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Africa Loses $50bn Yearly to Corruption — Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigeria was committed to fighting corruption for life.
“Nigeria’s abiding commitment to the fight against corruption today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” Buhari said while inaugurating the African Anti-Corruption Year 2018 during the opening of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described corruption as one of the greatest evils of our time, adding that Africa loses about $50bn yearly to the vice.
“Corruption is indeed one of the greatest evils of our time. Corruption rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of distortion and diversion thereby destroying all efforts at constructive, just and fair governance,” Buhari was quoted as saying.
Being the champion of the theme of the 30th AU Summit, “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,” the President thanked his African colleagues for entrusting him with such a noble responsibility.
Revealing that Africa loses about $550bn annually to corruption, he advocated greater efforts in addressing “the causal relationship between corruption and illicit financial flows.”
Drawing the attention of his colleagues to the “corrosive role that tax havens and secret jurisdictions play in concealing ill-gotten assets,” Buhari said the continental body “must do more to stop the continuous assault on our economic and financial resources by multinationals in collusion with some of our citizens.”
He pledged to do his best “to ensure that the anti-corruption agenda will receive the attention it deserves and make the impact we all hope for, during 2018 and beyond.”
The President, who noted that Africa had made some significant strides in enacting legal and policy frameworks such as the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption to address the vice, said the desired impact had been lacking.
“Fifteen years after the adoption of the African Union Convention, 2018 provides a good starting point to take stock of progress made so far, assess what still needs to be done and devise new strategies to address new corruption challenges,” he said.
According to the President, in spite of sustained economic growth on the continent for the past two decades, “public confidence has been eroded by a focus on short-term priorities and payoffs, propelled by corruption, which too often leaves projects uncompleted and promises unfulfilled.”
He identified other negative effects of corruption as, posing a real threat to national security; eroding the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, human rights, justice and the rule of law.
In tackling bribery and corruption, the Nigerian leader said the crucial place of strong institutions could not be over-emphasised. – Punch
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Penpushing Media congratulates IPI new leadership
The Management and Editorial Board of Penpushing Media, owner of online newspapers and television have congratulated the newly elected leadership of International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Chapter led by Musikilu Mojeed of Premium Times to run affairs of the global organisation for next three years.
The media outlet in a congratulatory letter signed by chairman Editorial Board, Olufunke Fadugba said the organization rejoiced with the team on renewal of their tenure, and equally encouraged them not to only sustain the previous visibility and interventions on behalf of the media but to do more
“We rejoice with you on the renewal of your tenure as leaders of International Press Institute Nigeria. This congratulatory message is to encourage you to not only sustain the previous visibility and interventions on behalf of the media but also to do more”, the letter read.
Fadugba pointed out that the past months have been challenging for journalists, stressing that as the democracy in the country move closer to 2027, it is expected that the great battle for freedom of expression will be more intense.
“The International Press Institute Nigeria and other stakeholders will need to be more creative, determined, and build positive networks to guard the media from existential threats both from within and outside the media ecosystem”, the letter stated.
“However, judging from your previous performances and renewed impetus, we in Penpushing Media have no doubt that you will make a success of this tenure, in the interest of the media, the people and the country”, Fadugba emphasized
“On behalf of the Board, Management, and members of Penpushing, we wish the newly elected Executive Members a successful tenure. Congratulations, as we urge you to continue to carry the members along in order to enjoy their much-needed support”, the letter said
The other elected officials include Ahmed Shekarau of Media Trust as Secretary, Fidelis Mbah of Al Jazeera Television as Deputy President, Rafatu Salami of Voice of Nigeria as Treasurer, Yomi Adeboye of Herald Newspaper as Assistant Secretary and Tobi Soniyi of Arise News as Legal Adviser.
The President of International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed in response to the congratulatory letter expressed appreciation to the management of Penpushing Media, as well as commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism.
