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Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) on Tuesday marched to the National Assembly to create awareness on the association's plans to clothe about 5,000 Internally Displaced Children and 'Almajiris' in the country.
FADAN then moved to the Gwoza and Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp at Durumi in Abuja and provided clothing to all the children in the camp.
The 'awareness walk' took the group from 'Unity Fountain' in Abuja to the Federal Secretariat and National Assembly (NASS).
The group was denied access into the NASS premises by some plain-clothed security personnel.
However, they were allowed to stay by the gate to continue the awareness creation.
The group then moved to the Gwoza and Bama IDP's camp at Durumi and distributed clothing to all the children in the camp.
Mrs Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, the National President of FADAN revealed that the reason behind the generosity was to "give back.''
"We found out that there are so many people out there that do not have clothes to wear; we want people to be covered.
"We want to reach out to those who don't have, knowing that we are sitting on a gun powder in Nigeria.
"When the children/youths are tired and have nothing to eat, they are going to come on the street and get us; so we need to show some love.
"I think the total of what we are doing is showing love; when government see all these, they also would be able to help in that regard'' Ajila-Ladipo said.
The FADAN president explained that the gesture was going to be a continuous exercise, adding that it took one month for the designers across the country to make the 5,000 clothes.
Ajila-Ladipo stated that the clothes were made by members from different states of the federation.
She also announced the association's plans to train youths in the camp on different vocational skills.
"Apart from giving them clothes, we are going to organise a skill acquisition programme for them.
"This will be a programme whereby they can learn skills on how to cut cloth, sow and do different things in the garment industry.
"On Oct. 8, we have our gala night; that is the grand finale where we are going to put some of the IDP's children on the run way.
"We are going to do that to show the world that there is a brighter future and greater tomorrow in Nigeria; Nigeria is going to be great,'' Ajila-Ladipo said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Le'atu Ayuba, the Women Leader in the camp expressed joy at the gesture by the indigenous designers.
Ayuba said that FADAN was in the camp on Oct. 1 to celebrate with the IDPs.
"They promise to provide clothes for all the children in the camp.
"Today, they have fulfilled their promise; they brought so many clothes for all the children in the camp.
"I am so happy; may God give her long life and prosperity in Jesus name, Amen.
"I want other Nigerians to emulate what FADAN has done here today; it may not be clothes, we need people to come comfort us with words that would make us happy.
"I am very happy at this thing that they did to our children today,'' the women leader said.
Mrs Dorathy Bulus, a mother of three in the camp said that she was very happy at the gesture and commended FADAN.
She said it was not easy for them in the camp, adding that they were living at the mercy of Non-Government Organisations and kind-hearted Nigerians.
"Proving our children with clothing is a welcome development; we appreciate FADAN and pray that God would bless them.
"However, we still need more of this type of assistance to our children including learning skills that will make them to be self-reliant,'' Bulus said.
The Nigerian government is demanding $406.75 million minimum from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and its surrogate Shell Western Supply & Trading Limited over alleged crude oil theft. The amount, according to court papers in Lagos, represents the shortfall of the money paid by the multinational oil firm in the account of the Nigerian government with Central Bank of Nigeria, for crude oil lifted in 2013 and 2014.
Government lawyer, Professor Fabian Ajogwu accused the Anglo-Dutch company of not declaring or under-declaring crude oil shipments during the period, following forensic analysis of bills of lading and shipping documents, Ajogwu, armed with sworn affidavits of three United States of America based professionals, claimed that Shell cheated Nigeria of the revenue.
Among the three professionals employed by the Federal Government of Nigeria are: Professor David Olowokere, a US citizen who is the lead Analyst at Loumos Group LLC, a technology and oil and gas auditing firm based in United States of America and Jerome Stanley, a counsel in the law firm of Henchy &Hackenberg, a law firm based in United States of America and head of the legal team engaged by Loumo Group LLC.
The third professional is Micheal Kanko a citizen of the USA and resident of the state of Arizona , who is the founder and the current Chief Executive Officer of Trade Data services Company.
The consortium of experts was able to track the global movements of the country's hydro-carbons including crude oil and gas with the main purposes of identifying the companies engaged in the practices that led to missing revenues from crude oil and gas exports sales to different parts of the world.
