Amotekun: Guideline On How outfit will operate in Southwest states

AgegePulse Magazine

 Robert Egbe


DETAILS of the operational guideline of the Southwest security outfit, Operation Amotekun, has emerged.

According to the draft bill for the security outfit which is before state legislatures, obtained by The Nation, a governing board with sweeping powers will oversee the security outfit in each of the states.



But the day-to-day activity will be run by the Amotekun corps commander, to be appointed by the governor.

It is a uniform bill that will be passed by each of the six states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti legislatures.

The Operation Amotekun in each of the states will work as separate entities unlike the planned regional structure.

However, they will collaborate with one another, sharing intelligence and meeting quarterly or as decided, to secure the region.

A section of the bill states that the commander “will hold meeting with the counterpart in other states in the region on a quarterly basis or as may be collectively determined by the corps commander in those states.



The bill adds that the functions of the security agency include collaborating with and assisting the Police and other security network agencies in gathering information about crime and maintaining law and order.

It shall also have powers of arrest and prosecution of persons suspected or involved in kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, cultism, highway robbery and other criminal activities.

Its day and night patrol will cover all major roads, remote areas, hinterland, forests and inland waterways in the region.

The Amotekun Corps shall have the power to bear licensed arms subject to the approval of the inspector general of Police.

The bill also states that Operation Amotekun shall have power to identify, arrest and register offenders, but such suspects must be “promptly handed over to the nearest police station or post.”

They will also be empowered to disarm unauthorised persons in possession of arms and other dangerous weapons.


Section 19 of the bill stated that all Nigerians with integrity, irrespective of their ethnic group, are eligible to join Amotekun, provided they are without criminal record and are endorsed by local authorities.

The bill also provides for the establishment of an Independent Corps Compliants Board comprised of three members, including a chairman who should be a retired judge or magistrate.

The board shall have power to investigate complaints against the operations of the security outfit.

The funding of the security outfit shall be through subvention from the state governments, gifts and donations from individuals and corporate bodies and any other money or property, which may in any way became payable to or vested in the agency.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, said yesterday.

“The gist of the bill is that it establishes a security network agency with a board and in Section 3 of it, it specifically allows for the contiguous states within the Southwest to collaborate with each other. So, this bill is to enable the Southwest governors to deliver on their constitutional responsibilities under Section 4 of the 1999 constitutional that imposes the obligation for the protection of lives and property, not only on the federal government but for the state and local government.

“So, we have a situation where these network is established to complement the police and security agencies in the light of the insecurity incidence, not only in the Southwest, but all over Nigeria. It must be noted that the primary obligation for policing in the constitution is vested in the Nigeria Police,  but there are also constitutional obligations imposed on the state and government at the local level to ensure security or lives and property and this is what is taking place. It is a complementary Security network outfit.

“The laws allow for collaborations between the zonal and state commanders of each state. For instance, Oyo State Commander can collaborate with the Osun State Commander and of course, that can also extend to all the six Southwest states, if there is a common threat that arises within the zone.

On arms bearing, the Commissioner for Justice said: “There is a provision in the Amotekun law that is in compliance with the extant laws in Nigeria to bear arms and that is the seeking the President’s permit. So, you can’t bear arms without permit.”

Minimum Wage: We Can Only Pay N30,000 If We Sack Some Workers — Governors

AgegePulse Magazine

Thirty-six state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, met last night in Abuja, saying only Lagos State Government can pay the new minimum wage of N30,000.

The governors also resolved to downsize, if they must pay the new minimum wage.

Members of the committee to see President Buhari are governors of Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode; Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Dave Umahi of Benue State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; and Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

The governors insisted that though they were willing to pay any amount, asking all states to pay N30,000 demanded by organized labour would render many states bankrupt, saying the only way states could pay was to either downsize their workforce or the Federal Government agrees to a new revenue allocation formula.

Native Reporters

We were not elected to only pay salaries, governors declare

• Resign if you can’t pay, workers tell govs

Olusola Fabiyi and Eniola Akinkuotu

Governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, have said that they are not elected to only pay salaries of civil servants.

