Budum community, Maiduguri Nigerian Army use ARSON as a weapon of war! By Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri

BUDUM UNDER SIEGE

By Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri

Pandemonium, fear, anxiety and bloodshed characterized the Joint Task Force’s (JTF’s) manhunt for members of the Boko Haram sect in Budum community, Maiduguri on Sunday night, February 12, 2012. There are deep concerns that the human rights of local residents may have been threatened or violated in the course of JTF’s anti-insurgency operations.

The first call came in at 9.15 p.m. The Hausa accent was too thick, and I could hardly comprehend the information being conveyed to me. But from the tone of the messenger, there was trouble. Few minutes later, another call came in from a local contact that calls me regularly. Fear, apprehension was clearly evident in his entire narrative. Without the regular exchange of pleasantries, he informed about the heavy presence of soldiers in their community, and some buildings were allegedly being burnt with occupants inside. The caller hung up immediately, giving me no time to interrogate his claims.

Almost immediately, another call came through. “I am very afraid. Villagers and young men are trooping to my house to hide. Deafening gunshots have caused residents, especially our women and children to scamper for safety. Soldiers are moving from house-to-house looking for our men, and burning down some houses. Please come to our help”. That was the local Imam that lives beside a small mosque in Budum community, near the Shehu of Borno’s palace. The news left me speechless and confused for several minutes.

I was jolted back to consciousness by two subsequent calls from unfamiliar numbers and callers. I always pick my calls as long as its work related. Somebody must have spread my number round urging people to call me. Then, the 5th caller or so came through, this time around a woman. I could hear the screams of children in the background. I could hear several voices and jostling feet as though people were running. That call came in exactly at 10.01 p.m. That particular call hit me like a thunderbolt, and I knew right then that it wasn’t a hoax.

Based on my firsthand understanding of JTF’S combat engagement strategy, any area used by the sect to perpetrate their operations is designated as a military target. “Persons who allow their surroundings or frontage to be used by the Boko Haram sect to attack people or security agencies would be considered as collaborators, and will be treated as criminals,” JTF told SERAC last year. During a similar July 2011 reprisal attack by soldiers in Budum community, in Maiduguri, the JTF conducted a house-to-house search specifically in search of men. The unlucky one that were found were shot dead right in front of their homes. Could that be the reason why the men escaped at the sight of the soldiers?

First off, I sent text messages to some senior members of the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri. I began to call everyone I knew that had some influence and access to the people “above”, including my contacts and colleagues in the local media, Amnesty International, United Nations and other international organizations. Lucky enough, I was able to speak with the JTF authorities exactly at 10.05 p.m. They confirmed the incident, explaining that some of their men had been attacked and killed by the Boko Haram sect hiding among residents within Budum community in Maiduguri. Two soldiers were allegedly, severely wounded and hospitalized. “Yes, we have launched a house-to-house search, but we are observing the rules of engagement. We are rescuing the women and children first….But they must produce their husbands. We are looking for the men”, said JTF.

For me, the JTF’s statement was a corroboration of the community narratives, or at least, it helped to fill in the blank spaces. At about 1.00 a.m., I got additional information about the chaos in Budum community. I learnt that few hours earlier, Boko Haram members had embarked on a beheading spree, with about 9 victims matcheted to death. Also, some soldiers were allegedly killed and wounded during a bloody counter-attack operation that left additional people dead and severely wounded. The JTF had to launch a house-to-house search to fish out the assailants and rescue some of their men. From the various narratives of the residents, the JTF, and private citizens, it is easy to deduce an extremely violent reprisal attack had taken place. The number of casualties remains unknown but it hovers between 12 and 15.
Something strange happened at about 1.30 p.m: the telephone lines of all the community contacts that I had been communicating regularly with all went dead. They were suddenly switched off. All of them! Up till this time, I have been unable to speak with local community leaders and residents. All desperate attempts to confirm their whereabouts and state of health have been futile. Based on the findings of the July 2011 fact-finding mission to Maiduguri, there are ample reasons to doubt that capacity of security operatives to undertake anti-insurgency operations in ways that minimize risks to civilians.

