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Thursday, 28 May 2020

Analysis II My First Open Epistle To Hope Uzodinma

By Fred Nwaozor


The last time I checked, I needed to – in my usual way and pattern – cordially and candidly advise the current Executive Governor of Imo State in the person of Senator Hope Uzodinma, hence this epistle.
Towards fulfilling my obligation as a stakeholder in the State and one who truly means well for the growth and uplift of the Eastern Heartland, I needn’t shy away from doing this, which is targeted to ensure the presence of good governance amidst the good people of the revered State.
If I’m not mistaken, I’ve hitherto been keenly following the political trending in Imo for the past two decades now, thus in a very good and apt position to aptly counsel any sitting governor of the State in the sole interest of the people.
If any concerned fellow has from the outset been following my myriad of analyses, he or she could boldly attest to the fact that I’ve never for once been involved in any partisan cause or crusade. It suffices to assert that my involvement thus far has been strictly non-partisan. This is the reason every discerning mindset is invariably willing and ready to listen to, or read, my words as might be the case.
Your Excellency, it’s four months now since you graciously assumed office as the six democratically-elected Governor of Imo State via the wisdom displayed by the apex judicial body in Nigeria otherwise known as the Supreme Court.
It was on 15th January 2020 the wind of change conspicuously blew to Imo, thereby making the reality dawn on Imolites. The unannounced interregnum was to a great amazement to some, while to a great bitterness to a few others. It’s noteworthy that such kind of circumstance is natural among mankind.
So far, if I’m to rate you, I would unequivocally say that you have been dogget and brave, though wouldn’t hesitate to frown at your Excellency in a few areas I’ve observed lapses. Nevertheless, we all have our flaws no matter how much we claim to be perfect.
I, first and foremost, need to commend your effort thus far since the emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Your strides have obviously been giant, to the best of my knowledge. We thank the Almighty that no fatality has been recorded in the State yet.
I equally want to appreciate your ebullient effort toward ensuring that workers and pensioners in the State are paid as and when due. The ongoing electronic migration to a digital platform whereby they would aptly receive their respective salaries and pensions is highly commendable.
However, your Excellency, there’s a compelling need to let you comprehend that the said migration, as informed by the Imo Government, is being lingered, thereby posing untold hardship to the supposed beneficiaries.
Considering the fact that the State, likewise all others in the country, is presently facing a lockdown as occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, you needn’t be notified that the employees of the State are seriously in need of their wages – likewise the senior citizens. Hence, anything that lingers the receipt of their respective wages ought to be tagged unacceptable.
On the other hand, posterity will never forgive me if I fail to personally applaud you for the most recent feat recorded by the New Imo Government. To have boldly and genuinely sponsored an Executive Bill aimed at repealing the law making the past governors cum speakers and their deputies to be entitled to pensions is enough indication that you apparently mean well for the State. And, acknowledging that the said bill has already been assented to by your Excellency, creates room for even your enemies, or the thomases, to pour encomiums on your person.
Notwithstanding, there’s an anomaly I’ve observed with optimum dismay. A situation whereby we – for months now – can witness countless appointees of the government who could boast of no portfolio, is really saddening and unheard of. These gentlemen and ladies have, since their various appointments were announced, been parading themselves within the Government House like ‘walking corpses’.
It’s even baffling when realized that most of them have abandoned their respective businesses for the sake of the appointment, yet till date, they can’t boast of any portfolio. We are not unaware that a ‘portfolioless’ appointee is just not unlike an individual who has been offered a job or employment but cannot boast of any Employment Letter. It’s even more pathetic to note that they have been sworn in for the past two months now.
In view of the aforementioned eyesore, your Excellency, I plead that in your extreme wisdom, the needful ought to be done henceforth, so that, your enemies won’t laugh at you. You must take into cognizance that this kind of aberration is better heard than seen.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that this set of appointees without portfolios equally deserved to be paid in arrears, because we are reliably informed that their names aren’t yet captured in the payroll. This mustn’t be shortchanged for any reason if you’re interested in earning a good name amid your teeming aides.
As regards governance, I wouldn’t want your Excellency to forget in a hurry how you emerged as the Executive Governor of the Eastern Heartland. You are, therefore, expected to invariably recall that you came as a Godsent, hence the need not to overlook the prime needs of the overall Imolites.
Imo is conspicuously in need of good and afordable education; she needs standard healthcare sector; she’s seriously yearning for massive industrialization; she’s in damn need of accountable and transparent leadership; she’s really hungry for a well refined Imo. More so, apt payment of the working class coupled with the retirees is required to be seen as paramount and non-negotiable.
Above all, I enjoin you to keep the citizenry abreast of happenings in the State. They ought to from time-to-time be intimated on whatever that has transpired or occurred in the recent past. You must, through the available channels, be always ready to put them in the know of the government’s activities, with a view to averting inconsequential speculations.
All in all, your Excellency, for the core mandate of the New Imo Administration – which is centred on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery (3Rs) – to yield the desired fruit, you must ceaselessly be willing to listen to genuine advices and shun sycophancy at all costs.
I can see you have come to change the narrative. But please, your Excellency, let it be for good in its entirety. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Policy/Political Analyst & Rights Activist, is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
_________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador

Opinion II IPPIS: Its Technicalities, Intrigues In Varsities

By Fred Nwaozor

The Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is a project initiated by the Federal Government (FG) in the Nigerian public service sector via the use of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
The IPPIS was introduced to adequately prove the effectiveness and efficiency of payroll administration in the government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Prior to its implementation by the FG, it was outlined that the IPPIS would accurately and reliably provide the overall personnel information as required by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
Nigerians were further informed that the electronic platform, if fully implemented, would drastically and holistically reduced or completely eliminate all forms of corrupt and sharp practices as well as facilitate modern scientific and apt budgeting cum forecasting.
It’s noteworthy that the IPPIS could boast of a separate department under the OAGF. The department or unit is solely responsible for payment of salaries and wages directly to FG employees’ bank accounts.
It has equally been reported that apt deductions are instantly made, followed immediately by remittances to a team of third party beneficiaries such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), State Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Housing Fund (NHF), Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Cooperative Societies, Trade Unions’ Dues, Association Dues, Bank Loans (if any) and what have you.
Recently, the IPPIS department boasted that since inception of the tech-driven mechanism in April 2007, the unit had saved billions of naira for the FG via elimination of thousands of ghost workers and allied matters.
It’s worthy of note that the streamlined key functions or core mandate of the IPPIS department are, but not limited to: management of FG employees’ records, payment of salaries and wages to the employees, deductions of taxes and other third party payments, remittance of payroll deductions to the benefitting bodies, and enrolment of employees into the IPPIS database.
The overall mission of the IPPIS is to pay the FG employees on-time and accurately within statutory and contractual obligations. Whilst its vision is to have a centralized payroll system that meets the needs of the said employees as well as help the government to plan and manage payroll budget by ensuring proper control of personnel cost.
It could be recalled that recently, sequel to the FG’s frantic move to ensure that all employees are duly enrolled into the IPPIS, the workers of the federal tertiary institutions of learning across the federation – particularly those of the universities – frantically rejected the plan, stating it was against the international extant law that permits the university autonomy.
Owing to the government’s insistence, the majority of the opposing university personnel succumbed to the pressure, hence reluctantly agreed to enroll into the tech-driven system having been conscientized that they would be happier while being paid via the IPPIS.
It’s worth noting that every existing university in the country is made up of four distinct workers’ unions, namely: the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU).
So, during the struggle between the FG and the aforementioned unions over enrolment into the IPPIS, three out of the four – namely NAAT, SSANU and NASU – were outshined by the pressure as the ASUU stood its ground, insisting it would never be a party to such scheme, which was seen by its members as a means by the FG to ridicule their rights.
However, it was claimed by the OAGF that some members of the aggrieved ASUU, whom were regarded as saboteurs and cowards, were captured into the IPPIS in spite of the directive issued by the national leadership of the union instructing every member to steer clear of the exercise, which they said was shrouded in secrecy and pranks.
The members of the three unions, whom were rigorously captured into the electronic system at the wake of 2020, reportedly received their first salaries via the IPPIS in February. Consequently, the salaries of the subsequent months being March and April were equally paid through the platform.
The intriguing part of the payment made by the IPPIS department to the university staff was the claim by the latter that their respective salaries were heavily deducted coupled with the allegation that their expected consequential arrears of the newly approved National Minimum Wage was not included.
The affected personnel lamented that at the time they were expecting to receive higher income (wage), the IPPIS department rather short-paid them without their consent or knowledge. According to them, aside the required arrears of the new minimum wage, their Earned and Peculiarity (Hazard) Allowances were obviously omitted from the payments, thereby impoverishing them. They, therefore, urged the OAGF to urgently look into the matter towards addressing the anomalies.
While this set of workers was still arguing and crying woefully over the perceived anomaly, the ASUU members who received the arrears of their withheld February and March salaries equally reportedly suffered from similar fate.
It would be recalled that penultimate month, President Muhammadu Buhari instructed the OAGF to outrightly pay all the striking members of the ASUU to cushion the excruciating effects of the ongoing lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Intriguingly, reports following the payment of the ASUU members disclosed that the said workers were paid via the IPPIS as it was mentioned in their respective bank alerts. One would then ask; how could they be paid through the IPPIS without being captured into the digital platform through a biometric method as required by the scheme? One question, too many.
The OAGF has come out to say that the alleged deductions in the university workers’ salaries were as a result of the legitimate taxes accruable to their wages, which were initially overlooked or not properly captured by their various institutions.
Analysts and concerned observers have been compelled to believe that the FG is only focusing on taxing the workers hugely and ‘unreasonably’, citing it as the government’s main current source of income since other sources of revenue are apparently grounded at the moment due to the ravaging effect of the COVID-19.
The various affected unions in the universities have insisted they would opt-out from the IPPIS, threatening a shutdown of their schools whenever the FG calls for reopening of the truncated academic session. They have unanimously agreed to embark on indefinite industrial action if the outlined issues weren’t sorted out prior to resumption of studies, though the ASUU had made it clear that the union was still on strike.
Truth be told; these uncalled technicalities and intrigues emanating from the IPPIS platform have myriad of questions to be answered by the OAGF. Questions concerning paying the university teachers via the digital platform without involving biometric capturing, over-deductions of their gross worth, and what have you, must be attended to by the concerned authorities.
Funnily enough, we have equally been reliably informed by these unions that the OAGF is yet to remit the deducted dues to their respective bank accounts. Who is then deceiving who? These countless challenges must be holistically taken care of before the world starts seeing Nigeria as a point of laughter or a comic centre. It’s even more baffling when realized that the said office had accused the universities’ management of forwarding the names of dead workers (lecturers) to be enrolled into the IPPIS. Isn’t it shameful and disgraceful for the office to make such claim public, having earlier notified Nigerians that the IPPIS was targeted to eradicate any form of hitches, aberration and corruption from the system?
Inter alia, the OAGF had earlier enthused that the IPPIS would ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries, yet we are currently notified by the concerned employees that their wages are recently usually deposited after many days of the affected month.
Whatever the realities might entail, the OAGF must take into cognizance that they are dealing with a set of individuals who are widely believed in the society to possess high degree of intelligence, knowledge, as well as sense of ingenuity and technicalities.
When a certain policy is genuinely designed to solve an existing plight, but in the long run ends up constituting more nuisance, then it calls for an urgent review. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, Tech Expert, Policy Analyst & Rights Activist, is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow: @mediambassador

