The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified its determination to control social media. Yesterday, the news came that the bill known as the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019 has scaled second reading in the National Assembly.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Sani Musa, and those who stand by it claim it’s time such a regulation comes into play in Nigeria for the sake of national peace and security in the country.
Apart from the social media bill, there is also the Prohibition of Hate Speech Bill sponsored by Senator Sabi Abdullai. Each of these bills is seeking to control free speech and how Nigerians react to issues.
I have consistently tried to create levels of differentiation between democracy and dictatorship, especially dictatorships of the military variant as we have had in our country. I have argued that Nigeria is still very far away from the goal posts of what could be called a democratic society. In my view, the environment does not as yet look anything democratic because the actors are largely strangers to the ethos and what is more, too many of them are tied to the old order, not to talk of the fact that the presence of General-presidents suggest that we are still in the thrall of militarism.
Democracy thrives on debate, consensus building, negotiation, persuasion, argumentation, rule of law, process, and inclusion. The military thrives in a coup culture, secrecy, betrayal, violence, command structure, exclusion and lack of transparency. That explains why I have always warned against describing the current charade of violent elections as democracy.
I have illustrated on several occasions that many among us arrived at Democracy’s altar by parachutes, funded by moneybags, cliques and cults. It is therefore no surprise that we have seen no difference from those who claim to be democrats in terms of the strong-arm tactics that we associated with a militarized environment. Our ‘democrats’ have had no problems with what Noam Chomsky would refer to as resorting to manufactured consent when it comes to elections. They have rented the same crowds, contrived the same outcomes as the old order, seducing the people by bribery rather than persuasion and debate.
Like the false feathers of Icarus, every day, the drama of the fraud called democracy is re-enacted as the masks occasionally fall off and we see the real face of fascism that hides behind it all. When they sense that we want to test their mandate through closely monitored elections, they threaten that we will receive either coffins or body bags in return. Every day, the evidence is before us suggesting clearly that, in the mind of those to whom we have entrusted our future, democracy is merely a heuristic device to perpetuate their grip on power, a bad portfolio investment that fears scrutiny. All the State Assemblies, at best glorified cemeteries of silence inhabited by puppets, are cowed to silence and submission as they munch their crumbs.
The recent outrage by the Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed over public reaction to the Social Media Bill, is illustrative of the point I am making that not all who call themselves democrats appreciate the enormous burden that goes with the claim today. The minister has used some rather harsh and divisive words that suggest some contempt for the voices and views of those whose labours and sacrifices brought him and his government to where they are. His language is disrespectful, appalling and illustrative of the highhandedness that suggests that we are not in a democracy. The language is as intolerant as it is alienating. The Minister says that no amount of threat, blackmail etc will dissuade the government from going ahead with the social mediabill because it is borne out of patriotism. Really?
There are many questions begging for answers here. Is this the language of people who understand or have really imbibed and internalized the spirit and fine principles of democracy? If we must do your will or face the wrath of government, then, this suggests two things: First, we must obey you and government because we are subservient to you and government. We must be answerable to you not the other way round. We must, because if we don’t, we can be penalized by imprisonment for daring to question its wisdom or seek to have an input in a law that concerns us. When did we surrender our rights and voices to government if we are not heading to totalitarian rule? It looks like and smells like it. Is Mr. Mohammed a lawyer who is a politician or a politician who is a lawyer? In an ideal situation, the former should reinforce the latter.
At this point, I would rather side with President Muhammadu Buhari who has been far more honest about his deficient democratic credentials. I have heard the president on at least three occasions complain that democracy is definitely not his strong jacket. To him, democracy is an irritant, a nuisance that he is compelled to live with. To paraphrase the President: ‘When I was a military man, I arrested all the thieves and put them in protective custody. I asked them to go and prove their innocence. Now, I have been told that even though I can see the thieves, I cannot arrest them. I must take them to court and prove that they are guilty.’
I admire the fact that the president has illustrated that his conversion to democracy was not like Paul on the road to Damascus. His tentative conversion to democracy did not come with a confession of his sins (of staging a coup), a promise not to do that again and then a plea for absolution and the acceptance of the required penance! In honesty, the president says he prefers to work with ‘those he knows, not those who know’, so we can forgive him. But notothers.
Mr Mohammed has climbed a moral high horse, claiming that he is motivated by higher and noble values of protecting the rest of us from a hovering scarecrow of evil, the social media. This is a low level fence erected to hide the construction of a wall of tyranny, fascism and totalitarianism. All tyrants and fascists started with the most noble of intentions, composing panegyric lullabies in praise of patriotism. But, as the old saying goes, patriotism is often the last refuge of scoundrels. Sooner than later, they will start the witch-hunt. This is why the radical American intellectual and activist, Lillian Hellman, who lived under the witch hunting era of McCarthyism, titled her memoirs, ‘Scoundrel Time!’
