Co-Convener, Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG, Aisha Yesufu, has lashed President Muhammadu Buhari over his handling of the increasing spate of abductions and insecurity in the country.
When asked on Channels Television’s Politics Today, what she thiught of the President’s assurance to Nigerians on efforts being made to rescue abducted students, Yesufu said: “What I make of the statement is absolutely nothing.
“We are used to a President whose words mean nothing. He says one thing, and another thing happens.”
Since one of the major abductions in the country happened in 2014 – (the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State), Yesufu alongside former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has been at the forefront of the calls made to the Federal Government to ensure the release of all abductees as well as to curb the rate of insecurity in the country.
Speaking on the abduction of 317 female students at the Jangebe Government Girls Secondary School in Zamfara State on Friday, she said the President’s body language had been an enabler to the perpetrators.
President Muhammadu Buhari
“The body language of President Muhammadu Buhari enables the terrorists. They know that we have an ineffective President and Commander-In-Chief, we have an incompetent one a clueless one, who does not even bother about what is happening in the country”, the BBOG Co-convener said.
“Yesterday we buried seven military officers, the best that we have, the nation was in mourning and the President was a few minutes away from where they were and the President didn’t even turn up. What does that signify? It Is high time we began to make serious demands on the President.
“This is such a sad moment especially with the fact that our government has not learnt anything in spite of almost seven years of advocacy that we’ve been calling on the government to do the right thing and to do the needful to ensure that the citizens are protected.
“Before the Chibok Girl’s abduction, there was actually the Guniyadi killings where 29 boys were slaughtered in their schools”.
Speaking about what steps should be taken, Yesufu said “It is not in our place to give the way forward. His (the President’s) salaries are being paid for it, his needs are being taken care of. He was voted to give the way forward.
The Dangote Group, owner of the truck which killed some students and passersby at the University town of Akungba, in Ondo state, has reached out to families of the victims.
The accident happened about a month ago when the articulated vehicle lost control, and rammed into the gate of Adekunle Ajasin University, (AAU), Akungba, killing not less than 16 persons.
In a statement at the weekend, the leadership of the Students’ Union said the gesture from the company was a fallout of a series of meetings with the Management.
The statement, was signed by Obagunwa Oluwaseun, President; Joel Taiwo, Secretary and Adegbeyeni Oluwafemi, PRO.
It stated that “following several agitations led by the Students’ Union Government on the accident that involved one of Dangote cement trucks, and our students on the 23rd of January, 2021, the Students’ Union wishes to announce to the students and the entire populace that the Dangote group of companies has reached out to all the families of the victims, paid them a condolence visit and also catered for all the burial expenses with the amount of N500,000 each which has already been paid to the families.
“We all know that there is no amount of money, items or valuables can ever be compared to the loss but however, there are still other ongoing plans from the Dangote Group of Companies to further compensate the victims involved and their families in due time.
“The Students’ Union will, therefore, ensure that all further compensations are fulfilled to the families as soon as possible, as we also pray never and not to witness such tragic event anymore.”
For the second time in months, Salihu Tanko Yakassai, has had a brush with his Principal, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State. His offence: Seeing evil Hearing evil. And speaking against evil.
He should have remained blind, deaf and dumb. He did not.
The Governor, Saturday morning, sacked him with immediate effect, over his stinging criticism of the APC Government and President Muhammadu Buhari.
On the heels of the abduction of the 317 female students from a Zamfara State Secondary school, Friday, February 26, Yakassai had taken to the social media, slamming the APC and Buhari for failing Nigerians. He asked them to resign from office if they couldn’t arrest the spate of insecurity in the country.
Lamenting, he wrote: “Clearly we, as APC Government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives and properties.
“Not a single day goes by without some insecurity in this land. This is a shame. Deal with terrorists decisively or resign.
“Each time another tragedy happens, we lament, condemn, create a hashtag, the govt pretends to do something, no concrete steps to prevent re-occurence, and then, we repeat the process. To what end? Where are those saddled with the responsibility?
“Just last week, it was #freekagaraboys, today we have a new hashtag, #RescueJangebeGirls; who knows tomorrow what hashtag we will come up with? Perhaps, one for ourselves when we get caught up in one of these daring attacks. This is sad and heartbreaking; I feel helpless and hopeless.”
A big mistake. In Nigeria, you don’t stay in Government and publicly criticise same Government.
In reaction, his obviously embarrassed boss sacked him on Saturday.