In reconciling the export records from Nigeria, with the import records at ports in the United States of America, the experts found mind boggling discrepancies.
The Nigerian government averred for instance that on 6th of January, 2013 the defendants lifted crude oil using the vessel AUTHENTIC and shipped same to BP Oil Supply of 28301 Ferry Road, Warrenville, Illinois, USA at the port of Chester, Pennsylvania, United States of America. The shipment had the Bill of lading number ALMYSVDM161212A3.
This particular shipment was not declared to the relevant authorities in Nigeria, resulting in the shortfall of 660,712 barrels of crude oil in the value of $72,678,320 as revenue to the Government. On 3 January, 2013, Shell and its surrogate company lifted crude oil that resulted in the shortfall of 979,031 barrels in the value of $107,693,410
On the 14th of December, 2014, Shell also lifted crude oil using the vessel EAGLE TUSCON and shipped same to Shell Deer Park of 5900 Texas 225,Deer Park, TX77536,USA at the port of Houston, Texas, United States of America with Bill of lading number AETK0909US14.
The shipment was not declared to the relevant authorities, resulting in the shortfall of 499,048 barrels of crude oil in the value of $54,895,280 as revenue to the Federal Government.
Shell, with its allied company, was also alleged at three different times to have shipped crude on board EAGLE TUSCON, EAGLE SEVILLE, OVERSEAS EVERGLADES, that resulted in the shortfall of 3,697,737 barrels of crude oil. This brings the total value of all the shortfall to $406,751,070
On 21 January ,2016 the Federal government through its legal representative wrote a letter to the defendants drawing their attention to the discrepancies. Government asked them to clarify the discrepancies, with documentation, as a prelude to the repayment of the revenues and debt they now owe the government.
Till date Federal government has not received from the defendants any payment pursuant to the said letter nor the requested documents. Nigeria's government averred that it has suffered huge and enormous financial loss as a result of the defendants under-declaration of the value of the crude oil they lifted and exported to the United States of America.
Nigerian government now seeks a court order compelling the two companies to pay into the Federal government of Nigeria account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the sum of USD 406,751,070 being the total value of the missing revenue from the shortfall /undeclared/under -declared crude oil shipments of the country, made by the companies to United States of America.
Government also demands interest payment at 21% per annum on the sum of $406,751,070 until the entire sum is liquidated.
Shell in addition is being asked to pay general exemplary damages in the sum of $406,751,070 and the cost of instituting the legal action. The presiding judge, Mojisola Olatoregun Isola has adjourned till 20th of October 2016 for mention of the case.
Nigeria has also sued Chevron, Total and Agip asking for a total of $12.7 billion over alleged non-declaration of some 57 million barrels of crude shipped to the United States between 2011 and 2014. The oil firms are among up to 15 oil majors targeted by the Nigerian government for the recovery of $17 billion in deprived revenue.
Nigeria's Flamingoes and England played out a goalless draw on Tuesday in Group C's second Match Day in Al Zarqa at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan.
In spite of goal scoring chances created by both outfits, neither side were able to break the deadlock. Rasheedat Ajibade, who looked lively in attack for Nigeria, enjoyed the first opportunity on 16 minutes but goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck was on hand to deny her.
England's Georgia Stanway then saw her chance on 24 minutes tipped away for a corner kick. From the resulting set-piece, the ball fell to Hannah Cain inside the area, but her effort was blocked and cleared by Abidemi Ibe.
England came close to opening the scoring on 32 minutes at the Prince Mohammed International Stadium, through Stanway's powerful free-kick, but it went nowhere near being a goal. Nigeria defender Catherine Kenneth nearly caught Roebuck off guard with an audacious effort on 40 minutes, but the England shot-stopper held on to the tricky bouncing ball.
After the break, Cain capitalised on a defensive error before racing through on goal but saw her close-range effort go wide. Also, Nigeria's Folashade Ijamilusi worked her way into the box before seeing her shot deflected out for a corner kick by Hollie Olding.
Nigeria continued to put the Young Lionesses under pressure throughout the second half. Mercy Omokwo twice went close and Mary-Ann Ezenagu showed great composure to work her way into the box before seeing her effort at the near post cleared by Connie Scofield.