To be sure, there is no one, including myself, who is not aware of the dangers posed by the social media. We have all been victims. However, should the government wish to address this matter legally and openly, why should they be afraid of a public debate? It is desirable that we address the social media by way of education, open debate and transfer of knowledge. When did the social media become sinister in the eyes of the government? Is it after the same government used it that they now realise that it was good for them then, but bad for the rest of us now?
No citizen should be compelled to obey bad laws. Patriotism is not a commodity of exchange. I have lived long in this country, been engaged long enough to know that the degree of patriotism of office holders is often in direct proportion to the opportunities that they have. Today’s Buhariphiles will develop Buhariphobia when they lose their position. Against the backdrop of the rumours and whispers about term limits, do we know where this is going?
Finally, we must all concede that technology is here to stay. All we can do is to try to make it work for us. Like their explorer grandfathers before them, both Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) and Jack Dorsey (Twitter) have shone their light. They know what they have seen in Nigeria and Mr. Dorsey says he plans a longer stay in future.They have seen opportunity in an incredibly energetic and brilliant youth and they are prepared to pour investment into them. What do those who govern us see? Afraid of their shadows, they see in their own Youth, trouble and threats to the quicksand into which they have buried their selfish ambitions. They want to kill these dreams by thinking of a Bill to protect us from Hate speech and so on.
There is absolutely no doubt that we face a difficult future with what to do with the social media. A people so badly governed will use anything to express their frustration and sadly, this is what makes us all victims of hate speech. The greatest expression of hate is those who use the power in their hands to divide us by favouring or excluding others based on religion, gender, political affiliation or social class. They are the real reason why our people have remained diminished.
It is a measure of who we are and the premium we place on life that anyone would dream of suggesting a death sentence for the propagation of Hate speech. Surely, unscrupulous and immoral theft of humungous resources belonging to all of us by our politicians is more damaging to our society than any Hate speech. It is like comparing saliva and a dam. A clear conscience fears no accusation. Technology, developed by humans, still has inbuilt safety valves that will enable it to correct itself. Threats, arm-twisting or raw bravado will not do. Edward Snowden has shown that the builders of terror can always pull back. It is inefficiency and political corruption that creates the conditions for the social Media to thrive not lack of patriotism.
The ultimate goal of this Bill is not to punish those who offend, but those who offend government or those in government. Again, here, we have to fall back on the president’s sense of honesty. When he promulgated Decree 2, the focus was to punish journalists who made public officers uncomfortable. Again, on this note, the President has not changed his mind set at all. Therefore, when the sponsors of this Bill claim that it is for our own good, they are borrowing our mouths to eat onions. If the government gets away with it, we have no idea what else will be on the table. Only a robust debate can cure the claims of cynicism.
The Government has all the laws it needs to fight any form of crime and individuals can fall back on it. This Bill is redundant, stale, superfluous and a fraud. We must fight it with all our energy. It is rotten yoghurt being marketed beyond its expiration date. We should reject it as a totalitarian attempt to circumscribe our hard earned freedom.
Nigerian women are breaking the silence of decades and demanding a safe country as they converge in Abuja for The National Women Dialogue tagged #Womanifesto.
Convened by coalition of Feminists and Women Rights Activists, the 3-day National Women Dialogue according to Team Convener, Dr Abiola Akinyode-Afolabi, welcoming participants noted, “became necessary as a result of recent developments in the country”.
According to Akiyode-Afolabi, Nigerian women had previously in 2005, developed a Charter called 10-point agenda, to canvass for various needs at every available fora but a shift from this approach became necessary due to new happenings from 2018.
“We realised that yes, we have made progress but yet, we were not close in anyway to where we are supposed to be. The system was not okay for us and there was a need for us to put our voices together to make it stronger to be able to engage in an event as it is today.
A cross section of participants
” There was a dire need for us to review our 2005 demands and come up with stronger demands”, she pointed out.
Abiola explained that the Feminists and women rights activists have realised the need to close gaps and build stronger one voice in a unified movement “otherwise we won’t be able to address our issues.”
The National Dialogue she noted will touch six critical areas of violence against women and girls, women in peace and security. sexual reproductive health and rights as well as touch on issues of women in economy amongst other critical areas of Political lives.
Also addressing the gathering in his opening key remark, First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi described the Nigeria the women want as “a safe place everyone else would like to live in”.
The Erelu in a strong laden voice reeled out what bond the Nigerian women share in common saying:
We are tired of saying the same thing over and over againWe are tired of nursing our raped and battered children back to healthWe are tired of mourning our sisters beaten to death by their spousesWe are tired of searching for our children who have been snatched away from our arms and have not returnedWe are tired of singing, dancing and clapping for political leaders only to end upwith nothing to show for itWe are tired of not being able to go to our farms for fear of being rapedWe are tired of being tortured and dispossessed when our husbands dieWe are tired of watching our sisters die while giving birthWe are tired of living in such poverty and desperation that we resort to the only tools we have to surviveWe are tired of being harassed, intimidated and even burnt alive because we dared to raise our voicesWe are tired of sex for grades, sex for jobs, sex for food, sex for appointmentsWe are tired of seeing the driver, gateman, Teacher, Policeman, Politician, BankManager, University Lecturer, Pastor, Imam, Traditional ruler all go scot freewhen they rape us or our children. In the famous words of the civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer, we are sickand tired of being sick and tired.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has called on federal government to put in place mechanisms that will ensure firmer sanctions against sexual offenders and other gender violators.
