Month: January 2023

By Muhammadu Sabiu

The presidential candidate in the 2023 election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to extend the deadline for the exchange of old naira notes.

This was contained in an address posted on his verified Facebook Hausa page.

Recall that a CBN policy says that the old naira notes in circulation will cease to be legal tender on January 31, 2023.

Commenting about the deadline, Atiku Abubakar noted that such a policy is practised worldwide due to its impact on the economy, adding that Nigerians, at this critical moment, need an extension of the deadline.

He was quoted as saying, “There is no doubt that the CBN policy has generated heated debates within and outside Nigeria.

“It should be noted that the change of currency is a normal practice from time to time—it is not something new.

“Looking at the fact that the January 31st deadline is drawing nearer, patriotic Nigerians are expressing their fear of the policy worsening the situation of Nigerians.

“It would be difficult for many people who do not transact online to have their old notes changed before the deadline.

“While we will continue to educate people on the policy, it’s important for the CBN to consider extending the deadline.”

By Lawal Dahiru Mamman

Ann Soberekon, a retired laboratory scientist, was almost lynched by a mob in Port Harcourt following an accusation of witchcraft. Ann was actually suffering from dementia – a condition of the brain characterised by impairment of brain functions such as memory and judgment that interferes with doing everyday activities. 

The incident led a rights group, Advocacy for Alleged Witches, to decry the ill-treatment meted out to those with mental health challenges. According to the group, the attribution of dementia and other mental disorders is rooted in irrational fear, misinterpretation and ignorance of the cause of disease. 

Living in fear of being called names and other forms of stigmatisation is the way people with mental health issues live in Nigeria and even other African countries. Mental disorders are viewed as spiritual attacks, and patients are mirrored as those under the influence of evil spirits, bewitched or hexed. The only way to cure the world of such back in the dark days and put victims out of their mystery is to send them 6 feet down, while in more recent times, stigmatisation and other forms of inhumane treatment are dished out to mental health patients forcing them to instead of seek for solution drown in their unfortunate circumstances. 

With the proliferation of knowledge of mental health, some African nations started signing Bills to protect the right of people suffering from mental health issues. Foremost among are countries like South Africa which signed the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002 on October 28, 2002, which then took effect on December 15, 2004, to cater for treatment and rehabilitation of persons with mental health illness. In 2012 Ghanaian government signed Mental Health Act 2012 into law. Zambia signed its Mental Health Act in 2019, and then in June 2022, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Mental Health Bill into law.

Nigeria followed suit when President Muhammadu Buhari, as a parting gift, bequeathed Nigeria on the 5th day of January 2023 the long-awaited Mental Health Bill by signing it into law, repealing heretofore extant law, which was known as the Lunacy Act CAP 542, of the laws of Nigeria 1964. 

This is coming after the Bill has failed two attempts. Firstly, it was after the presentation in the National Assembly in 2003 before its withdrawal in April 2009 and secondly, in 2013 when the National Policy for Mental Health Services Delivery set out the principles for the delivery of care to people with mental, neurological, and substance abuse problems, but it was not signed into law.

The Mental Health Bill is a piece of legislation that covers the assessment, treatment, care and rights of people with mental health disorders while also discouraging stigmatisation and discrimination by setting standards for psychiatric practice in Nigeria, among other provisions. 

The assent of the law generated a positive response, with physicians saying the law will afford those in the field the power to work unhindered and also enlighten Nigerians of the dangerous lifestyles that may lead to a breakdown in one’s mental health. 

Doctor Olakunle Omoteemi, a physician in Osun State, said, “Due to the negative perception attached to mental health issues in Nigeria, the society still sees any case related to it as that of lunacy, and as a result of this negative perception, individuals shy away from making known, discussing or approaching professionals to discuss or reveal their mental health status.

“People also often cannot go for counselling based on the prejudice from the society. There is also the issue of stigma attached to it, as people are afraid to be called certain names. With this law, it is hoped that the prejudices and stigma attached to mental health issues will be laid to rest.”  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said at the 2022 World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October that One Hundred and Sixteen million (116,000,000) Africans suffer from one mental health disorder or another, and according to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Taiwo Obindo, over sixty million (60,000,000) Nigerians agonise from mental illnesses. 

Since the Bill this time around was not allowed to fade in oblivion, it will be safe to say ‘it is better late than never’ considering the statistics of the WHO and that of the president of APN. What is left is for those responsible for the bill to take charge in ensuring that the purpose for which the bill was signed is not defeated.  