The Social and Economic Rights Actin Center (SERAC) conducted a fact-finding mission to Maiduguri between July 24-27, 2011 to gain first-hand information into the root causes of the Boko Haram insurgency. As stated in the mission report, the ‘The Killing Fields of Maiduguri”, the Nigerian Government must take urgent and concrete measures towards reviewing and re-directing the operational methods, processes and procedures of the Joint Task Force to be in tune with the democratic environment and attributes of the rule of law, due process and respect for human rights. When the state fails to prevent systematic denials or violations of citizen’s right, and paying due regard to the special needs of women and children especially in periods of emergency, this failure is a fundamental human rights violation.

Absolute mistrust, suspicion, and fear characterize the relationship between the security operatives and the local populations, undermining intelligence undertakings that would lead to the definite identification and extirpation of the sect’s members and activities. Areas lived by the poor are often criminalized and labeled as Boko Haram hideouts to justify the extreme security surveillance and violent incursions by soldiers. Often, these incursions are accompanied by severe violence, with victims on many occasions arrested, detained and in some cases, killed.
Based on the sentiments shared by several persons interviewed in Budum Community in July last year, SERAC found that the greater the force employed by the JTF in the areas designated as military targets, the greater the sympathy those affected communities have for the Boko Haram sect, to the extent that majority of them are hesitant or outrightly unwilling to provide information to the police on the hideouts and activities of the sect members.

While acknowledging the bravery and commitment of the JTF soldiers toward stamping out vicious elements behind the violence, insecurity and fundamentalism witnessed in the northern part of the country, concrete steps must be taken to integrate respect for human rights into their engagement strategies, peacekeeping and peace-building efforts. Most importantly, strengthening respect for human rights is a critical step towards the re-establishment of a climate of peace in the region.
..

Ribadu Committee & GEJ'S TOR is a DIRECT DUPLICATION OF NEITI ACT 2007

READERS PLEASE COMPARE

Ministry of Petroleum Resources – Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force

Abuja, Nigeria 07. February 2012 -- Consistent with the policies and promises of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Administration, and underpinned by the yearnings of the people of Nigeria for transparency in the Petroleum Industry, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has set up a Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force designed to enhance probity and accountability in operations of the Petroleum Industry. The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, whose membership is listed below, is charged with the following terms of reference:

Terms of Reference
1. To work with consultants and experts to determine and verify all petroleum upstream and downstream revenues (taxes, royalties, etc.) due and payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria;

2. To take all necessary steps to collect all debts due and owing; to obtain agreements and enforce payment terms by all oil industry operators;

3. To design a cross debt matrix between all Agencies and Parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;

4. To develop an automated platform to enable effective tracking, monitoring, and online validation of income and debt drivers of all Parastatals and Agencies in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources;

5. To work with world-class consultants to integrate systems and technology across the production chain to determine and monitor crude oil production and exports, ensuring at all times, the integrity of payments to the Federal Government of Nigeria; and,

6. To submit monthly reports for Ministerial review and further action.

Members
1. Mallan Nuhu Ribadu - Chairman
2. Mr. Steve Oronsaye - Dep. Chairman
3. Mallan Abba Kyari - Member
4. Ms. Benedicta Molokwu - Member
5. Mr. Supo Sasore, SAN - Member
6. Mr. Tony Idigbe, SAN - Member
7. Mr. Anthony George-Ikoli, SAN - Member
8. Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji - Member
9. Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN - Member
10. Mr. Ituah Ighodalo - Member
11. Mr. Bon Otti - Member
12. Mallam Samaila Zubairu - Member
13. Mr. Ignatius Adegunle - Member
14. Mr. Gerald Ilukwe - Member
15. Rep. of FIRS - Ex-Officio
16. Rep. of FMF - Ex-Officio
17. Rep. of HAGF/ HMJ - Ex-Officio
18. Rep. of OAGF - Ex-Officio
19. Rep. of DPR - Ex-Officio
20. Rep. of NNPC - Ex-Officio