Focusing on rape as its theme for this year’s 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, FIDA said quick proactive steps must be taken in the reform of our criminal justice system to ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of offenders.
Meanwhile, with the launch of its first national sexual offenders’ register, Nigeria has set the tone for this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The “Sexual Offender Register” will contain names of all those prosecuted for sexual violence since 2015.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one in four Nigerian women would have been sexually abused before she turns 18; with many sexual abuse cases in the country never making its way to the courts.
At the recent launch in the capital city of, Abuja, Sadiya Farouq, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, said “the register will serve as a strategy to stop those engaged in violence against women.” She added that a humanitarian and security crisis in northeast Nigeria caused by a decade-long armed campaign had seen a rise in cases of sexual abuse which needed to be addressed. The register will be available online to better help the public, state bodies and police conduct background checks and identify repeat offenders.
Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq
Also, the Abuja branch of FIDA has called on stakeholders in the capital city to assist in curbing the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence. The association made the call during its awareness walk to mark the commencement of the 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
Members of FIDA Abuja on advocacy campaign at Utako Market, Abuja
Chairperson of the branch, Mrs. Rachael Adejo-Andrew, said the awareness walk and the entire 16 days programmes line up became necessary given the increasing effects of sexual and gender-based violence in the country.
She mentioned a fresh case being handled by the branch where a 70-year-old grandfather allegedly defiled a three-year-old girl in one of the communities. Adejo-Andrew posited that the culture of silence has fuelled the scourge adding activities lined up for the 16 days include a visit to the FCT Commissioner of Police to ensure that the police are on board in the investigation of gender-based violence. She disclosed that traditional leaders and the council chairmen of all the six area councils would also be visited to engage with them. Selected places of worship, motor parks and market places are also some of the places she said the association would visit to create awareness on the effect of sexual and gender-based violence.
Earlier the national body of the association, FIDA Nigeria in a press statement urged the Federal government to put in place necessary and appropriate mechanisms, facilities and processes to ensure safe spaces for victims and survivors of Gender Based Violence, particularly victims of rape. The statement signed by, FIDA Country Vice President/National President, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden and its National Publicity Secretary, Eliana Martins reads:
“We stand tall and strong today, the 25th of November 2019, the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women as we kick off our 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, carrying out advocacy on the Theme “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!”; And will be rounding up activities on the 10th of December 2019, which is commemorated as Human Rights Day.
“This year’s theme focuses on Rape because of the high rate of rape cases reported all over affecting all categories and ages of women and Children. According to UNWomen, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime while 11 percent of Nigerian women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the last twelve months; therefore this theme is most relevant now.
“We note the reported cases of Rape, defilement and violence not to mention the numerous incidents which go unreported for reasons such as the culture of silence, the stigmatization of survivors, the fear of intimidation and so forth.
“FIDA Nigeria based on these overwhelming reports and data, has played a paramount and active role, and even hosted the Secretariat of the Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence against Women (LACVAW), all to ensure the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2015) which in better details codifies the law, protects the victim and punishes the offender.
“FIDA strongly commends and celebrates the following states which have so far enacted the equivalent of the VAPP Act namely Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Anambra, Cross River, Ekiti, Kaduna, Enugu, Ebonyi, Adamawa and Benue states, while calling on the remaining States of the Federation to proceed with dispatch to Adopt and implement the VAPP Act (2015).
“The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, is a landmark legislation on the prohibition of all forms of violence against persons, especially the marginalized in Nigeria. It is a great improvement on the Criminal and Penal Codes operational in Southern and Northern Nigeria respectively. It covers various forms of violence such as emotional violence, psychological violence, verbal violence, physical violence, sexual violence and so forth.
“The Act has expanded the definition of rape to include different types of penetration on any gender without consent (Section 1 of the VAPP Act). The infraction of Section 1(1) of the VAPP Act is punishable with life imprisonment, Though Section 1(2) gives the judge a discretion to impose sentences less than life imprisonment depending on the circumstances. Worthy of note is the fact that the Act also provides for compensation of victims of rape, this was evidently absent in the previous laws.
“With FIDA’s unique composition of over 2,500 volunteer female lawyers in Nigeria, spread across 32 branches in Nigeria we are working at all levels towards the Elimination of Violence Against Women(VAW) because we recognize the multifarious nature of gender-based violence.
“Consequently, as part of our 16 days activism program we shall be carrying out different programs such as legal clinics, activism march, advocacy visits, rallies, media and schools out reaches, sensitization and mobilization programs, including capacity building programs for key stakeholders, community influencers, faith based organizations and other groups on the ills of VAW, the provisions and protections of the VAPP Act, while also advocating for its adoption to suit unique cultural and religious peculiarities or contexts. FIDA shall continue in strategic engagement and advocacy campaigns with other key influencers so as to effectively drive the process necessary for the adoption and effective implementation of the VAPP Law in all the States of the Federation.
