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Governor Saidy completes tenure as head of African central banks association
The Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Buah Saidy, has returned home Wednesday after attending the 45th meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) held in Livingstone, Zambia. Governor Saidy until this meeting was the president of the AACB.
The AACB was created to promote co-operation in monetary, banking, and financial spheres in the African region, bring about and maintain price and financial stability, and spearhead a convergence process towards a single currency and a common central bank in Africa, among others.
Governor Saidy in a historic and unprecedented achievement, secured the endorsement of all forty-two (42) African Central Bank Governors to allow for the establishment of the African Monetary Institute (AMI).
The creation and establishment of the AMI has been in the works for at least a decade.
The AMI when discussed and approved at both ministerial and presidential committee levels, is expected to culminate into the establishment of the African Central Bank. This would be an essential pillar in the pursuit of a single currency for Africa and a significant step towards continental economic integration.
Similarly, Governor Saidy was able to get the support of his colleague Governors for the activation of the Africa Peer Review Mechanism that is critical in helping member countries achieve the convergence criteria towards a single currency. The Pan African Payment Systems, another critical mechanism in enhancing payments across African borders was also endorsed by the Governors, thanks to the commitment and dynamism of the CBG Governor.
The new chairperson of the AACB is the Zambian Central Bank Governor, Dr Denny Kaliyalaya. The next AACB meeting is scheduled to take place in July 2024 in Libya.
Credit to: standard.gm
TODAY IN HISTORY
Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey was born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, on Aug. 17, 1887.
Marcus Garvey, an impassioned leader of the Black Nationalist and Pan-African movements, was born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, on Aug. 17, 1887. His career in political activism started when he was just 14, when he left Jamaica to travel to South Africa as a journalist and newspaper editor. It was that trip that inspired him to form the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1912. Garvey’s vision was to instill self-determination and empowerment into all people of African descent, encouraging a pilgrimage back to their African homelands. Garvey’s Pan-African message of unity eventually spread to the United States, and by 1916, UNIA’s membership has swelled to 4 million worldwide.
He was also the head of several successful trade and commerce businesses under the UNIA. At the peak of his influence, however, Garvey was investigated for mail fraud, convicted in 1923 and later deported to London. He again came under fire after he pledged his support for the Greater Liberia Act of 1938, a controversial bill calling for the deportation of 12 million African-Americans to Liberia to relieve unemployment. In his final days, the political leader suffered several strokes and died in London on June 10, 1940. Garvey’s legacy would later inspire the formation of the Nation of Islam and notable civil rights leaders including Malcolm X in the 1950s and ’60s.
Live: ECOWAS military chiefs to meet in Ghana over Niger coup
West African military chiefs are set to meet Thursday in Ghana to coordinate a possible intervention aimed at reversing Niger’s coup. But it appears the African Union disagrees with a military outcome. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments on the situation in Niger. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).
9:36am: ‘Anger’ in Ghana over some ECOWAS countries’ willingness to participate in Niger intervention
There is “widespread public anger” in Ghana over some ECOWAS countries’ willingness to participate in a possible military intervention in Niger following the July 26 coup d’état. FRANCE 24’s Justice Baidoo reports from Accra, where a two-day meeting of military chiefs from the West African bloc kicks off on Thursday.
7:33am: AU ‘probably waiting’ for ECOWAS military chiefs to meet before taking ‘next steps’ on Niger
The African Union has rejected an ECOWAS proposal to stage a military intervention in Niger unless the junta cedes power and reinstates President Mohamed Bazoum, according to several sources cited by French media. However, the AU’s Peace and Security Council, which met in Addis Ababa earlier this week, had not issued a joint statement on the union’s stance as of Wednesday.
The AU is “probably waiting to hear what ECOWAS’ decision is going to be” at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the West African regional bloc’s military chiefs set to begin today in Ghana, Andrew Tchie, senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, told FRANCE 24’s Eye on Africa show.
“I think that’s [what] the African Union is waiting for, before it maybe speaks about what its decision’s going to be and what the next steps are going to be” on Niger, Tchie said.
4:30am: West African military chiefs to meet in Ghana this Thursday
West African military chiefs are set to meet Thursday in Ghana to coordinate a possible intervention aimed at reversing Niger’s coup.
Alarmed by a cascade of takeovers in the region, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to create a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger.