Ezenagu's threatening delivery on 85 minutes was collected by Roebuck, while England's Stanway had the chance to snatch a late winner, but saw her powerful 90th-minute effort sail over.
Captain Wayne Rooney has called on England’s stars to stick together as they get back to work following the disgraced Sam Allardyce’s shock departure.
Allardyce was forced to resign as England manager after just 67 days and one game in charge following his controversial comments to undercover newspaper reporters investigating football corruption.
Gareth Southgate will serve as England’s interim boss for the next four matches and one of his first decisions was to retain Manchester United striker Rooney as his skipper.
Rooney is set to lead England in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Malta at Wembley and the 30-year-old is eager to focus on football after a difficult period for the national side.
“We need to build on the three points we won in the last game (against Slovakia) and the other side of it isn’t our issue, it’s nothing for us to be concerned about,” Rooney said on Tuesday.
“It’s a shame, everyone could see how excited Sam was for the job and he came in and showed that enthusiasm to the players.
“It’s a shame it’s happened and I’m sure he deeply regrets it. It was a decision for the FA to take.
“As a group of players we need to stick together and concentrate on the football. For the FA I’m sure it has been a tough couple of weeks but for the players we’ve been with our clubs and we have to focus on the games.”
The start of Rooney’s England career intersected briefly with the end of Southgate’s international days just over a decade ago.
And Rooney backed the temporary appointment of the England Under-21 boss as the ideal solution to a difficult situation.
“He’s done a very job with the Under-21s and he’s got an opportunity to show what he can do at senior level,” Rooney said.
“He’ll bring his own way of working, it’s going to be good to see what that is in the next week. We have to buy into his ways and take his ideas on board.”
– Upheaval –
Rooney’s role with England has been under heavy scrutiny since his lacklustre displays during a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign.
Relieved that Southgate remains on his side, Rooney hopes to repay his faith against Malta and then Slovenia in another qualifier next Tuesday.
“There was a lot of talk over whether I’d be captain or not so it was good Gareth put that to bed quite early and there wasn’t the speculation,” Rooney said.
“We’ve got two games this week that we have to win. Whether that was with Gareth or Sam we have to try and get six points. If we do that Gareth will be happy and we’ll be happy.”
After Allardyce’s demise and the post-Euro 2016 exit of Roy Hodgson, England will be playing under a third manager in their last three games when they face Malta.
England defender Gary Cahill is used to managerial turmoil after a long spell at notoriously unsettled Chelsea and he believes his international team-mates will adapt to the sudden change of coach.
“It’s disappointing to lose a manager but we have to move on and prepare for the games coming up in the best possible frame of mind,” Cahill said.
“As players, especially us older ones, you learn to kind of move on and get cracking straight away under the new manager.”
The Football Association have until next year to find a permanent boss, but Cahill doesn’t expect the governing body to ask his opinion.
“It’s for the FA who they’re going to appoint. For me, obviously an English manager would be good, but it’s whoever is in the best shape and who is going to leave the country in the best way.”
A Bayelsa High Court sitting in Sagbama on Tuesday ordered Globacom Nig. Ltd. to vacate a piece of land belonging to the Agbereowei family of Bolou-Orua in Sagbama local government.
The family had leased a portion of their land to the telecommunications firm to host its cell site.
The court ordered the defendant to pay N32.5 million representing N24 million unpaid rents at N3 million per annum from 2008 to 2016 and N8.5 million as damages for distress and hardship caused the claimants.
The family in a suit, SHC/02/2015, filed by Miss Justina Agbereowei and Mr Wednesday Agbereowei, had sued the telecom company for failure to pay rents on the land housing its base station since 2008.
The claimants prayed the court, presided over by Justice E.G. Umukoro, to declare that they were the persons entitled to the right of occupancy in the land measuring approximately 40 feet by 40.5 feet.
The judge ordered that the declaration of entitlement sought and the right of occupancy over the land in issue was merited and granted.
Umukoro said the continued occupation of the claimants' land by the defendant had become unjustifiable and that the prayers of the claimants for possession and removal of all structures on the land was granted.