Announcing his sack, with immediate effect, the state Commissioner for Information, said the Governor ordered Yakassai’s sack for not being able to differentiate between his personal opinion and official duties. Apparently, Yajassai was expected to see no evil, and hear no evil. He was not expected to criticise Buhari or the APC. It is an unwritten policy
This magazine gathered that the Governor sacked him to also save his own neck. An insider at the Kano Government House told us that: “Abuja expected the Governor to sack his aide on Friday. But he delayed till Saturday. Why?”
The source, also, said that Ganduje ought to have known that Yakassai is a loose canon. He disclosed that Abuja was also not happy with the Governor for recalling the same aide after suspending him from office, for publicly supporting the #EndSARS protesters.
However, in the instant case, Ganduje has gone beyond a suspension, and sacked him with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the sacked aide has been in the custody of security agents for same offence. His father confirmed the development.
Taking everything into account, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said the state of insecurity in the country breaks her heart.
Tallen, a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, under a PDP Government, before she defected to the APC, in a statement she personally signed, said she had become desolate and worried over the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
The Minister was reacting to the abduction of 317 female Secondary School students from their hostel in the early hours of Friday, February 26 in Zamfara State.
Seven of those students have reportedly returned home after escaping from their abductors during a long walk into the forest.
Outrage has greeted the students’ abduction.
President Buhari described it as despicable, and warned that his Government would never submit to blackmail. He called the bandits criminals. UNICEF has urged the Nigerian Government to get the children released.
Following is Tallen’s statement in full.
“In another heartbreaking news this morning, we were confronted with activities of Gunmen who stormed another Secondary School in Zamfara kidnapping 300 Female Students. Why? Why? Why?
“While we are still mourning the kidnap of the Kagara boys, we are at a loss at this constant threat to the security of our children. It is very unfortunate that Nigerian children have increasingly become targets.
“As Nigerian Women, mothers and nurturers of life, we can no longer pretend that this is not affecting our psyche.
“As the Minister of Women Affairs, I am desolate and very worried. I am therefore appealing to all those engaged in these mindless act to free our children in captivity and allow Nigeria to thrive.
“While I implore our Security Agencies to do the needful, I call on Nigerian Mothers to please join me at this time to condemn in strong words this mindlessness. Let us raise our voices in prayers and fasting to the Almighty for His intervention in our land. Enough is enough.
“We remain committed to the goal of a peaceful Nigeria.”
The Zamfara abduction is the second Bandits would target a school within two weeks, and the fifth under the Buhari Government.
Two weeks ago, Bandits stormed a boy’s school in Kagara, Niger State, killed a student, abducted 27 others, three members of Staff and 12 family members of a staff.
It was in the process of mounting a surveillance for their rescue, that a NAF Aircraft crashed in Abuja, on it’s way to Minna, Niger State, killing all the seven Airforce personnel on board.
They were buried on Thursday, February 25, in Abuja.
Fortunately, the Kagara students, staff members, and families were released in the early hours of today, Saturday, February 27, – 24 hours after the abduction of the 317 Zamfara students.
Oodua Action Movement (OAM) one of the Yoruba movements agitating for autonomy, has warned against any attempt by the Federal Government to arrest Sunday Igboho.
Using any arm of Security operatives to arrest the activist will be fiercely resisted by the Yoruba nation, the Group cautioned in a statement.
The Yoruba activist was reportedly accosted by security operatives attached to Operation Burst, on Friday on his way to Lagos.
The Department of State Security, (DSS) has however denied Involvement of its officials in the botched arrest. And so has the Oyo State Police Command.
In a statement at the weekend, signed by the OAM Global Coordinator, Chief Demola Edwards, the group condemned the attempt to ambush and arrest Igboho as he has never committed any crime.
Edward warned against the arrest of the Activist, saying that despite various nefarious activities by the killer Fulani Herdsmen in the country particularly in the South West, President Mohammadu Buhari has not deemed it fit to arrest and prosecute them.
“This action of the Security Operatives is condemnable in totality and not acceptable.
“And let it be known to the people at the helm of affairs in this country that we will not fold our arms while innocent citizens in the South West are being harrassed and molested just for exercising their fundamental human right.
“Sunday Igboho is a human rights activist and not a bandit and he will never be like those killer bandits being pampered under the administration of President Buhari.
“It is rather unfortunate that Igboho was ordered to be arrested, surely we will resist it!
“What President Mohammadu Buhari should do and concentrate on now is how to expedite action on the demand of the group for autonomy of Yoruba Nation, which would enable the region to manage its resources and develop at its own pace.