Opinion II Onu, COVID-19 And Nigerian-Made Ventilator

By Fred Nwaozor

The Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu recently enthused that the Federal Government (FG) was prepared to ensure the acclaimed giant of Africa could boast of mass production of ventilators soonest.
A ventilator is a machine that provides mechanical ventilation to the user by moving breathable air in and out of the lungs, towards delivering breaths to the patient (user) who’s physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.
It’s noteworthy that modern ventilators are computerized microprocessor-controlled devices. However, patients can equally be ventilated with a simple hand-operated bag valve mask.
Ventilators are mainly used in intensive medical care, emergency units, and home care. It’s also administered in anesthesiology as a component of an anesthesia machine.
It’s worth noting that ventilators are sometimes referred to as respirators; a term commonly used for them in the 1950s. But in the contemporary hospital and medical terminology, a respirator is simply a protective face mask.
On its part, a respirator is a device specifically designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres, including fumes, vapours, gases and particulate matter such as dusts and airborne micro-organisms. It equally prevents an infected person from transmitting a contagious disease to the people around him/her.
Lest I digress; modern ventilators are electronically controlled by a small embedded system to allow exact adaptation of pressure and flow characteristics to an individual patient’s needs. Ventilators can also be equipped with monitoring and alarm system for patient-related parameters.
Penultimate week, precisely on Monday, 6th April 2020 – amidst the prevailing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic that’s ravaging the global community, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Nigeria graciously announced that the country could now boast of Nigerian-made ventilators.
The laudable notice by the NASENI Spokesman, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan, which equally disclosed that the agency had as well produced mobile sprayers to be used to disinfect Nigerian cities and homes, further informed the general public that the newly manufactured ventilators would be unveiled the following day being Tuesday by the Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Onu.
According to the press release, the lofty development was aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. It’s worthy of note that ventilator is a vital equipment meant for the treatment or control of the said disease and other related health challenges.
It would be recalled that recently, the FG via the Federal Ministry of Finance, begged an American billionaire for ventilators. The plea, which was widely perceived as a national embarrassment, was eventually withdrawn by the government. This could perhaps be the reason for recording this feat.
In a related development, few hours after the NASENI’s announcement, the teeming Nigerians were informed that a 20-year-old 200-Level undergraduate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Kaduna State, Mr. Usman Dalhatu had solely designed and produced a manual ventilator to be used in treating COVID-19 patients.
The young inventor, who reportedly hails from Gombe State, disclosed that it took him just 48 hours to manufacture the respiratory device. He, therefore, enthused that with adequate funding and technical supports from experts, he could mass produce the equipment within a short period.
More amazingly, Mr. Dalhatu who’s of Mechanical Engineering department, further revealed that the ventilator had already gotten a patent and trademark certificate, and currently was being sold in Abuja and Gombe States. He equally hinted that he had manufactured an electric cooking stove.
It’s not anymore news that this kind of talent is found all over our various learning institutions, but is invariably bedeviled by the continued lack of enabling environment. Probably, time has come for the fathomless cries of these folks to be heard.
Subsequently on 10th April 2020, the Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo stated that the FG had opened discussions with Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company and other related indigenous firms toward producing ventilators in the country.
The boss who disclosed this in Abuja while updating pressmen on the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for the manufacturing sector, notified that the FG had received proposals from the aforementioned company – and other automobile firms domiciled in the country – to produce ventilators, and that the various memos were being considered.
This information came at the time when the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr. Mansur Ahmed revealed that Nigeria’s manufacturers had increased the country’s domestic production capacity for face masks from 2 million in February to 27 million now.
The Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Onu while launching the first set of the made-in-Nigeria ventilators and other devices in Abuja, noted that ventilators were currently scarce across the globe as countries continued to conserve the ones they had for their own citizens.
Dr. Onu who was represented by the Science Minister of State, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, further declared that the FG could not afford to watch Nigeria citizens die from the COVID-19 crisis, thus Nigerian engineers in NASENI were challenged by the government to come up with engineering remedies to tackle the menace.
Taking into cognizance the trending thus far in the Nigeria’s tech sector as regards the emergence of the global health challenge, a discerning mindset in the country wouldn’t hesitate to assert that this situation – unbearable though – could be a blessing in disguise.
The bedeviling circumstance might be the prize to pay – or sacrifice to render – by Nigeria and her likes to enable them wake up from slumber in the area of science and technology, which had long been relegated to the background.
Nigeria as a people must, thus, be prepared to key into this crusade that’s ostensibly targeted to uplift her ailing tech sector by embracing the realities of the day, which are so glaring even to the blind.
It’s quite appalling that at such a critical time like this that requires optimum research activities, the country’s various universities are totally under lock and key. This occurrence is an obvious indication that we as a nation still have a colossal distance to cover in the field of sciences.
It’s so disheartening that at a period when the selected brains are meant to spend their nights in the laboratories and what have you, our numerous science dons and professors are conspicuously busy cracking jokes or compiling myriad of comic lyrics at the comfort of their respective bedrooms. It’s indisputable that this set of Nigerians is being marred by apathy because they have been made to believe that the society doesn’t care about their inputs.
Dr. Onu and his team must hence use this moment to swing into action in earnest without further ado. There absolutely ought to be no reason to import ventilators and allied materials while we can boast of all it requires – ranging from talent, patent to resources – to manufacture for ourselves. The only parameter that’s presently lacking in the system is the needed political will.
This is, therefore, a clarion call for us to start producing what we intend to consume. Anything short of this might unleash doom. Think about it!

