

         

The legislative council isn’t meant to approve any executive order, nor can it overturn it. The worst it can do if it’s not pleased by the order, is to pass a law to cut funding for its implementation. But even then, the president has the constitutional power to veto such a proposed defunding law.

          

Executive orders are legally binding directives given by the president – as the head of the Executive Arm – to federal administrative agencies. They are generally used to direct the entities and its officials in their day-to-day thrive towards upholding the laws binding them, hence aimed at strengthening the viability of the affected laws, Acts or policies.

          

Fundamentally, an executive order is an official statement from the president about how the federal agencies he oversees are to use the resources and powers within their ambit. It falls under the broader umbrella of executive actions, which derive their power from the constitution, and it is the most formal executive action.

         

It’s therefore needless to state that the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, explicitly assigned the President the power to sign or veto the outcome of any legislation, command the country’s armed forces and other security apparatus, ask for the written opinion of any of his cabinet members when need be, convene or adjourn any Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, grant reprieves and pardons as well as receive ambassadors.

          

It’s noteworthy that orders from any court of competent jurisdiction constitutionally become binding and enforceable as law by the concerned court. In the same vein, in some circumstances, orders issued by any serving president equally carry the force of law. Hence, an executive order is deemed necessary when extant laws or policies become seemingly docile or inactive.

          

According to the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari, Mr. Garba Shehu, by the Executive Order 8, Nigerian taxpayers who hold offshore assets and incomes are expected to – within a period of twelve months from the date it was endorsed – declare voluntarily those assets and pay accruable taxes on them. “When they do so, they should expect to derive certain specified benefits”.

          

He as well clarified that any taxpayer who takes advantage of this privilege would pay only a one-time levy of 35 percent on the total offshore assets and income as well as obtain immunity from prosecution for tax offences and violations related to offshore assets, among others.

         

Offshore assets are investment strategies domiciled outside the investor’s home country. They are assets or monies being kept in a territory other than one’s country of residence. Poorly regulated offshore domiciles historically have served as havens for money laundering, tax evasion, or to conceal illicitly acquired assets from law enforcement bodies in the investor’s country.

          

Mr. Shehu further hinted that failure of any defaulting taxpayer to comply with the 12-month privilege shall at the expiration of the scheme result in investigation and enforcement procedures concerning offshore assets anywhere in the world “pursuant to information now readily available through automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries”.

          

To assert that this newly signed order – likewise other allied ones earlier introduced – is a welcome development, is an understatement. It’s only a dummy that’s yet to realize that the two factors affected by the Executive Order 8 have overtime bedevilled the Nigeria’s economy.

         

Aside the fact that most individuals or entities who launder money cum other belongings are usually criminals, hence do so in order to conceal their ill-gotten wealth, those who genuinely acquired theirs have from the onset succeeded in not paying the taxes accruable to the assets involved. In other words, the latter equally deserved to be regarded as criminals.

          

It’s on this premise I enjoin the Buhari-led government to tighten its seatbelt towards ensuring that this very order is given all the supports it requires. We can’t continue to beat about the bush when we are fully not unaware of the origin cum basis of our lingering economic plights.

          

The judiciary on its part must be helpful in ensuring that the prime purpose of the order is actualized. No one ought to sit on the fence while we are fighting a monster that’s ravaging our common patrimony. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaoozr, a policy analyst & rights activist,

could be reached via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

TechDeck I Social Media: The Pros and Cons

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

        

In recent times, social media have seemingly dominated the information world. It is obviously distinct from other existing media networks in various ways.

         

For instance, it operates in a dialogic transmission mode – many sources to many receivers – in contrast to print and electronic media that operate under a monologic transmission mode, one source to many receivers. It can simultaneously connect as many sources and receivers as possible.

        

There are numerous positive roles of social media networking in nation building. Though it’s a relatively new advancement in technology, it has made the world seem like just a minute clan owing to its ability to simultaneously connect millions of people from different localities across the globe, as well as spread news within a shortest time frame.

          

Hence, it makes information go viral that it could be assess from any locality. It enables one to reconnect with his/her old time friend or schoolmate. In addition, it helps people to stay connected to each other at all times.

        

Social networking is a great way to meet entirely new individuals and entities. One can easily discover persons or groups that are into his social/business interests. Online dating is currently more common than the traditional pattern of dating, and it’s worthy of note that many happily married couples today met online.