They argued they were also elected to provide good roads, electricity, education and other necessary amenities for the people.

They said there was no way they could perform magic if there were no funds to work with.

They therefore called for the examination of the national income in the last 14 years to enable them to agree on the contentious issue of minimum wage implementation.

Chairman of the NGF, who is also the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, made their position known to journalists after the meeting of the governors in Abuja on Wednesday night.

One of our correspondents reports that the committee working on the minimum wage is almost concluding negotiations on the matter.

The Federal Government had set a September date to roll out a new minimum wage for workers.

The Nigeria Labour Congress is proposing a minimum wage of N65,000 for workers, but the governors are insisting on the gradual implementation of the new wage,  if eventually approved.

Yari said it was a pity that state governors had been limited to the payment of salaries alone in their respective states.

He said the lack of funds had hindered them from carrying out their responsibilities in other sectors such as health, electricity, education, roads, among others.

On minimum wage, he said, “We have a committee of six which represents us in discussions in the committee headed by the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

“The committee has yet to give us the final report. They have given us an interim report that at the Federal Government level, over 82 per cent is being spent on overheads which cannot move the country forward in terms of infrastructure development and development that we need now.

“So, on our own part, we are saying we are going to look at how our income is taken from our final account from 14 years ago so that we can come up and stay in the middle.”

Talks of offers from Buhari or APC unfortunate, Saraki says

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has debunked speculations of offers being made to him by the Presidency and All Progressives Congress to keep him in the party.

He said that though there had had been discussions on some national issues, talks of offers to him by APC leadership or President Muhammadu Buhari was not only untrue but unfortunate.

The media had reported that the Presidency and APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, had made overtures to influential leaders of Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), which had stalled their planned mass defection from the party.

The  reports had said that Buhari, his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo; and four APC governors allegedly met on Thursday with Saraki, to discuss the grievances of R-APC and some other members.

Oshiomhole was also said to have met one-on-one with Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and governors of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal and Samuel Ortom of Benue states.
Oshiomhole was also reported to have met with former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwakwaso; and APC caucus in the National Assembly, with a view to dousing the defection threat.

But in a statement on Monday in Abuja by Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Saraki said was myopic for anybody to talk about certain offers being made to an individual.
He said that the future of the country and its democracy were at stake, and not the issue of give-and-take.
Saraki said, “I saw some reports talking about promise of money or oil block and nomination tickets.
“Those viewing the ongoing development in that context are simply reducing a major national issue involving many key actors to that of personal benefits and preferences.

I believe at this point (that) it is important for me to make some clarifications, end speculations and make my position clear.
“It is important for Nigerians to know that the discussions that I and many others of like minds are having with the Presidency and leadership of APC is not about me and what I want.

“It involves the future of our country and her democracy. It is about making things better for our people.
“Though there are many speculations being peddled in the media, let it be known that these discussions are not about me.

“Our focus should now be about Nigeria. The major issue on the table for discussion is how to strengthen our democracy, rebuild our economy and stop the spate of insecurity.

“It is also to improve the conditions of living of our people and generally chart a course for the development of this great country.”

(NAN)

COWLSO holds 17th edition, She Creates, She Transforms

Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO holds 17th edition as cream de la cream of Nigeria's society circle throng Eko Hotel and Suites to celebrate women.

Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Dolapo Osinbajo, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Goodwin Obaseki of Edo State, Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu, Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Idiat Adebule, TGPS Dr. Yinka Ayandele, first lady of Rivers State, Males and Females Lagos State officials.

Stay tune for updates on the colourful event.
Photo Credit: Agege Pulse Magazine

See images below:

Gov. Ambode appointed as Chairman of Southern Governors Forum (SGF) in Lagos

.Southern Governors unite on true federalism, devolution of powers

…To collaborate on security, infrastructure, economy

For the first time in 12 years, Governors of the Southern States of Nigeria on Monday met in Lagos, where they unanimously reiterated the call for true federalism and devolution of powers to States.

The Governors, in a communique at the end of the meeting read by the host Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, also resolved to collaborate with one another for the growth and development of their economies.