Comrade Nwaozor, TheMediaAmbassador, is the
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
__________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Follow me: @mediambassador




Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Fiction II THIS LONELY PATHWAY

By Fred Nwaozor

I will wear my mask
While I do my work.
Yes, even on a mast
And as I take a walk.

This is to avoid a blast
From the new Corona
Who has come in vast
To maim my new Corolla.

I'm now on the alert
To strangle the pandemic,
Even as the bank alert
Ceased to enter my pan-den.

Let's lock-up the doors
While the lock-down lasts.

Fred Nwaozor
Poet, Novelist & Playwright

Sunday, 26 April 2020

Opinion II Uzodimma's 100 Days: All Eyes On Imo

By Toni Wakiki Akuneme





In his inaugural address to Imo people in January this year, as their 6th democratically elected governor, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma reiterated his commitment to purposeful governance benchmarked by free enterprise, social security and rule of law. He pledged (on oath) to "restore financial discipline, entrench due process and conduct government business in the most transparent manner "

I met the man Sen. Hope Uzodimma sometime in 2011 when my cousin, Hon Uche Obiozor, presented me to him as his constituent who was posted to the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada as Immigration attaché (then he had just become the senator for my Orlu Zone).

The next time I met Sen. Uzodimma again was in 2015 when I just returned to Nigeria after my foreign service and he had asked to meet with the youths of my town, as part of his non partisan constituency briefing. Fortuitously, I was nominated unanimously to tell the distinguished senator, the expectations of Awo-Omamma youths. After that meeting which held in the home of one of our elder statesmen, Sir Jerry Onuwa, the senator held my hand and whispered to me, "no wonder they made you their spokesman ". I smiled.

We never met again until in 2017 when I was elected president of the global forum for all Awo-Omamma people (ADF) and we paid the senator a courtesy visit in his Abuja office. Again, we interacted cordially on the need to include Awo-Omamma in his constituency program and projects. Instantly, the obviously impressed senator, asked his then Legislative Assistant, Ralph Nwosu, to allocate one civic center, one solar borehole and two feeder roads for Awo-Omamma community in their list of NDDC interventions. The borehole was completed within few weeks while the roads are still under construction and the civic center has been published by NDDC in their 2019 projects but yet to be commenced.

I cut a deep impression of the man Hope Uzodimma after those meetings and other more intimate contacts I had with him later on in 2017 and 2018 in company of my cousin Alloy Nnawugo, his classmate way back from Mgbidi Boys college, who always visited from London. I never saw Sen. Uzodimma as someone who pretended to be perfect. He rather came across as a simple, friendly but highly focused man who knew exactly what he wanted from life and possessed an unambiguous and charming style for pursuing his life's ambition.

Fast forward to January 2020 and behold Sen. Uzodimma had become the Executive Governor of Imo State after a two time stint in the Nigerian Red Chamber. The New Imo Governor must have come prepared, having had his eyes on the crystal ball in Douglas House since 2003, seventeen clear years before he finally wrestled the coveted seat from Mr Emeka Ihedioha of the rival People's Democratic Party.

I have no doubt that the new governor has come on board with an uncommon zeal that is already energizing the entire state towards sustainable development founded on inclusiveness and collective responsibility. His robust political experience and active Legislative career at the federal level must have equally exposed him to policymaking cum leadership strategies and skill sets that will help him navigate the curves of statecraft in his avowed bid to achieve the New Imo of his dreams.

I am convinced that Sen. Uzodimma fully understands the need to very quickly impress Ndi Imo who may not afford him a second chance for a good first impression, given their checkered political experience and against the backdrop of the remarkably divine way in which he launched himself into Douglas House, beginning with his dislodging of the Okorocha hold on Imo and then the unseating of an Ihedioha who claimed to be the governor albeit not meeting the mandatory two third spread of votes cast in the 27 local government areas of the State.

Recent political history in Nigeria shows that such governors who reclaimed their mandates by divine Judicial intervention like the Peter Obis and the Rotimi Amechis, wasted no time in giving their people real QUALITY service delivery, being naturally fired up by their peculiar circumstances.

Sen. Uzodimma is not likely to be any different, judging by his sure and steady flow in the last 100 days of his administration, by way of citizen based governance. His first moves included the continuation of all genuine policies and programmes initiated by the ousted, ill fated government of Mr Ihedioha, to truly underscore that government was a CONTINUUM, such as retaining the famous water engineer Emeka Ugoanyanwu who has started the reactivation of the hitherto moribund Otammiri Water scheme, retaining all the road construction contractors in the state especially in the state capital, Owerri, retaining all the panels of enquiries instituted by Mr Ihedioha against the activities of former governor Okorocha, prompt payment of workers salaries and pensions but with a caveat that only physically identified persons will be captured. No more ghost workers and ghost pensioners.

Other salient but silent milestones of the Uzodimma's administration that are not easily discernible to the uninitiated, include the prompt signing into law the bill on Enhanced Criminal Justice Administration which aims at simplifying complex court proceedings and decongesting the prisons in line with Federal Government Reform efforts to make Nigeria Prisons more of Correctional facilities than punitive. Thus, innovations like speedy trials, alternatives to imprisonment such as Community paroles and Plea bargaining will be the hallmarks of Justice administration in Imo state which becomes one of the few states to domesticate this new law in consonance with the Federal government.

Sen. Uzodimma's greatest achievement in the past three months is unarguably his ability to forestall the entry of the dreaded Corona virus into the entire Imo state, which has received both local and International commendations. Doubtless the total lockdown of the state naturally affected social and economic development in the state especially the arrival of dozens of foreign investors that had been issued visas for business meetings with the governor and his team.

Some of these investors were to come from Japan to discuss alternative power generation and distribution potentials in the state, while another group from Canada were set to arrive Owerri for high level discussions on livestock and other agro based services. A third group from Israel had also gotten their visas to come for signing of agreements on affordable housing and construction projects and the beauty of all these engagements is that they are bringing their own funding from offshore and all imo government is expected to provide is just the enabling environment and political will to drive these businesses with the attendant multiplier job creating potentials.

Sen. Uzodimma sure has such political sagacity in quantum deposits and little wonder he prefers to call himself the Oracle of PROSPERITY as he gears up not just to create wealth for nde Imo but also to ensure that such wealth is equitably distributed among the rich and the poor with Special focus on the vulnerable groups in the state. The governor is fully convinced that if a greater percentage of imolites are gainfully employed, crime will reduce, tourism, for which Owerri has come to be known, will triple and Imo will become more prosperous.

Already, once the lockdown is over, the governor is personally set to engage the leadership of major professional organizations like NBA, NMA, ICAN, COREN, NUT, NLC, and so on, so they can come to Owerri for their Annual General Meetings, which he will personally attend the opening ceremonies and encourage the government owned hotel to offer them free venues and discounted rooms and services. The idea, which Uzodimma copied from the city of Miami, is to ensure that all round the year, the state capital and its environ will remain busy with activities such that hoteliers, restaurants, beer pubs, cab drivers, business owners and other tour operators will be fully engaged from January to December. With this plans comes the massive reorientation of all major stakeholders in the tourism sector to ensure that visitors to imo state go away with the desire to come back again and again, based on a solid impression.

The governor is committed to upgrading the infrastructural and environmental systems around the state, with urgent emphasis on Owerri the capital. He literally has taken over the daily supervision of waste disposal and monitoring of on going road construction projects in the state.

Sen. Uzodimma is so passionate about the Recovery, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the New Imo he visualizes that he has vowed to go round by midnight once the lockdown is over, to physically inspect street lights, pot holes, security patrols and traffic lights to be sure that contractors don't try to compromise his aides. He Hope's to make the state free from such abuse like littering the streets and urinating publicly as first offenders will be used as scapegoats to test the determination of the state.

Sen. Uzodimma is aware that all eyes are on him, having made clear promises during his campaigns and inauguration. He does not have any slightest plans to go back on those promises. He sees the whole process of governance and politics as a hobby and is not in it for personal aggrandizement.

Sen. Uzodimma has a date with destiny and will rather quit than try to shortchange Ndi Imo. Uzodimma ultimately wants to make Imo the symbol of QUALITY east of the Niger. Quality people. Quality products. Quality services. Uzodimma has already dusted the original master plan for the state as created by the legendary Dr Sam Mbakwe and is willing and able to reinvent the New Imo of Mbakwe's dreams, which successive governments ignored.

Sen. Uzodimma will engage with all stakeholders in periodic town-hall meetings to review his strategies and plan new ones. At the end, all Sen. Uzodimma wants is for Ndi Imo to get the good life while God alone takes all the glory.