The judge also awarded N500,000 against the defendant in favour of the claimants.
Maria Sharapova's doping ban has been reduced to 15 months from the initial two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The five-time Grand Slam winner, 29, was banned in June by the International Tennis Federation for failing a drugs test during the Australian Open in January, putting a pause on her tennis career.
The Russian, who said she had been taking the drug since 2006 for health problems, appealed against the ban.
She will be free to play again from 26 April next year.
The Economic Community for West African States, ECOWAS, Court, Tuesday, ordered the Federal Government to immediately release the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, from detention and asked that the Federal Government to pay him N15 million damages.
Dasuki, who was NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been in detention since November 3, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives over his alleged complicity in a $2.1billion arms procurement fraud.
Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki
Though the ex-NSA eventually secured bail from three separate courts he was dragged to by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, he was on December 29, re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, after he was released from Kuje Prison, Abuja, having perfected all the bail conditions.
Dissatisfied with the treatment meted out to him by the government, Dasuki, through his team of lawyers, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the ECOWAS Court in Abuja.
Delivering judgment on the matter, the court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices, declared the arrest and continued detention of the plaintiff since last year as illegal, unlawful and arbitrary.
The regional court found FG guilty of violating the plaintiff’s fundamental human rights, saying the action of the Nigerian government was in contravention of both national and international laws on the right of persons and citizens to freedom of liberty.
Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke who read the lead verdict, awarded N15million against FG, as compensatory damages to Dasuki for the deprivation of his right under Article 5 and 6 of the African Charter on People's and Persons' Rights to freedom of Liberty.
The court maintained that action of the Nigerian government in subjecting the plaintiff/applicant to indefinite detention without trial was “condemnable”, since he was yet to be convicted before any court of law.
Justice Nwoke stressed that even if the applicant had committed a crime, FG ought to follow due process of the law in trying him.
The court held that it was wrong for FG to continue to detain the plaintiff, even though he had been granted bail by three different trial courts.
More so, the ECOWAS blasted FG for claiming that the ex-NSA was planning to stage a coup and wage war against millions of Nigerians.
Ibadan – An Ibadan-based farmer and mother of seven, Idayat Adekunbi, has asked a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve her 22 year-old marriage to her husband, Wasiu.
Idayat, who resides at Aremo in Ibadan with Wasiu, told the court on Tuesday that her husband often beat her and sometimes threatens to kill her.
"My lord, Wasiu derives pleasure in beating the hell out of me not minding any circumstance.
"In fact, he is sounding it as a note of warning to me that he would soon put an end to my life.
" Aside from that, he does not have any regard for my relatives.
"I have seven children and I want to reap the fruits of my labour," Idayat said.
Wasiu, who agreed with the dissolution of the union, confirmed beating his wife.
"My lord, it is true that Idayat and I have been having running battle over the past 10 days over a pregnancy she could not explain.
"For over three months now, Idayat has been starving me of sexual intercourse.
"Let me state that Idayat and I are farmers and our farm lands are not within Ibadan.
"Sometimes, she may stay away from the farm for two to three months and I will be the one looking after the children.
"So, when Idayat returned home 10 days ago, I observed that her stomach was already protruding and she has started showing most of the symptoms she usually exhibits during pregnancy.
"When I asked her, she laughed and I told her to return the pregnancy to whoever owned it.
"I reported the matter to her elder sister and parents, they all fought me.
"For more than three months, Idayat did not allow me access to my conjugal rights," he explained.
Mr Henric Agbaje, the presiding President of the court, asked the couple to go home and seek settlement through the intervention of elders.
Agbaje adjourned the case till Oct. 19 for judgment.
ABUJA- THE Senate has begun the probe into the diversion of over N5 billion Funds that was made available by the Federal Government for use by the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the North East.
The Senate which also expressed disappointment over Federal Government’s poor handling of the humanitarian crisis in the region, yesterday commenced the probe process into the diversion of grains and other food items from the strategic grains reserves, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and other sources for the IDPs.
