Leading Idoma Land In Today’s Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

 

 

Being a speech presented at the 2023 Idoma USA Convention at Embassy Suites by Hilton: 2800 American Boulevard West, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA, by Senator Abba Moro

 

PROTOCOL

 

Introduction and Background

 

It is a pleasure to be in your midst once again, at yet another Convention of Idoma Association, USA. You would recall that I was at the 2019 Convention held at Adria Hotel and Conference Centre, Bayside, New York City, along with the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom. Let me begin by thanking all of you who have worked assiduously to ensure the success of this year’s convention. I am aware that the Convention could not hold in 2020 and 2021 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the attendant travel restrictions. I am optimistic that the deliberations at this Convention will further provide answers to the nagging socio-economic questions in Idoma land.

 

I bring you fraternal greetings from all your loved ones and families at home in Idoma land. Though the times are challenging presently, flowing from the economic downturn dictated by the combined effects of Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the failure of leadership at various levels of government in Nigeria, we are doing our best to grapple with the challenges that each day presents. It is sad to note that farming, which is the occupation of over 70% of our people, is being threatened by the activities of militia herdsmen who have been responsible for the death of many farmers in Idoma Land and other parts of Benue State.

 

Having noted that, the situation at home is not all tales of woes, the farming season is progressing and the farms are picking the pieces for good harvest in the season ahead.

 

Let me record my sincere appreciation to the Idoma Community in the United States for extending the invitation to me to attend yet another important outing in Minneapolis. I am convinced that through the instrumentality of this kind of cultural outing, the Idoma in the Diaspora, are holding effectively unto our identity instruments.

 

As I noted at the 2019 Convention in New York, culture, along with its credible values and norms, is what really define a nation. It sets the standards for what may be considered good or bad, desirable or undesirable. It also formulates the parameters and rules for standard behavior. Properly situated, culture influences the type of development by which a society actuates its progress because the absence of credible values could result in confusion, underdevelopment and disarticulation of a given social group. Culture works for development and the realization that the world view of a people is their most potent instrument for gauging their existence in global division of labour. It is the reason all of us, no matter where we live on the globe, must strive to ensure the Idoma identity and culture are preserved and passed unto our children.

 

It is against the foregoing that I specifically appreciate your efforts to secure your Idoma identity through the avenue of the Idoma Association USA, and I encourage you to sustain it as it will engender deeper connection with your roots and further accentuate your Idoma-ness.

 

I am sure a great number of you are in touch daily with your kiths and kins back home in Nigeria. With globalization, nothing that happens in even the remotest part of the globe can escape attention, not to talk of a large country as Nigeria and specifically the Idoma nation in Benue State. You definitely must also be concerned about the security situation as well as the economic challenges in Nigeria, and invariably in Idoma land. There is no doubt that we are confronted by multi-dimensional challenges in Nigeria. For the Idoma, the issues of insecurity, youth unemployment and poverty, are prominent.

 

My dear brothers and sisters, we are daily confronted with myriad of problems, as noted above, which problems are compounded by the near absence of institutional framework to deal with them. It is the reason some of our brothers and sisters take their frustrations on the political class, even when one is making genuine efforts to address the prevailing challenges. Poverty and hunger are twin evils that have held our people captive. They have so affected our land in such a way that no matter the infrastructural strides you make as a leader, the fact that they do not provide direct money for the pockets and food for the stomach, you still have huge challenges to grapple with. It is this twin-evil that has been responsible for the rise of “vote-buying” during elections in Nigeria. It is also the reason we all need to put our hands on deck as we make genuine efforts to pull our people out of the clutches of poverty and hunger.

 

Nothing tests my inner equilibrium like the cases of the killing of farmers in our land by herdsmen and the rise in the activities of kidnap gangs in Idoma land. While I must note that it is such a difficult time to lead our people, I am hopeful that with sustained commitment of all of us at home and in the diaspora, to empower our youths, provide infrastructure and strengthen our security, we will once again be living in a peaceful and prosperous Idoma land.

 

The Way Forward

 

Since I assumed office as your Senator on the 11^th June, 2019, a little over 3 years ago, I have been working assiduously to provide both leadership and infrastructure in all the nine Local Government Areas which make up the Benue South Senatorial District. Be that as it may, I am not under any illusion that I can do all alone. I am aware that those of you in the Diaspora have a central role to play as we continue to strive towards building the Idoma land of our dream.

 

Let me therefore use this medium to apprise you on my stewardship as your Senator in the last three years that I have been in the saddle. I will hereunder proceed to give you a brief rundown on some of my activities in the Senate:

 

PROJECTS

 

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have continued to utilize the opportunities presented by my representation of you in the Nigerian Senate, to include in the Budgets of 2020, 2021 and 2022, so far, projects that have direct impacts on our people at the grassroots, being a grassroots’ man myself. I have left no stone unturned to ensure that appropriated funds were released for them to be completed. Some of the projects are:

 

OKPOKWU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

 

1.Construction of a HEALTHCARE Center at Okwungaga, Ugbokolo.