Signed

Goni M. Sheikh
Permanent Secretary
Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

With NEITI ACT 2007

1 ANNEX H: NEITI Act (Reproduction)
NIGERIA EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY
INITIATIVE, (NEITI) ACT, 2007
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Act provides for the establishment of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency

Initiative (NEITI charged with the responsibility, among other things, for the
development of a framework for transparency and accountability in the reporting and
disclosure by all extractive industry companies of revenue due to or paid to the Federal
Government.

NIGERIA EXTRACTIVE INDUSRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE
(NEITI) ACT, 2007
A BILL
FOR
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NIGERIA
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (NEITI) AND
FOR RELATED MATTERS.
Enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
1. (1) There is established a body to be know as the Nigeria Extractive Industries
Transparency initiative, (in this Act referred to as “the NEITI”.)
(2) The NEITI:
(a) shall be an autonomous self-accounting body, which shall report to the
President and the National Assembly,
(b) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession with a common seal,
and
(c) may:
(i) sue and be sued in its corporate name, and
(ii) acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable properties in
the discharge of its functions under this Act.
2. The primary objectives of the NEITI are:
2
(a) to ensure due process and transparency in the payments made by all
extractive industry companies to the Federal Government and statutory
recipients.
(b) to monitor and ensure accountability in the revenue receipts of the Federal
Government from extractive industry companies.
(c) to eliminate all forms of corrupt practices in the determination, payments,
receipts and posting of revenue accruing to the Federal Government from
extractive industry companies;
(d) to ensure transparency and accountability by government in the
application of resources from payment received from extractive industry
companies, and
(e) to ensure conformity with the principles of Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative
3. For the purpose of realizing its objectives under this Act. The NEITI shall
perform the following functions:
(a) develop a framework for transparency and accountability in the reporting
and disclosure by all extractive industry companies of revenue due to or paid
to the Federal Government;
(b) evaluate without prejudice to any relevant contractual obligations and
sovereign obligations the practices of all extractive industry companies and
government respectively regarding acquisition of acreages, budgeting,
contracting, materials procurement and production cost profile in order to
ensure due process, transparency and accountability.
(c) ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the
investment of the Federal Government in all extractive industry companies,
(d) obtain, as may be deemed necessary, from any extractive industry
company an accurate record of the cost of production and volume of safe of
oil, gas or other minerals extracted by the company at my period, provided
that such information shall not be used in any manner prejudicial to the
contractual obligation or proprietary interests of the extractive industry
company,
(e) request from any company in the extractive industry, or from any relevant
organ of the Federal State or Local Government, an accurate account of
money paid by and received from the company at any period, as revenue
accruing to the Federal Government from such company for that period;
provided that such information shall not be used in a manner prejudicial to
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contractual obligations or proprietary interest of the extractive industry
company or sovereign obligations of Government,
(f) monitor and ensure that all payments due to the Federal Government from
all extractive industry companies, including taxes, royalties, dividends,
bonuses, penalties, levels and such like are duly made;
(g) identify lapses and undertake measures that shall enhance the capacity of
any relevant organ of the Federal State or Local Government having statutory
responsibility to monitor revenue payments by all extractive industry
companies to the Federal Government,
(h) disseminate by way of publication of records, report or otherwise any
information concerning the revenues received by the Federal Government
from all extractive industry companies as it may consider necessary;
(i) promote or undertake any other activity related to its functions and which
in its opinion, is calculated to help achieve its overall objectives as
enumerated in section 2 of this Act;
(j) ensure that all fiscal allocations and statutory disbursements due from the
Federal Government to statutory recipients are duly made.
4. (1) The NEITI shall in each financial year appoint independent auditors for
the purpose of Appointment auditing the total revenue which accrued to the
Federal Government for that year from extractive industry companies, in order
to determine the accuracy of payments and receipts.
(2) The independent auditors appointed under subsection (1) of this section
shall undertake a physical, process and financial audit on such terms and