Let the Corona virus pandemic go away, so the good times can begin.

Toni Wakiki Akuneme
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor, writes from Awo-Omamma.

Tuesday, 14 April 2020

Analysis II On Proposed Migration To 5G Network

By Fred Nwaozor

Few months back, sometime in August 2019, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta said the agency had approved dedicated spectrum for trial deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) network services in the country.
In his words, the boss acknowledged the evolving trends in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem, giving rise to such technologies as Internet of Things (IoT) applications and Smart cities and communities, among others, saying the NCC was well positioned to jump-start trial of the 5G deployment.
This, which was disclosed at the 4-day conference titled “Ist Digital African Week” organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as was hosted by the NCC at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, saw Prof. Banbatta empasizing that the commission, in line with its collaboration and strategic partnership drive, had taken steps to involve members of the academia as major stakeholders in its activities towards the development of the telecom sector.
He further stressed that the recent licensing of seven infrastructural frims to deploy metro and inter-city fiber and broadband point of Access with a minimum capacity of 10Gbps across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nigeria, was in accordance with the “8-point agenda of the commission for the provision of ubiquitous broadband infrastructures” within the shores of the country in the “Next Level document”.
He noted that such a regulatory move was consistent with Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020, which recognizes the importance and imperative of ICT, as part of the “new world order” and catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development.
He, therefore, boasted before the audience that Nigeria had not only achieved but exceeded the 30 per cent penetration target set by the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018, stating equally that by the end of June 2019, the country’s broadband penetration stood at 33.31%.
In a related development, at the 39th Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) that held sometime in October 2019 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami stated that the country was ready to deploy 5G network across the federation to ease network flow.
The minister said Nigeria was ready for the 5G network but preparation was key, as he equally mentioned that the 5G could not be deployed across the country yet due to some gaps in citizens being unable to access the 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
He, however, acknowledged that the gaps were already there among the teeming users of the networks in Nigeria but advancement should not be delayed because some people were not yet on the same page with others.
Dr. Pantami frowned at the situation whereby Nigerians don’t believe in their local products, as he recognized that a Nigerian in the United Kingdom (UK) was the first person globally to design, build and develop first real-time 5G network dedicated to self-organized networks in the UK, using general-purpose processors.
He landed by saying “we usually fail to deploy what we produce”. According to the boss, Nigerians were so much addicted to foreign products and whenever they hear anything ‘local’, it appears to them as inferior. He thus reiterated “the perception of undermining our effort is what we need to change”.
It’s pertinent to fully comprehend the meaning and essence of the 5G network. 5G, as the acronym implies, is a 5th Generation mobile network. It is dedicated to handle much larger role than that of the already existing ones such as the 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks, respectively.
5G is introduced to elevate the mobile network to not only interconnect people, but equally interconnect and control machines, objects, or any form of devices. It’s meant to deliver new levels of performance and efficiency that would empower new user experiences and connect new industries.
The 5G network will deliver multi-Gbps peak rates or faster speeds, ultra-low latency, massive capacity, as well as more uniform user experience. Hence, it’s imperative to note that the 1G was designed to solely deliver analog voice, 2G for digital voice, 3G brought mobile data, whilst the 4G ushered in the era of mobile internet, which we are currently enjoying.
In summary, the 5G is a new kind of network in the telecom sector. It’s a platform for innovations that won’t only enhance today’s mobile broadband services, but would equally expand mobile networks to support a vast diversity of devices and services, as well as connect new industries with improved performance, efficiency and cost.
5G is, therefore, an advanced wireless technology that has begun wide deployment in 2019. It’s worth noting that, presently, about four million Koreans have access to the 5G network as at October 2019, with about five million expected by year end or early next year.
It’s also amazing to comprehend that China has deployed over 100,000 base stations in her quest for 5G wide usage, hence about 150 million 5G mobile subscribers are expected in the Asian country by 2020.
Since it is obvious that the 5G mobile network will soonest dominate the telecom sector, Nigeria as an entity must therefore not act in abeyance than to concentrate on how best an effective and efficient 5G network can be duly introduced into the Nigerian society.
As Nigeria, likewise other developing countries, is still trial-testing her technologies and securities towards creating and launching a wholesome environment for the awaited 5G network, she must acknowledge the key parameters needed to be considered as the concerned authorities undergo the testing process.
First, a well-designed unit comprising tested and trusted experts must be inculcated into the NCC purposely to handle all the technicalities and intricacies that need to be put in place prior to the arrival and launch of the 5G network system in the country.
Moreso, the security aspect of the preparation mustn’t be overlooked. It’s noteworthy that the wider the broadband, the more available opportunity for the criminals in the telecom sector.
Considering the above assertion, aside the already constituted law enforcement agencies in the country, there would be a compelling need to further institute a special Security Intelligence unit within the NCC, to tactically handle issues pertaining to frauds. This very proposal requires a strict legislative back-up and apt implementation.
The 5G network will operate in a high-frequency band of the wireless spectrum, between 28 Gigahertz (GH) and 60 GHz. It’s expected to add unlicensed frequencies such as the 3.5 GHz to its list of new frequencies for mobile use. This means a lot of bandwidth would be available to the teeming users.
The aforementioned merit indicates that the 5G won’t only boost ease of communication among telecom subscribers but equally expand the economic band or prospect of any country involved. Hence, the need for the Nigerian government to act fast. Think about it!


Comrade Nwaozor is the
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
____________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com



Fiction II WHAT A PANDEMIC!

Poet: Fred Nwaozor

Oh, what a pandemic
In this global village
Disrupting human isodemic
Even in our local village!

This is so demonic
To our collective existence.
Hence, needs severe demo
To quench the persistence.

As we mainly deploy exorcism
To free the bedevilled atmosphere,
It's noteworthy that this exodus
Needs more of forensic sphere.

So, while COVID-19 sputters
Let's jettison anything spurious.

Saturday, 11 April 2020

Tech II Adamu's Digital Learning Advocacy Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

ADAMU’s DIGITAL LEARNING ADVOCACY AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By Fred Nwaozor

Digital (virtual) learning is any form of learning that is accompanied by technology or by instructional practice that makes effective use of technology.

It encompasses the application of a wide spectrum of practices including blended and virtual learning. Through the use of mobile technologies, digital learning can be used while travelling and other related activities.

It’s noteworthy that there are a plethora of tools and resources online, many which are free, that can be used to create and enhance a digital learning environment.

Some of the tools being used by the 21st Century digital learning tutors include Google+, YouTube, RSS, iTunesU, cloud-based Word Processors (Google Drive), Evernote, file-sharing platforms (Dropbox), Zotero and digital pocket.

Penultimate week, precisely on 2nd April 2020, unsure of how long the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic that causes pleurisy would linger, the Nigeria’s Minister of Education – Mallam Adamu Adamu – engaged 237 Vice-Chancellors (VCs), Rectors and Provosts of the various higher citadels of learning across the country on a rigorous talk concerning how to reopen their respective institutions using virtual learning.

In the amazing discussion that lasted for hours, which held via a teleconference, the said boss directed all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to activate virtual (online) learning environment to enable students continue their studies through digital devices.

He however acknowledged the fact that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was still on strike, hence assured the Federal Government (FG) would do its best to resolve the lingering labour crisis.

Mallam Adamu who was physically flanked by the Executive Secretaries of the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as well as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), among others, further stated that the FG could not afford to shut schools for a long time, thus called for the meeting to ascertain remedies to the challenges posed to the nation’s school calendar by the COVID-19.

The minister who affirmed at the online session that he had tested negative to the COVID-19, said “We cannot be held down by the pandemic. We have to deploy all e-platforms to keep our universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other schools open.

He frowned that the outbreak of the COVID-19 had negatively changed everybody – both individuals and institutions – therefore asked the leadership of the higher citadels of learning to device alternative ways towards ensuring that the education of the young ones would not be truncated.

Mallam Adamu who urged the education leaders to take advantage of technology as it was found in other parts of the world, stating the country could not shut down all schools when it could boast of other means to teach the students, equally disclosed that the government was already collaborating with the World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) on how to create platforms for virtual learning classrooms.

Having reiterated determination to end the ongoing impasse between the FG and the ASUU, the minister stated that the private universities that were not on industrial action could immediately commence the virtual learning prior to the anticipated resumption of the public varsities that were still on strike.

On their part, most VCs of the private varsities welcomed the idea, hence expressed readiness to reopen their institutions having claimed they already had top grade virtual (online) learning system. They however pleaded with the FG to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Act to enable private citadels benefit from the intervention funds.