 

2. Construction of DRAINAGE SYSTEM in Ugbokolo Town.

 

3. Construction of a BLOCK OF CLASSROOMS at Odessassa Primary School.

 

4. Electrification of Olaidu/Ojigo communities.

 

5. Procurement and installation of transformer in Ichama.

 

6. Rehabilitation of Eke-Ugbokolo road.

 

7. Construction of lecture hall at the National Open University of Nigeria, Ugbokolo Study Centre.

 

8. Procurement and installation of solar street lights in Ugbokolo.

 

ADO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

1. Construction of Block of Classrooms in Ogi.

 

2. Procurement and installation of Solar Streetlights in Igumale.

 

3. Electrification of Ikpemgbe community.

 

4. Construction of Healthcare Centre in Apa-Agila.

 

5. Rehabilitation of Ekile road.

 

OGBADIBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

1. Construction of Onyirada River Bridge in Udaburu.

 

2. Procurement and installation of Electricity Transformer at Ukwo-Owukpa.

 

3. Procurement and installation of Solar Streetlights in Orokam and Ukwo Owukpa.

 

4. Electrification of Ago community in Otukpa.

 

5. Construction of a Block of 3-Classrooms in Obu 1 LGA Primary School, Otukpa.

 

 

OBI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

 

1.Drilling of solar-powered borehole, along Ogore Road, Obarike-Ito.

 

2. Construction of General Hospital road, Obarike-Ito.

 

3. Procurement and installation of solar streetlights in Obarike-Ito

 

4. Rehabilitation of Odiapa Road.

 

OJU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

 

1. Rehabilitation of Uchuo-Okpoma road

 

2. Rehabilitation of Obusa-Adokpa road

 

 

APA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

 

1. Construction of a block of classrooms in Oba community.

 

2. Construction of a block of 3-classrooms at LGA Primary School, Ojantelle.

 

3. Electrification of Auke community.

 

4. Electrification of Edikwu-Ankpali community.

 

5. Construction of a block of 3-classrooms at Excellent Primary School, Oba.

 

6. Procurement and installation of solar street lights in Ugbokolo.

 

AGATU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

 

1. Drilling of Boreholes in Obagaji, Okokolo, Odugbeho and Usha.

 

2. Procurement and installation of solar-powered streetlights in Okokolo.

 

3. Procurement and distribution of motorcycles to Agatu youths.

 

4. Procurement and distribution of medical equipments to Agatu communities.

 

OTUKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 

1. Rehabilitation of Ochoga Avenue.
2. Rehabilitation of Jamaica Street.
3. Procurement and installation of Transformer at Rice Mill Otukpo.
4. Procurement and installation of Transformer at Anmoda Otukpo.
5. Construction of Igaluwa-Ugboju road.
6. Construction of dual carriage of electricity lines from Asa sub-station at Enugu roundabout.

 

The foregoing projects are in addition to various empowerment projects we have executed with participants/beneficiaries drawn from all the nine Local Government Areas of Benue South Senatorial District as follows:

 

1. Training and Distribution of empowerment materials: tricycles, motorcycles, grinding/sewing machines, hair dressing equipments, generating sets, refrigerators for small scale businesses, start up capitals, SME loans, etc.

 

2. Training and empowerment of youths in Agricultural value chain.

 

3. Training of youths in digital skills and empowerment with branded computer laptops.

 

4. Training in different trades: soap/detergent making, grasscutter farming, poultry farming, event decoration, tailoring, baking, fish farming, etc.

 

My brothers and sisters, further to the foregoing, I have further facilitated the following projects under the 2022 Budget and the execution will commence as soon as the jobs are awarded. They are:

 

1. Installation of Lafiya Tele-health Primary Healthcare system/machine kiosks in selected communities in Benue South Senatorial District.

 

2. Training of youths in digital skills and empowerment with branded laptops.

 

3. Grading/lateriting of Ihilikpa-Onyangede road and completion of Ohimini River bridge, in Ohimini LGA.

 

4. Training in agricultural value chain and empowerment with chickens, goats, pigs, etc, in Benue South Senatorial District.

 

5. Grading and lateriting of Obagaji-Okokolo road in Agatu LGA.

 

6. Construction/Acquisition of delivery warehouses in rural outreach programme, in Obekpa Efoyo, in Okpokwu LGA.

 

7. Grading and lateriting of Angwa-Otakpa road, in Apa LGA.

 

8. Grading and lateriting of River Ogbadibo Bridge and grading of Atekpo/Okpafie/Ogbadibo road in Okpokwu LGA.

 

9. Construction of community clinic in Agadagba, Ohimini LGA.

 

10. Purchase and installation of transformers in various locations in Benue South Senatorial District.

 

11. Drilling of hand-pump boreholes in various locations of Benue South.

 

12. Electrification of Otto community in Ogbadibo LGA.

 

13. Completion of the construction and fencing of a lecture hall at the National Open University study centre, Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA.

