Sunday 8th May 2016 new

To Block Stolen Wealth Safe Havens, Buhari Heads for Anti-graft Summit in London Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari will be heading for London on Tuesday to join other world leaders seeking for ways to dismantle safe havens for stolen wealth at an international Anti-Corruption Summit slated for Thursday

in the British capital.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari would deliver a keynote address titled: "Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together" on Wednesday at a pre-summit conference of

development partners, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups.

"As an internationally recognised leader in the global fight against corruption, President Buhari will play a prominent part in the

summit which will be hosted

by Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain with many other Heads of State and Government in attendance," Adesina said.

The statement said that Buhari was one of the world leaders scheduled to speak at the opening session of

the Anti-Corruption Summit with others, including Prime Minister Cameron and the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim. He said Buhari would later join other participating heads of State and Government at special plenary sessions on Exposing Corruption, Tackling

Corruption and Driving out Corruption.

Adesina, who gave an insight into what the president would say at the summit and interactions with other participating leaders, said the president Continued on page 8

Edu: IBB's Endless Transition Programme Derailed Political Devt by Giving Room for Demagogues... Page 84

Sunday 8 May, 2016 Vol 21. No 7683

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DHQ: We’ll Respond Decisively to Resurgent N’Delta Militants Refineries will not be shut, says NNPC

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Ejiofor Alike in Lagos The Nigerian military has vowed to deal decisively with the new onsluaght on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta by alleged militants. Director of Defence Information, Brigadiergeneral Rabe Abubakar,

who declared this yesterday, described the recent attacks on the oil infrastructure as the unpatriotic and callous handiwork of criminal gangs.

The new upswing in militant activities has resulted in the blowing up of major oil pipelines and destruction of economic facilities.

Abubakar said the Defence Headquarters was watching the renewed militancy, stressing that the military will be holistic and professional in their approach to the problem.

This was as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation hinted at the weekend that the at-

tacks last week, which targeted the EscravosWarri pipeline network that supplies feedstock to the Kaduna and Warri refineries, would not immediately stop operations at the plants. A top official of NNPC told THISDAY yesterday that the corporation had dispatched a

team of engineers to ascertain the extent of damage to the pipeline. He said, however, that the Warri and Kaduna refineries had enough crude for about nine days’ operation, allaying fears that the attack on the pipeline may intensfy fuel shortages.

Abubakar said regard-

ing the resuegent attacks on the oil and gas facilties, “This is no doubt a criminal activity and they will be treated as such at an appropriate time. The whole world is seeing the callous and unpatriotic activities of this gang. Our response Continued on page 8

THISDAY Awards Honours Doctors Anayo Okolie In line with its tradition of celebrating excellence, the 21st THISDAY Awards will celebrate Nigeria’s best doctors across 10 categories.

The categories include Internal Medicine, Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Public Health and Community Health, Surgery, and Dentistry, among others.

Already, an advisory panel of independent thinkers has been set up to set the criteria for selection of awardees. ...

The panel members include Herbert Wigwe, CEO/MD of L-R: Managing Partner, Okeke and Ajumogobia Law Firm, Mr. Ovie Okiri; CEO/Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, and Medical Director, Citizens Medical Centre Ikoyi, Dr. Ore Olumuyiwa, after the inaugural meeting of the AKINWUNMI IBRAHIM Continued on page 8 Advisory Panel of Independent Thinkers for the 21st THISDAY Awards in Lagos ...yesterday

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

ONYEMA AJUOGU

AMAZING STORY OF AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER

08.05.2016

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SUNDAY MAY 8, 2016 T H I S D AY

Simple banking

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 8, 2016

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SUNDAY MAY 8, 2016 T H I S D AY

We Are Passionate About Touching Lives Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and arguably one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century has been quoted countless times as saying "Responsibility is the price of greatness". No better truism captures the very essence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability than Churchill's assertion. Perhaps, you could say Mr. Churchill was speaking about personal greatness here.

But then, what are companies if not a group of people? People, who through their own quest to attain that pinnacle of success contribute to making an organisation truly great. At Fidelity Bank Plc, 'Doing Good' is deeply engraved in the very fabric of our existence. We strongly believe that our organisation and the communities in which we do business are in a symbiotic relationship.

Our CSR objectives rest on a tripod: Education, Health/Social Welfare, and talent, time and funds to support social causes in communities where we do business.

Through FHHP, we have initiated, developed and executed a good number of sustainable projects across all geo-political zones of the country, especially healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Bank completed renovation of hitherto derelict blocks of hostels at the Vesico-Vagina Fistula (VVF) centre in Kwalli and the Shagari Healthcare Centre, Gusau.

This ideology informs the many giant strides we have made in the area of CSR.

“

Responsibility is the price of greatness Winston Churchill Legendary British Prime Minister

Unveiling of the Kwalli VVF Centre, Kano by The Executive Governor of Kano State; Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje alongside Mohammed Balarabe, Ag. MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc recently.

Before

After

Before

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The Kano Team Did It

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Onaiyekan: Nigerians Using Herdsmen Attacks to Incite Religious Crisis Paul Obi and Kasim Suimana in Abuja The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Metropolitan See, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, yesterday said many Nigerians were now using the recent herdsmen attacks to fan embers of religious battle, discord and hatred among fellow citizens.

Onaiyekan stated this while unveiling a N300 million skill acquisitions and humanitarian centre, tagged Marian Soup Kitchen in Abuja. The centre was initiated by the priest of the Holy Cross Catholic Church Gwarinpa, Rev. Dr. Willy Ojukwu.

The Cardinal told the gathering that the rise of herdsmen attacks had continued to fuel division, hatred and religious

tension in the country, with severe consequences for the nation.

“There is a terrible wind blowing around our country right now. There are so many people who are fanning the flames of discord and of hatred and it is becoming very difficult to preach unity and mutual natural love and there are those who are already envisaging a clash between Christians and Muslims.

“There are those who are interpreting the clash between herdsmen and farmers as the front line of this battle.

Some are sharpening their cutlasses getting ready for the big battle,” Onaiyekan said.

He said: “Concerning the herdsmen, everybody knows what government should do

because one of the primary duties of government is to ensure security of life and property of all Nigerians; which means that where you have any group of people, whether they are herdsmen or kidnappers, or armed robbers, government should device ways of effectively checkmating them.”

He explained that even in the midst of this quagmire, there are still exceptional cases.

“Thanks be to God there are many Nigerians who believe that we are not doomed to kill one another and that there is hope for us to live together as fellow Nigerians.

“We have done it for many years. Despite the civil war, we have lived together and the civil war in any case was not a war between Christians

and Muslims. We have proved to the whole world that we can live together,” Onaiyekan added.

He further stated, “I will go all over the world boasting of this, telling them that in Nigeria, we have not less than 80 million Christians, 80 million Muslims, living side by side, day by day at every level of our lives, from the Executive Council meetings in Aso Villa down to the women in Wuse market. We must live together because nobody has anything to gain in conflicts, confusion and differences. Despite our differences, there is something common that we share.

“What the Sultan and I have been preaching all along is that the things that we have in common are much more

important than the things that divide us. Even in doctrine, to believe that there is one God, that is something great. Only a few mad people will tell us that the God of Christians is different from the God of the Muslims.

“To believe in this one God, that is something great. When we suffered Ebola disease outbreak in Nigeria, there was no Christian Ebola or Muslim Ebola. We all faced it together.

When we suffered from corruption and bad government, is it as if Christians are not concerned, only Muslim? Or, Muslims are not concerned, only Christians?

“Among the thieves, there are Christians and Muslims.

And among all of us who are suffering it are Christians and Muslims. We have a common task to insist on good government, to insist also on honesty in government. To do this, we must come together and fix our common challenges”, he added.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, represented

by the Executive Secretary, Abuja National Mosque Management Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, said government should do more for the less privileged, adding that Islam will never teach violence, insurgency and wanton killings.

Jega urged the youth to shun violence and stick to the teachings of both faiths.

He further encouraged the youths to make good use of the centre and also appealed to the management of Marian Soup Kitchen to make the centre as active and accessible as possible to the less privileged which is the core purpose for setting up the centre.

On his part, Ojukwu contended that “religion should not separate but unite us, hence, the promotion of inter-religious harmony from the grassroots. We should be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, hence the feeding of the hungry, counseling the downtrodden and giving hope to the hopeless from all segments of the society”.

THISDAY AWARDS HONOURS DOCTORS

IN HONOUR OF OSIFO

L-R: Former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo; former Permanent Secretary and chairman of the occasion, Chief Phillip Asiodu; and Chief Michael Omolayole, at a book presentation and reception in KOLAWOLE ALLI honour of Pa Felix M. Ogboyewebor Osifo at Amuwo Odofin, Lagos ... yesterday

DHQ: WE’LL RESPOND DECISIVELY TO RESURGENT N’DELTA MILITANTS will be holistic and professional, which will come at an appropriate time.

“The military and other security agencies will ensure the apprehension of these criminals and leave no stone unturned in this direction, in compliance with the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The DDI, however, urged the civiliaan pupulace in the Niger Delta not to be scared by the new attacks.

“The community leaders, oil companies, and innocent individuals should go about their legitimate endeavours, as the military and other security agencies have the capability to respond appropriately and guard our strategic assets and other platforms,” he said, adding, “We did it before and will do it now for the interest of our great nation, no matter who is involve.”

In a similar vein, the Commander of Operation Pulo Shield, a military taskforce in the Niger Delta, Major-general Alani Okunlola, said the military was doing everything in

their power to contain the militants.

“We are doing our bit,” Okunlola said, explaining that the DHQ would speak on the details of the plan to end the emergent attacks.

A senior naval officer disclosed at the weekend that the military and other security agencies would launch a massive offensive against the militants. “You will hear about it very soon and when we strike, the whole world will know.

We will give them a decisive and fatal blow,” the officer, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said. He added, “The plan is already being mapped out. Nigerians will know that we are on top of the situation.”

Meanwhile, an NNPC official said about the attack on the Escravos-Warri pipeline, which feeds the refineries in Warri and Kaduna operated by NNPC, “There were speculative reports that the attack affected the pipeline feeding Warri and Kaduna refineries. The refineries have not stopped operations and the corporation has

just dispatched a team of engineers to ascertain if it impacted Escravos-Warri pipeline because it feeds both refineries.

“Even if the pipeline is heavily impacted, it does not mean the refineries will be out of operation immediately, because the crude they have will last for the next eight or nine days.”

A previously unknown group, Niger Delta Avengers, had on Wednesday night bombed Chevron’s valve platform, an offshore oil facility located near Escravos in Abiteye, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident forced the company to shut in crude oil output from some fields in the western Niger Delta, while critical gas supply to thermal power stations in the country was threatened.

The attack, which occurred about 10.30pm, took place in Benikurukuru community, near Escravos, in the Ijaw axis of Gbaramatu Kingdom, hometown of ex-militant leader, who had been in hiding, Government Ekpemupolo,

popularly called Tompolo.

THISDAY had gathered from Chevron sources that the incident might potentially affect gas supply through the gas pipeline from Olero Creek to Escravos as well as the operation of Chevron’s tank farm, Chevron’s Abiteye flow station, the Sagara and Otuana flow stations, and the Sagara and Odidi pipelines. However, the volume of crude oil impacted was not immediately known.

But another attack late Thursday on Chevron’s three swamp flow stations in Warri South-West council area were said to have effectively wiped off 40,000 barrels per day of crude supply. NDA also claimed responsibility for the incident, which was the company’s second consecutive days’ mishap.

The latest attack was said to have affected three platforms in Makaraba, Otunana and Abiteye, leading to the loss of more than 40,000 barrels per day.

The attack also affected the gas pipeline of the Nigerian Gas Company, a subsidiary of NNPC.

Access Bank; Dr. Olumuyiwa Ore, Medical Director of Citizens Medical Centre, Ikoyi; and Mr. Ovie Okiri, Managing Partner, Okeke and Ajumogobia law firm.

Members of the panel held their inaugural meeting on the criteria for choosing Nigeria’s best doctors yesterday in Lagos.

For the past 21 years, THISDAY Awards has been celebrating good governance in Nigerian business and politics, as well as outstanding leadership in banking, oil, government and other categories.

Last year’s categories include Life Time Achievement Awards for distinguished personalities and the Game Changer Awards for personalities who, in their own small steps and in their own corners, had altered the landscape and made remarkably positive impacts.

The 20th edition of the Awards also featured a posthumous recognition for Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh,

a Nigerian physician, who died following her gallant effort to prevent the spread of Ebola in the country.

Past award ceremonies were graced by several world leaders and statesmen, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, former Mexican President, Vicente Fox, and former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Other notable personalities that participated in past editions of the award include former German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, former Prime Minister of France, Dominique de Villepin, former Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, former World Bank President James Wolfhensoln, former US Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice, Henry Kissinger and General Collin Powell, and publisher of Forbes magazine, Steve Forbes.

TO BLOCK STOLEN WEALTH SAFE HAVENS, BUHARI HEADS FOR ANTI-GRAFT SUMMIT IN LONDON TUESDAY would urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

He said Buhari would also reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with international agencies and other countries to identify, apprehend and punish corrupt public officials.

Buhari's delegation to the Summit will include

the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Before returning to Abuja on Friday, the President is expected to have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Cameron to discuss ongoing Nigeria-Britain collaboration in the war against corruption and terrorism, as well as other issues, including trade and economic relations between both countries.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

SUNDAY COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

LAW ENFORCERS, NOT PRIVATE GUARDS The use of law enforcement officers for menial duties is demeaning, just as it is costly to the nation

H

ardly a week passes without some photographs of policemen and other security agents performing one form of menial duties or another: from carrying bags for some political office holders or businessmen to shining their shoes. It is almost as if many of these law enforcement agents have become errand boys.

Against the background that this is not only demeaning to these officers but also the institutions they represent, we call on the authorities to streamline the list of public officials entitled to such police/security protection as well as come up with a code of conduct for those personnel when at their duty posts.

In the past, the mere mention of the Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) filled Statutorily, only the president, vice- many Nigerians with president, governors, dread. With their distinct local council chairmen, uniform -a beret, black legislative principal shirt khaki trousers and officers in the states canvas boots, they cut and at federal level, a mean and menacing magistrates and judges figure and were both reare entitled to police spected and feared. That protection. But for some was then. Unfortunately, curious reasons, this it is at a time the nation privilege has over the actually needs them the years been abused by senior officers in charge most that these officers of police commands and - who in the past used to formations who assign quell civil disturbances most of their men to while managing emerundeserving politicians gency situations—are and businessmen, being deployed to act as leaving ever fewer personal security guards numbers of personnel and handbag carriers to for real police work spouses of political office holders.

To the extent that the very idea of using our security and police personnel as private army undermines their integrity, we need to put an end to the current abuse while restoring some measure of respect and dignity to the institutions concerned. At a period of national security emergency, such as we have in Nigeria today, this misuse of men and officers of the police and other security outfits should not be allowed to continue.

The case of the police is particularly pathetic. In recent years, on assumption of office, almost every

Letters to the Editor

Inspector General of Police (IGP) would order the immediate withdrawal of all unauthorised police guards from private individuals and corporate bodies across the country. But it has been to no effect because such directives were never really obeyed.

T S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

he affected personnel usually include those given by the special protection unit, the mobile police unit and conventional policemen that were sent out as guards to companies and influential citizens. “I have directed the commissioner of police in-charge of the airports that if they find any of you carrying boxes and dragging them all over the place, they should arrest you and you will be punished,” said Mr. Solomon Arase, the IGP recently. “Those of you who are posted to VIPs, on no account should you carry their bags and on no account should you act as domestic servants to them. You are police officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and they must respect you as such. Your uniform must be respected, anybody who wants to hire a domestic help should not use our policemen who are sent to protect them as domestic help”.

Hardly anybody paid attention to him.

Statutorily, only the president, vice-president, governors, local council chairmen, legislative principal officers in the states and at federal level, magistrates and judges are entitled to police protection.

But for some curious reasons, this privilege has over the years been abused by senior officers in charge of police commands and formations who assign most of their men to undeserving politicians and businessmen, leaving ever fewer numbers of personnel for real police work. The level of degeneration is such that all manner of characters now go about with policemen who carry bags and umbrella for them.

The United Nations estimation is that the average police force should have three police persons for every one thousand citizens. Nigeria falls far short of this requirement given that the total strength of our police force is still less than 400,000. But the real challenge is that a good number of the existing force serves just a few people more or less as guardsmen.

When this is juxtaposed with inadequate remunerations and low morale which pervade the police force and other agencies that are saddled with keeping the nation safe and secure, it is easy to understand why the nation is currently in a security bind.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

Forex Earnings, Diversification and Indorama Fertiliser

T

he tumbling price of crude oil, which is Nigeria’s main source of foreign exchange and the country’s longacquired taste for foreign goods and services, have resulted in a massive hit on the naira’s exchange rate compared to other convertible currencies.

Since the New Year, the media seem to report a new low every day for the naira against the dollar, for instance.

This unsavoury situation has made many concerned Nigerians to advocate a shift in focus to agriculture, raw materials processing, local manufacturing and most importantly promoting consumption of locally produced goods and services as a way of improving the strength of the naira vis-a-vis other currencies.

One sector of Nigeria’s economy that has the capacity to contribute immensely to healing the country’s economic wounds is petrochemicals,

especially fertilisers manufacturing which can engender a value chain reaction that can affect positively agriculture, agribusiness, job creation and food security.

In fact, BMI Research, a Fitch Group company, a research firm that provides macroeconomic, industry and financial market analysis, covering 24 industries and 200 global markets, in its 2016 forecast for Nigeria’s petrochemical sector, said that the country’s urea fertiliser capacity will exceed eight million tonnes per annum (tpa) by 2020. Of course massive investments are needed for those projections to be realised.

In that regard, there is good news in the air, as one of Indorama-Nigeria’s subsidiary companies, Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited is set to unveil a brand new world class fertiliser plant.

The completion of Indorama’s brand new fertiliser plant with a capacity to

manufacture 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum (TPA) gives Nigeria hope that the country is already on its way to realising that prediction. The plant construction was started in April 2013, and completed in the first quarter of 2016.

This plant will speak positively for Nigeria in many respects, especially at this time of falling foreign exchange earnings and the unrelenting pressure on the local currency, the naira. For instance The Guardian of February 15, 2016 reported that Nigeria commits over $10 million (USD) importing petrochemicals, including fertiliser.

Imagine the pressure this and our import dominated consumption puts the naira through!

However, with the completion of Indorama fertiliser plant, this outlay will be reduced as it will completely eliminate the need for dollar or any other foreign currency to import

fertiliser, as well as making Nigeria one of the countries in the world that exports the commodity.

Already Indorama, in partnership with another investor, has completed a state of the art port terminal complex at Onne Port with a modern automatic ship loading equipment to cater for export of fertiliser that the local market is not able to absorb.

This effort effectively puts Nigeria in the nucleus of fertiliser exporting nations while enhancing our national reputation as a source for the highest quality urea fertiliser.

The plants usefulness to Nigeria was further underlined by Manish Mundra, the MD/CEO of Indorama-Nigeria when he said “the fertiliser plant will boost the nation’s agricultural sector; provide needed fertilisers for farmers across the country; improve crop yield; fight hunger and poverty; and create numerous employment opportunities

in the country. Moreover, Indorama fertiliser will boost Nigeria’s brand reputation as it puts the nation on the global fertiliser map as a producer and exporter of fertilisers”.

Mr. Carsten Mueller, Senior Manager for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) strongly believes that the construction of the Indorama fertiliser plant and allied facilities will help Nigeria expand its manufacturing base, add value to its gas resources, boost the agricultural sector and enhance food security.

Indeed this is a time for Nigeria to shift its focus inwards, boost agricultural production and processing and earn hard currencies from non-crude oil sales. The arrival of Indorama fertiliser will greatly contribute to this paradigm shift for Nigeria’s progress.

––Chinedum Emeana, Port Harcourt

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

RELIABLESOURCES

Inside APC’s G19 Meeting Onyebuchi EzigboinAbuja

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ate in the night on Tuesday last week, key leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) began to arrive at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock in Abuja.

They were in the Villa for a parley with President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of the nation and how to articulate an effective response to pressing national

issues.

The President had constituted a Presidential Advisory body made up of 19 top leaders of the ruling party, both in and out of government, christened ‘G-19’ to advise him on a regular basis regarding critical issues affecting governance and politics in the country. That was not the first time leaders of the party would be meeting with the President in the Villa, but it was the first time that the nomenclature of the body would be made public.

Members of the advisory team who attended the meeting include the APC national leadership made up of the national chairman, Chief John Oyegun, the deputy national chairman (North), Senator Lawan Shuaibu , deputy national chairman (South), Mr. Segun Oni, national leaders of the party, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and Chief Tony Momoh.

Others are the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representstives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal.

Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, fand ormer Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, were conspicoulsy absent from the meeting, but not without apologies. While Atiku attributed his absence to the fact that he was undergoing his medical checkup, Tinubu said he was stuck in an airport in Senegal.

THISDAY gathered from sources that the meeting was summoned chiefly because of violent attacks and wanton killings in parts of the country which have led to outrage both within and outside the country, and the President’s aim was to get the input of his party leaders on how to resolve the issue.

Also on the agenda of the closed-door meeting held that night were issues bordering on the rising wave of murderous attacks by herdsmen, kidnappings and politically motivated assassinations in some parts of the country, conclusion of actions on the 2016 Federal Government budget, the unsettled funding arrangement for the APC as well as deepening intra- party feud that has engulfed the party in Kano State.

A highly reliable source in the Presidential Villa who spoke to THISDAY on the parley explained that the meeting dwelt mainly on articulating solutions and trying to advise on various options to resolve the security challenge.

“Actually, the meeting was between the President and his Presidential Advisory Team made up of top leaders of the APC and presiding officers of the National Assembly meant to discuss the way forward on a number of national issues including recent spate of attacks by Fulani herdsmen on farmers and the reported killings and kidnaping incidents in southern states,” the source said.

The attacks by herdsmen, the source said, were sources of worry for the President particularly because of the dimension the issue was taking, particularly the positions being taken by leaders along ethnic line.

According the source, it was the need to quickly arrest the trend that informed the decision by President Buhari to seek the advice of the leaders of the party to enable him get a balanced view on measures being proposed by government to deal with the matter.

In addition to the issue of the herdsmen attacks, sources said the meeting deliberated on similar security issues like kidnappings and killings in some states especially those that were carried out by suspected political thugs in Rivers and Edo States.

Based on several complaints and pressure mounted by APC members during and after the re-run elections conducted in Rivers state, the meeting was said to have deliberated on options before the government to strengthen the security arrangement currently in place.

The issue of the controversy that enveloped the 2016 budget which led to the delay in the president assenting to the budget was also discussed and a resolution was reached by the advisory team that everything possible should be done by all involved to ensure the budget was signed into law. Three days later, President Buhari signed the budget into law.

It was learnt that the meeting also considered the

President Buhari exchanging pleasantries with Senate President Saraki at the meeting, looking with interest is Speaker Dogara

....With other leaders of the party at the meeting intra party squabbles in Kano state involving supporters of the governor, D Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

At the meeting, President Buhari was said to have been briefed on the peace efforts so far made by the committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman (North) Senator Lawan, to resolve their differences.

Shuaibu gave an undertaken to try and bring the two political foes to the dialogue table in order to resolve the problem.

Kano state chapter, considered as very strategic to the APC, had been enmeshed in crisis in recent times on account of a political dispute involving Governor Ganduje and Senator Kwankwaso which snowballed into a wider conflict threatening to divide the party in the state.

However, following the meeting with President Buhari, the national leadership of the party last Thursday invited estranged party leaders to a peace meeting

at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja where they agreed in principle to sheathe their swords and work together again.

Another issue that came up at the meeting at the Presidential Villa was how to find sustainable source of funding for the ruling party in order to keep it afloat. The ruling party has been facing difficulties in sourcing funds to run its day-to-day operations due to the anti-corruption stand of the President Buhari- led administration which has discouraged bank-rolling of party expenses by government. The matter was however made worse following the internal conflict that has set key APC leaders apart, thus preventing them from donating funds to the party leadership. The presidency source said that the meeting received report from Chief Oyegun on the state of funding of the party as well as new initiatives being adopted to mobilize funds outside of government patronage.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor Abimbola Akosile E-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

OperationCrackdown:Troops SustainOffensiveinSambisaDespite BokoHaram’sSnipers,Landmines • Capture 3 terrorist kingpins, rescue more hostages Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

PROMOTING FITNESS L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Anthony Okpanachi; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Charles Kie, during the 4th Okpekpe 10km international Road Race in Edo State at the weekend

Full Implementation of 2016 Budget Possible, Says FG • As unions task govt on projects monitoring, implementation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja, Abimbola Akosile in Lagos and Victor Olakiitan in Ado-Ekiti

The federal government has declared that it never foreclosed the possibility of 100 per cent implementation of the 2016 budget, which was assented to on Friday

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, who gave the assurance yesterday in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Akpandem James, debunked some newspaper reports credited to him that full implementation of the 2016 budget had been ruled out.

“The federal government aims, and will be working, to achieve 100 per cent implementation of the 2016 budget in spite of the late signing of the 2016 Appropriation Bill. This clarification becomes necessary to clear the mis-representation by some newspapers that full implementation of the budget has been

ruled out because of the late start,” the statement said.

According to the statement while responding to questions from State House correspondents on Friday, the minister had “conceded that the late approval might constrain full implementation of the budget.”

However, the statement added that Udoma had, at the same time noted that “the federal government intends to still try its best to achieve 100 per cent implementation.” At no time did he rule out the possibility of full implementation as indicated by one or two newspapers, the statement added.

Meanwhile, union leaders have urged the federal government to closely monitor the 34 priority projects for implementation in 2016 budget to ensure that they are well executed.

The union leaders in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday commended the Executive and Legislature for amicable settle-

ment after months of haggling over the budget.

The N6.08 trillion budget is expected to stimulate the nation’s slowing economy, which took a hit as the price of crude oil, Nigeria’s main export, collapsed in the global market.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said the budget was long overdue, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure effective implementation of the budget.

Wabba urged the federal government to ensure that the 34 priority projects of the budget were executed according to the provisions in the budget. He said most of the budget passed before were not monitored properly.

“Before the signing, the federal government had outlined 34 projects and programmes, which would be accorded utmost priority to ensure optimal performance of the 2016 budget.

These programmes should be monitored by all and sundry.

This is the budget of change, so government should waste no time in commencing disbursement of funds,” he said.

Former National Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, Mr. Oluwaseyi Gambo, said “with the signing of the budget, the country should witness infrastructure development, employment and a dynamic economy.

A budget is an inclination of what government wants to do.

“However, our economy is fragile and international dynamics like the rise or fall of oil price, dollar exchange rate, all have a corresponding immediate effect on us. We should pray that the funding matrix of the budget as highlighted by government is not derailed. Our economy seems to be controlled by unseen hands, because we have, for decades, paid lip service to building a robust economy with little reliance on petrol dollar. Now that we have a budget we expect to see projects, infrastructure development, employment, a dynamic economy devoid of past arrested development.

FG Plans Intervention Fund for Mining Sector • To complete bidding round for bitumen licence before Dec Seni Durojaiye

In line with the drive to diversify the economy and create jobs through the solid minerals sector, the Federal Government has planned the establishment of an intervention mining fund.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this during a breakfast meeting organised

by Stanbic IBTC Bank with investors in the iron and steel sector in Lagos at the weekend.

Fayemi, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, noted that the fund was designed as incentives for local miners and investors in the bid to stimulate growth in the sector.

He said the ministry

was already working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee and the Bank of Industry (BoI) to achieve this.

Pointing out that the intervention fund was part of the incentives government is putting in place to increase local production, he stated that the ministry was committed to exploiting the nation’s mineral endowments in an environmentally sustainable manner and establish a vibrant minerals and metal industry for wealth creation, poverty reduction, promotion of economic growth and significant contribution to the country’s GDP. Fayemi decried a situation where the country currently imports an estimated $3.3 billion of processed steel and associated derivatives repre-

senting 80 per cent of the $4.2 billion total metal products imported per year.

He said despite the country’s relatively robust iron ore reserves, there were only 30 steel rolling mills in the country, with combined installed capacity of 6.5MT/annum.

Only 18 are operational, producing about 2.8 MT/annum using 100 per cent scrap metal.

He was optimistic the government would realise its plan for a major turnaround in the sector, through a strategic support for the local and foreign investors as well as creating enabling environments, through the right policy, for mining activities.

He commended a few banks that have created solid minerals desks and urged others to look into that direction as well.

In another development, the federal government is set to commence bidding process for prospective investors to explore the vast bitumen deposit in the country.

Speaking during a working visit to bitumen-bearing communities in Agbabu area, Ondo State at the weekend, Fayemi said the bidding round for licence would be for serious investors with proven work and financial plans.

Stating that the licence issuing process would be completed before the end of the year, he, however, assured the communities of government’s readiness to protect their interest through the right policy and regulations.

Nigeria has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world, spanning approximately 120 kilometres.

Despite some hiccups, Nigerian troops have continued their offensive to knock out the Boko Haram terrorists’ last major enclave deep inside the infamous Sambisa forest, Borno State.

Military sources have disclosed to THISDAY that apart from the long-time challenges of landmines, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a new major challenge in the latest Operation Crackdown, is the terrorist snipers.

“We found out that apart from the fact that most of the areas laid with booby traps, IEDs, the BH have trained snipers that hide in the trees to target our soldiers and officers. Recently, we lost a gunner and an officer from such attacks,” a source said.

The source revealed “that was what the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) hinted when he talked about noticeable challenges and reappraisal of the operations.”

However, the source said, despite that minor setback the troops have advanced deep, hitting the terrorists

hard and would soon meet the operational objective.

The CDS, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, while fielding questions from journalists at the Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC), Maiduguri, Borno State, last week had said “the armed forces have in a final onslaught against the Boko Haram, deployed ground and aerial forces deep inside Sambisa forest aimed at clearing the remaining terrorist enclaves and rescuing the hostages including the Chibok girls.”

Olonisakin who was flanked by the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the visit of the Service Chiefs and other principal officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, was to appraise the success of the onslaught and as well as address the emerging challenges.

He said: “We are re-appraising the operation that is ongoing. It started some days ago and we are here to appraise the level of performance of that operation. This is to actually see how we can address the issues we face in the operations.

Taraba: Herdsmen Kill 6 in Fresh Attack Wole Ayodele in Jalingo and Paul Obi in Abuja

Six people were yesterday killed by herdsmen at Korum, Orawua and Gidan Bature communities in Taraba state; despite the order recently given by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to clamp down on armed herdsmen attacking communities across the country.

The latest attack is coming barely two weeks after herdsmen killed 19 persons in several communities in Donga and Bali local government areas of Taraba State.

THISDAY investigations revealedthattheattackwaslaunched on the communities following the return of Tiv farmers who were displaced by the crisis that erupted across Southern Taraba to their ancestral homes on the orders of Governor Darius Ishaku.

Narrating the ordeal of the affected communities, village head of Korum, Chief Emmanuel Chia told newsmen that the armed herdsmen launched an attack on the villages around 2:00 am yesterday morning, killing six people.

Besides those killed in the attack, according to the village head, several others sustained varying degrees of injuries while eight vehicles were also set ablaze by the herdsmen, who razed the entire community comprising of over 500 households.

Dozens of those injured in the attack are currently receiving treatment at the First Referral Hospital in Mutum Biyu as well as the MDGs clinic in Yerima and Ityav Clinic, a private hospital in Yerima.

Alsonarratinghisordeal,oneof the locals and a victim of the attack who escaped being killed by the whiskers, Terver Akporogh further told THISDAY that the lands belonging to the displaced persons were reportedly sold to the herdsmen to graze their cattle by the Emir of Gassol, Alhaji Idi Ciroma and his local chiefs (Dekeci).

“The Emir and his local chiefs sold our farmlands to the Fulanis who came from other places to settle on our ancestral land. We can’t farm because the Fulanis are not allowing us. They claimed our lands were sold to them by the local chiefs and the Emir of Gassol himself.

In Brief Lagos Beauty Pageant

The maiden edition of Miss Tourism, Arts & Culture Lagos beauty pageant which held on April 17 at Sheraton Hotels and Towers Ikeja, Lagos saw Miss Prisca Emelike emerge as the new Lagos State tourism ambassador. Among the guests were Hon. Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, Special Adviser to Lagos state governor on Arts and Culture), Otunba Fiwagboye Oshungboye (Special Adviser to the Speaker Lagos state house of assembly on planning and budget), judges, media partners, friends and families of each contestant, friends of the organisers and others. The event, organised by MLK Events and Promotions headed by Mr. Olanigan Adeyemo, got high recommendations from the Lagos state government for celebrating tourism and culture in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

The climax of the event saw Miss Prisca Emelike emerge as Miss Tourism Lagos 2016; Miss Sammy Bukola emerge as Miss Culture Lagos 2016, and Miss Olofinkua Aderonke emerge as Miss Arts Lagos 2016.

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NEWS

NETWORK BUILDERS ROYAL CELEBRATION L-R: Akinsiku of Lagos, Oba Dosunmu; Elegushi of Elegushi Land, HRH Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi L-R: Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf; Chief Executive Ofand his wife Olori Sekinat; Ooni of Ife; HIM Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his wife Olori Wuraola; celebrant and Chairman, Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi with wife, and Mrs. Folashade Afolabi, during the birthday celebration of Afolabi in Lagos...recently

ficer, Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Council, Mr. Oliver Everett; President, LCCI, Mrs. Nike Akande, and Deputy President, LCCI, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase, at the networking meeting between Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council with LCCI in Lagos...recently

Campaign Funds: Anyanwu Denies Collecting N700m Clement Danhutor Senator Chris Anyanwu yesterday refuted allegations published in the media linking her name to the distribution of a sum of N700 million allegedly given to Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prosecute the 2015 presidential election in the state Her reaction to the media reports was contained in a press statement from the legislator issued by her media assistant, Everest Ezihe titled, ‘Press Statement from Senator Chris Anyanwu on Alleged Collection of N700 million Cash for 2015 Election’, which was made

available to THISDAY. “This statement clarifies the position of Senator Chris Anyanwu following a series of enquiries by journalists, friends and well wishers, nationally and internationally, regarding newspaper stories today linking her name with collection or distribution of N700 million allegedly given to Imo State PDP to prosecute the 2015 presidential election in the state.

“For the record, Anyanwu was neither a party official nor the Presidential campaign coordinator for Imo State and therefore was in no position to collect or distribute funds for and on behalf of the party or

indeed the candidate.

“Consequently, let it be stated without ambiguity that Senator Chris Anyanwu did not witness the collection of any money belonging to the PDP for the purpose of prosecuting the 2015 Presidential Elections in Imo State and therefore could not have been involved in its distribution in any form, directly or indirectly”, the statement clarified.

“Anyanwu visited the EFCC offices in Enugu and made this position clear to the officials and was allowed to go home.

“It is true that Senator Anyanwu was at some point nominated as one of two ‘per-

sons of integrity’ to oversight certain aspects of the activities of the Presidential Campaign Team in Imo State but she was never given the opportunity to play this role. Consequently, she was completely sidelined and shielded from all financial transactions and discussions.

“Anyanwu did not collect any money for the 2015 elections from any bank and she did not witness the collection. It is not beyond the investigative skills of the EFCC to track the alleged disbursements in order to arrive at the truth about who collected what, where, when and how.”

Kano-bound Train Derails at Jebba, Two Passengers Killed A passenger train that departed Lagos for Kano on Friday derailed at Jebba in the early hours of yesterday, leaving at least two dead and many passengers injured, according to an online report.

A survivor of the crash said the train left Lagos at 12:00 noon on Friday with dozens of passengers and consignments, and added that the crash occurred after the train suffered brake failure at Jebba train station shortly after 7am; more than

19 hours after leaving Lagos.

The survivor, who sought anonymity, said the accident claimed at least four lives with undetermined number of injured commuters currently undergoing treatment at various emergency facilities in the town.

“The train left Lagos yesterday (Friday) and crashed in Jebba this morning around 7 a.m. as it was trying to stop for those of us coming to Jebba,” the survivor said. “It was due to brake failure.”

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who responded to the emergency said two persons were confirmed dead after detached coaches from the train fell on passengers.

FRSC’s Head of Media Relations, Bisi Kazeem, told the online publication that the train was conveying goods to Kano, but had few passengers on-board.

“The accident occurred this morning near Jebba Paper Mill and we can confirm that two

people, unfortunately, lost their lives and three people were injured,” Kazeem said. “The train is used more as a cargo train, but it had some travellers inside.”

He further stated that road safety officials and police worked together to rescue trapped passengers and evacuate the injured to the hospital. “With the support of the police, we were able to get those who were trapped out alive and took those who survived injuries to the hospital,” he added.

CAC, FIRS Partner on e-Stamping Module Portal Ugo Aliogo The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has partnered the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with a view to ensuring integration of stamping module into the commission’s company registration portal (CRP).

The aim is to create a seamless registration process and further reduce time and cost of registration of companies and other post incorporation process in the country.

The commission in discharging its responsibility has evolved through several stages or era in its existence up till where it is today.

The different portals include CRP. Due to the numerous limitations of the content pinnacle software, the commission decided to initiate

the process of developing any other software which will not only eliminate all the limitations, butwillalsoplacethecommission in its rightful place as a world-class companies’ registry true to its mission statement.

With this software the commission’s customers do not have to physically visit the commission any longer as they can apply for any of the services online and in real time at any time of the day and any day of the week from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Since the launch of the CRP on the 2nd of February 2015, the commission has commenced full online services for name reservation and registration across the three parts, part A- companies, part B- Business names and part C- Incorporated Trustees.

The name reservation and registration are now done online, in other wordswhere ever you are seated you can log on to the portal complete the name reservation request form and make payment without you having to step out of the room. If you already have a name reserved, you can apply and make payment for registration of a limited liability company, business names, and incorporated trustees while seated in your house or office.

Though customers still have to download the incorporation documents for signing by the subscribers, directors before they subsequently submit the same to the commission. This is a temporary arrangement and it is expected to end when document archival system is fully introduced in the

portal.

All post-incorporation activities have been developed and will be deployed any moment from now, which will make it possible for all post-incorporation activities to be treated electronically through the portal without the applicant leaving his comfort zone. This is an innovation to the previous application where no pre or post-incorporation activity could be initiated by customers on-line.

As at 14th August 2015 the following transaction have been done directly on the new portal.

Account creation, public users -25,217, accredited customers – 860, name search- 67,190, registration: Limited liability companies 5,977, business names, 2,751, Incorporated Trustees – 456.

Ondo Bitumen: Group Berates Borofice, Lauds FG for Support The representative of Ondo North in the Senate, Ajayi Borofice has been described as unfit for a position of leadership at any level because of what has been described as his “consistent effort to work against the interest of the state”.

A group, Ondo Development Forum, in a statement issued in Akure yesterday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Eric Fatukasi, hailed the Federal government for its promised support for the state’s bitumen exploration project, submitting that the comment of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi concern-

ing the project has exposed the lies of Senator Borofice and his hatred for the people of the state.

It applauded the federal government for its support for the project and the Minister for taking the pain to visit the deposit grounds and as well interact with the explorers to “ascertain their competence for the job as against what Borofice wants us to believe”.

According to the group, Borofice, who it described as an accidental Senator, has gone beyond breaching the peace in the state by organising attacks against his co-party men and aspirants.

Dubai’s Non-oil Trade with Africa Hit $30bn in 2015 Demola Ojo Africa’s attractiveness as an investment destination was again highlighted during the recent official opening of the third African office of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) in Maputo, Mozambique; as it was revealed that the continent’s record of successful non-oil trade with Dubai reached $29.7 billion in 2015, growing from $22.8 billion in 2011. The opening of the Chamber’s third office came during the Africa Global Business Forum Roadshow that visited South Africa and Mozambique and is looking to visit a number of key African cities this year, including Lagos, Addis Ababa, Accra and Nairobi. In related news, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) will

be hosting a roadshow in Lagos this week.

“Africa is the future. With rapidly developing economies, a strong and reliable labour force, and bountiful resources, this continent is full of potential and opportunities. Dubai Chamber has been increasingly focused on Africa, particularly the sub-Saharan region, in the past few years,” the Chairman Dubai Chamber, H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, said.

The opening of the Chamber’s office in Mozambique reaffirmed its commitment to drive trade and investment between Dubai and Africa following openings in Ethiopia and Ghana.

Meanwhile, Dubai Tourism will be hosting a roadshow in Lagos on Tuesday to further develop the relations between Dubai stakeholders and the Nigerian travel trade.

FG Plans Industrial Centres As part of strategy to fast-track the nation’s industrialisation, the federal government plans to create industrial centres across the country and encourage a cluster of manufacturing concerns with similar production needs and product lines to which it would provide needed infrastructure.

The policy, THISDAY learnt, is aimed at helping industries cut down on running cost in order that the nation’s manufacturing sector

can be competitive in the international market. In setting up the centres, focus will also be on areas of comparative advantage.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah stated this in Lagos, adding that government is committed to creating enabling environment for industries as well as improve ease of doing in the country.

He made the disclosure at the launch of Market square Africa and Africa in 10 Minutes.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY MAY 8, 2016

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MAY 8, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Fulani Herdsmen? It’s Herdsmen Militia

Bisi Olawunmi reckons that most crimes which have engulfed the nation were allowed to fester through negligence of governors

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hat is in a name? Plenty. That is the grouse of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State when he took umbrage about media tagging of marauding shepherds as ‘Fulani’ herdsmen. The marauders should be identified just as herdsmen, he insists, without ethnic adjectival. Affable, resplendent Shettima, recovering from the trauma of being hunted like a desert rat by Boko Haram insurgents, who at a point had him under siege, is trying to reinvent himself as someone with some fire in him, talking tough on behalf of a nascent terror group. The Yoruba have a saying “ Eni ti ti e ti baje, ko ni fe ki ti elomiran da” (Someone who has suffered misfortune will not wish others well). Gov. Shettima is an equal opportunity advocate – let the bad times of his devastated Borno State go round! And like a typical Nigerian politician hooked on semantics about serious issues, the Borno governor took vehement exception to media’s ethnic framing of the herdsmen rampage but with less rage in condemning the murderous violence visited on middle belt and southern host communities by the Cattle men. Shettima had literally fumed that while the Igbos hold the patent rights in kidnapping, media reports of the criminality are not ethnicised as ‘Igbo kidnappers’. So, we concede to Shettima and his conclave of Northern governors: Exit Fulani Herdsmen – Enter Herdsmen Militia, in their blazing fury. What the governor is preaching is playing the ostrich – he governs a near desert state - burying our heads in the sand to avoid seeing the reality of our situation. Perhaps, we need a paradigm change in reporting generally and in reporting criminality in particular. May be we need to emphasise ethnic dimensions of some crimes as a form of group shaming for various ethnic nationalities to confront their demons for Nigeria to have peace. That will be a topic for another day. I return to Governor Shettima, this time as a typical surrogate for those unfeeling occupants of Government Houses across the nation, who relish the ego-massaging titles of ‘Your Excellency’ and ‘Executive’ Governor rather than governing with excellence and taking executive responsibility for law and order in their domains. Most are sold on vain-glorious display of opulence rather than empathy with their people.

This Shettima guy – have you ever seen him in somber dressing even when visiting victims of Boko Haram insurgency either in hospitals or the camps of internally displaced persons?