Mallam Adamu went further to enjoin the UBEC to work out modalities on how primary school pupils and secondary students could learn by using digital channels such as the radio and television stations. He said the FG would involve the state governments in this regard.

This could be referred to as a clarion call made by the education minister, conscientizing the stakeholders in the education industry to embrace the current realities. He was apparently making effort to let them comprehend that digitalization – or technology at large – cannot be kept in abeyance at such a critical time like this.

It’s really appalling that at this moment when virtually everything is being digitalized across the globe, most Nigerian higher educational institutions are yet to fully key into the language of digitalization let alone granting access to the teeming students. It’s not news that till date, most of these citadels are still finding it difficult to engage their students in e-library platform.

Though face-to-face contact – or physical presence of a tutor – plays a very major role in impaction of knowledge, hence cannot be jettisoned, it’s imperative for these leaders of thoughts to acknowledge that the impact of a tech-driven teaching mode in the contemporary society cannot be overemphasized.

Hence, it’s needless to assert that time has come for our institutions to deploy a new and alternative means of learning in their various jurisdictions in line with the present global realities.

However, come to think of it; one of the prime reasons that informed the recent incessant industrial actions embarked upon by the varsities’ dons was reportedly the continued poor funding of the institutions by the governments at all levels.

The last time I checked, the main reason that resulted in the ongoing strike by the ASUU members remained the compelling need to revitalize the country’s various universities in the area of learning, infrastructure and research.

If the above paragraph holds water, we will then wonder how the minister would expect these institutions to duly embrace digital pattern of learning when they are ostensibly facing paucity of funds in their respective purses. This smacks of deceit.

It’s worthy of note that the Nigeria’s numerous varsities have recently been deprived of their rightful place. The current move by the government to totally denial them their right for autonomy is a tangible proof to this assertion. As if the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy wasn’t enough, the FG still went ahead to involve the varsities in the newly introduced Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) policy after several stakeholders had condemned the action.

The worst of these remains that the latter - as regards the aforementioned policies - is currently causing more harm than good in the sectors that have keyed into it. It suffices to assert that the IPPIS, which is primarily targeted to curtail corruption in the public sector, is rather reportedly constituting more corrupt practices.

For any society to move forward as expected by all, viable and feasible policies must be initiated and duly implemented by the apt authorities, and the existing ones that are perceived to be lofty and wholesome must equally be sustained at all cost.

It's more disheartening when realized that those who invariably embark on the countless industrial actions do so only for the sake of tokenism. It's, therefore, unarguably high time we faced reality squarely and vow to hold the bull by the horn.

As the days unfold, the country continues to witness myriad of brain drain both in the health and education sectors, yet those concerned would still observe the unfortunate incidence with amazing physiognomies.

As much as we eagerly want these citadels to improve or grow in terms of learning content and research quality coupled with patent development and innovations, the needed support must equally be granted without involving any element of pranks. Think about it!


*Comrade Nwaozor*, policy analyst & rights activist,
is the *National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement*
--------------------------------------------
Twitter: @mediambassador
frednwaozor@gmail.com

Sunday, 24 November 2019

Tech I FUTO Agog As Physics Department Hosts 42nd NIP Conference

November 18-22, 2019 ushered in a period of intellectual harvest in the revered Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) led by eminent Prof. F. C. Eze as the institution graciously hosted the 42nd Annual Conference of the famous Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP).





The gathering of renowned intellectuals featured three different sessions to include, the Induction of new members cum Fellows of the Institute, Keynote Addresses and Presentations from distinguished physicists as well as the Technical segment.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was ably headed by the notable female physicist, Prof. C. A. Madu who is currently the Head of the Department of Physics in the University (FUTO).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eze who is equally a physicist of note and a respected Fellow of the Institute (FNIP), thanked members and guests for finding time to grace the yearly occasion, as he recalled with nostalgia that the Conference was hosted last in FUTO in 2008 when he was the Dean of School of Sciences (SOSC), now divided into the School of Physical Sciences (SOPS) and School of Biological Sciences (SOBS).

In his words, the President of the NIP, Prof. H. O. Aboh remarked that the annual occasion was an avenue of showcasing the talents, skills, intellectuals and resources that lie within the scope of the Institute, hence informed that the body was determined to remain persistent in upholding the core mandates of the Conference.

The highlights of the event was the induction of some eminent members as Fellows of the NIP. Two renowned physicists of the FUTO extraction - in the persons of Prof. I. C. Ndukwe and Prof. B. C. Anusionwu - were awarded with the Fellowship honour.

The event was attended by high ranking physicists within the shores of Nigerian society and beyond such as the likes of Prof. P. N. Okeke whose name is synonymous with Physics in Nigeria.

The event, which precisely took place in the University's Hall of Excellence of 1000 capacity, saw the presence of thousands of respected professionals and captains of industries. Everyone reportedly left the venue fulfilled.

Wednesday, 9 October 2019

Economy II Full Text of Buhari's N10.33 trn 2020 Budget Proposal




As earlier reported by the Rostrum Economic Team, on Tuesday, 8th October 2019, the Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari graciously presented an Appropriation Bill bearing the country's 2020 budget proposal worth about 10.33 trillion naira to the Joint Session of the National Assembly (NASS). The theme of the proposed budget is "Budget of Sustaining Growth and Job Creation".

Below is the full speech of the number one citizen of the Africa's most popular and populous country:

PROTOCOLS

1. I will start by asking you to pardon my voice. As you can hear, I have a cold as a result of working hard to meet your deadline!

2. I am delighted to present the 2020 Federal Budget Proposals to this Joint Session of the National Assembly, being my first budget presentation to this 9th National Assembly.

3. Before presenting the Budget, let me thank all of you Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, for your avowed commitment to cooperate with the Executive to accelerate the pace of our socio-economic development and enhance the welfare of our people.

4. I will also once again thank all Nigerians, who have demonstrated confidence in our ability to deliver on our socio-economic development agenda, by re-electing this Administration with a mandate to Continue the Change. We remain resolutely committed to the actualization of our vision of a bright and prosperous future for all Nigerians.

5. During this address, I will present highlights of our budget proposals for the next fiscal year. The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will provide full details of these proposals, subsequently.

OVERVIEW OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN 2019

6. The economic environment remains very challenging, globally. The International Monetary Fund expects global economic recovery to slow down from 3.6 percent in 2018 to 3.5 percent in 2020. This reflects uncertainties arising from security and trade tensions with attendant implications on commodity price volatility.


7. Nearer to home, however, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to continue to grow from 3.1 percent in 2018 to 3.6 percent in 2020. This is driven by investor confidence, oil production recovery in key exporting countries, sustained strong agricultural production as well as public investment in non-dependent economies.

8. Mr. Senate President; Right Honourable Speaker; I am pleased to report that the Nigerian economy thus far has recorded nine consecutive quarters of GDP growth. Annual growth increased from 0.82 percent in 2017 to 1.93 percent in 2018, and 2.02 percent in the first half of 2019. The continuous recovery reflects our economy’s resilience and gives credence to the effectiveness of our economic policies thus far.

9. We also succeeded in significantly reducing inflation from a peak of 18.72 percent in January 2017, to 11.02 percent by August 2019. This was achieved through effective fiscal and monetary policy coordination, exchange rate stability and sensible management of our foreign exchange.

10. We have sustained accretion to our external reserves, which have risen fromUS$23 billion in October 2016 to about US$42.5 billion by August 2019. The increase is largely due to favourable prices of crude oil in the international market, minimal disruption of crude oil production given the stable security situation in the Niger Delta region and our import substitution drive, especially in key commodities.

11. The foreign exchange market has also remained stable due to the effective implementation of the Central Bank’s interventions to restore liquidity, improve access and discourage currency speculation. Special windows were created that enabled small businesses, investors and importers in priority economic sectors to have timely access to foreign exchange.

12. Furthermore, as a sign of increased investor confidence in our economy, there were remarkable inflows of foreign capital in the second quarter of 2019. The total value of capital imported into Nigeria increased from US$12 billion in the first half year of 2018 to US$14 billion for the same period in 2019.

PERFORMANCE OF THE 2019 BUDGET

13. Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, you will recall that the 2019 ‘Budget of Continuity’ was based on a benchmark oil price of US$60 per barrel, oil production of 2.3 mbpd, and an exchange rate of N305 to the United States Dollar. Based on these parameters, we projected a deficit of N1.918 trillion or 1.37 percent of Gross Domestic Product.