 

14. Rehabilitation of 20km road with associated drainage system in Ikpogo-Omadewu-Eboya, in Okpokwu LGA.

 

15. Grading and lateriting of Entekpa road, in Otukpo LGA.

 

16. Construction of Health Centre at Adenu Methodist Masse, in Oju LGA.

 

17. Construction of Health Centre at Ondo-Awume, in Ohimini LGA.

 

 

BILLS, MOTIONS AND PETITIONS 

 

Beloved constituents, in addition to my contributions on the floor of the Senate, oversight functions and execution of constituency projects, please, allow me to briefly touch on some of the Bills, Motions and Petitions, I have sponsored in the Senate in the last three years.

 

BILLS

 

It is noteworthy that Bills are draft legislations to be enacted by the National Assembly, subject to the Assent of the President or the Overriding Vote of the National Assembly. In the last three years as your Senator, I have sponsored the following Bills:

 

1. A Bill for an Act for the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to make provisions for Local Government autonomy. The Bill, if passed into law, will give the Local Government system autonomy, which will help to bring visible development and governance to the grassroots.

 

2. A Bill for an Act for the establishment of Families of Fallen Servicemen Support Fund. The intent of the Bill is to cater for families of service men who die in the line of duty.

 

3. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

 

4. A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal University of Health Sciences, Akwete-Akpa, Otukpo, Benue State.

 

5. A Bill for an Act to establish the Veteran Welfare Fund 2020.

 

6. A Bill seeking the establishment of North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

 

7. A Bill for an Act seeking the establishment of Federal College of Agricultural Technoogy in Opialu-Ojapo, in Okpokwu LGA, Benue State.

 

8. Constitution Amendment Bill, 2022, for an Act to alter the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY in Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Council Elections.

 

9. A Bill for an Act to alter the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to provide for FINANCIAL and ADMINISTRATIVE AUTONOMY for Local Government System in Nigeria.

 

10. Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2019.

 

11. Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigeria Agricultural Harvest and Processing Free Zone, Ataganyi, Apa/Agatu LGAs Benue State.

 

12. Rotation of Power Bill 2022.

 

 

MOTIONS

 

In the last three years, I have moved the following Motions on the floor of the Senate and they were all duly passed by the Senate. They are:

 

1. Motion on the devastating effects of windstorm disaster in Ogbadibo, Okpokwu and Otukpo communities.

 

2. Motion on the outbreak of yellow fever in Oye-Obi Local Government Area.

 

3. Motion on the illegal and excessive charges on customers’ accounts by banks. The Motion condemned the charges and requested that the relevant regulatory agencies investigate the charges with a view to putting an end to them.

 

10. Motion on the killings in Ado and Oju LGAs, requesting for an end to the crises, one-minute silence in honour of those killed and a call on NEMA to provide relief materials to those displaced.

 

11. Motion on the Herdsmen attack on Echori and Itakpa Communities .

 

12. Motion On the Urgent Need to Cushion The Devastating Effects of Rain/Windstorm Disaster on Ai-Afam Community of Owukpa District in Ogbadibo Local Government

 

13. Motion on the Incessant Bloody Clashes Between Bordering Communities of Benue and Ebonyi States: Urgent Need for Senate Intervention

 

14. Incessant Militia Attacks on Okokolo and other Communities Of Agatu Local Government Area Of Benue State: Urgent Need for Senate Intervention.

 

15. The Prerogative of Correctional Inmates Awaiting Trial to Vote in General Elections: Statutory, Inalienable and Non-negotiable

 

16. Nigerians Dumbfounded, Outraged over Pay-Tv Tariff Hikes, demand for pay-per-view Subscription Model.

 

 

PETITIONS

 

I have received the following petitions from my constituents and laid on them the floor of the Senate for necessary action. They are:

 

1. Petition to the Senate over the refusal of PENCOM to pay Mr Gabriel Iduh part of his savings to go for surgery.

 

2. Petition, on behalf of Ado Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. James Oche, against the killing of Ado people and abduction of five elders from the LGA.

 

3. Petition on the poor handling of the case of missing ASP Akor Udeh by the Police.

 

4. Petition on the gruesome murder of Mr Shedrack Ochoche by the Nigerian Police.

 

5. Petition against the gruesome murder of Alexander Ogbu, an Idoma Journalist based in Abuja.

 

 

My dear constituents, I have continued to commit myself to ensuring that I provide very purposeful representation to our people. I am very much aware of the confidence repose in me and therefore make myself available to celebrate and mourn with them at given times. The economic situation all over the world has made certain things difficult but I have not reneged on my promise to do my best to put smile on the faces of our people, within the limits of my resources and opportunities.

 

 

Further to the above, I have also put very effective pressure on the Minister of Works and the relevant Committees of the Nigerian Senate, and the work on the Loko/Oweto road has continued and nearing completion each passing day. You would recall that the Loko/Oweto road was a legacy constituency project attracted to Idoma land by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator David Alechenu Mark, GCON, as President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The road has cut down the journey from Abuja to Otukpo, by half. The driving time will further reduce as the road is completed.