Bama IDP Camp: Cross Section of women at Bama IDP Camp in Maiduguri
The funds and management of the IDPs’ well-being are being supervised by the Presidential Initiative on North-east and the Ministry of Agriculture, even as the agencies have been accused of awarding fictitious contracts as well as indifference to what the Senate described as frequent diversion of items meant for IDPs in the face of reports that 150 children die every 24 hours.
The Senate which also indicted the Federal Government for failing in its duty to provide relief materials to IDPs to help address the effects of lack of foods and other basic amenities in camps located in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states respectively, however warned that unless something urgent was done to salvage the situation, thousands of people living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps may die.
Sierra Leone has announced it will slash spending across the board and freeze all government projects to stabilise its finances following a prolonged economic slump.
The economic shock of the Ebola crisis and difficulties faced by the country’s key commodities sector have led the government to undertake a seven-month review of its finances.
A meeting chaired by President Bai Ernest Koroma on Monday announced measures aimed at addressing a depreciating foreign exchange rate, lower prices of minerals such as iron ore and a poor tax compliance rate.
The government aims to slash spending across the board with expected savings of 309 billion leones ($69 million) targeted within six months by cutting into ministry budgets, and enforcing more stringent revenue gathering.
“These measures will be implemented up to the first half of 2017 in order to stabilise the current situation,” Koroma told cabinet ministers in comments obtained by AFP.
“If we are able to fight Ebola, we should be able to put up a fight that will turn around the economic fortunes of the country,” he added.
Officials will be hardest hit: the purchase of new cars and office equipment has been banned and domestic and international travel budgets slashed.
Paid overtime has also been scrapped.
The government is also likely to consider addressing fuel subsidies after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said elevated levels of spending on petrol could leave it unable to pay civil servants salaries.
Lagos – Dr Pascal Lorot, founder of France-based Insitut Choisuel, a socio-economic organisation, said Nigeria was one of the promising business hubs in the world.
Lorot said this in Lagos on Tuesday that in spite of prevailing recession, Lagos State and Nigeria remained viable business arenas for investment opportunities.
He said that Nigeria was capable of wading through the recession because of the current drive by the government to diversify the economy through well-thought out policies.
Lorot said that the opportunities in the country would certainly lead to the rise of entrepreneurs who could make a huge impact in the world economy.
He said that the organisation had picked Lagos to host a meeting from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, of 100 selected Africans likely to play major roles in the continent's economic development.
"The Choisuel 100 Africa is an annual study carried out by the Institut Choisuel. It identifies and ranks the young African leaders of 40 years and below 40 years.
"These young leaders will play a major role in the development of Africa in the near future,'' he said.
According to Lorot, Lagos was chosen as the host city for this year's meeting because of its huge economic potential.
"The selection of Lagos for this year's meeting brings noting to doubt as it has played a role in setting a benchmark for other states in Nigeria,'' he said.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 11, Mr Dan Bature, has advised officers of Nigeria Police to key into anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammad Buhari.
Bature made this known during his official visit to the Police Command in Ondo on Tuesday.
The AIG said that police should be a major stakeholder in the fight, saying that discipline, which was the hallmark of the present administration, must be the focal point of police.
According to him, there must be high level of uprightness, transparency in the endeavours of the force.
He added that police must be indulged in intelligence policing, saying that police should not relax on their duties.
Bature reiterated the ban on road blocks, advising them to desist from checking of vehicles and customs papers except on suspicion.
The AIG noted that police should ensure safety on highways and not to disturb motorists.
On Nov. 26 governorship election, the AIG assured the state of police ability to overwhelm any challenge that could come up.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, said that the state was relatively peaceful because of high level of intellectuality.
Ibifuro-Harrison said that there was constant relevant divulgence of information in curbing crime rate.
She, therefore, said that there were insufficient patrol vehicles in the command, considering the forthcoming Nov.26 governorship election in the state.
According to her, the command also needs increase of manpower without which the command may be incapacitated.
A 24-year-old man, Sodiq Afefelaye, on Tuesday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrate's Court in Lagos for allegedly raping a 17- year-old girl.
The accused, whose residential address was not given, is facing a two-count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge ?and sexual assault.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ajaga Agboko, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Freeman Str., Lagos, between 10 and 10.30 a.m on Sept. 17 while everyone was away.
