WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia and Ukraine stage major POW exchange after UAE mediation

Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday announced their first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly five months, with more than 200 freed by each side after what both said was a complex negotiation involving mediation by the United Arab Emirates.

Russia's Defence Ministry said 248 military personnel had been handed over by Ukraine. Kyiv said it had brought home 230 people - 224 soldiers and six civilians - in what it said was the largest documented swap of troops so far.

The UAE's foreign ministry acknowledged its role, saying in a statement that the swap was made possible by its "strong friendly relations" with both Moscow and Kyiv.

It offered both further humanitarian efforts and to find a peaceful solution to the war.

A video released by Ukrainian authorities showed returning prisoners draped in the country's blue and yellow flag filing off a bus, singing the national anthem and shouting the patriotic greeting "Glory to Ukraine".

Most, but not all, appeared to be in good health.

One returnee shouted: "We are home! You didn't forget us!"

The Russian Ministry of Defence released a similar video of returning uniformed prisoners arriving in Belgorod in buses. "I'll be home in five hours, roughly speaking, that's going to be a joy," said one unnamed man.

Despite a lack of talks on how to end the 22-month war, Kyiv and Moscow have held many prisoner swaps since the early months of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

But the rate of the exchanges dropped in 2023 and the last one until this week's was in August.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's HUR Military Intelligence agency, singled out the UAE's "direct role", saying: "After a significant amount of time, we managed to carry out a very difficult prisoner swap."

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it was "truly a great day for Ukraine" and vowed to press on with further swaps facilitated by expanding what he called an "exchange fund" of captured Russian soldiers.

"The more Russians we capture, the more effective the negotiations regarding swaps will be," he said in his nightly video address.

He said some of the returnees had been previously listed as missing.

Ukraine's returnees came from various branches of its armed forces and included participants in the nearly three-month defence of the Azovstal steel plant in the port of Mariupol before it was captured by Russian forces in May 2022.

On the Russian side, a Defence Ministry statement said its released prisoners would undergo medical checks and treatment.

Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, thanked President Vladimir Putin and the military and intelligence services for their efforts in the exchange.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russia shoots down 12 Ukrainian missiles over Belgorod Region

Russian air defenses have shot down six Tochka-U missiles and six Olkha missiles over the Belgorod Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"This morning, on January 3, another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation using rockets of the Olkha multiple launch rocket system and the Tochka-U missile launcher was foiled. Six missiles of the Tochka-U missile launcher and six rockets of the Olkha MLRS were destroyed over the Belgorod Region," the ministry said in a statement.

Reuters/Tass

Gary Fields

Alfred King was lying in the parking lot of a small apartment building, mortally wounded when police in Alexandria, Louisiana, got to the intersection of 12th and Magnolia streets shortly before 1:30 a.m., Jan. 20.

The 34-year-old was the first fatal shooting of 2023 in the small city where I grew up and a large portion of my family lives.

Alfred’s death was similar to some I have covered since my first in 1985, a 38-year period when hundreds of thousands of people of all races and ethnicities have died violently in the U.S.

I know the details of too many of those incidents, from school shootings to a drug hit in a phone booth. I’ve heard the scream of a mom coming home from work and seeing her son in the street, encircled by yellow police tape. I’ve watched more than one mother gently touch the face of her teenage son then close the lid on the casket.

Some stories are burned into memory, like the Washington, D.C., teenager who asked his mom to send him out of the region to escape the violence. He spent years away only to come home one weekend to plan his high school graduation party and be randomly stabbed to death by a stranger.

While I know some of those back stories, Alfred’s is the one I can personally trace from a decision made years ago by adults to gunshots near the end of a rundown street.

Alfred is my first cousin.

When he was 13 my wife and I tried to get legal custody of him after his mom was murdered, but his guardian said no.

I think about him often and the decision that kept him from reaching escape velocity, the things you need to go right to lift the weight of your birth circumstances off of you. Those include family, education, jobs, friends, neighborhoods, adult interventions, hard work and good luck.

We say people can be whatever they want to be. To a degree that is true, but moving through the socioeconomic levels of America’s economics-based caste system is like the Apollo moon missions of my youth. Millions of parts have to work perfectly to get you there, and back.

According to “Race and Economic Opportunity in the United States: An Intergenerational Perspective,” part of the groundbreaking Opportunity Insights project based at Harvard, only 2.5% of Black kids born to a parent or parents in the bottom quintile move to the top quintile of household income. For white kids, the figure is 10.6%. What is more likely for both is they will stay in the poorest quintile or, at best, move up one level to lower middle class. For white kids, that figure is 53.4%, and for Black kids, 75.4%.