 

As God gives us the grace to return to the Senate in 2023, I will make spirited efforts towards the completion of the Otobi Dam, which when completed, will provide portable water for use, irrigation for farmers and a good source of hydro electric power generation in Idoma land.

 

In addition to the success recorded with regards to the Loko/Oweto Bridge and road, academic activities have fully commenced at the University of Health Sciences, Otukpo with the foundation of the permanent site already laid. The university is doing well and growing within leaps and bounds, through the efforts of the management team led by our brother, Professor Innocent Ujah, as Vice Chancellor.

 

Let me add that with the commitment and efforts of our beloved brother, Architect Sunday Echono, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, and presently the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trustfund, we presently have a Federal College of Education sited in Odugbo, Apa LGA, Benue State, which college has taken off with Professor Joe Eriba, as Provost.

 

Security Challenges

 

As I noted at the New York Convention in 2019, the security of the entire Benue South Senatorial District is of utmost concern to me. The activities of men of the underworld reached a feverish level with the gruesome killing of one of our beloved brothers, Chris Echobu Adah, in December, 2021. This was in addition to several security breaches that we had experienced in Benue South. In response to that ugly development, I made efforts towards the deployment of soldiers and a team of police men from the Inspector General’s Response Team, who are presently working in Idoma land to ensure that we overcome the security challenges that have become a perennial problem in Nigeria.

 

As I have always noted, security is the business of everybody. We are all responsible for the security of our society as much as the government. For instance, in every community, the people who live in it can easily point out to you those with questionable characters that are behind security breaches in such community. This is why I believe in community policing and local intelligence gathering as key security model in a society like ours. It is in synergy with the Idoma communities that security agencies will be able to address the growing security challenges in our land.

 

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Benue State Government, we are making efforts to put together a formidable vigilante service that will utilize our youths, retired military, police and paramilitary officers and personnel to adequately protect lives and properties in Benue State, particularly in the wake of the growing attacks by militia herdsmen that leave scores dead each time.

 

On the whole, Idoma communities must beware of the kind of visitors we welcome into our communities. We must be on the alert more than ever before, particularly in welcoming strangers. Our existence as a people is badly threatened now and we must make all efforts to ensure that we vet our visitors, using available traditional mechanisms, to know their missions in our communities.

 

Benue South Governor

 

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, recall that I called at the 2019 convention in New York, for a governor of Benue State from Benue South Senatorial District. As much as it is worrisome, that the Benue South Senatorial has not produced a governor since the creation of Benue State in 1976, it has become obvious that our TIV brothers and sisters are ill-prepared now to support us in the direction of producing a governor. Truth however, is that we did not do enough to enlist the necessary support to assail our opponents. We did not engage the delegates enough to gain their confidence to vote for our candidates. There was palpable fear for the failure. And the fear of the ruling government loosing the general election to other parties which may cede their tickets to Zone C if the PDP did was real. The worry among a section of the delegates was not about who would be offended if they did not vote for a candidate of Zone C but whether the fragile relationship with the government would not be destroyed if the minority did not go along with the majority. That was the dilemma of the Idoma man at the nomination primary election.

The delegates were confronted with the choice of voting enblock for an Idoma aspirant, making a statement of intent and damning the consequences or following with the political current on ground. The rest as they say is now history. My consolation is that because the world is not coming to an end today, we still do have a chance to learn from our mistakes to chart a new course for a better outing in the future.

 

In furtherance of my pledge to use the instrument of legislation to achieve the rotation of Governorship position among the three Senatorial Zones in Benue State and every State of Nigeria, I have proposed The Power Rotation Bill 2022, which the Bill has gone through First Reading at the Senate.  I am very sure the Bill will be expeditiously passed because it addresses the concerns of minority ethnic groups in Nigeria, at all levels of politicking. The Bill seeks to make the position of the President of Nigeria rotational among the 6 Geopolitical Zones; Governor, rotational among the Senatorial Districts in the State.

 

The Bill will create enabling environment for equitable development and real sense of belonging for Nigerians from all ethnic groups, particularly minority ethnic groups. It will further close the ethnic fault lines dictated by the domination of party politics by the major tribes in Nigeria.

 

Conclusion

 

I had promised at the 2019 Convention in New York, to sponsor Bills that will have positive impact on the socio-economic and political life of our people. One of such Bills is the Bill for an Act to create a special agricultural Free Zone harvest and processing at Ataganyi, a boundary town between Apa and Agatu  agricultural produce, from across Nigeria, can be warehoused and traded, with the support of the Federal/State governments in both farm inputs and infrastructure. The Bill and others, as I noted earlier, are already before the Senate for consideration and passage into law.

 

Once again, my beloved brothers and sisters, I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of addressing this August Convention in August 2022.

 

Long live Idoma land.

Long Live Benue South.

Long Live Benue State.

Long Live Nigeria.

 

God bless you all.

