Italian Embassy deny Nigerian athletes visas because they suspect them being members of Boko Haram

Coach of the Nigeria Beach Eagles, Adamu Aoudu, has accused the Italian Embassy in Nigeria of refusing to issue visa to some Nigerian players allegedly based on their names, religion and the suspicion that they belong to the dreaded Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram.

The players had wanted to join the Nigerian team that participated in the recently held FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Italy.

Speaking in an interview with The Moment in Abuja, Adamu maintained that the information he gathered after returning from the World Cup was that the Italian Embassy did not issue visa to the players because of their religion.

The three players who were refused visa for the Beach World Cup were Abu Azeez and Shehu Jamal from Wikki Tourists and Emma Zavi from Adamawa United.

'When I came back from the World Cup, I heard that the embassy refused to give the players visa because of their names and religion.

It is not fair because they denied me the use of some of my best players who would have made a very big difference in the team if they had been around', said Adamu.

The coach exonerated the Nigeria Football Federation from the visa hitches, declaring that it was a premeditated action from the Italian Embassy.

'There were insinuations that it was the football house that did not press hard for the players to be given visas, but it was when I returned from the World Cup that news filtered to me that they were stopped from the tournament because of their names and religion,' he said.

Nevertheless, Adamu praised the determination of his players during the World Cup, saying that they displayed the spirit of true Nigerians.

'Those boys were wonderful players. It was very hectic but they never allowed the situation to overwhelm them as they gave their best', he said.

The Moment

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Law makers in Nigeria are highest paid in the world

Nigerian parliamentarians were yesterday described as the highest paid in the world. A job that pays $100,000 a month in a country where half the people earn less than $1 a day.

While basic pay for legislators was set at between 1.9 million naira ($12,250) and 2.4 million naira a month, the lawmakers in 2007 approved legislation that gave them monthly allowances of as much as 400 percent of their salary for 21 items including cars, furniture and housing, enabling them to collect as much as 15 million naira a month each.

Richard Dowden, Executive Director, African Royal Society, United Kingdom (UK) said this yesterday as guest speaker at this year’s Nigeria Independence Anniversary Lecture hosted by the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

Dowden who described the situation as "obscene" said it is unacceptable that the country spends so much on parliamentarians while having well over 10 per cent of the world’s maternal mortality rate and 10 per cent of world’s children who are out of school

"More than 100 million Nigerians live in poverty- which is a quarter of the total poverty in sub Sahara Africa. Nigeria has over 10 per cent of the world’s maternal mortality and child mortality and 10 per cent of world’s children out of school. This is unacceptable. It is even more unacceptable that in a country with those statistics, the politicians are the highest paid in the world. $1millioin for a Parliamentary salary with another $1million in expenses is obscene"

While noting that the discovery of oil in Nigeria has become a "curse" rather a blessing, he called on government to build strong institutions that will not only promote the efficient utilisation of resources but also ensure consistency and continuity in governance.

He warned that unless the disparity between the rich and poor are narrowed, the nation stands the risk of witnessing a mass revolt similar to the one currently going on in the Arab world.

"I think there are good reasons why the Arab spring has not happened south of the Sahara. But I think it will if the young, globally- connected generation coming up through now, are unable to fulfill their potential. It is a matter of time.

"Think of development as a project not for next week but for your great grand children. But start now"

Dowden, who is currently the Director of Africa Royal society, identified "unfairness in the system of resource allocation" as reason for the fierce competition" which the country is currently experiencing.

He also identified corruption, poor reputation and flight of human capital as other factors that have worked against the country’s economic prosperity.

He blamed past government for engaging in wrong economic policies which he said were done for political reasons.

He said: "But the fifth and main problem that Nigeria faces is politics often, Nigeria and much of Africa has followed the wrong economic policies for political reasons. Adding "this has accounted for the over one hundred million Nigerians living in poverty.

"After oil and corruption which are closely linked, I would say that Nigeria’s reputation in the past still puts off investors and tourists.

"What I see here is that perceived or real unfairness in the system of resource allocation has led to fierce competition for success- or just survival. I would say that the competitive, creative spirit this creates is far more powerful than in any other country in the world".

He said Nigeria at Independence had a trade surplus with the U k and substantial reserve.

"In the 1970 oil was only 60 per cent of export. By 1982 it was 99 per cent of export and almost the same proportion of fiscal revenue. Almost all other exports like Cocoa, rubber, cotton and ground nuts had been wiped out"

He said between 1970 and 2001 per capita income fell from $264 to $256 in constant dollar rate.

