Newsroom
FG vs Obasanjo: Federal Government Fires Back
FG Vs Obasanjo – ” The Saga Continues “
FG Vs Obasanjo – We could all recalled how NPBS made known the Ex-president’s Words against President buhari
Federal Government yesterday hit back at Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for dismissing the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as corrupt, incompetent and unfocused.
It described the former president as a man on a failed mission with former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed told newsmen in Abuja that Obasanjo’s views on the administration was influenced by his support for his former deputy and PDP candidate.
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He, however, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was not perturbed by the ex-president’s endorsement of Atiku, arguing that endorsement does not win elections.
FG VS OBASANJO
Former president Obasanjo, in a statement on Sunday, said he cannot sit on the fence over 2019 election because “only a fool will sit on the fence or be neutral when his or her country is being destroyed with incompetence, corruption, lack of focus, insecurity, nepotism, brazen impunity and denial of the obvious.”
The former president reassured Nigerians that he will not sit on the fence when he needed to be out and active for people to know where he stands in the best interest of Nigeria.
According to him, it was in the best interest of the country and Nigerians, to ensure Buhari’s second term bid is frustrated and defeated.
But replying the former president, Mohammed submitted, “with due respect to former president Obasanjo, it is his constitutional right to support any candidate of his choice. We urge him to go out and campaign vigorously for any candidate that he wants to support.
“I don’t think the former president has hidden his preference for the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar. We wish him the best of luck. But I want to assure you that his candidate will be defeated roundly and comprehensively.
“It is not about endorsement; endorsement doesn’t win elections. We wish him the best of luck.”
Specifically focusing on Obasanjo’s accusation of corruption and incompetence against the government, the minister said the situation on ground issharply opposed to the claims.
He contended that the Buhari government has fought corruption more than any administration in the history of the country.
“I am always a bit apprehensive when you are responding to criticisms from a former president and the calibre of Obasanjo who I have a lot of respect for. But the facts are all there; on corruption, this government has done more than any government in the history of this country to fight corruption.
“Corruption is endemic, it is global. But when you look at the kind of institutional reforms this government has put in place you cannot doubt its sincerity or commitment to fighting corruption.
“Corruption is not just about prosecuting and jailing people; it is more about what has been put in place to prevent people from looting the treasury. This is where this government has done more than any government did in the history of this country.
“I will start with the TSA; it was not initiated by this government but it is only this government that mustered the political courage and will to implement it. Before we came in, there were over 22,000 various accounts of government in various banks in Nigeria. Since we came in, we reduced them to one single treasury account. From 2015 to date, N8.9 trillion has passed through that TSA.
“At a glance, you know where every revenue and receipt of government is. It makes for transparency, accountability.
“Secondly, this government put in a strategy which is a roadmap for all the anti-corruption agencies on how to tackle corruption.
“There is what is called the NAM commission based strategy, which helps government to recover looted funds without convicting the people. As at today,
STILL ON FG VS OBASANJO
for this year alone, EFCC has been able to recover N794bn, $261m, €8m, £1.115 m, 295 vehicles and 407 mansions. They are in Federal Government kitty in form of permanent forfeiture.
In tackling corruption, this government has introduced what is called an efficiency unit in the Ministry of Finance. This unit examines every proposal to travel, estacode. It is on record that this government has saved N17 billion from travel expenses, gifts, etc.
“Under this government, more revenues now come into government than before. I can give example of JAMB. Between 2010 and 2015, it paid into the federation account the sum of N51 million. In 2017 alone, under this administration, JAMB paid N7.8 billion into the federation account.
“Another thing this government has done to ensure that there is transparency and that corruption is fought effectively is that today, as opposed to what used to happen in the past, there is a whistle-blowing policy. N8.1 trillion was missing in the federation account between 2010 and 2015. They were supposed to have been paid in by 15 revenue generating agencies. The whistle-blowing policy has been hugely successful. The government has been able to rake in N13.8 billion from whistle-blowing policy alone, N7.8 billion from corrupt officials.
“So when you look at what we have put on ground, institutional remedies, you agree with us that this government is more sincere and more committed to fighting corruption than any government in the history of the country.
“If the former president says the government is not performing I think he is not being properly briefed. We promised Nigerians that we are going to diversify the economy and one area where we have had resounding success is the area of food security.
STILL ON FG VS OBASANJO
He also shrugged off the outcry by the PDP and other opposition elements over the refusal of President Buhari to assent to the Electoral Bill. He said the opposition party is preparing excuses, which it will adduce for losing election in 2019.
“On the controversy over the decline of assent to Electoral Bill by President Buhari, Mohammed said it was within the powers of the president to do so if it would not be in the interest of the country. He said the opposition is crying wolf where there is none.
“I think Mr. President has already communicated the National Assembly why he is not signing that bill. If I remember, one of the reasons he did not sign the bill is that signing it at this point in time will create confusion and will not make for clarity.
“We are waiting for the response of the National Assembly on this matter. He pointed out certain errors which he felt the National Assembly should look into.