Lawal Dahiru Mamman, a corps member, writes from Abuja and can be reached via dahirulawal90@gmail.com.

By Yakubu Sani Wudil, PhD

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s announcement that some of the country’s old notes will cease to be legal tender by the end of January 2023 has caused significant concerns among citizens and businesses. While the move towards a cashless economy has its merits, such as increased security and transparency of monetary transactions, it is crucial to consider the potential negative consequences and ensure that proper measures are implemented to mitigate them.

One of the most pressing concerns is the availability of the new Naira notes. Many citizens have reported difficulties in exchanging their old notes for the new currency, and banks have been dispensing the old notes until only a few days ago. This has led to confusion and frustration among citizens, particularly those in rural areas who may not be as familiar with bank procedures. Therefore, the government should mandate banks to release the new notes in abundance to prevent any shortage or hoarding of the new currency.

Another primary concern is the impact on small businesses. Many small businesses have already shut down because they can no longer accept the old Naira note while the new Naira is scarcely inadequate. This has resulted in job loss and financial hardship for small business owners and created artificial inflation. To mitigate this, the apex bank should consider extending the deadline for the old notes to cease being legal tender to give citizens and businesses more time to adjust and exchange their old notes.

Policymakers need to consider the well-being of the citizens when implementing such a critical change to the country’s monetary system. The decision to cease the old notes as legal tender could disproportionately affect low-income and rural citizens who may not have access to the necessary technology or banking services to conduct electronic transactions.

To address this, the government must provide support and education on the benefits of a cashless economy, especially in rural areas. Such sensitisations should involve traditional and religious leaders because they are respected and trusted figures in their communities. They can help explain the system’s benefits and dispel any misconceptions or fears that people may have about the change. It is also important to note that the success of this transition will depend on the cooperation and participation of the public. Therefore, the government must provide adequate education and support to ensure that everyone can easily navigate the new system.

Undoubtedly, the cashless economic system constitutes the model of transactions embraced by all technologically advanced nations. With most transactions being conducted electronically, it becomes easier for the government to monitor and detect illicit activities such as money laundering or tax evasion. Additionally, a cashless economy can help reduce the risk of kidnapping for ransom, as there would be limited cash in circulation. It would also help curb buying political votes in the forthcoming general elections.

However, the sudden transition to a cashless regime also has its drawbacks. One of the most notable concerns is the potential decline in the value of the currency. The Naira has been facing significant inflationary pressures in recent years, and the cessation of the old notes could exacerbate this problem. Furthermore, the change in the currency and the scarcity of new notes may halt economic activities, which will hurt the economy and the well-being of the people.

It is important for the apex bank to consider the challenges people face and adjust accordingly. The deadline for the transition to a cashless economy should be reconsidered, and more time should be given for proper planning and implementation. The banks should also be mandated to release the new notes in abundance and ensure they are readily available to the public. The policymakers should also consider the impact of this change on small businesses so that the economy and livelihoods of the people are not negatively affected. The purpose of government is to develop policies that would improve the well-being of its citizens and not burden them with unnecessary hardships.

Dr Yakubu Wudil writes from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia, and can be reached via yswudil@yahoo.com.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Osun Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital has in a judgement delivered in the early hours of Friday ordered that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke be removed from office and the certificate of returns given to him be withdrawn with immediate effect.

The Presiding Judge of the panel, Justice Tertsea Kume, while reading the judgement of the tribunal said that the conduct of the election flagrantly violates the electoral act.

Justice Kume explained that the election was rigged in six polling units to the detriment of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He further stated that, after the deduction of valid votes vast from the over-voting at these polling units, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 314,941 and therefore the rightful winner of the election while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ademola Adeleke polled 290, 266.

By Muhammad Aminu

A Kano-based lawyer, Sanusi Umar Sadiq has dragged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) alongside its governor, Godwin Emefele, to a Federal High Court in Kano over currency swap deadline of 31st January, 2023.

Barr Sadiq is asking the Court of his fundamental human rights in line with sections 44 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, Article14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right Act, Laws of the Feederation of Nigeria 2010 Order Rule 2 and 3 of the Fundamenmtal Rights Rule 2009.

He asked the Court to declare that the cessation of the existing N200, N500 and 1000 from being used as legal tender from 31st January 2023 as unlawful and unconstitutional.

The legal luminary contended that the arbitrary stoppage of the existing notes which are largely in circulation will cripple the econmony and further entrench poverty among Nigerians.