         

On the other hand, social media is at the moment the fastest and easiest way to promote goods and services; and it gives such products a different dazzling look, thereby encouraging the audience to patronize them.

         

Entertainers these days don’t need to be on television/radio before they could be heard; they can globally market their brands online with ease. The most fascinating part of it remains that the brand in question would be known by countless countries within a twinkle of an eye.

          

The social media equally helps to catch and convict criminals. People are usually ignorant of the consequences of what they post online. Often times they post, albeit ignorantly, pictures or videos of themselves doing illicit things. In the same vein, they also place bragging posts regarding various ‘minor’ crimes they have committed.

         

The law enforcement agencies invariably visit these sites towards fishing out the bad eggs as well as to trace a suspected culprit. The sites also assist the agencies while prosecuting any suspect in their custody.

         

However, it’s imperative to note that there are equally negative impacts of social media on mankind and the society at large. There are several falsehoods on various social media platforms; such information or propaganda can stir up panic and severe misinformation in the affected area.

         

Although it helps to start new relationships, it had on the contrary succeeded in ruining or terminating various other existing relationships. The ability to easily share people’s privacy, such as nude pictures and videos, on social sites has constituted several nuisances in people’s real life. It suffices to say that it puts trust to a limit.

         

Cyber bullying is not left out. Having access to people’s lives at all times is not encouraging, because such avenue helps many online fraudsters to lure their potential victims into their net, hence taking advantage of their vulnerability.

         

Sometime in 2012, one Miss Cynthia Osokogu was reportedly cajoled to a hotel room via social media. At the said venue, she was brutally gang raped and therein murdered by the fraudsters. Similarly, people are duped through social networking under the guise of ‘buying and selling’. The fact that you are not seeing who you are conversing with is enough reason to worry.

          

Prospective employers use the social media to scrutinize, and consequently discriminate their intending employees. They would delve into the profile of the jobseeker and by so doing, would acquire all the needed private information about him or her.

          

Employers always use this mechanism to their advantage and in most cases, to the detriment of the applicant. Among all, one of the greatest plights attached to the social media remains that people are fast becoming addicted to it. This kind of craze causes a lot of distractions for people in their respective fields of endeavour.

         

On the other hand, most people while conveying messages on social media prefer using symbols, smileys, abbreviations or what have you, to writing words in full. This syndrome has gone a long way in causing a great decline in the people’s grammatical ability. 

          

Hacking is another worrisome factor that can’t be overlooked while discussing the social media. Internet hackers can intercept your account under a certain guise or by gaining access to your password. Considering that most users of the social media aren’t professionals indicates that people are liable to constantly fall victim.

         

It would be ideal to regulate the day-to-day usage of the social media with a view to sustaining decency and legality. All stakeholders to include families, communities, schools and religious bodies are required in implementing the proposed regulation.

          

Aside legislation, the leadership of the above key institutions can institute a law binding the users of social media within their respective jurisdictions. The parents/guardians, for instance, can determine when and where cell phones should be used by their wards. Self-control will also help to avert several misfortunes that could befall the users of the platform.  
          

Above all, individuals, groups and corporate organizations are advised to maintain a complicated password on their various accounts and endeavour to change it regularly, to avoid hacking.

          

The social media is a viable platform, but its intrigues, intricacies and technologies call for thorough mindfulness and wisdom while using it. Think about it!         

Comrade Nwaozor, a tech expert, could be reached via

frednwaozor@gmail.com 

Twitter: @mediambassador

UNBELIEVABLE: 67-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Gives Birth in Ogun

For 39 years, a Nigerian couple comprising a Nigerian professor, Samuel Olu Otunbusin prayed and hoped fervently for a child of their own.

The wife, 67, went from one hospital to another in Nigeria and beyond, particularly India to have the fruit of the womb to no avail.

They consulted countless medical doctors, thereby going through various tests and procedures. In spite of the tremendous challenges, they didn't despair.

Just few days ago after the many years of endless wait, Professor Otunbusin who hails from Ogun State and his wife Ajibola got their hearts' desire: a baby at last; and it was a boy. He was successfully delivered via Caesarean Session (CS).



Mrs. Otunbusin put to bed at Atoke Medical Centre, Abeokuta, making her the latest in a long line of women who have benefited from In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

The new father and mother were beside themselves with joy at the hospital soon after the baby arrived.

Professor Otunbushin said the baby's arrival was the fulfillment of a revelation he had 35 years ago.
“God revealed to me 35 years ago about the birth of my son Oluwatobi,” he said, as he savoured the moment.