He is always immaculately dressed in flowing, over-starched ‘babariga’- where is the empathy? Does he realise dressing

must reflect the occasion?The federal government, and more specifically, the Presidency, has come under unrelenting criticism in recent times over what has generally been seen as its unfeeling response to the herdsmen militia’s onslaught to over run the country. No doubt, the Presidency deserves to get the hammer.

I have always emphasised that LAW and ORDER constitute the first and most important responsibility of government. However, other levels of government, the state and the local governments, must share in the blame for Nigeria’s descent into near anarchy.

The governors, especially, cannot continue wringing their hands in helplessness with regard to security situation in their states, given that they preside over state security council meetings and substantially contribute to the funding of security apparatus in their states. The fact is most crimes, which have engulfed the nation, have local origins and have been allowed to fester and become national nightmares through negligence or connivance of governors or both. Examples abound – Niger Delta militancy had its root in Rivers State, kidnapping in Anambra and Abia States and Boko Haram in Borno State. Trending are ritual killers in Oyo State, territorial cultists who control fiefdoms in Lagos State, and political gangsterism in Rivers and Edo States, all threatening to become national menace. Evidence in the public domain indicates

Perhaps, we need a paradigm change in reporting generally and in reporting criminality in particular. May be we need to emphasise ethnic dimensions of some crimes as a form of group shaming for various ethnic nationalities to confront their demons for Nigeria to have peace

political leadership at state levels is complicit in the Niger Delta militancy, Boko Haram insurgency and political gangsterism.

The consequence of this is that law enforcement in states has been lax, with conniving, unassertive, dodgy governors passing the buck to federal security agencies, faking self-induced helplessness. It would seem that because many governors are often compromised in serious security breaches as a result of their hobnobbing with hoodlums who serve as their enforcers, maintenance of public order has become much more difficult.

It is curious that governors who have invested financially in the Nigeria Police, find it seemingly difficult to make the police do its work and put on the spot police units and officers who failed in their duties. It also smacks of an uncaring and unbothered attitude when state governors leave the people at the mercy of police brutality and other violent elements in the society.

The attitude of Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to the report of imminent herdsmen militia attack on Nimbo community typifies this uncaring, lax attitude of those in political leadership positions. As the story goes, the transition chairman of Uzo-Uwani local government proactively reported the militia threat to the governor. The governor then convened a state security council meeting beginning at 10pm on Sunday, April 24, 2016 the eve of the attack with the heads of the security agencies in attendance giving him assurance that adequate security measures would be taken to forestall the attack. And, thereafter, Governor Ugwuanyi went to sleep. Two things were expected of a responsible governor in such a tense situation: emergency evacuation of the people and all night constant monitoring of ground security operation to ensure that men and material are at the ready. Governor Ugwuanyi apparently did neither. If he was proactive, he could have prevented the massacre of about 40 of his people or at least greatly minimise the horror visited on the helpless Nimbo community by the rampaging herdsmen militia. Those were crocodile tears the governor shed on visiting and sighting the killing field that Nimbo had become. Today, the people bear the brunt of violent crime in the society, but it may not be too long before the political leadership faces the retribution of the law of karma – when the rich and powerful will cry.

–– Dr. Olawunmi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, is former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria.

Enhancing Nigeria’s Corridors of Commerce

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It is time to give urgent attention to developing our railways, argues Olubunmi Aboderin

t is a truth universally acknowledged that a developing nation in possession of a large population must be in want of a robust transport system. (Forgive me Jane Austen).

There’s at least one activity that every free, hale and hearty Nigerian does every day and that is, move. From home to school, to the market, to the office; from neighbourhood to neighbourhood; from one state to another; from city to village and vice- versa; from one country to another, and so on. We are always on the move and the largest chunk of this movement is by road, whether on foot, bicycle, tricycle, “okada”, by car, bus, “molue”, you name it. Not surprisingly, the roads are usually congested.

Given that many destinations are land-locked, the road appears to be the most convenient and economical way for the majority of people to complete their journey. But there has to be a more efficient, land-based, affordable mode for mass transit and there is: rail. The railway is a somewhat unexpected solution provider for seemingly unrelated social and economic issues, and it could well be instrumental in fomenting a much needed industrial revolution here, as it has done in other countries.

A fully-functioning railway network is not only useful for moving an assemblage of people from Point A to Point B, it’s also effective for transporting cargo, improving distribution logistics, decongesting traffic, boosting trade nationally and internationally, enhancing tourism and even improving inter-tribal understanding. When compared to the bulk goods movement capacity of road vehicles, rail ranks higher in safety, speed, size of cargo hold, scalability (extra train carriages can be added to a locomotive manned by one driver with one attendant), and strength in terms of durability.

One way to improve the competitiveness of our exports is to have a full-bodied nationwide railway system that can be efficiently operated on lean margins. An intercontinental rail network would be even better. It doesn’t hurt to dream, but let’s walk before we run. According to the 2016 Economic Outlook published by Economic Associates,

approximately 58% of our non-oil income is generated from four industries: trade, crop production, real estate and telecoms and info services. The revenue generated by these sectors could grow exponentially if we had a robust railway system. (Assuming there is stable power supply that would complement production efforts rather than a convulsive one that frustrates the best of intentions).

While new rail tracks are laid and existing ones are expanded, gas pipes and cabling for telecom or electricity transmission, can be laid at the same time. Yes, such infrastructural undertakings are expensive, but then so are the mental, physical, social, economic and environmental costs of sitting in traffic for 12 hours because of an overturned trailer. And besides, such mammoth infrastructural projects are excellent opportunities to attract irreversible capital input from abroad.

Since the first construction of a railway in Nigeria just before the 1900s, we have built rail lines that go from Lagos to Kano; Port Harcourt to Kano; Port Harcourt to Aba; Abuja to Kaduna, and so on. Lagos also has an intra-state rail system. Unfortunately not enough attention was given to rail transport from the mid-1960s till recent years. Now however, there is a move to modernise existing railroads and build new ones to international standards, so much so that we are likely to have standard gauge rail, at least, from Lagos to Kano; Lagos to Calabar; Kaduna to Abuja; and Itape to Ajaokuta and Port Harcourt. But ideally, we should have railway service to every city, town, or hamlet with a population in excess of 500 people. Allowing the private sector to take over the railways will help achieve this goal. Privatising the railways will raise the much-needed revenue for governance, improve our time to market and increase the fiscal competitiveness of our locally made goods. It makes one wonder why the 1957 Railway Act, slated for amendment since 1999 has not been attended to by members of the National Assembly.

On the website, corridorsofcommerce.com, the US-based transport network, BNSF Railway, highlights the eco-

nomic, social and environmental benefits of using trains to move “agriculture, raw materials and finished goods”, over a distance of 3,422 route miles within an area covering parts of the USA and Canada, which it refers to as the Great Northern corridor. “In 2009, the Great Northern moved over 124 million tonnes of freight. It would take over 4.9 million long-haul trucks on highways to move that much freight. The Great Northern saved over 570 million gallons of fuel and over 6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases.” Now fast forward to Nigeria and imagine what it would mean for our GDP if we could do the same here.

Currently, Lafarge uses the railways to move cement from Ogun State to other parts of the country. As our national rail infrastructure is built up, other companies will be able to embark on a similar modal shift away from transporting industrial-capacity or wholesale goods by roads, to moving those same items by rail instead.

When trains become the primary method for moving cattle, tomatoes, coal, petrol, sand, boulders and other such bulk inputs, confrontations between bovine drovers and agrarian homesteaders can perhaps be minimised, less agricultural produce would perish on the way to market, there would likely be fewer car crashes, and the roads would be a lot less crammed. Developers would benefit from an increase in the value of the land around the rail stations; entrepreneurs would benefit from a drop in the cost of doing business; young adults would benefit from an increase in employment opportunities; and government would benefit from an increase in the number of people able to pay tax, amongst other things.

As a developing nation with a large population, we are in a sincere need of a robust, nationwide transport system.

Perpetuating the delay in reviewing the 1957 Railway Act is ultimately self-defeating. As part of our strategy for sustainable economic growth, we need to give active, urgent, methodological attention to building up our railways.

––Ms. Aboderin is a member of the Institute of Directors

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

LETTERS CURBING EXTREME HEAT WAVE WITH TREES

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f late, the heat wave being experienced from across the country is becoming quite unbearable.

Coupled with the unstable nature of power supply in the country and incessant fuel scarcity, many people are finding it very difficult to cope. Children are principally worse hit as they develop heat rashes and become naturally uncomfortable, particularly at nights.

According to medical experts, excessive heat has damaging effects on victim’s health as it can lead to dehydration due to excessive loss of water, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sometimes death. Among others, critical danger indicators to pay attention to in hot weather include weakness, tiredness, and dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting and general body disorder.

Experience from across the globe actually validates the reality of the menace of excessive heat. In August 2003, Northern France had a nasty experience of rare extreme heat for over three weeks. The result was catastrophic as it led to the death of over 15,000 people. Same year in England, over 2,000 people died as a result of a 12-day heat wave.

With the current state of heat wave in the country, one only hopes things won’t become worse.

Unfortunately, succour is not likely to be in sight yet as experts at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) have earlier

Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed

warned of more hot days, warm night and heat waves ahead.

In Lagos, the situation is even more unpleasant as the metropolis is presently experiencing a protracted heat wave which has ushered in strange hot weather with temperature over and above 32.2oc.

Characteristically, lots of tips are being offered by experts on how to keep abreast of the situation. Top on the bill is a good eating habit that is effectively complemented with drinking of plenty of hygienic water at intervals.

Naturally, to fight dehydration, the body requires constant supply of water.

Reduction in the intake of caffeinated or intoxicating drinks is also one of the recommended antidotes to the consequences of excessive heat.

It is, however, important to stress that being a

direct consequence of the global warming challenge which the entire world is currently contending with, long term solutions as against immediate remedies would be more appropriate and effective in dealing with excessive heat.

In this respect, one would like to make a strong case for tree planting.

Trees have been scientifically proven to be very useful as first line of defence in the fight against global warming as they absorb the carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere, replenish the air with oxygen and also contribute immensely to the aesthetics of the environment. They also check erosion and stem the tide of windstorm by serving as wind breakers.

On another note, trees are brilliant cleansers. They remove other pollutants through the stomates in the leaf surface. It is considered

that trees act as what some call a carbon sink, storing the gas in its branches, trunk, leaves, etc., instead of leaving the gas floating and further polluting the atmosphere. In this natural function alone, trees directly reduce the growth of the greenhouse effect and counteract global warming.

Trees also serve the purpose of overall air quality enhancer, and a much needed one at that. They provide natural habitats for many small creatures, and reduce the temperature by providing shade. All in all, a tree is not just a beautiful work of nature standing amongst the many phenomenal picturesque settings of this world; it is a powerful and vital tool for human survival.

Modern science recognises that without tree manufacturing oxygen, life on earth would have been impossible. As the world concentrates on

T

research firm that provides macroeconomic, industry and financial market analysis, covering 24 industries and 200 global markets, in its 2016 forecast for Nigeria’s petrochemical sector, said that the country’s urea fertiliser capacity will exceed eight million tonnes per annum (tpa) by 2020. Of course massive investments are needed for those projections to be realised.

In that regard, there is good news in the air, as one of Indorama-Nigeria’s subsidiary companies, Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited is set to unveil a brand new world class fertiliser plant.

The completion of Indorama’s brand new fertiliser plant with a capacity to manufacture 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum (TPA) gives Nigeria hope that the country is already on its way to realising that prediction. The plant construction was started in April 2013, and completed in the first quarter of 2016.

This plant will speak positively for Nigeria in many respects, especially at this time of falling foreign exchange earnings and the unrelenting

pressure on the local currency, the naira. For instance The Guardian of February 15, 2016 reported that Nigeria commits over $10 million (USD) importing petrochemicals, including fertiliser. Imagine the pressure this and our import dominated consumption puts the naira through!

However, with the completion of Indorama fertiliser plant, this outlay will be reduced as it will completely eliminate the need for dollar or any other foreign currency to import fertiliser, as well as making Nigeria one of the countries in the world that exports the commodity.

Already Indorama, in partnership with another investor, has completed a state of the art port terminal complex at Onne Port with a modern automatic ship loading equipment to cater for export of fertiliser that the local market is not able to absorb. This effort effectively puts Nigeria in the nucleus of fertiliser exporting nations while enhancing our national reputation as a source for the highest quality urea fertiliser.

The plants usefulness to Nigeria was further underlined by Manish Mundra, the MD/CEO of Indorama-Nigeria

as simple as tree planting process is, only quite a few pays adequate attention to in this clime. This is not surprising since we are used to waiting for disaster to occur before doing the right thing.

It is in order to alter the trend and preserve the environment that Dr. Samuel Babatunde Adejare, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, at a recent ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, urged Lagos residents to embrace the culture of planting trees in view of its obvious benefits.

According to the Commissioner, tree planting is one of the most valuable tools available to help to provide environmental stability. Consequently, the Lagos state government has concluded plans that will see it planting 10 million trees by 2020.

–Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos.

KEMI ADESOUN AND THE IMF

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n April 15, shortly after midday in the cosy Jack Morton Auditorium of the George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeousn said that Nigeria was not considering taking loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to finance the 2016 budget deficit and cushion the effect of the country’s dwindling income from oil.

The minister, who was a discussant on a panel that tried to figure out whether the

FOREX EARNINGS, DIVERSIFICATION AND INDORAMA FERTILISER

he tumbling price of crude oil, which is Nigeria’s main source of foreign exchange and the country’s long-acquired taste for foreign goods and services, have resulted in a massive hit on the naira’s exchange rate compared to other convertible currencies. Since the New Year, the media seem to report a new low every day for the naira against the dollar, for instance.

This unsavoury situation has made many concerned Nigerians to advocate a shift in focus to agriculture, raw materials processing, local manufacturing and most importantly promoting consumption of locally produced goods and services as a way of improving the strength of the naira vis-a-vis other currencies.

One sector of Nigeria’s economy that has the capacity to contribute immensely to healing the country’s economic wounds is petrochemicals, especially fertilisers manufacturing which can engender a value chain reaction that can affect positively agriculture, agribusiness, job creation and food security.

In fact, BMI Research, a Fitch Group company, a

global warming and its adverse effects on climatic changes, it is imperative that the public be more educated and enlightened on efficacy of trees.

Although planting of trees has long been a suggestion to better the earth, there is a desperate need for sustained action at making it not just an annual ritual as it is being practiced in most states of the country but what everybody, especially land owners, must embrace if we are to take the decisive trend of climate change serious.

According to climate experts, human-induced global deforestation is responsible for 18-25% of global climate change.

The United Nations, World Bank and other leading non-governmental organisations are therefore encouraging re-forestation and other activities that promote tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change. Ironically,

when he said “the fertiliser plant will boost the nation’s agricultural sector; provide needed fertilisers for farmers across the country; improve crop yield; fight hunger and poverty; and create numerous employment opportunities in the country. Moreover, Indorama fertiliser will boost Nigeria’s brand reputation as it puts the nation on the global fertiliser map as a producer and exporter of fertilisers”.

Mr. Carsten Mueller, Senior Manager for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) strongly believes that the construction of the Indorama fertiliser plant and allied facilities will help Nigeria expand its manufacturing base, add value to its gas resources, boost the agricultural sector and enhance food security.

Indeed this is a time for Nigeria to shift its focus inwards, boost agricultural production and processing and earn hard currencies from non-crude oil sales. The arrival of Indorama fertiliser will greatly contribute to this paradigm shift for Nigeria’s progress.

–Chinedum Emeana, Port Harcourt

current financial crunch facing sub-Saharan African countries was just a hard patch or a crisis that will be without end, was responding to a veiled suggestion that sub-Saharan countries, including Nigeria, may consider borrowing money through the IMF to heal their financial injury, whence she responded:“the IMF could be a doctor but for Nigeria, our message is: we are not sick and if we are sick, we have our own local medicine.”

Mrs. Adeosun explained that Nigeria’s financial shortfall stemmed from the low price of crude oil, the country’s main export commodity and earner of most of its hard currency and the dominant source of government revenue. She stated that the country is now looking inwards, fashioning out and implementing home-grown economic strategies that would help the country navigate the current hard patch to a future of robust economic growth and inclusive prosperity.

“Nigeria is not sick. The real vulnerability in the Nigerian economy is over-dependence on a single source of revenue, oil. We have resolved to build resilience into the country’s economy to hedge against future oil shocks.

This is because dependence on oil brings about vulnerability and laziness,” the Minister emphasised, drawing applause from the audience.

The building of that resilience include the current policy of prudent application and management of the country’s foreign exchange; identifying and blocking areas of inefficiency in public sector procurement and the on-going massive cleaning up of the public sector payroll.

Many ghost workers were detected in the payroll data clean-up, while billions of naira could be saved through devices created by the efficiency unit in her office.

The federal government is as well encouraging the diversification of the economy by dusting up the huge potential in the

country’s large and varied solid mineral deposits. The Vision 2020 sub-committee on solid minerals identified 34 minerals and there locations in different parts of the country. They include “gold, iron ore, cassiterite, columbite, wolframite, pyrochlore, monazite, marble, coal, limestone, clays, barytes, lead-zinc. Indeed, each of the 36 federating states and the FCT has a fair share of the solid mineral inventory of the nation.”

The Vision 2020 National Technical Working Group on Minerals & Metals Development reported that exploration in Nigeria for several solid minerals, such as tin, niobium, lead, zinc and gold, goes back more than 90 years but only tin and columbite production have ranked on a worldwide scale.”

Nigeria was indeed the largest producer of columbite in the world and the sixth producer of tin. As the solid minerals sector gets close government attention, so also the agriculture sector.

The current efforts in boosting agriculture involves the deepening of domestic self-sufficiency in especially wheat and rice production, two commodities which could conveniently be produced at home, but which now Nigeria imports at high cost.

Production of both commodities is receiving special funding support from the Central Bank of Nigeria via a programme called ANCHOR Borrowers Programme in which 78, 000 farmers were engaged in Kebbi State alone to produce a million metric tonnes of paddy rice in the current dry season.

The programme will take-off shortly in a dozen more states across Nigeria identified as capable of producing rice in the wet season. The target is for the country to consider exporting rice to the world in the next 18 months.

Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MAY 8, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

AfricaToday’sConferenceonNigeria-ChinaRelationsand ImplicationsforNigeria’sForeignPolicyConcentricism

A

frica Today, a monthly magazine published by Kayode Soyinka, held its 2016 Conference on China-Africa Trade and Investment Relations on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday, 27thApril, 2016 at the Transcorp Hilton,Abuja. The 2016 conference which not only underscored the timeliness and goodness in the development of closer ties with the Chinese, but also the need to cautiously sustain it in the spirit of making new friends and keeping the old for one is gold and the other is silver, was specifically aimed at investigating who really is the beneficiary of the relationship. More important, the need for better and well-defined rapprochement with China was the main point that cut across all the papers presented at the meeting because of the growing importance of China inAfrica and globally.

The ChineseAmbassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gu Xiaojie, says that ‘Nigeria is China’s number one engineering market, number two export market, number three trading partner and major investment destination inAfrica.’ Sir Vince Cable, former Chief Economist of Shell Nigeria and former Secretary of State for the United Kingdom’s Trade and Business Policy, who was the Guest of Honour at the conference, explained the importance of China thus: ‘China has become the main source of overseas students in UK universities… China is now an economic superpower comparable in scale to the USA(and on some measures is bigger economically), with India now number 3 in the league table ahead of Japan and Germany… Nigeria specifically imports more from China than from its second and third largest suppliers – USAand India – combined (though Nigeria exports little in return.’

Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, MON, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, had it that there were not less than 5,262 Chinese in Nigeria and that China’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria was US $85.8 million in 2013. It increased to US $116.87 million in 2014. The ‘cumulative Chinese investment in Nigeria currently stands at well over US $3 billion according to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).’

Chief Bassey E.O. Edem, the National President of the NigerianAssociation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines andAgriculture (NACCIMA, submitted that the choice of China as a reference point ‘is perfect, considering China’s role as one of the world’s leading economies and by some indicators, the largest economy, if measured in purchasing power parity.Also, China is currently the world largest consumer of energy, which proves that China’s private sector-led economy is a growing one, especially in Manufacturing.’Additionally, Chief Edem also noted that, ‘between 1979 and 2013, China’s GDP grew from $200 billion per year to $9.24 trillion with a compound annual growth of 11.9% and for the entire period of reform, China was a net importer of FDI.’ The MD/CEO of the Infrastructure Bank Plc, Mr.Adekunle AbdulRazak Oyinloye argued differently: ‘rather than debating the question of who benefits most, economic realities should be tilting us towards the question of how both countries can benefit more from trade, economic and political cooperation. He considered the relationship as that of ‘partnership of equals,’ in light of the fact that Nigeria and China have cheap and available labour, new markets and opportunity for mutual growth. Besides, China’s medium-term allocation of resources focused on strengtheningAfrican economies which are required for the building of a strong China. In fact, Oyinloye further argued thatAfrican countries have an opportunity to insist on a fairer price for China’s excess capacity and excess capital.

Perhaps most thought-provokingly, WaheedA. Olagunju, the Executive Director (Small and Medium Enterprises) the Bank of Industry, recalled that in 1970 the GDP per capita ranking for Nigeria was 88 compared to 114th position for China. Today, China is the second largest economy in the world with about $11.3 trillion as at the end of Quarter-1 of 2016, just coming behind the US with $17trillion.

Nigeria is currently the 22nd largest economy in the world and the largest inAfrica with a size of over $568 billion. In fact, as pointed out

by Olagunju, while China’s total trade withAfrica peaked at $222 billion by December 2014, the total trade volume between Nigeria and China grew about 800%, from $860 million in 2000 to $7.7 billion in 2010 and $13 billion in 2014.

Probably troubled with this situational reality, Ken Ukaoha, President of the NationalAssociation of Nigerian Traders asked a number of questions in his paper: Can we ignore China? No was the answer. Is Nigeria important to China? The answer was yes. Is china a friend or foe? Ken Ukaoha explained that 83% of goods imported to Nigeria came from theAsian Tigers of which China accounted for 71.3%. Thus China cannot be a foe in this regard.

But how have the Chinese been able to come up with this miracle?

Associate Professor Howard French of the Graduate School of Journalism, University of Columbia gave one rationale: Chinese policy of self-reappraisal, autarky (self-reliance), and work discipline.

He argued that Chinese leap forward is largely traceable to her policy of ‘going out and openness to the world’ to allow for competition under Deng Xiaopin, who succeeded Mao Zedong in the late 1970s.

More interestingly, he noted that if Nigeria is to succeed and become an economic power, she would need to have strategic objectives, plan and design in her dealings with China, as well as seriously promoting regional integration in WestAfrica to begin with.

Other Matters Arising Many issues were raised in the papers presented and general discussion: the arrival of China as a new superpower and its implications forAfrica andAfrica’s traditional allies; capacity ofAfrican

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Gu Xiaojie

countries, and particularly of Nigeria, to take advantage of Chinese good disposition to developAfrica; trade imbalance in favour of China, quality of Chinese products, and management of relations of rivalry between China and the US in the near future.

On the issue of China as a superpower, Sir Vince Cable, former Chief Economist of Shell Nigeria and former Secretary of State for the United Kingdom’s Trade and Business Policy, presented China as an ‘economic superpower,’ implying that China has actually not fully arrived as a superpower. The conception of a superpower from the Western point of view is any country that has the capacity and capability for self-projection globally and in all domains, especially militarily, economically, politically and culturally. In this regard, there is nothing yet to suggest that China does not have the capacity and capability for self-projection in all spheres.

Besides, it is important to note China’s definition of a superpower.

Former Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping noted in his address to the UN GeneralAssembly onApril 10, 1974 that ‘a superpower is an imperialist country which everywhere subjects other countries to its aggression, interference, control, subversion or plunder and strives for world hegemony… Socialist China will never (emphasis mine) change her colour and will always stand by the oppressed peoples and oppressed nations.’ Chairman Mao also made it clear that China would not sell arms and ammunition to other countries but would provide them free of charge whenever needed for anti-imperialism purposes.’As pointed out by Professor Ogunsanwo, China had fully built up, trained and equipped the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force without collecting one dollar in return. The important point on which there is the need to reflect deeply is whether the Chinese are actually not, by force majeure, becoming what they never anticipated to be.

Put differently, when not will China not become a superpower à l’américaine?

Regarding capacity and capability of Nigeria, it exists even in abundance. However, public officials have a lackadaisical attitude to very serious problems that warrant urgent and dedicated attention.

For instance, at the sameAfrica Today conference, many Ministers of government were invited to attend but did not. If the Ministers could not attend because their attention was also needed elsewhere, why were they not represented? Even when one of them was represented, the speech of the Minister was read and immediately after, the representative left the conference without bothering to know the viewpoint of the audience. Under normal circumstance, in any intellectual meeting dealing with policy, the representative of the Minister must not only represent punctually but also actively participate from the beginning to the end of the meeting and submit an official report for documentation and future purposes. Most unfortunately, this is never the case with Nigerian officials. Consequently, it is quite difficult to suggest that Nigeria can easily take advantage of China’s good disposition towards her.

Again, on the issue of emerging rivalry between China and the US, it is very likely thatAfrica will be divided, one group supporting China and the other supporting the US. Nigeria is not likely to be the friend of one and the enemy of the other or vice versa. Both countries have strategic interests in Nigeria and there cannot but be need to

maintain a balance of errors or terror, friendship or enmity on both sides. Sir Vince Cable has a useful point here: ‘although China looms very large in terms of trade and is a rapidly growing source of foreign investment, its stock of foreign investment inAfrica is only around 5% of the total. It has an embryonic and rapidly growing aid programme but it accounts for only around 4% of development assistance to Africa (but 12% of commercial loans.’ This means that the traditional allies are still more relevant than the Chinese.And true enough, Sir Vince Cable cannot be more correct if we remember thatAfrica’s development partners currently account for more than 90% of funding ofAfrica’s development projects. In spite of this,Africa currently believes more in the Chinese than in the Euro-American partners.

As noted by the ChineseAmbassador to Nigeria, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission at the conference, the Chinese ‘want transition from trade pattern that has so far been dominated by resource products to more investment and industrial cooperation.

By encouraging more Chinese businesses to invest inAfrica, we want to help the continent accelerate its industrialization and boost its capacity for development.’ Perhaps more significantly, China ‘will firmly implement the policy of “sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith” towards Nigeria andAfrica, uphold the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit, join hands with Nigeria for win-win cooperation and persist in planning and promoting bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.’ If we take a close look at this pronouncement, the seriousness and commitment of purpose is evident even if the Chinese might be playing politics with it. The truth is thatAfrican leaders appear to attach much importance to the policy statement. The Chinese also appear to know how to manage their affairs better than the traditional partners inAfrica, especially by always drawing attention to oneAfrican proverb or to their own. The African proverb is that if you want to walk fast, ‘go alone’ but if you want to go far ‘walk together’. This is precisely what the Chinese are doing, by particularly reconciling this with their own proverb, ‘when big rivers have water, the small ones are filled and when small rivers do not have water the big ones are dried up.’ This means one needs the two hands to rub one another if there is to be win-win cooperation.

Implications for Foreign Policy Concentricism Nigeria’s foreign policy is currently partly guided by concentricism and citizen diplomacy with which we are not much concerned here.

However, it should simply be noted that citizen diplomacy, as defined

by Chief Ojo Maduekwe, CFR, requires that the interest of Nigerians in any foreign policy endeavour be first factored into every foreign policy calculation. This means that citizen diplomacy conveniently constitutes the other side of constructive and beneficial concentricism.

Professor IbrahimAgboola Gambari, Foreign Minister from 1983 to 1985, introduced concentricism, a derivation from concentric circles and a mathematical concept applied in many social disciplines, as a foreign policy thrust to guide foreign policy making. Concentricism involves the prioritization of foreign policy operational areas. In other words, which area or areas of the world should be given priority in terms of strategic calculations and importance? Professor N.S. Northedge has said that the farther a circle of interest is from the centre point, the less important the circle, that is, the less willing a State will be in securing its interests in the periphery to the detriment of other national interests in the middle range or core circles.

For the purposes of operational importance, Nigeria’s foreign policy divides the world into four main concentric circles: the innermost, consisting of Nigeria and all her immediate neighbours.

The next outer circle comprises the other countries in the WestAfrican region. The rest ofAfrica constitutes the third outer circle while the rest of the world constitutes the fourth outermost circle. Thus China is currently in the fourth outermost circle with the traditional allies of Nigeria. However, China now constitutes a special area of interest and importance likely to have its own operational circle of focus to which special attention cannot but be given in the foreseeable future.

This special circle or area within the outermost circle can be called ‘Sinocentricism’ or the ‘Sinocentric Circle.’ In fact, it can be rightly set aside as the fourth outer concentric circle while the global world now becomes the fifth and outermost circle because of the special new emphasis being given to Nigeria’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China. In this regard, if China is to remain with other allies in the existing fourth outermost circle, then China is very likely to become the primus inter pares in the circle.

Secondly, the existence of a fourth outer circle in which the Chinese are likely to have exclusive reign cannot but raise the issue of where to place China in the circles and how relate with the traditional partners of Nigeria, especially the European Union and the United States, which will now be in the fifth outermost circle, and therefore, less important than the relationship with China in terms of strategic calculations in the foreseeable future.

Thirdly, Nigeria’s current relations with China also raise some indeterminable challenges at the level of relationships with the traditional allies. Development assistance from Europe andAmerica cannot just be written away with the stroke of the pen as philosophy, lifestyle, model of governance, etc, are still largely westernized in Nigeria. How will the United States, the United Kingdom and other allies react to the new Sino-Nigerian entente? The implications are not yet foreseeable but Nigeria’s courage to seek new means of livelihood and survival is in order and commendable as loan-taking and currency swap are common features in international relations. The relationship is currently that of win-win cooperation.As at December 2015, for instance, China has signed agreements on Currency Swap with 31 Central Banks.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS

Editor Festus Akanbi Email festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

QUICK TAKES Lifeline for Ajaokuta

TheUkrainianAmbassadortoNigeria, Valeriy Aleksandruk, has revealed his country’s readiness to invest $1 billion towards the resuscitation of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company.

He disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy call on the acting Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Vincent Akporaire, adding that the Ukrainian company that built the plant, Tiajpromexport (TPE), had already made a proposal to the federal government on its willingness to revive the plant.

He said the steel complex has a lot of potential which Ukraine wanted to take advantage of, adding that meetings had already been held with relevant stakeholders in Nigeria for therealisationoftheplannedtakeover of the plant.

Aleksandruk said Ukraine had a good relationship with Nigeria, especially in economic and trade investments, noting that there was a big Nigerian community in Ukraine.

The ambassador further noted that Ukraine was ready to “open a new page in its relationship with Nigeria,” and pledged to assist the BPE in its training needs to become a foremost privatisation agency in Africa.

InsuranceIndustryAsset An oil rig

Analysts Urge Caution as Lagos Joins Oil Producing States

Gboyega Akinsanmi

Following the news that broke that Lagos has joined the league of oil producing states, economic analysts and observers have advised the state government to exercise caution by remaining focus on the strategic sectors that have made the state what it is today.

Specifically, they implored the government to continue to enjoy the benefits and opportunities inherent in the strategic sectors, including fully developed banking, telecoms, manufacturing, maritime, and insurance sectors.

After 25 years of sustained exploratory, appraisal and development activities, Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited last week said it had started producing crude oil from its Aje field located in Block OML 113 offshore Lagos. It is the first commercial production for Nigeria in Dahomey Basin.

Folawiyo, a purely indigenous oil company, developed the oil field together with five other partners. Its partners precisely comprise Panoro Energy ASA, First Hydrocarbon Nigeria (FHN) Limited, New Age Exploration Nigeria Limited, EER (Colobus) Nigeria Limited and PR Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited.

By estimate, the first two wells in Aje field are expected to produce 12,000 barrels per day.

The breakthrough simply shows that with the oil, which has started flowing from Aje field within the territory of Lagos it has joined the league of oil producing states in the country. By implication, the state will

ENERGY benefit from 13 per cent derivation fund meant for the development of oil communities.

Even though analysts in some quarters, cast pall on the economics of oil production from Aje field compared with other oil fields in the Niger Delta, a company source said the flow rate would increase as more oil wells are drilled.

The field is not only endowed with crude oil. It equally holds untapped reserves of about 650 billion standard cubic feet of gas.

If harnessed in two to three years’ time, the field can supply Lagos, all the gas feedstock it needs for the thermal power stations and other manufacturing concerns domiciled in the state and its environs.

Aside the Front Puffin FPSO already commissioned with production capacity of 40,000 barrels per day and storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, the firm said the subsea installation activities had been underway at Aje since January and were completed in early March. It said it would be hooked up with FPSO. But how can oil impact public life in Lagos. Can oil really help realise the state’s vision of Africa’s model megacity? For analysts, the beginning of oil production in the territory of Lagos represents a new dawn, not just for the state and the host communities, but also for the country at large.

But analysts, who spoke with THISDAY, told the state govern-

ment not to lose focus on its current drive which is working well and making its economy thrive without oil.

One of them, the Senior Consultant/CEO in RTC Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, advised the state, a ‘fully developed economy’ , not to be carried away and allow itself to be subjected to the volatility of oil earnings, when it already has sustained means of generating revenue. He emphasised the need to focus more on these strategic sectors than the volatile oil.

According to him, Lagos “has By implication, the state will benefit from 13 per cent derivation fund meant for the development of oil communities

fully developed banking, telecoms, manufacturing, maritime, insurance and other strategic sectors.”

Agbaje was optimistic that oil syndromes would not infest Lagos like other oil-producing states in the country. He argued that Lagos “is a fully developed economy. So, it is not likely to witness the kind of oil syndromes,” which other analysts said, had become an albatross of development in the Niger Delta.

The former bank chief executive admitted that oil production in the territory of Lagos “is no doubt a beginning of another era.”

He noted that the feat was achieved with the deployment of

private investment, though the firm would pay oil rents, royalties and taxes. On this ground, he pointed out that what the state “will get will be subject to 13 percent derivation. Due to the present volume of production, what the state will earn from oil production may not be huge for now. But as time goes on, flow rate will increase. And as a result, income will rise.”

He also pointed out that the discovery of oil off Lagos coast “is an indication that there is oil in the entire coast of Nigeria. If oil is found in Lagos, it can also be found in the coast of Ogun State and other coastal states in the South-west. It also means Niger Delta is not the only region endowed with oil in the country.”

Purely at the instance of earnings that will accrue to state’s coffers, the Group Managing Director of CFL Group of Companies, Mr. Lai Omotola, said the production of crude oil “is a welcome development.”

“It will help the state expand its sources through which it can generate more funds to execute people-oriented programmes,” he added.

Omotola, however, called for caution because information about the oil production “is just coming in bits and pieces.” Consequently, Omotola said there was need “to critically review information we have at our disposal.” But with the volume of oil discovery, he noted that the field “will definitely attract more investors.”

The insurance industry will achieve a market asset base of N16 trillion and premium income of N6 trillion by the year 2020, the Director General of Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said.

NIA is the umbrella body of insurance underwriters in the country.

Thomas, who made the disclosure at the Access Bank’s Insurance Forum, stated that for that to be achieved, operatorsmustshunthecurrenttrend ofunhealthycompetitionamongthem.

He added that unhealthy competition had seen many of the underwriters charging premium rate that is as low as one per cent while others charge at 0.85 per cent rate instead of the standard rate.

He said if the industry operators were playing according to rules, in terms of premium charges, the industry would have in the past three years ( since 2013) hit the above margin.

Currently, insurance industry ‘s premium income hovers around N312 billion while industry total asset base standsataboutN715billion,according to industry estimates.

Infrastructure Deficit

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit has been valued at $300billion (about N5.91trillion) and this figure represents25percentofthenation’sGross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry made the observation during the Nigeria-Japan public, private conference for high-quality infrastructure held in Lagos.

In a goodwill message delivered at the conference, the President, LCCI, Dr. Nike Akande, stated that infrastructural deficit in Nigeria had continued to hinder growth and development.

Citing recent data from the African DevelopmentBank,shesaid,“Nigeria’s core stock of infrastructure is only 20-25 per cent of GDP, compared with 70 per cent recorded by other middle-income countries.This leaves aninfrastructuredeficitof$300billion.

“Whilethereareconsiderationsonthe useofpensionfundsforinfrastructure financingandthe2016federalbudget allocating about N1.8trillion to capital expenditure, there is definitely a need for foreign direct investment to deepen finance for infrastructure in Nigeria.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEY

As Fidelity Bank Moves to Calm the Storm...

Obinna Chima writes on the anti-graft agency’s probe into an alleged $115 cash transfer and steps taken by the bank to calm the storm

F

idelity Bank Plc has been the cynosure of all eyes in recent times following a $115 million cash transfer, which led to the arrest of its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had arrested Okonkwo for allegedly receiving the sum from the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and disbursed same to politicians and electoral officials in the build-up to the 2015 presidential election that was lost by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The bank was said to have done this in collaboration with four oil firms and their directors whom the EFCC have also been questioning following a presidential directive. The four oil firms were said to have made the lodgements, which EFCC, according to THISDAY checks, is bent on recovering from the companies.

The transaction which is still under investigation was alleged to have violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. Under the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) and Money Laundering Act, banks are mandated to report unusual transactions to the EFCC. The bank is however insisting that the transaction was duly reported to appropriate unit. Okonkwo has been released by the commission while investigation continues.

The commission’s investigators, THISDAY gathered, were seeking useful information from Okonkwo and the bank’s Head of Operations, Mr. Martins Izuogbe, who was also arrested by the EFCC in connection with the disbursement of the funds.

The $115 million was said to have been given to Alison-Madueke by the companies, while she was alleged to have contributed another $25.77 million.

A senior operative in anti-graft agency had said that in the run up to the presidential election, Alison-Madueke gave a list to the bank boss and instructed him to change the $115million into naira and disburse the money to INEC officials in the 36 states, some individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The Bank Reacts The bank has since stated that the transactions were reported to the relevant agencies and that its officials were cooperating with the EFCC as the investigation progresses.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media on investigations into transactions undertaken by the bank in the normal course of business in 2015.

The transactions are now the subject matter of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The bank is cooperating fully with the authorities on the investigation. We assure our numerous stakeholders, including our customers that we are working assiduously towards a quick resolution of the issues,” Fidelity Bank had explained.

THISDAY also learnt that Fidelity Bank has since refunded N40 million, being the interest on the funds deposited in the bank.

Officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week stormed the Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island head office of the bank as part of investigations into the cash lodgements.

A central bank official, who confirmed this to THISDAY said the visit was to compare transaction documents and to find out if the cash lodgement was duly reported in line with the Money

Trent University, UK, as well as an MSc in Finance from the University of Lagos.

A dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) since 1992, he was an Executive Director with the former Oceanic Bank Plc. He was also a General Manager in United Bank for Africa (UBA) and had been the General Manager and Chief Executive of Newdevco Finance Services Company Limited. He has over 24 years banking experience across business portfolios in banking. He was appointed to the Board of Fidelity Bank Plc in April, 2012.

Certainly, Balarabe will need the support of other board members of the bank to succeed in this new task of steering the bank out of its present situation. Some of them are the Executive Director, Shared Services, Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, who has been in the board since 2012.

Ugochukwu was General Manager, Legal Services and Company Secretary of the bank. At various points, Mrs. Ugochukwu had been in Operations, Treasury Management and Corporate Services functions.

Also, Mr. Adeyeye Adepegba, who has also been in the board since 2015, would also be providing his wealth of experience to support the acting MD/CEO. Adepegba holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University, United Kingdom (Merit) a Master’s degree in Industrial & Labour Relations (MILR) as well as a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Other board members include Chief Christopher Ezeh; Mrs. Aku Odinkemelu; Nneka Onyeali – Ikpe, Alhaji Bashari M. Gumel, among others.

Okonkwo

Laundering (Prohibition) Act as claimed by the bank. …Enter Balarabe In order to calm the storm and reassure stakeholders, the bank last week announced the appointment of its Executive Director North, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Balarabe, as its acting MD/CEO. The appointment was announced after a board meeting last week. This is to ensure seamless operation at the financial institution and to prevent a run on the bank.

A two-paragraph statement at the end of the meeting said Balarabe’s appointment, which took effect immediately, would be subject to regulatory approval even as the bank assured its stakeholders of continued seamless services.

“In the absence of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Board of Directors has appointed Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Balarabe, Executive Director North, as Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive of Fidelity Bank Plc with immediate effect subject to regulatory approval,” it said, adding: “The bank reassures all its stakeholders including over 400,000 shareholders and 3.4 million customers of its continued seamless services.”

Balarabe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Finance from Nottingham

In order to calm the storm and reassure stakeholders, the bank last week announced the appointment of its Executive Director North, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Balarabe, as its acting MD/CEO. The appointment was announced after a board meeting last week

Bank’s 2015 Results According to the audited results of the bank, gross earnings grew from N136.9 billion in 2014 to N146.9 billion in 2015.

Profit before tax (PBT) declined by 9.6 per cent to N14.0 billion from N15.5 billion in 2014, while PAT settled at N13.9 billion compared with N13.8 billion the previous year. Hence, the directors recommended a dividend of N4.6 billion, thus maintaining a tradition of consistent dividend pay-out for the past six years.

Total equity increased by 6.0 per cent to N183.5 billion from N173.1 billion in 2014 full year, net operating income stood at N83.9 billion, a moderate 12.5 per cent rise from N74.6 billion in 2014 full year, growing the major income lines across the quarters.

A further analysis of the bank’s performance showed its fourth quarter was impressive particularly in terms of income generation, which accounted for 27.4 per cent of the gross earnings for the full year.

The bank’s gross earnings grew to N146 billion on the back of 16.2 per cent stronger performance recorded in interest income for the year. Interest income grew from N104.3 billion to N121 billion.

Fidelity Bank recorded significant jump in interest income in the last quarter of 2015 due to its aggressiveness in growing loans and advances, which rose from N610 billion to N658 billion in 2014. Interest expense grew at a slower pace to interest income by 8.7 per cent due to 6.7 per cent moderation in total deposits, that fell from N820 billion to N769 billion.

Consequently, interest margin improved from 5.4 per cent to 6.1 per cent.

It performance was attributed to the disciplined execution of its medium term strategy and the resilience of evolving business models despite the extremely challenging business environment in 2015.

The board of directors of the bank offered shareholders 16 kobo per share dividend for the period ended December 31, 2015.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

21

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Abdullahi

HABIB ABDULLAHI

We’re Dedicating Some Ports across the Country as Export Terminals The Nigeria Port Authority is, no doubt, the cash cow of the economy. It is, however, beset with a few challenges, in recent times. In this interview with Kunle Aderinokun, the Managing Director of the port authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, addresses issues affecting its operations, as he unveils plans to make some of the nation’s ports dedicated terminals for exportation, in line with the diversification drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration

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INTERVIEW

Abdullahi: We’re Dedicating Some Ports across the Country as Export Terminals

Cont’d from Pg. 21

There is a foreign exchange challenge, which is related to the revenue of the nation (which is highly dependent on oil revenue). We are very much connected to the world economy, but industries are dependent on world trade. So in that way, it is impacting our activities. Whatever impacts negatively the national revenue will definitely have a negative impact on us Abdullahi

Y

ou have been in the saddle for about one year. How has it been?

