Metro

In just 7 months, Tinubu, Shettima spent 91 days abroad— Report

Published

4 months ago

January 7, 2024

A report from a research by a Nigerian media outfit has revealed that in the first seven months in office, President Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima, have spent a combined 91 days outside the country.

The report states that since the were sworn into office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu and Shettima have visited 16 countries collectively and individually in foreign engagements and personal capacities.

“Checks have revealed that President Tinubu had so far visited Paris, France (twice); London, the United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Berlin, German, spending 55 days,” the report stated.

On the part of the Number Two man, the report said had visited countries like Italy, Russia, South Africa, Cuba, China, and the US to either represent Tinubu or attend one event or the other, spending 36 days abroad.

“On June 20, 2023, three weeks after assuming office, Tinubu opened his foreign schedule in the city he last visited as President-elect, Paris, the French capital,” the report said.

“During his four-day stay, the Nigerian leader participated in the Paris Summit for the New Global Financial Pact, to review and sign a New Global Financial Pact that places vulnerable countries on the priority list for support and investment, following the devastating impact of climate change, energy crisis, and after effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On Saturday, June 24, Tinubu departed Paris for London, the United Kingdom, for private talks with his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, spending three days.

“From July 8th to 10, he was in Guinea-Bissau to attend the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, where he emerged as chairman of the regional bloc.

“In his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS authority, Tinubu was in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 15 – 17 for the fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities, the Regional Mechanisms, and the African Union Member States.

“Tinubu began his foreign ceremonial engagements in the neighbouring Republic of Benin on August 1, 2023, when he honoured an invitation from his counterpart, Patrice Talon, to attend the country’s 63rd independence anniversary.

“Afterward, he remained in Nigeria for over a month to organise his cabinet of 48 ministers nominated to the Federal Executive Council.

“On September 5, he resumed foreign travels in New Delhi, India, where he attended the G-20 Leaders’ Summit held from September 10 to 11, at the request of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

“Upon leaving India, where he spent a week, the President made a technical stopover in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital, where he met UAE Leader, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“Later that month, the President spent nine days with world leaders in New York, USA, at the 78th United Nations General Assembly, which began on September 19, his first UNGA as President.

“Afterward, he proceeded to Paris, France, where he remained for five days, arriving in Abuja on September 29 ahead of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary on October 1.

“The President did not leave the country in October until November 9, 2023, when he arrived in Saudi Arabia to attend the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh the next day.

“He departed Saudi Arabia on November 16 for his second ceremonial function, the 50th independence anniversary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

“On November 18, he embarked on his third trip to Europe, where he attended the G20 Compact with Africa Conference hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. The conference was held on November 20 after which Tinubu returned to Abuja six days later.

“A week after returning from Germany, he departed for Dubai, the UAE, to attend the COP28 Climate Summit and returned on December 5.

“Meanwhile, Shettima was in Rome, Italy, from July 23 to July 26 to represent Tinubu at the first Stocktaking Moment Summit themed ‘Transforming food systems for people, planet and prosperity’.

“From Rome, the VP proceeded to St. Petersburg, Russia, for the Russia-Africa Summit held from July 26 – 29. He also participated in bilateral meetings with representatives of relevant Russian senior government officials and business leaders to discuss relations between Russia and Nigeria.

“On August 21, Shettima arrived in South Africa to represent President Tinubu at the 15th BRICS Summit of Heads of State and Government in Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, scheduled from August 22 to 24.

“He was also in Havana, the Cuban capital, from September 11 to18 for the G77+China Leaders’ Summit.
Shettima spent his longest streak of 20 days outside the country from October 15 to November 3, when he represented Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative Forum in Beijing, China, held from October 16 to 18.

“On October 22, he arrived in the US to participate in the AfDB World Food Prize-facilitated Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, which commenced two days later in Iowa,” the report said.

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Metro

Nigeria: Civil society group sues 36 govs, Wike over N5.9tn, $4.6bn loans

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

A civil society organisation in Nigeria, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has dragged the 36 state governors of the Federation and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to court over their failure to account for and publish agreements made in N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion loans obtained by their states and the FCT respectively.

The lawsuit with the number FHC/ABJ/CS/592/2024, was filed on behalf of the group by its legal team comprising of Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Valentina Adegoke, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a statement on Sunday confirming the suit, the CSO said it has “asked the court to direct and compel the 36 governors and Wike to account for the N5.9trn and $4.6bn loans obtained by their states and the FCT and to publish copies of the loan agreements, location of projects executed with the loans for the public to see.

According to SERAP, the suit is sequel to its earlier demand addressed to the 37 respondents in a statement issued by the organisation’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare on March 31.

In the suit, SERAP prayed the court to “direct and compel the governors and Mr. Wike to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the spending of all the loans obtained to date by their states and the FCT.”

“It is in the public interest to grant the reliefs sought. Nigerians have the right to see and scrutinise the loan agreements and know the details of how the domestic and external loans obtained by the governors and FCT minister are spent,” it said.

“Opacity in the spending of the loans obtained by the governors and Mr. Wike would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens.”

SERAP further noted that many states in the country, including the FCT, had spent “public funds which may include the loans obtained by them to fund unnecessary travels, buy exotic and bulletproof cars and generally fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians.”

“According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the total public domestic debt portfolio for the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory is N5.9 trillion. The total public external debt portfolio is $4.6 billion,” the group said.

It also accused the respondents of “allegedly mismanaging public funds which may include domestic and external loans obtained from bilateral and multilateral institutions and agencies.”

“SERAP demands transparency in the spending of the loans as they are fundamental to increase accountability, prevent corruption, and build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.

“The governors and the FCT Minister cannot hide under the excuse that the Freedom of Information Act is not applicable to their states and the FCT.

“Legal obligations to publish the information sought are also imposed by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

Metro

Kenya: President Ruto hints at ‘dire’ weather outlook as Cyclone Hidaya nears

Published

20 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

President William Ruto has announced that the severe rains that have been plaguing Kenya for the past several weeks resulting in extensive floods and landslides that have claimed at least 210 lives are expected to intensify further this month.

Kenya, the largest economy in East Africa, has seen widespread destruction of roads, bridges, homes, and other infrastructure due to flooding. More people have died due to the floods than from the El Nino weather phenomena that occurred late last year.

“Sadly, we have not seen the last of this perilous period, as the situation is expected to escalate. Meteorological reports paint a dire picture,” Ruto said on Kenyan television. “Kenya may face its first-ever cyclone.”

According to the Igad Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, Cyclone Hidaya is predicted to make landfall in Tanzania, Kenya’s southern neighbour, on Saturday. It is forecast to bring with it winds of up to 100 mph and waves that are about eight meters (26 feet) high.

“This cyclone, named Hidaya, that could hit anytime now, is predicted to cause torrential rain, strong winds and powerful and dangerous waves,” Ruto said.

Ruto gave the order to evacuate landslide-prone areas earlier this week and relocate to safer terrain. The government has ordered the evacuation of residents in informal settlements adjacent to rivers and streams, as well as those living close to 178 dams and water reservoirs that are currently on the verge of spilling over.

He had announced that all schools would not reopen for the upcoming semester, which is scheduled to begin this week, until further notice. According to him, the Nairobi County government is coordinating closely with donors and humanitarian organizations to supply food and non-food resources to those affected by the flooding. The county has established 115 camps to house those who have been displaced.

Leaders of the opposition and human rights organizations have criticized Ruto’s government for how it handled the catastrophe.

Human Rights Watch alleged on Thursday that despite warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department a year ago regarding the anticipated impact of flooding induced by El Nino, officials had not promptly implemented a national response plan.