conditions as may be approved by the National Stakeholders Working Group
(NSWG).
(3) Upon the completion of an audit, the independent auditors shall submit
the reports together with comments of the Extractive Industries Company to
the NEITI, which shall cause same to be disseminated to the National
Assembly and the Auditor-General of the Federation and also ensure their
publication.
(4) The NEITI shall submit a bi-annual report of its activities to the President
and National Assembly.
(5) An auditor or auditing firm that has audited any extractive industry
company in any given year shall not be appointed in the same year for the
purposes of subsection (2) of this section.
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(6) An auditor or auditing firm shall not be engaged for more than two years
consecutively for the purposes of subsection (2) of this section.
(7) The Auditor-General of the Federation shall not later than 3 months after
the submission of the audit report to the National Assembly publish any
comment made or action taken by the Government on the audit reports.
5. (1) The governing body of the NEITI shall be the National Stakeholders
Working Group (in this Act referred to as “the NSWG”)
(2) The NSWG shall be responsible for the formulation of policies,
programmes and strategies for the effective implementation of the objectives and
the discharges of the functions of the NEITI.
(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2) of this section, the NSWG shall have
powers to recommend the annual budget and work-plan of the NEITI and ensure
the periodic review of programmes performance by the NEITI.
6. (1) The NSWG shall be constituted by the President and shall consist of a
chairman and no more than 14 other members one of whom shall be an Executive
Secretary.
(2) (a) In making appointment into the NSWG, the President shall
include:
(i) representative of extractive industry companies,
(ii) representative of Civil Society,
(iii) representative of Labour Unions in the extractive Industries,
(iv) experts in the extractive industry, and
(v) one member from each of the six geopolitical zones.
(b) the Chairman and other members of NSWG other than the Executive
Secretary shall serve on part-time basis.
(3) The appointment of Executive Secretary shall be for 5 years and no more.
7. A person appointed as a member of the NSWG shall hold office for 4 years and
no more.
8. The members of the NSWG as well as any person appointed to any of its special
committees under section 2 may be paid such allowances out of the funds of the
5
NEITI as the National Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission may
approve.
9. (1) The NSWG shall ordinarily meet quarterly for the dispatch of business at
such times and places as it may determine, but not less than four times in a year.
(2) At every meeting of the NSWG, the Chairman shall preside and in his
absence, a member of the NSWG appointed by the members from among
themselves shall preside.
(3) Questions proposed at a meeting of NSWG shall be determined by a
simple majority of members present and voting and in the event of an equality of
votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.
(4) The NSWG may at any time co-opt any person to act as an adviser at any
of its meetings but no person so co-opted shall be entitled to vote at any meeting.
(5) The validity of the proceedings of the NSWG shall not be affected by the
absence of any member, vacancy among its membership or by any defect in the
appointment of any of the members.
10. The quorum of the NSWG at any meeting shall be 8 members.
11. The NSWG may constitute such special committees as it considers fit to deal
different aspects of its responsibilities.
12. (1) The NSWG may create departments and engage the services of such staff
and consultants as it may consider necessary for the NEITI.
(2) The NEITI shall have an Executive Secretary who shall
(a) be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the NSWG
provided he is a graduate with relevant qualifications and at least 10 years cognate
experience;
(b) be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the NEITI; and
(c) serve as Secretary to NSWG.
(3) The staff and consultants of the NEITI may be engaged on such terms and
conditions as the NSWG may determine.
(4) The NSWG shall fix the remunerations, allowances and benefits of the
staff and consultants of the NEITI.
6
(5) (a) The NSWG shall recommend to the President for appointment,
qualified validator line with NEITI guidelines as contained in second schedule to
this Act; and
(b) NSWG shall fix the remunerations, allowances and benefits for the
validators.
13. (1) The funds of the NEITI shall consist of:
(a) such sums as may be provided by the Federal Government and
appropriated by the National Assembly based on the budget submitted by the
NSWG and which shall be released as and when due; and
(b) such sums as may be paid to the NEITI by way of grants,
donations and gifts provided the sources of such grants, donations and gifts are
properly disclosed and not in conflict with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The NEITI shall apply the proceeds of the funds established under section
13 (1) of this Act to the
(a) cost of administration;
(b) payment of salaries, allowances and benefits to members of the NSWG or any
of its committees;
(c) payment of salaries, remunerations, allowances, pensions benefits to officers