“An order of this Honorable Court enforcing the Fundamental Rights of the Applicant as enshrined under and guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Altered) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.

“…that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for the Respondents to declare the existing N200, N500 and N1, 000 currency notes, which are currently largely in circulation, as no longer the legal tender of Nigeria by 31st January, 2023.

“…that the abrupt and arbitrary policy adopted by the Respondents to make the existing N200, N500 and N1, 000 currency notes that are widely in circulation now is a threat to national security and inimical to national interest as same will cripple the economy and throw many more innocent Nigerians into poverty.

“…this Honorable Court restraining the Respondents from making the existing N200, N500 and N1, 000 currency notes cease to be the legal tender in Nigeria by 31st January, 2023, which currency notes are the ones largely in circulation now, are the ones issued by the various commercial banks in the country, and are the ones dispensed by the various Automated Teller Machines (ATMs),” the originating motion states.

According to him, he wants the Court to compel the CBN and its governor “to follow and comply with the Global Best Standard Practices for changing currency whereby the old ones are gradually withdrawn from circulation by not releasing them to the public once they get deposited in banks within a reasonable time that shall not be less than six months.”

Barr Sadiq argued that the apex bank has not made adequate preparations or put in place appropriate measures to make the redesigned notes available to the public as the commercial banks across the country, both within the banking halls and via the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) continue issuing and dispensing the currency notes intended to be replaced until few days to the deadline.

He urged the Court to restrain the Bank else “they will throw the country into an economic chaos and anomie.”

By Faruk Ak Waziri 

Principles are the product of strong convictions and their ability to exert influence on what we do or don’t, how we react, and our behaviour in general. The principle is to a person what a container is to a liquid of a certain mass—like how the shape of water is dependent upon the shape of that which it is contained, a person’s action is often shaped according to their principles.

Principles are moral rules self-imposed upon oneself with the intention to live by them strictly. These rules, to the person following them, function as guides to a particular way of behaving or manner of doing things—they act as instructions as to what a person should consider appropriate or otherwise. One may refuse to entertain an idea, reach an agreement, or take part in an activity whose conditions and terms collide with their self-established moral values—their principles.

Does everyone have principles they follow?

As principles are rules or beliefs individually espoused, they vary between people, and not everyone has or follows them. A principled person is one who insists on behaving in a certain way, usually adhering to a fixed set of rules. An unprincipled person, on the other hand, is unscrupulous—they are fickle and dishonest, often without ethical standards.

Is it important for one to have principles they follow?

While many believe having principles is important, some believe that it is actually not—as to them, they are nothing but self-imposed restrictions that delude a person’s mind always to consider them when going about a previously encountered situation or thing. They believe principles enforce rigidity of approach where flexibility is a better suitor.

Yet despite the above opinion, principles are, however, seen by the majority as tools that facilitate the practice of right behaviour. Since they are formed to act as pillars of morality, principles help the person following them stay on track without deviating from doing what is right and good to what is considered bad and wrong. A person of principles tends to be more rational in choice and judgement than one who is not. As opined by Christopher Charles, “A man without principles is as a ship without a rudder—at the mercy of every wind and wave” 

Is it okay to compromise one’s principles when convenient?

Compromising some of one’s principles in specific circumstances that necessitate doing so is okay, so long as that does not temper with the exercise of justice, honesty, fairness, equity, or integrity or done at the expense of any of the guiding values of life.

To emphasise the importance of having principles, Henri Frédéric Amiel, a nineteenth-century Swiss philosopher, critic, and poet, stated thus: “He who floats with the current, who does not guide himself according to higher principles, who has no idea, no convictions-such a man is a mere article of the world’s furniture-a thing moved, instead of a living and moving being-an echo, not a voice.” 

Faruk Ak Waziri writes from Misau and can be reached via farukakwaziri019@gmail.com.

By Umm Khalid

Playing singles means you are playing by yourself with no one else on your team. You face off against another individual opponent. I found playing singles easier because it was simple: I knew that every ball that comes over the net was my responsibility. No one else was there to share the responsibility with. Playing a singles game is straightforward. One on one.

But it is exhausting. Every ball is your responsibility. There’s no one to help you, no partner to get the balls you can’t reach, no one to back you up. You have to run back and forth to cover the length and width of your side of the court by yourself.

Playing doubles tennis, on the other hand, means you have a partner and the two of you are a team facing off against another team of two. You and your teammate work together to hit the ball back over the net, so each of you has fewer balls to hit, less court space to cover.