The focus on the statistics tends to be on the racial disparity. I see the disparity, but what I also see is that Black or white, less than half of the kids born poor move up much. Even if they make it one step, a car repair, a missed day at work or a high utility bill can begin a downward spiral.

And there are millions born into that world, although we treat it like a moral failing. One measure of Census data shows more than 10.7 million children younger than 18 lived below the poverty level in 2022, and that figure is undoubtedly higher because millions more lived in places where the incomes couldn’t be determined.

Millions of young people live in homes where social security payments, WIC, SNAP and TANF, various food, nutrition and income assistance programs, are the order of the day.

Poverty isn’t the purview of one race. Neither is violent death. Socioeconomics is a good predictor for victimhood and criminal justice involvement, as well as deficient health care and educational outcomes.

Alfred came into the world on the bottom economic rung and when he was 13 the critical decision was made that likely kept him there. His mom had been shot to death months before in Alexandria. My uncle, his dad, had done what he could but was broken down from working hard labor jobs, usually several at once and was living on limited income himself. He couldn’t promise his son much future.

The first time I met him Alfred was a thin, gangly, very shy kid who kept his head down, avoiding eye contact. He spoke softly and slowly and was the target of bullies.

I don’t remember him smiling — ever. Around me, at least, his nature was melancholy.

For Alfred, I was the cousin who had a charmed life. The truth is, for reasons I will never comprehend, I had nearly everything go right.

We love to talk about people pulling themselves up by their boot straps. A lot of people contributed to my boots and showed me how to use the straps. There were teachers, friends, family, neighbors and luck stirred together. That mixture was added to the foundation, a ninth-grade drop out unwed mom who truly valued education who married a good man who helped her raise me.

Alfred’s grades were not good. Something about the way he looked at me made me ask when he’d last had an eye exam. One optometrist visit and a pair of glasses later he could see the blackboard.

My wife and I decided then. We wanted to bring him back to Maryland where we live. We wanted legal custody so my work benefits could cover him. We also wanted to be able to make decisions on his behalf without unforeseen bureaucratic or legal barriers that might arise.

My now dead uncle said yes but his message to me was Alfred’s now late-grandmother said no. Alfred was getting a government check of some sort. I don’t know how much it paid or what program it was. This year I asked the Social Security Administration what it might have been and there were a couple of possibilities. As a minor, he could have been eligible for benefits because of his dead mom. It also might have been Supplemental Security Income for some health problem he had.

In a place where minimum wage was $5.15 an hour at the time and people lived on the edge of financial ruin, it did not matter how much, or for what. If you are born into a certain economic class everything goes towards basics: food, rent, utilities, clothing.

Alfred stayed in Louisiana.

Over the years, he reached adulthood and when I came home I would give him what cash I had, especially when he had kids of his own. By then he had a criminal record but he treated me the same and he checked on my mom: Aunt Shirley.

I can’t and won’t judge the decision that was made for the 13-year-old. I sadly understand the necessity of it. But I can wonder what would have happened if we had gotten him. I can’t say for certain everything would have been OK but I believe we could have given him more options to a different path. What I want remembered is changing his path would also have changed the lives of anyone he may have wronged, too.

There are abandoned houses and empty lots in the neighborhood where he lived and died. I have been there multiple times this year.

I have seen a few young kids there, born into circumstances they didn’t ask for, lives without margin for errors or bad luck. I pray for them and the millions of kids like them, regardless of race or ethnicity, that everything goes right and they reach escape velocity.

** Gary Fields, an award-winning, veteran journalist, writes about democracy for The Associated Press.

Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it recorded 112 incidences of crude oil theft across the Niger Delta in one week.

In a documentary posted on its X handle on Tuesday, NNPC said the incidents occurred between December 23, 2023 and December 29, 2023.

The national oil company listed the incident sources to include Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Tantita Security Services, and Shell Petroleum Development Company.

Other highlighted sources are the NNPC command and control centre and government security agencies.

“In the past week, 42 illegal refineries were discovered in Konsho and Tebidaba in Bayelsa state; Obokofia in Imo state; Ogidigben, Mereje and Obodo Omadina, in Delta state,” NNPC said.

“Illegal refineries in Umuire, Abia state, and Upata in Rivers state, were also discovered and destroyed.” 

According to NNPC, 14 illegal connections were uncovered in several parts of the Niger Delta.