14. As at June 2019, Federal Government’s actual aggregate revenue (excluding Government-Owned Enterprises) was N2.04 trillion. This revenue performance is only 58 percent of the 2019 Budget’s target due to the underperformance of both oil and non-oil revenue sources. Specifically, oil revenues were below target by 49 percent as at June 2019. This reflects the lower-than-projected oil production, deductions for cost under-recovery on supply of premium motor spirit (PMS), as well as higher expenditures on pipeline security/maintenance and Frontier exploration.

15. Daily oil production averaged 1.86 mbpd as at June 2019, as against the estimated 2.3 mbpd that was assumed. This shortfall was partly offset as the market price of Bonny Light crude oil averaged US$67.20 per barrel which was higher than the benchmark price of US$60.

16. Additionally, revenue projections from restructuring of Joint Venture Oil and Gas assets and enactment of new fiscal terms for Production Sharing Contracts did not materialize, as the enabling legislation for these reforms is yet to be passed into law.

17. The performance of non-oil taxes and independent revenues such as internally generated revenues were N614.57 billion and N217.84 billion,respectively.

18. Receipts from Value Added Tax were below expectations due to lower levels of activities in certain economic sectors, in the aftermath of national elections. Corporate taxes were affected by the seasonality of collections, which tend to peak in the second half of the calendar year.

19. On the expenditure side, 2019 Budget implementation was also hindered by the combination of delay in its approval and the underperformance of revenue collections. As such, only recurrent expenditure items have been implemented substantially. Of the prorated expenditure of N4.46 trillion budgeted, N3.39 trillionhad been spent by June 30, 2019.

20. In compliance with the provisions of the 2018 Appropriation Act, we implemented the 2018 capital budget till June 2019. Capital releases under the 2019 Budget commenced in the third quarter. As at 30th September 2019, a total of about N294.63 billion had been released for capital projects. I have directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to release an additional N600 billion of the 2019 capital budget by the end of the year.

21. Despite the delay in capital releases, a deficit of N1.35 trillion was recorded at end of June 2019. This represents 70 percent of the budgeted deficit for the full year.

22. Despite these anomalies, I am happy to report that we met our debt service obligations, we are current on staff salaries and overhead costs have also been largely covered.

2020 BUDGET PRIORITIES

23. Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, let me now turn to the 2020 Appropriation, which is designed to be a budget of:

a. Fiscal consolidation, to strengthen our macroeconomic environment;

b. Investing in critical infrastructure, human capital development and enabling institutions, especially in key job creating sectors;

c. Incentivising private sector investment essential to complement the Government’s development plans, policies and programmes; and

d. Enhancing our social investment programs to further deepen their impact on those marginalised and most vulnerable Nigerians.

PARAMETERS & FISCAL ASSUMPTIONS UNDERPINNING THE APPROPRIATION BILL AND THE FINANCE BILL

24. Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) set out the parameters for the 2020 Budget. We have adopted a conservative oil price benchmark of US$57 per barrel, daily oil production estimate of 2.18 mbpd and an exchange rate of N305 per US Dollar for 2020.

25. We expect enhanced real GDP growth of 2.93% in 2020, driven largely by non-oil output, as economic diversification accelerates, and the enabling business environment improves. However, inflation is expected to remain slightly above single digits in 2020.

26. Accompanying the 2020 Budget Proposal is a Finance Bill for your kind consideration and passage into law. This Finance Bill has five strategic objectives, in terms of achieving incremental, but necessary, changes to our fiscal laws. These objectives are:

a. Promoting fiscal equity by mitigating instances of regressive taxation;

b. Reforming domestic tax laws to align with global best practices;

c. Introducing tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets;

d. Supporting Micro, Small and Medium-sized businesses in line with our Ease of Doing Business Reforms; and

e. Raising Revenues for Government.

27. The draft Finance Bill proposes an increase of the VAT rate from 5% to 7.5%. As such, the 2020 Appropriation Bill is based on this new VAT rate. The additional revenues will be used to fund health, education and infrastructure programmes. As the States and Local Governments are allocated 85% of all VAT revenues, we expect to see greater quality and efficiency in their spending in these areas as well.

28. The VAT Act already exempts pharmaceuticals, educational items, and basic commodities, which exemptions we are expanding under the Finance Bill, 2019. Specifically, Section 46 of the Finance Bill, 2019 expands the exempt items to include the following:

a. Brown and white bread;

b. Cereals including maize, rice, wheat, millet, barley and sorghum;

c. Fish of all kinds;

d. Flour and starch meals;

e. Fruits, nuts, pulses and vegetables of various kinds;

f. Roots such as yam, cocoyam, sweet and Irish potatoes;

g. Meat and poultry products including eggs;

h. Milk;

i. Salt and herbs of various kinds; and

j. Natural water and table water.

29. Additionally, our proposals also raise the threshold for VAT registration to N25 million in turnover per annum, such that the revenue authorities can focus their compliance efforts on larger businesses thereby bringing relief for our Micro, Small and Medium-sized businesses.

30. It is absolutely essential to intensify our revenue generation efforts. That said, this Administration remains committed to ensuring that the inconvenience associated with any fiscal policy adjustments, is moderated, such that the poor and the vulnerable, who are most at risk, do not bear the brunt of these reforms.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REVENUE ESTIMATES

31. The sum of N8.155 trillion is estimated as the total Federal Government revenue in 2020 and comprises oil revenue N2.64 trillion, non-oil tax revenues of N1.81 trillion and other revenues of N3.7 trillion. This is 7 percent higher than the 2019 comparative estimate of N7.594 trillion inclusive of the Government Owned Enterprises.


32. The increasing share of non-oil revenues underscores our confidence in our revenue diversification strategies, going forward. Furthermore, in our efforts to enhance transparency and accountability, we shall continue our strict implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA) to capture the domiciliary accounts in our foreign missions and those linked to Government Owned Enterprises.

PLANNED 2020 EXPENDITURE

33. An aggregate expenditure of N10.33 trillion is proposed for the Federal Government in 2020. The expenditure estimate includes statutory transfers of N556.7 billion, non-debt recurrent expenditure of N4.88 trillion and N2.14 trillion of capital expenditure (excluding the capital component of statutory transfers). Debt service is estimated at N2.45 trillion, and provision for Sinking Fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors is N296 billion.

STATUTORY TRANSFERS

34. The sum of N556.7 billion is provided for Statutory Transfers in the 2020 Budget and includes:

a. N125 billion for the National Assembly;

b. N110 billion for the Judiciary;

c. N37.83 billion for the North East Development Commission (NEDC);

d. N44.5 billion for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF);

e. N111.79 billion for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC); and

f. N80.88 billion for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which is now supervised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

35. We have increased the budgetary allocation to the National Human Rights Commission from N1.5 billion to N2.5 billion. This 67 percent increase in funding is done to enable the Commission to perform its functions more effectively.

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

36. The non-debt recurrent expenditure includes N3.6 trillion for personnel and pension costs, an increase of N620.28 billion over 2019. This increase reflects the new minimum wage as well as our proposals to improve remuneration and welfare of our Police and Armed Forces. You will all agree that Good Governance, Inclusive Growth and Collective Prosperity can only be sustained in an environment of peace and security.

37. Our fiscal reforms shall introduce new performance management frameworks to regulate the cost to revenue ratios for Government Owned Enterprises, which shall come under significant scrutiny. We will reward exceptional revenue and cost management performance, while severe consequences will attend failures to achieve agreed revenue targets.

38. We shall also sustain our efforts in managing personnel costs. Accordingly, I have directed the stoppage of the salary of any Federal Government staff that is not captured on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform by the end of October 2019. All agencies must obtain the necessary approvals before embarking on any fresh recruitment and any contraventions of these directives shall attract severe sanctions.

39. Overhead costs are projected at N426.6 billion in 2020. Additional provisions were made only for the newly created Ministries. I am confident that the benefits of these new Ministries as it relates to efficient and effective service delivery to our citizens significantly outweighs their budgeted costs.

40. That said, the respective Heads of MDAs must ensure strict adherence to government regulations regarding expenditure control measures. The proliferation of Zonal, State and Liaison Offices by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (‘MDAs’), with attendant avoidable increase in public expenditure, will no longer be tolerated.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

41. As I mentioned earlier, investing in critical infrastructure is a key component of our fiscal strategy under the 2020 Budget Proposals. Accordingly, an aggregate sum of N2.46 trillion(inclusive of N318.06 billion in statutory transfers) is proposed for capital projects in 2020.

.