Mrs. Ajibola on her part narrated how her efforts to have a child took her and the husband to various specialist hospitals in Nigeria and India.

“This might be hard to believe but I am 67 years old and I have been married for over 39 years. I have done several IVFs both in India and in Nigeria that failed.

“At several points, I had said to myself: 'So I will die without a child of my own?'
“But I never gave up on God. I held on to the belief that at the appointed time, God would remember me. And my husband kept encouraging me.

 

“In 2018, I was directed to St. Ives Fertility Centre by the Holy Spirit. I started the procedure with joy and I ended it with joy from above.”

She advised other women who are encountering challenges with childbearing not to lose hope.
She urged them to remain positive and try all medical methods while also looking up to God for the fruit of the womb.

The medical team was led by the Head of IVF unit, Dr Babatunde Okewale.

It would be recalled A 72 year old Indian woman Daljinder Kaur and her husband had a son in April 2015 through IVF after trying unsuccessfully for 46 years to have a baby without medical help. She is believed to be the world's oldest mother.

Similarly, Mrs. Otunbusin may be the oldest mum in Nigeria.

The joy of motherhood knows no bound. Hence, being a mother, having to call a baby by name is the greatest wish of every woman. For those who are yet to have this dream fulfilled, it can really be a source of worry and anxiety. But sometimes, the longer one waits to have something done, the better the happiness that follows when it eventually happens. A Nigerian woman named Ajibola Otunbusin has every reason to be happy as she becomes the oldest woman in Africa to successfully give birth by means of In-vitro fertilization, popularly referred to as IVF. The woman who gave birth to a baby boy on Saturday, October 20, at Atoke Medical Centre in Abeokuta had been waiting for over 39 years for the fruit of the womb. The medical team which put in concerted efforts to ensure that her dream came through was led by the Head of IVF unit Dr Babatunde Okewale and his hardworking team. Ajibola's husband Professor Otunbusin to whom she had been married for these entire 39 years was elated that his wife had put to bed. But according to him, he was never disturbed by their infertility problem because he had full faith that she would conceive. 67-year-old Nigerian woman becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa after giving birth to baby boy 67-year-old Nigerian woman becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa after giving birth to baby boy READ ALSO: Meet 44-year-old woman who has 16 kids and has spent 10 years of her life pregnant (photos) According to him, about 35 years ago, it had been revealed by God that he and his wife would welcome a special baby. The new mother also confirmed this assertion with her own words: ”God revealed to me 35 years ago about the birth of my son Oluwatobi” Ajibola who was very happy at the birth of their promise child also took time to narrate her ordeal all through the agonising time of waiting. This she did in an interview with The Lagos Times Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1199463-67-year-nigerian-woman-oldest-ivf-mother-africa-giving-birth-baby-boy.html

The joy of motherhood knows no bound. Hence, being a mother, having to call a baby by name is the greatest wish of every woman. For those who are yet to have this dream fulfilled, it can really be a source of worry and anxiety. But sometimes, the longer one waits to have something done, the better the happiness that follows when it eventually happens. A Nigerian woman named Ajibola Otunbusin has every reason to be happy as she becomes the oldest woman in Africa to successfully give birth by means of In-vitro fertilization, popularly referred to as IVF. The woman who gave birth to a baby boy on Saturday, October 20, at Atoke Medical Centre in Abeokuta had been waiting for over 39 years for the fruit of the womb. The medical team which put in concerted efforts to ensure that her dream came through was led by the Head of IVF unit Dr Babatunde Okewale and his hardworking team. Ajibola's husband Professor Otunbusin to whom she had been married for these entire 39 years was elated that his wife had put to bed. But according to him, he was never disturbed by their infertility problem because he had full faith that she would conceive. 67-year-old Nigerian woman becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa after giving birth to baby boy 67-year-old Nigerian woman becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa after giving birth to baby boy READ ALSO: Meet 44-year-old woman who has 16 kids and has spent 10 years of her life pregnant (photos) According to him, about 35 years ago, it had been revealed by God that he and his wife would welcome a special baby. The new mother also confirmed this assertion with her own words: ”God revealed to me 35 years ago about the birth of my son Oluwatobi” Ajibola who was very happy at the birth of their promise child also took time to narrate her ordeal all through the agonising time of waiting. This she did in an interview with The Lagos Times Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1199463-67-year-nigerian-woman-oldest-ivf-mother-africa-giving-birth-baby-boy.html