“FIDA Nigeria therefore calls on all stakeholders to also play an active part in the sensitization, prevention, protection and enforcement to ensure the Elimination of these ills in our society. As we kick off, we call on all good meaning individuals, stakeholders and groups to join us, as we look into, speak out and take practical, effective, and proactive steps to eliminate all forms of Gender Based Violence in the country.
“All generations must stand together to fight this menace called ‘Rape’ and indeed all other forms of violence perpetuated on our women (our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, cousins, nieces, wards, grandchildren etc.) whether young or old.
“We advocate that:
– The Federal government put in place necessary and appropriate mechanisms, facilities and processes to ensure safe spaces for victims and survivors of Gender Based Violence, particularly victims of rape.
– Quick proactive steps must be taken in the reform of our criminal justice system to ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of offenders.
– The different States of the Federation must fast track processes to adopt and implement the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) (2015) to ensure speedy dispensation of criminal trials.
“FIDA calls on all to realize, appreciate and celebrate the role of the female gender in our society. Rape is rooted in a complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power and control. This must stop.
“Let us work together to instil confidence in the administration of criminal justice, work to remove the stigma attached to survivors, protect victims, while stopping the impunity of perpetuators and ensuring they are brought to justice.
“FIDA Nigeria will continue to provide free legal representation and advice to survivors of Rape. FIDA Nigeria pledges to also provide legal representation for non- survivors of violence. It is absolutely necessary that the dignity of every human person especially that of the woman is respected. Accordingly all generations must rise up, speak out and do the needful to stop all forms of violence against women
“FIDA stands to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and girls in society. FIDA says women who are victims of rape demand:
This is a 2015 article but as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence it is worth reproducing.
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary; domestic violence is defined as violence between members of the same family. It can also be defined as violence that/which occurs in the home or can be referred to as a pattern of abusive behaviour between intimate partners. In Lagos, acts that constitute domestic violence include; physical abuse, emotional verbal and psychological abuse, economic abuse and exploitation, sexual exploitation including rape, incest and sexual assault, denial of basic education, intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, deprivation, entry into complainants residence without consent where parties do share the same residence.
Domestic violence and abuse in its entirety is viewed somewhat as a controversial issue in Nigeria; not brought to the fore or talked about in the public domain. No thanks to the culture of pretence in the society. This piece would not tow that line or thinking of pretence which has permeated this society.
Now, domestic violence and abuse in Nigeria tends to be accompanied with the “it is a family affair and it is not my business or your business” rhetoric until the abused or abuser is fatally incapacitated or killed; as several reports tend to reveal. When one picks up some dailies with a social section or read some popular blogs; known for gossip news items; usually it is not out of place to come across domestic violence news items. When the “it is a family affair” rhetoric comes up; you tend to find that family members of the abused or abuser tend to hush-hush the crime, given the society we live in. For those who know domestic violence is now a crime. And known as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
At a gathering on Thursday, the 27th of November 2014, organised by ACTS Generation (www.actsgeneration.org; a gender based violence and abuse advocate, counselling, restoration organization); which was tagged International Conference on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Trafficking. The issue of domestic violence is quite an alarming problem which is tearing at the delicate fabric of society through the home but it would appear it is not given the needed attention. But we can not deny the fact that it is easy to spot individuals (especially women) who are physically abused in their homes; the same can not be said for those suffering emotional domestic violence etc.
During the event, the executive director of ACTS Generation; Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniel in her speech stated that physical and sexual violence are two main forms of violence that women and young girls are often subjected to, both in the public and private spheres. While physical violence is the use of physical force with weapons that are visible (eg hand, knife, gun stick etc); sexual violence is any form of non-consensual or forced sexual activity which includes rape, incest etc. Both forms of violence are carried out with the intent to cause bodily harm, suffering and psychological trauma to women and young girls.
On human trafficking; Mrs Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniel said that human trafficking is estimated to be a $32billion annual industry and is a type of slavery that involves the transport or trade of people for the purpose of work. According to the United Nations, about 2.5million people around the world are ensnared in the web of human trafficking at any given time. Human trafficking impacts people of all backgrounds and people are trafficked for a variety of purposes. Men are often trafficked into hard labour jobs, while children are trafficked into labour positions in textile, agriculture and fishing industries. Women and girls are typically trafficked into commercial sex industry.
Mrs Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniel further posited that sex trafficking or slavery is the exploitation of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of forced sex work. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, prostitution and sex trafficking. Each year, it is estimated that 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international borders.
Also, she posited that “some sex trafficking is highly visible, such as street prostitution. But many trafficking victims remain unseen, operating out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting and sometimes suburban neighbourhoods. Sex traffickers may also operate out of public and private locations such as massage parlours, spas and strip clubs.”