and employees for NEITI;
(d) payment of all purchases;
(e) payment for all contracts, including mobilization, fluctuation, variations, legal
fees and cost of contract-administration; and
(f) carrying out of other activities that would promote its objectives which are
connected to all or any of the functions of NEITI under this Act, and
(g) payment for validators.
(3) The Government body of NEITI, the NSWG, shall not later than 30th
September in each year, submit to the President and the National Assembly an
estimate of the expenditure and income of NEITI during the succeeding year and
the NEITI shall cause to be kept proper accounts in respect of each year and
proper records in relation thereto.
14. (1) the NEITI shall cause the account of total revenue which accrued to the
Federal Government from all extractive industry companies, its receipts,
7
payments, assets and liabilities to be audited not later than 6 months after the end
of each year by independent auditors appointed on such terms and conditions as
the NSWG may approve and on the confirmation of the audit, the independent
auditor shall submit the report with comments of the audited entity to the NEITI
which shall cause same to be published for the information of the public, provided
that the contents of such report shall not be published in a manner prejudicial to
the contractual obligations or proprietary interests of the audited entity.
(2) The NEITI shall have power to borrow money from banks with the approval
of NSWG.
(3) The NEITI shall prepare and submit to the President and the National
Assembly not later that 30th September in each year, a report of its activities
during the immediate preceding year, and shall include in such report the audited
accounts of the NEITI for that year and the auditor’s report thereon.
15. (1) the NEITI shall maintain bank accounts, the signatories of which shall be
determined by the NSWG in accordance with the regulation made pursuant
hereto.
(2) The accounts may be opened in such banks as the NSWG may determine.
16. (1) An extractive industry company which
(a) gives false information or report to the Federal Government or its agency
regarding its volume or production, sales and income; or
(b) renders false statement of account of fails to render a statement of account
required under this Act to the Federal Government or its agencies, resulting in the
underpayment of non-payment of revenue accruable to the Federal Government
or statutory recipients commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not
less than N30,000,000.
(2) Where the Extractive industry has been convicted of an offence under subsection
(1) of this section, the court shall, in addition to the penalty prescribed
there under, order the company to pay the actual amount of revenue due to the
Federal Government.
(3) An extractive industry company which delays or refuses to give information or
report under this Act, or willfully or negligently fails to perform its obligations
under this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not less
than N30,000,000.
(4) Without prejudice to subsections (1), and (2) and (3) of this section, the
President may on the recommendation of the NSWG suspend or revoke the
operational license of any extractive industry company which fails to perform its
obligations under this Act.
8
(5) If any extractive industry company commits an offense against the Act, every
Director or other persons concerned in the management of the company commits
the offense and is liable on conviction to not less than 2 years imprisonment or a
fine not less than N5,000,000 unless that person proves that
(a) the offense was committed without his consent or connivance, and
(b) the person exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of
the offense as ought to have been exercised by that person, having regard
to the nature of his functions in that company and to all the circumstance.
(6) A government official who renders false statement of account or fails to
render a statement of account required under this Act to the Federal Government
or its agencies, resulting in the underpayment or non-payment of revenue
accruable to the Federal Government or statutory recipients, commits an offense
and is liable on conviction to not less than 2 years imprisonment or a fine not less
than N5,000,000, unless that person proves that
(a) the offense was committed without his consent or connivance, and
(b) the person exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of
the offense as ought to have been exercised by that person, having regard
to the nature of his functions in that company and to all the circumstance.
17. The NSWG may make regulations as it may consider expedient for the purpose of
giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for regulating any matter that fails
within the scope of the functions of the NEITI.
18. Subject to the provisions of this Act, no suit shall be commenced against NEITI
before the expiration of 30 days after written notice of an intention to commence
the suit shall have been served upon NEITI as a defendant or its agent, and the
notice shall clearly and explicitly state:
(a) the cause of action,
(b) the particulars of the claim,
(c) the names of the legal practitioners representing the plaintiff and their
addresses, and
(d) the relief sought.
19. (1) The Executive Secretary of the NEITI, his officers, employees or agents shall