Agboko said that the defendant sexually assaulted and molested the victim, inflicting her with injuries.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Ogunbowale, ordered the defendant to apply for bail at the High Court, explaining that the magistrate's court did not possess the jurisdiction to grant her bail.
She adjourned the case to Nov. 2 while the court is awaiting legal advice from the office of director of public prosecution.
Rape contravenes provisions of Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
A chieftain of the Adamawa chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Abu Dan-Arewa, on Tuesday dismissed threats by Gov. Umar Bindow to indict former governor Murtala Nyako.
Dan-Arewa said the governors was only playing to the gallery as the former governor had no case to answer.
Bindow had recently threatened to ratify the white paper on the report of a judicial commission which investigated the administration of the former governor.
The governor told members of his potical support group, Team Bindow, that the government may release the white paper if Nyako's supporters continue their alleged sabotage of his administration.
Dan-Arewa claimed that the Justice Bobboi Umar Judicial Panel of Inquiry, set up by former acting governor, Umaru Fintiri did not complete its assignment.
"It is an empty threat because there is nothing like white paper as the said panel did not complete it's assignment."
Dan-Arewa said Fintiri, who set up the panel was removed from office by an Abuja High Court.
"Gov. Bala Ngilari who took over from Fintiri snubbed the panel, while the judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal, Yola Division on Nyako's impeachment delivered in February this year declared Nyako's impeachment as null and void and of no effect.
"Meaning, Fintiri's administration which set up the panel does not exist by law.
"If Gov. Bindow wants any white paper to sign, he needs to set up another panel to probe Nyako, " he stressed.
He cautioned Bindow against heating up the state, adding that the formation of the political support group by the governor was an attempt to commence campaign ahead of 2019.
A 19-year-old employee, John Edward , was on Tuesday arraigned in Lagos for beating up his employer over delay in the payment of salary.
The accused, whose address was not stated in court, is facing a four-count charge bordering on assault, conspiracy and malicious damage before an Ikeja Magistrates' Court.
The Prosecutor, Mr Ishola Samuel, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 1 at Olusoji Idowu St. Ilupeju, Lagos.
Samuel said the accused conspired with others still at large and assaulted their employer, Solomon David, over delay in the payment of their salaries.
"The accused used dangerous weapons such as iron rod and stick to inflict injuries on the complainant,'' the prosecutor said.
According to him, the accused and his collaborators also destroyed a telephone handset worth N7,000 and tore their employer's shirt, valued at N10, 000.
Samuel said that the offences contravened Sections 410, 171 and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Miss A .R Onilogbo, granted the accused N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned to Nov. 1, for hearing.
Nigeria is one of 10 countries in Africa that have improved across all four sub-categories of Sustainable Economic Opportunity category, the 2016 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) has revealed. The index, which was launched by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in Abuja, also ranked Nigeria 36th out of 54 countries in "Overall Governance'' with a score of 46.5 points from 100.
The index, the 10th edition, is the most comprehensive analysis of African governance undertaken to date, and has brought together data to assess each of Africa's 54 countries against 95 indicators drawn from 34 independent sources. It indicated that the country's score had improved by +2.5 points over the last 10 years.
The statistics, however, showed that Nigeria had the second most deteriorated score in the "National Security'' sub-category, having declined by -28.6 points over the course of the decade. It revealed that improvement in overall governance in Africa over the period had been held back by widespread deterioration in "Safety and Rule of Law'' category.
"Over the last decade, overall governance has improved by one score point at the continental average level, with 37 countries, home to 70 per cent of African citizens, registering progress. "This overall positive trend has been led mainly by improvement in Human Development and Participation & Human Rights.''
The index showed that Sustainable Economic Opportunity also registered an improvement, but at a slower pace. However, it said that the positive trends contrasted with pronounced drop in Safety and Rule of Law, which 33 countries in African, home to almost two-thirds of the continent's population, had experienced a decline since 2006.
"This worrying trend has worsened recently, with almost half of the countries on the continent recording their worst score ever in this category within the last three years. "This is driven by large deterioration in the sub-categories of Personal Safety and National Security. "Notably, accountability is now the lowest scoring sub-category of the whole index,'' it said.