The meeting of the top brass on Thursday and Friday comes after fresh violence in the insurgent-hit country, with jihadists killing at least 17 soldiers in an ambush.
Key developments from Wednesday, August 16:
The African Union is “rejecting” a military solution to the coup in Niger. The African Union’s Peace and Security Council, the organ in charge of enforcing the bloc’s decisions, met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Monday for talks on the crisis in Niger that one African diplomat described as “difficult“.
According to several sources cited by French media, the council rejected an ECOWAS proposal to stage a military intervention unless the Nigerien military junta cedes power and reinstates President Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum has been under house arrest since the July 26 coup.
Meanwhile the United Nations warned Wednesday that the ongoing crisis in Niger could significantly worsen food insecurity in the impoverished country, urging humanitarian exemptions to sanctions and border closures to avert catastrophe.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA highlighted that even before Niger’s democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum was toppled in a coup late last month, the country counted more than three million acutely food-insecure people.
Finally, the United States said Wednesday that a new ambassador would head shortly to Niger as planned and would help lead diplomacy aimed at reversing the coup.
Kathleen FitzGibbon, a career diplomat with extensive experience in Africa, was confirmed by the Senate as ambassador one day after the coup after her nomination was held up for a full year as part of an unrelated political battle.
Credit to: France24
Nigerian Government To Arraign Suspended Central Bank Governor, Emefiele, Two Others Over Alleged Fraud In Purchase Of N6.9Billion Posh Vehicles
The Nigerian Government will arraign the suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele and two other suspects before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday over fresh 20 counts, bordering on procurement fraud allegations.
CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April 1616 Investment Limited for alleged N6.9 billion procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.
This comes barely 24 hours after SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Government had applied to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearms” case it filed against Emefiele, at the Federal High Court in Lagos and filed fresh charges against him in an Abuja court.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the application followed the result of further investigation.
He made his application orally.
But the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) opposed him, arguing that because the government was in disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail, its application could not be taken.
The court adjourned till August 18 for the ruling.
The judge on July 25 admitted Emefiele to N20 million bail on two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
But the DSS rearrested the embattled bank chief after fighting off prison officials on the court’s premises.
According to the new charge sheet, the three accused persons bought a fleet of 98 exotic vehicles and armoured buses valued at about N6.9 billion.
The vehicles were listed as 84 Toyota Hilux trucks, 10 armoured Mercedes Benz buses, three Toyota Landcruisers, and one Toyota Avalon car were purchased between 2018 and 2020.
One of the charges reads, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, female, adult, and April 1616 Investment Ltd, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to use the office of Mr Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of thr Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Land Cruiser V8 at the cost of N73,800,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd.”
Credit to: Saharareporters.com
Photos: Lagos Muslims protest, petition lawmakers over Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners list
Muslims, under the umbrella of the Lagos Muslim Community, have staged a protest over what they described as official marginalization in the list of commissioner-designates forwarded to the state House of Assembly by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Muslims in their hundreds converged on the state’s house of assembly complex in the early hours of Wednesday.
The protest had in attendance heads of various Islamic organisations and scholars among other Muslims faithful, displaying placards, which reads the inscription, “MUSLIMS SAY NO OFFICIAL DISCRIMINATION.”
Addressing a large crowd of Muslim protesters at the venue, President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof. Tajudeen .G.O. Gbadamosi, read a petition, which was submitted to the lawmakers.
Other prominent Muslim leaders at the event included the Convener, Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Member Lukmon Olumo; Chief Whip/Chairman Commissioners-Nominee Screening Committee Mojeed Fatai Adebola, LAHA Member Jubreel AbdulKareem and MURIC Director Prof Lakin Akintola, among others.
The petition, titled, “Petition on the Discrimination against Muslims in the Nomination of Commissioners,” reads, “We are here today to express our grievance and dissatisfaction against the blatant disregard for justice, equity and fairness in the proposed Lagos State’ Executive cabinet as contained in the list of commissioners nominees submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu to this honorable House for your screening and confirmation.
“As you are aware, the list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry, as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christian faith and only eight (8) nominees who are Muslims. This is not a new development, especially since Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of this State, as a matter of fact, it is has been elevated to a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions under the Sanwo-Olu adminustration.
“For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims, and the remaining 29 were Christians.