“There is no denying the fact that Nigeria has descended deeper into crisis especially under the present administration.
“The only enduring solution to the myriads of problems in this country lies in each of the nationalities having control over its resources.
“Pointedly, there is need for self determination of Yoruba Nation that would guarantee speed and monumental development of the Region”, he added.
As stakeholders in the wellbeing and development of our dear state, Imo, and its people, we deem it fit to make some observations on some recent developments, fully convinced that it is our joint responsibility, as leaders, to ensure a secured future for all its indigenes, both at home and abroad.
Since the issue we want to dwell upon presently boarder on the rule of law, we wish to, first and foremost, reiterate our belief that for democratic governance to blossom, leaders, whether elected or appointed, must always operate within the ambits and purview of rule of law.
In the last couple of days, our dear state, Imo, has been in the news for the wrong reason, following an incident at the Royal Springs Palm Estate, behind the Owerri Greater Urban Water Scheme along Akachi road, Owerri, a property which was sealed off a few days earlier on the orders of the Imo state government but which was later broken into by a former governor of the state, His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha, who claims ownership of the estate.
The government’s action was in compliance with the recommendations of a judicial panel of enquiry which had investigated cases of illegal and improper acquisition of land by three previous administrations, that of Okorocha inclusive.
The panel, which was set up under the Imo State Judicial Panel of Enquiry Law, received petitions from the general public and invited persons affected by the petitions, among whom were Senator Rochas Okorocha, to come for their defense, even though the latter did not deem it fit to appear before it. The panel concluded sitting and submitted its report and in line with the Imo State Law on Judicial Panel of Enquiries, the state executive council deliberated on the report and adopted it.
The report was subsequently gazetted consequent upon which it became a supplementary legislation with a force of law
Since details of the recommendations of the judicial panel are within the public domain, it is needless going into them here. Suffice it to state, however, that we have it on good authority that any fellow who is affected by a Judicial Panel’s order gazetted by a government can only approach the court for a judicial review.
In the instant case, Senator Okorocha should have either approached the court for an order to quash the decision of the panel or to seek a declaration restoring his title and, indeed, seek for damages against the government for trespass.
Imolites were, therefore, surprised that His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of the state, chose not to follow that course but, instead, decided to unlawfully break into the property in question with video recordings in a manner unbecoming of a statesman of his caliber and status.
Senator Okorocha’s actions were not only a breach of the law but also an affront to the collective integrity of the entire people of Nigeria.
We are duly informed from the appropriate legal authorities that no citizen has the right to stop the government from implementing a judicial order, once it has been gazetted, without going through the court.
Hence, Senator Okorocha’s argument that his property was not seized by a “Court Order” does not enjoy any legal backing.
In any case, Senator Okorocha’s recent antics remind all of us of the aphorism that he who goes to equity must do so with clean hands.
It is not a hidden matter that throughout his eight years as governor, Okorocha was severally associated with cases of disobedience to court orders and disregard to due process.
The first step Okorocha took, upon assumption of office in 2011, was to dismantle some lawfully constituted institutions of government at his whims.
*He dissolved the elected local government councils whose tenure still had more than one year ahead.
*He terminated the appointments of 10,000 newly employed youths in the state civil service.
*He scraped the Imo Roads Maintenance Agency (IROMA) which was established by law during the previous administration and which had assets worth over 12 Billion Naira. Till date, no account has been given of those assets. *Governor Okorocha deposed a prominent traditional ruler in the state and refused to reinstate him even after a Supreme Court ruling to that effect.
*Towards the end of his regime in 2017, Okorocha demolished the famous Eke-Ukwu Owerri market in spite of an existing court order restraining the Imo state government from carrying out the demolition.
Of course, it is needless to mention here that that misadventure led to the loss of innocent lives including that of the late Somtoochukwu.
By the time Okorocha left office in 2019, there were over 250 subsisting court cases between his administration and indigenes of the state, almost all bordering on unlawful and forceful takeover of property by the governor or his cronies.
There is no intention here to reprimand the Senator over things he did while serving as governor, but the instant case seems to suggest that even out of office, he thinks that that is the way to continue. But we also believe that we owe it a duty to our people to prevail on him to repudiate such idiosyncrasies essentially because since one breach of law may beget another, the situation may snowball into total anarchy.
If a fellow of Senator Okorocha’s status could afford to go with a hammer to begin to break the locks of a property lawfully sealed by government, it cannot be gainsaying that lesser mortals may take a cue from there to resort to share brigandage.