My knowledge of the severity of the scourge called domestic violence was further illuminated when other female speakers spoke. A lot chorused that women’s rights should not be trampled upon by religious doctrines or using religion to violate women. A lady opined that views have been globalised and the downside of this is that a lot of these global values are detrimental. A lot of elements in global culture have dehumanised women’s bodies. Some global values have made a lot of young women believe they need to dress indecently. Global culture professes the glorification of indecently dressed ladies which is a ready excuse for some men to violate and harass them.
Other speakers opined that gender-based violence “are mostly perpetuated against women and young girls by people that they know, love and trust.” A speaker reported that some years ago, a research in South West Nigeria; discovered that apart from rape; South West women fear verbal abuse. And that cultural values and norms in Nigeria serve to condone the impunities of a lot of people. One of the revealing facts that shocked me was the fact that when gender/domestic violence occur; a lot of Nigerians are guilty of secondary victimization by differentiating between “what happened” and asking the “what did you do?” question.
Another revelation was of a female police officer who was the officer in charge of a special unit called the Family Support Unit at the Adeniji Adele Police Station in Lagos State. Reading through Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team (LASGAT)’s brochure handed to guests at the event; I came across some interesting statements and facts which are quite useful to all (if you can get a copy).
According to the brochure, these Special Police Units are model police stations in Lagos State where grieving parties’ complaints about domestic violence and sexual assaults can be lodged. These special units can be found in the Ilupeju, Isokoko and Adeniji Adele police stations. These units called the Family Support Units (FSU) allow victims or complainants to bypass the charge room and come directly to the unit. And from the Female police officer’s comments, one could deduce that a lot of cases were being handled by her unit.
Some of the speakers posited that for the minimization and eventual eradication of domestic violence (which can be inflicted on women and men), it is apparent that our society or rather Nigerians especially the men-folk need a new definition of masculinity.
They went further to state that there is no place for those who demean and abuse the place of girls and women. Men are not born violent but learn it. Also, the society should not hide behind religion and cultural beliefs to violate women. Real men don’t raise hands against women. Also, women in the corridors of the corporate and government worlds should begin to influence the decision making processes of the government in relation to the rights of women. Also, laws bordering on gender/domestic violence have to be strengthened-where found weak.
In East Africa (a region I am familiar with), the society empowers women (whether they are independent or not); ours doesn’t empower independent women (it must be frustrating for an independent lady who isn’t empowered.) We need to begin to have a shift in this regard. Also, the society should not hide behind religious and cultural beliefs to violate women. Those experiencing domestic violence and abuse should speak out and break the silence. Domestic violence and abuse is not a “family affair.” It is a crime against the state. As at 2014, there were over 109 organisations rendering support services in Lagos and their names can be gotten from Lagos State Gender Advocacy Team’s email- [email protected].
On a final note; pertaining to sexual slavery and exploitation (prostitution, adult movies and strip bars etc), which Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniel talked about in her speech at the event; my understanding of this aspect was broadened by some recent findings. My observations concur with that of the executive director of ACTS Generation; Laila Jean St Matthew-Daniel, about such places (synonymous with ladies and silver poles) being abodes of sexual exploitation. With all candour, positing that such places are like sweat shops found in Bangladesh or India would still be putting it mildly.
Honestly, as a society, we have a simmering problem in our hands. Alas, this society pretends and in such matters would want to remain oblivious. We don’t want to believe there is a problem until it hits us in the face. The reality is that this problem of domestic violence and sexual exploitation are simmering and the society should not keep quiet. The society (the government, appropriate laws and citizens) should speak out. Answers to questions like what is the root problem; what are the underlying issues and what would happen if nothing is done; have to be proffered.
Nigeria border closure is amazing economics that shuts doors against 13% exports to track and checkmate 4% imports from neighbouring countries into Nigeria. It is also about Nigeria closing border against 4% imports/smuggling from neighbouring countries while 96% imports from the rest of the world still comes in through the sea and air borders, even smuggled goods. It’s a war against African neighbour states. It’s a war that celebrates the inability and failure of the Nigeria Customs to do its work of manning the borders.
We seem to deliberately kill all sectors, including manufacturing to save rice and poultry markets. In 2002, Obasanjo’s government argued this same way in favour of increase in pump price of petroleum products to deter its illegal move across borders into Niger and Chad. Jackson Gius-Obaseki, NNPC GMD had a career in this ill argument. And you know who opposed him on this economic illogic? It was Adams Oshiomhole, NLC president, now APC national chairman who supports the be same argument today.
Nigeria never changes or makes progress. It only changes characters in the saddle.
Bessie Person firmly believes you are never too old to learn. She recently earned a degree at the age of 82 and wants to put her knowledge to good use.
“When I started this, I didn’t know how far I was going to go, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” the Portsmouth resident said.
Person is a graduate of I.C. Norcom High School, but she moved around the country to New York state, Connecticut and elsewhere.
She attended a data entry school in Syracuse, N.Y. and was sent by her employer, the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, to Post University, called Teikyo Post University at the time, in Connecticut. She started a degree course, but was unable to complete it because her tuition assistance stopped, she said.