Aside Governor Ambode, the meeting was attended by Governors of Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo, Seantor Abiola Ajimobi; Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ebonyi, David Umahi; Edo, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Ondo, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Abia, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu, Mr. Henry Ugwuanyi; Bayelsa, Mr. Seriaki Dickson and Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Governors of Cross River, Anambra and Delta were represented by their Deputies - Mr. Evara Esu; Dr. Ikem Okeke and Mr. Kingsley Otuaru respectively.

Continuing with the communique, Governor Ambode said the Governors after extensive deliberations, also emphasized priority on security and lives and property of citizens of the regions, while also resolving to work on effective linkage on good infrastructure across the 17 States in the region.

At the meeting, Governor Ambode was unanimously appointed as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum (SGF) while Governors Seriaki Dickson of Bayelsa and David Umahi of Ebonyi States were appointed as Co- Chairmen of the Forum.
The Forum also scheduled the next meeting for Port Harcourt in a yet to be announced date.

Earlier, Governor Ambode, while welcoming his colleagues to the meeting, reflected on the clamour for true federalism and devolution of powers, saying that states will benefit from the envisaged restructuring.

He said the goals of true federalism, which included the strengthening of autonomy and the enhancement of fiscal viability will enable the states to develop at their own pace and based on their peculiarities.

He said the forum had achieved an increased awareness on the sustenance of the national question germane to peaceful co-existence in the country.

However, he said there is a lot to be done and achieved, stressing that true federalism required urgent, meticulous and proactive attention by the forum.

Ambode frowned at what he described as the non-periodic review of the revenue formula as provided by the constitution to reflect evolving realities.

He said the review is crucial to enhance the viability of states and local government and their capacity to fulfil their developmental roles in the polity.

The governor added: “States are disparaged for always carrying begging bowls to Abuja in quest of hand-outs from the Federal Government. This is a function of our present national constitution that burdens the Federal Government with activities and responsibilities that rightly fall within the province of states.

“The productivity and revenue-generating capacities of most states are thus stifled, thus turning them into no better than street beggar states incapable of even meeting routine obligations of paying workers’ salaries and pensions without federal support.”

Ambode recalled that Lagos State had fought and won several legal battles since 1999 that have systematically strengthened her autonomy and enhanced her fiscal viability.

He noted that the state had won the legal control over the management of its environment, the control of urban and physical planning, the regulation of overhead masts, the registration and regulation of hotels and restaurants, and the control of inland waterways.

Ambode said these victories belonged, not only to Lagos, but also to other states, adding that, if Lagos could achieve so much by fighting alone, the Southern Governors’ Forum will accomplish more through collective planning and strategy.
The governor said the forum has been reactivated at the time the National Assembly is harmonising its differences over the 1999 Constitution amendment, which will soon be transmitted to the Houses of Assembly for approval

He said: “It is important for this forum to comprehensively look at the proposed amendments with a view to working with our respective Houses of Assembly to ensure a coordinated response on our part that will strengthen the practice of democracy, federalism, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Ambode clarified that, while pushing for greater devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources from the centre to the states, the goal of the forum is neither to a weak centre and strong states and vice versa.

The governor paid tribute to former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu for his initiave, recalling that he hosted the first meeting of the forum in Akodo Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, whe he was at the helm of affairs.

He said while the initiative was received with mixed feelings at the time, Tinubu was vindicated later because of its achievements as the forum became a vocal voice on maters of critical importance, not only to the Southern Nigeria, but to the country as a whole.

Ambode hailed the forum for advocating for a special allocation to oil-producing states in the Federation Account, adding that its agitation led to the current 13 per cent revenue derivation and allocation from the Federation Account.

He said: “Another major victory won towards strengthening the country’s practice of true federalism was the declaration by the Supreme Court in 2002 that the then prevalent practice of the Federal Government deducting monies from the Federation Account as a first charge for the funding of Joint Venture Contracts, the NNPC priority projects, servicing of Federal Government’s external debt, the judiciary and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other federal obligations were illegal and unconstitutional.

“The Supreme Court in that case abolished the special funds created by the Federal Government to enable it draw funds from the Federation Account to pay for matters that fell within its exclusive responsibility before sharing whatever was left with states and local governments.”