42. Although the 2020 capital budget is N721.33 billion (or 23 percent) lower than the 2019 budget provision of N3.18 trillion, it is still higher than the actual and projected capital expenditure outturns for both the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years, respectively. However, at 24 percent of aggregate projected expenditure, the 2020 provision falls significantly short of the 30 percent target in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

43. The main emphasis will be the completion of as many ongoing projects as possible, rather than commencing new ones. MDAs have not been allowed to admit new projects into their capital budget for 2020, unless adequate provision has been made for the completion of ALL ongoing projects.

44. Accordingly, we have rolled over capital projects that are not likely to be fully funded by the end of 2019 into the 2020 Budget. We are aware that the National Assembly shares our view that these projects should be prioritised and given adequate funding in the 2020 Appropriation Act.


45. Therefore, I will once again commend the 9thNational Assembly’s firm commitment to stop the unnecessary cycle of delayed annual budgets. I am confident that with our renewed partnership, the deliberations on the 2020 Budget shall be completed before the end of 2019 so that the Appropriation Act will come into effect by the 1st of January.

46. Some of the key capital spending allocations in the 2020 Budget include:

a. Works and Housing: N262 billion;

b. Power: N127 billion;

c. Transportation: N123 billion;

d. Universal Basic Education Commission: N112 billion;

e. Defence: N100 billion;

f. Zonal Intervention Projects: N100 billion;


g. Agriculture and Rural Development: N83 billion;

h. Water Resources: N82 billion;

i. Niger Delta Development Commission: N81 billion;

j. Education: N48 billion;

k. Health: N46 billion;

l. Industry, Trade and Investment: N40 billion;

m. North East Development Commission: N38 billion;

n. Interior: N35 billion;

o. Social Investment Programmes: N30 billion;

p. Federal Capital Territory: N28 billion; and

q. Niger Delta Affairs Ministry: N24 billion.

47. Although Government’s actual spending has reduced, our plans to leverage private sector funding through our tax credit schemes will ensure our capital programmes are sustained.

48. For example, we launched the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, pursuant to which I have approved the construction and rehabilitation of 19 Nigerian roads and bridges of 794.4km across 11 States. Indeed, the Scheme has attracted private investment of over N205 billion and the first set of tax credits are being processed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

49. As I mentioned during my Independence Day Speech, under the Presidential Power Initiative, we will modernise the National Grid in 3 phases; starting from 5 Gigawatts to 7 Gigawatts, then to 11 Gigawatts by 2023, and finally 25 Gigawatts afterwards in collaboration with the German Government and Siemens.

BUDGET DEFICIT

50. Budget deficit is projected to be N2.18 trillion in 2020. This includes drawdowns on project-tied loans and the related capital expenditure.

51. This represents 1.52 percent of estimated GDP, well below the 3 percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, and in line with the ERGP target of 1.96 percent.

52. The deficit will be financed by new foreign and domestic borrowings, Privatization Proceeds, signature bonuses and drawdowns on the loans secured for specific development projects.

DEBT SERVICE

53. Nigeria remains committed to meeting its debt service obligations. Accordingly, we provided the sum of N2.45 trillion for debt service. Of this amount, 71 percent is to service domestic debt which accounts for about 68 percent of the total debt. The sum of N296 billion is provided for theSinking Fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors.

54. I am confident that our aggressive and re-energised revenue drive will maintain debt-revenue ratio at acceptable and manageable levels. We will also continue to be innovative in our borrowings by using instruments such as Sukuk, Green Bonds and Diaspora Bonds.

SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

55. Our government remains committed to ensuring the equitable sharing of economic prosperity. Our focus on inclusive growth and shared prosperity underscores our keen interest in catering for the poor and most vulnerable. Accordingly, we are revamping and improving the implementation of the National Social Investment Programme through the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

56. The National Social Investment Programme is already creating jobs and economic opportunity for local farmers and cooks, providing funding to artisans, traders, youths, and supporting small businesses with business education and mentoring.


57. The provision of N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been retained in the 2020 Budget. Furthermore, to fast track the rebuilding efforts in the North East region, a provision of N37.83 billion has been made for the North East Development Commission.

OTHER STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN 2020

58. The 2020 Budget is expected to accelerate the pace of our economic recovery, promote economic diversification, enhance competitiveness and ensure social inclusion. We are optimistic of attaining higher and more inclusive GDP growth in order to achieve our objective of massive job creation and lifting many of our citizens out of poverty.

59. The efficiency of port operations will also be enhanced by implementing a single customs window, speeding up vessel and cargo handling and issuing more licenses to build modern terminals in existing ports, especially outside Lagos.

60. Furthermore, completing the reforms to the governance and fiscal terms of the Petroleum Industry will provide certainty and attract further investments into the sector. A consequence of this will be increase in jobs and in government’s take. I therefore seek your support in passing into law two Petroleum Industry Executive Bills I will be forwarding to you shortly.

61. In addition, we need to quickly review the fiscal terms for deep offshore oil fields to reflect the current realities and for more revenue to accrue to the government. The Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (Amendment) Bill 2018, was submitted to the 8th National Assembly in June 2018 but was unfortunately not passed into law.

62. I will be re-forwarding the Bill to this Assembly very shortly and therefore urge you to pass it. We estimate that this effort can generate at least 500 million US dollars additional revenue for the Federal Government in 2020, and over one billion dollars from 2021.

63. Whilst the Budget is our principal fiscal tool to achieve these socio-economic development targets, we remain committed to prudently planning for our future economic prosperity. In this regard, I have directed the reconstituted Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to commence preparations towards the development of successor medium - and long-term economic development plans, particularly as the Nigeria Vision 20-2020 and the ERGP expire next year.

CONCLUSION

64. Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, this speech would be incomplete without, once again, commending the patriotic resolve of the 9th National Assembly to collaborate with the Executive in the effort to deliver inclusive growth and enhance the welfare our people. I assure you of the strong commitment of the Executive to deepen the relationship with the National Assembly.

65. As you review the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), as well as the 2020 Budget estimates, we believe that the legislative process will be quick, so as to restore the country to the January-December financial year.

66. It is with great pleasure therefore, that I lay before this Distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly, the 2020 Budget Proposals of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

67. I thank you most sincerely for your attention.

68. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Tuesday, 1 October 2019

INDEPENDENCE I Full Text of Buhari's 59th Independence Day Speech



On 1st October 2019, the acclaimed Africa's giant clocked 59 since she gained her Independence in 1960 from the British colony.

In the early hours of the day, the country's President, Muhammadu Buhari graciously addressed the citizens via the electronic media, spending about thirty minutes on the broadcast.

The full speech of the Nigeria's number one citizen is as given below:


Dear Compatriots,

1st October each year is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on our country.

2. It is also a time for us, collectively, to:

3. Remember the sacrifices made by our Founders and great leaders past; by soldiers, by distinguished public servants; by traditional leaders, by our workers ---- sacrifices on which Nigeria has been built over the 59 years since Independence in 1960; and How I started from mum's laptop to big job at Facebook - Nigerian man

4. Rededicate ourselves to attaining the goals which we have set for ourselves: a united, prosperous and purposeful nation in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges.

5. In the past four years, the majority of Nigerians have committed to Change for the Better. Indeed, this Administration was re-elected by Nigerians on a mandate to deliver positive and enduring Change – through maintaining our National Security; restoring sustainable and inclusive Economic Growth and Development; and fighting Corruption against all internal and external threats.

6. This Change can only be delivered if we are united in purpose, as individuals and as a nation. We must all remain committed to achieving this positive and enduring Change. As I stated four years ago, “Change does not just happen… We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust… simply put, to bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”

SECURITY:
7. Good Governance and Economic Development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security. In the last four years, we have combatted the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram. We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results. We are also grateful to our neighbours and allies – within the region and across the world – who have supported us on this front.

8. The capacity of our armed forces to defend our territorial integrity continues to be enhanced by the acquisition of military hardware as well as continued improvements in the working conditions of our service men and women.

9. The Ministry of Police Affairs has been resuscitated to oversee the development and implementation of strategies to enhance internal security. My recent assent to the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act has created a legal framework to support our Police with increased fiscal resources to enhance their law enforcement capabilities.

10. These initiatives are being complemented by the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to arrest the incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across our nation.

11. We remain equally resolute in our efforts to combat militant attacks on our oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta and accelerate the Ogoni Clean-up to address long-standing environmental challenges in that region.

12. The recent redeployment of the Niger Delta Development Commission from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs underscores our commitment to enhance the living standards of our communities in the Niger Delta, through coordinated and appropriate programmes.

13. Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media. Whilst we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.