“Also, of the 23 commissioners, 10 were Muslims and 13 of them Christians. Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians, made up the body of 50 Permanent Secretaries in his first term. These are just a few among numerous ways in which the Sanwo-Olu administration deny Muslims in this state their rightful place and number in leadership.”
The petition further reads, “The Rt. Hon. Speaker and honorable members, we want you to note that this list from Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.
“The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the Federation.”
“192(2) Any appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a State shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the House of Assembly of the State, be made by the Governor of that State and in making any such appointment the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.”
It reads, “With due respect Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list clearly violates these provisions of the Constitution and we accordingly call upon this honorable House not to endorse any action that violates our national grundnorm, especially one which equally violates good conscience and natural justice.
“The argument that Muslims have more elected officials in Lagos State in preposterous. This is even more so at a time when all the Six (6) Governors of the southwest are Christians and we the Muslims do not complain about this, because we recognise that they contested for offices and won.
“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights especially since Mr Sanwo-olu became Governor? We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our school girls, successive Lagos Governments, never felt it should endeavor to align with the global best practice of accepting hijab in addition to abiding with the rule of law.
“The historic pro-hijab judgement was delivered in March 2022 and globally acknowledged. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government in its peculiar idiosyncrasy chose to ignore this until a year later, after ceaseless pressure was mounted by well-meaning individuals.”
“We the Muslims of, and in Lagos State wish to categorically state that the entire leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos State representing various Muslim organizations, unequivocally and unanimously reject the list of commissioner-designates of Governor Sanwo-Olu and we demand a reversal and review to reflect 60% in favour of Muslims in a fresh list.
“We call on the Lagos State House of Assembly to reject the list as similarly done in the Niger State House of Assembly, where a noticeably minority Christian population demanded a reversal of the list of commissioners to reflect fairness and equity to them.
“We also call on you and the House of Assembly to impress on the government the need to respect the diversity of the state’s population and to appoint a more representative cabinet. We believe that this is essential for the future stability and prosperity of Lagos State.”
Credit to: vanguardngr.com
Harsh economy: Buhari spent 96% of national income on debt — Oshiomhole
FORMER National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited an economy in which the nation’s revenue was barely enough to service its debt burden, spending 96 per cent of its income.
Senator Oshiomhole also said there was no quick fix to the nation’s economy because what he (Tinubu) inherited was a precarious situation. The lawmaker, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, spoke after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa.
Oshiomhole said: “The issue of the economy is work in progress. There is no quick fix. The Federal Government inherited a terrible economic situation. The government inherited an economy in which our total national revenue was barely enough to service our debt burden.
Spending 96 per cent, which is to say every N100, 000 Nigeria earns, N96,000 is used to repay debts and to service debt. So, you have only 4k left to pay all the salaries. So, nothing can be worse. “But they came determined that they will have to do business unusual; to arrest the drift; stabilize the economy and then begin to move forward. Some painful decisions are necessary.
“Already, the executive—the president and vice president—have shown courage in terms of the decisions they have taken, a radical movement away from one in which if you are well connected you could make billions without adding value to one in which if you want to make money, you have to work. We move away from a situation where the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, can favour you and you become a billionaire; of which they can pauperize you and your business collapses.
“Yes, it has created its challenges, but I don’t know of any drug without side effect. Doctors will always tell you that every drug might cure your ailment but it will have a side effect. So, in taking it you have to do cost and benefit analysis.
“On the whole, I believe that the broad economic, specific macro economic policies that have been put in place so far, both in terms of monetary and fiscal policies, is the best way to start.
“Just recently, a former Minister of Finance distanced herself from the monetary policies of a CBN Governor and they were not talking. If the hand and the leg are not walking in harmony, then there is no way you can get to your destination. So, I think we are in a better situation now.”
In his appeal to Nigerians, the former governor of Edo State said: “My plea to Nigerians is, when I say I will bail you out, I will fix a complicated system that is malfunctioning, I believe everyone knows that the more terrible the situation is, the more time I will require to take the right decision.”
Credit to: vanguardngr.com
Children National Assembly calls gov’t to action
Hon. Tida Barrow, member for Kanifing Municipality (KM), who read the Order Paper on behalf of CNAG, stated: “Children National Assembly of The Gambia (CNAG) is a child-led, non-statutory body established by the Government of The Gambia, through the Gambia National Assembly and the National Youth Council in partnership with UNICEF The Gambia, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Child Protection Alliance, ChildFund The Gambia and the National Youth Parliament with the ultimate aim to promote and advocate for the rights of all children as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and all other legal instruments pertaining to the promotion, protection and development of children in The Gambia.”