The joy of motherhood knows no bound. Hence, being a mother, having to call a baby by name is the greatest wish of every woman. For those who are yet to have this dream fulfilled, it can really be a source of worry and anxiety. But sometimes, the longer one waits to have something done, the better the happiness that follows when it eventually happens. A Nigerian woman named Ajibola Otunbusin has every reason to be happy as she becomes the oldest woman in Africa to successfully give birth by means of In-vitro fertilization, popularly referred to as IVF. The woman who gave birth to a baby boy on Saturday, October 20, at Atoke Medical Centre in Abeokuta had been waiting for over 39 years for the fruit of the womb. The medical team which put in concerted efforts to ensure that her dream came through was led by the Head of IVF unit Dr Babatunde Okewale and his hardworking team. Ajibola's husband Professor Otunbusin to whom she had been married for these entire 39 years was elated that his wife had put to bed. But according to him, he was never disturbed by their infertility problem because he had full faith that she would conceive. 67-year-old Nigerian woman becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa after giving birth to baby boy 67-year-old Nigerian woman becomes the oldest IVF mother in Africa after giving birth to baby boy READ ALSO: Meet 44-year-old woman who has 16 kids and has spent 10 years of her life pregnant (photos) According to him, about 35 years ago, it had been revealed by God that he and his wife would welcome a special baby. The new mother also confirmed this assertion with her own words: ”God revealed to me 35 years ago about the birth of my son Oluwatobi” Ajibola who was very happy at the birth of their promise child also took time to narrate her ordeal all through the agonising time of waiting. This she did in an interview with The Lagos Times Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1199463-67-year-nigerian-woman-oldest-ivf-mother-africa-giving-birth-baby-boy.html

Analysis I On Buhari's Newest Executive Order

         

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

 

In his apparent bid to strengthen the ongoing war against graft and allied matters, on Monday 8^th October 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari graciously endorsed a new executive order.

         

The order, which is tagged Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS), is targeted to tackle money laundering and tax evasion taking place within the shores of Nigeria. Similarly, it’s branded “Executive Order 8”, perhaps in accordance with the total number of orders recognized thus far by the government.

         

First, we need to painstakingly comprehend the real meaning of an executive order and its essence. An executive order is a directive issued by the president that manages the affairs of a federal government and which automatically possesses the force of law. It originated from the United States of America (U.S.A).

         

The major difference between a law and an executive order comes in how they are made. The former is required to go through the entire legislative process; it suffices to say that it must be approved by both chambers of the legislature and duly endorsed by the sitting president. By contrast, the latter does not have to pass through any of these procedures.

         

The legislative council isn’t meant to approve any executive order, nor can it overturn it. The worst it can do if it’s not pleased by the order, is to pass a law to cut funding for its implementation. But even then, the president has the constitutional power to veto such a proposed defunding law.

          

Executive orders are legally binding directives given by the president – as the head of the Executive Arm – to federal administrative agencies. They are generally used to direct the entities and its officials in their day-to-day thrive towards upholding the laws binding them, hence aimed at strengthening the viability of the affected laws, Acts or policies.

          

Fundamentally, an executive order is an official statement from the president about how the federal agencies he oversees are to use the resources and powers within their ambit. It falls under the broader umbrella of executive actions, which derive their power from the constitution, and it is the most formal executive action.

         

It’s therefore needless to state that the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, explicitly assigned the President the power to sign or veto the outcome of any legislation, command the country’s armed forces and other security apparatus, ask for the written opinion of any of his cabinet members when need be, convene or adjourn any Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, grant reprieves and pardons as well as receive ambassadors.

         

It’s noteworthy that orders from any court of competent jurisdiction constitutionally become binding and enforceable as law by the concerned court. In the same vein, in some circumstances, orders issued by any serving president equally carry the force of law. Hence, an executive order is deemed necessary when extant laws or policies become seemingly docile or inactive.

           

According to the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari, Mr. Garba Shehu, by the Executive Order 8, Nigerian taxpayers who hold offshore assets and incomes are expected to – within a period of twelve months from the date it was endorsed – declare voluntarily those assets and pay accruable taxes on them. “When they do so, they should expect to derive certain specified benefits”.

           

He as well clarified that any taxpayer who takes advantage of this privilege would pay only a one-time levy of 35 percent on the total offshore assets and income as well as obtain immunity from prosecution for tax offences and violations related to offshore assets, among others.