“I didn’t complete any of those courses at Teikyo,” she said. “I also had some courses at (a school in) Cambridge, Mass. I tried to get a degree at every school I was at.”
Person retired at age 57 from Bristol-Myers Squibb as a data entry supervisor and moved back to Virginia in the 1990s. During that time she lived in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Newport News. She then moved to Missouri for 11 years to work as a call center representative.
When she was in her seventies, Person was talking to her sister about getting a degree. She said her sister told her to just do it. She went online and found Colorado Technical University. She enrolled in an associates degree in business administration. She worked on a bachelor’s degree in business administration and digital marketing after she gained her associate degree in 2½ years. Person studied the courses online from her home.
“I didn’t think about age,” she said. “It was something I wanted, and I thought I could do it.”
After more than four years of study on two degrees, she graduated with honors. Her GPA was 3.74, she said.
As well as learning the subject matter, Person taught herself the technology needed for the online course. “It was a little hard,” she said.
Person said the Colorado Technical University degree quickly became easier. The only part she struggled with initially was the math component. She received As on all her writing research papers.
“I’m still a bit surprised I was able to finish it,” she said. “I did it all on my own.” Person said she studied for 4 to 6 hours every day, six days a week.
Person wants to do consulting work. She plans to teach people how to write resumes and network. She has other plans, too.
“I’ve got a book in me,” she said.
Kermitt Smith, one of Person’s four children, said his mother has always been creative.
“I’m really amazed,” he said. “I told her when she told me she finally graduated, ‘you have done something none of your four children accomplished.’ I have been to college, military and trade school but don’t have a four-year academic degree.”
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2019 has released a bombshell on the Nigerian security situation, noting that herdsmen attacks cost the country more lives than Boko Haram in 2018.
GTI published the report on Wednesday also for the fifth consecutive year ranked Nigeria the third country in the world with terrible cases of terror attacks, trailing Afghanistan and Iran that are first and second respectively.
Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, and India are ranked fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively in the GTI report, while Yemen, Philippines, and Democratic Republic of the Congo are eighth, ninth, and 10th.
The report indicated that terror-related incidents in Nigeria increased by 37%, from 411 in 2017 to 562 in 2018 and also deaths from terrorism in the country rose to 2,040 in 2018, a 33%increase.
“The increase was due to a substantial escalation of violence by ‘Fulani’ extremists, whilst Boko Haram recorded a decline in deaths from terrorism,” the report said.
Dispute over ownership and usage of land has remained the major cause of the violence conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.
The report raised a major concern on the shift of terrorism from the far north east to the Middle Belt of Nigeria due to the increased killings by the herders of farmers in this new region of blood.
The worst of the 2018 terrorism incidents, according to the GTI report occurred in the Gwaska village of Kaduna State on May 5, an assault still attributed to the Fulani herders. The death toll of this incident was 58.
“Violence between Nigerian herders and farmers intensified in early 2018 with approximately 300,000 people fleeing their homes. The most recent escalation in violence follows increased militia attacks and implementation of new anti-grazing legislation,” the latest report said.
“In 2018, Fulani extremists were responsible for the majority of terror-related deaths in Nigeria at 1,158 fatalities. Terror-related deaths and incidents attributed to Fulani extremists increased by 261 and 308 per cent respectively from the prior year. Of 297 attacks by Fulani extremists, over 200 were armed assaults. Over 84 per cent of these armed assaults targeted civilians.
“However, also active and not recorded as terrorist activity are pastoralist militias who target the Fulani, increasing the likelihood of reprisals,” the report said.
The GTI report attributed the decline in Boko Haram attacks to a multinational task force fighting the terrorist group.
The GTI, which is in its seventh edition, is produced annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace, an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank with offices in Sydney, New York, and Mexico City.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, last week directed the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC to review downwards, the price of data within five days.
Pantami issued the directive during the presentation of the new board member and Executive Commissioner, Mr Adeleke Adewolu. Adewolu replaced Mr Sunday Dare who left the board to become the sports minister. After the presentation, the minister pointed to numerous complaints from Nigerians regarding illegal data deduction and high price of data, adding that he had personally experienced illegal data deduction.
Apparently irked by that frustration, the minister fired a directive: “I am urging the management of NCC to work towards reducing the price of data in Nigeria. It is too costly and people are complaining every day. If you go to other countries, even countries that are not as largely populated as Nigeria, data prices are not this high. I am also a victim of some of the infractions that are so common in the industry. You load your data but you barely use 20 per cent of it and the entire data is wiped off.
“Please go, sit down and review that issue. It is very important and I want to get your feedback with that report in the next five working days with the decision on it because the complaint from Nigerians is beyond what I can handle as it is today, people are complaining,” This is not the first time Pantami had issued such emotional directives.
When MTN Nigeria recently issued a notice to subscribers of its intention to commence charges on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data,USSD, on mobile transfers, the minister also directed the NCC to ask MTN to suspend the decision, because he was not earlier informed. Ordinarily, these are the kinds of intervention governments should make to deliver dividends of democracy to its citizens.