I have been in the system for a very long time; therefore it is not new to me. I was an assistant general manager and executive director, before becoming the managing director of the authority. So any other challenges I must have encountered when we first came in, may not necessarily be new to me. But in the last few months, there is a new government. The change of government is a complete change of regime, ideas and philosophies.

It is an overhaul of the whole system.

With these changes, there is bound to be challenges. These changes will not only be in the maritime sector, but in the overall economy. The government will have to sit down and think of the problems facing it. This, in itself, made us to face some challenges. Maritime sector like any other sector is affected by policies of government. In the last few months, we had some policy challenges and we were waiting for the government to be stable. We would also try our best as an industry to see how we can best face these challenges.

What are some of these challenges?

Maritime sector is dependent on import and export of goods. Right now, there is less business in the port, which means less revenue and this is a very big challenge.

In which way has the current policy direction affected the fortunes of your operations?

There is a foreign exchange challenge, which is related to the revenue of the nation (which is highly dependent on oil revenue). We are very much connected to the world economy, but industries are dependent on world trade. So in that way, it is impacting our activities. Whatever impacts negatively the national revenue will definitely have a negative impact on us.

If you look at goods and service, we are less by about 10 per cent. Looking at the ship tracking, the number of ocean-going vessels last year is 5,900, a decrease of 8.1 per cent from 5,500 in 2014. The gross tonnage of ocean-going vessels is 124,200, 722, a decrease of about 2.5 per cent from where it stood in 2014. The number of coastal vessels is 10,200, a decline of about 59.9 per cent. If you look at all these ship tracking and cargo tracking, you will see that it has some negative impact on our revenue as a nation. When you look at it, it is less 10 percent of the revenue we

received in January 2015.

How are you re-orientating the port so that it attracts exports, because when challenges come, you need to re-arrange the port?

We have to follow the current thinking of the new government, which is diversification of the economy so that we are less dependent on oil, which is the government policy direction. What we are trying to ensure that we encourage export and we have written letters to the Ministry of Agriculture and Nigeria Export Promotion Council. There is quite a number of empty containers in the port, if we can take them out and encourage people to export; people are exporting different agricultural products. If we do this, it will diversify the economy, we have quite a number of solid minerals as well. So we can diversify the economy into agriculture and solid minerals, in order to utilise those containers that are lying idle in the ports , instead of being taken away empty. This is to encourage exports. This is one area we can diversify and compensate for the revenue we are losing.

How are you preparing the ports, especially the various terminals to accommodate the volume of exports that come, in line with the change agenda?

We have to work hand in hand with the concessionaires. You know the terminal operators are the ones running the ports, therefore we have to re-orient them. At the same time, we are also synergising with Nigeria Customs Service, to see if we can make some dedicated terminals for exports. We had a meeting with the Comptroller of Customs at Ikorodu recently. In Ikorodu, the number of empty containers is huge and the place is messy. So we are trying to see how we can make Ikorodu an export terminal.

We have some interested parties that are coming in, and they are trying to help with some dedicated ports. We have the Ilaje port in Ondo State; the former Olokola port that was being promoted

by Ondo state government, because of certain things, Ondo decided to go on its own. They are trying to dedicate that port to solid minerals. So quite a number of people are coming and they are showing interests. We have dedicated ports and our terminals for export.

It appears we are overusing Lagos port and the congestion is much.

Before, we were using Sapele, Warri

and Kaduna ports but today, they are not functioning actively. What are you doing to bring them back to life so that they will be involved in the exportation of goods and agricultural products can flow easily?

Interestingly, quite a number of people do not understand our functions and roles in the maritime sector. Now that all the ports are being concessioned, all we have to do is to give the necessary infrastructure to all the ports. It is now left for government to encourage. Also, the concessionaires and the terminal operators are expected to encourage people to use them. Interestingly, people decide to use Lagos, even when it is choked up. Instead of people using ,for instance, Calabar which although have some impending problems but with its sea port several depths higher than Lagos; people do not still use it even when it’s having the West African container terminal there. Even though quite a number of things that are coming, goes to Aba market, people prefers to come to Lagos.

You talked about development of Infrastructure. Over the years, the Apapa Tin Can Port, in Lagos, has been experiencing challenge of moving goods. What is NPA doing to address the challenge?

Again, I would like to state here that it is not our responsibility to create access roads into the ports. It is not in our powers; I wish it were, we would have done them, because it is very disheartening and challenging to us. This is because anything that happens, they blame NPA. But access road is the responsibility of the federal ministry of works, Lagos state government as well, especially regarding certain policies. It is also the responsibility of the local government, but we assist them. We spend quite a lot of money.

Last year, we spent N500 million , in order to carry out our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It is not our responsibility, but we have to do what we can, to ensure that these port issues are treated to promote easy flow.

The only thing we can do is within the port. There are places we are developing infrastructure within the ports. There is the 1.6 kilometres dual carriageway road that was done in Apapa. We are also trying to do similar works in Tin Can Island. The federal government is doing something about it. There is already a committee (of which we are members) to ensure that there is access road; government is also giving the contract from Oshodi to Apapa.

Could you please speak on the

inter-modal transportation, even though it may not be your responsibility?

The inter-modal type of transportation is one of the key issues that I forgot to mention when I was talking. If only railway is working as it used to be, all these congestions would have eased off.

Our responsibility is to develop the rail system, which we did. If you remember about two years, this railway we built in the port was commissioned around the ENL area. Also in Port-Harcourt, we are developing the infrastructure within the port, and I think the work has gone 93 per cent. It is being completed which is our own responsibility, but as I said we just take it to the point of the ports and leave the rest for the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). But there has to be an articulate policy.

Due to the decay in the rail transport subsector, the government is now giving priority attention to the sector, which can be seen from the budget.

We say we are losing revenue, and you discover that Nigerians import their cars from Benin Republic and Togo, it all amounts to the fact that cost of doing business here is high, bringing in materials and clearing them.

Can there be technologies that will reduce the cost of doing business?

People don’t import their cars through Cotonou, instead they smuggle cars through Cotonou. It is ridiculous ! People are complaining that this port is congested but they’ve forgotten that there are other factors that are militating against bringing in goods through the port. They say the port is expensive, but it is not so, when you compare with others around the world.

Our port is relatively competitive, and the terminal operators are making a living from there otherwise they would not have been there.

One of the criticisms against agencies like NPA is that they appear to be comfortable being rent collectors and with the new thinking in town, one expect that NPA should look at other ways of generating money instead of just collecting rents from concessionaires. What is your administration doing to address this?

Collecting the rent is very difficult because we are owed a lot of money.

We have our own responsibility; we don’t go outside our mandates. We have other cargo shipment dues, pilotage dues; we are trying in our own way to see how we can expand and set up a few things. We have the Seaview Properties, a subsidiary of NPA. There are so many challenges; we need to have a good orientation, because

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

INTERVIEW

Abdullahi: We’re Dedicating Some Ports across the Country as Export Terminals

Cont’d from Pg. 22

we were doing the business before, now we are just the landlord. There is a change of mandate; we have to start thinking of how best we can expand so that we get some revenue.

Recently, the finance minister was supposed to visit here with regards to some revenue generating agencies; they have become more of an Octopus, to the extent that some are richer than the ministry. There are some areas they are hiding under such as operating expenses, they hide under it; what they are supposed to do, they do not do it and wait for government subventions.

Therefore most of these agencies are riddled with so many things. With specific reference to NPA, I learnt that there are opportunities that are not being tapped. The maritime sector only can sustain the economy to a large extent, we have the cabotage law and the local content, but most times, these things are at a surface level. People come in, do their own bit and go. What is your response?

In what you are saying there are some contradictions; we don’t collect subventions or money from government, we are self-sustained agency. We are expected to even to give some money to government.

When we first came in 2012/2013, we remitted N15 billion; the highest amount that was ever remitted was N2 billion.

From that 2012 to now, we have remitted up to about N60 billion. The NPA has tried relatively in sustaining itself. More than75 per cent of Customs collections is from the maritime sector.

People think the maritime sector is only Nigeria ports authority. It is not correct.

More than 75 percent is from the port, so we consider that it is part of maritime.

This is why whatever we collect is part of maritime; if you aggregate the revenues that we collect in form of taxes and others, you will realise that we are getting huge amount of money. The maritime sector is huge, but people focus on the small aspect of it. The private investors coming to invest in Nigeria are bringing money and also assisting the economy. So if you look at it from that aspect, the sector is huge and we should do more, but the sector cannot exist on its own. It is dependent on the policies of the federal government; transport policies and others. Therefore there has to be an enabling environment for the maritime sector.

You stated that it is a little bit difficult collecting rents. How many of them are owing, because we learnt that almost all the concessionaires are owing and some threatened to go to court that they were not owing.

Some of the concessionaires stated that their rents would be due in 2016, but have been extended by five years without evaluating what they have done. What is your reaction to this?

First and foremost, there are quite a number of them that we owing, but for a business like this, it continues, periodically, we sit down and sign. It is an issue that monthly, we sit and properly evaluate the rent and collect the money. There are different types of funds that we are supposed to collect from them, it is not only the lease. Government is very much aware of what we are doing, the only thing we need to do is to comment on it and send to them.

Due to the challenges that we started with, the question of the TSA, which some of them don’t know what to do. On the issue of foreign exchange, we insist that they must pay us in dollars and we agreed on that. They are saying that they cannot access the foreign exchange in naira. As far I’m concerned, what they are collecting is in dollars not in naira. So they should pay us in dollars.

Therefore these are the challenges we are trying to sort out. Part of our responsibility is port development which we have to do; some of them, they want their key sites, since the volume of business has increased. Some of these key sites have been there for many years, for a place like Lagos, it has been there for 50, 60 years.

Abdullahi

While in some areas, it has collapsed, we have so much challenge that we cannot do everything on our own, so these concessionaires volunteer to assist us, but they request for two or three years more so that they can collect back their money. It is because of this reason that we have to write to government through the federal ministry of transportation, Federal Executive Council (FEC) and NCP. It was NCP that gave this extension based on our recommendation that a particular concessionaire has done X Y Z project, which has to be confirmed (also the amount of money spent on the project). So, in order to recoup their money, we have to extend to their period by one, three, four five years. So in most of these cases, that was what happened.

When Port Harcourt was concessioned, the two terminal operators there inherited a bad structure. The port is over 100 years, they agreed to fix the key one which is their responsibility, not the responsibility of the concessionaire and they did it, then the recovery agreement was made in order to recover the money they invested there.

This is what he has just explained.

Still on this concession, some of your traditional mandates have been taken up by these concessionaires to which extent has this affected your revenue generation coffers?

It has affected it positively. When we were operators, we also took care of the infrastructure, and engineering works. We spent a lot of money on it; there was also a lot of patronage. This was the essence of port report, so that this responsibility will go to the concessionaires.

So by doing that, government become more efficient, the port operation also becomes more efficient. We were also assigned to take our own part of the responsibility.

The volume has increased, people now have to go out and look for market (which are the concessionaires themselves) , which increased the volume of business.

If you compare what we were earning in 2005 to 2006, and what we earned in 2015, the difference is over 1,000 percent.

What we are collecting in this crucial time, is much higher than what we collected in the past, so it has helped us. I disagree with what people say that the concession was not a success. But there are challenges and I believe that we should have been

much better.

There is confusion between the role of the NPA and the role Nigeria Shippers Council. But for now, it appears that the shippers council is in charge of ICTs. What is supposed to the role of the NPA or is it a professional body?

It is left to government to decide what their role is. They said we are technical regulator, that is what it is. Now they say the shippers’ council is economic regulator, it was done by the ministry of transportation and the president.

Is it possible for Lagos, Port Harcourt and other major ones to operate 24 hours?

We are having 24 hours operation. Aren’t we? Some of the ship and cargoes even berth in the night. You also have to look at the other factors, the environment that will operate, but I think Lagos is fully operational, though there might be some problems, but even Lagos is 24 hours.

Port operations are dependent on other agencies, such as the Nigeria Customs.

The NPA does much of the work. We ensure that things are done correctly, and quietly. We don’t take requests or have anything to do with containers. We don’t clear goods. People are not aware of that, we have to ensure that ships are brought into the port.

What then will the little ships be doing in NPA and at Private Jetties?

There is a presidential committee on private jetties, which NPA is a member of. When ships are coming in, there is security in the NPA to ensure their safety.

In some of these free trade zones that operate freely, do you derive revenue from them?

It is not the responsibility of NPA to have anything to do with free trade zones. Free trade zones have their own responsibility and management. Maritime activity is at jetty and it our duty is to ensure that things are working well. So nobody collects revenue on our behalf.

What you are referring to is probably customs duties whereby there are customs, NPA officers and security experts. It is the responsibility of NPA officers (port managers or harbour masters) to decide where a ship goes if it is within the port.

Some of these private jetties fall within

the port jurisdictions, they may fall under Apapa or Tin Can Island, Rivers and Calabar port. Therefore they may fall under the harbour district.

What is the progress on the Lekki port?

The Lekki port is going fine; Delta state government and the NPA are very interested in it. We are doing what we are supposed to do. We are now paying proportionately and it is taking off. By now, we are thinking of the ground breaking ceremony which the Mr. President may be part of .

What is NPA as an agency doing to align itself with the vision of the present administration in terms of port development?

My primary responsibility for the NPA is to raise more revenues for government.

We also tend to work to assist in expanding the economy, so that the nation does not become oil dependent. This we believe will encourage export promotion. We will also work with the government to encourage foreign direct investment. Primarily, our focus is on revenue, expansion of the economy, diversification and foreign direct investment.

What is the progress with the Calabar dredging?

The project is also under some government considerations, but there are some issues. Presently, the dredging has stopped and government is trying to find out what is responsible. After which they will direct us on what to do.

Would you say that you have done your best to position the port authority to face the challenges that are coming?

I have not but I’m trying my best.

There are quite a number of challenges.

To operate in this environment is very difficult. Before I was appointed to this position, I was posted out of the country, to be overseas representative and I worked for six decades as Acting Executive Director, before becoming the Managing Director.

The way things are going, it is really challenging not for me only, but also for those at the helm of affairs, in the sector including the minister. I thank God, those assigned responsibilities in this government are given free hand to operate. I can say that I’m more confident.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

INTERVIEW

Anurag: Govt Can Save over $100m Annually on Ethanol Importation

On a recent tour of the Allied Atlantic Distilleries Ltd (AADL) factory site in Igbesa, Ogun State, the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Dhiman Anurag, spoke with journalists on the economy, ethanol production and other issues.

Abimbola Akosile, Ugo Aliogo and Jemima Bolokor were there

W

hen did you commence operations in Nigeria and how has the journey been so far?

It’s a long story for AADL, coming to this stage. We started thinking of this project in 1999, when people started producing fuel ethanol to mix with petrol. Sadly, 100 per cent of the country’s ethanol was imported.

The major source of producing ethanol is molasses, a by-product of sugar, and since it is only a by-product, we anticipated a time when there will be limitations of producing sugar and so on the availability of molasses for ethanol production. We then identified that ethanol scarcity was imminent, if the trend continued. From this, we recognised the business opportunity the situation presented us. We started thinking of doing a backward integration to start producing ethanol locally.

So we made the decision to set up our own Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) plant and that was how it all started.

Immediately after, challenges sprung up.

Our first challenge was that there was no manufacturer of sugar in Nigeria at the time.

We started looking for what we could use for production. All over the world, molasses a by-product of sugar mills is the major raw material for ethanol production; hence, our first option was sugar.

Next we thought of a starch-based plant which is the second source for producing ethanol in the world but we soon discovered the challenge of inadequate quantities of starch-based raw materials like corn, rice, wheat etc. We decided to look at other “non-conventional” raw materials. At the time, we came to understand that it may take us a very long time to get the right raw material for ethanol production.

Thinking in this line, we were keen on studying the concepts used for ethanol production. We divided the project into two stages. First was the installation of redistillation plant of 30,000 litres daily capacity to produce ENA from imported crude ethanol.

This equates to nine million litres annually.

In the second phase, we sought to identify the best raw material to use, considering what was available in the country. That was how we started.

We unveiled our first redistillation plant in 2002. After that we started searching for best available raw materials in Nigeria to produce ethanol. We looked at sorghum, but there was a lot of competition for sorghum at the time because the breweries were also using sorghum. Then suddenly the government banned importation of sorghum to promote locally sourced sorghum. All these made the sorghum not ideal for us. We continued our search, and finally we found cassava which has high starch content.

There was nobody in the world using the cassava as a raw material for ethanol.

We started our agric division in 2005 and started educating the farmers on how to increase their yields. We taught them the best practices to be done to boost their productivity.

We did this because when we studied the market conditions in Nigeria, we found that the farmers here only produce 12-14 metric tonnes of cassava tubers per hectare as compared to farmers in countries like Thailand produced 50-60 metric tonnes per hectare. You would agree that the practice by the farmers in the country was clearly wrong. So we taught them how to utilise their farmlands optimally, and increase their production capacity, while reducing

Anurag

production cost.

In 2007, our agric development expert, Mr. Rajasekarr came in and started developing our supply chain and logistic for cassava.

We also started developing our contract farming models and finally, we went into a partnership with IITA to advise us on suitable varieties to suit our plant. Our rigorous work in educating farmers for best practices continued between 2006 and 2007, and in 2008, we had gone for 2,000 hectares contract farming to try contract farming module. We decided that before jumping into the real project, we would solidify our contract farming. We entered an agreement with the farmers where they would sell all the cassava they produced to us. We had this agreement with about 4,000 farmers.

They produced for us, while we provide the seedlings, fertilisers, herbicides and other technical support. Their yields improved and their production capacity was on the upward swing. It went up to about 20 - 24 metric tonnes from existing 12 to 14 metric tonnes per hectare. Fortunately, the price of cassava went up in the market at the time.

The farmers were happy. They asked if they could sell their surplus yields outside and we agreed. At this point, we were certain that availability of cassava will not be an issue. We started erection activities in mid 2010 and unveiled the plant in January 2014.

Going by government’s economic diversification drive away from oil to stimulate other sectors and generate more revenue, what can be done to encourage local firms like AADL to help facilitate this process?

For this type of project to be successful,

the basic thing you need is the agricultural commodity as well as land. So we need the government to help us in developing cassava farm land in term of clearing allocated lands. We also need government in helping farmers with financial supports by launching various short-term agric funding schemes for the farmers.

Industries like ours also need a lot of government encouragement in areas of tax relief and low interest rates. In advanced countries, when you have a pioneer status like we do, you are very well encouraged by the government. This is because you play a key role in forex earnings and job creation. In China, for instance, you don’t pay tax as a pioneer company.

Government should also fast-track their infrastructure development programme.

This will reduce various problems faced by farmers in moving their produce.

If government supports us, they will save close to 50 per cent on ethanol importation. $250 million is spent annually by government to import ENA, so saving 50 per cent of that will go a long way in preserving forex at a time where it has been significantly affected by the dip in crude prices.

Reviewing your short and long term goals, what is your assessment of AADL currently?

Since the concept we use is a new concept and being the first and only distillery using cassava tubers for producing ethanol in Africa, we started with a small capacity. We started very small so we don’t face the challenge of large quantity of cassava requirement. We were also particular about sustaining a high quality of ethanol. In the last 2-3 years we

have been consistent, we have succeeded in getting the quantity needed. In 2014, we achieved a good capacity utilisation of 60 per cent. In 2015, we attained 70 per cent of utilisation, and this year, our target is between 80-90 per cent.

Quality wise, we provide the best quality of ENA. Our customers have attested to our high quality, making it effortless to retain them. So as far as we are concerned, we have been successful over the years. Though the gestation period seems longer, we are still very much on track. We are targeting an immediate expansion that would see an increment in the capacity by 13.5 million litres per annum of ENA. This will increase our existing plant capacity to 22.5 million litres per annum. We are looking to meet at least 20-22 per cent of the nation’s demand by 2021 / 2022.

Who are your customers in Nigeria and do you have challenges of inability to meet demand?

Our consumers mainly constitute alcoholic beverages and pharmaceutical companies.

They include Nigerian Distilleries, Supreme Distilleries, Inter-continental Distillery etc.

All of these companies patronise us. We are only producing nine million litres from this plant, which is too small as compared to the Nigerian market.

How has the forex scarcity affected your operations?

We are affected no doubt. The importation of plant and machinery and spares for our existing facility has become difficult due to scarcity of forex. We want CBN to give priority to import substitution industry.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

25

INTERVIEW

Okoigun: Compromise in Oil Sector Weakened Nigeria’s Economic Transformation Arco Group Plc Group Managing Director, Alfred Okoigun, was recently a guest of TV Station where he proffered the way out of the present economic doldrum and why compromise in the oil sector by policy makers has been the reason progress has remained stunted in the Nigerian economy. Kazeem Sumaina, who monitored the interview, reports

H

ow can Nigerians take greater advantage of the local content policy in the petroleum

industry?

Well, I think the starting point was the enactment of the law to support indigenous oil and gas companies. If the law is adhered to and monitored carefully, we will begin to see the development and transformation that will bring prosperity to Nigerians. By enacting the law, we are beginning to see what other nations did many years ago. We are not the only oil producing country in the world; there are many oil producing nations who are not even members of OPEC. I always use Malaysia as a model and reference point. When Malaysia invited Shell as a partner in the development of its oil and gas sector, the government opened its doors with a caveat, transfer of technology within a specified period. Shell was free to prospect Malaysian oil and gas and make as much profit but within the specified period, Malaysians were expected to be at the commanding height of the sector. Shell was disposed to this arrangement. I was in Vienna in the 1990s for a conference of chief executives of the oil industry with the then Minister of Petroleum Resources Rilwan Lukman. The chairman of Royal Dutch-Shell, Sir Phillip Watts made a presentation and revealed that his organisation went to Malaysia with the intention to train Malaysians and prepare them to take over the industry. Watts was glad to announce that Malaysia did not only take over control of its oil and gas industry but has become a major player that exports its knowledge of the industry to other countries including Nigeria.

In my response I said I was happy to learn about the Malaysian experience. I reminded the Dutch Royal boss that Nigeria was to Shell or Britain what Saudi Arabia was to the US. How were you able to do this much for Malaysia and yet the Nigerian situation was a different case? He was not at ease responding to that question.

However during the tea break of the session, the then managing director of Shell Ron Maarten van den Bergh approached me after tapping my back and said: “Alfred, Alfred, do you think Shell is not doing enough? Who do you think should be doing more? I was wondering who really should be doing more and he added: “Your government, your government, your government.”

In retrospect, I have come to realise he was right. Indeed our government and policy makers should have done more because the Malaysian government insisted on what the country wanted; it strictly monitored the situation to ensure there was strict adherence.

But what do we have in our country? ‘’Compromise,’’ which makes nonsense of any law that is enacted to ensure a certain policy produces the desired result. The Norwegian model also offers an experience every nation that wants to succeed should buy into. Norway insisted there must be partnership with indigenous oil companies as well as the setting up of research institutes as a complement to oil prospecting and refining. For IOCs interested in getting the required licence for oil prospecting, these basics were all they needed to go into business. For those who could not that was the end of the quest for partnership.

Today Norway is a key player in the oil and gas business. The same could be said of Brazil which went into oil and gas prospecting since the 1930s. For these countries oil is a blessing not a curse. Brazil insisted the only way it could partner with its IOCs was to adapt to indigenous technology. The multinationals were mandated to license indigenous companies to manufacture components needed in the oil and gas sector. When you look at the leap of progress made by these countries, you begin to wonder what has happened to us in the development of our local content. It is not too late to make a start and even do it better.

What stops us from doing better?

I have been in this business for the last 36 years and there was a time local firms were not permitted to venture into the areas of business we are currently engaged in. However fired along by the message I got as a pioneer student at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Warri I became a vanguard for positive change in the industry.

When the institute was set up, the then minister of power then known as a federal commissioner, Shettima Alli Monguno, in his address to the young pioneers of the industry said if we knew the effort the federal government had made to set up this institute so that Nigeria would take advantage of the opportunities open in the oil and gas sector, we could not but give our best to the country after our training. I was about 20 and this sunk into my brain. Less than two years as a staff of the Warri Refinery of NNPC my dream was how to give my best to the country as a player in the sector.

The federal government had invested so much on us. We were sponsored overseas for further studies and I kept asking myself how can I contribute my best in driving the oil and gas sector to that level where Brazil and Malaysia have become models to other countries.

This attitude has remained my vision and drive as a player in the oil and gas industry

effectively with their foreign counterparts.

The emphasis should be on skill development say marine engineering, fabrication, welding, et al; government should work towards supporting these organisations to be strong enough to contest for jobs in every part of the world. It can be expensive and time consuming. What these IOCs and their subsidiaries are reaping today was the result of a deliberate policy decision aimed at empowering their local or indigenous companies for the benefit of their economies. We can do the same thing here. The enormous development or civilisation witnessed overseas is the result of what the ancestors or founding fathers did and the benefits are being reaped now. We are not doing that here. Our policy makers should be ready to make that sacrifice and resolve that as long as integrity, transparency and competence remain the yardsticks, then let the best emerge and let the best be given the tools to succeed. Don’t use foreign firms in this context as a reference point when you are looking at local content development.

How will this succession process be quickened or put on the acceleration gear?

Okoigun

How has the fall in oil prices affected local capacity in the oil and gas services in the past five years?

The impact has been negative. There is no doubt about that. For example the IOCs began a cut in services provided to them especially by indigenous oil and gas company service providers. They will call and ask for a cut in prices and overheads to the point you are struggling to break even and sometimes you don’t even break even.

However, I want to believe this challenge is only a temporary one and will ease in the long run. The truth is that the price of crude oil has fallen by or less than 60 percent and it will take a while to regain the momentum even if it chooses to remain where it is now. If it goes further down it will create more problems for the economy and if it goes up, it will still take a while to adjust to a reliable and given average. The current situation is a challenge to every player in the sector as well as government and consumers.

This should not deter us from moving forward. It only offers a great opportunity for us to look at other areas of revenue generation genuinely, not the more you talk the less you act kind of scenario that has become the recurring decimal in policy implementation.

There are so many things we can do to keep growth and revenue generation on course; we have left the exploitation of other sources of revenue generation just because of a cheap oil revenue generation and this is an opportunity to look inwards

Do you share the view that local content increases the cost of projects?

I have heard this view expressed in certain quarters. Let me begin with an example. Arco Marine, a subsidiary of Arco Plc once made a bid for the use of one of our vessels and it was told the price was very high. The same was true of other indigenous service providers who incidentally were bearing the brunt of high cost of funds which at the time was very high. High cost of borrowing happened to be the culprit. There was a time in this country when cost of funds in my line of business was 46 percent per annum and this was happening with the very big banks. Now compare a situation where a Nigerian service provider servicing a loan facility with an interest rate of 46 percent is competing with a foreign company in the same business with a facility that attracts less than five percent in the home country.

That scenario is abating because there are banks here willing to lend to us at between 10 to 15 percent. Beyond that however government should not be comparing in the short run cost of services by local service providers with foreign companies whose costs might be lower.

No. Government should be looking at a long term project aimed at developing a minimum number of between 30 and 100 indigenous firms and even much more than that. The emphasis should be on a development policy that will help Nigerian companies compete

The secret is to believe that every Nigerian is entitled to what you call a high standard of living. This proposition opens up growth potentials that will lead to new businesses and the rise of existing business models to the next level. In Corporate Nigeria, there are great opportunities for growth. When you think you alone should have access to the good life and that what happens to others will not matter, growth becomes stunted. Take the revolution that took place in the telecommunications industry as an example. Before it was liberalised, it was a privileged class that had access to phones and business was at a go slow because of the rigors associated with telephony. The liberalisation in this sector has led to a multiplier growth effect that is both vertical and horizontal with millions of jobs created, with hundreds of new businesses as a spin off and to the extent that one of the key players MTN was penalised for $34 million (N1,09 trillion) for non-compliance with number portability rules.

How did this great leap into a prosperous future that we are its beneficiaries today happen? Nigeria has the population and potential for economic growth and development. Sadly, we don’t believe this population has the right to quality life, otherwise how do you explain that as great as this country is we do not have hospitality managers whose business is to manage hotels and other hospitality organisations with the type of success expected of such going concerns? Meanwhile we have among us chains of hotels from such countries as South Africa with managers who dictate to us what they want and how things should get done. The local content is largely non-existent on a comparative note. Were this to be in the hands of Nigerians, growth could have moved in diverse directions. The bottom line is that the opportunities for growth in the corporate polity are there.

Unfortunately, it is the narrow path that appeals to us.

Why are we not paying attention to technical, vocational education and training as well as skill development all of which lead to industrialisation as we can see from the experiences of other countries?

This happens to be one of our weakest points and it is disheartening.

Again if I may explain in detail, I happen to be a beneficiary of what is known as a crash programme. When the incumbent president was a petroleum minister way back in 1977, it became apparent there were insufficient hands to take charge of the refineries that were under construction. Government suddenly embarked on a crash programme involving young Nigerians sponsored to study in different countries-Italy, Norway, Germany etc. It was a short term skill development programme that ranged from one to two years designed to develop skill that would enable them take charge of the refineries.

We didn’t do the needful as a country whereas if we had been planning ahead, we should have established technical institutions such as universities and polytechnics with emphasis on petroleum engineering and allied courses. We should have taken a study of other countries and what they did to take a leap to where they are. We should have for example studied the Chinese model which aspired to be as great as or even greater than the US by embracing science and technology to the extent that at a time those with this background dominated policy making and governance in China.

India also offers another interesting model for study. When it aspired to frog-leap into science and technology, the country was not just content with sending its citizens to other countries to study. India’s dream was to be a centre for the study and advancement of science and technology with emphasis on intellectual property acquisition relating to computer engineering and manufacture. Today India has become the modern home of ICT and medical practice attracting consumers and patients from different parts of the world including America and Europe. This was the result of policy decision somewhere along the line by those in-charge. This is what our policy makers should be doing about now and I hope this government would consider this as mandatory and move the country to the next level.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Subsidy: Time to Bite the Bullet

With the slump in crude oil prices to a 13-year low of below $28 on January 20, 2016, the federal government did not provide for the payment of subsidy in 2016 budget as the expected open market price (EOMP) of petrol had dropped below the official pump price. Ejiofor Alike, however, reports that as oil prices rally above $45 per barrel, the government has braced up to pay subsidy. Analysts believe that the permanent solution is to remove subsidy

T

he plummeting crude oil prices, which started after the price hit a peak of $115 per barrel in June 2014, took the worst dive on January 20, 2016, as continued concerns about the glut in the international market pushed the prices below $28 per barrel, the lowest in 13 years.

While West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude contract settled below $27 a barrel, its lowest since May 7, 2003, the price of Brent crude, which is the global oil benchmark, dropped to $27.88 a barrel, the lowest since November 24, 2003.

With the slump in the crude oil prices, the cost of refined products at the international market also dropped and the landing cost of refined petrol also slumped below the official pump price, thus eliminating the subsidy elements.

At the peak of the slump, the federal government recorded over-recovery in terms of prices of petrol, which marketers are expected to pay back as the official price for which they sold petrol was higher than the expected market price, in view of the low cost of crude at the international market.

The drop in the price of crude oil was a blessing and curse to the federal government as it eliminated subsidy, which had gulped over N1 trillion yearly and at the same time, drastically reduced the proceeds from crude oil sales.

With the government not incurring any expenditure on subsidy, no provision was made for the payment of subsidy in this year’s budget.

Since the official government position was that it had not removed subsidy, there was concern that the expected anticipated rise in the price of crude after the April 17 meeting in Doha between the members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC might have agreed on output freeze, would potentially increase subsidy, which was not budgeted for in the 2016 budgetary appropriation.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had said that the May 2016 price review would reveal what the pump prices of petrol in the country would look like.

One of Nigeria’s petroleum refineries

Subsidy Returns As the prices of crude rally above $45 per barrel, thus raising the landing cost of petrol above the official pump price, subsidy element has returned to the pricing template.

The federal government recently confirmed that it is now paying between N12.62 and N12.88 as subsidy for every litre of petrol consumed by Nigerians, according to the updated pricing template of the Petroleum Ibe Kachikwu Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

The latest template showed that the template, saying it does not reflect the actual gradual rise in subsidy was necessitated market fundamentals. by the recent increase in crude oil price to This is obviously why petrol is not sold about $47 per barrel. for official price in Nigeria except in Abuja, For every litre of petrol, the federal Lagos and other major cities. government would pay subsidy of N12.88 According to the PPPRA template, the to the private markets, while the Nigerian expected open market price is based on the National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) current exchange rate of N197 to a dollar, gets N12.62 for selling below the expected which the marketers have also faulted as open market price. dollar has risen far above the official rate.

According to the latest PPPRA template, The marketers argue that with the high which will cover the second quarter of 2016, cost of dollar, the expected open market the EOMP of petrol is N99.38 per litre for price of petrol is higher than PPPRA’s independent and major oil marketers and official estimate in the template, hence N98.62 per litre for retail outlets belonging most marketers sell above government’s to the NNPC. official price.

EOMP is the price the product is supposed With the current official price of N86 to be sold in Nigeria if there is no subsidy per litre at NNPC retail outlets, the federal and no price regulation. government is paying N12.62 per litre as However, marketers have contested PPPRA subsidy on the product and N12.88 per

litre as subsidy for other oil marketers’ price of N86.50.

A breakdown of the template revealed that for NNPC retail outlets and private marketers, the landing cost of petrol imported into the country is N84.32 and N85.08 per litre respectively.

The distribution margin, which includes retailers, transportation, bridging fund and dealers’ margin among others, stand at N14.30 for both the NNPC and other marketers.

This brings the current expected open market price to N98.62 and N99.38 for NNPC retail outlets and other marketers respectively.

Are Nigerians paying double subsidy?

Even though the federal government pays subsidy to ensure that Nigerians access product at official price, it is only in Abuja, Lagos and other major cities that marketers sell at official pump price, apparently due to the presence of the regulatory agencies.

In the hinterlands, petrol is sold at N100 per litre and above even when there is no scarcity of product.

With petrol not selling at official price even after subsidy is paid to marketers, there are concerns that marketers receive double payment from the government, on one hand, and from Nigerians who buy the product, on the other hand.

But marketers argue that the PPPRA template, on which the federal government relies for determining the pricing, does not reflect the actual market fundamentals for appropriate pricing of product.

For instance, the pricing template is based on the exchange rate of N197 but the traders access foreign exchange at higher costs, which are not captured in the pricing template.

After the marketers have paid the actual cost of product at the international market, there are other cost elements they incur before the product arrives in Nigeria, which are captured in the PPPRA template.

These cost elements include lightering expenses, financing, jetty depot throughput, storage charge, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s charge and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA)’s charge.

As the product lands in the country, the PPPRA allocates distribution margin to arrive at the expected open market price before determining subsidy.

These margins include, retailers’ margin, transporters’ margin, dealers’ margin, bridging fund and marine transport average.

However, the marketers argue that these cost elements, which are determined by the PPPRA, do not reflect the current market realities that determine the cost of imported product.

The marketers have also faulted the template on the grounds that it does not capture all the expenses incurred in the course of importation of product into the actual.

In order words, the marketers’ position is that while the cost elements captured in the template do not reflect the actual fundamentals in the market, there are also many hidden costs, which are not captured by the pricing template.

Some of these costs include: union levies, high cost of demurrage, extortion on the highways, unofficial payments to security and government officials, among others, which are not captured by the PPPRA, and which make the expected open market price published by the agency unrealistic.

To this end, petrol is hardly sold at the official price outside Lagos, Abuja and other major cities, despite the payment of subsidy to marketers.

Though it will be a hard decision to take, analysts believe that the way to go is to remove subsidy. This will bring to an end the raging controversy over how much to pay, allegations of double payment, and end the reccuring fuel scarcity.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

27

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Turning to Solid Minerals Sector for Economic Growth The decades of neglect of the mining sector appears to be nearing an end, due to the nation’s dwindling revenue as analysts welcome government’s newfound interest in the sector and proffer way forward for the sector, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

A

fter decades of neglect of the nation’s solid minerals sector, leaving it largely to private and unlicensed operators to prey on, the nation’s current economic challenges appear to be forcing government and analysts to look in the direction of the sector in a bid to shore up the nation’s revenue profile and reduce mass unemployment.

This is even as observers contended that if accorded appropriate attention, the sector was capable of outperforming the oil sector in terms of revenue and employment generation. Those who subscribed to this argument based their take on two major factors: one, the sector boasts of multiple products compared with the oil sector, which is mono-product. Two, most of the solid minerals resources available in the country are export-driven.

Findings revealed that the country has over 40 solid minerals in commercial and exportable quantities. Of the over 40 minerals, THISDAY gathered that coal, tin, lead, and columbite are among the ones that were mined in large scale in the country. Others like gold, talc, iron ore, gypsum, rock salt, bitumen, gemstone, coal, zinc and kaolin among others remain largely untapped Observers held that this partly explains why the sector has, over the years, under-performed in terms of contribution to the nation’s revenue base and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) even as legal framework is believed to constitute impediment in the way of optimally harnessing the vast resources in the sector.

The sector’s under-performance becomes more glaring when its contribution to the country’s GDP was put at 0.55 per cent, compared with that of other African countries with less quantity and numbers of products as Nigeria.

Records show that the sector contributes 40 per cent of Botswana’s GDP, in South Africa it is 18 per cent while it is 25 per cent in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Huge Potential in the Sector Though the sector presently contributes about one per cent of the country’s GDP, observers described it as an untapped gold mine and pointed to countries like South Africa and Sierra Leone as proofs of what can be benefitted from the sector adding that Nigeria’s endowments in the sector are “ in commercial and exportable quantity, yet largely untapped.”

Two of the analysts who spoke to THISDAY, Executive Director of Corporate Finance, BGL Securities, Femi Ademola and Lagos-based economist with a foremost economy advocacy group, Rotimi Oyelere, agreed that the sector holds enormous potential.

According to Ademola, “I agree that the solid mineral sector has huge potential, not surety because it is yet to be exploited. The solid mineral sector has quite a number of products and there are no alternatives to them yet.

Besides that the oil sector is a single product sector it has alternatives; there are alternative sources of energy, shale oil and the likes.

“However, it has huge potential to attract foreign investor because a lot of products in the sector are export-driven and this is what. Foreign investors want to be able to hedge their risk, with prospects of foreign exchange earnings from exports in the sector they can hedge their risks.

“This is good news for Nigeria if you look at the example of Sierra Leone and South Africa among many others.

Many foreign companies are investing in South Africa’s platinum and the country is reaping good benefits, same thing with Sierra Leone. None of the countries have as many solid mineral minerals as Nigeria has and in diverse states too; so it is an untapped goldmine and this is one of the best time to invest in the sector,” Ademola stated.

Corroborating Ademola, Oyelere noted that, “Nigeria has about 40 solid mineral endowments in commercial and exportable quantity, so it follows to conclude that it has huge revenue potentials. Apart from that it can also help with job creation,” he stated.

Government’s New Resolve At different fora the Minister of Solid Minerals Resources, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, continued to harp on the moneyspinning potential of the sector as well as its capacity

Coal miners in Enugu State

to significantly impact employment generation in the country.

Speaking at the third edition of the Chief John Agboola Odeyemi Annual Lecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Fayemi noted that the country’s mining sector had the potential to contribute N5 trillion (about $25.3 billion) annually and significantly impact the prospects of creating thousands of job opportunities.

He stated that Nigeria was blessed with various natural endowments scattered in every states of the federation.

“Ironically, these natural endowments contribute less than one per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he however pointed out.

At another forum, Fayemi reportedly stated that the immediate plan of the current administration was to fast track investment drive in the sector. According to him “Our immediate priority is to accelerate investor confidence in the mining markets, and get the sector growing and creating jobs. To do that in the context of the overall emerging strategy, we will be taking the following action to finalise market and technical diagnostics.

“We shall finalise privatisation exercise based on the recent update provided by the Bureau of Public Enterprise and an audit of privatised assets would be undertaken,” he added.

While analysts, who spoke to THISDAY agreed that the potential in the sector is vast and capable of turning around the country’s fortune, particularly foreign exchange earnings, they agreed that there was plenty of work to be done if the country must reap the benefits inherent in the sector.

Challenge of Legal and Regulatory Framework THISDAY checks revealed that the sector is governed by the Mineral and Mining Act of 2007. An overview of the act showed that it “vests control of all properties and minerals in Nigeria in the state and prohibits unauthorised exploration or exploitation of minerals.”

According to the act, “All lands in which minerals have been found in commercial quantities shall from commencement of the act be acquired by the Federal Government in accordance with the Land Use Act. Property in minerals resources shall pass from the government

to the person by whom the mineral resources are lawfully won, upon their recovery in accordance with the provisions of the act.”

Incidentally, Ademola and Oyelere both harped on the importance of legal framework if the country must optimally explore the sector.

“Political will is required to fully harness the potential in the sector. Government must put plenty of hard work and investment as well as regulatory framework in the sector as was done with the oil sector. There is need for some other regulatory agency besides the ministry as is the case with the oil sector. This is what will attract foreign investors to the sector. Foreign investors like to hedge their risks, since almost all the products in the sector are export driven, foreign investors can hedge against that,” Ademola argued.

Aligning with Ademola, Oyelere noted that retaining mining in the exclusive list is a cog in the wheel. While canvassing for its listing in the concurrent list, Oyelere insisted that this became necessary because the federal government lacks the capacity to monitor all the solid mineral resources scattered in every state of the federation.

He added that listing in the concurrent list will allow states harness the various products for the development of the states.

“Mining is on the exclusive list which means it can only be managed by the Federal Government. That is an anomaly; the way to go is to take it out of exclusive list and put it into concurrent list. This will help the different states to harness products it is endowed with for the developmental purposes. If that is done, states will be able to harness its resources in the sector we would see simultaneous development and growth in the economy of all the states. The way things are will not foster that,” he concluded.

THISDAY findings also indicated that while observers welcome the ministry’s acknowledgement of what need to be done and plan of action, they are nevertheless waiting with bathed breath to see if the ministry will match word with action and demonstrate the political will to follow through on its promises, particularly with regards to the collaboration with states to optimally harness the sector’s potential for the overall good of the country.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS/AVIATION

Airlines and Contentious Issue of Unpaid Debts

The recent drama by the aviation union which picketed Arik Air operations brings to the fore the contentious issue of debt payment by airlines to aviation agencies. Chinedu Eze writes that the animosity between airport service providers and airlines has been growing over the years

F

ew years ago aviation agencies, especially the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), issued threats to make airlines pay their debts. That tradition is now back with gusto, looking at what the labour union did to Arik last week.

Before now other strategies were used to make airlines pay their debts. For example, agencies like NAMA would simply refuse to give airlines startup for the take off of their flights and that would force them to pay their debts. But sometimes the airlines would place calls to the Presidency or the Ministry of Aviation and the agency would be ordered to rescind its decision.

So, over the years the debts to the agencies had continued to accumulate and there was a time FAAN claimed the airlines owed it over N20 billion and there was also a time when NAMA devised a method of only giving airlines that did not owe it startup, while NCAA would threaten to ground the airline before it would pay its debt.

Controversy

The seed of the current discord with aviation agencies was sowed about six years ago when aviation ministry met with the airlines where it was resolved that the payment of old debts be put on hold while the airlines should pay new debts as they are accumulated. This resolution was vehemently protested by aviation unions.

Despite that window given to the airlines, new debts continued to accumulate and later formed part of the old debts.

About three years ago, FAAN adopted pay as you go for passenger service charge, which forced the airlines to purchase ticket of N1000 per passenger in advance. So far that has continued to work. But the agency could not apply that policy to landing and parking charges.

