South East
‘Absolute Power, Cause Of Corruption In Africa’
Ex- Nigeria’s Vice Presi
dent, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has blamed the dictatorship and high level of corruption in most African nations on over centralisation of powers and resources at the central governments.
He warned that African countries would not go far in achieving freedom, development and advancing their societies, unless the trend is changed.
Atiku, gave the warning yesterday at the African Veterinary Association/Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Congress in Enugu, with the theme, “Towards Economic Diversification and Sustainable Development in Africa.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), chieftain declared “that if we diversify economic activities without modernising them, we will not go far.”
According to him,”if we diversify sources of government revenue, but continue to concentrate too much power and resources in the central governments , then we won’t go far in achieving freedom, development and advancing our societies.”
The ex- Nigeria No. 2 man, regretted that five decades after most African nations, including Nigeria, gained political independence, their economies remain mostly mono-crop economies, largely dependent on export of single primary commodities, such as minerals and agricultural products.
Atiku, further observed that the prices of these commodities were determined internationally by factors over which the African countries have little influence and the prices often fluctuate rather widely, making the economies very vulnerable to externally induced shocks.
He noted that reliance on single primary commodities retarded industrialisation, manufacturing, added little value and has had deleterious consequences for the politics of African societies.
His words: “These include the preponderance of rent-seeking, state dominance of economic activities, vicious struggles for state power and the attendant corruption and trends towards dictatorship.
“And we continue to have challenges with poor infrastructure and insecurity, both of which discourage investment and tourism, deteriorating educational system and inadequate support and promotion of research and innovation.
“But our potentials are enormous if we truly want to turn our fortunes around. And we must. The diversification of African economies is obviously critical and one thing around which we have consensus in African and within our various countries,” Atiku said.
He however, noted that diversification of the economy as a genuine change in policy and practice that results in the promotion of diverse economic activities by citizens and corporations in ways that contribute significantly to economic growth, employment, rising incomes and government revenues through taxation and other resources, and which includes advances in productive methods and management of human and material resources.
“May I suggest that if we diversify economic activities without modernizing them, we won’t go far. If we diversify sources of government revenue but continue to concentrate too much power and resources in central governments in Africa’s diverse societies, we won’t go far in achieving freedom, development and advancing our societies.
“If we diversify our economies but still let the state dominate economic activities as a major investor and competitor against the private sector, we will be unable to unleash our people’s productive and entrepreneurial energies.
”Can we realistically expect a state that confiscates economic resources such as rent to genuinely and enthusiastically promote diverse economic activities? Can we realistically expect such a state to embark on the politically difficult task of levying and collecting taxes from its citizens and allowing itself to be held accountable?
”As you deliberate, consider these issues. And consider the role of democratic governance in the quest for the diversification of Africa’s economies? Does it help or hurt for people to have a say in how they are governed including economic governance, policy development, and the accountability of leaders?
”As professional bodies AVA and NVMA have critical roles to play in improving African agriculture, especially veterinary health and the quantity and quality of our animal protein intake as well as the prospects of our earning vital foreign exchange from exporting meat and dairy products to the rest of the world” Atiku said.
On the position of Africa on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and what extent Africa should embrace it as a way to improve our agriculture and nutrition and the risk if any, Atiku charged the participants to help with evidence-based advice to Africa’s governments rather than one governed by fad, fear or paranoia.
He therefore, urged the veterinarians not to forget to work hard to improve their profession, starting with improvements in veterinary education and training, and professional regulation to ensure high quality and ethical practices.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards of excellence to Alhaji Abubakar, Enugu State Governor, Ugwuanyi, Ifeanyi and Eddie Agbo, the inventor of urine based malaria test kit by the African Veterinary Association.
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.