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Some Governors Are Threats To Traditional Institutions’ Stability – Atiku

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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has raised an alarm over the actions of some governors regarding traditional institutions.

In a statement yesterday, he said the action of some governors poses threat to the stability of traditional institutions in the country.

Apparently referring to the Emirship tussle in Kano and alleged move by the Sokoto State Government to tamper with the sultanate structure, Atiku said recent developments in the country has seen a “growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.”

The government of Sokoto has denied that there are moves to remove the Sultan.

In his statement, Atiku said, “While it is understandable that the institutions of traditional rulership is in the exclusive purview of the state government, although through the local government authorities, it must be established that traditional institutions constitute a component of our governance structure.

“And thus, traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments that threaten their stability.

“When the structure of ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate in the last election also said “although our constitution, in its current format, does not ascribe any recognition to traditional institutions, yet our experiences show clearly that they perform enormous roles in the economic life of their domains, as well as maintenance of peace and security in communities.

“I wish to remind that the traditional institutions formed the governance structures before the advent of the colonialists. And they governed well. Consequently, they are institutions we must protect and preserve and not destroy.

“It is, therefore, on this basis that I lean towards the advocacy that calls for constitutional reform that will not just recognize traditional institutions in our body of laws but also define the responsibilities of their offices.

”This reform is even more important in view of the collective drive to stem the ugly tide of terrorism and sundry security challenges at the local levels.

“I must also appeal to state governors to accord the necessary respect to the offices of traditional institutions. The customs that our traditional rulers represent is the totality of our heritage as a people.”

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Reps move to sanction MTN, Airtel, other defaulting coys on CSR

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The House of Representatives Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (SCR) has resolved to sanction MTN, Airtel, and other companies for failing to perform their Corporate Social Responsibilities.

The committee said that it would enact laws to sanction any offenders in that regard.

Rep. Oby Orogbu, the Chairman of the Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, said this during a public hearing in Abuja, yesterday, on “a Bill to regulate corporate social responsibility in Nigeria.

She, however, gave MTN and Airtel the last warning to honour the committee’s invitation or face the arrest warrant.

According to Orogbu, some companies operating in the country have overtime violated the law, hence the need for punishment to be imposed on them.

She also frowned at the conduct of the National Communications Commission, MTN and Airtel, adding that they had several times ignored the invitation of the Committee.

She said that the committee had no choice but to invoke its powers by issuing a warrant of arrest.

“Section 89, 8 of the Constitution mandates individual companies as invited to make themselves available to parliament, but they break the law.

“I want to tell MTN and Airtel that they take so much from our nation and they feel too big to appear before the parliament; we will not tolerate that.

“We gave them the powers to operate in Nigeria, so to refuse to honor the invitation of the parliament is a no-no; we take exception to it.

“I have taken all friendly measures to make them understand the need to appear before the parliament, but they have refused.”

“If you feel you are responsible, then you should appear before the parliament. We want you to be responsible and accountable,” she said.

She said that in spite of operating from across the country, they had disrespected the same nation by not honoring the House invitation.

Mr. Wondi Ndanusa, who spoke on behalf of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said that the CBN is in support of the bill.

He expressed concern about the proposed penalty of imprisonment for defaulting companies, stating that the penalty should rather be persuasive.

He also said that many companies were faced with a lot of financial burdens and responsibilities, adding that the proposed SCR should be domiciled with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Mr Bala Wuoir, the representative of the Oil Producers Trade Section, expressed concern that the PIA already mandates oil companies operating in Nigeria to make a financial contribution of three per cent of their profits to NDDC.

He said that mandating them do so again would be burdensome, adding that oil companies should be exempted from the bill.

 

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Southern Governors Forum Gets New Chairman, Vice 

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The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, emerged the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum.
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, emerged as the Vice Chairman.

The emergence of Governors Abiodun and Soludo, was  part of the decision reached at the end of the meeting of the Southern Governors Forum, held at the Presidential Lodge, GRA Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, announced the emergence of Abiodun and Soludo.

Sixteen out of the 17 governors that constituted the Southern Governors Forum attended the meeting with only Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, absent at the meeting.

While some governors, were physically present at the meeting, some were represented by their deputies.

The governors that attended the meeting include Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos),  Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Alex Otti (Abia), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Bassey Otu (Cross River).

Other governors in attendance, were Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi),

Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).

Also on ground to represent their governors were Deputy Governors Chinyere Ekomaru (Imo), Monday Onyeme (Delta) and Olayide Adelami (Ondo).

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I Inherited N359 Billion Salary Arrears From Ortom – Alia

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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue says his administration inherited more than N359 billion in salary arrears over several years from his predecessor.

The governor stated this at Okpoga, headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area, on Monday during a thank-you tour of  Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

Mr Alia alleged that previous administrations in the state lied to the people that the federal government denied them funds to pay salaries.

The governor promised that his administration would continue prioritising the payment of workers’ salaries.

“Henceforth, civil servants in the state will be paid from 22nd of every month,“ he said.

He thanked the people for their confidence in him to lead the state and promised to revive the Igumale Cement Factory and construct access roads in the area.

“Okpoga is in darkness; I will light it up with 5,000 kw of electricity. I have come to reduce your pain and suffering,“ he said.

He urged them to continue to support his administration and be patient with President Bola Tinubu, as he has good policies for Nigerians.

Earlier, Daniel Onjeh, a former senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress ( APC), urged the governor to match words with action by fulfilling his campaign promises.

Mr Onjeh said the opposition parties were mocking the people that the governor had abandoned them in terms of infrastructure and appointments.

‘The opposition is asking what you have done for Benue South. We want to see things manifest. Do not be distracted by the blackmail of the opposition,” he said.

Benjamin Omakolon, the acting chairman of the APC, while receiving 500 persons who defected from the opposition parties to the APC at the event, promised them equal treatment.

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