The report said that without exception, all countries that had deteriorated at the Overall Governance level had also deteriorated in Safety and Rule of Law. It added that the improvement in the Participation and Human Rights category, found in 37 countries across the continent, had been driven by progress in Gender and in Participation.
"However, a marginal deterioration appears in Right sub-category, with some worrying trends in indicators relating to the civil society space. "Sustainable Economic Opportunity is the IIAG's lowest scoring and slowest improving category. However, 38 countries - together accounting for 73 per cent of continental Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - have recorded an improvement over the last decade.
"The largest progress has been achieved in the sub-category of Infrastructure, driven by a massive improvement in Digital & Information Technology infrastructure, the most improved of all 95 indicators.
"However, the average score for Infrastructure still remains low, with electricity registering a particularly worrying decline in 19 countries, home to 40 per cent of Africa's population. "Human Development is the best performing category over the last decade, with 43 countries - home to 87 per cent of African citizens, registering progress.
"All dimensions - Education, Health and Welfare - have improved, although progress in the sub-category of Welfare has been affected by declines in Social Exclusion and Poverty Reduction Priorities indicators,'' it stated.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mo Ibrahim, Chairman of Mo Ibrahim Foundation said: "the improvement in overall governance in Africa over the last decade reflects a positive trend in a majority of countries and for over two-thirds of the continent's citizens. "No success, no progress can be sustained without constant commitment and effort.
"As our Index reveals, the decline in safety and rule of law is the biggest issue facing the continent today. " Sound governance and wise leadership are fundamental to tackling this challenge, sustaining recent progress and ensuring that Africa's future is bright.''
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established in 2006 with a focus on the critical importance of leadership and governance in Africa, by providing tools to assess and support progress in leadership and governance.
Nigeria may continue to lose some of its talented athletes to countries like U.S., Norway, Britain, Qatar and recently, Bahrain because of what the athletes say is poor welfare and training facilities.
The likes of Francis Obikwelu, a Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter, specialising in 100m and 200m left for a greener pasture. He obtained Portuguese citizenship in 2001 and won the Athens 2004 Olympic silver medal in 100m. Glory Alozie is another Nigerian-born Spanish track and field athlete competing mostly in hurdling.
The world junior second place from 1996 went on to have a successful senior career though she has never won a global international event Femi Ogunode, represented Qatar in the sprints and holds a personal best of 9.91 in 100m, making him the current holder of the Asian 100m record.
Another is Oluwakemi Adekoya and Edidiong Ofonime Odiong who represented Bahrain at the Rio Olympics in Brazil. It is also important to note that the current President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, is among Nigerian athletes that had their career in foreign land having represented Canada.
He represented Canada in the Men's Freestyle Wrestling Lightweight and won gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Australia. Reacting to the development, Nicholas Imhoaperamhe, a 2015 African Games 100m finalist, told newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos that inadequate athletes' welfare was a major reason for Nigerian athletes' allegiance to other countries.
Imhoaperamhe said that if athletes were not given the needed support, encouragement and facilities, a lot more of them would consider naturalisation in other countries. "No athlete will say that he or she wants to represent another country if the right things are done.
"If athletes are given the necessary support, incentives and facilities, no one will go to another country. "Every athlete wants to be successful, so, if another country is ready to give all the needed support, he or she goes to the greener pasture,'' he said. He told pressmen that he hoped to set a new record in 2017, saying that he hoped to achieve his aim by training hard.
As Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin threatens to expose more alleged systemic corruption in the investigative hearings and oversight functions of the House of Representatives, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) "has called him a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged budget padding and fraud in the House of Representatives in the context of his work in the House as a member."
Mr Jibrin yesterday threatened to reveal more alleged "systemic corruption among the leadership of the House of Representatives including in the House's investigative hearings and oversight functions; as well as to disclose the internal budget of the House."
