Group Backs Governor Ajimobi’s Endorsement of BATN Operations

For condemning Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on the account of his courtesy visit to the factory of British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), two civil society groups; Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, has been chided by People Empowerment and Good Governance Advocacy Network (PEGGAN), who labeled the coalition’s assertions as selfish, unrealistic, full of emotion and bereft of facts.

People Empowerment and Good Governance Advocacy Network (PEGGAN) in a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday and signed by its Executive Director, Adekola Ibironke, described the coalition’s attack on the Oyo state governor as uncalled for, unethical and one that should be ignored because it falls in the face of reason.

PEGGAN stated that a smoke-free society was unrealistic adding that the coalition was pursuing a cause that has plunged several countries into more economic and security woes. The group’s statement added Nigeria’s fragile economy cannot afford to discourage a firm like BAT at this time.

The group also urged both the Oyo State government and the Federal Governments to carefully consider legislations on sensitive industries like tobacco, oil and sugar so as not yield to calls by ill-advised people to pass laws that would be counter-productive and injurious to the consumer.

“The Coalition for a Smoke-free Society should at best be ignored. In as much as the coalition has the right to gather and air their views on matters of interest to them, one would expect them to offer reasonable views. The attack on Governor Ajimobi for visiting a good corporate citizen is to say the least unreasonable. It must be stated here that their views on the matter of tobacco use in the country smacks of hypocrisy, self serving and unrealistic.

“Let the coalition point to a country that has successfully practised what they are preaching. Take a look at Australia, Canada, South Africa, all these countries are reeling under the fallout of over regulating tobacco use. It cannot work; it will only boomerang as it is the case in these countries. Reports have shown that the over regulation of smoking has given birth to a thriving illicit tobacco industry that pose a graver health problem to public health,” the statement read.

The Coalition for a Smoke-free Society had criticized Governor Ajimobi for visiting the BATN factory, arguing that the company’s business investments which the governor hailed were anti-people. The coalition argued that BAT’s investment in Nigeria poses grievous danger to public health and called on governments at all level to further regulate smoking in the country.

PEGGAN, however, disagreed and argued that BATN’s investment in Nigeria has improved the country’s economic fortunes via employment generation and economic empowerment of farmers in the country.

“Rather than castigate Governor Ajimobi and BATN, we believe that the company should be encouraged. BATN currently employ thousands of Nigerians directly while its investments and operations has also given birth to feeder industries that are currently valued at over N100 million in the agriculture sector. No patriotic group will ask that such a company should be discouraged from doing business in the country,” Ibironke concluded.