Hon. Barrow recognises the fact but “despite the progress made, there are still challenges the country is grappling with which calls for collective action” by the Government and other relevant stakeholders to address them for the adequate protection, provision, participation and development of children in The Gambia.
In view of the above, CNAG, she states, calls on the government to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of every child in The Gambia irrespective of background, religion, ethnicity, disability or any other consideration or status.
She said they want the government and the society to “adequately and effectively enforce and implement all the laws” which protect children from all forms of sexual abuse, violence, exploitation, hazardous labour and trafficking.
Government, she continued, should also adequately and effectively implement and enforce the Children’s (Amendment) Act 2016, which prohibits child marriage, and the Women’s (Amendment) Act 2015, which prohibits Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting, and diligently prosecute violators of these laws.
She added that Government should make basic and secondary education totally free, compulsory, qualitative, accessible and available to all children, including children in Arabic Schools “Madarasas”, and also establish standard science and IT laboratories in all schools in The Gambia and support their effective functioning.
Government should also “provide adequate school buses in all the regions of The Gambia”, particularly for rural Gambia, she stated.
She also urged society to break the culture of silence surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation through organising open national and community dialogues using all available channels.
“Promote and fulfil the rights of children with disabilities, fight discrimination and stigmatisation against them and ensure they have access to all services and buildings,” she told the government and society, saying: “Encourage the active participation and involvement of children in decision-making processes at the national and local levels, including through child-friendly digital technologies.”
TODAY IN HISTORY
August 16th
1858 The First Transatlantic Telegraph Message is sent
The message sent by Britain’s Queen Victoria to American President James Buchanan, read ‘Europe and America are united by telegraphic communication. Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill to men.’ The cable, which cut down the time of communication between the two continents was successful only for a few months. Technical difficulties led to the cable being closed in October of 1858.
DARBOE SAYS STADIUM RENOVATION PROJECT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED
The leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party has advised President Adama Barrow to institute an investigation into the Independence Stadium remodeling contract. The stadium is among many disapproved by African football governing body Caf to host international matches.
Though the facility is currently under renovation said to cost D160M, the government’s hope of meeting the Caf criteria was dashed when the continental body maintained the facility on the list of disapproved stadiums for the coming Afcon qualifier against Congo which must now be played in Morocco. Caf also listed a host of requirements that the facility should have before it can be approved and also lamented that some errors could have been avoided if they have been consulted. The Gambia Football Federation said they have not been involved in the awarding of the contract among other processes.
Giving his view on of the matter to visiting UDP executive branch in Spain, Ousainu Darboe said after all what happened, any serious government would have by now instituted an investigation into the D160 million stadium renovation contracts.
“A budget of D160 million was expended in our national stadium, but according to the minister of finance, he only approved D100 million. But for me, that is not important; whether it is D2 million or D60 million, the work should be done as planned. But that didn’t happen, and the president is quiet about it because the contract was given to their friend. If this was a serious government, the moment this was announced, the president would have called for an investigation and the outcome be brought before him in less than a week,” he said.
Darboe went on: “Today, they sing Dr Bamba Banja’s name and say that his prosecution over a D50,000 corruption charge is an indication that they are fighting corruption. But D50,000 is not even good enough for some people’s daily fish money. Millions have been mismanaged here, and nothing comes out of it, but they are using Banja’s case as a scapegoat when they are sitting on dirty things, and they ignore them. Where are the others involved in Dr Banja’s case? Essentially, I am trying to say that the change in 2016 was just to remove Jammeh, but his way of governance is still here. All those who are holding important positions today were in the APRC. The minister of energy was a minister under Jammeh, and the minister of information, Queen Jammeh, was among the chiefs who wanted to make Jammeh king. You cannot finish counting them, so it is the APRC that is in government. In 2016, all the opposition parties galvanised themselves to remove Jammeh, but the person we picked to lead that process is now consolidating the APRC’s style of governance,” Darboe lamented.
He said Gambians should galvanise efforts again to remove the current government and replace it with a responsible one that would bring about the needed change in Gambia.