personally be subject to any action, claim or demand by, or liable to any person in
respect anything done or omitted to be done in the exercise of any function or
power conferred by this Act upon the NEITI or member of the NSWG.
9
(2) A member of the NSWG, the Executive Secretary or any officer of the NEITI
shall be indemnified out of the funds of the NEITI against any liability incurred
by him in defending any proceeding, whether civil or criminal, if the proceeding
is brought against him in his capacity as a member of NSWG, Executive
Secretary, officer or any employee of the NEITI.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the Public Officers
Protection Act shall apply in relation to any suit instituted against any officer, or
employee of NEITI or member of the NSWG.
20. A notice, summons, other court process, other documents required or authorized
to be served upon the NEITI under the provisions of this Act, any other law or
enactment shall and be served by delivering it to the Executive Secretary or by
sending it by registered post and addressed to the Executive Secretary at the
principal office of the NEITI.
21. In this Act:
“Extractive Industry Company” means any company in Nigeria that is engaged in
the business of prospecting, mining, extracting, processing and distributing
minerals and gas including oil, gold, coal, tin, bitumen, diamonds, precious stones
and such like, includes
any agency or body responsible for the payment of extractive industry proceeds to
the Federal Government or its Statutory Recipient.
“Federal Government” means the Federal government of Nigeria.
“Government” means the three tiers of the government of Nigeria, including
Federal, State and Local Government, and their respective Ministries, agencies
and departments.
“President” means the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
Federal Republic of Nigeria;
“Statutory Recipient” means any entity to whom by law, extractive industry
companies or Government are obliged to make payments,
“Extractive Industry Expert” means a person who has spent a minimum of ten
(10) years in a management position in the extractive industry.
“NSWG” means National Stakeholders Working Group.
22. This Act may be cited as the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
Act 2007.
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SCHEDULE Section 2(7)
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE NIGERIA
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE, ETC.
Proceedings of the Governing Body
1-(1) Subject and section 27 of the Interpretation Act, Cap. 192 LFN, 1990 the NSWG
may make standing order to regulate its proceedings for those of any of its
Committee.
(2) The quorum of the NSWG shall be the Chairman or any other person presiding at
a meeting in his absence and 4 other members of the governing body and the
quorum of any Committee shall be as determined by the governing body.
2-(1) The NSWG shall meet whenever it is summoned by the Chairman and if the
Chairman is required to do so by notice given to him by not less than 4 other
members, he shall summon a meeting of the NSWG to be held within 14 days
from the date on which the notice was given.
(2) At any meeting of the NSWG, the Chairman shall preside but if he is absent, the
members present at the meeting shall appoint one of them to preside at the
meeting.
(3) When the NSWG desire to obtain the advice of any person on a particular matter,
it may co-opt him for such period as it deems fit, but a person who is a member
by virtue of this sub-paragraph shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the
NSWG and shall not count towards a quorum.
(4) The NSWG shall ordinarily meet at such times and places as it may determine,
and for not less than four times in a year.
(5) Questions proposed at a meeting of the NSWG shall be determined by a simple
majority of members present and voting, and in the event of an equality of votes,
the Chairman or another person shall have a second or casting vote.
Committees
3-(1) The NSWG may appoint one of more Committee to carry out on its behalf such of
the functions of NEITI as it may determine.
(2) A Committee appointed under this paragraph shall consist of such number of
person as may be determined by the NSWG and a person shall hold office on the
Committee in accordance with the terms of his appointment.
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(3) A decision of a Committee shall not have effect until it is confirmed by the
NSWG.
Miscellaneous
4-(1) The fixing of the seal NEITI shall be authenticated by the signatures of the
Chairman and Secretary of the NSWG generally.
(2) Any contract or instrument which, if made or executed by a person not being a
body corporate could not be required to be under seal, may be made or executed
on behalf of NEITI by the Secretary of the NSWG generally or any other person
specifically authorized by the NSWG to act for that purpose.
(3) A document purporting to be duly executed under the seal of NEITI shall be
received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to be so
executed.
(4) The validity of any proceeding of the NSWG or of a Committee shall not be
adversely affected by
(a) A vacancy in the membership of the NSWG or a Committee, or
(b) A defect in the appointment of a member of the NSWG or Committee, or
(c) Reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings or the
NSWG or Committee.