14. In this regard, I reiterate my call for all to exercise restraint, tolerance and mutual respect in airing their grievances and frustrations. Whilst the ongoing national discourse on various political and religious issues is healthy and welcome, we must not forget the lessons of our past – lessons that are most relevant on a day such as this.

15. The path of hatred and distrust only leads to hostility and destruction. I believe that the vast majority of Nigerians would rather tread the path of peace and prosperity, as we continue to uphold and cherish our unity.

ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY GROWTH
16. This Administration inherited a skewed economy, where the Oil Sector comprised only 8% of Gross Domestic Product but contributed 70% of government revenue and 90% foreign exchange earnings over the years. Past periods of relatively high economic growth were driven by our reliance on Oil Sector revenues to finance our demand for imported goods and services. Regrettably, previous governments abandoned the residual Investment-driven Non-Oil Sector, which constituted 40% of Gross Domestic Product and comprised agriculture, livestock, agro-processing, arts, entertainment, mining and manufacturing activities that provide millions of jobs for able-bodied Nigerians and utilize locally available raw materials and labour for production.

17. To address this imbalance, our commitment to achieving economic diversification has been at the heart of our economic strategies under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, which I launched on the 5th of April, 2017.

18. This medium-term development plan charted the trajectory for our economy to exit from recession and return to the path of sustainable, diversified and inclusive growth for Nigerians. Pursuant to these reforms, the economy has recovered and we have had 9 successive quarters of growth since our exit from recession. The exchange rate in the last 3 years has remained stable, with robust reserves of US$42.5 billion, up from US$23 billion in October 2016.

19. Learning from the mistakes of the past, this Administration is committed to responsibly managing our oil wealth endowments. We will continue to prudently save our oil income and invest more in the non-oil job-creating sectors.

20. In this regard, we are significantly increasing investments in critical infrastructure. Last year, capital releases only commenced with the approval of the Budget in June 2018. However, as at 20th June this year, up to N1.74 trillion had been released for capital projects in the 2018 fiscal year.

21. Implementation of the 2019 Capital Budget, which was only approved in June 2019, will be accelerated to ensure that critical priority projects are completed or substantially addressed. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has been directed to release N600 billion for Capital Expenditure in the next 3 months.

22. To maximise impact, we shall continue to increasingly welcome and encourage private capital for infrastructural development through Public Private Partnerships. Through the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, which I initiated in January this year, we are giving incentives to private sector inflow of over N205 billion in 19 Nigerian roads and bridges of 794.4km across in 11 States of the Federation.

23. As we push to diversify the economy, we still remain focused on optimizing the revenues generated from the oil and gas sector. We will, working with the Legislature, soon pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and amendments to the Deep Offshore Act and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act into law, to ensure Government obtains a fair share of oil revenues, whilst encouraging private sector investment.

24. We will also continue our fight against illegal bunkering of crude oil and the smuggling of refined petroleum products across our borders, including the diligent prosecution and conviction of offenders found guilty of these acts. Whilst Nigeria remains committed to free and fair continental and international trade, we will not hesitate to take all necessary steps to tackle illegal smuggling, transshipment and other predatory trade practices that destroy jobs in our country.

25. We are resolute in reforming the power sector. In August this year, we launched the Presidential Power Initiative to modernize the National Grid in 3 phases: starting from 5 Gigawatts to 7 Gigawatts, then to 11 Gigawatts by 2023, and finally 25 Gigawatts afterwards. This programme, in partnership with the German Government and Siemens, will provide end-to-end electrification solutions that will resolve our transmission and distribution challenges.

26. The programme will also look to localize the development and assembly of smart meters as well as the operations and maintenance capabilities of transmission and distribution infrastructure.

27. I am pleased with the improved inter-agency collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the regulators in the banking and power sectors to ensure that electricity sales, billings and collections are automated and become cashless.

28. These initiatives are important to ensure that the technical and collection losses in the sector are substantially reduced. I remain confident that Nigerians will have affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply in the not too distant future.

29. Our efforts to improve the power sector will complement other infrastructure investments projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, which is investing in the Mambilla Power Plant project, as well as key economic road infrastructure such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano Expressway. The first set of these projects remain on track to be completed by 2022.

30. Our journey to food security and self-sufficiency is well underway. We have made remarkable progress in almost all segments of the agriculture value chain, from fertilizers to rice, to animal feed production. We shall sustain these policies to ensure additional investments are channeled, thereby creating more jobs in the sector. We must not go back to the days of importing food and thereby exporting jobs.

31. Our commitment to achieving macroeconomic stability and economic diversification, has been underscored by the merger of the Ministry of Finance with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

32. This combined Ministry has the important mandate to enhance the management of domestic and global fiscal risks; coordinate policies with the trade and monetary authorities; raise and deploy revenues to fund budgeted expenditure; and integrate annual budgets and medium-term fiscal strategies.

33. With this, our revenue-generating and reporting agencies will come under much greater scrutiny, going forward, as the new performance management framework will reward exceptional revenue performance, while severe consequences will attend failures to achieve agreed revenue targets.

34. I recently constituted an Economic Advisory Council to advise me on inclusive and sustainable macroeconomic, fiscal and monetary policies. This independent body will work with relevant Cabinet members and the heads of key monetary, fiscal and trade agencies to ensure we remain on track as we strive for collective prosperity. However, we are also committed to ensure that the inconvenience associated with any painful policy adjustments, is moderated, such that the poor and the vulnerable, who are most at risk, do not bear the brunt.

35. Our ongoing N500 billion Special Intervention Programme continues to target these vulnerable groups, through the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, loans for traders and artisans, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and social housing scheme.

36. To institutionalize these impactful programmes, we created the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development which shall consolidate and build on our achievements to date. To the beneficiaries of these programmes, I want to reassure you that our commitment to social inclusion will only increase.

37. Our population growth rate remains amongst the highest in the world, presenting both challenges as well as opportunities. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we provide adequate resources to meet the basic needs of our teeming youth.

38. Accordingly, we shall continue to invest in education, health, water and sanitation, as well as food security, to ensure that their basic needs are met, while providing them with every opportunity to live peaceful, prosperous and productive lives.

FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND RESTORING GOOD GOVERNANCE:
39. On fighting corruption, our institutional reforms to enforce the Treasury Single Account policy, introduce the Whistle-blowers’ Initiative, expand the coverage of the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System as well as the Government Integrated Management Information System have saved billions of Naira over the last four years, and deterred the rampant theft and mismanagement of public funds that have plagued our public service.

40. The Ministry of Justice, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will continue to address this menace. We are determined to ensure that transparency and good governance are institutionalized in public service.

41. We must commit to installing a culture of Good Governance in all we do. This Administration has fought against corruption, by investigating and prosecuting those accused of embezzlement and the misuse of public resources. We have empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled detailed databases of evidence, traced the proceeds of crimes and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.

42. Furthermore, we partnered with our friends abroad to combat tax evasion, smuggling, terrorism and illicit financial flows. In June 2018, I assented to the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, to provide a domestic legal framework for obtaining international assistance in criminal matters.

43. This measure has already strengthened our law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence, investigating suspects and facilitating the recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of property implicated as proceeds of crime.

44. An example is the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case, working closely with the Government of the United States of America. The Federal Ministry of Justice is working with the US Department of Justice to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the repatriation of these funds.

45. The P & ID Arbitral Award has underscored the manner in which significant economic damage has been caused by the past activities of a few corrupt and unpatriotic Nigerians.

46. The policies that we are putting in place today are to ensure such criminal and unpatriotic acts do not go without consequences. Our renewed partnership with the 9th National Assembly will facilitate the swift passage of enabling laws that will institutionalize these anti-corruption efforts in our criminal justice system.

47. In this connection, I call upon our States to intensify their own efforts to instill greater fiscal transparency and accountability. And to ensure greater fiscal efficiency and optimum use of our very scarce resources.

48. The blight of Corruption is fighting back. Nevertheless, this is a battle that we shall see through and this is a war, which we shall win by the Grace of God.

49. I will also call upon all Nigerians, from every walk of life, to combat Corruption at every turn. By choosing to question and confront corrupt practices, by reporting unethical practices or through whistleblowing. Together, we can overcome corruption and will no longer be a country defined by corruption.

50. Fellow Nigerians, let me reiterate my call for unity across our dear nation.

51. Nigeria will emerge from our present challenges stronger and more resilient than ever – but only if all of us join hands to entrench Good Governance, foster Inclusive Economic Development, and defend and protect our Nation from all those who would wish us ill.

52. I thank you most sincerely and wish you a happy independence anniversary. 53. May God bless you all, and may He continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria


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