“In Owaza, Abia state, a tunnel covering an illegal connection was also uncovered while 10 cases of vandalism were discovered,” NNPC said.

“Illegal storage sites were discovered in Ebocha and Ton Kiri in Rivers state where oil pits were found.

“In Ogbia, Bayelsa state, sacks of crude oil were discovered. More illegal storage sites were uncovered in Urhonigbe, in Edo state; Ekuku-Agbor and Bomadi in Delta state.” 

NNPC said 22 wooden boats conveying stolen crude were discovered in Okrika and Tombia in Rivers state as well as Emereje, Delta state.

Meanwhile, the oil firm said during an operation, 11 vehicle arrests were made in Delta state.

“Eight of these incidents took place in the deep water, 46 in the eastern region, 32 in the central region, while 26 took place in the western region,” NNPC said. 

“Between the 23rd and 26th of December, 2023, 18 suspects were arrested.”

NNPC said it would not back down in the war against crude oil theft.

The Cable

The Federal Government has announced suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by Augustina Obilor-Duru on behalf of the Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, the government lamented that “some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get Degrees with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified”.

It followed an investigative report by Daily Nigerian Newspaper titled “UNDERCOVER: How DAILY NIGERIAN reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks”.

According to the government, the suspension persists pending the outcome of an investigation involving the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education of Nigeria and the two countries as well the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

It said the Education Ministry has set up a panel to “commence internal administrative processes to determine the culpability or otherwise of her staff for which applicable Public Service Rules would be applied”.

The statement called on Nigerians to cooperate with the committee and provide useful information that will assist in finding lasting solutions to the menace of Nigerians obtaining half-baked certificates from foreign universities.

“The issue of degree mills institutions, i.e institutions that exist on paper or operate in clandestine manner outside the control of regulators is a global problem that all countries grapple with. FME has been contending with the problem including illegal institutions located abroad or at home preying on unsuspecting, innocent Nigerians and some desperate Nigerians who deliberately patronize such outlets.

“Periodically, warnings have been issued by the Ministry and NUC against the resort to such institutions and in some instances, reports made to security agencies to clamp down on the perpetrators. The ministry will continue to review its strategy to plug any loopholes, processes and procedures and deal decisively with any conniving officials.

“The Ministry had always adopted the global standard for evaluation and accreditation of certificates of all forms which relies on receipt of the list of accredited courses and schools in all countries of the World.

“The Ministry wishes to assure Nigerians and the general public that, it is already putting in place mechanisms to sanitise the education sector, including dissuading the quest for degree certificates (locally or from foreign countries) through a re-invigorated focus on inclusivity, reliance on all skill sets.

“The Federal Ministry of Education is committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to consistently enhance the Nigerian education system and we value the public’s understanding and patience as we strive to address these issues.”

The Guardian

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists in military uniform have killed 12 persons and abducted one in Gatamarwa and Tsiha communities in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.

The latest attack came barely two weeks after the insurgents perpetrated a similar attack in Chibok, where they killed two persons and looted food stuff in some houses before settling them ablaze.

Police Public Relations officer, Borno State command, Nahum Daso Kenneth, confirmed the attack saying 12 corpses were recovered.

“The gunmen shot sporadically at the people in the two communities. So far, 12 corpses were recovered and two were injured,” he said.

He said the police commissioner and other security heads had ordered discreet investigation into the matter to bring the perpetrators to book.

The terrorists stormed the community of Gatamarwa around 5pm on Monday during the New Year celebration.

Sources told our correspondent on Tuesday that insurgents carrying weapons stormed the communities in large number.

“The insurgents who were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles, came on motorcycles, in Hilux vans and opened fire on mourners returning from Gatamarwa.

“They later attacked another Tsiha community near Shikarkir and killed three people and abducted a young lady. They burnt houses after looting their foodstuffs,” he said.

Recently, attacks have increased in Borno State, grounding the electricity supplies in Borno and Yobe after the insurgents destroyed six 33KVA towers that connected the two states.

Daily Trust

Apparent Israeli strike kills senior Hamas figure in Beirut and raises fears conflict could expand

An apparent Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut killed Hamas’ No. 2 political leader Tuesday, marking a potentially significant escalation of Israel’s war against the militant group and heightening the risk of a wider Middle East conflict.

Saleh Arouri, who was the most senior Hamas figure killed since the war with Israel began, was also a founder of the group’s military wing. His death could provoke major retaliation by Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militia.