Also, about three years ago, NCAA began to have problems with airlines following delays in the payment of their 5 per cent charges per ticket.

It is estimated that the debts accruing from the charges are over N10 billion.

But it has to be noted however, that airlines all over the world owe airport facilities service providers, handling companies, food suppliers and others. Such debts are always paid in arrears, but the challenge with the Nigerian airlines is that they seemed not to be willing to pay their debts.

Over Charges

The Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, recently said airlines pay too many charges and they also pay VAT and when put together the airlines are overcharged, which makes Nigeria a very harsh operational environment.

“We are just asking for removal of unnecessary taxation and multiple billings so that we can face the real charges.

Because in trying to pay all these five per cent, two per cent, this levy and that one, it ends up being bulky on the passengers, and we all need to think about Nigeria right now and that is why we the airlines are thinking more for Nigeria. The charges include VAT, customs duties, FAAN charges, landing, parking, navigation; terminal service charge (TSA).

“We need to really look at them. For example, I pay you TSA; meanwhile, you are not even providing any service to the passenger, and I need to still pay the service to transport my passengers on the airside to the aircraft and I am paying you for that service or I am paying you N2.50k to pass fuel through the hydro system and the

An Arik aircraft hydro system is not in use. And we know there is no hydro system in this airport for the past 10 years. So all those things need to be taken out.

If you are not providing the services then don’t bill for it because right now everybody needs to tighten his belt,” Meggison said.

Arik Debt

After the picketing of Arik operations on April 20, the airline suspended operations that day. The union had argued that Arik owed FAAN N12.5 billion but by the following day, after a meeting with Arik management, it turned out that neither the union nor FAAN knew actually what Arik owed the agency.

FAAN and Arik had met several times to reconcile their debts. As the biggest indigenous operator with about 120 flights daily, Arik should be paying FAAN huge amount of money in charges. What Arik with about 27 operational aircraft pays should almost be the total sum paid by other airlines.

Arik said since it started operation in 2006 it had paid FAAN the sum of N18.5 billion by end of February this year, but FAAN acknowledged only N11. 4 billion as at June last year and said that although there was extra fund in its balance sheet, about N7 billion, its bankers did not attribute the extra fund to Arik or any other creditor. Although it was Arik that explained this, since last week this position has not been refuted by the agency.

As stated earlier, FAAN and Arik held several meetings to reconcile the debts. About two years ago, they met with the Senate Committee on Aviation headed by Senator Hope Uzodimma before FAAN later took Arik to court.

The Managing Director of Arik, Chris Ndulue, explained at a press conference a day after the picketing: “At that meeting, what happened was that when we submitted our report, FAAN, which initiated the meeting, told the Senate Committee that they were not ready, that they needed two weeks. I think members of that Senate Committee are still alive you can verify. And they asked for two weeks. After two weeks, we came back and when they were asked some questions, they said they needed four weeks again. After one month we wrote to remind them that we were ready and since then we never heard anything from them. They didn’t show up but we kept on paying

them and we have been reminding them that we needed to reconcile this account, we like to pay for services rendered if they are genuine and if they are acting according to the law.”

Former Permanent Secretary of the then Ministry of Aviation, Binta Bello, had attempted to reconcile the Arik and FAAN debt and a mode of reconciliation was set up. Later Arik brought in PricewaterhouseCoopers to reconcile the debt but this failed because FAAN allegedly could not get its documents right.

PricewaterhouseCoopers was said to have put up a procedure, which worked very well in NCAA. “Where we gave them all the payments that we have made, you will now recognise all the payments and then from there, they will now bring their bills, then we will now look at the bills whether they are right or wrong and then from there we can now do the arithmetic,” Ndulue explained.

Court Procedure

Ndulue also narrated that in October 2015, “FAAN commenced suit against Arik Air before the Federal High Court Lagos and the suit is pending.

In the suit with number FHC/CS /1558/2015, commenced by FAAN, FAAN was claiming that Arik Air is indebted to it. Together with the claim, FAAN filed an application to arrest some aircraft of Arik. When the matter came up in court for them to move the application, they were unable to satisfy the court on why it should grant the application. On subsequent adjourned dates of the matter, particularly on the third of February 2016, FAAN informed the court that they were no longer minded to move their application on the grounds that they did not want to disrupt the operations of Arik Air. “Subsequently, FAAN filed another application in court because when they have filed their motion exparte we filed applications before the court in which we showed the court that contrary to the allegations they had made, Arik had made payments in excess of N16 billion to FAAN and that the claim of FAAN was not supported by documents. Without prejudice to the matter which is pending in court I will not go into the merits of that. After we filed that application, FAAN now filed a motion in court by which they wanted

the case referred to a special referee, which is like an audit firm.”

Arik explained that FAAN in the last instance wanted to take the matter to the Attorney General of the Federation, which was the situation before the picketing of Arik operations by the union. But the bone of contention, however, is that while FAAN claims that Arik is owing huge debts, the agency does not know exactly what the airline owes it and the airline is insisting that the debt claimed by FAAN must be transparent and clear with comprehensive data as obtained in other parts of the world where it operates, so that it would not pay debts juggled together at the whims of the agency.

Reconciling NCAA Debts

Last Wednesday, the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, held a closed door meeting with airline operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

The meeting was convened to reconcile debts the airlines owed aviation agencies, estimated to be about N20 billion.

At the meeting were Chairman of Arik, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, Managing Directors of Medview, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, Aero Contractors’ boss, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, Executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Noggie Meggison, Dana’s boss, Jacky Hathiramani, former Secretary-General of AON, Mohammed Joji, among other airline operators.

The Director General of NCAA was said to have discussed with the airlines how they could reconcile their debts and offset them and the airlines agreed to pay up within two weeks.

Unlike in other operating environments, there are indications that many airlines would wish not to pay their debts; in the same vein, the aviation agencies have not found a perfect way to document their debts transparently so that it will not lead to contestation. Industry watchers believe that FAAN, for example, should automate all the processes of debt documentation and not arbitrarily release figures that would be questioned. On the other hand, airlines must know that as they incur debts they must pay for services without which it would be impossible for them to operate.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS/LABOUR

Labour’s Push for New Minimum Wage

Over the years, organised labour has continued to cry out about the poor wages government and the private sector pay to workers across the country. The current push by Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a living wage within the range of N56, 000 has opened the door for debate and confrontation amid government’s silence. Paul Obi writes

F

rom time immemorial, workers have often bargained for more wages, with the argument that government and the corporate world constantly exploit workers through poor wages. That of Nigeria dates back to the colonial era. From 1960s to date, the agitations for wage increase have not ceased. The argument is that, Nigeria as an oil producing country, with one of Africa’s biggest Gross Domestic Product (GDP), N18,000 minimum wage is too tokenistic to be classified as a living wage.

Many Nigerians tagged the minimum wage slavish, exploitative and peanuts from hell into the pit of servitude. But, even the arrival of the N18, 000 was not a tea party, labour fought vigorously before government yielded in. Now, times have changed, Nigeria’s economy has plummeted, stocks have nose-dived, there is hike in unemployment and job losses, while forex is in crisis. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s economy once christened Africa’s shining star and emerging market giant, has taken a back seat as both the formal and informal sectors suffocate.

Under this sordid atmosphere, the federal government and the pack of governors across the states have been reluctant to kick-start talks about a new minimum wage, which the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) pegged at N56,000. On the other hand, the looting spree and the naked thievery that characterised the Nigerian ruling class have further embolden labour to argue that the N56, 000 proposed new minimum wage is realistic. The various scandals and investigations of the past administration, including the perceived corrupt political appointees in the current government have emboldened labour to insist on its demands despite the prevailing economic downturn. With the change mantra of President Buhari, the Pandora’s Box of the primitive accumulation and stealing so far has also been slit open, to the vexation of ordinary Nigerians and labour, who are now forbidden to tinker with the idea of a new minimum wage at this juncture.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in his address on Workers’ Day provided the basis upon which labour is anchoring its demands. “During the last May Day, we had stated that as soon as the new government to be sworn in on May 29, 2015 settled down, we would table a proposal for a new National Minimum Wage demand.

The National Minimum Wage Act which former President Jonathan signed into law in April 2011 has a five year re-opener clause for new negotiations to review the new minimum wage,” he said.

According to Wabba, “in fulfillment of the above provision, we recently submitted a N56,000 proposal as new minimum wage to the federal government, and requested it to constitute a tripartite committee made up of government (Federal & State), NECA/organised private sector, and labour, made up of NLC and TUC, to start the new negotiations in earnest. Our proposal of N56, 000 is just N4,000 more than the figure we put out for negotiation in December 2008, which was N52,000. This represents our awareness about the prevailing economic situation in the country.

Advancing further the rationale for wage increment, NLC Vice President, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, told journalists that, “some are asking if there is a justification for wage increase in view of the current economic situation on ground, the answer is yes. The naira itself has collapsed beyond the expectations of every Nigerian. As of this morning it’s about N321 to the dollar, and they

NLC members protesting increase in electricity tariff say it’s stable now. If you do the calculation, that’s more than 100 per cent fall. What that means is the N18, 000 has gone down from the time it was negotiated. With good conscience, you can’t insist that N18, 000 should be the minimum wage.”

He explained that when we renegotiated the minimum wage then, the exchange rate was N145 to a dollar.” Adeyemi stated that “with this proposed new minimum wage, life will be better for our workers. At this point in time, we believe that the figure of N56, 000 is realistic and it’s supposed to be affordable by our employers,” Adeyemi said.

But, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at a briefing in Abuja last week told journalists that the dismal economic situation in the country does not augur well for a new minimum wage as proposed by the organised labour. He deplored labour’s decision to hang the whole talk about new wage on the federal government. He had informed journalists that the demand for a new minimum wage “shouldn’t be a federal matter, states should be allowed to make their decisions based on their abilities to pay. The cost of living is not the same in every part of the country,” the APC national chairman said. In the same token, former Senior Special Assistant to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, had suggested to governors facing difficulties in paying salaries to consider sacking workers in their states.

But labour on the other hand, had argued that should government plug the leakages in the system, halt corruption and harness the recovered looted funds, it will be in a better position to meet the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) demand for new minimum wage of N56,000. Speaking to THSIDAY, NLC Secretary General, Dr Peter Ozo-Ezon, dismissed the claims by APC national chairman that the demand for a new wage is not feasible, stressing that, he barely understands the issues of new minimum wage at stake.

“The demand for a new minimum wage is

genuine; it is not focus on the federal government, the issue of minimum wage is not only a government issue, it is a wide issue on the economy, involving the private sector,” Ozo-Ezon said. He told THISDAY that “the chairman did not understand the issues; he needs to understand the issues on how a new minimum wage can be arrived at.” NLC Secretary General further argued that what is needed is not for the federal government to negotiate alone, but to constitute a tripartite commission or committee to include the three tiers of government on one side, organised labour and the private sector. According to him, “that’s the ILO convention for fixing minimum wage and Nigeria is a signatory to the convention, where it pledged to obey the rules.”

Ozo-Ezon contended that the tripartite commission in the negotiation of minimum wage is not new to the government. He cited the last committee headed by former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Alfa Belgore (Rtd), as a clear example. The NLC scribe contended that any opposition to the proposed new minimum wage should be based on verifiable facts, adding that, individuals or groups opposed to the proposal should “support their argument with analysis, all these are matters of the process.” Asked whether labour would soft-pedal on the N56,000 wage bill and reduce it to a workable plan, Ozo-Ezon said: “We cannot be telling you whether we will reduce the amount we have put forward or not.”

Further, Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana, SAN lampooned the government for failing to heed the demand of labour, calling the N18,000 minimum wage starvation wage.

“By virtue of section 17 of the Constitution, the government is under an obligation to provide for a living national minimum wage and make conditions of work just and humane and ensure that the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused. But in total disregard of its constitutional responsibility to Nigerian workers the government

has provided for a starvation wage of N18, 000 per month. Even the starvation wage is not paid as and when due as stipulated by law.

“According to President Buhari, workers in 27 out of 36 states are owed arrears of salaries.

Although the Nigerian people have been asked to be prepared to tighten their belts, no tier of government in the country has taken steps to reduce the expensive costs of running the public service. Over 70 per cent of the budget still goes for servicing a parasitic bureaucracy. No government has reviewed projects that constitute a drain on public treasury. Governors still travel so regularly to Abuja and other places in hired jets. There are 11 planes in the presidential fleet! Public officers move around in long convoys,” Falana said.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, kept mute on the issue at the last May Day. That’s understandable. From post to post; the federal government has been grappling with enormous challenges it promised to tackle during the campaigns. To demand new minimum wage when the purse is near empty will be suicidal, according to government officials.

On the flipside, Labour’s argument that blocking the leakages in the system, cutting cost of governance and dealing a big blow on corruption will afford government the resources to pay the proposed minimum wage, is also reason.

At the moment, there are no signs that government and labour would seek neither a meeting point nor consensus on the issue. To calm down nerves and rescue the economy from the current crisis, both parties would have to look for ways to soothe the taste of the bitter economic bill of the moment. But to government, the idea of N56,000 as new minimum wage appears spooky even in the surface.

The proposal itself has lit up the debate for a living wage, at least to bring the Nigerian worker on board also. In the next couple of weeks, if labour’s threats are real, Nigeria may be heading for another labour crisis.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS/ MEDIA

Trading Privacy for Service Excellence

Raheem Akingbolu examines the implications of recent ads where top Stanbic IBTC executives encourage customers to call their personal phone lines should they receive less than sterling service

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he culture of service in Nigeria’s banking sector has had an interesting trajectory in contemporary Nigerian history. Many older Nigerians would remember the ‘80s and early ‘90s, the years of the “tally number”.

There were no ATMs in those days. Internet and telephone banking did not exist either. If you had to make a transaction, your only option was to visit the bank physically.

To make matters worse, the banking hall was often a stark contrast to today’s banking hall. I don’t recollect how many banking halls were actually air-conditioned in those days. And the banking hall seating was often inadequate especially in rush periods such as month-ends. It wasn’t uncommon to find cashiers attending to customers in-between mouthfuls of groundnuts and roast plantain or roast maize, especially at lunch hour.

The most defining feature of the nature of service in that era was the attitude of cashiers and practically every other bank staff. It ranged from the haughty to the sheer arrogant. Cashiers were tin gods at the time. If you were a stubborn customer given to complaining after waiting only 30 minutes on the queue, for instance, chances were that the cashier would have no qualms regularly hiding your files in the course of routine manual processing, in order to teach the “stubborn customer” a lesson.

All of these have since been consigned to distant memory with the emergence of a new generation of banks. Many would probably still remember the wave of advertising in the ‘90s which celebrated the debut of this breath of fresh air in Nigeria’s banking space. How can anyone forget the “wey my tally number?” ad of those days which creatively poked fun at the practice of using “tally numbers” in the older generation banks?

The new generation banks introduced sundry innovations in Nigeria’s banking space, many of which came to define service in the entire banking sector as all banks, old and new, quickly adopted these innovations. One of these was to replace the often poorly educated “cashier” of old with university graduates who had been recruited only after stringent recruitment tests to help enhance the probability of their being above average intelligence. These university graduates who would undergo comprehensive job training before commencing work were generally more personable and were far more grounded in customer service. They had been trained to recognize that without customers, neither they nor anyone else would have a job to do. Rather than “cashier” different banks have since evolved such new titles as “personal finance officer”for this very important face of the institution.

Over the years, it has been one steady journey to service excellence in the banking sector. Today, even though many banking halls, especially in rural and semi-urban locations, still leave a lot to be desired, today’s banking hall is a far-cry from the shabby halls of old. Indeed, some banks take such good care of their banking halls and other facilities that the ambience could, in a handful of cases, rival that of 5-star hotels.

Of course, thanks to technology, there is a growing multiplicity of ways by which customers may conduct transactions with their banks and with each other. Now, you may choose to conduct business from the convenience of your phone or your computer in the comfort of your home or office. Of course there are thousands of ATMs across the country these days providing yet another means by which customers may transact business remotely. Some banks are even said to have taken a step further with what is now referred to as social media banking where a customer may open a bank account via his social

CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni media account.

Despite the proliferation of approaches by which one may conduct banking transactions in a remote manner, face-to-face banking in which a customer comes face-to-face with his banker in the banking hall remains the most popular in Nigeria. And this is hardly unexpected.

Even if remote banking could do all that conventional banking can do, there will still be a huge proportion of people who would prefer to bank the conventional way.

Technology shortcomings and failures apart, it is in providing the regular face-to-face banking services that banks often experience their biggest challenges pertaining to customer services and customer care. Does the banking hall suit the calibre of the customers? Does its ambience sufficiently mirror that to which the customer is accustomed? Does the banking hall smell fresh like roses or does a stale putrid smell of sweat, damp walls, dirty currency notes and stinking upholstery pervade the air?

What about the protocol on entering the bank? Are the security men courteous, friendly and helpful? Are they professional in rendering help to customers or do they extend “happy weekend” greetings to prospective customers in the well-known expectation of getting tipped for their “eye service” assistance?

This takes us to the even more critical issue of the core banking service itself: How long does the customer spend on the queue to see the front service officer for instance? How proficient is the front service officer? How knowledgeable is he? How personable is he? Is

he wearing a perpetual frown or does he appear happy with his job and happy to be of service to his customers? What about the various bank officers known as account officers, who are supposed to relate with designated customers of the bank? Do customers know who their account officers are? Beyond knowing who their account officers are, in the eyes of the customer are these account officers perceived to be of any value? Are they able to provide relevant counsel and guidance to their customers?

It is perhaps in the light of these and other questions that Stanbic IBTC appears to have taken a leap well ahead of its contemporaries in an attempt to further redefine customer service and customer care. In a recent ad, the Executive Director of Personal and Business Banking (Retail Banking in many other banks) and the Head of Operations jointly signed a statement to customers in which they implore customers to contact them directly if they believe they have not received the right kind of service from the bank. Both gentlemen unveiled their personal phone numbers and email addresses to the bargain.

It’s a huge gamble that speaks to the calibre of customers who ordinarily patronize the bank. Conventional wisdom would indicate that this is a gambit you embark upon only when you are assured that it will not be abused, that you will not receive job applications or marketing proposals on the publicized email addresses for instance.

More importantly, however, it’s a huge vote of confidence on employees of the bank. Only an executive who is supremely sure of the quality of services being rendered by his operatives can boldly make such an assertion as the Stanbic IBTC executives have done in the public space. Clearly, what this translates to is more pride by the employees in the work that they do, knowing that they enjoy the trust and confidence of their executives so much that the executives have proudly boasted to the world, even if indirectly, about the quality of the bank’s offering.

In turn, this translates to greater conviction by the bank’s customers as to the quality of the service they currently receive and a reassurance that should they have any problem whatsoever with this service, they can contact executives who have direct decision-making responsibilities.

It is a great way of systematically turning your current customers to your brand ambassadors and getting them to recruit new customers free-of-charge for you.

I dare say it is also a great way of attracting discerning customers to your bank. Prospective customers are likely to be impressed with a bank whose executives show the level of customer-centricity that both Stanbic IBTC executives have displayed.

But while other banking innovations are fairly easy to copy, this is one innovation that is not likely to be copied tomorrow. The reason would appear to be the fact that Stanbic IBTC sits in a rather unique niche in Nigeria’s banking space. It is a Nigerian bank like other Nigerian banks, but it is also an international bank with a vast international reach that extends to Europe, Asia and across Africa. No other bank enjoys this unique dual personality which manifests in the bank’s understanding of the domestic market, its world class disposition to service delivery and very likely, its access to funds given its international connections.

There is no doubt that both executives are going to feel the occasional heat of unnecessary phone calls or needless emails. In a not-verysophisticated market like ours, this is always going to happen. They should, however, be proud of the sacrifice which they are making in the course of promoting the customer service ethos of Stanbic IBTC Bank and even more importantly, of creating new frontiers for customer service in Nigeria

GOtv: Blazing the Trail with Launch of Audio Channels Habeeb Gbeminiyi

T

he liberalisation of broadcasting in Nigeria in the 1990s abolished the monopoly of public service broadcasters and led to the emergence and swift growth of privately-owned radio and television services. In the same period, Nigeria’s telecommunications industry was liberalised and by 2001, the global system for mobile communications (GSM) was introduced.

The entrance of GSM was marked by innovation resulting in early adoption by millions of individuals and businesses. In no time, businesses could customise their numbers and this kicked off the era of talk radio.

Talk radio gained popularity rapidly. From news analyses to sports and general interest shows, listeners do not only tune in, they phone in to air their opinions on topical issues.

Although the rise of new technology was predicted to spell the end of traditional media, the popularity of talk radio has boosted radio listenership in the country. Unlike television which is widespread, few Nigerian households have a radio set, with most

listening to the radio in their cars, public commuter vehicles or mobile phones. Rapid urbanisation has ensured that most Nigerian cities are now yoked with traffic congestion, a state of affairs that has made radio a great companion to the average commuter.

The launch of Wazobia FM 95.1, Nigeria’s foremost Pidgin English radio station, was another game changer in radio broadcasting in the country.

The widespread use of Pidgin English, Nigeria’s unofficial bridge language, was of great benefit to the station, making it gain wide acceptance and listenership in Lagos. Due to its wide acceptance, Wazobia FM has spread outside Lagos, now also transmitting from Port Harcourt and Abuja. So, when news broke that Wazobia FM, had launched on GOtv, it was well received because it meant that the channel could reach a wider audience.

Wazobia FM made its debut on GOtv in December 2015 as the first 24-hour audio channel on the digital terrestrial television (DTT). GOtv did not stop there, four months later, in April 2016 Naija FM 102.7 Lagos, another Pidgin English radio station, went live on GOtv. It is also noteworthy that GOtv is the first and

only DTT operator in Nigeria to offer audio channels as of today.

The availability of audio channels on digital TV such as GOtv is the result of technological convergence - single devices performing multiple tasks and diverse array of content being accessed through the same device. This is good news for the avid Nigerian radio listener because he doesn’t need own a radio set or no longer needs to wait to get into a car or tune to the radio on his mobile phone to listen to Wazobia or Naija FM. He can simply choose to tune in from the comfort of his home.

Chris Ubosi, Managing Director of Megalectrics Ltd reinforced this when he said: “We are delighted to partner with MultiChoice Nigeria on the launch of Naija FM 102.7, Lagos on GOtv. The partnership is significant as it creates an additional medium for us to reach our audience.”

Furthermore, Wazobia FM 95.1 and Naija FM 102.7, both Lagos-based now reach Nigerians in the six geo-political zones as GOtv now covers major cities and towns in 25 states. Access to more TV channels has been continuously emphasised as a key benefit of digital migration, with not many talking of the possibility of carrying radio channels

on TV. More so, the ripple effect of a regional radio station having a national reach - as is now the case of Wazobia FM 95.1 and Naija FM 102.7.

Since its launch in October 2011, GOtv proclaimed itself a partner to the Nigerian government in the actualisation of digital migration. In line with this and though not the pioneer DTT pay-TV service in Nigeria, GOtv was the first to deploy the approved Digital Video Broadcast technology, second generation (DVB-T2) in this market.

GOtv also promised to offer quality content at an affordable price, from offering 27 channels at launch about five years ago, it now offers 49 channels – 47 TV and 2 radio.

John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said that no other digital terrestrial television (DTT) operator in Nigeria has shown more commitment and support for local content made in Nigeria for Nigerians than GOtv. Its Africa Magic channels - especially Yoruba – with its local content offering remains a unique selling point.

This decision to carry local radio channels on its platform will definitely strengthen its foothold in Nigeria’s DTT space.

– Gbemiyi is a public affairs analyst.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

BUSINESS/MARITIME

Positioning Nigeria as Shipping Hub in W’African Sub-Region

With other neighbouring ports jostling for the shipping hub status in West and Central African sub-region, Nigeria appears not to be left out with emphasis on improving facilities and services as part of her efforts to compete for the trans-shipment base status in the region, writes Francis Ugwoke

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he quest for the load, transshipment or hub centre in West and Central Africa is about two decades. And the contenders have remained the same - Nigeria, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic (Cotonou) and Ghana.

Some critics argue that considering her state of infrastructure decay, including low draught level, corruption, Nigeria cannot be a strong contender. But authorities in Nigeria are working hard to ensure that the country is counted among strong contenders. Besides, the market size enjoyed by Nigeria remains a big factor for her consideration. As the name implies, a hub is described by experts as the point of destination or a centre that can be used by shipping lines for various goods meant for the entire region. From this point, other smaller vessels can transship the cargoes to different countries or states within the sub-region. For any country that eventually becomes the load centre, there will be multiplier effect on the national economy. It opens trade more than ever before with unimaginable ship and cargo traffic that will benefit everyone, from agencies of government, community to the providers of various shipping services. This makes the stake high for the contenders, meaning that whichever country will take such position must be glaringly efficient and have first class facility to handle the traffic.

Comparing the Contenders One big factor that places Nigeria in a position to become a hub in the region as earlier pointed out is the market size. Nigeria controls a huge market for shipping lines doing business with not just West and Central Africa, but nearly the whole of Africa. Nigeria has initiated deep seaport projects in some parts of the country.

There are two in Lagos: Lekki and Badagry deep seaports. While that of the Lekki Deep Seaport has been on for some years, the Badagry deep seaport is yet to take off. There is also deep seaport project in Akwa Ibom, but the state of the project is not clear. There are two other deep seaport projects that are being planned for Ogun and Ondo states. However, it is being argued that apart from the Lekki and Badagry deep seaports, others outside Lagos cannot be positioned to compete because of their location. On the existing ports, experts said the draught level of the ports rules them out of competition with what can be found in other countries. A maritime expert, Mr Lucky Amiwero, described Lagos ports as River ports which draught level cannot compete with those of Cotonou, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.

On the other ports outside Lagos, he said the location could be the challenges. The draught level of the ports in Lagos is about 13 metres as against 19 metres for the ports of Cotonou, Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire. He described the countries as having natural or ocean ports that can compete with any size of vessel. Amiwero pointed out that while the biggest vessel that has called at the Lagos port and Eastern port was the one that came with 4,500 teus (containers).

Other neighbouring ports, he said, could take a mega ship with 14,000 and 20,000 teus.

Efforts to Position Nigeria as Hub Port Industry experts argue that what makes a country attain the status of a hub port is not just the draught of the port alone, but also the efficiency level attained in trade facilitation.

The service delivery in the ports as it relates to cargo handling operation and clearing is part of it, a maritime lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Ofomata, said. He added there must be a clear evidence

Entrance to the RoRo port

of automation in the service delivery, first class cargo handling equipment for positioning of containers either for customs examination or away from the quay side, including intermodal transport system in operation with the ports being linked with rail.

Improving Service Delivery at Ports Determined to ensure that the nation’s ports are efficient and compete with those of the neighbouring ports, the Nigerian Shippers’Council (NSC) as the Ports Economic Regulator had introduced a number of measures to promote efficient service delivery. The NSC had early last year, carried out investigations on the neighbouring ports in competition for the hub, noting that most of their tariffs were lower when compared with what obtains in Nigeria.

This was the reason for reducing some charges, which has since become a subject of legal battle with some service providers. The council had also demanded that the service providers raise their capacity for cargo handling. While some terminal operators have invested huge sums of money in cargo handling equipment, many were yet to do so. The result has been complaints by shippers and their freight forwarders on lack of adequate cargo handling equipment. This has often resulted in the delay in clearing their goods out of the ports. Except now that there is very low traffic of cargoes because of the economic crises that the country is facing, importers and their clearing agents had lamented that they sometimes spent two to three weeks waiting for their containers to be positioned for examination by the customs. When this happens, it translates to more money for the terminal operators and shipping companies paid as demurrage. To address this issue, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, had reached out to the service providers to improve on their cargo handling equipment. Bello had also said his council would carry out equipment audit to ensure that service providers have enough modern cargo handling equipment as needed to save the shippers from any nightmare at the

ports. Bello had also called on every agency in the ports to offer automated services which will make services faster as can be obtained in other advanced countries. Already, many agencies of government, including NPA, Customs Service, SON, NAFDAC, among others have introduced automated services. This, according to Bello, has helped in trade facilitation at the ports. At a recent meeting between the Customs and officials of the council, Bello stressed the need for the deployment of modern equipment for trade facilitation. Noting that Customs had been alive to its statutory responsibility, he said modern trade facilitation is anchored on ICT, adding that if embraced, it would bring about “efficiency, predictability and transparency in cargo clearance process”. Automation, he said, will help in minimising human contact and eliminate corruption at the ports.

He said: “Customs has been alive to its responsibilities and it is a catalyst for trade facilitation. With the way our economy is going, we have no choice but to improve on trade facilitation so that the maritime industry will rightly take its place as major revenue earner for the economy. We believe that modern trade facilitation is anchored on automation. This will bring about the much needed transparency, predictability and efficiency.

“Automation of the processes of cargo is one of our cardinal function but we cannot do it alone so we need the customs for us to come together. There must be frequent forum so that people will know that we are serious about this automation. There is corruption in the system and one of the easiest ways to banish it is through deployment of ICT. This is the time for technology at the port and together with customs, we can achieve it”.

He also called on the Customs to be the lead in championing the course of single window in Nigeria for it to be at par with other developed countries. Bello pointed out that a situation where scanners at the port are not utilised because they are non-functional is an issue that the Customs management should

quickly address.

During the meeting, Customs Zonal Coordinator, Lagos, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Charles Edike, said efforts are being made to acquire scanners. Edike said new scanners will address all examination issues at the ports, recalling that it was a nightmare for him as Controller at Apapa port when the scanners collapsed.

Among other efforts of the Ports regulator to ensure the Nigerian ports achieve efficiency that can position Nigeria as a hub include the introduction of Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) which will reduce the decades of fraudulent practices, including under-declaration, concealment of cargo by the importers/exporters and shipping companies. CTN also has security benefits as the cargo is monitored from port of loading to port of destination. The council is also promoting Inland Container Depots (ICDs), which are described as dry ports to take shipping services closer to shippers at any geo-political zone. This will save the shippers the nightmare of having to come to Lagos to clear the goods as the container can be delivered to him through the ICDs. With efficient rail services, this will check congestion in the Lagos ports, thereby addressing years of Apapa gridlock, and enhancing Nigeria’s chances of becoming a hub port. NPA recently decided to register only trucks that are roadworthy to carry goods from the Lagos ports. This exercise, according to the General Manager, Western Zone, Chief Michael Ajayi, will check cases of trucks breakdown on the Apapa access roads. The management of the NPA, apart from coordinating the deep seaport projects in the country, has also been involved in maintenance dredging of the ports in what is intended also to position Nigerian port as one of the contenders in the hub port position in the sub-region. Since security remains very important in every business environment, the management of NIMASA has also been involved in the fight against piracy on the nation’s territorial waters in order to remove any obstacle on Nigeria’s quest for the hub status position.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC: Investment income and profit on investment contracts greatly drive profitability

M

ansard Insurance Plc. is a member of the AXA Group, the worldwide leader in insurance and asset management with 157,000 employees serving 102 million clients in 56 countries.

The company was incorporated in 1989 as a private limited liability company and is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM). The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/ investment management services, medical insurance solutions and pension fund administration through its three subsidiaries Mansard Investments Limited, Mansard Health Limited and Penman Pensions limited. The company was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009 and has Market Capitalization in excess of N31 billion thereby remaining the biggest insurance company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The company recently released its full year results, for the year ended December 31st 2015, a showing a 2.72% increase in profitability despite a 4.74% decline in gross premium. The rise in profitability was greatly aided by a significant 50.37% rise in profit on investment contracts and 39.21% increase investment income during the period.

Mansard Insurance delights investors by consistently paying dividend twice every year; a half year interim dividend and a final dividend at the end of the financial year. For the year ended December 2015, the Bank has declared a total dividend per share (DPS) of N0.05, comprising of an interim dividend of N0.03 already paid in 2015 and a final dividend of N0.02 payable in May 2016.

INCREASE IN NET PREMIUM AS A RESULT OF INCREASED PATRONAGE For the period year ended December 2015, the company’s gross premium declined by 4.74% to N16.57 billion from N17.40 billion in the corresponding period of 2014 as a result of stiff competition for both institutional and retail clients within the insurance space. Further insight into the company’s activities for the financial period revealed

WITH THE CURRENT PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY, WE BELIEVE THAT EARNINGS AND GROSS PREMIUM WILL INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY AND STEADILY IN THE NEAR TO MEDIUM TERM

that the claims expenses increased by 53.20% to N7.25 billion from N4.73 billion in 2014. However, total underwriting profit decreased by 11.73% to N2.99 billion in 2015 from N3.38 billion in 2014 for the period.

Re-insurance expenses rose by 17.72% to N6.99 billion in December 2015 from N5.93 billion in December 2014. Net Premium Income for the year increased slightly by 9.39% to N9.90 billion in December 2015 from N9.05 billion in December 2014.

INCREASED EXPENSES FAIL TO IMPEDE SURGE IN EARNINGS Finance cost for the year ended December 2015 decreased by 2.85% to N415.99m from N428.21m recorded in the corresponding period of 2014. This is as a result of the company’s total borrowings which increased by 10.59% to N31.59 billion in December 2015 from N28.56 billion in December 2014 leading to increase in payment of interest on loans during the financial year. Due to the decline in Finance cost, the company’s profitability increased during the period under review as pre-tax profit rose by 0.41% to N2.02 billion in December 2015 from N2.01 billion in December 2014 while Net Income increased by 2.72% to N1.66 billion in December 2015 from N1.62

billion in December 2014. Taxes for the year ended 2015 decreased moderately by 2.72%, to N361m billion in December 2015 from N397m in December 2014. Thus, the company’s net Income margin rose to 10.03% in 2015 from 9.30% in 2014 while pre-tax margins also rose to 12.21% from 11.58% over the period. The company’s return on assets (ROA) decreased slightly to 3.25% from 3.60% while its return on equity (ROE) declined to 8.47% from 9.91%.

ALREADY BENEFITING FROM ACQUISITION BY AXA GROUP AXA Group, a global leader in Life & Savings, Property & Casualty and Asset Management acquired 77% of the stake in Mansard Insurance Plc., becoming the major stakeholder in the company. The acquisition marked the beginning of a very bright and exciting future as Mansard retains its management team, staff and values while operating within the largest insurance group in the world. This would allow the AXA Group to enter the highly attractive Nigerian market while Mansard would be able to capitalise on AXA’s extended distribution knowledge, unique product skills and actuarial know-how, to accelerate further its development and leverage its competitive advantages. The Company has also acquired 60% of the issued and paid up share capital of Penman Pensions Limited and intends to run and operate the PFA as its subsidiary in the Pension Industry.

The Company’s acquisition extends its subsidiaries to four, having already made significant inroads into Asset Management, Health Insurance and Property segments through its wholly owned subsidiaries (Mansard Investments Limited and Mansard Health Limited) as well as its majority holding in the property joint ventures, APD Ltd. With the current performance of the company, we believe that earnings and gross premium will increase substantially and steadily in the near to medium term.

WE PLACE A HOLD RECOMMENDATION DESPITE BRIGHT OUTLOOK We expect that with the acquisition of 77% stake in Mansard Insurance Plc. by AXA Group (a worldwide leader in insurance and asset management) will have a positive impact on the company’s turnover. The

Valuation Metrics 05-May-16 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price

2.65

Current Price (N)

2.24

Outstanding Shares (m)

10,500

Market Cap (N'm)

23,520

EPS (N)

0.16

PE Ratio

14.15

Forward EPS

0.18

Forward PE Ratio

12.44 Source: BGL Research

2015 Full Year Audited Results Turnover (N’m)

16,574

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

2,023

Profit After Tax (N’m)

1,662

Pre-tax Margin (%)

12.21

Source: Company Data 2015 AC, BGL Research

2014 Full Year Audited Results Turnover (N’m)

17,400

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

2,015

Profit After Tax (N’m)

1,618

Pre-tax Margin (%)

11.58

Source: Company Data 2014 AC, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

%

Holding

Assur Africa Holdings Ltd

76.48

Public Float

23.52 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

acquisition marks the beginning of a very bright and exciting future for Mansard insurance Plc as it can retain its management team, staff and values while operating within the largest insurance group in the world. This creates an opportunity where the company can deliver high level of product innovation, operational excellence and create an opportunity for expansion, into other markets would boost performance significantly beyond current results.

Based on our review of the company’s financials, we project gross earnings of N18.24 billion and net earnings of N1.68 billion for financial year end 2016. Using a relative Price to Earnings Valuation (PE) and (NAV) Net Assets Valuation method, we arrive at a 12 month target price of N2.65.

Since this represents an upside potential of 18.63% on the current price, we therefore place a HOLD recommendation on AXA Mansard Insurance Plc shares.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

Sterling Bank Plc: Modest rise in profitability aided by reduced expenses

S

terling Bank Plc (Sterling Bank) is a full service national commercial bank in Nigeria with focus on consumer banking, trade finance, investment banking and capital market activities. It also provides wholesale banking services and offers banking products through its over 160 branches nationwide, 5,000 POS and 3,800 alternative delivery channels, 300 automated teller machines, telephone banking and other e-banking offerings.

In over 50 years of operations, Sterling Bank (formerly NAL Bank) has evolved from the nation’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a fully-fledged commercial bank; and completed a merger with 4 other banks – Indo-Nigeria Merchant Bank, Magnum Trust Bank, NBM Bank and Trust Bank of Africa – as part of the 2006 consolidation of the Nigerian banking industry.

Popularly known for its “One Customer Bank” slogan, it evolved to a bigger bank upon its merger with the defunct Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB).

Sterling Bank Plc’s (Sterling) recently released their results for the year ended December 31st, 2015 showing a modest growth of 6.28% in gross earnings to N110.19 billion from N103.68 billion in the corresponding period.

Consequently, the Bank has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has recommended a total dividend payment of N2.59 billion (on the basis of N0.09 per share) for every 50 kobo share.

Interest income grew by only 3.82% to N80.91 billion in December 2015 from N77.93 billion in December 2014, due to increase in the Bank’s loans and advances to customers.

Conversely, interest expense increased significantly by 18.48% to N41.37 billion from N34.92 billion in the corresponding period of 2014.

Expectedly, net interest income for the period declined by 8.07% to N39.54 billion from N43.02 billion in the prior year of 2014, due to the earlier mentioned significant increase in interest expenses.

REDUCTION IN TOTAL EXPENSES AND INCOME TAX GREATLY IMPACTS NET INCOME

Total expenses during the financial period of 2015 declined by an insignificant 1.91% to N49.66 billion compared to N50.62 billion in the corresponding period of 2014. The main reason for the reduction in total expenses was due to slight cutbacks

ALSO THE STRONG LIQUIDITY POSITION OF THE BANK AND POTENTIAL PROFITABILITY FROM INCREASED FOCUS ON LENDING WOULD CUSHION THE EFFECT OF THE LIQUIDITY WITHDRAWALS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF STERLING BANK

from N655.94 billion in December 2014 and 56.72% reduction in tax liabilities to N780.32m from N1.80 billion. However, despite the reduction in asset quality, the banks total equity (shareholders fund) grew by 12.81% to N95.57 billion from N84.72 billion in December 2014.

NOTABLE GROWTH IN PERFORMANCE RATIOS

The Bank’s Return on Assets (ROA) increased slightly to 1.29% in December 2015 from 1.09% in the corresponding period of 2014. Conversely, Return on Equity (ROE) increased slightly to 10.77% in December 2015 from 10.63% in December 2014. Furthermore, at a capital adequacy ratio of 17.49%, the bank’s CAR remains well above the minimum regulatory requirements of 10%.

FIRST QUARTER MARCH 2016 PERFORMANCE

in personnel expenses, administrative expenses and other property, plant and equipment costs during the financial year.

Also reducing is the company’s financial tax liabilities which came down by 58.52% to N723.72m from N1.74 billion in 2014.

The aforementioned declines in total expenses and tax liabilities greatly aided the company’s profitability markers albeit modestly, as profit before tax grew by 2.50% to 11.02 billion in 2015 from N10.75 billion in 2014. Net income also followed suit with a higher growth of 14.30% to N10.29 billion in December 2015, from N9.00 billion recorded in December 2014.

BALANCE SHEET DECLINE ATTRIBUTABLE TO REDUCTION IN FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION

Sterling Bank’s total assets decreased by 3.03% to N799.45 billion in December 2015 compared to N824.64 billion achieved in December 2014. The decreased was cost by a reduction in financial intermediation which saw loans and advances to customers reduce by 4.71% to N338.73 billion from N371.25 billion year on year and reduction in cash and balances with the CBN to N115.92 billion from N174.76 billion, reflecting a 33.67% change.

On the other hand, total liabilities reduced by 4.86% to N703.89 billion from N739.82 billion in 2014. This was caused by a 9.92% reduction in customer deposits to N590.89 billion in December 2015

The bank recently released its first quarter results for the period ended March 30th 2016, showing a not so impressive performance as there were declines in key financial indicators.

Interest income grew by 4.24% to N20.05 billion from N19.24 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2015 while on the flip side, interest expense declined by a significant 17.03% to N8.64 billion from N10.09 billion in 2015. This helped improve the bank’s net interest income by 24.74% to N11.41 billion in the period under examination, from N9.15 billion over the period.

Furthermore, total expenses grew by a modest 3.74% to N12.62 billion in March 2016 from N12.16 billion in March 2015, due to various increases recorded in other property, plant & equipment cost, general & administrative expenses, depreciation & amortisation, and other operating expenses. Expectedly, due to the increase in total expenses profit before tax declined by 30.56% to N2.81 billion from N4.04 billion. However a 50.95% increase in financial tax liabilities to N263.63m from N129.56m, further reduced net income to N2.54 billion from N3.91 billion recorded in March 2015, reflecting a 34.99% change.

WE RECOMMEND A HOLD DESPITE BRIGHT OUTLOOK

Despite the regulatory policies in the banking sector which threaten the Bank’s income generating capacity, we believe the management of the Bank will continue to focus its efforts towards strengthening income generation from financial intermediation. Also the strong liquidity position of the Bank and potential profitability from increased focus on lending would cushion the effect of the liquidity withdrawals on the performance of Sterling Bank.

Valuation Metrics 05-May-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

2.02

Current Price (N)

1.54

Market Cap (N'm)

44,337

Outstanding Shares (m)

28,791

EPS (N)

0.36

PE Ratio

4.28

Forward EPS

0.40

Forward PE

3.84 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

Full Year 2015 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'bn)

110.19

Pre-tax Profit (N'bn)

11.02

Profit After Tax (N'bn)

10.29

Pre-tax Margin (%)

10.00 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

Full Year 2014 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'bn)

103.68

Pre-tax Profit (N'bn)

10.75

Profit After Tax (N'bn)

9.00

Pre-tax Margin (%)

10.37 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders Holding

%

% Holding

Silverlake Inv. Ltd

25.00

State Bank of India

8.86

SNNL/AMCON

5.85

Dr Mike Adenuga

5.63

Public Float

54.66 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

The Banks top and bottom line performance narrowly missed our projection for the year modestly in FY 2015. Considering the above, we project revenue of N120.84 billion for the full year 2016 and net income of N11.48 billion, leading to an EPS of N0.40 for the year.