Needless to say, we do not believe that that is the type of example a fellow, whom the people once gave the privilege to preside over their affairs, should give to the younger more vulnerable ones.AP
Governor Hope Uzodimma
Apart from the legal issue, the property in question is in total negation of efforts by the state government to protect the environment around the state capital, Owerri.
Royal Spring Palm Estate is built on a green verge. It is a well known fact in the state that the Owerri City Master Plan, which was drawn up by one of the world’s best town planning firms, Fingerhurt & Partners of Switzerland, spelt out specifically that the area must not be built on and must remain green.
Perhaps, not many Nigerians are aware of the fact that of the fourteen (14) state chief executives – both military and civilian – Imo had between its inception in 1976 and 2011 when Okorocha emerged, thirteen (13) religiously respected that provision in the Master Plan and the area remained untouched until 2013.
We recall that in an open letter by a former governor of the state to Governor Okorocha, the former drew the latter’s attention to the dangers of violating the Owerri City Master Plan. Entitled, “Urban Renewal And Current Events In Imo State” and dated August 22, 2016, the letter noted, among other things, that “… it is categorically wrong and poses a debilitating environmental and health hazard to cross Nworie and Otamiri rivers with culverts instead of bridges”.
The former governor further advised Okorocha to immediately remove the culverts and replace them with proper bridges and restore the green verge of Otamiri and Nworie rivers to save the life of that body of water and avoid serious environmental calamity.
But he was thoroughly abused by close aides of Governor Okorocha most probably on the latter’s instructions.
It was, therefore, with the biggest surprise that Imolites woke up one morning to discover that Okorocha had allocated the delicate green verge to his family and massive structures standing on it. We are also aware that entreaties by professionals and well meaning people, on the contrary, were rebuffed by Governor Okorocha
Besides that the verge directly slopes into the Greater Owerri Water Scheme, the residential buildings and hotels located on the Royal Spring Palm Estate discharge effluents directly into Otamiri River, with obvious implications on the health of the people.
As a matter of fact, it is believed in some quarters that that might be the reason Governor Okorocha abandoned the Owerri urban water scheme throughout his stay in office.
In the light of the above, we, the undersigned, on behalf of concerned elder statesmen in Imo state, hereby state as follows:
We condemn, in its entirety, Senator Okorocha’s unlawful entry into the premises of Royal Spring Palm Estate already taken possession of by the Imo state government after due process, as outlined above.
We equally condemn Senator Okorocha’s action of personally leading unauthorized persons to break into the property, knowing full well that such an action is tantamount to challenging the authority of security agents that were lawfully deployed to guard the property; and that any possible clash arising there from may lead to a breach of public peace.
iii. We completely disapprove of Senator Okorocha’s behavior more so at a time when security challenges, together with sundry issues of national concern, have made the country very susceptible to social unrest at the slightest provocation.
We commend the state government and the Nigeria Police for ensuring that the matter did not escalate.
As bona fide members of the Imo state society, we wish to state, without any equivocation or fear of contradiction, that we whole heartedly support any legitimate and lawful moves taken by the state government to restore the Owerri City Master Plan and recover every property or assets collectively owned by the people but which were illegally appropriated by any individual or group; and we seize this opportunity to urge the good people of Imo state to support same.
Conversely, we enjoin every well meaning indigene of the state, irrespective of partisan affiliation or personal affinity, not to collaborate with, connive at or assist any other fellow, no matter how highly placed, to thwart the noble intentions of the state government to recover our stolen patrimony and, in effect, lay a foundation for the culture of transparency and accountability among public officers in the state.
It needs no exaggeration to state that the case under review is a big embarrassment to the generality of the people of the state. Senator Okorocha may have the sympathy of a handful of people who benefited from his administration or even neutral elements who might not be properly informed of the nuances of his actions but there can be no doubt that the generality of the over five million Imolites want an end to lawlessness which, we dare say, unfortunately, got its biggest impetus during his tenure as governor.
We enjoin the good people of Imo state to, rather than allow themselves to be blinded by emotions, seize the opportunity offered by this incident to say, “Enough Is Enough”; and begin to insist that their leaders, whether elected or appointed, should keep to the rule of law.
As a corollary, we wish to use this medium to equally enjoin His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, that while he has the backing and support of the generality of Imolites to recover every asset of the state that was unlawfully or fraudulently taken, he must also have his eyes on history. Tomorrow will also come after him. He must follow due process, consult extensively with those with institutional memory and work in concert with professionals who our dear state has in abundance.