'When the Nation Calls' Why I decided to serve in GEJ'S Govt. Nuhu Ribadu

I was greeted to numerous calls and mail yesterday when the administration announced my name as Chairman of the 21-man Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force.

Given my recent political pedigree, many inquirers naturally wanted to understand what was happening, and whether it was true that I was consulted and whether I would accept the offer.

The history of my life is a history of public service, and if we cast a honest gaze back to the recent protests in the wake of the oil subsidy removal, it will be clear to all that the biggest single victory Nigerians scored was to put the question of corruption squarely back on the top of our national policy agenda.

Regardless of our affiliations, our differences, and our engagements, it is at least safe to say that we have a national consensus on the deadly impact of corruption on our march to greatness, and on the capacity of our people, particularly the youth, to earn a decent, promising, life.

If we would effectively isolate and defeat this scourge therefore, we must all see it as a preeminent national security threat. We must see it as a war within our borders, a war that has assumed a systemic and endemic character, but to which all must now urgently enlist with our different capacities, or accept to all go down with the ship.

At this point in my life, it is also easy to answer the honest question if it is inappropriate to invest my modest talents and capacities to my country what I have readily offered many foreign communities, from sister nations in Africa to far flung places like Afghanistan. This, if nothing, makes my decision very personal, freeing all affiliations [social and political] of complicity, but investing the decision also with the unique character that when people reach evaluations in favour of their larger communities, it doesn’t necessarily blemish their moral identity.

This therefore is a national call. In answering it, I go back to the template of my own parents who taught me that honest public service is the greatest asset a person can offer his community. It was the same lesson I learnt from his biographical example when my own father returned home as a federal legislator in Lagos to take job as a local council official in Yola—its all about the community, and it is sometimes bigger than our personal egos.

NUHU RIBADU

AFGHANISTAN

The Firing Squad Joke President GEJ must not read. Written by 'UNKNOWN'

IBB, OBJ and GEJ were set to face a firing squad. IBB was the first one placed against the wall and just before the order was given he yelled out, "Earthquake!" The firing squad fell into a panic and He jumped over the wall and escaped in the confusion.

OBJ was the second one placed against the wall. The squad was reassembled and Baba pondered what he had just witnessed. Again before the order was given he yelled out, "Boko Haram, Again the squad fell apart and Baba slipped over the wall.

The last person, GEJ was placed against the wall. He was thinking, "I see the pattern here, just scream out something about a disaster and hop over the wall." He confidently refused the blindfold as the firing squad was reassembled. As the rifles were raised in his direction he grinned from ear to ear and yelled, "Fire!"

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