Therefore, using the combination of the earnings, book value multiples and dividend discount valuation models, we arrived at a 12-month average target price of N2.02 per share, which translate to a 31.35% upside potential on the current price of Sterling Bank Plc shares. We therefore maintain a BUY recommendation on Sterling Bank Plc shares.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

TRAVEL Benin Republic: A Neighbour Worth Considering

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

The route is manned by unprofessional border personnel but Benin Republic is a destination still worth considering, writes Ayodeji Rotinwa

T

he road to intra-African travel is paved with suspicious border control personnel: Immigration, the police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency officers, Customs, soldiers. They stood in twos and threes on the sides of the road that had run out of bauxite, in pressed stiff uniforms.

Sweat shone on their foreheads, teased with the sun’s light. Their faces nearly the colour of coal, their necks a shade lighter. When they saw us, an entourage of two buses, they stepped onto the road and held their hands, straight in front of them, fingers pointing to the sky. The more enthusiastic of them waved their guns, swinging it pointedly to the right, or the left, to join them on the dirt.

We were going to Cotonou.

We were a group of writers, bloggers, photographers, TV hosts, event planners, communication managers headed this way at the behest of Google West Africa, who wanted us to experience how its apps can work as a travel assistant when abroad, especially in a country where one doesn’t speak the language.

We were in a mobile cabin which had convertible chair beds, an actual bed, table / study area, a microwave, a fridge, water and Ribena, a tour guide and most mercifully, a toilet. We were persons of interest.

“Una dey enjoy o,”the border authorities said, to no one in particular more than once, after they had gained entry into the bus, mandating it had to be searched. They found a couple of straw hats, hand luggage, cracker biscuits, juice; books held in hand, earphones and confused journalists. We were stopped about twenty-five times by different groups of the same border authority body, on the journey to and from Cotonou. After a while, we stopped counting.

Each time lasted from fifteen to forty minutes.

Our passports and intentions were scrutinized.

A letter from the Benin Republic High Commission in Lagos stating clearly it was aware and it approved of our entry into its country was disregarded. Driver licences for the men behind the wheel of both buses were in order.

Requests for ‘something for the weekend’ shadowed our interrogation. The Nigerian Immigration Service does not care for candid cameras.

On reaching Seme, the border point between Nigeria and Benin Republic, we were held up once again. What separated the territories of both countries was a ringed wall of tyres, mounted on themselves on either side of a dusty, parched patch of road supported by a formidable black plank and a thin, sickly-looking rope.

The immigration post where passports were to be checked and our state of our health certified was a makeshift box of metal, with an open front knocked together by a local welder, it seemed.

It was clothed in layers of dust and had a lot of people, too close together, congregated at its open window.

To cross over from one country to the other, it seemed the rope simply had to be lifted and scrunched up naira notes urgently pressed into the palm of the immigration officer who granted you entry.

A photographer on the bus decided to take shots of our surroundings and allegedly pointed his camera in the direction of the immigration officer when he was carrying out his entry responsibilities. The officer rushed to the bus asking that the camera be turned over to him at once. He called his colleagues. He slapped the side of the car when the driver and the photographer asked him why he wanted the camera. What was wrong?

Veins snaked across the side of his neck as he spoke, his voice rising higher every time. His

Oceanside, Ouidah

“You dey craze, I be your mate? You no hear say make you open door? You dey mad?“ He gathered the photographer’s shirt in his fist and dragged him out of the bus with the rest of us apologizing, assuring him that the photographer was doing his job, that he meant no harm. The photographer, in about ten seconds was no longer with us. We would then wait for about two hours thirty minutes at the border. Our passports and the photographer were returned, with the photos deleted from the camera.

The writer, at Casa Del Papa, Oceanside colleagues soon gathered by the driver’s side of the bus, ordering that the bus door be opened.

The immigration officer then threatened to slash the bus’s tyres. He swiftly produced from his breast pocket what looked like a pocketknife, safely tucked in for this sort of inconveniences.

The driver, defeated, opened the bus. The immigration ran in, first knocking one out of the way with his shoulder and further into the bus, he snatched the camera from the photographer and slapped him with the certainty that can only come from not expecting retaliation.

Welcome to Cotonou We were to spend four days here. On entry and in the days after, we would be greeted by tin roofs, unpainted buildings, petrol stored in glass jars and sold on the side of the road, street sweeper machines, citizens in brightlycoloured Ankara and women riding Okadas.

For the country’s biggest city, Cotonou is awfully shy with modern infrastructure, by observations from inside a bus that was at least a storey and a half tall and allowed for wide views. The most modern building in sight was the hotel we stayed in, Sun Beach Hotel, rated four stars by many travel review sites and had the facilities of hotels deserving of such rating, complete with a boutique that sold everything from children’s toys to beach wear, to wigs.

Eventually we would be told of a mall, and come across a business district that had a few buildings that boasted of more than one storey, that were laid with glass, marble, and other finishes. One of them was another hotel.

Voodoo Capital We started our tour at the Sacred Forest of Benin in Ouidah (L’Iroko Benin), which is a green expanse of great trees and dry brown

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

35

TRAVEL Benin Republic: A Neighbour Worth Considering crunchy leaves on the floor populated by statues of supposedly industrious gods, who would offer you riches, artistic inspiration, heal wounds, smite your enemy, quicken the arrival of late offspring or bless you with longer erections.

The forest also had a shrine for the python, its worshippers present. The forest is visited regularly by locals and their needs and no one is beyond its help. Our tour guide, Mesmin, a tall, enthusiastic man who told of Benin’s history with his hands, his face and body moving at the same time and in rhythm, shared a story of how a to-be-sworn-in President had to be carried to the forest after winning an election.

He had been struck with paralysis before his swearing in and couldn’t stand of his own ability. He was flown to Paris. Doctors were unable to find a cure or a diagnosis for what ailed him. He was returned to Benin and taken to traditional medicine doctors, close to things of the otherworldly and who ascertained that he was struck by a spell delivered by one of the existing gods. They counteracted the spell at the forest and he was healed.

Mesmin soon announced, as if we had any doubts that Benin was the voodoo capital of Africa and a voodoo festival was held every year.

Sacrifices were made to pythons, virgins were offered to gods, citizens came to celebrate an old king who turned himself to a tree, to keep anyone from seeing his dead body, and they come to this tree and the gods to ask for riches, babies and wellbeing.

Mesmin assures us that the gods are powerful and productive. A third of Benin’s population live below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. As of 2010, it had the 34th highest maternity mortality rate in the world.

Of history, slave trade monuments and blue waters Mesmin tells us that the people of Benin though colonized by the Portuguese and the French for over a century - have fiercely held on to what was before their colonialists imported a new way of living. The average Beninese dutifully attends church or mosque services and still worships his local gods.

In the communities and in urban areas, there are statues everywhere, odes to characters of myths, folklore and small gods. These statues are revered. At one monument, you could not come close enough to touch it without taking off your shoes.

They have especially preserved the history of transatlantic slave trade, with three major monuments, all close to the ocean set up for the purpose. One especially striking monument is a UNESCO site, ‘The Point of No Return’ built at the lip of the endless, blue ocean. Here, black bodies previously certified productive, strong, with backs given to endless violence were cargoes of labour, loaded unto ships bound for Europe, the Caribbean or the Middle East.

The monument is a storey-high structure, resembling the Arc D’Triomphe but etched with human bodies in visible states of despair.

Standing there too long was to be consumed first by imagination, that were it a few centuries ago, one would be standing on the other side of the monument, in front of the ceaseless water, certain in the possibility that there were two ends: in the water or on a field, where the body and the use of it is not your own, and only for picking cotton, planting sugar, building ships, houses and reproducing to make more bodies who can continue where you leave off when you die.

The lasting tattoo of the slave era, asides the statue is Port Novo, the capital of Benin, of Portuguese origin meaning“New Port”. It was developed as a port for slave trade.

Were one to just look into the waters though, you could never guess the violence they bore and the lives they helped steal and carry off to foreign lands. Benin’s waters are a divine kind of blue, stark contrast to water bodies in Lagos.

Along the coast, and smartly so, are lined some impressive resorts, one of which we had lunch at – Casa Del Papa. It comes highly recommended and deservedly so.

Light Up Cotonou Power only went out once. When the weather disagreed with it. For four days and three nights, power did not once blinker, not in the hotel that understandably may have back-up generators, but at restaurants, craft centres, and every other place we visited. On the night before we left, a thunderstorm cracked through the city and

Cont’d from Pg. 34

Emirates’ Executive Rejects Air FranceKLM CEO Position Stories by Demola Ojo Emirates’ chief commercial officer Thierry Antinori declined an offer to be chief executive at Air France-KLM Group, saying he preferred to stay with the Dubaibased airline.

“I’ve been contacted but I’m not interested,” Mr Antinori told reporters in Dubai on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market conference. “If I stay in the airline industry, which I love, understand and want to stay in, the best possibility to work is for this brand.” Air France-KLM is looking to replace CEO Alexandre De Juniac, who said this month he was leaving after almost three years of wrangling with pilots over costs. Mr De Juniac is set to leave by August 1 to run the International Air Transport Association lobby group.

Europe’s biggest airline must press on with restructuring plans if it’s to compete with low-cost carriers such as EasyJet in Europe and Gulf operators led by Emirates on long-haul routes, Mr De Juniac said after announcing his exit.

Mr Antinori began his career in the airline industry with Air France and later joined Deutsche Lufthansa before signing on with Emirates in 2011 as an executive vice president for passenger sales worldwide, according to the Emirates web page.

SAA Celebrates 10 Years as Star Alliance Member South African Airways (SAA) this month celebrates a decade as member of Star Alliance, the world’s oldest, most experienced global airline alliance.

According to Tim Clyde-Smith, SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia, SAA was the first African airline to join the global network in 2006, providing other Alliance partners access to SAA’s extensive route network within South Africa and the rest of the African continent: “We gave Star Alliance its first strategic foothold in Africa, now recognised as one of the most significant growth markets for international trade and aviation,” Tim said today. “Over the past ten years we have carried many thousands of Star Alliance members on their journey across the world’s most exciting continent including a great many from Australia,” Tim said. Star Alliance was founded with five member airlines in 1997. Today its membership totals 28, including three African airlines.

SAA’s membership in Star offers customers a host of advantages, ranging from access to the extended (Alliance) global network and worldwide benefits such as lounge access for passengers travelling in Business Class or with Voyager Lifetime Platinum, Platinum, or Gold status, which equals Star Alliance Gold status.

On-lake commerce in Ganvie

Slave Monuments power went out. A generator took a while to come on apparently because it wasn’t often put to use. The power was back on in thirty minutes.

The Venice of Africa A floating community held up by stilts in less blue waters exists in Cotonou. It quite literally is another Makoko, albeit better organized, with floating markets, boreholes, churches, a mosque, a school, all with solar panels and fishing farms called ‘land’ neatly allocated to different families.

It is called ‘Venice of Africa’, populated by about 20, 000 people and is regarded as the largest lake village in Africa.

The village floats on Lake Nokoue, a river that

leads to Badagry, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Cotonou is a travel destination given to a traveller who may prefer things to move a bit more slowly. Its people are a mixed bag, some friendly, generous in warmth and hospitality, some indifferent, barricaded against foreigners by the language gap, maybe. (Google Translate is a great help with this, though!)

Tour sites are far flung apart so a trip here will require stamina. The best recommendation will be a getaway at the Oceanside resorts, where clean, whistling winds and dancing crabs can be great company.

All, in all it’s a city that requires a second visit, this time definitely by air, and for a longer stay. A city worth considering.

Etihad Launches iPhone App Etihad Airways has launched a new

iPhone app allowing users to book tickets, check-in, view the status of their flight and navigate Abu Dhabi airport using indoor maps.

Customers can check-in for their flight by scanning their passport page into the app, and similarly can pay for flights by scanning their credit card, eliminating the need to enter payment information manually. Users can compare multiple fare choices and upgrade options within the app, and can view all past and upcoming trips.

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INFOGRAPHIC

MAY 8, 2016

• THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

ONYEMA AJUOGU

AMAZING STORY OF AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER

08.05.2016

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

EVENT

Onyema Ajuogu

ONYEMA AJUOGU

AMAZING STORY OF AN AEROSPACE ENGINEER From hawking commonplace foodstuff in her village, she became a house help for an opportunity to attend secondary school. Funke Olaode captures the amazing story of how Onyema Benigna Ajuogu conquered hardship to become a Florida-based Aerospace Engineer/Pilot

F

rom a seemingly hopeless situation, she has become a source of inspiration to strong-willed people everywhere who keep their dream in view.

Onyema Benigna Ajuogu sprang out of obscurity to register a string of firsts.

We had to go back to her village in Umuhide in Orlu, Imo State to catalogue her

chain of successes. She is the first person ever to travel to the United States of America from her village. Her bragging right extends the larger Orlu community where she is the first Aerospace Engineer and arguably one of the few in Nigeria. Hers is a rare case of triumph beyond expectation, beating every hurdle of suppression and poverty.

Given the circumstance of her poor parentage, Onyema

could have been subsumed by the overwhelming surge of penury. However, she was determined, not only to swim against the tide, but to float comfortably. With no role model or anyone to emulate, she trusted her guts and envisioned herself as an accomplished professional.

This big picture was always before she began the grind. In primary school, she hawked commonplace food items in the

village to earn money for her textbooks.

Primary school education was all her parents dreamt for her. The next big thing on their mind was to have her acquire tailoring skills. It was a station above the subsistence farming which engaged them. At least, she could read and string together enough figures to take measurement and make outfits for the village folks. She would then expect to attract a suitable

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EVENT

Onyema with Senator Elizabeth Warren representing State of Massachusetts

suitor; and become a wife and a mother.

This was not the life Onyema dreamt. Like the probable ring which circles her name (and has proven to envelope her destiny), with thoughts of possibility, a relative volunteered to sponsor her education in a secondary school, if she would serve him as a maid. The offer could be likened to a straw thrown at a drowning person. She grabbed it with both hands.

She did not see herself as a maid. All she could see was the corridor of opportunity leading to the realisation of her dream of flying an aircraft. It was a childhood dream since she was eight and an aeroplane roared above the backyard of her parents’ home in Umudihe. The mechanized bird captured her imagination forever. Growing up, something kept telling her that one day she would fly an aeroplane. But she never discussed it with anybody.

After secondary school, she re-awakened her desire to be a pilot. Almost every night, she sneaked out to a cybercafé in the neighbourhood to browse the internet. Some might have thought she was up to some immoral business. But she was simply taking advantage of the cheaper N100 internet browsing at that time of the night. This was between 2001/2002.

ONYEMA’S AMAZING STORY OF OVERCOMING THE ODDS HAS BEEN PACKAGED INTO A BOOK, ‘ESCAPE VELOCITY: JOURNEY OF HOPE.’“I ACTUALLY WROTE IT TO INSPIRE PEOPLE. IT IS A BIT ABOUT MY LIFE… PART OF THE TITLE ‘ESCAPE VELOCITY’ COMES FROM AN AEROSPACE TERMINOLOGY. ESCAPE VELOCITY IS THE SPEED NEEDED TO PULL CLEAR OF EARTH’S GRAVITY. ONYEMA’S STORY IS ABOUT ESCAPE VELOCITY OF A DIFFERENT KIND; THE FORCE NEEDED TO ESCAPE DESTITUTION, HARDSHIPS, POVERTY, GENDER INEQUALITY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND NATIONAL GRAVITATIONAL PULLS TO ACHIEVE A DREAM

Onyema in a hand shake with the President of Florida Institute of Technology during graduation

From searching the internet, she got some information on how to school in the United States. She particularly read much about piloting. In the process, she stumbled on Aerospace Engineering, a more challenging course. She momentarily lost interest in piloting. Although she would not dwell on the details, it was clear that providence came to her rescue. Having secured admission to several schools, a stranger bought a one way ticket to Atlanta for her. She arrived in America in 2004 to study Aero Space Engineering.

If she thought, America did not offer immediate comfort she longed for. It was a long journey to academic attainment.

For nine good years, she toiled to get a degree that should have taken four years.

Determined to succeed, she worked hard, remain focused and persevered.

Taking advantage of several opportunities to work, while going to school, sometimes she engaged in four jobs just to survive. Her student Visa posed a different kind of challenge as she had to be in school full time student.

Tuition was expensive. Being an international student, it was difficult to get a full scholarship, but she got a small scholarship here and there.

Consequently, she had to defer

some courses several times to allow time to work for money.

This happened four times. She even had to go to Canada in search of better paying jobs.

“I traversed six universities to actualize my dream. I was at Harvard University.

I attended University of Alabama briefly and equally registered my presence at Fisk University in Tennessee, North Eastern University in Boston and Massachusetts Institute of Technology before I finally graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I am a very passionate person and when my heart grabs something it is very hard to let go. I never gave up,” she said.

As she walked up the podium to shake the hand of the President on the day of her graduation, an unquantifiable joy ran through. It was an emotional moment. She looked back in her mind’s eye at where she was coming from.

She’d never felt that great.

She achieved her dream of flying a plane, but more than that she was an aerospace engineer. She explained the difference. You can be a pilot without necessarily being an engineer and vice versa. I am an engineer and a pilot.

I currently work for a small aerospace company in Florida.”

A little while ago,

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COVER

Onyema at a workshop on science for young girls

Onyema was in Nigeria to meet the Minister of Science of Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. The primary purpose of her visit was to introduce Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to Nigeria through Benignant STEM Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit innovative organization that is committed to inspiring young women and providing educational opportunity.

The focus is on developing countries and underserved group in developed nation. She believes STEM is a tool that can help jump start development in developing countries.

She has already secured the interest of the governments of Guatemala and Peru in Central America where she teaches young girls to embrace science.

“Every school should have a curriculum that includes STEM project. These days, it is not all about what you learn in the class room, it is the experience you put into it. An experiments that can expose them to basic STEM concepts would go a long way with a hands-on activity that can spark their interest in STEM. I believe STEM education must be incorporated into Nigerian education curriculum. They need to be shown what it is and the benefits they can get going into these STEM fields. The development of any nation is measured by the

SHE DID NOT SEE HERSELF AS A MAID. ALL SHE COULD SEE WAS THE CORRIDOR OF OPPORTUNITY LEADING TO THE REALISATION OF HER DREAM OF FLYING AN AIRCRAFT. IT WAS A CHILDHOOD DREAM SINCE SHE WAS EIGHT AND AN AEROPLANE ROARED ABOVE THE BACKYARD OF HER PARENTS’ HOME IN UMUDIHE. THE MECHANISED BIRD CAPTURED HER IMAGINATION FOREVER

advancement in infrastructure, technology and the service sectors such as public transportation. With a lack of STEM skilled workers in the country, it is impossible to bring about this development.

The root cause of this problem lies in the education system and the system in which we retain skilled workers.”

Onyema who has become very passionate about the gospel of STEM posited that “STEM professions build communities and transform nations. Science should been identified as a nation’s priority, but science teachers can’t do it all on their own.

A lot of importance needs to be given to STEM education in the country. We need to provide the right kind of opportunities for students who wish to pursue their education in STEM, we need to show more faith and fully support intelligent students in the country. We need to inspire more young people to get into these advanced degree fields in STEM. While doing so, we also need to rethink the system in which we retain highly qualified STEM workers in the country. Many of the STEM skilled individuals leave Nigeria for better employment opportunities in developed countries. Nigeria is ripe for actual development, which cannot happen outside STEM skills.”

By a load of compelling demand, Onyema’s amazing story of overcoming the odds has been packaged into a book, ‘Escape Velocity: Journey of Hope.’ “I actually wrote it to inspire people. It is a bit about my life. People encouraged me to write it, saying that my life has inspired them. I have been on it for the past 10 years.”

Part of the title ‘Escape Velocity’ comes from an aerospace terminology. Escape Velocity is the speed needed to pull clear of earth’s gravity.

Onyema’s story is about escape velocity of a different kind; the force needed to escape destitution, hardships, poverty, gender inequality, socio-economic and national gravitational pulls to achieve a dream. It is a message of hope for anyone who has a dream, especially one that seems not just unlikely but unreachable.

I n he r l i f e t r a j e ct o r y, O nye m a ha s l e a r nt m a ny l e s s o ns . “ I n t hi s l i fe no b o d y i s go i ng t o he l p yo u b e ca u s e he a v e n he l ps t ho s e w ho he l ps t he m s e l v e s . I f I ha d s t a ye d b a ck i n m y v i l l a ge no b o d y w a s go i ng t o re s cu e m e , i f I ha d n’ t s t re t che d o u t m y ha nd s t o ge t s o m e he l p a nd he l p m ys e l f, I w o u l d ha v e re m a i ne d i n t he v i l l a ge a nd b e co m e a v i l l a ge w o m a n. The f a ct t ha t yo u w e re b o r n i nt o a po o r f a m i l y o r yo u a re i n a he l pl e s s s i t u a t i o n s ho u l d n’ t l i m i t yo u .”

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Onoshe

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

Nwabuikwu

God as a Swear Word on DSTV

COME AGAIN?

“Speaker Dogara calls for attitudinal changes from Nigerians in tandem with changing times.”

-NTA news headlines, Tuesday April 19, 2016, 11.58 am-ish.

If speaker Dogara actually spoke all this grammar, perhaps he’s missing his fellow APC man Hon Patrick Obahiagbon otherwsie known as Igodomigodo.

Meanwhile why is it only the citizens need ‘attitudinal changes’? Elsewhere we hear Gen. Buhari, the mai chanji himself telling Nigerians change sometimes comes with pain. And again I ask: How many people in the executive, judiciary or legislature are feeling the pains of this change? The ones —- air miles aboard a luxurious private air fleet or the ones buying already expensive SUVs at even costlier prices? Abeg ee!

“2016 Budget-Reps ‘slams’ Rotimi Amaechi over Lagos-Calabar project as senators summon tribunal judge.”

-STV news headlines, Tuesday April 19, 2016, 12.04 pm-ish.

I’m not usually a violent person. But for once I appreciate our violent journalism where people can only be ‘dragged’, ‘slammed’ or ‘carpeted’. If the Reps can slam the progenitor of the now infamous Port Harcourt ‘monorail to nowhere’, they’d better do one better than slamming.

A scene from aYoruba movie

H

ave you noticed that any mention of God on any of the DSTV channels is often bleeped out? That’s not all, wherever God is used in subtitles, it’s equally blanked out. I can’t recall when this became a trend on DSTV but it was while I was watching Eja Nla on Africa Magic Yoruba (dstv channel 157), the night of Tuesday April 26, that I got another rude reminder. One of the male characters Badmus Adekunle (Muyiwa Ademola) mentioned God as he was talking to his wife, Abimbola (Bimbo Oshin) but it was blanked out in the subtitle. Even though the audio was off, I could’ve sworn I saw his mouth bleep as it missed a beat.

DSTV obviously takes the feelings of its viewers very seriously. And would not want to expose them unduly to anything harmful. Like God? So where does the word ‘God’ fit into all that? Did some viewers or a group of viewers complain about the damaging effects of the word God? Is there a good explanation for DSTV deciding that the word God is a profanity? Why is it so offensive that viewers (and listeners) need to be protected from its harmful effects?

Remember we are not talking about Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed.

Meanwhile on the same platform there are all kinds of visually obscene musical videos that no one is blocking or attempting to block. As there are obscene words.

To be clear, I’m more curious than anything else about this God-blocking move by DSTV. I really would like to be enlightened. It isn’t the first time this sort of confusion would be happening. I recall how some years ago a DSTV channel rated a Nigerian christian musical video ’16, L’. I think it was Buchi’s music. But that wasn’t the most incredible part. It was the fact that during that same period, programmes like ‘The ‘L’ Word’ were rated either 13 or Family. I think Playboy Mansion was rated ‘Family’.

Can we hear from the good guys at Multichoice Nigeria? We the good viewers need an explanation about how God became a swear or vulgar word which we need to be protected from.

FESTIVAL NEWS

Lagos Under Toronto Film Festival Spotlight The Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF has announced that the 2016 City to City programme will focus on the city of Lagos, Nigeria.

Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the TIFF is the curator of the City to City selection. And of Lagos he says the city is: “Vital, complex and inspiring. Lagos is entirely unique.’

Still waxing poetic, Bailey goes to say that Lagos, “the city of Fela Kuti’s music has also given birth to one of the world’s most vibrant film industries. The 1,000 low-budget features ‘Nollywood’ produces each year generate about $1 billion in box office. Now, from that commercial hotbed, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging to both advance and challenge Nollywood.

Bigger budgets, greater artistic ambition — the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the international stage. We’re excited to share the creativity of this remarkable city’s filmmakers with TIFF audiences in September.”

In its eighth year, the City to City programme ‘showcases filmmakers living and working in a selected city, regardless of where their films are set’. Past editions have showcased cities like London, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Athens and Seoul.

The ‘City to City: Lagos’ lineup will be made public in August. just before the 41st Toronto International Film Festival which opens September 8th, 2016 and runs till the 18th.

Meanwhile, film submissions are now open for the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Deadline for submission is May 6 with the possibility of a late submission deadline by June 3.

•Cannes Film Festival Announces Official Selection

As activities for the 69th Cannes Film Festival hot up, organisers have announced the official selection which comprises films ‘In Competition’, ‘Out Of Competition’, ‘Un Certain Regard’

and ‘The Cinefondation.’ There are also the Short Films Competition, Midnight Screenings and Special Screenings. There are 17 films in Un Certain Regard, 4 films in Out Of Competition featuring Spielberg and Jodie Foster. According to the organisers, for the Cinéfondation Selection in its 19th year, ’18 films (14 works of fiction and 4 animations), were chosen out of over 2,300 works submitted by film schools from all over the world in which 15 countries from three continents are represented’.

For the 2016 Short Films Competition, the selection committee received 5,008 short films, 458 more than they did in 2015. Ten of those films made it into the Short Films Competition and will be in the running for the 2016 Short Film Palme d’or, to be awarded by Naomi Kawase, President of the Jury.

To put things in perspective, there will be a sea of films to literally swim in when the 69th Cannes Film Festival begins on May 11, 2016.

“President orders release of 10,000 tonnes of ‘grians’ for distribution nationwide.”

NTA news headlines, Monday April 25, 2016, 11.39 am-ish.

Grians for our groans, right? Sounds like the title of a badly written poem. I’ll refrain from going into the politics of releasing, or rather ordering the release of grains which were stored by another administration. We must not waste time on such inconsequential matters. What’s more important is that the grains were ordered to be released.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel tasks ‘communites’ over oil companies.”

-NTA news headlines, Monday April 25, 2016, 11.46 am-ish.

Communities is the correct word.

Speaker ‘Yakuba’ Dogara assures traditional rulers of constitution role.”

-NTA news headlines, Monday April 25, 2016, 11.47 am-ish.

I don’t know why the traditional rulers need assurance from Speaker Yakubu on their constitutional role or their role in the constitution? The grammar confuses me. Anyhow, we have quite educated traditional rulers nowadays. Surely they have some idea of what the constitution says about them?

“Join hands with Buhari to end insurgency-Gowon tells Nigerians.”

-NTA news headlines, Monday April 25, 2016, 11.53 am-ish.

Poor Nigerians. One moment we are told an attack on the evil terrorists (now rechristened insurgents) is an attack on some powerful northern VIPS. Another moment they are addressed fondly as misguided brothers. Then when there’s no Christian Ijaw man to blame, we the downtrodden Nigerians are asked to ‘join hands’ with Buhari to end insurgency. have to wonder where this ‘hand-joining’ will take place: aboard the presidential jet?

Hopefully, there are still a few Nigerians who are not too weary from queuing for fuel, or too hungry from the general hunger in the land to ‘join hands.’

Next thing, some other mascot will step out to ask us to join ‘jerry-cans’ to end the fuel scarcity. We really have ‘tala ahuhu’ as the Igbos say: We don suffer.

“Bear with me, change will come.”

-STV news headlines, Monday April 25, 2016, 12.06 pm-ish.

I have only one or two questions: Who else, apart from ordinary people, is suffering the negative effects of the almighty change?

Sure, a few people’s lives have already changed… for the better. But those are not ordinary people. So while our ‘elected’ and selected leaders are living it up, enjoying the dividends of ‘change’, others are asked to endure more hardship.

Well, it’s not too late for the APC slogan to change to “Change Will Come.”

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High Life O

with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Oba Akiolu Drops Royal Regalia for Jazz Night

n April 30, music washed over Oba Rilwan Akiolu like the Pacific.

It coursed through him formless and melodious, like a whisper - like a promise of sweet delight. On that day, the paramount monarch and King of Lagos, tapped his royal grace upon musical nuances that glide under breeze and foot. He felt the melody of what is felt delicately underfoot and opened himself to its pulse.

His innate worries and wrinkles were soothed by invisible jazz notes and waves of musical therapy that resonated from the Lagos International Jazz Festival. The event,

which held on Saturday, April 30, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos, was hosted by Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos in commemoration of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Jazz Day which holds on same date of every year. At the event tagged: “Evening of Jazz,” Governor Ambode explained that the objectives of the event was to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. The event drew the crème of Lagos high society.

Oba Akiolu, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senator Gbenga

Akiolu, Tinubu and Ambode for the jazz

Ashafa and Chief Olusegun Osoba were among dignitaries at the event.

The Lagos International in their best interests.

But things only worsened between the duo as they have gone their separate ways following a very scandalous spat that played out on the social media.

TeeBillz who is now the father of four children ( two – Olabisi and Gaetano – from his dalliance with his United Kingdom based lover, one with the plastic surgeon and Jamil with Tiwa) faces the burden of either reconciling with his wife, Tiwa, or reconnecting with the mother of his lovechild.

Tiwa Savage and TeeBillz

ILL-BLISS FOR TEEBILLZ...

WILL HE SETTLE WITH TIWA OR RECONNECT WITH MOTHER OF HIS LOVE CHILD?

•Tiwa Savage’S eSTranged huSband faceS a hard choice beTween her and older miSTreSS

The greatest love stories show a strain of madness and chaos. The pain, the mechanical beating of the heart; even the vast emptiness that besiege the parties’ souls are part of the process. Had anyone bothered to inquire from her, the world would know that when Tunji Balogun a.k.a TeeBillz, married Tiwa Savage, all was far from peaceful with their union.

Beneath the glamour of their fairy tale wedding, chaos abounded in their romance. Findings revealed that TeeBillz, the estranged husband and former manager of music diva,

Tiwa, did not tell her that he had a lovechild with plastic surgeon, until the musician was head over heels in love with him. The disclosure about the love child, a daughter, only came when Tiwa was neck deep in their relationship as both prepared for their nuptials which eventually held in Lagos in November 2013 and Dubai in April 2014. But rather than back out of the union, Tiwa, 35, chose to keep faith in their love - sources close to her revealed that she was also wary of causing a public scandal by pulling out of the marriage at the 11th hour. Thus even though she was completely weighed down by extreme anxiety and sadness, she married her 37-year old lover, TeeBillz hoping things would miraculously change

THE QUINTESSENTIAL MAGNATE...REMARKABLE EXPLOITS AND PHILANTHROPY OF GILBERT CHAGOURY AT 70 •Their eko aTlanTic maSTerpiece

Gilbert Chagoury

Jazz Day was carefully tailored to showcase the tourism potentials of the State to the world. and oTher marvelouS iniTiaTiveS

Many a billionaire believes that doing good to the needy is akin to throwing water in the Atlantic or fetching spring water with a basket.

But it takes a man of unquantifiable means and humanity to shoulder the pains of the needy. At this, Gilbert Chagoury is remarkably excellent. The founder of the Chagoury Group, an international business empire, feels strongly that in a world where there is so much to be done, there can be no end to positive humanitarian gestures.

Gilbert believes that all our doings without charity are worth nothing thus his interminable gestures at

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HIGHLIFE

How Pleasant it is to be Tunde Folawiyo at the Moment…

S

ome dream of being left a fortune but Tunde Folawiyo, the son of late Baba Adinni, Alhaji Iyanda Folawiyo, dream of making a fortune. The very shrewd businessman is enviably inured to the rudiments of successful enterprise, persistently seeks to push new enterprise past all the barriers to success. Many say it’s due to his tenacious inner passion, which borders on calm resolve; many more claim he is simply cut out like that, like all innovative leaders. Tunde has encountered fortune in common hours, for the umpteenth time. He is a keen student of history, he can dialogue persuasively on the neglected virtues of the Nigerian private entrepreneur, and is hip enough to fraternize appealingly across generations of peers, the elderly and youngsters.

And unlike the fabled explorer, Christopher Columbus, who didn’t have a business plan when he

ameliorating the miseries of the underprivileged across societal divides. There is no gainsaying Gilbert is a detribalised human. The business magnate whose stakes cuts across various industries and countries considers himself first and foremost, a citizen of humanity. He hardly exploits his ethnic roots or national affiliation for profit. Today, Gilbert, with his brother and partner Ronald Chagoury, are overseeing one of the most ambitious land-reclamation projects ever attempted: Eko Atlantic. Eko Atlantic, a 10 million square meters city is rising out of the ocean, changing the face of Africa. With more than 25 million people expected to live and work in Lagos, Eko Atlantic will transform Lagos into Africa’s first mega-city and will become the new financial epicenter of West Africa by the year 2020. Gilbert is 70 this year according to his Wikipedia profile. Born in Nigeria in 1946 to Lebanese parents, Gilbert witnessed the end of British colonial rule of the country and the dramatic changes independence brought to Nigerian life.

He paid close attention to the rapidly shifting political situation in Nigeria and learned much about how political change affects the economic and societal destiny of people and nations. Whether the billionaire businessman will throw a lavish party to mark his birthday or not, stay glue to this page.

THINGS GOV. AMOSUN WOULD

discovered America, Tunde had a well-thought plan when his father died and took over the business empire. He proved that he was no rookie in the cutthroat world of business in the country’s oil sector.

Twenty years after it was discovered, the Aje field located in Oil Mining Lease 113 has achieved its first oil, putting Lagos on the list of oil-producing states in the country.

Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, a whollyowned indigenous firm and operator of the OML 113 offshore Lagos, announced the commencement of production of crude oil from the field. The milestone is coming after several missed targets. Very few men excite interminable tribute of clamorous cheers in the wake of their most glorious exploits and attainments like Tunde. Tunde has one of the best private jets in `Nigeria and he is renowned and respected for his deep pocket and la vida loca lifestyle.

Tunde Folawiyo

Lady in cutting a birthday cake alongside family, friends and members of the Ogun State Executive Council present at the church service. In a similar manner, special prayers were held for the Ogun State First Lady, last Friday, at the Government House mosque as part of activities marking the 50th birthday anniversary. Olufunso is one of the glamorous first lady in Nigeria.

Ibikunle Amosun

DO FOR LOVE...AS WIFE CLOCKS 50 Since his eyes held with hers and he felt love course through his veins like a hurricane, Governor Ibikunle Amosun became a string to be played by the nimble fingers of Funso, his beloved wife. Everybody knows that the Ogun state first lady makes the blood rise in Governor Amosun’s cheeks. She was the only woman compassionate enough to deem his detriments beautiful.

Her innate warmth soothed his trembling bones and inspired him to success back when he was a struggling youth.

Funso pampered Amosun with intricate words and affection that dulled the blows of life’s sticks and stones when he needed it most. She sang him songs of bliss on his most

troubled nights and lured him to dream and live like a champion.

Today, Governor Amosun is a champ and he would spare nothing to fete and fulfill every yearning of his beloved wife and rampart through his most trying period, Funso. Thus when the latter celebrated her 50th anniversary last Monday, May 2nd, Amosun, a staunch Muslim, shunned religious politics to worship and dance in the church in appreciation of his beautiful wife.

On Sunday, May 1, Governor Amosun attended a church service to commemorate the 50th birthday of his wife, Dr. (Mrs) Olufunso Amosun.

Speaking at the church service, the Ogun state governor thanked God for the life of his wife.

He also joined the First

FROM LAGOS TO LONDON...

HIGH SOCIETY AWAITS SHINA PELLER’S 40TH BIRTHDAY Shina Peller is full of enchanting song. Butterflies flit around his stomach and the fireflies dance in his eyes like the orbs of the eastern muse. The son

Shina Peller

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HIGHLIFE

Portrait of Tony Elumelu’s Girls…

•Fatherhood according to a billionaire dad

N

either cord nor cable can so forcibly draw, or hold so fast, as love has done in the family of a top businessman, Tony Onyeamachi Elumelu.

Interestingly, the gaiety was the most outstanding feature at the last UBA CEO Awards nite recently. Tony was there with his wife, Awele and their beautiful five daughters.

It’s often said, Tony was made for Awele. To Awele, it probably feels like she had him ordered and delivered to her, to be worshipped and revered. On this note, it may be said that Tony is Awele’s idol. And this is where it gets interesting; Tony also considers Awele a boon from God. The Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) treasures Awele like a priceless heirloom - this explains his predilection to flaunt her like a sapphirestudded wristwatch or button hole bouquet to the world.

Having borne him five girls, it was her heartfelt wish to bear one of Africa’s most powerful banking moguls a son. Not that the

Elumelus considered their girls lesser humans, it simply felt inappropriate for their lineage to be without a male scion, if you ask Awele. Tony however, was reportedly satisfied with his girls. To him, they meant the world thus he never shied away from treating them to the best perks his affluence could afford. But while the Elumelus appreciated their girls as the best gifts heaven could accord them, two wonderful cherubs arrived in their household bearing gifts of life and indescribable joy last year. Yes, after five beautiful girls, Awele eventually bore Tony a pair of twin handsome boys. Two infant idols in his towering image. It’s delightful to see her glow with pride and contentment over her latest feat. Tony has been particularly commended for exhibiting enviable maturity and tact. While so many other men would have taken mistresses outside wedlock and subjected their wives to emotional and physical torture for failing to bear them sons, Tony lovingly and dutifully stood by his wife.

of renowned magician, late Professor Abiola Peller, will be 40 in few days and he breezes through the hours like a virtuoso plucking guitar strings masterfully. To celebrate his 40th anniversary, Shina, in collaboration with his closest family and friends, is planning a high octane party in Lagos and a more glamorous one across the seas, in London, United Kingdom to be precise.

Shina has every reason to celebrate and be thankful for being alive and successful in an age when the odds stacked against the average Nigerian continually prevent many from surviving their third decade on earth. But Shina is celebrating his fourth decade and with lots of gratitude too. It would be recalled that the boss of Aquila Oil and Gas shocked several people when he shunned his father ’s legacy to create one of his own.

There is no gainsaying his father was a famous magician who left very big shoes behind. Shina knew early in life that it could be an arduous task filling those shoes hence he sought to carve his niche in different callings. Despite being called ‘the one with the magical hands,’ due to his inclinations for following his father ’s steps, Shina has refused to tread in his father ’s steps. While his late father struck fame through his magical prowess, Shina chose to seek his fortune in

business. Thus, alongside his oil business, he established Quilox, a night club, bar and restaurant on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

$115M SLUSH FUND...BANKERS, OIL MAGNATES SCURRY LIKE RABBITS IN A HUTCH

Tony Elumelu and daughters

There is nothing stable in their world; chaos invades the halls and hallowed boardrooms of Nigeria’s biggest banks like nemesis to castle trolls. Since the $115 slush fund scandal broke out in the country’s business and social space, senior bank chiefs in the

Ben Peters

Diezani Alison-Madueke

country have been scurrying like rabbits, burrowing from one hutch to the other, in search of a miraculous lifeline or shield from the reach of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The fund which was allegedly used to bribe I N E C o ff i c i a l s d u r i n g t h e last general elections was traced to major players in the country’s oil and gas s e c t o r. S o o n a f t e r t h e E F C C commenced investigations into the scandal, several bank chiefs and oil magnates in the country h a v e b e e n r u n n i n g h e l t e rs k e l t e r t o p ro t e c t t h e i r names and cover their flanks, particularly those t h a t w e re i n v o l v e d i n o n e s h a d y d e a l o r m o re w i t h f o r m e r p u b l i c o ff i c e r s t h a t s e r v e d u n d e r e x - P re s i d e n t Goodluck Jonathan.

OUR ERROR! APOLOGY TO ALERO FAFOWORA AND CLAN The printer ’s devil was at work in our last edition where we erroneously reported that Alero’s estranged husband is no m o r e . We g o o f e d . T h e printer ’s devil was at work. The former husband is still alive but he is a very quiet man who is not cut out for publicity of any kind. But they are no more together as husband a n d w i f e . We s i n c e r e l y apologise to Alero and the Fafowora clan for the embarrassment the article m u s t h a v e c a u s e d . We hereby retract the report.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

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FOCUS

From Crack House to God’s House Yinka Olatunbosun

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hey sat, quietly with a subdued mien. A camera man panned across the hall. Majority of the people seated were in their forties and fifties and if the venue wasn’t a church, it could have been written off as a gathering of the middle-aged.

The House of Joy Drug Rehabilitation Centre is a spiritual reform centre for persons who had been dependent on drugs, certainly, non-prescription types. It was another day for admitting new members, fresh from the streets who desire to quit drugs. In their midst sat Pastor Keji Hamilton, a man whose life story can be summed as “been there and done that”.

Hamilton, who was a dreaded street man and former keyboardist with the legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela AnikulapoKuti accepted the spiritual healing that transformed his life. In turn, he had extended the same invitation to others by dedicating his time and resources to the healing process of drug dependent individuals.

Every year, the rehab centre admits fresh intakes who have agreed to be healed spiritually through prayers and counseling, beginning in 2009, as Hamilton recalled.

“Since 2009, we have graduated seven sets. This is the eighth set now and we have a 45-bed facility. When they come in, we take them through prayers and deliverance. That usually takes two weeks. After that, we have a curriculum that consists of 36 subjects made up of spiritual topics and vocational training.

We have 21 lecturers who happen to be Area Pastors, as well. After that, they write exams and a baptismal class follows.

“Afterwards we have a graduation in which the housemate is detoxified.

That means the mind of that one has been removed from addiction. The graduation is not compulsory. Some of them would want to learn a skill. They usually go home for a week after the exams before returning to learn a skill from August to December.

They learn to make shoes, belts, bags, leather chairs. Others learn catering while some choose to go to a computer school,” said Hamilton.

One major challenge with the programme is funding. It means the rehab, within the stretch of the church’s financial limit, can only contain 45 persons. Meanwhile, there are other such centres spread across Lagos. And after admission, not all intakes complete the rehab sessions.

“When you admit them into the hostel, you will want to think that the entire 45 persons will go through with the programme. Unfortunately, the highest we have had is 32 graduating from the programme. After two days or even two weeks, some of them just leave. But by the end of three weeks, there will be no more drop out,” Hamilton revealed.

Before admitting fresh men to the rehab, they are screened to examine their readiness for the healing process. It is not uncommon to see persons who have come only to please their family members who had worked too hard to change their lives for good.

Emmanuel Edeh, who voluntarily enrolled for the maiden session of the rehab in 2009, recounted the circumstances that led him to make that crucial decision.

“I was born into a family of nine,’’ said the 37-year old. “I am the third born, very brilliant. All of a sudden, I got hooked on drugs through friends. It was in J.S.S.2. I started with cigarettes and I indulged in alcohol and marijuana. I managed to pass from one class to another. After my secondary school certificate examination, I was left at home doing nothing. My dad wanted me to go further in my education. Subsequently,

A view of the participants at the rehab’s screening session

I gained admission into the University of Calabar and that was where I got involved in cultism. I even worked for one of the past state governors as a hired assassin.”

That sounded scary. More dreadful too was his experience as he arrived in Lagos. Without a place to stay, his new acquaintances made him comfortable in the wealth of drugs; upgrading him to a cocaine addict.