On that basis, the tendency to applaud Pantami’s calls could be high. However, interventions made outside the law or in total disregard of constitutional provisions and set rules, have very grave implications. Some,can erode progress.
The telecom industry has been one of the strongest pillars of the Nigeria’s economic growth since about two decades the sector was liberalised. It has attracted Foreign Direct Investment, FDI investment of well over $70 billion and contributed more than 10.11 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP in 2019, surpassing oil, the mainstay of the economy.
These achievements were made possible by adhering to standard principles and international best practices. It is apparently why Pantami’s recent calls appear to have irked Information and Communications Technology, ICT professionals. They are described as not only arbitrary but also capable of negating the standard principles upon which the sector has blossomed so far.
The NCC is guided by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, and Section 108 of the Act forbids the commission to prescribe retail prices by fiat. It only allows it to ensure that tariffs reflect costs of providing services. It means that the NCC is mandated to carry out cost-based studies from time to time and as may be deemed fit to fix price floors and /or ceilings. That way, no operator can under-price to kill competition.
Section 108 of the Act, sub section(1) says: “ Holders of individual licences shall not impose any tariff or charges for the provision of any service until the Commission has approved such tariff rates and charges except as otherwise provided in this Part.
(2) The licensees specified in subsection (1) of this section shall provide services at the tariff rates and charges so approved by the Commission and shall not depart therefrom without prior written approval by the Commission of such proposed changes in tariff rates and charges.
(3) All licensees mentioned in subsection (1) of this section shall publish the tariff rates charged to customers for their respective services and the modifications thereto as may be approved from time to time by the Commission.
(4) The tariff rates established by a licensee mentioned in subsection (1) of this section shall be on the basis of such principles as the Commission may from time to time stipulate in its guidelines or regulation including the following—
(a) tariff rates shall be fair and, for similarly situated persons not discriminatory ;
(b) tariff rates shall be cost-oriented and, in general, cross-subsidies shall be eliminated ;
(c) tariff rates shall not contain discounts that unreasonably prejudice the competitive opportunities of other providers ;
(d) tariff rates shall be structured and levels set to attract investments into the communications industry ; and
(e) tariff rates shall take account of the regulations and recommendations of the international organisations of which Nigeria is a member.”
Meanwhile, a survey recently released by Cable.co.uk indicated that 10 of the top 50 cheapest countries in the world for mobile data were in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Also, seven North African countries included in the report appeared higher up in the table than majority of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report included data from 6,313 mobile data plans in 230 countries around the world between October 23 and November 28, 2018.
It however shows Nigeria is not the worst hit, contrary to the allegation of the minister. In Africa, countries in the south pay the most for 1GB of data. South Africa pays $7.19, Namibia, $11.2 and Botswana, $14.12. The survey says that in West Africa, Nigeria’s 1GB of data is obtained at $3.22, while in Chad it is $23. 3.
In Cameroon, it goes for $1.71. It goes for $4.1 in Ivory Cost and $2.92 in Niger. In the North African region, Algeria’s 1GB goes for $5.15; Egypt’s IGB goes for $1.49, Libya’s $4.87and in Sudan it cost $0.6.
The survey said India had the world’s cheapest data plan at $0.10 for 1GB, adding that in the US, it goes for $12.37 and $6.66 in UK. The global average of 1GB data plan is $8.53.
Zimbabwe pays the highest price in the world at $75.20 per 1GB, followed closely by Equatorial Guinea at $65.83, Saint Helena at $55.47 and Djibouti at $37.92.
Interestingly, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, at an event in Lagos recently, revealed that even before the minister’s call, the commission had consulted the KPMG to carry out cost based study to determine if the price of data consumers currently enjoy will be increased or reduced in line with the reality of the markets.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta
Industry experts believe that if this is already ongoing, the five day ultimatum by the minister will only spell doom because the outcome will not be supported by scientific data. They warned the commission to be careful how it panders to the whims of the ministry before it loses its independence status.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Operators in Nigeria, ALTON, umbrella body of the telcos, Engr Gbenga Adebayo has expressed shock at the call, describing it as unrealisable.
Adebayo said that the call amounts to forcing the commission to destroy the gains it made over the years that has made the sector a beautiful bride constantly toasted by global investors.
According to him, such arbitrary price reduction calls are unfair to operators who suffer consistent cases of vandalism, multiple taxation and regulations, indiscriminate shutdown of their base stations, high cost of RoW, among other things hindering service delivery. A telecom lawyer, Mr Chukwu Umeoha, berated Pantami’s call, saying it was borne of little knowledge of the oversight functions of a minister to an independent agency.
He advised ministers to arm themselves with the Public Service rules to avoid abuse of their oversight functions.
Hi-Tech’s check, actually reveals that Pantami’s calls appear to run fowl of the federal government’s gazetted Public Service Rules. Chapter 16 of the rule, section 1, describes a Parastatal as “a government-owned organization established by statute to render specified services(s) to the public. It is structured and operates according to the instrument establishing it and also comes under the policy directives of Government.