The strike hit an apartment in a building in a Shiite district of Beirut that is a Hezbollah stronghold, and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to strike back against any Israeli targeting of Palestinian officials in Lebanon.

Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire almost daily over the Israeli-Lebanese border since Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began nearly three months ago. But so far the Lebanese group has appeared reluctant to dramatically escalate the fighting. A significant response now could send the conflict spiraling into all-out war on Israel’s northern border.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the strike was carried out by an Israeli drone, and Israeli officials declined to comment. Speaking to reporters, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari did not directly mention Arouri’s death but said, “We are focused and remain focused on fighting against Hamas.”

“We are on high readiness for any scenario,” he added.

The killing comes ahead of a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, even as the United States has tried to prevent a spread of the conflict, repeatedly warning Hezbollah — and its regional supporter, Iran — not to escalate the violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the assault in Gaza until Hamas is crushed and the more than 100 hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza are freed, which he has said could take several more months. At the same time, Israeli officials have increasingly warned in recent days of stepped-up action against Hezbollah unless its cross-border fire stops.

BEIRUT STRIKE

Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened to kill Hamas leaders wherever they are. The group’s Oct. 7 attack from Gaza into southern Israel killed around 1,200 people, and some 240 others were taken hostage.

Israel claims to have killed a number of mid-level Hamas leaders in Gaza, but this would be the first time it has reached into another country to target the group’s top leaders, many of whom live in exile around the region.

Arouri was the deputy of Hamas’ supreme political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and headed the group’s presence in the West Bank. He was also a key liaison with Hezbollah.

Tuesday’s blast shook a residential building in the Beirut suburb of Musharafieh, killing four people, according to the Lebanese news agency. Hamas confirmed that Arouri was killed along with six other members of the group, including two military commanders.

Hamas’ leader, Haniyeh Ismail, said the movement was “more powerful and determined” following the attack. “They left behind them strong men who will carry the banner after them,” he said of those killed.

Hezbollah called the strike “a serious attack on Lebanon, its people, its security, sovereignty and resistance.”

“We affirm that this crime will never pass without response and punishment,” it said.

Since the Gaza conflict began, Lebanese have feared their country could be pulled into a full-fledged war. Hezbollah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006, when Israeli bombardment wreaked heavy destruction in southern Lebanon.

GAZA COMBAT CONTINUES

Israel’s air, ground and sea assault in Gaza has killed more than 22,100 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. The count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

The campaign has driven some 85% of Gaza’s population from their homes, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into overcrowded shelters or teeming tent camps in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Israel’s siege of the territory has left a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations.

Israel announced Monday that it would withdraw five brigades, or several thousand troops, from Gaza in the coming weeks. Still, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said it would be a mistake to think that Israel is planning on halting the war.

“The feeling that we will stop soon is incorrect,” he said Tuesday. “Without a clear victory, we will not be able to live in the Middle East.”

Israel has said it’s close to achieving operational control over most of northern Gaza, where ground troops have been battling militants for over two months. But Gallant said several thousand Hamas fighters are believed still to be in the north, and residents reported clashes in several parts of Gaza City, as well as in the nearby urban Jabaliya refugee camp.

Fierce fighting has continued in other parts of the Palestinian territory, especially the south, where many of Hamas’ forces remain intact and where most of Gaza’s population has fled.

Palestinians reported heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling in the southern city of Khan Younis and farming areas to the east. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israel bombed its headquarters in the city, killing five people. At least 14,000 displaced people are sheltering in the building, it said.

Fighting was also underway in and around the built-up Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. The army issued evacuation orders to people living in parts of nearby Nuseirat camp. A strike Tuesday leveled a building in Nuseirat, killing at least eight people, according to officials at the nearby hospital. Associated Press footage showed people pulling several children out of the wreckage.

GENOCIDE CASE

In other developments, officials said Israel will defend itself before the United Nation’s top court against charges that it has engaged in genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The announcement set the stage for what is likely to be a landmark case in international law.

South Africa launched the case Friday at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands, saying the Israeli military campaign targeting Hamas has resulted in enough death, destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza to meet the threshold of genocide under international law. South Africa asked the court to order Israel to halt its attacks in Gaza.

Israel rarely cooperates in international court cases against it, dismissing the United Nations and international tribunals as unfair and biased. Its decision to respond to the charge signals that the government is concerned about potential damage to its reputation.