“I was curious to know what it felt like having done other hard drugs. I did heroin too and it wrecked my life. I was like a mad person on the street, walking around for a week without bathing. I wanted to cure myself but I couldn’t. One day, I was in a joint working and a girl that we used to smoke together came in to tell me that one of us had died. I was scared. I kept looking for a way out until someone told me about Pastor Hamilton and I was taken to a Redeemed Christian Church of God where Pastor Sola Balogun ministers. When Pastor Hamilton shared his testimony, I was moved,” he recalled.

For Emmanuel, giving his life to the Most High was better than getting high.

The former Calabar prison inmate even graduated as the best student in the bible college and joined the ministry on a full time basis.

“I share this testimony with other addicts, gave them food and water. Then I will preach to them. They are in Ketu market and some of them are here with us. When they are high, they don’t listen to anybody. So, I feed them physically first. Sometimes, when you go to them, they will shout at you,” he observed.

Drug dependence is so powerful. It has destroyed homes, careers and relationships, to say the least. The worst part of the wrestle against drug dependency is relapse.

Emmanuel believes that it is only the power of God that can break that ungodly bondage, not even parental love.

“It is the worry about my drug problem that killed my mother. She died and I was not even at her burial because I was at a joint.

I had to send the pictures of my new self to convince my father that I had changed. He was so happy to hear that. My family loves me so much now that if we have any family meeting, I would be the one to lead the prayer. I have a say in my family now. My new friends are Christians. Although, I still see my cult friends, I only preach to them.

They gave me a nickname which I have no

Participants and friends taking their meals

problem with as long as they listen to the Word of God,” he said.

Olawale Taiwo (surname withheld) also enrolled for the rehabilitation programme after several years of dependence on drugs.

He couldn’t count on himself to make the change. Born of good pedigree, he got involved with drugs as an undergraduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife where he studied architecture.

“I was in my 400 level then between 1983 and 1984”, he began. “I was introduced to drugs by a senior colleague. I was in the cult then and within a very short time I rose to become the Capone of the confraternity. The Capone is the captain and it is a position that is vested in someone who has the brain to carry out many operations for the cult.

“I graduated from the university. But I was totally hooked on drugs. I didn’t take so much of heroin. Meanwhile, I was still doing well financially because I was practicing. It didn’t show. I had a girlfriend then at school.

Although she didn’t really know the extent of my involvement in drugs, her mother ended the relationship. But I had another one much later.”

Asides drug indulgence, he was also an alcoholic. Despite joining the Alcoholic Anonymous, his temperament has spun out of control.

“As soon as I got some money, I would squander it on drugs. I wanted to control my mother’s properties. Once, I squandered

N200,000 on drugs. When I got tired, I packed my load and moved out of the house.

I refused to see my sisters. But they didn’t leave me alone,” he recounted.

Through his sister-in-law, he met Pastor Hamilton and after the rehab session, he joined the church for construction work. His designs are part of some of the Church’s structural pieces. Still, he has some regrets from the past that haunt him.

“I have two children. But one of them, his grandmother has sworn that as long as she is still alive, I will never see my son. So we are not communicating. But the second child is a girl,” he said with misty eyes.

Gloria Okpuvurie, who accompanied her brother-in-law to the church premises, said that she’d met a child protection lawyer, Taiwo Akinlami who helped them to meet the pastor’s wife.

“I was lucky to meet Pastor Keji’s wife who happens to be my friend. I saw a newspaper that published the graduation of last year. Later, my brother came to me and after discussing with his wife, we decided to seek help for him. My brother has a wife and children but he is in Lagos. He used to be a cab driver in Warri but when he had drug issues, my mother went to bring him to Lagos because the police were after him,” she revealed.

The best option is not to wait till it’s too late to get help. And in the case of drug dependence, the best help is self-help.

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PERSONALITY

Funso Amosun’s Golden Tunes at 50 Last week, Mrs. Funso Amosun, wife of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, joined the golden club as she clocked 50. In an interview, she recounted her growing up days, her marriage and how God has been good to her, writes Tokunbo Adedoja

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he had just returned from an early morning walk.

Donning a white vest on smart joggers and a pair of trainers, she walked briskly into the reception area of the building, which had been her abode in the past five years, with about three ladies and the state commissioner for information, Dayo Adeneye, in tow. Just as she was about to enter the hallway, she noticed there were a few unknown faces sitting on a row of chairs. She paused, then gazed at the strange faces in a way suggesting she was wondering who they were.

Her media aide, Idowu Sowumi, quickly whispered in her ears: “These are the journalists for the interview.”

“Oh! I am not yet dressed.

Please pretend you didn’t see me,” she responded with a welcoming smile as she made her way into an adjacent room.

That was when it dawned on the visitors that that was Olufunke Comfort Amosun, wife of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The portrait they had in their minds was that of a lady dressed in a colourful Yoruba attire with neatly tied headgear.

There she was unassuming and without any obscene display of power and influence usually exhibited by women of her status.

Her appearance was simple, her disposition friendly and she was humble in all ramifications.

It would, however, take another two hours before she reappeared after the initial encounter. During the 120 minutes interval, her beautician was busy preparing her for the camera already positioned in one of the expansive rooms at the Government House, Isale Igbein, Abeokuta, where the interview took place.

After apologies from her aides, she was set to field questions from journalists who had been waiting patiently. The first question was thrown at her and that had to do with how she felt at 50. Her response was quick and brief. “It’s a milestone because not everybody attains that age,” she said in a low voice. She was thankful to God for giving her the opportunity to achieve that but quickly added that she had been 50 in her mind for so many years.

“Aside from that, I think I have been 50 in my mind for so many years and using it as an excuse for my children saying be gentle, you know when you are approaching 50… So, I think I have done the 50 thing many times over. But the reality is that officially I am turning 50,” she said.

Even though she didn’t look 50, she viewed such comments as compliments and would quickly add that she has a birth certificate to prove her age.

Clocking 50 is seen as a milestone, but Funso doubts if anything would change about her

Mrs. Funsho Amosun

as she had always been herself.

She however agreed that attaining that age makes one to become more reflective.

“You will realise that it is actually a privilege to be able to attain a golden age. Your perspective to life changes. I guess that things that might not be so important to you start becoming important, like issues of health.

I don’t think I am there yet. I haven’t started worrying that my physical strength may be failing and things like that. You start to be emotionally more reflective that this is the second half by God’s grace.”

Reflecting on her life, Funso was thankful to God for the grace he has given her, the opportunities and the privileges. “I am just realising that more and more …

I realise that God has been kind to me, even in terms of husband, lovely children, I mean, I can’t just count my blessings,” she said.

Born on May 2, 1966 into the family of Bishop Michael Ayoade Odesanya and Elder Olusola Odesanya, she did part of her primary school education in the United Kingdom and also went to Ayodele Nursery and Primary School in Iyakangu, Ibadan from where she proceeded to Yejide Girls Grammar School. She attended Oyo State School of Arts and Science and the University of Ife (now OAU), where she studied English Education. She met a young accountant, Ibikunle, who owned an accounting firm, fell in love with him and the rest is now history. They have been married for 25 years and their marriage is blessed with lovely children - four girls and a boy.

No doubt God has been gracious to her. She made choices along the way which could have set her on a different path from where she is today had those choices been different. One of such choices is

Ibikunle Amosun. Coming from a Christain background with a father that was a bishop and a mother who is an elder in the church, getting married to a Muslim shouldn’t have been an option for her. But love made that her first and only option. For long, she agonised over how she would have to break this unexpected news to her parents, and like most girls would do, her mother was the first to be informed.

“My mother is still an elder and my sister is a pastor in one of the Redeemed churches. The first time I told my mum that I would want to get married to a Muslim, of course, she burst into tears. She asked me whether I told my dad and I said no, and I could see that mischievous smile… very good.

But today, my mother and my husband are the best of friends.

To the glory of God, that sort of worked itself out. When I told my dad, he said, OK, we just have to

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PERSONALITY FUNSO AMOSUN’S GOLDEN TUNES AT 50

Funso

Funso

pray about this one. Somehow, they hit it off very well.”

She has embraced her husband’s religion and now prays the Muslim way. But in the beginning, it wasn’t like that. She prayed according to her own religion until her children began to ask questions about their parents’ faith. “Because we are a closely-knit family, I would tell my children it’s time to pray and the children would wonder why I would not pray with them and they began to ask ‘does it mean that daddy’s God is not a good God?’ My children were confused and I joined them and we pray the Muslim way”.

Looking back, she sees the hand of God in the choices she made, particularly in terms of marriage.

“There could have been mistakes. I have been lucky and I know I have been lucky. But it is the grace of God. I can’t recall any moment like that. But I know I can recall several times when I look back and say, oh! that is the grace of God. Take for instance, my genotype is AS and my husband is AA and we got married at the time people didn’t really find out about genotype.

What if my husband was SS? That is a practical example of how God has been kind to me.”

For her, marriage has been a bed of roses and there are no regrets. “I do not recollect any moment of sorrow. Sometimes I do get worried that everything is so smooth but I guess that is God’s plan for me,” she said, adding, “I walked in and God perfected it.

When I look back, I realise that I could have made a mistake.”

She could not recount all the memorable moments of the past 25 years because “everyday is different.” Using superlative terms to describe her spouse, Funso said her husband “is the most loving, practical and responsible kind of husband that anybody could ask for.”

“My husband is just so real. My husband will say I don’t believe in flowers, I don’t believe in saying I love you. But what do they say? Actions speaks louder than words,” she said, singling out the fact that he is dependable as one key thing she likes about him.

Even though public officeholders and their spouses are denied their privacy by the crowd around them, she doesn’t believe she is missing anything being the wife of a governor. Having people around because of her current status isn’t a problem as that has always been part of her life since she got married to Ibikunle.

Before becoming the wife of the governor, she was the wife of a senator, and before that she was the wife of a chartered accountant.

Interestingly, her husband had always been a people’s man even in those days when he had not joined politics and was just a player in the private sector.

Going down memory lane, she recalled that in those days after waking up in the morning and he (her husband) found out that there were no visitors, he would say: “Oh! there is nobody, should we go and visit people?” And she will say, “can’t we just spend the day together? He would say:

Olorun ma se wa ni awanikan o (may God not make us to be alone). So, we have always had people around us and I think that sort of made it easy for me to integrate into this role because I am not doing anything that I don’t normally have to do as the wife of Ibikunle Amosun, whether it is wife of Senator Ibukunle Amosun or Governor Ibikunle Amosun, you will always have to cater to people, you always know that people are going to troop into your house and you just have to be a good hostess.”

“I would have said I don’t like not being able to be myself. I am myself. I would have said I don’t like the fact that I always have a life shadow around me, I have always had people around me, but maybe being a second term, the people around me have come to realise that I am my own person and they can’t be following me around even if it is their duty.

“I think now I like being the wife of the governor, especially to the glory of God, and I say this with all sense of responsibility, my husband has done a good job as a governor and I feel proud to raise my head as his wife in view of the circumstances in Nigeria. To the best of my husband’s abilities, he has fulfilled his promises,” she said while giving him thumbs up for piloting the affairs of the state excellently in the past five years.

Funso had always known that her husband would have an opportunity to impact peoples’ lives positively because he had always been a natural leader, even within his family. But she had no hunch he would go as far as governing a state.

Having spent five years in the Ogun State Government House, she has nothing but praises for him for changing the face of the state and making an impact in the lives of the people.

She believes the key attributes of her husband – love, high sense of responsibility, dependability, etc. – have helped in his selfless service to the people.

“I don’t want a man who is so sophisticated. My husband is in

tune with reality,” she added Olufunso is however complementing her husband with her UPLIFT (an acronym for Understanding Peoples Limiting and Inhibiting Factors Today) Development Foundation. The foundation, which she describes as an intervention tool, lends assistance to the needy in anyway it can. She does not see it as a pet project but rather, a platform for reaching out to the vulnerable.

When asked what she shares in common with her husband, she said, “I think after 25 years, the question is what are the things we don’t share in common. I found that opposite seems to attract. While he is a hands on person, he wouldn’t mind jumping into a crowd, I sort of do it by delegating…. However, after 25 years, I don’t even see where the lines are anymore. I believe that we are one and the same, we complement one another… I don’t think we have ever slept on an argument because he won’t let you anyway. Even if you are annoyed, even if he upsets you, he will speak to you.”

Funso dresses nicely but she would not agree she has a fashion side. She believes any attire that is comfortable is just good. “To be honest, without playing a pun on my name, because my name is Comfort, comfort comes first. If a certain outfit isn’t comfortable, I am not wearing it. But truly for me it is about being comfortable in what I wear.”

With three years to the end of her husband’s tenure, she has no plan of her own to be relevant in politics as wives of some former governors are currently doing by seeking elective offices. Her prayer is to continue to be the wife of Ibikunle, who she believes would continue to be active in politics.

“I don’t have any plans, just as I have always said, I pray that I will always be my husband’s wife and that man is always going to be active by God’s grace, he shall not have any health challenges. I always wish to be beside him and I have no intention of being in front of him,” she said.

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entertAinMent

with nseobong okon-ekong 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Hudson Valley Adventures Creates Global Experiences

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udson Valley Adventures (HVA) the brainchild of two experienced New York State certified educators, Dr. Dionne Olamiju, a high school administrator in a secondary school, and Mr. Segun Olamiju, an instructor, also in a secondary school has finally been brought to the doorsteps of Nigerian and African parents who desire the best educative hands-on leadership experiences for their children.

The founders observed that as the global village continues to shrink due to social media connectivity and the World Wide Web, there is the urgent need to access global opportunities, especially for students from Africa. As a result of several factors, including political, economic and cultural, African scholars are not consistently offered the opportunity to cultivate the leadership skills pertinent for global competiveness.

To address the challenge, Hudson Valley Adventures, a New York State-registered organisation designed to develop leadership skills in participants through the philosophy of experiential learning which emphasises the significance of sensory

WASIU AYINDE PRESENTS NEW ALBUM AT INDUSTRY NITE

It was the first time that the popular entertainment platform, Industry Nite anchored by Mathew Ohio would welcome a musician who performs an indigenous genre. The choice of leading Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe, better known as KWAM 1 or K1 the Ultimate was well informed.

Fuji music ranks with Afrobeat as the two varieties of music with an undeniable Nigerian root and identity.

A well-travelled and exposed artiste, Wasiu welcomed the opportunity as a move towards doing the right things in the music industry. He said in advanced countries of the world, platforms like Industry Nite were used to adjudge musicians who had a hold on their craft.

“We are not organised at all. Anybody does as he pleases. People organise awards without a clear criteria. We don’t know how many records we sell. With

Segun and Dionne Olamiju

experience in the learning process as opposed to teacher centered instruction or learning by rote.

Accordingly, the programme consists of strategically selected exciting visitations including college tours and stimulating leadership skill building workshops.

Pa r t i c i p a n t s w i l l t ra ve l a s a group, accompanied and s u p e r v i s e d by H VA s t a f f Industry Nite, perhaps, we are beginning to do things the right way. As an artiste who has travelled round the world and performed at festivals, I am privileged to be presented before you at Industry Nite.

This is how it is done in advanced countries, when a musician is presented before his fans and various stakeholders.”

The show at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was anchored by Olisa Adibua and Teju Babyface and attracted the likes of Oba Saheed Elegushi, Prince Segun Oniru, Shina Peller, proprietor of Quilox Night Club and the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly witnessed the presentation of Wasiu’s latest album, ‘Let the Music Flow’.

Copies of the 14-track album were distributed free to the audience. The artiste later performed four tracks, while enjoining his patrons to support artistes not minding whether if they were related or not. He posed a rhetoric question,

members. The leadership t ra i n i n g a c t i v i t i e s a r e aligned with its curriculum a n d w i l l b e t a u g h t by N ew Yo r k S t a t e c e r t i f i e d educators, including the fo u n d e r s a n d o t h e r l e a d e r s f r o m va r i o u s d i s c i p l i n e s .

Pa r t i c i p a n t s w i l l r e c e i ve consistent supervision at all times as the student to t e a c h e r ra t i o i s u n i q u e l y l ow. A l l s t a f f m e m b e r s ,

The Swag Team “why would you pay N2.5 million or N5 million for a table at entertainment events? The reality before many rich people today is this, you send your children to acquire degrees and they later insist on playing music. Don’t wait for your son or brother before you can support good music. It could be your turn tomorrow.”

Before he came on stage at 2:05am, supporting acts like Ouepeller, Vector, 9ice, Adekunle Gold and Base One had entertained the crowd.

ONLINE WITH SWAG

K1 De Ultimate with Olisah Adibua (left)

i n c l u d i n g t h e fo u n d e r s w i l l reside on a secured campus d u r i n g t h e d u ra t i o n o f t h e p r o g ra m m e .

Founders of the HVA had a similar structured leadership programme called Shaping Tomorrows Leaders (STL) within the school district in New York for secondary school students and this resulted in increased selfefficacy, confidence and academic achievement for participants. These positive outcomes inspired the creation of the HVA, targeted at students from Africa.

A p a r t f r o m t h e fo u n d e r s , t h e H VA t e a m c o n s i s t s o f i n n ova t i ve p r o fe s s i o n a l s , dedicated and caring and w h o s e d i s c i p l i n e s ra n g e from education to the field of medicine. Brianna Olamiju is a pre-med g ra d u a t e f r o m C o l u m b a U n i ve r s i t y a n d c u r r e n t l y a m e d i c a l s t u d e n t a t Ya l e Medical School.

Dr. A. Adebayo, HVA’s health care provider owns his private practice in New York City. Ms. Amy Malone is an instructor and adviser in a secondary school. Mrs. Jackie Iaria is also a secondary school adviser, while the HVA Lagos representative, Mrs. Folake Abayomi, is a guidance counselor.

SWAG, Nigeria’s authentic and fastestgrowing online neighbourhood for the cool and trendy was formally launched with panache and fanfare at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, over the weekend.

Swag - www.swag.ng which has been positioned as Nigeria’s leading online community enables members to socialise,

chat amongst themselves, shine, let loose, live easy, and have access to regular news and updates on the issues and events they cherish.

Committed to making life better for members, SWAG will also have regular sweepstakes and exciting prizes to give away regularly.

For a start SWAG is giving away starprize of a brand new KIA Rio car, and consolation prizes of headphones, tabs, phones, and smart watches, in promotional draws approved by regulators, for early members of the fast-growing online community.

Commenting on the emergence of SWAG, Business Development Executive, Pearl Minimah stated that there has emerged an increased need for people to share their lives more easily, immediately and widely, more than ever before.

According to her, today’s lifestyle which has become less planned and more immediate has made a community like

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ENTERTAINMENT

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WITH SATCHMO’S, JAZZ ATTAINS NEW HEIGHT

he second edition of the Satchmo’s Jazz and Culture Festival, Lagos (SJL) recorded a huge success with the curator, Mr. Dolapo Ajayi and his team including coordinator, Folake Oyetunji working very hard to open new doors for popular acceptance of Jazz in highbrow residences like Banana Island.

The SIL team was particular about delivering on its promises as it meticulously executed every item on its agenda starting from appearance at the appearance at Industry Nite. The Satchmo’s Jazz show hit home with a bang at its flagship show at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island where all the foreign and Nigerian artistes on the bill were on parade.

At 3:00am when Carlo Rossi and the Organic Jam mounted the stage, enthusiastic members of the audience who reveled in the ambience were still excited to listen and dance to the pulsating fusion from the band which featured a lady, Elizabeth, on the saxophone. But Nigeria

had an answer to her skill in the person of Phebean who equally demonstrated dexterity on the wind instrument. Talking about saxophonists, Sax Tee also gave a good account of himself.

The other musicians Norman Brown, Rick Braun and Nigeria’s Femi Leye made every session very enjoyable and rewarding to guests, all the way to the after-party at Velvet Lounge in Victoria Island.

Ajayi told this reporter that what he has taken away from the event is that no matter how good a product is, you have to tell people about it. He said he was driven to organise the show based on his conviction that Jazz has certain qualities and appeal.

“When we started, we n e ve r r e a l i s e d h ow s e r i o u s l y J a z z a s a fo r m o f m u s i c h a s b e e n fo r g o t t e n

by N i g e r i a n s . We t h o u g h t bringing in good Jazz musicians would be enough.

We n ow k n ow t h a t w e h a ve t o g r ow t h e m u s i c a g a i n by sensitising and educating N i g e r i a n s o n t h e j oy s o f J a z z .”

Lagbaja entertaining at the Lagos International Jazz Day SWAG more desirable for the discerning Nigerian, to facilitate their lives.

With its array of offerings, which differentiates it from other social sites, SWAG is positioned to be the one-stop destination for social communication and brand engagement for forward-looking brands.

WITH JAZZ CONCERT, LAGOS POSITIONS FOR ENTERTAINMENT HUB This year’s International Jazz Day opened a new vista in the annals of government’s engagement with the entertainment sector. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode raised the bar by rallying notable stakeholders including promoters and artistes for a first-of-itskind concert at State House, Alausa.

While the entire month of April is now generally observed as Jazz Appreciation Month, April 30 has been designated International Jazz Day by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO).

Darey Art-Alade who co-host the event with comedian Gbenga Adeyinka

1, opened the exhilarating night with a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s all-time classic, ‘What a Wonderful World’. Saxophonist, Herbert Kunle Ajayi followed with a thrilling performance.

In quick succession, Bassist Bright Gain came after him. The highpoint of his performance was an invitation to flutist, Tee Mac Iseli who joined him on stage. Thereafter sharing the performance space became the norm, as international percussionist and two-time Grammy winner, Lekan Babalola who performed with the Eko Brass Band also brought on stage veteran artiste, Jimi Solanke.

The audience which included dignitaries like former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I; Chief Olusegun Osoba former Governor of Ogun State and his wife; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and his wife; Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams, Rtd Justice of Supreme Court, George Oguntade, famous American singer, Jermaine Jackson and renowned highlife/jazz

Elizabeth of Carlo Rossi Organic Jam Sessiom

historian, Benson Idonije among others were in high spirit by the time, songbird and actress, Yinka Davies hit the stage. She ended her performance with her popular tribute to Lagos, ‘Eko Ile’.

When Donald Duke and his band were brought, not a few were surprised as they were not on the line-up of artistes. They nonetheless kept an open mind. Launching into a repertoire of sing-along popular tunes of the 70s and 80s, Duke was well applauded, but he over-stretched his performance and it was only out of courtesy for his status that he was not hurried off stage.

Grammy award winner, Kirk Whalum who said he had a seven-year stint with the late Whiney Houston highlighted his show with a rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You’ made popular by Houston.

Nigeria’s masked musician, Lagbaja expectedly created so much excitement with his performance. He also asked Yinka Davies to join him in rendering his hit, ‘Never Far Away’. His performance was so stirring that he was prevailed upon for an encore.

The Ambodes and the Dukes...on stage

Before the string of performances, Ambode had announced Lagos was gradually emerging as the true capital of arts, tourism and entertainment in Africa. He said, “This musical show is a continuation of our promise to Lagosians that we will use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the arts as well as sports to create jobs and opportunities for our people and to position Lagos State as a destination with rich entertainment content.

“We also want to use today’s event to identify with every musician here today, from far and near and to use their God-given talents and creativity to announce to the world that Lagos is the true capital of arts and entertainment in Africa and that Lagos is in tune with the rest of the world.”

The Lagos International Jazz Day celebration had partners like the Lagos International Jazz Festival, The Runway Jazz, Satchmo’s Jazz and Cultural Festival and the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA).

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

British Airways Names Victoria Beckham Best Dressed Celebrity Traveller Vanessa Obioha

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he musician cum designer, Victoria Beckham has beaten celebrities like Amal Clooney, Kendall Jenner, Heidi Klum, Lupita Nyong’O to emerge on the top list of the airline best celebrity traveller.

Compiled by British Airways and top Hollywood fashion stylist Elizabeth Saltzman to celebrate the relationship between flying and fashion and to honour today’s globe-trotting trendsetters, spanning the worlds of film, music and entertainment, the list is a mix of inspiring celebrities who travel in style and instigate major wardrobe envy every time they step on the plane. Hundreds of images of the celebrities jetting out in airports were reviewed by seasoned judges.

Victoria Beckham landed the coveted spot, according to Saltzman, for “always getting it right when flying and it’s so impressive. Usually there is a menswear element to her travel wardrobe; it is chic and sophisticated but still classic and comfortable.”

She concluded by adding that “People are more aware of themselves, whether it is their health and beauty regimes, time management or carbon footprint. The women on this list are all powerful examples of the modern world. Their style is classic with a personal twist. This is about the power of women and being able to balance it all.”

The list is the first of its kind to be organised by the airline. Abigail Comber, British Airways’ Head of Customer, said: “We’ve always been associated with travelling in style – most recently with our elegant, new short-haul cabins and our new-look First cabin, created especially for the 787-9 aircraft. We wanted to honour today’s style elite and those frequent flyers who embrace the enduring glamour and excitement of jumping on a plane.”

Victoria-Beckham

Tupac and Afeni Shakur

INTELLIGENT LIFE NO LONGER ON AVA DUVERNAY’S LIST With many big projects landing on her laps since her immeasurable success with Selma last year, director Ava DuVernay was forced to dump DreamWorks ‘Intelligent Life’ from her list due to busy schedule.

She was fingered to direct the sci-fi movie after co-writer Colin Trevorrow got buried in his galaxy projects.

Hot on her list of projects is her new drama series on Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), Queen Sugar. She is also signed to direct HBO Films’ The Battle of Versailles, Disney’s Fantasy Adaptation ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, and is developing a Hurricane Katrina drama, which features David Oyelowo.

Co-produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, Intelligent Life stars Lupita Nyong’O and revolves round a United Nations employee whose job is to monitor outer space for potential contact with extraterrestrials. He meets and falls for a beautiful woman who may actually be an alien.

A HISTORIC LEAP FOR HAMILTON The hip-hop show musical about America’s First Treasury Secretary made history last week when it swept over 16 nominations in the upcoming Tony Awards.

The diverse theatre which involved a multi-ethnic cast, was deemed show prize-worthy in every category of theatre-

Hamilton stage play

making; from acting, writing, directing, dance, to music and design. About seven “Hamilton” performers were singled out and in two categories, “Hamilton” actors will compete against one another.

The creator Lin Manuel Miranda got three nominations and is currently ecstatic about the success of his production. The show won a Pulitzer prize for Miranda.

The show’s success largely depends on its ability to use a diverse cast and contemporary music to suggest that the revolutionary impulses of the founding generation of America are still relevant in today’s society.

Hamilton is expected to win the coveted Tony Awards, the prize for the best new musical. Other musicals nominated in the category include ‘Bright Star’, ‘Waitress’, ‘School of Rock - The Musical’ and ‘Shuffle Along’.

TUPAC’S ‘DEAR MAMA’ BOWS OUT AT 69 An unfortunate incident hit the Shakur family on Monday night when its matriarch Afeni Shakur gave up the ghost. Her death was confirmed by the Sheriff’s Office in Marin County, California on Twitter. She died of cardiac arrest.

Until death, Afeni Shakur was highly

revered for preserving the legacy of her slain son and rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur who died in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996. She established the Tupac Amaru Shakur foundation.

A social activist, philanthropist and former member of Black Panther, Afeni was regarded as her son’s biggest inspiration in music. Tupac in his ‘Dear Mama’ track talked about his relationship with her and her addiction to drugs. In more than one way, he expressed his deep love and respect for her to which Eminem and more recently The Game attributed same respect to her.

Born Alice Faye Williams in 1947, Afeni was involved in a messy divorce scandal with husband, Gust Davis prior to her death. She is survived by a daughter named Sekyiwa.

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE GETS TV SERIES

The critically acclaimed 2014 post-racial comedy drama will have its series debut on Netflix next year. The streaming platform announced recently that the drama, which was directed by Justin Simien, is already under production and will consist of 10 episodes of 30 minutes each.

Although Simien is writing the series

and will direct the first episode, the streaming service didn’t divulge any information on the characters. Simien however said the series is still based on the original premise of the movie.

Dear White People follows the lives of a diverse group of students of colour as they navigate a predominantly white Ivy League college where racial tensions are often swept under the rug.

COMEDIAN ARSENIO HALL SUES SINGER SINEAD O’CONNOR

A Facebook post by singer Sinead O’Connor allegedly claims that comedian Arsenio Hall is responsible for the late Prince’s drug addiction. In defense, Hall filed a libel suit against O’Connor, calling her accusations false.

According to TMZ, the comedian said he barely knew the singer and she probably despised him.

O’Connor on Monday posted on Facebook that investigators looking into the possible cause of death Prince should question Hall. She insinuated that Hall furnished the late singer with drugs. She also accused Hall of drugging her too.

Hall’s lawsuit against O’Connor seeks over $5 million in damages but the verdict will however be awarded by a jury.

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NUGGETS

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Passengers in the Ship of Sadness

ife does not readily present us what we want, rather it’s quick to reveal its ugly side. The circumstances of life could be beyond our control. However, our emotional darkness could be of our own making. It is a veil that blocks the beautiful sunlight from smiling at us and makes us exude negative energy.

There are so many who just lack joy and are perpetually sad. Are you one of such people? Here are a few reasons why you may be unhappy and suggestions on how to eject that ugly shadow.

1. Don’t worry about what people think about you: A lot of people live their lives based on other people’s approval.

It’s amazing to find persons with super-confidence being afraid to take certain steps that would make them happy or going through so much discomfort just because of what people would think. It is most reasonable and kind of you to be considerate of those around you and the effect of your actions on them; however, there must be a limit if you want to be truly happy.

As long as what you are doing is within the ambit of

LIFE

NUGGETS

Temilolu Okeowo

temilolu.okeowo@thisdaylive.com

natural law, equity and good conscience, worrying what other people think is the cause of all kinds of superficial behaviour, embarrassment, missed opportunities, inner resentments, regret, and even bitterness.

A lot have incurred debts they will keep servicing for a long time because they feel people expect them to have changed their cars, moved into a mansion, have a lavish wedding or give their late mother a grand funeral. Many are experiencing “hell on earth” because they have gone into wrong marriages due to societal pressure and worse still they can’t come out of it for fear of “what would people think?”

There are so many examples including the one that’s weighing you down right now. Do these

people you are worrying about really care about your happiness and well-being? Why do you even have to impress them? Are they worth the trouble? You should always bear in mind that failure is an orphan and success has many parents.

If you go into a venture because of what people think rather than your passionate wish, the probability of failure is very high and the people you wanted to please will be the first to blame you! However, if you do things your way and succeed in it, these same people will applaud you. You need to take time to dwell on what you could be doing and experiencing if you didn’t care at all what others thought.

2. You compare yourself with others

Comparing yourself to others can be self-debilitating. It is the most self-limiting and pointless thing you can do. Comparing yourself is the main source of your biggest insecurities and prevents the kind of self-worth and self-esteem that is at the back of all real success and happiness. It cages your virtues and makes life most unenjoyable. That dreaded feeling of “not being good enough” has its roots in comparing yourself and stands in the way of your success from the outset.

Even if you manage to achieve outwardly success in spite of comparing yourself, it can never be accompanied by the inner peace and joy that comes with an unshakeable sense of self, free of any need for comparison. If you are suffering from this, you need to get rid of it fast and start valuing yourself like you are the best thing that happened to humanity.

You need to recognise your unique gifts which those you are comparing yourself with do not have. If you don’t see those gifts and appreciate yourself, no one will! When you start valuing yourself and those sterling qualities start shinning, you won’t want to be like anyone else.

EVENT

I

Lagos State Legislature Partners La Campagne

t is a season for partnerships and collaborations for La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort. The latest working relationship is with the Lagos State House Committee on Culture and Tourism towards the realisation of its culture and tourism agenda for the state, even the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The Governor’s tourism initiative has been dubbed, T.H.E.S.E, meaning, Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports and Education.

Founder and President of La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye recently commended Ambode, describing him as the most tourism friendly governor in the country. He said his tourism initiatives were most embracing and easily deliverable if vigorously pursued with sincerity of purpose.

Akinboboye made this assertion while playing host to the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Culture, Arts and Tourism led by Hon. Desmond Elliot.

He advised the committee members to utilise this rare opportunity to facilitate enabling laws that will make the southern part of Lekki a tourism zone and attract massive infrastructure to the zone, so as not only to transform the zone but the entire state and make it the big tourism destination that it should.

Akinboboye dropped several hints to the Elliot-led committee on how entertainment centres and tourism products can generate the requisite funds, with support from international bodies like Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and International Financial Corporation (IFC) among others.

He also harped on a synergy between La Campagne and Lagos State

Desmond Elliot (second right) and Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (third right) with members of the committee at La Campagne

government through the efforts of the committee that would make the state more prosperous by tapping into its abundant water-based resources. This, he said, is inexhaustible but could be jumpstarted by a Lagos State sponsored Kayak competition among the riverine communities of the state and the elite who are already into the sport with a prize money of N1 million.

Elliot expressed appreciation to Akinboboye for hosting the committee

and taking time to interact and share ideas with them. He assured him of the partnership of the committee and that his exposition has made the work of the committee easier.

Committee members were treated to the best of the resort’s legendary hospitality wrapped in culture and tradition as well as musical entertainment headlined by outstanding performances by the stars of Atunda Entertainment led by Olo

Omidan Bata and Anu, Lady Ekwe as well as Adigun Olohun Iyo. Also thrown to the mix were an Africa centric fashion show on the beach front, classical boat regatta with a 15-man music ensemble, and a test run of Kayaking by enthusiastic resort guests. Lekki indigenes and celebrities like Nollywood diva, Rita Dominic and her friends were part of the joyous crowd who witnessed the enthralling moment.

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EVENT

Gbong Gwon Jos: Nzem Berom Festival Must be Sustained

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he custodian of Berom Culture and chairman, Plateau State Council of traditional rulers, His Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, has called on sons and daughters of Berom land to join hands together to sustain the cultural festival of the people.

The monarch advised Beroms and their friends to key into the efforts of his council and all Berom district heads to ensure peace and unity reign among them and their neighbours. “We fought hard to get where we are today and God has made it possible through his grace to restore the glory of our land,” he noted.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, venue of Nzem Berom 2016 on Friday, last week, Da Jacob Buba also warned trouble makers to keep off the Berom land and the Plateau landscape in general, stressing that anyone or group of people caught in act of cattle rustlings or farm destruction would not be

Cultural troupe at Nzem Berom festival

spared by security agencies.

On the gains of Nzem Berom 2016 with the theme ‘A Culture Brand

for Unity, Peace and Progress’ His Majesty encouraged his subjects to revert to farming and hospitality

enterprises which are the mainstay of Berom economy.

“We must not forget to till the lands and take advantage of every opportunity to encourage both Nigerians and foreigners alike to visit Jos Plateau again. Ours is the home of peace and tourism and all hands must be on deck to project a peaceful Jos”, he noted.

Also speaking at the event, the former governor of state and now senator, representing Jos north senatorial zone, Senator David Jang advised the Berom not to allow politics to divide them.

“Never again must we allow politics to divide us. All our traditional leaders must keep out of politics and help bring our people together to sustain the peace which we enjoy today and forever,” he stressed.

Nzem Berom, a mega festival of Berom nation was last celebrated about ten years ago due to security conflicts on the Plateau which today is a thing of the past.

The Many Faces of Sam Onigbanjo King Akan

N

ot much is known about Sam Onigbanjo in the Nigerian public sphere, but the man who could be best described as a pan-africanist and thought leader is making Nigeria proud in and out of her shores.

A strong public speaker and passionate advocate for Africa and African development, with his wife, Tola, he is the Founder and Conveyor of the largest and most successful African Awards event in the UK; Women4Africa.

In August 2015, Sam was invited as a guest speaker and panellist at the 7th Annual Nigeria Diaspora day, which was held at the State House, Abuja. After his presentation he was invited to a small select meeting with the VicePresident, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

In 2014, Sam was recognised as one of the one hundred most influential Nigerians in the UK at the Nigerian Centenary Awards, presided over and signed by the

Onigbanjo

then Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida and Mark Simmonds MP, Minister for

Africa.

In March 2015, he was also recognised as one of the 100 most

influential Africans in the UK, at the House of Commons, at the African Achievers Awards hosted by Rt. Hon Sir Gerald Kaufman, MP for Manchester. In April 2016, he was the Keynote speaker at the Kingdom Investment Summit, Abuja.

Sam is also a successful author.

His books 98 Business Thieves and 37 Business Thoughts both published in 2015 are popular in the entrepreneur circuit. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, with over 20 years commercial experience in marketing and business development, Sam is at home in Business. He is also the founder of the GBP Business Club, a Global business club designed to connect and bring people together who have an interest in African business.

An expert business communicator and coach, Sam has successfully delivered multiple, million pound public sector projects in the UK. As a Head Coach in his business academy, he coaches an average of 100 business leaders a year in the UK. He is also a Forex trader and trainer.

Adefarasin Uplifts Souls at Word Conference

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houts of praise, hands lifted high in thanksgiving, dance of victory and screams of joy, these and more captured the electrifying ambiance at the just concluded Word Conference hosted by House on the Rock church, Lekki, Lagos.

Over the years, House on the Rock Church has been focused on positively influencing and impacting the community both physically and spiritually. This year’s word conference, themed ‘Faith to Faith’ did not in any way go against the goal of the church, with life changing messages and spirit filled ministrations.

The church was able to impact, empower and spiritually refresh the lives of thousands of attendees who pooled from all parts of the world.

With Paul Adefarasin leading other great ministers of God like David Abioye, Mensah Otabil, Matthew Ashimolowo and

Cindy Trimm teaching in various sessions, the guests had in-depth revelation of the Word of God like never heard before.

The teachings were complemented by musical ministrations from gospel artistes like Micah Stampley, Sonnie Badu, Onos Ariyo, Sammy Okposo, Tim Geoffery, Gloreay Briamah and many more, putting people in the heart of genuine moment of praise and worship.

By the end of the five-day event which culminated on Sunday, guests were empowered by the Word and experience of the conference. Some of the guests couldn’t stop gushing about conference and the impact it had on them.

Their testimonies only reiterate the commitment of Adefarasin to use the gospel to reach out to thousands of souls lost in the world through powerful programmes like this. The conference is an annual event organised by the House on the Rock church.

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello

Adefarasin

deputy managing director kayode komolafe

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

CROSS-CULTURAL CURRENTS...

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A FAMILY REUNION Members of the National Troupe of Nigeria in performance

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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In an ambience brimming with fliers-sharing ushers, well-groomed and animated delegates, the National Summit on Culture and Tourism held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja last week proved to be the miniature market place of shared ideas to reposition the creative and hospitality sectors of the economy as enviable revenue earners. Yinka Olatunbosun reports on the three-day cultural deliberations

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L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Sally Mbanefo and Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the tour of the outdoor exhibition stands

he fierce-looking barking dog at the entrance to the security-tight venue was not the only hurdle to cross that evening of the gala night which ushered in the three-day summit convened by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The personages waiting at the lobby of the Transcorp Hilton had different businesses to do, either being registered or screened as accredited delegates and this reporter belonged to the latter group.

There were those who killed time with striking poses for photography on the red carpet; certainly not selfies. While waiting outside the Congress Hall, the eclectic collections of artistic works in literary, fashion and visual ensemble came into view. Later that evening, after this reporter’s visual feasting, the Minister made a tour of the scenery. A good number of us had reasons to glare occasionally at the cutlery on the table as well as the change in the items listed in the programme. Many delegates had just arrived that day with justifiable measure of hunger. Meanwhile, the time for dinner had passed by but no

waiter was in sight. Instead, some well-clad ushers shared fliers of the National Troupe of Nigerian’s entertaining dance production of “Nigeriana’’ to acquit us with the show and its assortment of performers on stage.

Sitting close to some actors in the movie industry afforded one of the opportunity to know how the audience was reacting to the cultural display. But between the delayed culinary pleasure and the predictable dance performances from the National Troupe, it was difficult to determine the actual cause of the grumbling in the hall at an event compered by the Nollywood actor, Francis Duru whose attempt at comedy wasn’t a bad shot.

Then the Minister’s welcome address cheered up the audience more especially when at the end of it, he revealed that the dinner had been delayed on the wise counsel of some all-knowing individuals furnished with the understanding of the law of simple proportion in event-dining that the audience in the hall would deplete at the same rate as the heap of food on the meal tables. That said, the Minister himself allayed the fear that it was to be a night of speeches.

“We are gathered here today not necessarily to re-invent the wheel but to add value to what has been bestowed to us by nature; hundreds of years of rich culture and

heritage, diverse tourist sites and timeless monuments. This offers us a good opportunity to have a year-round festival calendar,” he said, explaining the reason for the theme of the summit, namely, “Repositioning Culture and Tourism in A Diversified Economy.’’

He declared too that the quick strides towards diversifying the mono-product economy had led to a collaboration of the ministry with the British Council and the Tony Elumelu Foundation to shift from paying lip service to the sectors to harnessing great potentials.

“In our entertainment industry, much work has also been done in the past few months. We have met the key stakeholders in the music and movie industry, both in Lagos and Abuja. Earlier this month, we set up the ministerial committee on the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) with the view to fast-tracking the process of passing the MOPICON bill into law.’’

Not long after his opening remarks, the buffet was declared open and the hysteria that followed was quite legendary. The next day, the National Troupe returned to stage. Ironically, the sidecomments at their show were far more

entertaining than their stereotypic outing which had been preceded by the screening of a special ten-minute documentary on the economic prospects of culture and tourism.

President Mohammadu Buhari who was scheduled to declare the august event open was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah who reiterated the federal government’s commitment towards ensuring that enabling policies and infrastructure are put in place to aid the development of the sectors.

“Many countries have relied on culture and tourism to earn revenue. Tourism contributes to the peaceful co-existence of the people’’, he said.

He also observed that when the economy was recently rebased, culture topped the list. Hence, with the right policies and attitudes, the future is bright for Nigeria.

Graham Sheffield was the bearer of goodwill message from the British Council. Using the UK example, he spoke on the bulk of revenue that the culture and tourism sectors catch fetch a country.

He reaffirmed the commitment of council in building capacity through trainings for

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REUNION ARTS & REVIEW\\CONFERENCE

Models clad in traditional Nigerian attires in Yoruba, Tiv and Hausa cultures, respectively stakeholders to develop requisite skills.

In the same vein, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism and Culture, Senator Matthew Urhoghide voiced his optimism in the non-oil revenue sectors.

“It is hoped that scholars and stakeholders will do their best in providing jobs and enhance socio-economic development to meet our economic challenges,’’ he said.

The Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba who sat beside the Minister at the summit, expressed her gratitude at the huge turnout of stakeholders for this crucial reunion that paraded past Ministers of Culture and Tourism, former state governors and cultural advocates.

Prof. Wole Soyinka was represented

by Dr. Wale Adeniran as the chairman of the first plenary session, equipped with a powerful address that the delegates didn’t anticipate. The same respectful silence that Soyinka would have evoked in the hall was there as Dr. Adeniran delivered the written address titled, “The Killing culture of the neo-nomadic’’ which drew attention to the security challenges of the nation.

Reminiscing on his “bouts of tourists exploration’’ with late Ambassador Olusegun Olusola in the pre-war 60s, Soyinka’s remarks on the herdsman crisis was a pointer to the major challenge that confronts tourism. He worried about the cycle of impunity that fuels recurring violence in some parts of the country.

“I have yet to hear this government articulate a firm policy of non-tolerance for the serial massacres have become the nation’s identification stamp. I have not heard an order given that any cattle rearer caught with sophisticated

firearms be instantly disarmed, arrested, placed on trial and his cattle confiscated.