“We are deeply grateful for your congratulatory statement on the recent IPI Nigeria election. Your consistent support for IPI means the world to us, and we appreciate your commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism”, Mojeed wrote.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and members of the Institute, I extend heartfelt thanks for your encouragement. May God continue to bless you abundantly”, he added
“Your support and encouragement inspire us to continue promoting ethical journalism, advancing media pluralism, and defending press freedom. We look forward to collaborating with your administration to expand access to information and reinforce Nigeria’s democratic ethos’, the President stated.
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Pensions and other Military Entitlements: Matawalle Commends President Tinubu for Prompt Payment
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, has expressed his gratitude to H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his decisive action in ensuring the prompt payment of military salary increase with three months arrears and also today’s release of funds for the payment of Pension and other owed entitlements of retired military Personnel
Dr. Matawalle confirmed that alerts regarding the three-month salary increase for military personnel have begun to be received.
The Minister commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired military personnel, emphasizing that the payment of pension arrears owed to retirees will continue to receive critical attention. This initiative reflects the President’s dedication to enhancing the living standards of those who have served the nation.
Furthermore, the Hon minister acknowledged the efforts and support of the Honourable Minister of finance and Coordinating minister of Economy Mr Wale Edun who was very committed in the actualization of these payments.
Dr. Matawalle urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties, reassuring them that President Tinubu is fully committed to boosting their morale and providing the necessary support to combat insecurity in Nigeria. “Despite initial setbacks, be rest assured that Mr. President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the significant contributions of the Nigerian military in combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminality, the Minister reiterated the vital role that these brave men and women play in ensuring the nation’s security.
He assured the officers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed forces of President Tinubu’s unwavering resolve to eradicate insecurity in Nigeria, bolstered by the readiness and resilience of the military.
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We Received N80,000 Minimum Wage in November – Enugu Labour Leaders
The Organised Labour in Enugu State has refuted the media reports that the new minimum wage was yet to be paid in the state, saying that the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage, which is above the N70,000 national minimum wage, commenced in November 2024.
The workers also said that they had no plan to go on strike since. They said that observed discrepancies in consequential adjustment in the implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage had already been conveyed to Governor Peter Mbah and nursed no doubts that it would be addressed subsequently, as he had already earned workers’ trust by his commitment to their welfare since his assumption of office.
This was made known in a joint statement in the state capital on Tuesday by the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Enugu State Council, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo; Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Ben Asogwa; and the Chairman of the state’s Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Ezekiel Omeh.
The statement read, “The Orgaised Labour in Enugu State wishes to make clarifications in several media reports, which wrongly project Enugu among the states that are yet to pay the national minimum wage.
“We want to acknowledge the fact that the Enugu State Government paid the N80,000 minimum wage approved by the governor in the November 2024 salary.
“However, the minimum wage paid did not reflect the consequential adjustments inherent in minimum wage implementation.
“As labour leaders, we have already communicated to His Excellency the observed discrepancies and in his usual magnanimity to the welfare of workers, we strongly believe that he will address this subsequently.
“Our confidence in the governor remains intact, considering his usual dispositions to the wellbeing of workers.
“It is worthy of note that he continued to pay wage award of N25,000 he approved for workers from December 2023 till October 2024 when the new minimum wage of N80,000 was approved and consequently reflected in the November salary.
“We also recall his good faith in ensuring that local government employees were included from the onset in the new minimum wage of N80,000, having earlier upgraded them to full N30,000 minimum wage upon assumption of office after several years of waiting.
“Likewise, he approved the payment of the N1.9bn four-year accumulated leave allowances owed to teachers of public primary schools in the state and eight-month salary arrears valued at over N467m, which were also owed the academic, non-academic, and casual staff of the Enugu State College of Education Technical, ESCET, Enugu, before his assumption of office.
“Consequently, in the same culture, we trust him to address all the concerns regarding consequential adjustments in the implementation of N80,000 minimum wage.
“So, we have not gone on strike. We do not also contemplate or foresee any strike in the near future because there is no need for that yet.”
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