“You can see that PDP and the opposition are already preparing excuses for their eventual defeat. It will range from the Electoral Act to trader money. From there they will start saying that we are bribing children by one meal a day. We are investing in our children
“He accused the opposition of sprinkling up dose of fake news as a strategy to remain politically relevant, predicting that a lot of such news will dominate the space in the build-up to next year’s election.
“In the last one week alone, three fake news have been credited to me. One said that I said that the president could no longer speak and understand Fulfulde, his mother tongue because of the surgery he underwent in London which affected his ability to speak the language and it has affected his ability to remember anything.”
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Customs Corner
Lagos FTZ Customs Hits N54B Revenue, as Comptroller Babandede Hands over
By Lucy Nyambi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, hits N25,094,030,014.00 in revenue from the Free Zone.
The Command also generated N29,671,886,266 from Lekki Port, making it a cumulative total revenue of N54,765,916,280 for quarter of 2024.
The outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made this known in a ceremony on Wednesday, 17 April 2024, while handing over leadership to Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh.
Speaking about his experience at the Command in the last seven months since he assumed office, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Babandede noted that the most important thing he is taking out of the command is the synergy between agencies and engagement with stakeholders.
He said, “When I came in September, the free zone was only able to generate revenue of about N2 to N3 billion, but to God be the glory, we can now generate N15 to N25 billion in a month”.
“We engaged a lot of stakeholders, and we worked with other government agencies because we can not do it alone, and we established a bond like a family,” Babandede stated.
He advised stakeholders to maintain a high level of integrity in their cargoes and urged the new Customs Area Controller to carry everyone along.
On his part, the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, appreciated his predecessor for his purpose-driven leadership, pledging to build on his very good foundation while also soliciting support from stakeholders and officers.
In his words, “I am happy that I am not meeting this Command at the scratch level. I have optimism to build on the very good foundation Comptroller Babandede is leaving behind. I thank you, Comptroller, for your purpose-driven leadership.”
“To our critical stakeholders, I acknowledge the wonderful support you have been giving the command over the years; I want to assure you that the over-riding goal will be how to make this Command more robust, more alive and more economically rewarding to the country. I promise to operate an open-door policy just like my predecessor. ” Olumoh added.
Stakeholders, as well as representatives of sister agencies, showered encomium on the outgoing CAC while also urging the new CAC to continue on the integrity and legacy already in existence at the Free Zone for the nation’s good.
Customs Corner
Comptroller Yusuf Hands over Leadership of MMAC to Comptroller Awe
By Abass Quadri
Comptroller Mohammed Yusuf, in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, has handed over the mantle of leadership to the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Awe.
In a ceremony held at the command on April 17, 2024, the outgoing Comptroller Yusuf expressed gratitude to God and his subordinates for ensuring peace within the Command, adding that “when I came in, the revenue target was N225m daily, shortly after, the target was increased to ₦400m but we were able to make 90.2% of the revenue target”.
“This year, we are saddled with generating N550m daily. With our strategy, we have gotten N14bn in January, February, and N16bn in March, which means our target of N12bn has been surpassed within the past few months. ” He emphasised.
He added how he managed stakeholders through an open-door policy, which greatly facilitated positive engagement and revenue generation.
Comptroller Yusuf also urged the officers to rededicate themselves to duty and fully support the new CAC, Awe.
He also advised CAC Awe to give a listening ear and, likewise, to operate an open door policy to succeed in his new position.
Appreciating his predecessor for his hard work, CAC Awe noted that even though he is not entirely new at the Command, he will consolidate on the existing structure, which requires the cooperation and support of all and sundry.
“This environment is a known place to me because I was the team manager of the Customs Intelligence Unit here some couple of years ago.” He said
“Seeing the revenue achieved, things are really going well, and that is due to everyone’s hard work, which I would request us to continue to contribute,” he added.
Customs Corner
European Union Proposes ‘Getaway Corridor’ Project to Combat Illicit Trafficking
Author: Cynthia Ikebudu.
In a bid to tackle the rampant issue of illicit trafficking and smuggling across borders, the European Union (EU) unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing law enforcement and trade facilitation at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on 16 April 2024.
The project, titled “Getaway Corridor,” according to EU representatives Louis Jacques Blondiau and Thierry Thimon, is set to cover ten countries, including Nigeria, with the goal of curbing illicit activities on the borders and suppressing smuggling operations.
Louis Jacques Blondiau, the leader of the group, emphasised that the Getaway Corridor project entails the development of a road infrastructure network designed to serve as a gateway for combating anti-smuggling activities while promoting trade facilitation. According to him, “each participating country will designate a specific zone for the project’s execution, which will involve four key phases: identification, implementation, evaluation, and project ownership, ensuring alignment with local needs and priorities.”
During the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the EU’s initiative, acknowledging its potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in Nigeria. He pledged the full support of the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies in ensuring the successful execution of the project.
“The proposed Getaway Corridor project marks a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation in combating illicit flows and promoting trade security within the region. With the commitment of both the EU and Nigerian authorities, it is poised to make a meaningful impact in curbing illegal activities and fostering sustainable development,” the CGC stated.
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