Given the sheer enormity of the rot especially in the last ten years, much is expected of him. But to succeed, he must have his eyes always on the ball.
We equally want to use this medium to advise Nigerians, in general and Imolites, in particular, to be wary of social media propaganda aimed at explaining away the actions of Senator Rochas Okorocha in the instant case. As we have already noted, we would insist that the Imo state government observes due process in all its actions that have to do with restoring accountability in our society but God forbid that we allow undue emotions and sentiments to emasculate our reasoning or get intimidated by skewed media reportage extracted through financial considerations.
17.Finally, we make the above submissions taking full cognizance of the fact that Imo is not the only state in Nigeria where some members of the political elite are constituting themselves into the biggest stumbling block to our democracy.
We believe that the matter under review offers the Nigerian political elite as a whole an ample opportunity to take a more critical look at the deteriorating state of our polity. The impunity of its members is taking an alarming dimension.
What moral authority does the elite have in querying the youths when they take laws into their hands to protest over matters they perceive as being against their interest and future; circumstances that, in any case, might have arisen from the recalcitrance of some members of the political elite.
While Nigerians should never subscribe to any maltreatment of our leaders by incumbent state governors or their lieutenants, they should insist that former office holders must submit themselves to existing authorities and laws of the land. The alternative would be an inevitable descent of our increasingly fragile polity into total anarchy.
Seven out of the 317 female students, abducted from Government Girls’ Science, School, Jengebe, in Talata-Mafara Local Government, Zamfara State, have, reportedly, escaped from their abductors.
They, reportedly, escaped, unconfirmed reports say, as they were being marched into the forest by their abductors during their long-march into the forest.
They also said that some others had escaped, and were on their way home.
317 girls were, Friday morning, abducted from their school. While desperate efforts are on to locate them, the Zamfara state Government has shut down all boarding schools.
Total confusion and pandemonium reigned today along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, as a combination of Security Personnel, made attempts to arrest Sunday Igboho, the self-appointed leader of the Yoruba for the emancipation of the Yoruba from rogue herdsmen.
The attempt failed as the youths and Igboho resisted the security men who sped off, thereafter.
Igboho was on his way from Ibadan to Lagos, allegedly, to see elder Statesman, Ayo Adebanjo, when he was accosted by a number of security men, who made efforts to arrest him.
A trending video watched by our reporter, showed a shirtless Igboho, in the midst of several youths, with an ‘Operation Burst’ Security vehicle, parked by the express road.
Initial reports alleged a combination of Police men and operatives of the DSS carried out the failed mission, but the DSS has since denied any such operation by its operatives, dismissing it as fake.
A statement by DSS’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya, reads: “The Department of State Services wishes to refute the news that it attempted to arrest one Sunday Igboho today in Ibadan.
“The said news is misinforming, and should be taken as fake and, therefore, be disregarded,”
Eye witnesses confirm there was no presence of any DSS operatives at the scene.
Igboho has since asked the FG to leave him alone and concentrate on flushing out the Boko Haram sect from Nigeria.
But a statement signed by a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, confirm a failed attempt to arrest Igboho who he said was on his way to meet with 93-year-old Afenifere Chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, when the incident occurred.
Fani-Kayode: “I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives and policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos.
“I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him. It is not only reckless but, also, very dangerous. If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed and I urge restraint on all sides.
“Let me also send a warning to the Federal Government that Sunday Igboho is a hero to millions of Yoruba and either killing him or detaining him unlawfully would be the biggest mistake they could make. Building bridges, dialogue and the pursuit of peace is better than intimidation, threats, violence and war. A word is enough for the wise.”
Igboho has been having a running battle with the Police since he ordered rogue herdsmen a quit notice in Oyo, and followed up by implementing his order in the Ibarapa area of the State. He also did the same thing in an area in Ogun State.
A thoroughly exasperated President Muhammadu Buhari has countered the stand of Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, the Islamic Scholar who has, more than the Federal Government, shown interest in the activities of Bandits. Many Nigerians now say he has become their Ambassador-at-Large.
Gumi, a medical doctor-turned Islamic Scholar has, in the past few months, been going from forest to forest, as soon as bandits carry out their atrocious activities – kidnapping students. He says he goes to preach to them on the need to turn away from their activities. He says he goes to preach peace.