But I hated it because it’s very easy to lose when you play doubles. Very often, the ball comes sailing right between the two of you as both of you look, startled, at one another and neither person hits the ball.

The first person assumed that the second was going to get it, and the second person assumed that the first person was going to get it. Neither gets it, and the ball bounces off the court and you lose the point.

Continue playing like this, and you lose the game, the set, and the match. You walk off the court, defeated and disappointed.

Marriage is a little like playing doubles tennis. The only way to win is to have well-defined tasks and to communicate CLEARLY with your partner. The two of you must coordinate so that nothing falls through the cracks. Each person knows exactly what he or she is going to cover. You know you’re on the same team and that you’ve got each other’s back–but you still need to talk about who’s going to do what and what your expectations are and ask for help when you need it.

To have a good marriage, the husband and wife need to work together like a well-oiled machine.

It is, of course, challenging to work so closely with another person, to coordinate tasks, to divide labor evenly based on each person’s strengths.

This is why many modern women prefer to just play singles games, living the single life without the hassle of being on a team or dealing with another person.

But living that single life is exhausting and lonely. Sure, you don’t have to work things out with anyone else and can do things all by yourself…but… you are all by yourself.

Marriage is a joint effort for the sake of Allah, a combined struggle of both the husband and the wife to build and maintain a strong Muslim family. The husband and the wife are a team: they each have clearly-defined assigned roles, but they also don’t hesitate to lovingly step in to help one another if it’s needed.

If you play it right, you can reap all the benefits of playing doubles tennis without the drawbacks.

Make sure that you:

1. Have a clear division of labor, so each person knows which side of the tennis court they’re responsible for. In marriage, we call this gender roles.
2. Communicate clearly, so no points are lost due to each person expecting the other to hit the ball. In marriage, the husband and wife have to communicate effectively with each other to decide which non-obvious tasks fall under whose domain so that all tasks are covered.
3. Ask for help if you need it, so that unlike in a singles game, your doubles partner can bail you out or back you up if you try to hit your ball but miss. In marriage, each spouse has a well-defined role, but one of the beauties of marriage is the ability to ask your spouse for help if you need help. Marriage is a soft, loving relationship between a man and a woman who have love and mercy for one another. You have someone who will willingly step in to carry your load on the days you find it to be too heavy, until you get back on your feet.
4. Be a team player, not selfish, self-centered, or negligent of your role. In our modern age, hyper-individualism has made many people selfish and narcissistic, putting themselves and their own individual whims above the needs of the group or their role in the collective. When you play selfish, whether in tennis or in marriage, you lose.

May Allah bless our marriages, our homes, and our families, ameen.

By Aisar Fagge

There has been a remour in circulation that President Muhammadu Buhari will commission the Dangote Refinery during his visit to Lagos state.

However, the Management of Dangote Industries Limited debunked the widespread romour, noting that the information was entirely misleading.

The Chief of the Group, Anthony Chiejina, made this disclosure in a statement he signed and issued to journalists.

The statement reads; “Our attention has been drawn to some misleading reports regarding the commissioning of our Dangote Refinery during the present working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR to Lagos State.

“We want to state categorically that our 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Refinery project was never part of the President’s programme on projects to be commissioned.

“For the record, the projects slated for commissioning in Lagos State by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR include: Lekki Deep Sea Port; 32-Metric Tonnes Lagos Rice Mill, Imota; 18.75km Eleko to Epe T Junction Express road; John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, Blue Line Rail (Phase 1) commissioning (Marina to Mile 2); Groundbreaking for the Blue Line Rail Phase 2 (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko), and MRS Lubricant, a private project in Apapa.

“However, our Refinery will be commissioned before President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR formally leaves office in May, 2023, and the public will be duly informed and invited to the epic event,” the statement concluded.

By Muhammad Sabiu

The Nigerian Senate has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to extend the window for exchanging old Naira bills from January 31 to May 31, 2023.
 
Sen. Sadiq Umar of the APC from Kwara North originally moved for an extension until July 31 because he was concerned about the apex bank’s insistence that there would be no such extension.
 
Recall that the CBN declared in October of last year that the old naira notes will no longer be accepted as legal money as of January 31.
 
However in December, the Senate approved a resolution asking the CBN to extend the deadline to June 30.
 
Umar introduced the motion, saying that the Senate had asked that the CBN extend the use of the old notes from January 31 to June 30, 2022, but the central bank had insisted on the January deadline.
 