The genocide charge strikes at the heart of Israel’s national identity. The country sees itself as a bulwark of security for Jews after the Holocaust killed 6 million Jews, and world support for Israel’s creation in Palestine in 1948 was deeply rooted in outrage over Nazi atrocities.

The convention against genocide was drawn up by world powers the same year in hopes of preventing similar atrocities.

Eylon Levy, an official in the Israeli prime minister’s office, accused South Africa of “giving political and legal cover” to Hamas after its Oct. 7 attack triggered Israel’s campaign.

“The state of Israel will appear before the International Court of Justice at the Hague to dispel South Africa’s absurd blood libel,” he said.

Many South Africans, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israel’s policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africa’s past apartheid regime of racial segregation. Israel rejects such comparisons.

AP

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia pounds Ukraine's two biggest cities in new wave of attacks

Russia pounded Ukraine's two biggest cities on Tuesday in a new wave of heavy air strikes that killed at least five civilians and prompted calls for the West to quickly provide more military assistance.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry said 135 people had been injured in the latest missile and drone attacks, including 61 in and around Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city in the northeast and 17 in and around the capital, Kyiv.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said rescue operations continued into the late evening as the assaults also caused widespread damage and hit power supplies.

Russia has intensified attacks over the New Year period, with President Vladimir Putin warning on Monday that a Ukrainian air strike on the Russian city of Belgorod, which Moscow said killed 25 civilians, would "not go unpunished".

Smoke belched out of the charred side of a high-rise residential building in Kyiv where mayor Vitali Klitschko said an elderly woman had been killed and 49 people hurt. Emergency services later recovered another corpse from the building.

A 91-year-old woman was killed in a missile strike on Kharkiv that also wounded dozens and a married couple was killed in an attack in the area around Kyiv, local officials said.

"Russia will answer for every life (that it has) taken away," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messenger. Russia later said one man had been killed and 11 people injured in a series of attacks on Belgorod.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, later said Russia had deployed almost 300 missiles and more than 200 drones in attacks over the last three days. The latest assaults, he said were intended to cause maximum destruction.

"...The trajectories have been specially calculated by the enemy to cause as much damage as possible," he said. "No other country has yet repelled similar attacks by combined drones and missiles, including ballistic missiles."

Russia stepped up missile and drone strikes on Dec. 29, when it launched its largest air attack of the war, killing at least 39 people. Kyiv had warned for weeks that Russia appeared to be stockpiling missiles for big attacks.

Russia holds swathes of territory in eastern and southern Ukraine, and there is no end in sight to the war as next month's second anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion approaches.

Russia depicts a Ukrainian counteroffensive launched in mid-2023 as a failure. Front lines have changed little in recent months.

Ukraine relies on military and financial support from allies, but political wrangling in the U.S. and the European Union has delayed over $110 billion in aid.

MORE AIR DEFENCE

Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram that he had discussed upgrading Ukraine's air defence systems with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Several Western leaders and foreign diplomats in Kyiv said it was critical for Ukraine to receive more support.

"Ukrainian air defence works well but Ukraine must get more help. New Year's celebrations are over and the West must get serious and act now," Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics wrote on social media platform X.

Ukraine downed all 10 incoming "Kinzhal" missiles fired in the latest attack as well as 59 of the 70 cruise missiles and all three Kalibr cruise missiles, army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said.

But he added: "There is no reason to believe that the enemy will stop here. Therefore, we need more systems and munitions for them."

Klitschko said gas pipelines had been damaged in Kyiv's Pecherskyi district, and electricity and water had been cut off in several districts. Heating and water supplies were damaged in Kharkiv, mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

The outages revived memories of last winter when air strikes on the energy grid caused frequent power cuts.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian air defense forces down 2 Ukrainian missiles, 7 rockets over Belgorod Region

Russian air defense forces shot down two Ukrainian Tochka-U missiles and seven Olkha MLRS projectiles over the borderline Belgorod Region, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported.

"At about 10:30 p.m. Moscow time (7:30 p.m. GMT - TASS) on January 2, yet another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on facilities on Russian soil with the use of Olkha multiple rocket launchers and Tochka-U missiles was thwarted. [Russian] air defense forces on duty destroyed two Tochka-U missiles and seven Olkha MLRS rockets over the Belgorod Region," the ministry said.

Reuters/Tass

In the past couple of weeks, the media has been awash with reported cases of monumental scandals involving individuals and organisations associated with the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Some of the reports claim that the suspects not only looted billions in local and foreign currencies from the Nigerian treasury but there are equally others to be exposed for re-looting the so-called recovered loot.