I have yet to encounter a terse, rigorous, soldierly and uncompromising language from this leadership, one that threatens a response to this unconscionable bloodletting that would make even Boko Haram repudiate its founding clerics,’’ he stated.

He made reference to the recent invasion of his Ijegba forest home in Abeokuta by hoofed invaders while he was away from Nigeria. His claim is a proof to all that no part of the country is less susceptible to crime as long as impunity is a governing factor.

Mr. Donald Duke, a former Governor of Cross River state delivered what was meant to be the second paper during the first plenary session, without a sheet.

He had walked and talked tourism for some years and under his watch, his state became the leading tourist destination with the longest cable train in West Africa, cleaned and tarred roads, ranches for cattles, state policies on tourism with international standards as bench marks.

At first, his theory and policy of “condom and bible’’ was received with apprehension but it formed the basis for the modus operandis in many hotels.

Hoteliers were to place both in the hands of customers as they lodge. The “condom’’ is to take care of unwanted pregnancies, abortion, mortality rates in pregnant women as well as population explosion whereas the “bible’’ is a reminder for guests to show respect for moral practices.

Perhaps, some reports by foreign media may have amplified Nigeria’s security situation as many tourists still fear to come to Nigeria. Duke remarked that inspite of South Africa’s souring figures of HIV patients in the world and the crime rate in the city of Johannesburg, tourism still accounts for a substantial amount of the country’s revenue. According to the World

Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism industry directly contributed ZAR102 billion to South African GDP in 2012, and supports 10.3% of jobs in the country.

One of the discussants at the plenary session called for the implementation of the Dakar Plan of Action on cultural activities, which Nigeria is signatory to, as key to the development of the culture sector. This was matched by the view of the Director of Policy Analysis, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Paul Adalikwu who called for some remediation measures that would support public and private partnership for strong investment promotion drive.

With a call to the floor for contributions, the chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Mr. Tony Okoroji urged the management of the National Troupe of Nigeria to developed new performance styles that embrace contemporary traditions in dance, acting and other stage artistry to compete favourably with international counterparts.

In the communiqué signed by the Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee for the summit, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, it was agreed that the culture and tourism jointly cuts across other sectors such as agriculture, business, transportation, information, technology, aviation, health, sports and hospitality. To develop these sectors, policies at all levels are nonnegotiable.

Part of the recommendation made by the stakeholders is the adornment of national buildings, corporate offices and edifices as well as Nigeria Mission houses abroad with artworks by Nigerian artists to make strong cultural statements. Stakeholders also called for the celebration of cultural icons, living and dead, to inspire young people to aspire for success on the basis of merit.

It was also recommended that commu-

nity theatre projects, musical concerts and visual designs should be explored as tools of national orientation. The importance of research and documentation was stressed in the communiqué as means of producing credible culture and tourism statistics as well as the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA). Stakeholders are seeking government’s engagement with them to conclude the nationwide Mapping of Creative Industries whose pilot was conducted by the British Council, National Bureau of Statistics and Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) in 2013. They also called for the harmonisation of the bills establishing the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria and the Theatre Arts Regulatory Council at the National Assembly.

They concurred on the view that the umbrella ministry for the sectors should be renamed as the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and proposed that the Federal government should establish a befitting National Theatre and a National Museum for the nation’s capital, Abuja as obtained in other capital cities of the world.

In addition, the fashion and cuisine industry in Nigeria should be packaged and marketed to the world to generate revenue. The stakeholders also revisited the FEC 2010 memo on “Promoting Nigerian Dress Culture’’ by ensuring that civil servants dress Nigerian on Fridays.

They also recommended that religious tourism be tapped for revenue through taxation policies and a rekindle interest in Nigeria’s traditional religions. It was also agreed that the Federal Ministry of Information and culture should engage the Nigerian Centre of the International Theatre Institute and SONTA on “Triple I Project’’ to stimulate growth and development in the sector.

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ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

IN QUEST OF PERPETUITY: THE OJUKWU NIGERIANS DIDN’TKNOW Ernie Onwumere

W

hen the name Ojukwu is mentioned in contemporary Nigeria, it immediately evokes the memory of that late bearded Biafra war leader and hero who bestrode national consciousness like a colossus that he was. He was the audacious, adventurous and rebellious Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, then military governor of Eastern Nigeria, who started the Igbo secessionist war in 1966 following coups, counter-coups and genocidal massacre of Igbo indigenes in Northern Nigeria. This Biafra war-famous Ojukwu is the name that still rings bell in the ears of most Nigerians today. But then, how many people know there was an Ojukwu before Ojukwu? How many Nigerians know that there once lived a legendary Ojukwu who was the father of not only the Biafra war-famous Ojukwu, but also one of the founding fathers of modern Nigeria?

Taking it a bit further, how many Nigerians could remember the first known Nigerian millionaire entrepreneur in history? In Nigeria today, certain heavyweight names come up and inspire tremendous awe when entrepreneurship and wealth creation are discussed. Everybody is familiar with such wealth-personified and entrepreneurial names like Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Dr Uche Ogah and others. Dangote is not only the richest businessman in Nigeria today, he is the wealthiest in Africa and one of the richest in the world. Dr Uche Ogah also belongs among the younger wealthy Nigerian business class as the President of Masters Energy Group, a multi-billion Naira conglomerate with a workforce of about 42, 000 people, over 15 subsidiaries and interests across a variety of industries. By the sheer breadth of their businesses and the genius of their world-class entrepreneurship, the current generation of wealthiest Nigerians easily commands national recognition in homegrown entrepreneurship and capitalism. Yet, before them there were colonial and post-independence era Nigerian entrepreneurs who laid the crucial foundations of modern Nigerian economic system and private enterprise. One of those foremost early Nigerian entrepreneurs is Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, OBE, a transporter, businessman, investor, nationalist and the first acknowledged millionaire in Nigerian history.

My first non-physical contact with Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu was sometime in February 1980, at Nigerian Cement Company, Nkalagu during my school excursion. The second indirect encounter was in 2002, when my then advertising agency presented a strategy document and brand development campaign on the legendary Ojukwu to then Anambra State governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju. With Ikemba Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in attendance, the proposed campaign concept was to build a new city to decongest Onitsha christened “SIR ODUMEGWU OJUKWU CITY - a place to live, work and play.” But perhaps my third encounter was more revealing that I would want to share the experience through this medium of a book review. Ifeze, the missionary teacher, after our session at 3rd Anambra Book and Creativity festival 2015, presented me with a book he wrote on this great man called Sir Odumgwu Ojukwu.

But it is an ironical twist of history that such a phenomenal Nigerian with an iconic name before Biafra war, once lived and is hardly remembered today about 50 years after he died. It is an indictment of our flawed national sense of history and the nonchalant way we treat our national heroes who have passed on. Yet Nigeria would not be Nigeria today if not for the collective efforts and pivotal contributions of such heroes in their time. The quest to preserve the memories of a great Nigerian nationalist like Sir Ojukwu, draw lessons from his quintessential entrepreneurial odyssey and elicit due national recognition of his selfless legacies is what informed the publication of the book, In Quest of Perpetuity: Bio-Sketches of Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Authored by Ifeze, a missionary teacher and nephew to Sir Ojukwu, In Quest of Perpetuity can be classified as a seminal biographical collection. The book is a 289-page paperback published in 2015 by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, USA. Just as the title indicates, it is indeed a collection of assorted sketches using authorial narration, eyewitness accounts, historical documents, pictures, references and appendixes to tell the story of the life and times of one of the most legendary Nigerians who ever lived in the colonial era.

In Quest of Perpetuity has about 16 chapters, variously detailing the childhood, family, educational, entrepreneurial, marital, filial, political, social, religious, war, will, assets and death aspects of Sir Ojukwu’s life. However, despite the chapter by chapter title segmentation, the various facets of the subject’s life story still run through many of the chapters, thereby causing a varied repetition of same accounts in the memoir. By the way, in the introduction to the book, the author takes pains to rationalize the necessity of the biography and the struggles he underwent in getting necessary materials and support from Sir Ojukwu’s immediate family for the writing project. At the end, he concludes that the memories

and legacies of a pan-Nigerian nationalist and business titan like Sir Ojukwu deserve to be treated better, and that In Quest of Perpetuity is only a foundational work upon which he invites more comprehensive and authentic accounts of Sir Ojukwu’s life to be written.

The book opens with an account of an interview with Akintola Williams, acclaimed Doyen of Accounting profession in Nigeria, who details how met Sir Ojukwu, how he became his auditor and the kind of exemplary businessman he was. In the chapters that follow from 2 to 16, the reader extensively encounters the ‘top tree’, the ‘comet’ and the ‘titan’ called Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu. He was born in 1909 in Nnewi in Southeast Nigeria to peasant parents who were palm produce merchants during the colonial era. The young Ojukwu attended Government School, Asaba and Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar from where he graduated in 1928. Due to the unexpected deaths of his father and mother in quick successions, Ojukwu could not have any further education as the responsibility of taking care of his sisters fell on him.

Without much ado, but reminiscent of the typical adventurous Igbo drive to do business and ‘make it’ in distant lands away from home, the orphan Ojukwu left Nnewi in 1929 to seek his golden fleece in a far-away Lagos of the colonial era. Luckily for him, he got a job in Lagos as a junior tyre sales clerk with John Holt, a reputable trading company then. While at John Holt, the entrepreneurial instinct in the young Ojukwu began to take roots when he opened Ojukwu Stores in Onitsha to sell textiles, tyres and bicycles to Igbo traders who used to undertake tortuous journeys to Lagos to buy those goods. Before long, Ojukwu also started Ojukwu Transport Limited in Lagos when he noticed that Eastern traders had transportation challenges as they used to wait every three days before they got a lorry to board from Lagos back to the east.

It is told that the restless Ojukwu eventually stopped working at John Holt and got fully invested in his fast growing Ojukwu Transport Limited, turning the company into the best transport company on East-West route at the time. With sheer hard work, Spartan discipline and accountability, Ojukwu built a wildly successful transport business and earned a fame that made him the unofficial Igbo business ambassador in Lagos. From his growing wealth, he began to acquire choice properties and lived in the best areas of the then peaceful but bustling Lagos. He lived and had businesses at various addresses on Lagos Island, at Agege, Mushin, Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Ebute Metta, Creek Road, Apapa and Ikoyi. His most prestigious address then was on Alexander Avenue, Ikoyi where he built an ultra-modern house called Eastern House.

When the Second World War came, Ojukwu made his transport company services available to the British imperialists to execute the

war from Nigeria. After the war, Ojukwu became a closer friend and confidant of the colonial British government.

His transport business continued booming, but Ojukwu had the business foresight to divest and moved into real estate investments and later acquisitions of shares and stocks in the most reputable companies of the then era. Having shares in such blue-chip companies like John Holt, Costain West Africa, Thomas Wyatt, Shell d’Archy Petroleum Development Company Limited, Guinness Nigeria Limited and others launched Sir Ojukwu into becoming about the most influential and wealthiest of his time. From 1930s, 1940s, 1950s leading to Nigeria’s independence, Ojukwu grew with Nigeria and became influential with politicians like the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mbonu Ojike, K.O. Mbadiwe and others who were involved in the struggle for Eastern Region development as well as for a new independent Nigeria.

As a true Igbo man, Sir Ojukwu was known to champion the economic development of Eastern Nigeria. As a panNigerian patriot, he was also said to make himself available for national responsibilities. Thus he was appointed as chairman or director to the boards of many Federal Government parastatals and private sector companies. For instance, he was Vice President for Life, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, first Nigerian President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Lines, and several others.

It is most note-worthy that, from the accounts in the book, Sir Ojukwu was not in support of his rebel son Lt. Col. Ojukwu’s Biafra war secession bid in 1966. In fact, the senior Ojukwu died in September 1966 at Nigerian Cement Company Hospital Nkalagu (NIGERCEM) due to his failed last-minute efforts to help avert the Biafra war by trying hard to persuade the Biafran secessionists to make peace with the Federal Government in Lagos.

The family life of Sir Ojukwu was one of his low points.

Although he had only 3 sons (Joseph, Emeka, Lotana) from 3 different women, he was more of a patriarch to many people who lived with him and got educated through his sponsorship.

In Quest of Perpetuity is replete with accounts of many beneficiaries of Sir Ojukwu’s legendary generosity and magnanimity.

The major take-away lessons from Ifeze’s bio-sketches of Sir Ojukwu, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth of England in 1960, are indeed many and inspiring. He worked hard and made his fortune with “neither dynastic heritage nor university education”. And he was a humanist who used his wealth to benefit so many people. He was an authentic Igbo man to the core, yet he believed in and fought for one Nigeria. He was not an ethnic bigot but a liberal-minded man who would not discriminate by sentiment. For instance, Sir Ojukwu’s personal driver at the height of his fame and fortune in Lagos was one Sunday, a Yoruba man.

His appointed auditor for all his business interests till he died was Mr. Akintola Williams, the first Nigerian certified accountant who is also a Yoruba man. And when Sir Ojukwu became pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Lines in 1956, the first indigenous Managing Director he appointed was also a Yoruba man called Mr. Nathaniel Oyesiku. Further establishing Sir Ojukwu’s broad-mindedness, at the first visit of Queen Elizabeth to Nigeria in 1956, his Rolls Royce was the official car used to convey the British monarch.

In a way, I observed that Sir Ojukwu was a man with a high sense of self-esteem and confidence who never minced words no matter who was involved. His correspondence with the then colonial government Permanent Secretary, Mines and Power reveals that. A.C.F. Armstrong wrote on 3 July 1959 thus: “...the appointment of a part-time Chairman for the Nigerian Coal Corporation ...The minister feels that within your wide knowledge and experience...he would like to consider you with other candidates...unless you were prepared to surrender one, and possibly more of your chairmanships”. Sir Ojukwu replied on 8 July, 1959 with assured confidence: “...the impression I get from your letter is that I am being treated in same manner as a prospective employee might be treated...I feel compelled to point out that the chairmanship I hold were offered to me without my asking and I accepted in each case because I felt competent to discharge the duties of the post.”

And above all, Sir Ojukwu was known to be held to nocompromise high standards in integrity in his business dealings and public service. As a result of this, he kept corrupt politicians of his time at arm’s length even though he was involved in public service. The book In Quest of Perpetuity is worth reading for its sheer insights into an epochal era in Nigeria that many contemporary Nigerians are ignorant of. It is a befitting celebration of a business titan and nationalist whose memories and legacies should not fade in our national reckoning. The book beckons both the Nigerian government and Sir Ojukwu’s family to immortalize the legend and place him in his right place in history, the same way we celebrate fellow national heroes like late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Indeed, In Quest of Perpetuity unveils to us an Ojukwu before Ojukwu that every contemporary Nigerian should know.

––Onwumere is a cultural activist, book enthusiast and brand management consultant based in Lagos.

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Olaiwola Sakara Ensemble

Ranti Ihimoyan in concert with the MUSON ensemble

MUSON Ensemble with Tunde Jegede as conductor

CROSS-CULTURAL CURRENTS Yinka Olatunbosun

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hose African batik backdrops provided a clue to the cultural perspective of this amazing concert in Lagos.

All thanks to the Director, Music Society of Nigeria, Tunde Jegede; the Agip Hall was lit once again last weekend with not just stage lanterns but exciting vocals accompanied by a wide range of musical instruments of classical and African dynamics as the audience surfed through cultures across LatinAmerica, returning back to motherland through music.

Diana Baroni, one of the leading artists of the night tagged “New Horizons-New Worlds” had performed the previous night at Bogobiri in Ikoyi to warm up the Lagos music fans ahead of the massive concert where her Afro-peruvian music was well-received. A soulful singer and flautist, Baroni was not just a charismatic performer but a story teller. Through her folkloric songs, she recounted stories of womanhood, a culture parallel and joined the MUSON ensemble that opened the show for the night. Her voice was stunning in the duet that featured another guest, a multi-instrumental artist from South America, Rafael Guel. It was like

listening to a “Telemundo soundtrack’’ when the South American baroque music serenaded the audience, many of whom watched the stage closely as it was set for each performance. Guel was a master of his guitar and other instruments such as the bullroarer, clapsticks and other types that looked strange but sounded familiar to the African audience.

The typical concert audience would sit with regal elegance, legs crossed, with occasional economical smiles that often accompany a very appreciative applause when they are thoroughly impressed.

That was going to be the MUSON story last week except for the fact that Jegede had it all planned with the Olaiwola Sakara Ensemble. It was traditional Yoruba dance music made from the combination of Sakara drum, shaped like a tambourine and Goje, an African Violin. If you must know, Sakara music was popular in the 30s and it was nothing short of a renaissance spirit that could restore that music genre on the stage for this generation of music audience. Sakara is believed to have influenced other music genres such as juju, fuji and afro-pop and had died naturally with the passing of most of its exponents one of whom is Yusuf Olatunji known as Baba L’Egba.

Nigeria’s unparalled neo-classical soprano, Ranti Ihimoyan breezed in on the stage in her sweeping sequenced sleeveless Ankara dress. Her alluring smile was a total betrayal of the intensity

of her cadence on each note conducted by Jegede, whose waving baton dictated the pace as documented in the full score before him. First, she performed the classic, George Handel’s The Messiah, with subtle sing-alongs in the audience but with those staccato notes from the orchestra, some amateurs were caught short in the act, paving way for only Ihimoyan’s voice to envelope the hall. Aided by the power of natural water in a plastic bottle at her feet, she finished off her bit with Wolfgang Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate, K165 and Alleluia.

What Jegede had succeeded in doing that night was to spring up the taste in traditional cultures, fused them and re-invent them for fresh audiences. The Agip hall was filled predominantly with a large number of expatriates who have long appreciated music as an expression of culture. With technological advancement, electronic music and other new genres have eclipsed traditional music across the globe. For MUSON, the essence of bringing all these traditional music forms back is to show the world that before popular music, there was Sakara which had echoed outside Nigeria in places such as Gambia, Mali and Niger. Still, in the heart of afro-peruvian music lies the African beat which makes it so convenient to have Nigeria’s Wura Samba on stage with Baroni in most of her tracks. Even Baroni acknowledged that it took a few hours of rehearsals to blend the core African beat

with her South American style which was well-savoured by the audience whom she invited to dance freely. One of her songs was an anthem after the show, indicating her profound and immediate influence on her Lagos audience. Her call and response technique was very similar to the folkloric songs of the tortoise narratives except for the fact that there was no translation for every line that she sang.

One translation the audience cherished the most came in form of solo performance from each artist perhaps outside the dictates of the score. The performance was so organised to allow a few minutes on the samba, saxophone, flute and guitar. Just when we thought that Simon Drappier was intimidating with his towering contrabass came Imole Balogun on saxophone. That man really knows how to make an entrance: bowing in his bowler hat that shielded his face from piercing eyes and rays while blowing his way into the audience’s heart. A product of the MUSON School of Music, Balogun is a regular performer at MUSON concerts.

If you have missed this second show in the concert series, May 28 is another date to keep. An extraordinary African Ballet to wrap up the series features one of Nigeria’s finest dance exports, Qudus Onikeku sharing the stage with Tunde Jegede, Renu Hossain, Devon Carpenter and MUSON ensemble.

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SOUTH-KOREAN TRADITIONAL DRUM SPEAKS TO NIGERIA Yinka Olatunbosun

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o harness a healthy cultural exchange between Nigeria and South-korea, one of Nigeria’s finest theatre artists, Isioma Williams has imported the Korean traditional culture of Jang-gu to the city of Lagos.

His undying love for traditional drums inspired him into fostering a cultural relationship between the two countries with the project tagged ‘Journey of the Jang-Gu Drum to Africa’.

At a press briefing held at the NCAC Building inside the National Theatre, Lagos, Isioma declared that the project would be in four segments including a workshop, Jang-Gu Drumming Competition, Jang-Gu meets Bata as well as the introduction and teaching the Jang-Gu drum in neighbouring countries.

The traditional drum exponent also said that the workshop will help Nigerian drummers in learning the techniques of the Jang-Gu drum for three months while the contest will be for those who have almost perfected the art of drumming. In the end, they will compete for a grand prize, which is the Jang-Gudrum.

The artist recalled his experience in South-Korea and how the traditional drum spoke to him in the dew of the day.

“In my experience as a traditional drum musician, I have vast knowledge of the Nigerian traditional drum as well as some international traditional instruments. As a result of his participation in several cultural exchanges like the one I did at the National Theatre of South-Korea CPI 2013, I experienced the brilliant and amazing Jang-Gu drum. This drum and its drumming technique appealed to me so much so that it painted a semblance of my love for the Bata drums of the Yoruba culture,’’ he said.

Hence, he embarked on this project which would enrich our cultural heritage and add to our wealth of knowledge of cultural parallels.

“This is simply to spread the vibes, connect not only to the African culture but also have a trans-cultural feel of music. ‘Journey of the Jang-GU Drum to Africa’ will aid traditional musicians from Lagos, Nigeria and across Africa to have the drum experience.”

He is of the view that the drum experience will expose young artists to various cultural, religious, geographical and socioeconomic perspectives.

The artist, who has organised and participated in several international cultural exchange programmes in countries such as Ghana, South-Africa, Madagascar, Togo and Japan lauded the South Korean government for the scholarship to visit and study in Korea.

The former Director of the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, Mr. Kwon Yong IK accompanied by his assistant, Madam Meeyoun Jee, acknowledged the fact that Nigeria has a rich culture.

“Nigeria is a strong cultural nation with many ethnic groups.

Isioma is your country’s strong cultural man. He is a proper cultural theatre artiste. It is hard to learn Jang-Gu in six months, but he did. Our cultural centre opened in Abuja in 2010. We shall continue to promote cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria. This cultural exchange is very vital. And I hope Nigerians will embrace the Korean culture.”

He added that the exchange between the two countries will help Nigeria as well as Korea economically.

A South Korean traditional drum

Hear Word Debuts in Abuja Yinka Olatunbosun

T

Cast of Hear Word

he word is out. Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory will be lit up soon with the exciting theatre performance of “Hear Word”. Sponsored

by Etisalat Nigeria, the play will be performed on May 8. The play which had toured internationally returns to Nigeria next week with its parade of top-notch Nigerian actors.

Hear Word is a social commentary on the true-life account of inequality and transformation as it affects women in Nigeria, drawing attention to their potential for independence, leadership and meaningful contribution. It is a poignant, joyous and emotionally charged as it delves into the issues of female self-discovery, women empowerment, domestic violence and other socio-cultural restrictions on the womenfolk.

This performance is expected

to re-ignite family bond in the spirit of cultural renaissance in the nation’s capital.

The cast is made up of dynamic and time-tested artists of international repute such as Taiwo-Ajai Lycett and Joke Silva. Others are Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru, Ufuoma McDermott, Zara Udofia-Ejoh, Debbie Ohiri, Rita Edward and Odenike.

The Head of Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani revealed why the telecommunications company is actively supporting the promotion of art and culture in Nigeria.

“We believe in giving people the platforms to express themselves in the best way they can.

We do this through different platforms that accommodate various talent groups be it innovation, music, sports, literature, photography, theatre arts, education, young entrepreneurs and any other way we can contribute to the development of the society.’’

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

The Unremitting Pressure for True Federalism The political uproar in recent times over marauding herdsmen and minimum wage reflects the struggle to dismantle the current pseudo-federal structure in Nigeria and replace it with a truly federal system.

Vincent Obia writes

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he people of Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State are still licking their wounds after the grisly attack on them by suspected herdsmen on April 25. The attack resulted in the killing of nearly 50 natives. Driven to despair by the circumstances surrounding the violence, the community are wondering why their governor, who is the state’s chief security officer, was not able to protect them, despite having prior knowledge of the attack.

To tackle the security threat, when he was alerted, the governor was relying on the federal security apparatus, which is not responsible to him. But the people have learnt to depend on more than that. Banking on the federal security agencies is no longer enough. The federal government needs to understand this and support the states to build their own individual capacities for security and development.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came out last Monday with an explanation of the steps he had taken to try to forestall the carnage and the limitations he faced. He said the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and the Department of State Services had explanations to make as to the killings at Nimbo, because they were duly informed about the attack. They did nothing to prevent it, despite assurances from them a day earlier. The governor stopped short of saying that the security agencies had a hand in the killings.

In frustration, Ugwuanyi called his people together on Monday to plan on how to secure themselves.

“I have invited you here today to formally brief you on the prevailing security situation in this state, especially in the aftermath of the killings at Nimbo, and for us to discuss and agree on the formula for safeguarding our land and ensuring the security of lives and property of our people,” the governor said during a meeting with traditional rulers and town union leaders in Enugu. “We intend to activate the provisions of the extant and relevant laws of Enugu State, particularly, the Neighbourhood Association and Watch Groups Law 2006, which provides for the establishment and operation of neighbourhood watch associations in every autonomous community in Enugu State.”

The people want to be in control of their own destiny. They want to have their own police and other security paraphernalia.

The federal apparatuses have proved themselves inadequate in terms of meeting the peculiar needs of Nigeria’s diverse peoples.

Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase seemed to allude to that fact recently, when he said in Jos that the current strength of the Nigeria Police – put at 305, 000 – was not enough to secure the country’s about 170 million people. “The expectations of members of the public in Nigeria are many and varied and exceed the resources and support given to the police,” Arase stated while speaking on the topic, “Police and public partnership in prevention and control of violent crime and conflicts in Nigeria.”

Across the country, the sentiment is the same. The pressure for change from the quasi-unitary structure of power centralisation to a federal system in which the states have control over their own affairs, but under the general control of a central government that would mainly be responsible for national issues, such as currency, foreign affairs, customs and immigration, etc., is mounting.

When in March some cattle herders also attacked Agatu in Benue State, killing more than 500 persons, Governor Samuel Ortom equally expressed frustration with the central security system that was unable to secure his people.

In Kaduna State, despite the freedom of thought, conscience and religion enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, Governor Nasir El-Rufai is pushing a bill through the House of Assembly

for a law to regulate preaching and other religious activities in the state. El-Rufai says, “We do not have any ulterior motive other than to put a framework that will ensure Kaduna State citizens live in peace with every one practising his religion…

“We know we have a problem and I am the governor and I need a solution.”

In spite of criticisms, El-Rufai feels he has a responsibility to ensure peace and security in his state. He is right, but he should look into the specific reservations that have been raised and address them.

Another area where it has been almost impossible to sustain political centralism is minimum wage for workers. Minimum wage has remained a national issue contained in the Exclusive Legislative List, where only the federal government has powers to legislate. The Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution puts in item 34 under the 68-item Exclusive Legislative List, “Labour, including trade unions, industrial relations; conditions, safety and welfare of labour; industrial disputes; prescribing a national minimum wage for the federation or any part thereof; and industrial arbitrations.”

The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011, says, “It shall be the duty of every employer (except as provided for under the principal Act as amended) to pay a wage not less than the national minimum wage of N18,000.00 per month to every worker under his establishment.”

But this law is hardly obeyed, as many states – and organisa-

tions – have been unable to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage.

Currently, the Nigerian Labour Congress is making demands for minimum wage increases to between N56, 000 and 90, 000 per month, saying the five- year period stipulated for the review of the minimum wage had elapsed. Edo State has gone ahead to increase the monthly incomes of its civil servants to N25, 000, while many states are arguing that they cannot afford any wage increment.

The reality remains that the individual states have different financial capabilities and cannot be successfully force-footed onto the same wage regime. The centralisation of labour issues is no use to anyone. It has been a source of friction between the federal and state governments, and it is hardly enforced.

National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said recently regarding the minimum wage, “It shouldn’t be a federal matter, states should be allowed to make their decisions based on their abilities to pay.

The cost of living is not the same in every part of the country.”

These are an eloquent testimony to the inevitability of true federalism in Nigeria. Federalism is, undoubtedly, the best antidote to underdevelopment in the country. The states must be equipped with necessary laws to harness and utilise their resources, manage their affairs, and secure their environment for the good of the whole country. The current pseudo-federal system is no longer sustainable. It has, in fact, become a huge danger to development.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

The Pathetic Story of IDPs Resorting to Begging

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Abdulrahman Dambazzau

eports last week about internally displaced persons in Jigawa State taking to begging to survive should make every Nigerian, especially, the federal and state governments, worry. The IDPs, who had fled from their homes following the invasion of their ancestral lands by Bioko Haram insurgents, were said to be roaming the streets, offices and market places in search of

alms. This is a dangerous development capable of creating more security problems than the current Boko Haram terrorism.

The abandoned IDPs risk becoming a ready recruitment ground for criminal groups. And with their IDP status, they may easily have access to people and places, which can be targeted for terrorist attack. The government must move to arrest the developing crisis. .

– Vincent Obia

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW

Edu

Photos: Akinwunmi Ibrahim

Edu: IBB’s Endless Transition Programme Derailed Political Devt by Giving Room for Demagogues

Mr. Yomi Edu has a calm and contented mien. His voice exudes confidence. He never seems to worry about anything, partly, courtesy of his noble birth for which he remains eternally grateful to God. But behind that laidback persona are the traits of a wonderful politician, who went into politics by default, but became one of the strongest pillars of government, and then exited with his integrity intact. Edu’s foray into politics was not without ordeals that tested his courage and seemed to confirm his fears about politics in the country. But his 1991 governorship election experience was particularly astonishing. “That was my baptism into politics in Nigeria,” he says. The son of a prominent pre-independence politician, Shafi Lawal Edu, who died in 2002, was Minister of Special Duties in the former President Olusegun Obasanjo government. He turns 70 on May 12. Edu talks about his political experience and life generally, in this interview with Tokunbo Adedoja, Vincent Obia, and Demola Ojo. Excerpts:

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW • HOW OBASANJO WAS DRAFTED INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE • Continued from Pg. 84

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ou are 70 this month. How does it feel to be 70 in a country where life expectancy is 54?

I don’t feel 70. My children say 70 is the new 50. I don’t feel 70, except, of course, for the backaches and the knee aches that come with age. Sometimes I look back and I’m grateful to God for what He has given me.

Because I was not the brightest student in class, I wasn’t the dullest either. I was always average as a student but when I say I have a lot to be thankful to God for, I can’t recollect when I was ever wanting for food or comfort. I’ve never suffered in life since I was born, so I’m very fortunate. It’s not my doing; it’s the Man up there.

I was born into a family that was well to do, and from the age of six, when I started primary school, I never had to walk to school, I never had to take a bus. I remember in those days, about 1952, I went to school with my brother and my sister, same school. And we were driven to school by a driver in a green Chevrolet LA 6262. I’ve never had to suffer in life. I really must thank God for that.

At age of 11/12, I left for England to start my secondary school at Kent College in Canterbury. From there, I went on to university in Buckingham to read Insurance and Law. Even then in England, I was not short of anything I wanted in life.

My monthly allowance always came on time. While a lot of students were waiting for their grants from government, mine always came regularly. It’s not my doing, I’m grateful to God. Would you say your pedigree contributed to the heights you attained in business and politics?

Partly, yes. Because you have a name that is known. That always helps in society. It opens doors. My dad being known since the First Republic, it was a name that once you say you’re Edu, it opens doors. So I would say, yes, pedigree has assisted in many ways. Education, too, and a lot of luck as well.

Edu How would you assess the efforts of the older generation to build the dream country that the younger generation can live in and enjoy?

You played a role in the making of the Fourth RepubThe Nigeria we knew, we had excellent leaders, first-class lic… leaders. You could call them tribalists, you could call them When General Obasanjo came out of prison, I went to him whatever you want, but they loved their people. And in Abeokuta, myself and Late Umaru Yar’Adua (I was very everything they did in life was to enhance, to assist. Look at close to the Yar’Adua family) to convince him and give him Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu reasons why he should run. General Obasanjo asked if the PF Bello, Michael Opara, Aminu Kano. These were leaders by any standards. They were not just political leaders but morally, was still on ground and if we could use it as a nucleus to start.

We said yes. The association was dormant, you know there was they could be looked up to. They set standards, principles to no politics allowed, but we knew all our people in the states look up to. and once we say let’s go, we’ll get organised within a month.

Nowadays, politicians are no longer the same. We don’t He said, “You know I have no money, can you people find the have such leaders anymore, which is unfortunate. The ones I funds to run a nationwide campaign?” We said we could.” He mentioned chose their people first. That has changed. gave us the green light.

I came into politics in 1989. And I always say I never really Of course, people like General TY Danjuma came on board, was a politician of the type you know in Nigeria. Because if Aliyu Gusau, Aliyu Mohammed, and that was the beginning of you stand by some principles in Nigerian politics, and you what became the PDP. stick by it and you don’t bend, you hardly win elections.

I served for four years, but first with the campaign. I was There are certain things you have to do to get elected and then the financial controller for the campaign. All the money we unless you are ready to do those things you may never get generated came to me, and I was responsible for making sure elected. all our people in all the states got funds. Not funds to spend I was drafted into politics in 1989 by the late Shehu Musa carelessly but funds to rent offices, to buy vehicles, to print Yar’Adua, when he formed the Peoples Front. General posters. Luckily, we won the election.

Yar’Adua was a great politician. People thought he was in I remember even then, when we won the election, General politics to become president or to glorify himself. He wasn’t. I Obasanjo asked me if I wanted to serve in government, I said knew him very well, he was my mentor. He felt the country “No sir, I’m not really a government man. I’m more of a private was not going well, and he wanted to ensure the transition sector man.” Government never appealed to me. And I think he from military to civilian government was smooth. His main aim was to install a democracy that would be sustainable. Not was surprised.

Then, after we won the election, we were going round personal ambition. His love for the country was beyond that. the country on a thank you tour. We were in the stadium in When he came to see me in the house, he came with Katsina. Obasanjo was then president-elect. Umaru Yar’Adua Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe. Before I met him properly, I had met him on and off when he was Chief of Staff. But the first time I actually sat down with him was when he came to my house with Kingibe, who is my very good friend till today.

He said he was going into politics and he wanted to form an association that would transform into a political party. He made a list of people in all the states that he could use as his anchor-men. And he came to me and said he would like me to be his anchor-man for Lagos State. I laughed. I told him, “I’m not a politician. Why are you asking me?” He said that was exactly why he asked me. Because it’s a different type of politics we have to play. It must be clean, transparent, and rancour-free. He said I should think about it, that he was in the South-west for the week, making a tour of the other states and would come back to Lagos, I should consider.

He told me his vision for the country, what his plans were.

I thought over it. When he came back, I told him I would accept to assist him in Lagos State but that I would need one or two people to be drafted; the first name was Chief Dapo Sarumi. Because I know him to be a tactical man, a man of strategy. He knows the grassroots in Lagos, he knows all the local government areas.

I told General Yar’Adua; “I’m entering politics for the reasons you gave us, but I don’t intend to play politics all my life. Once the mission of entrenching democracy has been accomplished, when it has been installed and actualised, then my mission has been accomplished,” and he said yes. That’s how I came into politics, not knowing I was going to stay the next 25 years.

I suspect that it was during the political transition of Babangida’s government that things started to go wrong. We had elections, cancellations, elections, primaries, cancellations. People lost interest. Some people walked away. It was too long, it was deceitful. And then all kinds of characters started coming into politics. People you would not normally employ as your driver started running for office because they had money in their pocket. I think that was when we lost it

was governor elect of Katsina. They were sitting in front, I was behind them. General Obasanjo looked back and summoned me. He said, “Umaru, this your brother here, he doesn’t want go into government.” Yar’Adua said, “He must be joking, how can you go this far and walk away, after all we’ve done? It’s not possible, there’s a mission we have to accomplish and we have not even started yet.”

And that was how, again, I was in government as a minister.

How would you describe your experience as a minister in Obasanjo’s government?

A few years later, we were having a meeting in the Villa, a meeting of South-west leaders. There was trouble in the South-west and Obasanjo wanted to reconcile all the leaders.

And you know General Obasanjo, when there’s something on his mind, he doesn’t hide, he says it publicly. Out of the blue – it was a huge table, all the leaders were there, Afolabi, Bola Ige, late Agagu, Dapo Sarumi. And he said, “If you want to go into government, you must be sure you want to do it, if you’re hesitant, you might not do a good job.”

He said I didn’t show enough enthusiasm or interest, to go into government. “But now that he is a minister, he is one of my best ministers.” I thanked him. He said, “You didn’t want to serve in government but you’re doing a good job.”

So such memories always give me pleasure, they always give me satisfaction. About two or three examples when I was in government I could relate to. That was one that struck me.

Second one was we were having another meeting with some governors and ministers and I was in charge of the ecological fund and I think it was the largest fund in government at the time. I would go with the project, General Obasanjo would approve it and that’s it. Then it would go to council for ratification. I think over the four years I must have disbursed about N50 billion.

So one particular day, we were having a meeting, another of the ministers was saying that I was being biased, all the money was coming to Lagos State, and he’s not even sure if the money coming to Lagos State was for my benefit. I was so mad he was insinuating I was doing something with the funds.

I said, “Honourable Minister, you’re a Muslim, I’m also a Muslim. You know what swearing by the Koran means to a Muslim. I swear to you by this Koran, in the four years I’ve disbursed money round, if I ever took a kobo from anybody, may I not see paradise.” He was shocked. I said it three times.

Do you know, after the meeting, the man came to apologise. I was satisfied to put it on record that it is not all the people that come into government that are thieves.

Nigeria has reached a stage now that once you’re in government, you must be a thief, which is unfortunate. There are people that want to serve, but are afraid to go into government not to get their name soiled. There’s nothing more important than a good name. That’s how we were brought up. Be content with what you have and be humble in life. Because if you come from a big family and you join a government and you soil your name, it’s not just you, it’s your whole family.

I went into government, served four years, came out of government with my integrity still intact, no blemish. I’ve never been called to account for anything.

Continued on Pg.86

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW • IF I KNEW WHAT I NOW KNOW, MAYBE I WOULD HAVE SAID LET OBASANJO CONTINUE• You have talked about the leaders of old, how they were leaders unlike the politicians of today. At what point did we make that unfortunate transition from having leaders to having demagogues?

I can’t pinpoint the time honestly. But I can hazard a guess. I suspect that it was during the political transition of Babangida’s government that things started to go wrong. We had elections, cancellations, elections, primaries, cancellations. People lost interest. Some people walked away. It was too long, it was deceitful. And then all kinds of characters started coming into politics. And people you would not normally employ as your driver started running for office because they had money in their pocket. And I think that was when we lost it.

General Obasanjo had the opportunity to put us back on track. The first four years, he did pretty well. Second term, I think he got distracted politically. He could have put things right so that we’ll have the right people in government, but I think he missed it. Personally I think he was a good leader so please take nothing away from Obasanjo. An impeccable one.

The debts of billions of dollars, which we owed to the Paris Club and other creditors, through negotiations he got written off, he got some paid. It was no small achievement. He did many things.

In the banking sector, we had banks that were more like Bureau de Change. Not banks. He sanitised that sector.

Telecommunications. I think we had less than 500,000 fixed lines across the country till the early 2000s. I remember I used to go to Falomo to call London. I had to go and queue at the NITEL office to call London. Now we’re talking about a hundred million plus mobile phones. There was transformation during his government.

Even corruption. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission were set up under Obasanjo.

But unfortunately, he got involved politically, he got distracted.

Now when you mention Obasanjo, people say third term.

That’s what people remember, which is unfortunate. Obasanjo had the opportunity to nurture good leaders but he didn’t focus well. Those people I mentioned; the Awolowos, the Azikwes the Ahmadu Bellos, those were leaders.

Do you think there is hope for the younger generation to emulate these leaders?

There’s always hope.

What are the things that need to be put in place for that hope to materialise?

I think, first, we must change the perception that politics is a dirty game meant for thieves. In the US, people from good homes are politicians. The Kennedys, the Bushes, the Clintons, I can name many of them. But here we are afraid to go into the arena because we’re afraid you would be remembered as a thief. That has to change so we don’t drive people away from politics. There are many people in this country that can do a good job. Many people. But they’re all afraid for their reputation.

If you go and see on the day of election, take note of the people on the lines. Maybe 80 per cent are the cooks, the drivers, the guards. They are the ones electing our leaders.

People like you and I are busy watching CNN. It is our duty to go and vote. To be in government is a public service. I am thankful to God that out of 180 million people I was chosen minister. It is a great honour. And it’s trust you must not misuse or abuse.

You’re an associate of both Obasanjo and then Vice President Atiku Abubakar. How were you able to balance your relationship with them, especially, at the time of the rift between the two leaders?

It wasn’t difficult. Obasanjo saw me as Atiku’s friend from Day One. He knew about our association. Myself, Atiku and late Shehu YarÁdua. So I think he accepted that but he also knew I would not do anything against him, or disobey him because of Atiku. So I think he was able to separate Yomi Edu as Atiku’s friend and Yomi Edu as minister. My duty was to serve the country, not anybody else. If I felt I was being compromised or I couldn’t do the job very well, I should have resigned.

One day, during the crisis, Obasanjo said I should follow

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him to his office after a council meeting. He told me to sit down and after he made a few phone calls, he came to sit with me.

He said, “Honourable Minister, I know you and Atiku are friends. But let me tell you that I didn’t know Atiku that well.

After I won the nomination for our party, there was pressure from people to put Abubakar Rimi, or Iyorchia Ayu as Vice President. And I chewed over it and decided to go with Atiku because of what he had done through the Yar’Adua’s connection.”

He said he chose Atiku believing Atiku was the same as Yar’Adua. He said Yar’Adua was loyal to him to the core. But he said Atiku was not loyal. I was stunned. I was about to say something but he said I should keep quiet. You know Obasanjo now. I was shaken. I didn’t know where he was going to with the conversation. He then said, “I made Atiku the most powerful Vice President ever. I left him to rum the economy since I was always travelling around the world. I’m training him to takeover when I leave this office.”

He said, “I personally see it as a failure if I leave this office and I can’t install my Vice President to continue our policies.”

To him, continuation was very important. He said, “But Atiku is not loyal and he will never become president under my watch.”

I knew things were pretty bad between the president and vice president, but I didn’t know how bad it was. And the president of the country is very powerful. He can make or break you. On reflection, maybe we didn’t do enough, friends of Atiku and Obasanjo. Loyalists, if you like. Maybe we didn’t do enough.

Of course, the time for the second term election, you know the fiasco. People were urging Atiku to run against the president. And I was glad he didn’t do it. Because I believed going against an incumbent president within your party was wrong.

It’s not done. Of course, some governors were urging Atiku to run against the president.

I’m quite sure he would have defeated Obasanjo. I have no doubt in my mind. Obasanjo also knew that because he had done his homework. Somehow he managed to appease Atiku for him to back down.

An ex-soldier, I won’t mention names, who also served in government with us, said later that you people were foolish.

That you don’t pick up a gun and point to a soldier without

There are people that want to serve, but are afraid to go into government not to get their name soiled. There’s nothing more important than a good name. That’s how we were brought up. Be content with what you have and be humble in life. Because if you come from a big family and you join a government and you soil your name, it’s not just you, it’s your whole family. I went into government, served four years, came out of government with my integrity still intact, no blemish. I’ve never been called to account for anything

shooting, that you’re dead. You must fire that gun.

Would you say it was that crisis that led to the third term saga, because Obasanjo had no succession plan?

I had left government at that time. So I was not really sure of the inner workings. When you’re in government you know what is going on but I had left government four years earlier.

But I was against it. It’s not right. It’s against the law. I was totally against it. But you know, I’m not sure. If I knew what I now know, maybe I would have said let him continue. See what has happened since he left office. I’m being honest with you.