Lamenting the situation, the lawmakers noted that there aren’t enough fresh naira notes in circulation.
 
He was quoted as saying: “Experiences around the world have shown that such abrupt decision if not controlled usually created chaos.
 
“The Senate should extend the use of the old notes to July 31,” he said.
 
Also lamenting is Sen. Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti) who urged the apex bank to “look away from the elections” after noting that 90% of people in her local government area have not even set their eyes on the new naira notes.

By Yakubu Sani Wudil, PhD

During the last three and a half years, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami—a digital dynamo—has demonstrated quality in leadership and has raised the bar of good governance in the country. Specifically, the Digital Economy sector has come to the limelight under his stewardship.  Since his assumption into office, he has become the champion of Nigeria’s digital revolution.

Prof. Pantami has exhibited exceptional leadership skills in driving the Communications and Digital Economy sector to record several unprecedented achievements. His leadership has not only escalated the sector’s quarterly revenue generation by more than 500 per cent due to his digital innovations but also played a pivotal role in lifting the Nigerian economy out of recession.

Under his watch, the Digital Economy sector has multiplied the revenue generated from fifty-one billion Naira quarterly to about four hundred and eight billion Naira, according to an independent assessment carried out by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). On the other hand, the ICT sector recorded the highest growth rate in the year 2022, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.

From the onset, Professor Pantami has identified eight priority areas for development: developmental regulation, digital skills, solid infrastructure, service infrastructure, digital services development and promotion, soft infrastructure, digital society and emerging technologies, and indigenous content development and advancement. The Minister has done exceptionally well in these areas by implementing policies and projects that have significantly impacted the Nigerian economy.

For instance, he has established ICT skill acquisition centres across the states and has recorded over 219,000 direct beneficiaries of digital skills training. Additionally, he has laid about 19 kilometres of fibre cable to expand reach and coverage to MDAs (covering 28 MDAs). Furthermore, he has established digital economy centres to support the growth of the economy in the country. He has also developed policies and initiatives to promote indigenous content and created an enabling environment for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s economy, which has been able to resolve challenges that have lingered for decades.

Under Professor Pantami’s leadership, a significant number of National Policies have been developed. Currently, over a dozen of these policies are already being implemented, one of which is the National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy 2020-2030, which sets out a comprehensive plan for the growth and development of the digital economy in Nigeria.

The Minister has also executed several projects, too numerous to mention, which have significantly impacted the Nigerian economy. Nevertheless, some of these projects include the establishment of ICT skill acquisition centres in most of the states, registration of all mobile sim cards, emergency communication centres, virtual examination centres, Data Sharing Centres, Digital Industrial Parks, Wireless Internet Cloud, Digital Capacity Training Centres, NITDA Community IT Training Centres, IT Innovation Hubs, IT Capacity Building Centres, and Provision of ICT Facilities in our Institutions of learning.

In his effort to transform governance to the 21^st-century model, the minister has established the E-Government Training Centre to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills to achieve optimum productivity. He also constructed several E-Health Facilities, E-Libraries, and E-Accessibility Projects. Furthermore, the minister has coordinated the establishment of multiple Community ICT Centres, NIPOST Digital Centre, Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centres, School Knowledge Centres, Rural Broadband Initiatives, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. He also empowered Farmers through the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture Program.  The Accelerated Mobile Phone Expansion-Base Transceiver Station was also accomplished under his watch.

Furthermore, to complement the efforts of security agencies in ensuring adequate National security, there have been over 92 million unique National Identification Number enrolments as of November 2022.  These achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication of Professor Pantami, who has been tireless in his efforts to drive the digital revolution in Nigeria.

It is worth acknowledging that President Buhari must be commended for the wise decision to appoint Professor Pantami as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. He is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet and has succeeded in delivering on his mandate to the Nigerian people. The country needs more brains like him to drive the nation’s development and ensure that we can compete on the global stage.

As we look to the future, it is clear that Professor Pantami has the ability and vision to continue to drive the growth and development of Nigeria’s Communications and Digital Economy sector. The erudite scholar has distinguished himself for integrity and selflessness. In addition, he has been a worthy ambassador for Nigeria’s young population.

We pray that he will have the opportunity to serve the country in many capacities and higher positions in the future. His leadership and expertise are vital to the continued progress of our nation. The policies and projects executed under his leadership have significantly impacted the Nigerian economy and have laid the foundation for a sustainable future in the sector.

Dr Yakubu Wudil writes from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia, and can be reached via yswudil@yahoo.com.