The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was detained for several weeks before being arraigned in court for the massive abuse he has been alleged as having subjected his office to in the slightly less than a decade of his incumbency. Also, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Tunde Lemo, was embarrassingly exposed for a few untoward acts he is claimed to have been involved in, while some top officers in the previous administration have been invited for questioning too by the anti-graft agencies.

Much of the allegations of white-collar crimes and scandals were insinuated as having been leaked to the press by the Special Investigator probing the CBN, Jim Obazee, and his team member, Eloho Okpoziakpo of the Counterintelligence Unit of the Police. They are part of charges documented in a what ought to have been a preliminary report for the President alone.

Obazee, the former Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to lead the investigative team into past financial malfeasances in the CBN as part of measures to fortify Government Business Entities (GBEs).

However, the modus operandi and seemingly condescending manner of exposing the subjects of an investigation to a media trial by the Obazee Team is similar to the notorious activities of the J.O.N Ode arms probe panel appointed at the outset of the Buhari administration to investigate the procurement of arms and ammunition by successive governments in 2015.

On behalf of Buhari, the then National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, constituted that Arms Probe Panel. Apart from Ode, who was the chairman, other panel members that were later unceremoniously disbanded included J. A. Aikhomu, E. Ogbor,  L. Adelagun, M. Aminu-Kano, and l N. Rimtip. Other members included T. D. Ikoli, U. Mohammed, I. Shafi’I, A. A. Ariyibi, C.A. Oriaku, Ibrahim Magu, then the acting Chairman of the EFCC, and Y. I. Shalangwa, who was secretary to the panel.

Rather than being transparent in its investigations, the Ode panel was accused of criminalising critical institutions of state and indicting groups and individuals through media trials. It was busy leaking sensational and scandalous stories about people to select journalists, instead of arraigning them in courts.

Former NSA, Sambo Dasuki; former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh; and mostly retired and serving senior officers of the Nigerian Airforce (NAF), businessmen, lawyers, journalists and even ordinary citizens were among others who got scandalised, humiliated and persecuted on the pages of newspapers in what subsequently turned out as unproven allegations. Apart from the job losses and untimely deaths due to the infamous acts of the panel, the respective families of the mentioned folks also experienced highly vicious and dehumanising attacks in what was the most celebrated media trial ever witnessed in Nigerian history.

The activities of the J.O.N Ode panel influenced the government to jettison the law and embark on vengeful rampages. The suspects were incarcerated illegally and denied the right to defend themselves, while their supporters were equally persecuted. Some judges who gave fair and favourable judgements to the wrongly accused were themselves not spared, as they experienced harassment, with their official residences raided, their families humiliated and prosecuted unjustly, before the cases were discharged in court.

However, in an unpoetic twist, less than a year after their inauguration, members of the Arms Probe Panel were also accused of having received bribes from individuals and companies being investigated. A domestic intelligence agency later arrested one of the members for allegedly operating an extortion syndicate on behalf of the J.O.N Ode Panel, which suggested that the committee was committing the same crimes it was meant to expose. Even members of the panel who later died have been linked with monumental corrupt practices that the anti-corruption agencies thereafter investigated.

Afterwards, precisely in 2017, the panel was unceremoniously disbanded because of its suspicious activities. It was not surprising that the House of Representatives also mandated a joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence and Public Procurement to investigate and call for sanctions on the J.O.N Ode Arms Probe Panel, which had only succeeded in damaging the reputation of the accused persons in the press, rather than proving any crime against them in the court.

Many believe that the selective war against corruption in the previous administration was in pursuit of exacting vengeance on perceived enemies of those in that government who, after their tenure in office, are now discovered to have been worse and shamelessly corrupt.

While the Obazee Team commences its discreet operations, it cannot afford to fall into a similar trap, like that of the J.O.N Ode panel, because there are speculations that the committee has been targeting agencies that are deemed as ‘juicy’ in order to extort them, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAl), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), among others.

The chief executives of several financial and monetary institutions are under the scrutiny of the Obazee Team. At the same time, some of them have also been allegedly summoned for blackmail and extortion by the Special Investigator or have simply gotten into trouble with the Team.

Like the J.O.N Ode Panel that went beyond its assignments on arm probe to dabble in witch-hunting, the Obazee Team is alleged to have extended its investigative reach from CBN issues to the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry, which clearly exceeds the scope of its mandate. There are even speculations that the panel is equally beaming its searchlight on the wealthiest Nigerian businessmen. I don’t know for sure whether Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola or Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu are being targeted in its probe, even as nothing is ever impossible in this clime.