 

Senator Abba Moro, DLitt., FIAMN, FCPA

Benue South Senatorial District

 

 

THE ECOWAS WE DESIRE, AND MUST HAVE, BY PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday received at State House, Abuja, the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, and his Management Team, telling them the kind of sub-regional body West African leaders desire, and must have.

The President told Dr Omar Alieu Touray, the new President, and the delegation: “I wish you success in your assignments, which we hope can collectively drive our sub-region to one that is economically integrated, politically stable, and socially in harmony with itself, to the admiration of our continent, and, indeed, global community.

“That is the ECOWAS we desire, and must have. You cannot afford to disappoint us.”

The President said as the host of the ECOWAS Commission, Nigeria expects that the scrupulous processes that led to the new appointments “would impact on the fortunes of our Organisation in terms of efficient and effective service delivery that bears positive impact on the lives of our citizens.”

He added that when the founding fathers met on 28th May, 1975, to establish ECOWAS, what was uppermost on their minds was the promotion of economic cooperation between the member-States in order to raise the living standards of citizens hence driving the economic development of the sub-region in an integrated manner.

President Buhari further noted: “Forty-seven years after, this core objective for the formation of ECOWAS remains critically relevant to our national and sub-regional aspirations. Issues of inter-state cooperation and collaboration, harmonisation of policies, integration of programmes, conflict management and security of the sub-region, have continued to necessitate the need for our solidarity and collective responses to our common challenges, such as climate change, terrorism, health issues, good governance and the sustainability of democracy anchored on rule of law and ultimately, development and progress for our citizens.”

He told the new Management Team that citizens of ECOWAS must directly feel the impact of the organization through people-oriented programmes and projects that include effective advocacy around core issues of concerns to the sub-region.

“May I emphasize the importance of team-work and the necessity for the new Team to work assiduously to re-position ECOWAS in order to deliver to the expectations of our citizens through a careful fine-tuning of our sub-region’s development agenda 2050, that is guided by the African Union Agenda 2063, and conscious of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.

“With many Development Experts on your Team, I have no doubt that you will evolve appropriate partnerships and working relationships with Development Partners across the globe, to maximise opportunities for progress,” President Buhari submitted.

Dr Alieu Touray thanked Nigeria for the support she gave to the candidature of the new Team members, pledging that they would live up to the expectations of West African leaders, “as we are fully conscious of the priorities set for us.”

He said they would work with member-States to pursue their objectives, “and make ECOWAS institutions what you want them to be.”

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

August 11, 2022

 

 

 

HOW WE CAN HAVE MORE ACCURACY IN 2023 CENSUS – PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said deployment of digital technology in the 2023 National Population and Housing Census will ensure effectiveness and more accuracy in the figures, while noting that Nigeria could rank third largest in the world by 2050, after China and India.

Speaking at the national stakeholders’ summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census held at the State House, President Buhari said a “reliable, credible, acceptable and successful census’’ will help government in planning purpose for development, especially in bolstering the social security programme that targets more vulnerable Nigerians.

“The country’s inability to conduct a population census in the last 16 years has created an information vacuum as the data from the last census conducted in 2006 has been rendered out of date for planning purposes. It has therefore become imperative for the nation to conduct another national census to produce a new set of demographic and socio-economic data that will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development.

“Population is a critical factor in a nation’s efforts toward achieving sustainable development. People are both the agents and beneficiaries of the development process. Knowledge of the national population in terms of size, distribution and socio-economic characteristics is required for planning purposes. This, therefore, makes the conduct of census an essential governance activity.

“With a projected population of 216,783,381, Nigeria is the sixth most populous country in the world and the most populous country on the African continent. Due to the rapidly growing nature of the population and large proportion of the youthful population, Nigeria is also projected to be the third most populous country in the World by the year 2050 after India and China,’’ he said.

Despite Nigeria’s high-ranking position on the global demographic map, the President said its population censuses had been conducted irregularly and at intervals, longer than the United Nations recommended 10 years.

“This irregular and long interval of census taking in Nigeria, has denied the nation the huge benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence-based decision-making.

“Since our assumption of office in 2015, our administration has introduced several poverty reduction and youth empowerment programmes, which are making concrete improvements in the living standards of our people. There is a need to ensure that further implementation of these programmes will be driven by the 2023 Census data that will improve the implementation of programmes targeting vulnerable populations and ensuring as widespread coverage as possible.

“The nation requires a new data set to drive the implementation of the recently launched revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development and other government policies. The 2023 Census data is also needed to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country as it will give an overview of the population, where we are and who we are,’’ he added.

President Buhari called for support of stakeholders, which include State Governments, Local Government Councils, Traditional and Religious Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sectors, media, Development Partners, Donor Agencies and the general populace for the successful conduct of the 2023 Census.

“Ordinarily, conducting a population census is a routine national event that is the ultimate responsibility of every national government. Census taking cannot be left to the National Population Commission alone,’’ he said.