"By 2000 Nigeria became an oil rich deeply indebted country and experience of the vast majority of Nigerians became poorer and concluded that oil is a curse to the country".

Daily Champion   Bloomberg

Bill Gates signs Memorandum of Understanding on Polio eradication

Chairman of Microsoft Computers Worldwide, Mr. Bill Gates, yesterday visited Kebbi State, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, to eradicate polio cases in the state.

The polio eradication signing agreement was attended by the Chairman of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Mansur Shehu; the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu; commissioners, traditional rulers; including the Emirs of Gwandu and Argungu; Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar; and Alhaji Samaila Mera, respectively.

Gates said his association was determined to eradicate polio world wide and other related diseases. According to him Indian with a population of over one billion had one polio case recently due to measures taken by his foundation. He said the situation in Nigeria needed urgent attention with about six cases by 2010.

According to him, the situation in Kebbi State demanded urgent attention because government had taken drastic measures to make the state totally free.

“However, you would all agree with me here that a number of conditions need to be met to ensure successful implementation of our programme for revamping the primary health care system in Kebbi State,” Gates said.

He also stated that with such measures in place, Kebbi State would rank among the best in the country, adding that: “To meet these conditions, the collaboration and support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, our development partners are  more than a welcome contribution in the right direction. The foreigner looked forward in the next two years the eradication of polio in Kebbi and other 35 states in the country.”

Responding, Dakingari said his government had constructed over 200 primary healthcare facilities across the state in an effort to ensure that the necessary system or platform for routine immunisation was brought closer to homes where women and children live.

“Now that the election is over, as from 2012 the government will be serious to commit a lot of resources on polio like in the previous years,” he said.

It would be recalled that a statement signed by Michal Fishman of the Bil and Melinda Gates Foundation, had said Gates was accompanied to Nigeria by the foundation’s chief executive officer, Mr. Jeff Raikes.

The statement also said Gates visit was essentially based on how to end polio and strengthen immunisation against other vaccine-preventable diseases with a follow up on the Abuja Commitments to Polio Eradication.

“Nigeria has achieved important success with polio over recent years and we are confident it can finish the job,” Gates said.

This Day

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Army chief confirms foreigners involved in Boko Haram bombings

AHEAD of the 51st Independence anniversary and continued threat posed by Boko Haram, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, said yesterday, that despite successes recorded by the Army in its onslaught against the group, there was still need for better performance.

General Ihejirika spoke  even as he declared that there was foreign collaboration in the activities of the terrorist group, especially in the area of training of sect members in some African countries and funding from abroad but chose not to mention names.

The Army chief, who spoke at the 2011, third quarter, Chief of Army Staff Conference, also disclosed that he had taken the issue of welfare of officers and soldiers of the Army under his command as priority.

Reasons for grumbling

Iherijika who said no soldier could say his welfare or salaries and allowances were being toyed with, noting that there should be no reason for grumbling in that regard, noted: “Yes, it is true people say we (Army) have been doing well in handling the Boko Haram menace.

This quarterly conference is, however, borne out of my belief that, in spite of the commendation, the expectation, both from my office and the public, is that a situation where bombings continue to go on in spite of measures put in place is unacceptable.

“So we (General Officers Commanding, Principal Staff Officers, Corps Commanders, Brigade Commanders and Formation Commanders) need to really dissect our modules of operations and then we work and cooperate with others so as to come up with measures that will enhance security.”
Asked if it was true that foreign nationals from Niger, Sudan and Chad have been arrested in connection with the Boko Haram bombings and attacks, Ihejirika said: “Let me start with the involvement of Boko Haram or terrorist activities in Nigeria. It is definite that the groups that call themselves Boko Haram or terrorist receive training and possibly funding from elements abroad.

“This was evident from the type of weapons we have captured from them; the type of communication equipment we have captured from them; and the expertise they have displayed in preparation of improvised explosive and these are pointers to the fact that there is foreign involvement in the terrorism going on in Nigeria.”

On whether security agencies would ever contain and curtail the terrorist menace and restore the country to normalcy, he said: “What I want to say is that the Army will live up to the expectations of Nigerians and the army is prepared to carry out any task assigned to it. The issue of curbing security is a collective thing running from government at various levels, well meaning citizens and all the security agencies. But what I want to assure you is that the Army will cooperate and collaborate with other security agencies to improve on our present performance.”

When asked if he was aware that issues of allowances and welfare was raising dust among soldiers, the Army chief said: “As far as I am concerned, the officers and soldiers are getting their welfare as at when due and at the right time. Before I took over, the Army used to be paid last but today, there is no service that pays salaries and allowances before the Army.