It is necessary to urge the Obazee Team to tread softly and face its assignment without fear or favour by performing its role responsibly, professionally and within the ambit of law, while refraining from behaving like the discredited J.O.N Ode Panel.

Entrepreneur Ken Joslin's story is one of determination, personal growth, and a deep-rooted belief in the power of community. Joslin is the CEO of the Ken Joslin Team & the GROW STACK DRIVE brand. He is a former Pastor turned Coach and a real estate professional. Here are some key takeaways from our interview on the latest episode of The Jeff Fenster Show.

Support others

Joslin believes in an unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of others. He maintains that great leaders want something for people— not from them. This mindset has been the driving force behind his entrepreneurial endeavors as he seeks to impact the lives of those around him positively. Ken's emphasis on building genuine connections and fostering relationships is a testament to his dedication to creating a supportive and thriving community.

Commit to personal growth

Joslin's journey to success is a testament to the transformative power of personal growth. He firmly believes that becoming the best version of oneself is the key to achieving greatness. Throughout his journey, Joslin has continuously sought opportunities for self-improvement, embracing challenges and learning from every experience. His commitment to continuous learning and development has not only propelled his success but has also inspired others to embark on their own paths of personal growth.

Create opportunities

While financial success is often seen as a measure of achievement, Joslin views it as a means to make a positive impact. He believes that by making as much money as possible, individuals can amplify their ability to help others and support causes they care about. Joslin's approach to financial success is rooted in a deep sense of purpose and a desire to use his resources to create meaningful change in the world.

Make strong connections

At the heart of Joslin's journey lies a profound understanding of the importance of relationships and community. He recognizes that true success is not solely measured by personal achievements but by the strength of the connections we forge and the communities we build. His goal to help people cultivate relationships and foster a sense of community, understanding that these elements are the foundation for long-term success and fulfillment.

Entrepreneur

National Assembly has raised its 2024 budgetary allocation by 74.23 per cent to N344.85bn.

This will be the highest-ever budgetary allocation to the National Assembly whose initial allocation in the 2024 budget proposal was pegged at N197.93bn.

The increase in allocation to the Senate and House of Representatives is happening amidst a cost-of-living crisis in the country, with the government telling citizens at various fora that the country is facing tough times.

In the recently passed and now signed 2024 Appropriation Bill, the National Assembly increased the budget by N1.2tn to N28.77tn from the earlier proposed N27.5tn by the Executive.

The parliament raised statutory transfers (i.e., funding to the National Judicial Council, Niger-Delta Development Commission, Universal Basic Education Commission, National Assembly, Public Complaints Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Human Rights Commission, North-East Development Commission, Basic Health Care Provision Fund, and National Agency for Science And Engineering Infrastructure) from N1.38tn to N1.74tn.

This is according to data from a document titled, ‘House of Representatives Federal Republic of Nigeria Order Paper,’ dated Saturday, December 30th, 2023.

The document revealed the following changes in statutory allocations: National Judicial Council N341.63bn (formerly N165bn), Niger-Delta Development Commission N338.93bn (formerly N324.85bn), Universal Basic Education Commission N263.04bn (formerly N251.47bn), National Assembly N344.85bn (formerly N197.93bn), Public Complaints Commission N14.46bn (formerly N13.69bn), Independent National Electoral Commission N40bn (formerly N40bn) National Human Rights Commission N5bn (formerly N5bn), North East Development Commission N131.84bn (formerly N126.94bn), Basic Healthcare Provision Fund N131.52bn (formerly N125.74bn), and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure N131.52bn  (formerly N125.74bn).

Unlike before when the National Assembly did not give a breakdown of its budget, the new document gave details of the budget.

The budget details of the country’s law-making arms include the National Assembly Office (N36.73bn), Senate (N49.15bn), House of Representatives (N78.63bn), National Assembly Service Commission (N12.33bn), Legislatives Aides (N20.39bn), PAC – Senate (N130m), PAC – House of Representatives (N150m), General Services (N30.81bn).

National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (N9.01bn), Service-Wide-Vote (N15.19bn), Office of Retired Clerks and Perm. Secretaries (N1.23bn), Appropriation Committee Department – Senate (N200m), Appropriation Committee Department – House (N200m), NASS Library Complex (Take-Off Grant) (N12.12bn), Procurement of Books for the NASS Library (N3bn), NASS Liabilities (N9.90bn), Constitution Review (N1bn), Completion of NILDS HQ (N4.5bn), Construction of NASC building (Ongoing) (N10bn).