Section 2 (a) says “Statutory Boards/ Councils shall set operational and administrative policies in accordance with government policy directives and supervises the implementation of such policies. The administrative policies may include those relating to appointment, promotion and discipline of staff.
(b) A Board shall not be involved directly in the day-to-day management of a Parastatal.
(c) A Minister exercises control of Parastatals at policy level through the Board of the Parastatal only.
This means that even the monthly briefing which the NCC has subjected itself to, at the ministry is a distraction that will not benefit the industry.
The Federal Government’s land border closure with her West Africa’s neighbours since August 19 in an exercise code-named ‘Swift Response’ has unwittingly brought about trade tension between the country and her neighbours leading to unintended consequences. One of them is the threat to telecom services, reports LUCAS AJANAKU.
President Muhammadu Buhari appears not to be bothered by the wailings that have greeted the closure of the country’s land borders with its neighbours in the West African neighbours. While cross border crimes such as smuggling of rice, small arms and many others are said to have reduced tremendously, the action has nonetheless recorded devastating unintended consequences.
Government said it will curb illicit importation and improve local manufacturing of goods.
Ostensibly encouraged by the ‘successes’ the action has recorded, the Federal Government has extended the closure to Jan. 31 next year
The extension is necessary to achieve the government’s strategic objectives, the newspaper reported, an official the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Victor Dimka, was quoted to have said, adding that the operation has resulted in security and economic benefits.
The blockade has had a ripple effect across West Africa, with factories and traders struggling to import key raw materials and having to use alternative routes for their exports, according to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
“That date is not the terminal date for the border closure, it is the end of the first phase. The border will remain closed until set objectives are achieved,” Customs spokesman, Joseph Attah said confirmed.
Threat to telecoms services
Telcos under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned that the directive of the NCS to suspend the supply of petroleum products to filling stations within 20km of all border areas, could compromise telecoms operations in the country with serious devastating effect on quality of service (QoS).
Its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said due to the directive, trucks that supply diesel to all telecoms sites and base transceiver stations (BTS) around the border areas were denied passage to reload telecoms sites.
He warned that if the directive was not reversed immediately, it could lead to shutdown of telecoms sites that are interlinked to others in the area and eventually lead to service disruption and degradation in the country.
The carriers therefore urged the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Federal Government to urgently intervene to avoid breakdown of telecoms services in the country.
In a letter dated November 8, 2019, addressed to the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, the ALTON Chairman raised the implications of the Customs directive and called for quick intervention.
In the letter, ALTON chairman, Adebayo, said: “So far, the Nigeria Customs Service has stopped our members’ trucks in Kebbi, Kano and Calabar from supplying diesel to the telecoms sites within the border areas, which may lead to total shut down of Communications systems and services and by implication worsen the security operations within those areas.
“We urgently request the immediate intervention of the NCC and the Federal Government because by midday of November 9, major hub sites carrying heavy traffic will be shut down due to lack of diesel.”
Pantami steps in
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has urged the NCS to allow fuel trucks access to border towns and remote villages.
His spokesperson, Mrs Uwa Suleiman, in a statement, said the access is to enable mobile network operators to power their generators to provide services to their customers.
The NCS had also announced a ban on petroleum products to Nigerians living within 20 kilometres of an international border.
No fewer than 57 borders have been shut across the country since August as the government intensified steps to limit foreign products into Nigeria.
In the statement, Mr Pantami said officers of NCS deployed to border towns should identify drivers carrying petroleum supplies and grant them concession.
Mr Pantami urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to address the vexed issue of telecoms infrastructure vandalism in many parts of the country.
He advised the governors of the affected states to take prompt actions to ensure protection of critical infrastructure.
“Numerous complaints reaching the Minister’s office allege that men of the service(Customs), especially around border towns where BTS (Base Transceiver Stations) are located, deny passage to petrol tank drivers, thereby denying them access to refuel generators supplying power to these base stations. The effects of these acts are a threat to national security and economic growth and cannot be ignored.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, while applauding the revived efforts of the NCS in tackling the activities of smugglers, however, urges the Service to direct its officers deployed to these locations, to identify and grant concession to genuine drivers carrying petroleum supplies to remote locations and are a critical link in the chain. The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of President Muhammadu Buhari is centred around a Digital Economy and the telecoms sector, occupies a central position in the scheme of things. It is of utmost importance that public institutions collaborate and form partnerships that will ensure the security and prosperity of all Nigerians,” Dr Pantami was quoted to have said in the statement.
No respite
ALTON has put the nation on notice about its helplessness on the inevitability of service disruptions.
Its Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga, in a statement, said: “Please be informed that our members have not received any intervention from the Federal Government in order to discharge fuel to the BTS sites around border town.
“Our members diesel trucks on legitimate duties were impounded by the Customs officials and due to inability to supply fuel, some of the cell sites are already shutting down for lack of diesel.
“We appeal to the government to grant our members permit to deliver fuel to their various sites.
“Please be informed that any network downtime in the border towns is not necessarily the fault of the service providers but as a result of embargo placed on supply of fuel.”
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