In any case if there are complains on welfare, I want that to be brought to my knowledge but there is a general improvement in the welfare of officers and soldiers and in the provision of accommodation, a lot is going on now and most of the projects will be commissioned before the end of November.”

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Nigeria's growing middle class

A new detailed survey and report on Nigeria’s expanding middle class, issued by the leading emerging markets investment bank, Renaissance Capital, has portrayed Nigeria as a nation that is optimistic about economic growth, values entrepreneurship and is positioned to capitalise on a boom in consumption.

The survey, released in Lagos, also noted that Nigeria’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) at market exchange rates has already increased from $390 in 2001 to $1,541 in 2011 based on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) figures, and would reach nearly $2,000 by 2016 “if the pessimistic IMF forecasts are accurate, or $2,500 in our more benign scenario”.

The survey and accompanying report, authored by Renaissance Capital’s Global Chief Economist, Charles Robertson; Head of Sub-Saharan Research, Nothando Ndebele; and Sub-Saharan Economist, Yvonne Mhango, drew attention to the wealth of opportunities presented by one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, as an expanding middle class fuels GDP growth in Africa’s most populous country.

The report drew out the investment opportunities and implications presented by Nigeria’s rapidly growing middle class, against a highly favourable macroeconomic backdrop.

It noted that GDP rose five fold from $46 billion in 2000 to $247 billion in 2011, according to IMF estimates, while the population increased by more than one-third over the same period, from 119 million to 160 million.

Nigeria’s middle class accounts for about 23 per cent of its population, according to African Development Bank data.

Renaissance economists added that, “The magnitude of the increase in Nigeria’s population between now and 2016 is the equivalent of adding another Romania; while, based on cautious IMF forecasts, the increase in Nigeria’s GDP in five years will be equivalent to the addition of another Vietnam or Bangladesh.”

The Renaissance Capital survey was conducted with 1,004 middle-class Nigerians, residing in the cities of Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, 70 per cent of whom were aged 40 or younger.

“The Nigerian middle class we surveyed has a monthly income of some $500-600 and nearly half will be buying fridges, freezers and other white goods, suggesting a consumer boom is under way,” said Charles Robertson. “We cite the upside for consumer lending retail, white-goods retail, lifestyle and leisure, housing development and home improvement.”

The survey made various findings on Nigeria’s middle class. Among them were the following: Average monthly income is in the range of N75,000 - 100,000 ($480-645, or roughly $6,000-7,000 pa).

It also found that the middle class are well educated: 92 per cent have obtained post-secondary education or have studied at an institution of higher learning. Educating their children well is a top priority, and over half send their children abroad to complete their education.

“A sizeable 76 per cent of Renaissance’s sample works in the public sector; of those working in the private sector, 38 per cent run their own businesses. Most of them live in leased/rented accommodation (68 per cent) with an average household size of 3.7 people. The average number of children in each household is 1.6 (excluding those away at school) vs a national average that is closer to 3; larger families are more common in rural areas,” the survey revealed.

According to the Rencap survey, nearly half of the middle class have no immediate plan to move house, 18 per cent are planning to move to a newly completed self-owned apartment, and eight per cent are planning to move to another rented apartment.

“The average number of cars per middle-class household is 0.8 (around one third of middle-class Nigerians have a car that is less than five years old); 5 per cent of homes have two cars. Car ownership remains well below levels seen in Zimbabwe, among others.

“The Nigerian middle class has a culture of saving: they care little about the deposit rate and do not expect to borrow from a bank. If they had the funds, they would rather invest in land/property than shares or bonds.

Most do not have mortgages (which represent approximately 1 per cent of GDP) or credit cards, although many expect to apply for the latter.

As in many emerging markets, the consumer lending sector is woefully underdeveloped,” it stated.

Their principal sources of information, the survey noted, are TV and radio. “Forty-eight per cent have internet access, but only 2 per cent shop online at least once a month. There is huge scope for internet shopping, if logistics allow. The majority shop at open-air markets (73 per cent), as well as use convenience stores (62 per cent). Twenty per cent dine out at least once a week,” it added.

From the detailed findings, only 15 per cent of this class have travelled abroad; 35 per cent of households have at least one person with an international passport, while the United Kingdom is the most favoured travel destination.

“Their key areas of concern over the next 12 months are the supply of electricity and unemployment, with between 19-23 per cent citing these as concerns; while crime (5 per cent) and corruption (3.5 per cent) are seen as far less concerning. Three-quarters are optimistic about the future of Nigeria,” the survey added.

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