“We said Jammeh is not good, and we tried to remove him and bring about a better and more responsible governance system to restore the rule of law and end corruption, but corruption is worse in this country today. Yahya Jammeh used the chiefs and governors as political tools, and Adama Barrow is doing the same. Tell me what the difference is,” he said.
Hajj
Commenting on the much talked-about mishaps in this year’s hajj, Darboe said: “I have seen things that I have never seen in this country—a minister signing a contract for a hajj package. The Amir responsible for hajj should be the one signing those issues, and the minister has no authority to sign hajj packages. This is why today people are complaining, and the authorities are quiet about it,” he said.
Advisers
Commenting on presidential advisers, Darboe lamented that they are paid by tax payers’ money, and at the end of the day, they will go and campaign. “When you see the likes of Dodou Sanno being escorted by a paramilitary officer, then you know things are not normal. Imagine the majority leader Bilay Tunkara and minority leader Alagie S Darboe are not given escorts, but they can give them to useless people called advisers,” Darboe lamented.
Credit to: standard.gm
Remove sanctions imposed on Niger — Northern Elders tell Tinubu, ECOWAS
The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS to remove sanctions imposed on Niger to ease negotiations and prevent war.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, emphasized that the safety of President Mohamed Bazoum and the return of constitutional order to Niger was non-negotiable but urged the ECOWAS to explore all options before resulting to war.
His speech read by the NEF’s spokesperson, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said: “The safety of President Bazoum and his family and restoration of the constitutional order must remain non-negotiable priorities. The military leaders in Niger must accord due cognizance and respect for the position of ECOWAS, whose fundamental principles and goals Niger Republic submitted to.
“Active negotiations regarding President Bazoum and the plans of the military leadership in Niger should commence immediately. Nigeria is uniquely placed to engage the leadership of Niger Republic to accept these with the minimum of delay.
“President Tinubu is Chairman of ECOWAS and leader of Nigerians. He should explore ways of balancing these responsibilities without doing any injury to the position of Nigeria and Nigerians in Niger Republic and the unity of the ECOWAS.
“Nigeria should remove all sanctions and other measures intended to force the government and people of Niger into acquiescence. This will make negotiations led by Nigeria, using all assets that both countries value, easier to conduct. The Forum notes the apology offered by the military leaders in Niger to our President over the manner his envoys, General Abdussalami and His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto were received.
“It advises that this should be treated as a sign of the respect and esteem with which Nigeria and President Tinubu are held by the putschists, which should not be wasted. We have also noted the other delegations of Mr. President who were well received.
“The signs that Nigeria can be a major facilitator in triggering potentially useful negotiations are good, and we advise that these positive indicators should be built upon. Negative sanctions are affecting the morale and welfare of citizens of both countries, and they will detract from the existing positive disposition towards Nigeria’s position”.
Abdullahi emphasized that the use of force against Niger should be completely ruled out, saying that it could hinder the restoration of constitutional order in the state and that Nigeria should not be involved in the use of force.
According to him, “The use of force against Niger should be ruled out. It is unlikely to achieve the goals of restoring the constitutional order and improving the frontiers of democratic systems in West Africa.
“It will compound the security and humanitarian crises in the ECOWAS region. It is likely to weaken and further divide the ECOWAS and provide greater access of non-African interests into the lives of Africans, with negative consequences. It will represent a setback in the goodwill which ECOWAS enjoys in Nigeria. In the event that force is used in Niger, it should not involve Nigeria, at all cost”.
He added that: “The ECOWAS should actively re-assess the roles and designs of non-African interests in the West African region. In addition to multiple threats from armed groups in the Sahel and the region, we are becoming increasingly victims of global military manoeuvres and a scramble for our assets.
“Ordinary Africans understand this, and they resent another wave of exploitation of our weaknesses and our resources by parts of the world who have little respect for Africa. African leaders must improve the quality of elections and governance so that African people can value and defend democracy in Africa with greater vigor.
“NEF commends all leaders and persons of influence, including the Nigerian Senate, who are contributing to a genuine resolution of the situation in Niger Republic. We urge President Tinubu to recognize this unique moment in history and conduct himself in a manner that it records his role as defining statesmanship.
“We appeal to the people of Nigeria and Niger, as well as our leaders, to resist any attempt to poison our centuries of invaluable relationship”.
Credit to: vanguardngr.com
D5 Creation