The statement released today and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization said that, "We encourage Mr Jibrin to tell Nigerians more about his allegations of systemic corruption in the House of Representatives. Mr Jibrin will be doing a positive act of 'good citizenship' by revealing how exactly is the House profiting from its investigative hearings and oversight functions; and disclosing the House's internal budget."JIBRIN
"Allegations of budget padding and fraud in the legislative functions threaten and harm the public interest, and may amount to crimes against humanity especially given the alleged systemic and widespread nature of the crimes in the House," SERAP said.Abdumumin Jibrin
According to SERAP, "We are seriously concerned that Mr Jibrin is not being appropriately treated or protected by the authorities to remedy the exposed threats or harm to him. No whistleblower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure. SERAP strongly believes that every individual should feel safe to freely raise public interest concerns, just as Mr Jibrin has done in disclosing information on alleged budget padding and fraud in the House of Representatives."
The statement reads in part: "Unless the government of President Muhammadu Buhari grants Mr Jibin the appropriate protection deserving of a whistleblower, encourage him to disclose corruption in the House's investigative and oversight functions, and promptly act on those allegations, a significant opportunity to protect the public interest would be missed. Buhari should send a strong message that retaliation or victimisation of whistleblowers will not be tolerated under his watch."
"As a matter of law, this government has an obligation to promptly investigate public interest disclosures by a whistleblower such as Mr Jibrin, and where necessary bring those suspected to be responsible to justice."
"The primary focus shouldn't be that Mr Jibrin broke ranks with an allegedly corrupt system in the House of Representatives within which he has operated for many years, but rather the public interest disclosures he has repeatedly made and promises to make."
"Encouraging whistleblowers to speak up improves public services and strengthens public accountability. Therefore, it is in the interests of all Nigerians that allegations of corruption in the investigative hearings and oversight functions of the House of Representatives should be promptly revealed, investigated by an independent body and suspected perpetrators brought to justice."
"By suspending Mr Jibrin, SERAP believes that the House of Representatives has acted improperly or attempted to cover up the alleged budget padding and fraud rather than promptly addressing it by referring the allegation to appropriate anticorruption agencies and institutions such as the EFCC and the ICPC."
"SERAP believes that the information being disclosed by Mr Jibrin amount to public interest disclosures and in fact can contribute to strengthening transparency and democratic accountability in the House of Representatives in particular and the country as a whole."
"SERAP calls on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to urgent propose a robust legislation on protection of whistleblowers in the country pursuant to Nigeria's international human rights and anticorruption obligations and commitments, including the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party."
"Suspension of Mr Jibrin by the House of Representatives amounts to retaliation. Mr Jibrin's status as a whistleblower is not diminished even if the perceived threat to the public interest has not materialised, since he would seem to have reasonable grounds to believe in accuracy of the disclosures on alleged budget padding and fraud in the House of Representatives."
"SERAP notes that freedom of expression is a constitutional and internationally recognized human right in Nigeria, and the country has enacted the Freedom of Information Act which grants Nigerians the right to seek and receive information such as the information about the massive corruption in the House of Representatives being disclosed by Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin."
"SERAP believes that whistleblowing is very important in deterring and preventing corruption, and in strengthening democratic accountability and transparency in the country in general. Whistleblowing is indeed a fundamental aspect of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience and is important in tackling gross mismanagement of our commonwealth. Whistleblowing can act as an early warning to prevent damage as well as detect wrongdoing that may otherwise remain hidden."
"Whistleblowing can also help ensure the effective compliance with Nigeria's international anticorruption obligations by allowing those legally responsible for the alleged misconduct the opportunity to address the problem and to account for themselves, and by more readily identifying those who may be liable for any damage caused."
"SERAP notes that the European Court of Human Rights has set out key conditions in the case of Guja v. Moldova [GC], no. 14277/04, ECHR 2008, to determine who is a whistleblower. These conditions were reiterated in the case of Heinisch v. Germany, no. 28274/08, ECHR 2011 (extracts) and again in Bucur and Toma v. Romania, no. 40238/02, 8 January 2013."
"The first condition is whether the person who has made the disclosure had at his or her disposal alternative channels for making the disclosure. The second is the public interest in the disclosed information. The third is the authenticity, accuracy and reliability of the disclosed information. The fourth is the severity of the sanction imposed on the person who made the disclosure and its consequences. And finally whether the disclosure is made in good faith. All of these would seem to be present in this case. Therefore, SERAP believes that the public interest in this matter outweighs any perceived act of personal grievance by Mr Jibrin."
