COVER
Insecurity: North Must Convoke Regional Confab – Sani
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Northern leaders have been charged to convoke a regional conference with a view to addressing the numerous problems facing the region in recent times.
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, who gave the charge, said the Northern leaders should regard the problems as more important than the 2023 elections.
He said what should be paramount to every leader in the Northern part of the country, was the security of people and the unity of purpose, which the region was long known for considering the daily shedding of blood by terrorists and other criminal groups.
“Northern leaders and the people of the North need to set a conference of its own to look into the fault lines to address its problems and challenges.
The region must amend its house because the structure is staggering and is threatening the peace of the whole country,” he told newsmen at an interactive session in Jos, at the weekend.“The immediate importance is that of peace, security and unity. The Northern part of Nigeria today is evidently disunited. Divisive forces are in control of the affairs of the state. People in the North are more polarized along religious and ethnic sentiment than have ever been in the history of our country. People are ready to kill and die in the name of religion and ethnicity and are not ready to die in the name of their own country.
“Political Leaders who are exploiting the sensibility and sensitivity of our people in order to re-enforce their political fortresses or stabilize their political thrust must be resisted. That is the fact, because our people are dying, our people are being killed every day, but we need to stand up and fight these divisive forces for the unity, peace and for the future of our country,” he passionately stated.
“National unity is not all about coat of arms, is not all about National Flag, Green-white-Green, it’s also not about National Anthem, but is about peace, justice, equity, fairness and proportional representation.
“If you alienate a certain sections of Nigerians or marginalised them, you are only planting the seed of disharmony”, he said.
Commenting on the withdrawal of invitation earlier sent to Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai as a guest speaker at Nigerian Bar Association conference, Sani said: “The lawyers have a constitutional right to do that, those lawyers, who wrote the petition clearly states their positions which are very fundamental and constitutional. He can be on any other platforms if invited, but not this one because they made their position clear.”
On the issue of 2023 presidency, the ex- lawmaker said as a democrat, who strongly believes in rotation of power, for the interest of Justice, equity and fairness, power should move to the Southern region”
“It is not healthy for a nation, where some people feel they have the population and as such, will decide when to leave power”, he said.
NCPC Plans Peace Summit for Kaduna South
The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has concluded plans to convene a three-day peace meeting next month to seek lasting solutions to the crisis in Southern Kaduna.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam, disclosed this in Kaduna during a condolence visit to the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union at Barnawa, Kaduna state.
In a statement by Head of Media, Celestine Toruka, the NCPC Boss said he was at the Secretariat of the Union to pay a condolence visit on the loss of lives of innocent people of Southern Kaduna, following the recent crisis that erupted in the area. He called on both the Federal and state governments to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes in Southern Kaduna were brought to justice.
Rev Pam noted role of the Union, which he said had been the voice of the people adding, Southern Kaduna people were receptive, accommodating and friendly to visitors in their communities.
The Executive Secretary described the current situation in Southern Kaduna as the handiwork of the enemy and promised consult the relevant authorities to fish out those behind the killings.
He cautioned all stakeholders to be circumspect with their utterances so as not to escalate the fragile situation in Southern Kaduna.
President of the Union, Hon. Jonathan Asake, who received the Executive Secretary described him as ” a messenger of peace “, and also congratulated him on his recent appointment as the Executive Secretary of the NCPC.
”We are not in anyway surprised that you have continued in what you know how to do best”, Akase stated.
”We in Southern Kaduna have tried to tell the world that what is going on is genocide and ethnic cleansing and that the actions and inactions of our leaders and utterances are not helping matters,” he stressed.
The NCPC Chief Executive also met with the Southern Kaduna Elders led by Major General Zamani Lekwot (rtd) in his residence in Kaduna to brief him on his mission.
In his remarks at the meeting, Rev Pam described the Southern Kaduna as a mini Nigeria, where people hitherto lived in peace and harmony until the recent crisis.
The current situation in the area, he said was a painful experience for the people.
“The questions in the mouth of every Nigerian is when will this crisis end?” he querried and tasked the Southern Kaduna elders to forgive their enemies, while promising to do his best to raise the level of intelligence so that those who come to the communities in the night to kill innocent and harmless people would be stopped. He equally called on the Southern Kaduna youth to ceasefire in order to chart a new course, adding that the elders had a big responsibility to ensure that the younger ones did not take laws into their hands. Major General Lekwot congratulated Rev Pam on his appointment, adding that “NCPC is a platform that unites all faithful, going on pilgrimage is the dream of every believer”.
He commended Executive Secretary for the visit to commiserate with the people.
Lekwot charged people in authority to ensure that the root causes of the problem were addressed in order to create a conducive atmosphere for peace to reign.
“Nigeria is not a banana republic and the rule of the law must be enforced” he said adding, “we want the bandits to live us alone so that life will return to normal” he said.
Rev. Pam was also at the Southern Kaduna Development Association Forum where he met with their Chairman, Dr Zuwaghu Bonat and other leaders of the association.
He condoled with them on the loss of the innocent lives of the people of Southern Kaduna and tasked them on the need for a ceasefire in the hostilities.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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