President Buhari noted that the government would appreciate all support from donors, development partners and the international community in order to ensure that the Commission conducts a census that would be transparent, credible and meet national and international standard.

“Our Administration is convinced that the National Population Commission has the commitment and capacity to deliver to the nation a reliable, credible, acceptable and successful census. We are also satisfied with the deployment of technology by the Commission to ensure the conduct of the first fully digital census in Nigeria as the census methodology will enhance the data quality, inspire the confidence of the Nigerian people and acceptability of the census results.’’

President Buhari said the summit will further strengthen collaboration and solicit the cooperation and support of key stakeholders for the successful conduct of the 2023 Census, while appreciating the National Population Commission for organizing the summit and wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and successful conduct of the census.

“The just concluded Trial Census, in which my household was enumerated in my hometown, Daura, Katsina State has renewed our hope and confidence in the capacity of the Commission to deliver the 2023 Census. The outcome of the preparatory activities for the main census is reassuring that the Commission is progressing in the right direction,’’ the President noted.

He added that knowing Nigeria’s population and using the data to plan for the people and future generations remain a collective duty owed the nation.

“We must all resolve that this duty is satisfactorily carried out in the firm belief that what has joined us together as a nation and our common destiny are far stronger than the negative forces that tend to drive us apart,’’ he submitted.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President, Dr Habiba Muda Lawal, said the country had a population growth rate of 2.3 percent, and would likely be the third most populated country in the world by 2050.

She said the 2023 Census would be the first fully digital population and housing documentation and the outcome would be useful for planning and budgetary allocations.

Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, John Kayode Fayemi, represented by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, praised the President for taking the bold step, adding that the figures would help in national and sub-national planning, particularly for education and health care.

Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, said President Buhari had once again proven that that he would leave a formidable legacy for the nation.

“This administration has proven that things can work in this country. We have seen it in the elections, that polls can be held without rigging. And we are happy to see NPC and INEC working together for a better Nigeria.

“We might not see the impact of some of the decisions taken, but certainly in the future we will see it, at least for the first time our homes will now be coded,’’ he said.

Chairman of the NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra, thanked the President for the approval for the 2023 Census in April, after the general elections, assuring that the commission will work hard to make it “credible and acceptable’’.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 11, 2022

 

 

EFCC arrests 31 in Enugu, 29 in Ibadan, 18 in Lokoja, 8 in Port Harcourt, Arraigns Three for N44.5m Fraud in Sokoto, 3 at Ilorin International Airport, Secures Conviction of Eleven Cybercriminals in Ibadan, tasks NACCIMA on Business Ethics, Integrity

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called on the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, to adhere to best practices in businesses and encourage its members to make integrity and ethical conduct their watchwords in their business engagements.

This charge was given in Abuja on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 by the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa while receiving a delegation of NACCIMA that paid a Courtesy Visit to the EFCC at its Corporate Headquarters. According to Bawa, who spoke through the Secretary to the Commission, George Ekpungu, the EFCC would always welcome business proposals that emphasize integrity and charged the leadership of NACCIMA to encourage its members to ply their businesses with eyes on best practices.

Earlier, the National President of NACCIMA, John Udeagbala, while explaining the rationale of his Association’s visit to the EFCC, sought exemption for its members from the rigorous processes of getting certificates of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.

“Our dear Association is aware of the suspension of the issuance of the Special Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML certificates. Over time, our members have complained of their difficulty in obtaining this certificate, which actually affected the ease of doing business and compliance with contractual engagements. We therefore appeal to you to use your good offices to exempt NACCIMA members from passing through the rigorous application processes when the suspension is finally lifted” he said.

Responding, Ekpungu explained that the EFCC suspended the issuance of SCUML’s certificates in the aftermath of the enactment of the Money Laundering Act 2022 and the Terrorism Act 2022, which altered the regulatory framework of SCUML. He said the foundational work had been done and the certificates were now being issued, assuring NACCIMA that the SCUML registration processes are designed to keep their businesses safe.

Udeagbala was accompanied on the visit by other officials of the Association, including Eze Chukwuemneka, Tony Esinkonenye, Usamn Abbas, among others

 

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

 

31 Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Enugu

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters from their hide out at Meniru Agbani Road and Diamond Estate, Enugu State. .

The suspects are: Daniel Chukwuemeka, Okechukwu Chisom, John Chizoba, Benard Uguochukwu, Nwobodo Christian, Nwiba Chukwuemeka, Eze Ani Ifechukwu, Chikwe James, Emmanuel Chukwuebuka, Ezugwu Chidera, Friday Daniel, Destiny Ekene, Prosper Nnachetam, Justice Chinedu and Bright Chimezie.

Others include Ezugu Nkejika, Echi Ikechukwu, Udeh Emeka, Charles Kosisochukwu, Ojinaka Smith, Ekene Chukwuebuka, Efe Samuel, Goodness Ifeanyi, Victory Anointing, Uche Egbo, Onuigbo Kingsley, Okakpu Chukwuemeka, Nnamdi Odo, Mbah Emmanuel, Collins Nweke and Jason Obi.