          

Offshore assets are investment strategies domiciled outside the investor’s home country. They are assets or monies being kept in a territory other than one’s country of residence. Poorly regulated offshore domiciles historically have served as havens for money laundering, tax evasion, or to conceal illicitly acquired assets from law enforcement bodies in the investor’s country.

          

Mr. Shehu further hinted that failure of any defaulting taxpayer to comply with the 12-month privilege shall at the expiration of the scheme result in investigation and enforcement procedures concerning offshore assets anywhere in the world “pursuant to information now readily available through automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries”.

         

To assert that this newly signed order – likewise other allied ones earlier introduced – is a welcome development, is an understatement. It’s only a dummy that’s yet to realize that the two factors affected by the Executive Order 8 have overtime bedevilled the Nigeria’s economy.

          

Aside the fact that most individuals or entities who launder money cum other belongings are usually criminals, hence do so in order to conceal their ill-gotten wealth, those who genuinely acquired theirs have from the onset succeeded in not paying the taxes accruable to the assets involved. In other words, the latter equally deserved to be regarded as criminals.

           

It’s on this premise I enjoin the Buhari-led government to tighten its seatbelt towards ensuring that this very order is given all the supports it requires. We can’t continue to beat about the bush when we are fully not unaware of the origin cum basis of our lingering economic plights.

         

The judiciary on its part must be helpful in ensuring that the prime purpose of the order is actualized. No one ought to sit on the fence while we are fighting a monster that’s ravaging our common patrimony. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst & rights activist, 

could be reached via frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

SHOCKER: 85-Year-Old Paul Biya Wins Cameroon's Presidential Election For 7th Term

The incumbent President of Cameroon, Mr. Paul Biya has once again emerged the winner of the country's presidential polls towards serving his seventh term bid as President of Cameroon.

The 85-year-old politician emerged winner of the poll on Monday, 22nd October 2018 after he won 71.3 per cent of total votes, according to official results.

Rostrum gathered that there were calls by the opposition over the weekend for a re-run of the election, but the Constitutional Council rejected the move.

Major cities were under heavy security on Sunday to ward off any attempt to protest the eventual declaration of the results.

 

It would be recalled that Mr. Biya has been in power for more than 35 years, historically emerging the highest serving leader on the African continent.

Stay tuned to ROSTRUM for more on this!

BREAKING: China Set To Launch Artificial Moon

 
The night skies might soon have company as Chinese scientists are frantically planning to launch an artificial moon into orbit by 2020 to illuminate city streetlights during dark hours.

Rostrum gathered that scientists are hoping to hang the manmade moon above the city of Chengdu, the capital of China’s southwestern Sichuan province, according to a report in Chinese state media. The imitation celestial body — essentially an illuminated satellite — will bear a reflective coating to cast sunlight back to Earth, where it will supplement streetlights at night.

Scientists estimated that it could be eight times more luminous than the actual, original moon. It will also orbit much closer to Earth; about 500 km (310 miles) away, compared to the moon’s 380,000 km (236,000 miles).

But the ambitious plan still wouldn’t “light up the entire night sky,” Mr. Wu Chunfeng, Chief of the Tian Fu New Area Science Society, told newsmen . “Its expected brightness, in the eyes of humans, is around one-fifth of normal streetlights.”

 

Mr. Chunfeng estimated that new moons could save the city of Chengdu around 1.2 billion yuan ($173 million) in electricity costs annually, and could even assist first responders during blackouts and natural disasters. "If the project proves successful, it could be joined by three more additions to the night sky in 2022," he disclosed.

"But much more testing needs to be done," Mr. Chunfeng further hinted, "to ensure the plan is viable and will not have a detrimental effect on the natural environment."

“We will only conduct our tests in an uninhabited desert, so our light beams will not interfere with any people or Earth-based space observation equipment,” he landed.

However, China’s space goals are not unprecedented. It would be recalled that in the 1990s, Russia experimented with using an orbital mirror to reflect sunlight on some of its sun-deprived northern cities. The project was abandoned in 1999 after the mirror failed to unfold and was incinerated in the atmosphere.

Similarly, in January 2018, American firm Rocket Lab launched an Artificial Star into space. But scientists criticized the “Humanity Star,” as the reflective mini-satellite was dubbed, for contributing to artificial light pollution and cluttering in Earth’s orbit.

 

Remain on ROSTRUM for more on "China Set To Launch Artificial Moon".