Alternative Power Supply (Solar Power System) (N4bn), NASS Zonal Liaison Offices (N3bn), NASS Pension Board (Take-Off Grant) (N2.5bn), NASS Car Park Project – Senate (N3bn), NASS Car Park Project – House of Representatives (N3bn), NASS Hospital Project (N15bn), NASS Recreation Centre (N4bn), Furnishing of Committee Meeting Rooms & other Offices within the Senate Building (N2.7bn).

Furnishing of Committee Meeting Rooms for House Representatives Building Part I & II (N3bn), Upgrade of NASS Key Infrastructures (N3bn) Design, Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of NASS Ultramodern Printing Press (N3bn), Design, Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) (N4bn).

The new legislative budget is more than what NASS got between 2011 to 2014. A recent The PUNCH report revealed that the country would have spent over N1.79tn on the National Assembly in 13 years by the end of 2023.

The breakdown of the budgets was as follows, 2011 to 2014, N150bn; 2015, N115bn; 2016, N125bn; 2017, N125; 2018, N139.5bn; 2019, 125bn; 2020, N128bn; 2021, N134bn; 2022, N139bn; and N169bn proposed for 2023.

The consistent rise in the cost of funding of the arms of government and agencies is despite a declining macroeconomic environment and reduced government revenues.

While presenting the details of the 2024 budget recently, the Minister of Finance and Budget Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed that the government was bothered about its declining revenues.

He said, “Revenue generation remains the major fiscal constraint to Nigeria’s fiscal viability. However, the government is reviewing current tax and fiscal policies with a view to improving revenue generation. The target is to increase the ratio of revenue to GDP from less than 10 per cent currently to 18 per cent within the current term of this administration.”

Tinubu signs budget

President Bola Tinubu on Monday signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law and promised to ease out any Minister or head of government agency who fails to play their part in its full implementation.

Tinubu signed the N28.7tn budget document earlier approved by the Senate minutes after he arrived in Abuja from Lagos where he observed the Christmas holidays. The President, who called for higher accountability, also directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to provide monthly performance reports in line with his government’s eight priority areas.

The priority areas include defence and internal security, job creation, macroeconomic stability, improved investment environment, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.

He assured Nigerians that the budget’s implementation would be efficiently pursued and vigorously monitored, saying, “All the institutional mechanisms shall be held to account in ensuring diligent implementation.”

He further stated, “I cannot conclude my remark without saying that a budget is only as good at its implementation. We will implement this!

“I want to assure Nigerians that All MDAs have been warned and directed to take responsibility and provide monthly Budget Performance Reports to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which in turn shall ensure the veracity of such.

“The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy shall hold regular reviews with the Economic Management Team and, in addition, I shall Chair periodic Economic Coordination Council meetings.”

The President also emphasised his commitment to enhancing investment promotion while creating a rules-based society that favours no individual over the law begins with important reforms in the Nigerian judiciary, the funding for which is captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

“Funding the judiciary is a major element in our effort to support a just, rules-based society. Statutory transfer to the Judiciary has been increased from N165bn to N342bn,” he stated.

Also, the president signed the N2.2tn supplementary budget into law. This will now run alongside the 2024 budget until March 31, 2024.

He also securitised the Ways and Means, a credit facility financed by Nigeria’s Central Bank.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, revealed these when he addressed State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa shortly after Tinubu signed the 2024 budget into law.

Abbas explained, “Mr President has signed two other bills. The first one is the supplementary appropriation bill of 2023, which he has agreed to extend by 90 days. So, it will continue to work concurrently with the 2024 budget up to March 31.

“He has also approved the 2023 main budget to concurrently operate with the capital component of the 2024 budget up to March 31, 2024.

“Another landmark achievement we had was also approving the securitisation of the ways and means that have effectively brought to an end these controversial means and ways of borrowing money. And he has assured Nigerians that this will be the last of this kind of ugly incident.”

Also speaking on the matter, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the administration is ready to phase out Ways and Means.

He said, “We are all ready, even from tomorrow, applying technology to ensure that the revenue that should come to government from all sources, including from government-owned enterprises, comes into the consolidated revenue fund and on the other side, we are bringing order to government borrowing.

“So, Ways and Means is being eliminated by taking the funding that is required from the market, as opposed to the printing of money by Central Bank.”

Punch