Their arrest was facilitated by actionable intelligence on their cybercrime activities.

Items recovered from them include a Mercedes Benz C4000, one Toyota Corolla 2005 model, a Toyota Camry, several mobile phones and laptops.

They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed.

 

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

 

Internet Fraudster Bags Jail Term in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, August 9, 2022 secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye, before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Justice Dada sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment on a two-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence brought against him by the EFCC.

Upon his arraignment today, he pleaded guilty to the offence.

One of the counts reads, “that you, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye sometime in 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: SCAM FORMAT titled Celebrity Billing Format and committed an offence contrary to section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015”.

The 2nd count reads, “that you,, Olamilekan Wasiu Durojaiye sometime in 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly had in your possession documents containing false pretence to wit: Chat format wherein you pretended to be a white woman which representation you knew were false and committed an offence contrary to section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015”.

In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, A.O Mohammed, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documents to further prove the guilt of the defendant.

Justice Dada found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on both counts of the charge. The Judge also granted him an option of fine in the sum of One Million Naira.

The convict was also ordered to pay a restitution of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira and forfeit his mobile device to the Federal Government.

 

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

 

EFCC Arraigns Three for N44.5m Fraud in Sokoto

The Sokoto Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Tuesday, 9th August, 2022 arraigned the duo of Yahaya Abdulrahman and Mohammad Iliyasu alongside their company, Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society, before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court on a three count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, issuance of a dud cheque in the sum of N4, 859,000.00 and obtaining by false pretence.

The duo are alleged to have fraudulently induced the petitioner to supply 1,651 bags of rice to their company at the cost of N27, 000.00 per bag totalling N44,577,000.00 (Forty-four Million Five Hundred and Seventy-seven Thousand Naira only) and jointly issued cheques of N14, 359,000.00 (Fourteen Million Three Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand Naira) in the name of the petitioner, which one returned unpaid due to insufficient funds standing to the credit of the drawer.

Count one reads: “That you, Yahaya Abdulrahman while being the Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mohammad Iliyasu while being a Director and Vice Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society sometime in November, 2020 at Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice, Sokoto State did conspire among yourselves to commit an illegal act to wit: Criminal Breach of Trust and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59(a) of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019 and punishable under Section 60(2) of the same Law.”

Count two reads: “That you, Yahaya Abdulrahman while being the Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mohammad Iliyasu while being a Director and Vice Chairman of Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Azzumee Multipurpose Cooperative Society sometime in March, 2021 at Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice, Sokoto State with knowledge that you have insufficient funds in your account issued to one IMUDAN Ventures a Stanbic IBTC Bank cheque number 00000061 dated 5th March, 2021 for the sum of N4,859,000.00 (Four Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine Thousand Naira) which said cheque when presented was dishonored due to insufficient funds in your account and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Dishonored Cheques ( Offences) Act, CAP D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(1) (b) of the same Act”.

They all pleaded not guilty to the three count charge. Prosecution counsel S.H Sa’ad then prayed the Court to allow the hearing to commence as two witnesses were in Court, ready to testify. But defence counsel, Y.Y Bazawa urged the court to grant his clients bail.

Justice Mohammed granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5, 000, 000, 00 and one surety each in like sum. The surety must be a resident of the Sokoto metropolis and own landed property in the city. The surety must also deposit a passport photograph with the registrar of the Court

The Judge adjourned the matter till 26th September, 2022 for trial

 

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

 

 

EFCC Arrests 8 Internet Fraud Suspect in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested eight suspected internet fraudsters. They were nabbed on Tuesday August 9, 2022, in a sting operation at Visa Karina Hotel, located at the New Government Reserved Area, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The suspects: Mba Richard Oguge, Ogochukwu Ifeanyi Charles, Fredrick Mba, Gospel Uduak James, Charles Chukwuemeka, Daniel Ekanem Daniel, Andikan Udofot and Omolade Fortune, were arrested with incriminating items in their devices (mobile phones, laptop computers and apple wrist watches).

Cars were also among the items recovered from them.

They will soon be charged to court.

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

Again, EFCC Busts Yahoo Hideouts, Arrests 18 in Lokoja

As part of efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to curb the rising wave of internet related fraud otherwise known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Commission have again extended its dragnet to Kogi State leading to the arrest of 18 suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’ in Lokoja, the state capital.

This is the second such operation in the State within the last two months. Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, had in June 2022 arrested 19 suspected fraudsters at different locations in Lokoja.

The latest arrest, which was made on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 followed actionable intelligence received by the Commission.

Among the suspects are two siblings – Bala Caleb Abdulkarim and Ayuba Bala. Others are Adebayo Olubunmi, Yusuf Salawu, Victor Yakubu, Victor Udeh, Abutu Francis, Moses Akeji, Aiyegbe ThankGod, Eniola Adeniji, Abraham Ayodele, Julius Omowale, Samuel Onojah, Saka Usman Ojo, Isaac Emmanuel, Yusuf Mohammed, Ibrahim Musa and Omaonu Ojochenemi Victor.

Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects operate as a syndicate to scam unsuspecting victims.

The suspected ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’, had incriminating items in their possession including five different brands of exotic cars, phones and laptops. They have volunteered statements to the Commission and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

 

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

29 Arrested for Alleged Internet Fraud in Ibadan

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 arrested twenty-nine (29) internet fraud suspects in a sting operation at Omi-Adio area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspects are Abdullahi Kehinde Tawab, Ayomide Alase Abiodun, Hassan Larla Olamilekan, Makinde Adebowale Saheed, Tofunmi Oyebade Segun, Rotimi Gbadamosi Ayomide, Igbamidun Joshua Olamiposi, Gbadamosi Samson Tobiloba, Qodir Ayoola Babalola, Frank Obi Ogechukwu, Olawale Abowaba Joshua, Dauda Kareem Oladayo, Hammed Dauda Akanji, Yusuf Akorede Abiodun and Haruna Adedoyin Kayode.

Others include Yusuf Lawale Raji, Adejare Ayuba Olamide, Owolabi Gbadamosi Moses, Victor Salami Gbenga, Abdullahi Teslim Taiwo, Oluwaseun Abowaba Samuel, Alase Ayodele Philip, Oduola Kunmi Ireola, Ajayi Olumide Olamilekan, Opeyemi Samuel Enitan, Yusuf Ayobami Qudus, Atanda Jamiu Olamide, Ibrahim Bashit Alade and Ilori Peter Oladapo.

Items recovered from them include mobile phones, laptops, two motor-bikes, one i-watch, video games and jewelry.

They will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded

 

Court Sends Internet Fraudster to Jail in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on August 8, 2022, secured the conviction of one Yusuf Adetokunbo, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for offence bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence.

Adetokunbo was arraigned on a one-count charge dated July 22, 2022, bordering on possession of documents containing false pretenses contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The count reads: “That you, Yusuf Olawale Adetokunbo on or about the 29th April, 2022 at Lagos, within the Ikeja jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with the intent to defraud had in your possession a bundle of fraudulent chats containing false pretence in your Google voice app and email with the name phamhoangcungnai30@gmail.com which pretence you knew or ought to know to be false.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

The prosecuting counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, thereafter gave a review of the facts.

He further tendered in evidence the fraudulent documents printed from his iPhone X and iPhone 6+, as well as a draft of N200,000 issued as restitution by the defendant.

There was no objection by the defence counsel, Kayode Oyedele, and they were admitted as Exhibit A and B.

“We urge the court to convict the defendant as charged and to forfeit to the Federal Government the items recovered from him,” Omewa said.

Thereafter, Justice Taiwo convicted him as charged and sentenced him to six months at a Custodial Centre, with an option of N150, 000 fine. Items recovered from him were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government

 

 

Media & Publicity

9 August, 2022

 

EFCC Secures Conviction of Eleven Cybercriminals in Ibadan

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on August 3 and 4, 2022 secured the conviction of eleven (11) cybercriminals on separate charges of fraudulent impersonation before Justices Olusola Adetujoye and Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan.

The offences are contrary to Section 419 and 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Law of Oyo State, 2000.

Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Fatai Musbau Opeyemi, Ayodele Olumide Sunday, Oribolawa Idris Abiodun, Abdulahi Malek Olaniyi, Onigbinde Rasaq Oyindamola and Emmanuel Victor Mayowa to various jail terms; while Justice Taiwo convicted Moses Oyowevotu Oghenaire, Awwal Babatunde Arekemase, Adewale Ayomipo Owolabi, Yusuf David Olamide and Atitade Hassan Ajao.

The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against them, leading to their conviction and sentencing.

Justice Adetujoye sentenced Oyindamola and Abiodun to six months community service each; Mayowa who was convicted on a two count charge bagged three months jail term while Opeyemi, Sunday and Olaniyi were sentenced to three months community service each.

Furthermore, Justice Taiwo sentenced Oghenaire, Arekemase, Owolabi, Olamide and Ajao to six months community service each.

Also, the court ordered that the convicts restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

 

Media & Publicity

8 August, 2022

EFCC Arrests 3 Internet Fraud Suspects at Ilorin International Airport

As part of its renewed onslaught against corruption and illegal movement of cash through the nation’s airports, operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested three internet fraud suspects at the Ilorin International Airport.

They are Olawale Ipadeola, Opeyemi Badmus and Wasiu Babatunde.

The suspects were arrested on Monday, August 8, 2022 except for Wasiu who was arrested on Saturday, August 6, 2022 following actionable intelligence.

Two of the suspects (Olawale and Opeyemi), flew in from Lagos around 1156hours into the waiting hands of the operatives of the EFCC at the airport.

Preliminary investigations have shown that the suspects possessed several fraudulent documents on their devices.

The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

 

Media & Publicity

8 August, 2022