In fairness to him, he has helped in the release of abducted students in recent times. He and the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammad Matawelle helped in releasing the hundreds of Katsina State students, who were embarrassingly kidnapped while President Muhammadu Buhari was on a visit to the State, which happens to be the President’s State of origin.
He has also helped in Zamfara State to release such abductees.
But in recent times, his peace missions to the bandits in the forest have come under fire. Many Nigerians are wondering how he is able to easily locate the bandits and hold peace talks with them when the Federal Government and its troops are unable to locate them. And gradually, Gumi has become talkative.
He compares killer bandits who kidnap students in their hundreds, kill and maim innocent Nigerians, to South-south militants, OPC, and IPOB members.
He is asking for amnesty for all killer bandits. He says the bandits are no criminals. He said Nigerians should pamper them. And hug them.
But Buhari, thoroughly embarrassed by the atrocious activities of the bandits has sharply disagreed with Gumi.
At a security conference in Katsina, on Thursday, where he was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Ibrahim Gambari, which was attended by Service Chiefs, the DG of DSS, and the IGP, Buhari dismissed the bandits as criminals. He said they are criminal elements who should be treated for who they are, and for what they represent. He said his Government will never grant them amnesty.
Now, not a few people are wondering about the effectiveness of Gumi’s peace mission in the forests. Till date, his assurances notwithstanding, the 27 students and 15 students, abducted from Niger State, have not been released.
On Friday, February 26, bandits dared him, the Zamfara and Federal Governments again. They adopted over 300 female students from a Zamfara Secondary School.
Gumi told a reporter that the bandits who abducted the students were not part of those he discussed with, but added: “I may go to Zamfara to talk to the bandits.”
The Non-Interest Financial Institutions Association of Nigeria, NIFIAN, has elected the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank Plc. Hassan Usman as its pioneer President.
Usman was inaugurated alongside other six EXCO members to steer the affairs of the umbrella body of all corporate organisations offering non-interest financial and related services in the country for a first term of 2 years.
Those elected includes Hajara Adeola, Managing Director/CEO, Lotus Capital Limited as Vice-President; Norfadelizan Abdulrahman, Managing Director/CEO of TAJBank Limited as Treasurer; and Fatai Ola Bakare, an astute in-house legal counsel and Islamic Finance expert of SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited as the Secretary-General.
Other EXCO members inaugurated yesterday include Thaibat Adeniran, Managing Director/CEO, Cornerstone Takaful Nigeria Limited; Aminu Tukur, Managing Director/CEO, Noor Takaful Limited and Dr. Basheer Oshodi, CEO, TrustBank Arthur Limited.
In his opening address, Babayo Saidu, Chairman of NIFIAN’s Board of Trustees said the Association was registered on 28th August 2020, and duly incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.
Parts of the objectives of NIFIAN is to promote common interest of member-organisations towards developing the non-interest financial services industry in Nigeria, creating an enabling regulatory environment through advocacy as well as deepening financial inclusion through market engagements and financial literacy. In addition, the Association aims to improve market resilience by fostering collaboration across the industry, promoting policies and programmes on Financial Inclusion, and sensitization of the populace for the economic development of the country through non-interest financial services offering.
The Executive Council is expected to steer the affairs of the Association towards the realisation of its objectives for the advancement of financial inclusion through non-interest finance in Nigeria.
In his inaugural address, Hassan Usman said the journey started more than a decade ago with Nigeria Islamic Finance Working Group, a multi-institutional platform under the auspice of EFInA (Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access.)
Usman said: “As today marks a new chapter in our pursuit, I would like to reiterate the fact that we are not there yet. This course is a journey and not a destination. While the overarching objective remains constant, the detailed operational and strategic initiatives of the Association shall continue to evolve to meet the requirements of the day.
“To this end, I pledge that over the course of my tenure, I will work with my colleagues in the Council to push some prominent initiative including promotion of sound Islamic banking and financial system and practise in Nigeria; growth and development of requisite market infrastructures such as an efficient non-interest inter-bank system.
“Pursuit of harmony in Shariah pronouncements (fatwas); represent the interest of members locally and internationally; provide advice and assistance to members pertinent to the development of their institution and deepen public awareness. I look forward to working with members to make Nigeria the Islamic Finance Hub of Africa.”
In addition, the President singled-out EFInA for the role played as the founder of what becomes NIFIAN today through its concerted support for the propagation of financial inclusion initiates through the non-interest finance industry. With the inauguration of persons of track records into the Executive Council of the Association, NIFIAN is therefore set to take on the charge towards developing the Nigerian financial markets.
