Biafra: Governor Obaseki speaks on IPOB

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has urged the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to adopt non-violent solutions in pressing home their demands. Obaseki made the recommendation on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Non-Violence. He advised the ‘dissenting’ group to come to the roundtable, maintaining that “when everything else fails, non-violent approach has proven to be reliable as it allows for continuous dialogue, realignment of interests, open and frank conversations, endurance and forgiveness of human mistakes and the conviction that our perceived critics today, could become our most dependable allies and partners after honest discussions. “While several tactics such as restiveness, arms struggle, bombings and hate-laden speeches, are being adopted to push home these demands by the various agitators, evidence shows that the best option to resolving such feelings of perceived marginalisation, disaffection or discontent, is rooted in non-violence.” Obaseki further said that the late Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence and in whose honour the day was celebrated left a model for contemporary leaders to follow. “Gandhi contributed to global leadership models with his passive resistance or non-violence teaching, and with it, he led Indian people to independence, without applying the principle of an eye for an eye,” the governor said. He stressed that “non-violence is still a viable and potent conflict resolution model even today, and should be explored by thought leaders and opinion moulders instead of the rush to unconventional tactics that leave in their wake, deaths, sorrow, regrets and debts.” The commemoration of the International Day of Non-violence was established by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution in 2007 and it is an occasion to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness. According to the UN, “the resolution reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.”

Budget: Nigerian government to roll over capital projects to 2018

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has disclosed Federal Government’s intention to roll over at least 60 per cent of 2017 capital projects to 2018 fiscal year. According to her, the decision was based on advice of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Finance to the executive on how to make the budget more implementable. Adeosun made this known when she appeared before the Senate Joint Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Abuja. The minister noted that there was no stoppage in terms of capital releases and projects. Adeosun said: “we had a rollover from the 2016 to the 2017 budget. There was no stoppage in terms of capital spent as projects simply continued. “In the way in which we allocated the fund, the prioritisation was according to the objectives of the economy and growth plan. “We were focused on project completion. So, we prioritised projects that were nearer to completion that were critical in the first releases of capital. “We need more of your support. We have a number of resolutions that we need to complete international borrowings.” Earlier, Chairman of the joint committee, Sen. Danjuma Goje, had said that the two ministers were at the National Assembly to brief the committees as well as Nigerians on the implementation of the 2017 budget. “It is very important bearing in mind that the budget was passed by the National Assembly in May and signed into law by the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on June 6, 2017. “We are now four months into the implementation of the budget. Nigerians need to know how far we have gone and what we are going to achieve. “We have heard from the Minister of Budget and National Planning that they intend to submit the 2018 budget this month. “By implication, if they bring it this month, they will expect the budget to be approved before the end of the year,” he said.