Maybe now, with Buhari in power, things will get back on track. It may be slow but it will get back on track eventually.

Because Buhari and Obasanjo are not so different. They’re both stubborn, focused and very patriotic. And they’re not really money men. They don’t acquire wealth for the sake of acquiring wealth. Obasanjo is a simple man. As a human being, you might not like him but as a leader, he was effective. And I think history will be kind to him.

What is your take on the killings by herdsmen over cattle grazing?

I’ll be honest, I haven’t followed it enough. I haven’t paid enough attention to it to make a good judgment. But what I know of General Buhari, security is one of his strong points. So I think, eventually, he’ll win the war.

You talked about your role as the finance manager for Obasanjo and the PDP presidential campaign. Are you alarmed by the current revelations about how campaign funds were sourced and distributed during the last general election?

As for the distribution of funds, nothing surprises me. It is done worldwide. If you raise money legitimately from private donors, it is allowed. Both parties did it. Otherwise, how do you campaign? But taking money from government to fund your campaign, that is illegal. When I read that the office of so-and-so disbursed money to fund the campaign of a party, that’s against the law. It’s totally wrong. Maybe they are allegations but that’s totally against the law. Because it is our money. It is the people’s money. You have to separate the government from the party. It is not the same thing. Because you are in government does not mean PDP is the government.

Government belongs to all of us. You cannot use our money to fund campaigns.

Would the revelations and prosecutions change the attitude of Nigerians to campaign funds?

I certainly hope so. Once you deal with the culprits, you jail them and they are punished for it, the foolish man who does it again knows the consequence. That is why I think Buhari is very serious. If there is one thing I think he has achieved so far, it is that the level of corruption has gone down tremendously.

People will say it is because there is no money in the system to steal, but no. You know the man at the top has the authority –morally – to lead this crusade. We know his lifestyle. He is not in government to make money. He never has been. He was Minister of Petroleum, he was governor of Borno and he is known for being prudent, for being focused, and certainly corrupt-free all his life. And once you have such a leader

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW • I WENT INTO POLITICS BY ACCIDENT, NOT BY DESIGN • Continued from Pg. 86 Obasanjo had the opportunity to put us back on track. The first four years, he did pretty well.

Second term, I think he got distracted politically. He could have put things right so that we’ll have the right people in government, but I think he missed it. Personally I think he was a good leader so please take nothing away from Obasanjo leading a country, eventually, it permeates down.

It may take a long time because in a country where people are poor, people are desperate. The policeman who stands in the sun 14 hours a day, rain beats him. No raincoat no umbrella. He is standing in the hot sun. At the end of the month, he and his wife, sometimes he has two or three wives, you give him a hundred thousand naira. How do you want him to survive? I am not justifying it, I am just giving you reasons why there is corruption in this country. That man is not taking money because he is greedy, it is because of necessity. But if you and I, that God has blessed and what we need we already have, and you still steal the money, that is greed.

A minister who is being looked after – accommodation, all the estacodes, all the vehicles he needs –if he still finds the need to take money as bribes, he is being greedy.

Some people have alleged that the anti-corruption campaign of the government is biased against the opposition. Do you share this view?

No. I don’t share that view. I think it is an excuse to try and get sympathy on your side. I do not think it is against any particular section of the country or a party. I think with this administration, even if you are Buhari’s brother, he will jail you. If you are his son he will jail you. It may be more against the opposition because the last government was a PDP government. They had access to the funds so it is likely that those accused were those in government. The last government was in control of all the funds, they were the ones dishing out all the money and awarding the contracts, that is the obvious catchment area when you start to probe. Simple.

It is common knowledge that Nigeria is richly blessed in terms of the potential for development. But the country is struggling to survive. What do you think is the problem: leadership or followership?

Both. We’ve been unfortunate with bad leaders. But the followership also have a lot of responsibility. Because every country in the world holds their leaders to account. When they do something that is wrong, they go out on the street and march against it. But never in Nigeria. Every country I know that progresses, their leaders are accountable. But here, once you are a leader, there are sycophants around you. Nobody will tell you what you are doing is wrong. Rather they will say, “may you live forever. You’re God send.” We don’t have the guts to tell our leaders the truth.

In Liberia, rice is their main staple. There was a time when the price of rice was increased by 20 per cent or 30 per cent.

There was a riot in the streets. People marched and brought government to its knees. But in Nigeria, we will say it was God’s wish and move on.

When I was campaigning for office in 1990 as governor of Lagos, I used to go to all the villages and tell them, “I will bring you boreholes, I will bring you education,” and so on. Many times they will say “Oga, just drop the money and go, we will vote for you.” These are the followers. We are all to blame, not just the leaders.

Going back to Obasanjo, he had TY Danjuma, Adamu Ciroma, Bola Ige, Sunday Afolabi, Atiku Abubakar. They were people in government that will say, “Mr President, this is not correct.” And that, a leader needs.

During the 1991 governorship election in Lagos State, which you contested as the Social Democratic Party candidate, your party seemed to be in a favourable position but, surprisingly, the National Republican Convention won the election. Can you throw more light on what transpired?

If I start to tell that story, it will fill four pages of the newspaper. SDP was fully in control of Lagos State. Femi Agbalajobi and Dapo Sarumi were the frontrunners. They entered the race way before me. I came into the race about eight months after them. All the cars and campaign tools had been distributed to those two camps. I had to start from the beginning. At the

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first primaries, the first three were Agbalajobi, Sarumi and myself. Between Sarumi and Agbalajobi, there were 110,000 votes each. I got about 70,000, so I was behind in third place.

Because the election primaries caused such rancour between Sarumi and Agbalajobi, General Babangida stepped in and said those two should be taken out. So they were banned. The next person was me. I became the nominee.

In fact, after the election, I had left the country to go abroad, to get some rest because I was so tired. Lai Mohammed, who is now Minister for Information, was my chief of staff during that campaign. He was my partner in Edu & Mohammed law firm. He called me to come back, that the primaries had been annulled and Agbalajobi and Sarumi had been banned. I said I was not coming back, after all I had been through and all I had spent. But he said, “You have to come back, there is no choice.” Ebenezer Babatope was also on my campaign team, he called me also. Shehu Yar’Adua also called. So I came back and became the candidate for SDP. It was now a battle between me and Otedola, Femi’s father.

He was of the NRC. In the election against the NRC, we tried to talk to Baruwa, who was the chairman of the party. Jakande was the kingmaker of the party. He was not there but he was the kingmaker. We tried to persuade him, appease him, and explain why we must stick together for the new battle against the NRC. But we were just being dribbled.

My closest friends then were Kingibe and Shehu Yar Adua.

So to some in the other factions, Babangida banning those two (Sarumi and Agbalajobi) was because the North wanted to have a friendly governor in Lagos State, someone they could control, and I was the obvious choice. That was how the campaign started that Yomi Edu was a northern stooge, that he must not be elected, that there was no way for a Hausa to be governor of Lagos State. It was all politics.

A few weeks to the election, they called me to Jakande’s house. Sarumi and myself, all of us, we went together. And chairman Baruwa was there. We were trying to make peace.

So they agreed to peace but on one condition. They said in my cabinet, they wanted six commissioners. Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Local Government, Secretary to the Government, Head of Service … I said, “You want to run my government, just take it over.”

So Dapo Sarumi said, “Sir, can you give us a few minutes?”

So we had our own small caucus meeting. I was advised to accept the conditions and I could change my mind later. I said over my dead body.

We were also told that if we accepted, even though we were all Christians and Muslims, but we had a way of doing things – Orisha. That we must swear on it. I said I would not accept. So they said okay, we will see you on the field.

Election Day came. Drama. SDP had won all the LGAs. Twelve of them. But two hours later, when it was time to vote for the governorship candidate, half of the people on our side moved to NRC and voted for Otedola. That was my baptism into politics in Nigeria.

Do you have any regrets about your decision then?

Not really. That government did not last long. The governor

was very kind to me. Otedola. He was always calling to ask how I was doing. Very kind man. We come from the same place, Epe. With the new developments planned for the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos, where you come from, are you buying into the Lekki-Epe future?

Our house is there, the family house. We also have the Epe Resort. We are in talks with the state government to develop the marina, with hotels, restaurants and the like. So we are doing our own part.

You look good at 70; do you have any tips on how to keep head above water in this tough country?

In one word, contentment. Like I said, I have been born lucky, so I’m thankful to God I’ve never had a hard life. That’s the truth. It’s not my doing, it’s just the way God wants it. That helps for sure. I went to school in England and I spent 20 to 30 years out of the country. I came back, started a business, it flourished, so my life has been pretty comfortable. When you’re comfortable, it’s easy to keep well. You know stress can kill.

But I’ve never had that problem all my life. And I’m always thankful to God. And I’m always content. I don’t care what the next person is doing, whether you’re flying in a private jet; I hate private jets. I’m afraid of them anyway. I don’t like those small planes.

I like the big 747s. I think to myself, 400 of us in this plane, God will not bring this one down, too many of us to kill.

I don’t envy anybody. I have lots of friends that are very wealthy. Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga… they’re all my friends, for a very long time. They call me Egbon, big brother. But I don’t envy anybody. What you have, you worked hard for it, you made it legitimately, good luck to you, may God bless you and your children. What I need, God has always given to me. So I’ve learnt how to be content.

I will give you an example. My younger brother was complaining the other day. He said, “Egbon, I’m tired of this country.” He said everyday he got phone calls. Now he doesn’t pick the phone unless he knows the name. Now he doesn’t answer the doorbell unless you told him you’re coming. He says everybody needs something. They need help for school fees, rent, somebody is pregnant, the roof is leaking… different problems day in, day out. After he had finished, I looked at him and told him; you’re a lucky man, thank God. You thank God that they’re coming to you for money, not you going to someone to ask for money. But do what you can to help them. The one you cannot do, say, “sorry O!” Don’t be harsh to them; just tell them you’re tight. If they ask you for a hundred thousand and you don’t have it, say sorry you don’t have, but here’s some money for your transport.

Don’t be too tight, because God is against that. Don’t be too generous too. Because if you’re too generous and you give all your money away, your family will suffer, and your first responsibility is your wife and your children. After that, your extended family. Your brothers, sister, uncles. You can assist them. After that come your friends.

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Sherriff Inches Closer to Retaining Seat, But Opposition Mounts With its national convention just weeks away, Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes on the unfolding development in PDP

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fter weeks of controversy and intriguing battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s National Executive Committee meeting penultimate Wednesday finally approved the zoning format as submitted by the zoning committee headed by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel. Interestingly, the incumbent national chairman Senator Ali Modu Sheriff appeared to have won the battle of wits over the zoning of the chairmanship slot as the report of the committee zoning the seat to the North East successfully scaled through the NEC meeting on Thursday.

Speaking to journalists on the outcome of the meeting, Sheriff said that the NEC had approved the report of the zoning and convention committees’ reports with a unanimous vote. Sheriff said that the chairmanship seat had been zoned to the North East by the NEC without any dissenting voice.

“The NEC meeting has adopted the report of the zoning committee 100% without any dissenting voice. It approved the zoning of the post of National Chairman to the North East”.

Apart from the contentious chairmanship position, the approved zoning format ceded more slots to the South-South zone apparently to appease the zone whose son, former President Goodluck Jonathan, lost out in the 2015 presidential race.

Details of the report of the Zoning committee as presented by the governor of Akwa Ibom State showed that the post of the National Chairman has been zoned to the North-East. Apart from the chairman’s seat, the position of the Deputy National Auditor was also zoned to the North east. South-South retained the Deputy National Chairman slot as well as the Deputy National Legal Adviser, National Treasurer and Deputy National Woman Leader. The South West got the slots of the National Secretary, National Auditor and National Publicity Secretary while the North Central is to produce the Deputy National Secretary, National Financial Secretary, Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Deputy National Organizing Secretary.

Similarly the party zoned the positions of National Legal Adviser, National Woman Leader, Deputy National Treasurer and Deputy National Youth Leader to the North-West. The positions zoned to the South East include, National Organizing Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy National Financial Secretary.

However, the atmosphere at the poorly attended NEC meeting painted a picture that all may not be well with the opposition party after all. Most of those who spoke at the opening of the NEC meeting were all calling for truce and for those who may have disagreed with the decisions reached at the NEC meeting to sheathe their sword and remain in the party.

Although Sheriff could not immediately confirm if he is interested in retaining the job which has fueled opposition within his party, political pundits see the zoning of the chairmanship seat to his zone, North east, as a direct allocation to him. Sheriff told journalists who confronted him shortly after the party’s NEC meeting that the issue was a personal decision for him to make and that he had not yet made up his mind on it. An obviously elated Sheriff had expressed satisfaction at the turn of events, especially the recent outing of the party during a rally in Jigawa State, describing it as a sign of things to come. He said : “We are telling all Nigerians that what happened in Jigwa state is just the beginning and that we are going to organize similar rallies in all the states of the federation”, But the first sign that the zoning may not have gone down well with all the stakeholders came when the Deputy Senate President and one of those believed to hold neutral views on the party affairs, Senator Ike Ekerenmadu, pleaded with aggrieved party members to accept to bury their differences in the interest of the party’s progress and survival. While addressing the NEC meeting, Senator Ekwerenmadu urged party members not to dwell on their differences but to resolve it amicably and be ready to move ahead as one family.” As our national convention approaches, it is expected that there will be disagreements. The important thing is that when we have these disagreements, we will quickly resolve them and move ahead that is the resilience that PDP is known for. So I like to appeal to our party men and women that if there are issues where we have differences, We must find a way of resolving these differences in the best interest of our party. PDP is the only party in Nigeria where we can say belongs to everybody and to nobody. So that is important for us to know so that we will all keep faith with this party that belongs to all of us.

“The time is now for us to make sacrifices and to show compromise so that the party will remain strong. It is also a time for us to show alternative for what is going on in the country presently so that Nigerians can trust us again with governance in 2019 and the responsibility for this belongs to all of us.

“I also want to commend our governors for what they are doing in their respective states. We believe their performance will be the symbol for which the PDP will use to tell Nigerians that it can do it much better again. I hope that the schedule for the

general election headed by the deputy senate president, which highlighted various aspects of reforms needed in the party.

The Controversy and Opposition That Trailed PDP Zoning Plan

Sheriff

congresses will be religiously adhered to ahead of the national convention”. Another speaker during the opening ceremony of the NEC meeting and the Deputy chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state, rightly anticipated that meaning could be read from the absence of some his colleagues at the meeting and tried to correct the impression, by assuring that the governors are on the same page with the party. Dankwambo said despite the absence of some of governors of the party at the NEC meeting, the forum is still in agreement with the position reached at the NEC meeting .

Speaking in a similar tone, the Acting chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibril, urged members of the party who may be aggrieved at the decisions of the party not to leave the party.

Jibril who said that he had to defy all odds to attend the meeting straight from the hospital after being discharged because of his love for the party and it’s quest for survival. He explained that the exclusion of the BoT meeting before the NEC meeting was not deliberate adding that the meeting of the board will still be convened at an opportune time.

“None of us that are founding members of the PDP will ever leave the PDP and we believe PDP will never die. We will continue to be in the PDP whatever the mistakes are, we will stay here and correct it and make progress. Leaving PDP is not the answer and I like to appeal to everyone that intends to leave PDP to stop that”.

Among the key leaders of the party that attended the NEC meeting were Governors of Enugu, Delta, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Ebonyi, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Governors, state party chairmen and other stakeholders. Some of the absentee governors were, Governor of Bayelsa, Hon. Serieka Dickson, Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Abia state Governor Ikpeazu and Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose.

Amendment of Party’s Constitution

The PDP NEC also considered and adopted the amendments made on its guidelines for the 2016 Congresses and National Convention affecting section 4.02 which stipulated specific timelines for purchases of forms for various offices, to now remain open and members can purchase form at any given time or period and contest any position of their choice.

Giving further update on the preparations for the May 21 PDP national convention, Sheriff said that the party’s NEC will meet again on May 11 to approve proposals for constitutional amendments ahead of the national convention. It is expected that the amendments being sought will follow from the recommendations of the Post Election Review Panel on the 2015

Initial reaction to the leaked information on the proposal by the zoning committee to cede the chairmanship slot to the North east had sparked off controversy with those opposed to the plan demanding its reversal. The South West zone was initially decided on the matter with one group led by Senator Buruji declaring that the zone had no interest in the chairmanship position while another group of leaders of the party led by Chief Bode George insisted that South West had not occupied the position and as such should be considered. Some of the agitated leaders of the party in the South-west threatened that they may have to reconsider their membership of the party if their request was not given proper consideration. This position of the Yorubas was made known through a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who issued a statement after their meeting on 21st of April in Lagos. Okupe took a swipe at Senator Buruji, who led some members of the party from South-west recently to pay a courtesy call on the party’s national chairman, describing him as impostor and traitor. It was at this visit that Sheriff was told that South-west PDP members were behind him to continue in office.

Okupe, in the statement had pointed out that “within the last 18 years there have been 11 chairmen from five geopolitical zones.

Only the Yoruba race from the South-west have been precluded from this exalted office”. He said: “There is an embarrassing falsehood being propagated by political charlatans from the South-west and some influential collaborators in the top echelon of the PDP. The seed of this misrepresentation was sowed by a group of political clowns and court jesters under the leadership of Senator Buruji Kashamu, a political impostor who claims he is the leader of the party and the Yorubas in the South-west “.

“I want to state categorically here, without any fear of equivocation, that we the Yoruba’s from the South-west, desire and demand the post of the national chairman at the next convention of the party.”

Explaining further, Okupe listed the past chairmen of the party saying they include Chief Solomon Lar, Chief Banabas Gemade, Chief Audu Ogbe, Prince Vincent Ogbolafor, Dr. Ezekwesili Nwodo, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Dr. Haliru Bello, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Prince Uche Secondus, and Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff. He said: “In the interest of fairness, equity and Justice, it is most compelling that the Yorubas of the South-west zone must be allowed to contest for this post at this coming national convention. Any attempt to do anything to the contrary, no matter the reason advanced cannot be acceptable.”

However, one of the main reasons for the agitation against the zoning of the chairmanship slot to the North east is the suspicion that there is an underground plot to use it to return Sheriff back to office during the May 21 National convention.

These group which included the Forum of Former Ministers and Legislators in the party were advocating for the emergence of the new crop of national leadership of the party through a very transparent national convention. The PDP Ministers’ Forum led by the former Minister of Special Duties , Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, until last week had remained vehement in their opposition to the retention of the present Sheriff-led leadership.

Another group with dissenting voice is the PDP Rescue Group chaired by former Governor of old Gongola State, Amb. Wilberforce Juta, who was a contestant for the PDP chairmanship position.

The group had expressed doubt as to the fate of the party under a prolonged Sheriff leadership. There is also a call by the northern elders of the party led by Prof. Jerry Gana for the postponement of the convention. Former Niger State governor, Aliyu Babangida had earlier added his voice to the call for the party to thread the caution and put its upcoming convention on hold. But the array of opposition notwithstanding, the Sheriff-led PDP National Working Committee seemed to be undeterred and buoyed by the staunch support from most of the party’s governors who seem to bestow a lot of confidence on him. As at last count Sheriff enjoys the tacit support of most of the governors including those of Rivers, Ekiti, Gombe, Taraba, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Abia States with the exception of Ondo, Bayelsa and perhaps Cross River State who has not shown much interest in recent happenings within the party. With the formal adoption of the report of the zoning format and distribution of party positions having been made, the stage is therefore set for an epic battle at the convention between forces in favour of retaining the status quo and those clamouring for reform and total leadership change at the Wadata Plaza. Where the pendulum would swing to would be clearer as events unfold in the coming days and weeks before the national convention scheduled for Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

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Kogi: Between a Divided Ruling Party and a Disrupted Leadership Yekini Jimoh, in Lokoja, looks at the escalating dissension in the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kogi State and its effects on governance

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confidence on him, the honourable thing for him is to resign along with his deputy, Simon Achuba.

Mr. Ben Adaji accused the governor of rendering the party hierarchy useless in the scheme of things, saying that with the vote of no confidence coming from the party, Bello could not lead the state.

“What we are saying is that if the platform he claims he represents, the platform he claims brought him to power will go to the public glare to disown him and passed vote of no confidence on him, he has no justification for remaining on that seat as governor, he should resign.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello should resign honourably and allow the party in Kogi State to function as it is in other states of the federation,” Adaji said.

there was also nothing like appointment of 45 people, as being claimed by the SEC members.

“So the governor cannot resign on the basis of such allegation. The people calling for resignation are apologists of those working against the choice of the party during the last supplementary election in the state.

“Many of the members of the state executive council of the party were picked by the late Abubakar Audu and they are, therefore, doing the biddings of those in the camp. It is, therefore, a reckless call to have asked Alhaji Yahaya Bello to resign based on the actions of such people.”

The governor also debunked the allegation that he donated N70 million at a book launch organised by Aisha Buhari, saying it is a “laughable political desperation to brazenly slaughter truth.”

According to the governor CPS, “The book launch was organised by the nation’s First Lady to garner support for the families of the abducted Chibok girls, which was attended by Governor Yahaya Bello to lend support to the traumatised families of the girls. As a political leader and a parent, Governor Bello is touched by the plight of the girls and their families, hence the will to identify with the project “The book launch was televised to the whole world and no one announced what anyone donated. Governor Yahaya Bello did not donate 70,000,000 naira as insinuated by the people who are turning opposition politics to a comical adventure.”

The statement described Bello as a focused leader who cannot be cowed by the media war against him by opponents who are bent on subverting the state’s march to greatness.

Fanwo also stated that the governor had not approached any bank for a loan, saying, “The spurious allegation that the governor has applied for loan at Zenith Bank has further exposed our opponents as people who lack the basic knowledge of public accounting. Their macabre dance on the grave of ignorance has justified people’s believe that our opponents are characters who lack the rudiments of governance. The governor didn’t apply for loans.

“We urge our opponents to always dwell on facts when playing their games and stop toying with the intelligence of the Kogi people.

Governor Yahaya Bello paid two salaries within his first 57 days in office as against the four months owed by his immediate predecessor.”

Bello’s special adviser on media and strategy, Mallam Abdulmalik Abdulkarim, in his own comments, said it was the constitutional responsibility of the governor to appoint his personal aides without any recourse to a group of people, provided the person meets up the requirement as stipulated by the law of the land.

Governor’s Defence

‘Clannish Politics’

ogi State, the Confluence State, has been in the news for the wrong reasons since the last governorship election in December, which was won by theAll Progressives Congress. The political crisis that started inAPC before the declaration of the final results of the election, following the death of the party’s candidate, PrinceAbubakarAudu, later escalated and extended to the House ofAssembly.

It came to a head when the leadership of theAssembly, allegedly, impeached by five of the 25 members.

The situation deteriorated, leading to physical combat by members of the Assembly and a seal off of the legislative complex following a resolution by the National Assembly.

Vote of No Confidence

While the Assembly crisis was still on, there was yet another troubling developing in the executive. A vote of no confidence was passed on the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, by members of the Kogi APC state executive committee following a series of allegations against him.

In a letter dated April 12, 2016, and addressed to the national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and signed by all the 34 members of the state executive committee, the Kogi APC accused Bello of side-lining members of the governing party and hobnobbing with members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. They accused him of failing to appoint even a single card-carrying member of APC into executive council, saying, “All the 45 appointments made so far by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, are given to the PDP.” Some members of the APC state executive went further to call for the governor’s resignation from office. There was an allegation that the governor donated N70 million during a book launch in Abuja by the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari. The party also accused the governor of planning to take a controversial loan from a bank.

Bello was alleged to have appointed mainly Peoples Democratic Party members by into his cabinets. APC leaders, especially, in Kogi Central senatorial district, were said to have been abandoned by the governor. Among party leaders said to have been abandoned were Senator Muhammed Ohiare and Senator Salihu Ohize.

During the senatorial re-run election in Kogi Central, the governor was alleged to have work for the PDP candidate.

In Kogi East, the likes of Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abubakar, a senatorial candidate of APC, was also allegedly abandoned by the governor, while leaders like AVM Salihu Atawode were not given the chance to make any contribution to the APC government in the state.

In Kogi West, the governor is finding it difficult to convince Alhaji Buba Jibril, an APC leader in Lokoja, to support his government. Jibril, a member of the National Assembly, was an ally of the late Audu.

Sources close to the party also said APC members like Chief Clarence Olafemi and Senator Dino Melaye from Kogi West have dumped the governor. According to the source, this is due to the insensitivity of the governor to issues that affect the party in the state.

Assembly Crisis

The Kogi State House of Assembly is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis, with two members claiming the office of Speaker.

APC in the state accused Bello of being the source of the crisis in the Assembly. The SEC members passed a resolution saying “from now henceforth, we will have nothing to do with the government of Yahaya Bello.”

Part of the SEC’s request to the national leadership of the party was that Bello should not be allowed to have a hand in producing the next ministerial nominee from the state to replace the late James Ocholi, who died recently in a road accident. The party chieftains advised the national secretariat of and the presidency to work with the state’s party leaders in appointing a replacement.

The state APC publicity secretary, Ghali Usman, who confirmed the meeting and the decisions taken, said the only time the state executive of the party met with Bello “was before his inauguration when he went to collect his certificate of return.” He added, “Since then we have no idea of what is happening in the administration. The governor asked us to submit all we needed before his inauguration, which we did in writing, but he has since ignored our list and continued to appoint PDP people.”

The state APC executive accused Bello of working with the opposition PDP in the recent re-run elections in the state.

“An APC governor who supported the PDP in the last re-run election, making us to lose two senators, one House of Reps and two House of Assembly members, an APC governor who has not deemed it fit to appoint a single APC member in his cabinet and board, an APC governor who openly relates with PDP local government chairmen and leaders and abandon his party men, is not our best dream project,” they said.

Resignation

Some APC leaders in the state believe that since the platform on which Bello rode to the governorship seat had passed a vote of no

Bello

However, Bello believes the allegations against him are the result of `resistance by the party executive in the state to the change he is bringing. Speaking through his chief press secretary, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, the governor said his administration was “not unaware of some political chess play among members of the state executive committee of the party in the state.” He said the circumstances that brought the governor to office were “surely unusual. Therefore, unusual reactions are expected.”

Fanwo said whatever might be going on within the state executive committee “is surely a contagious effect from the politics of interest within the party leaders in the state.

“We expect the state executive committee of the party to keep working with the leadership revolution that is reshaping the state to ensure rapid development.”

While insinuating that the running mate to Audu, James Faleke, was behind the party’s decisions, Fanwo said both “Faleke and Governor Yahaya Bello are members of the change family and no one should allow himself to be caught in the political crossfire playing out in the state.”

Faleke is presently at the state governorship election tribunal challenging the emergence of Bello as governor. Bello emerged governor after inheriting the bulk of the votes scored by Audu and Faleke at the election held last December.

Fanwo said Bello was committed to working with the leadership of the party, adding that the governor appreciates the role of the leaders of the party in ensuring the resounding victory of the APC in the state.

He stated, “Now that APC is in firm control of the state, it is foolhardy to think party leaders won’t bury their differences to deliver solid dividends to the Kogi people.

“It is absolutely untrue, ignominious and unintelligent to insinuate that members of the state executive committee of APC are working at variance with the landmark progress of the APC government in the state…

“With the train of the New Direction already taking Kogi to new destinations of hope, the party must be very proud of the laudable programs and policies of the Yahaya Bello administration in the state.

“We also urge those stoking the flame of discord from outside the state to believe in the judiciary and stop their war which has continued to fail. Kogi has a new government and hope is here.”

On the calls for the governor’s resignation, the chief press secretary said, “There is no point for the governor to resign because the allegation that brought about the alleged vote of no confidence was baseless as

Meanwhile, the governor has accused the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Haddi Ametuo, of hiding under the party to play clannish politics and the PDP card against the APC government because his brother, Hon. Jimoh Lawal, was removed as speaker of the House of Assembly by the lawmakers. Bello said his administration had demonstrated commitment towards rebuilding the state and uniting the people through people-oriented policies and programmes.

“I don’t want to behave like the past leaders who were regretting for not doing the right thing while in office due to selfish pressure mounted on them by some people. Anybody with impeccable credentials and feel that he has something to offer the state can come forward, “ the governor stated.

Vote of Confidence

But the APC youth wing in the state has passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Bello. They also berated the state for claiming the governor had not done well in the two months of his administration.

Addressing a cross section of APC youth from the 21 local government areas of the state in Lokoja, the state youth leader, Mr Emmanuel Ayo, cautioned the youth against the antics of some people in who hide under the canopy of the party to cause crisis.

Ayo, who said at the last SEC meeting of APC in Lokoja, the issue of passing a vote of no confidence was never discussed, alleged that enemies of progress were working for Hon. Abiodun Faleke and his cohort. In their separate addresses, the youth leaders from the Central senatorial district, Mr. Ohiwe Abubakar, that of Eastern senatorial district, Abdullahi Abdulrahman, and Western senatorial district, Mallam Mohammed Asuku Dauda, said the youth were ready to sacrifice whatever it will take to protect and support the governor.

They said, “By the constitution of the APC the governor is the state leader and it very wrong for anybody to write a letter to the national body of the party passing a vote of no confidence on the governor.”

The youth leaders said they were against anything capable of distracting Bello from executing the responsibilities of his office.

But the divisions in APC have distracted attention from the welfare and security of the masses in Kogi State, the most important reason the party was elected. The political crisis now dominates reports from the state. Indications are that the APC national leadership may have been affected by the divisions in its Kogi State chapter, with some taking sides and the party finding it difficult to embark on an effective intervention. The APC in Kogi State may, thus, be in for a long-drawnout crisis.

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L-R: George, Fayose, Mimiko, Omisore and other party member

How Southwest PDP Leaders Resolved their Differences Though, two parallel meetings were held on how to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 Election, the outcome of the South- West Stakeholders Meeting held in Akure, Ondo State, indicates that most contentious issues had been resolved, writes James Sowole

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oing by the much publicised divergent views of the two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and Mr Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, on the zoning of party offices, particularly the position of National Chairman, last Wednesday’s meeting of stakeholders in the South West, may be insignificant to those who do not know the intricacies of politics.

Those who hold this position may not be wrong totally when one considers the fact that a parallel meeting was scheduled for Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State at the instance of Senator Buruju Kashamu.

Also, the position of Fayose, whose outbursts against the views of the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, Mimiko, on the forthcoming convention were widely reported, made people to think that things had finally fallen apart for the South West PDP. However, the attendance and outcome of the Akure meeting showed that all hopes were not lost as members and leaders came out united than what obtained before the meeting, particularly with the two dramatis personae (Mimiko and Fayose).

As delegates were arriving at the Ondo State Cultural and International Event Centre, the Dome, it was thought by many that the South West leaders would insist on producing the National Chairman of the party among other positions.

Those who hold this belief may not be wrong in their demand because the South West had never produced the national chairman since the party was formed preparatory to the 1999 general election.

In fact, a hand bill was circulated to the delegates campaigning that the geopolitical zone must fill the number one position in the party while the former Minister of Sports, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, was already

campaigning for the position.

However, the arrival of Fayose and Mimiko at about 1:25 pm became a surprise to many as it became obvious to the delegates that reconciliation was imminent.

The roll call at the meeting was the first indicator that the gathering was that of the people that matter in the party.

The meeting was attended by Chief Olabode George, National Vice Chairman of the PDP (South West) Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, former Leader, House of Representatives, Alhaja Mulikat Akande Adeola, Senator Iyiola Omisore, the former Minister of State for FCT, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide, and former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe.

Other leaders at the meeting were the former Chairman of the PDP, Ogun State, Chief Joju Fadairo, former Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Jelili Adesiyan, former House of Representatives member from Ogun State, Hon Kayode Amusan, Dr Doyin Okupe and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State, among other delegates.

Also in attendance was the former governor of Oyo State and the gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party, Senator Rasheed Ladoja.

Mimiko set the tone for the meeting in his remark when he said that members must be united to confront challenges facing the party.

“We need to realise our position today whoever you are, if the purpose of politics is to serve the greatest interest of the people, this is the time to come together in the South West.

He said people must be ready to sacrifice personal ambition for the party to come out strong preparatory to the 2019 Election.

“When we say we are coming together, in the short run, there must be winners and losers on what you considered as your critical interest, that is what is called

give and take.

“But who gives what you think is critical today, can gain something that is monumental in the future”, Mimiko stated.

The speech of Mimiko was amplified

by Fayose, who adopted his counterpart’s position that unity of all party members was paramount.

Mimiko said he and Fayose had resolved their differences. He remarked that he had nothing against Fayose nor any score to settle.

Fayose also said he did not have anything against the former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, who sat by his side on the high table.

Fayose however, said that since PDP was in the opposition, members must act in that manner and stop pretending and that he would not shy away from that responsibility.

The governor said all what he said against the Federal Government were things obvious to Nigerians and which many people were already feeling adversely.

He also said that the time had come for the elders to allow younger generation to steer the ship of the party and the country.

The communique produced at the end of the meeting doused the tensed situation created by the reported outbursts of Fayose against the position that South West must produce the national chairman.

The communique read by Taoheed Adedoja indicated that the South West had accepted the position of Secretary of the party zoned to it in addition to the position of the National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor and the zonal offices.

The meeting said that a structured committee had been set up for the distribution of the position zoned to the South West.

It was resolved that the time was ripe for all members of the PDP in the South-

west to forge a common front and pursue a common agenda towards occupying their destined leadership position in Nigeria.

“That despite the challenges confronting the PDP, the Southwest caucus has agreed to unite and confront the challenges that are facing the Yoruba race in Nigeria.

“That members of the PDP have agreed to rise up beyond personal interests to confront crucial national issues that affects us as a race especially the thriving menace of the Fulani herdsmen.

The leaders noted with dismay the poor state of the national economy expressing sadness that the current ruling party has not demonstrated the capacity to contain the economic challenges with attendant dwindling fortunes that has reversed almost all the economic gains recorded under the PDP. They lamented that the current administration had rubbished laudable accomplishments recorded by the last PDP government.

Specifically, the PDP leaders said the credible electoral processes put in place by the immediate past administration had been rubbished.

“The Southwest PDP wish to put on record our dissatisfaction with the performance of the electoral body under the ruling party as all the elections the APC has so far superintended have ended as inconclusive”, the leaders added.

“The leaders declared that the party would not shy away from effectively playing the role of an opposition.

“This role is crucial to democratic survival and the Party shall continually make Nigerians look up to it as a credible alternative to the ruling party”.

The meeting also resolved that the party would continue to encourage the collaboration of the old and the younger generation while it will do everything possible to allow fresh minds and fresh ideas to thrive in the party

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Edo 2016: Oshiomhole and Odubu at War Adibe Emenyonu, in Benin City, writes on the faceoff between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, which many have attributed to Odubu’s governorship ambition

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do State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, came on board November 12, 2008, when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, then of the Peoples Democratic Party. Oshiomhole and Odubu had since their coming enjoyed so cordial a relationship that the governor on many occasion describe his deputy as the most loyal deputy governor in Nigeria.

To demonstrate to the public that there was no rancour between them, Oshiomhole had during his re-election campaign in 2012 rejected pressure from Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, who was then in Action Congress of Nigeria, to drop Odubu as running mate. The governor in conjunction with members of the Edo in Safe Hands, led by his Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, came to Odubu’s rescue and subdued Ize-Iyamu.

Face-off

But the relationship between Oshiomhole and Odubu has turned sour. Although there have been no public altercations between the two men.

According to THISDAY investigation, the friction between the governor and his deputy began with the governorship ambition of Odubu, who is alleged not to have informed his principal of his ambition to run for governorship when Oshiomhole summoned his political associates, including Odubu, to support Godwin Obaseki. At the meeting, Odubu was said to have kept quiet, only to open a campaign office later.

It was further learnt that because of the choice of Obaseki, Ogie, earlier believed to be the governor’s choice, had to shelve his ambition as a mark of honour to Oshiomhole.

The deputy governor was expected to do the same. But he did not. Based on this, Oshiomhole was alleged to have said that since both of them joined the boat at the same time, they will disembark at the same time.

Peace Meeting

Indications that the relationship between the two men had gone sour emerged when Odubu’s campaign coordinator, Humphrey Uanseoje, signed a letter with four governorship aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, which was addressed to the national leadership of the party. in the letter, they alleged plans by the state chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, to doctor the delegates lists with the backing of Oshiomhole. It was the first time that the deputy governor would openly accuse his boss of alleged plot to manipulate the forthcoming primaries of APC. It was on the basis of this that a peace meeting was organised on April 11 by the inner circle of APC, with supporters of Oshiomhole and Odubu in attendance, to try to reconcile them. Present at the meeting were Ogie, Ojezue, state secretary of the party, Chief Osaro Idah, Oshiomhole’s in-law, Victor Eboigbe, and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Patrick Obahiagbon.

Others are Phillip Shaibu of the House of Representatives, former two-time House member, Gabriel Oibo, Chief Lucky James, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

At the meeting Ogie, who opened the meeting, narrated how the group, including the deputy governor, had worked closely in the past 10 years with Oshiomhole, saying it would be bad to allow the prevailing bickering between the governor and his deputy to continue.

Speaking at the meeting, Odubu was said to have lamented that his office had been starved of funds, while his political allies were victimised, and the governor directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Henry Idahagbon, and Washington Osifo to write a petition against him to the

Oshiomhole and Otubu...when the going was good Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with a view to impeaching him. Odubu further narrated how the governor had allegedly relegated him to the background.

In his response, Oshiomhole was said to have recalled how he had backed his deputy in his political battles with people and their discussions as brothers. He explained that the parlous state of finance in the state had even affected his own office and not only that of the deputy governor. Oshiomhole narrated how he had been travelling alone without his aides due to paucity of funds. Oshiomhole went further to berate his deputy for being part of those who signed a statement accusing him of backing the state chairman of the party in the alleged ploy to manipulate the delegates list ahead the primaries of the party. He said his deputy’s action was a clear indication of an attack against his person.

But Odubu denied the accusation. He said his coordinator had given his signature to some other party members who needed it but never knew what they wanted to use it for. But the leaders of the party expressed their doubt over his defence, asserting that he should have debunked the publication in the press if he was not behind it. Odubu, however, apologized to Oshiomhole, assuring that such mistake will not be repeated.

with the witch doctors.

But to confirm his innocence, Odubu was said to have volunteered to contact a strong traditional doctor in Benin, popularly known as “Ayelala”, so that those who accused him will come and take an oath before the gods.

He vehemently denied the allegations and reiterated his loyalty to the governor.

At this stage, some of the party leaders at the meeting were said to have confronted Odubu with his suggestion of Ayelala, informing him that his suggestion to invite a native doctor rather than the use of a Bible, since he is a Catholic, was a pointer that the governor’s allegation against him may have some element of truth.

The tension in the room heightened further when some of the party leaders in the room admonished Odubu to end his governorship ambition, while expressing shock over the disclosure by Oshiomhole. However Ogie calmed the situation and the meeting ended in a peaceful note after both parties expressed satisfaction with it.

With the satisfactory outcome of the meeting everyone went home happy. But Odubu went ahead to open a campaign office and formally declared his governorship ambition on April 29 while his boss was busy supervising projects.

Diabolism

Climax

Tension in the room heightened when Oshiomhole started responding to the allegation against him by Odubu that he did not attend his wife’s birthday and that the governor had treated him recently like a leper.

Oshiomhole declared to the leaders that he had deliberately avoided attending events at his deputy’s house after it was revealed to him that his deputy allegedly contracted native doctors to hurt him so that Odubu will take over as governor. Oshiomhole said he was informed of the alleged plan by a leader of the party, Chief Sam Iredia, and that he had met with the native doctor whom his deputy allegedly contracted to do the damage, adding that the native doctor admitted and gave him details of how the rituals were executed. Oshiomhole added that Iredia, who was out of the country, was ready to confront Odubu with the details of his alleged meeting

The whole thing climaxed on April 30, when Odubu was reportedly attacked by some thugs in Afasho, Etsako West council area, during a campaign tour to see delegates for the upcoming party primaries. The primary election would elect the candidate that will fly the party’s flag in the September governorship election in the state.

He was scheduled to meet with party delegates in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako West local government. But he met the gates of the secretariat locked, a situation that was said to have angered some persons in his entourage who forced the gate open to enable the deputy governor meet with delegates outside the secretariat.

Odubu, in a statement by the director of strategic research of his campaign organisation, Samson Osagie, accused those at the corridors of power in the state of being

behind the attack. He enumerated instances where a number of persons considered to be loyal to the governorship ambition of the deputy governor were illegally suspended and removed from office, adding, “This to us is the height of naked display of power of cruelty, animosity, intolerance and man inhumanity to man.”

He said five persons, including State Security Service officer, escort police attached to the deputy governor, were severely injured during the attack on Odubu.

According to Osagie, also a former House of Representatives member for Orhionmwom / Unhumuwode federal constituency, upon investigation, the organisation had identified three persons who masterminded the attack.

Response

Fired by this accusation, the Commissioner for information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua, in a statement, noted that the assassination theory told by the Odubu group was false. He stated, “Our attention has been drawn to newspaper reports and subsequent press statement by the Odubu Campaign Organisation on the alleged assassination attempt on Dr Pius Odubu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State and a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC. “While we condemn in very strong terms the ugly incident at Auchi, we note, however, that the conclusion of the Odubu Campaign Organisation on alleged assassination attempt appears hasty as preliminary reports suggest that the fracas at Auchi was caused by thugs loyal to the Odubu campaign imported in two truck-loads to Auchi who attacked other party loyalists not sold to the Deputy Governor’s aspiration.

“It is instructive to note that the Deputy Governor was inside the secretariat building of the APC in the company of the Party Chairman in the Local Government, Alhaji Umoru Akokhia, addressing the delegates while thugs loyal to him who had become unruly fired gunshots at other APC loyalists who were outside protesting against his visit.”

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

92

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Adenuga at 63: The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Omotayo Ken Suleiman

S

ocial Media pundits in Nigeria revved up online excitement by several decibels recently on account of one photograph. The raucous cyber commentariat gorged itself on this steaming hot new serving from its already overflowing buffet of the sensational and the salacious.

The feast was a photo showing celebrated multi billionaire oil and telecom mogul, Otunba Mike Adenuga, in a deeply reverent bow as he shook hands with President Muhammadu Buhari during a reception at the palace of The Awujale of Ijebuland.

That photo caught fire as it were, going viral with a furious velocity that made that one image perhaps the most trended item in Nigeria’s digital space for several days.

Why this one photo should elicit such frenzied chatter is not far-fetched. There is a cultural context to the buzz that whooshed through the firmament on its trail. And, there are, too, the residual perceptual values attendant upon the towering image of the eminent personality who was captured doing the bowing.

The cultural frame bears examining in some detail. This is especially as it relates to how even men of far lesser stature than this admittedly maverick mega tycoon might have approached a presidential photo op in full glare of a sensation hunting paparazzi.

In our notoriously materialistic culture, cherished values such as humility, temperance, respect and good natured self-deprecation are increasingly disdained in favor of a particularly rankling pseudo machismo.

In this culture of artificiality, a perennial dueling of deformed egos dictates that everyone must try to outshine everyone else in any given setting.

Swagger is incorrectly defined as you wearing your aggravated sense of self-importance on the stiffly starched sleeves of your over flowing babanriga.

Or, if you belong to the minimalist faction of the new fashionista, swag is a ludicrous affectation of Hollywood cool. You strut into the party in your own discomfitingly slim fitted interpretation of haute couture, chest thrust out with praetorian tautness - age, rank or eminence of the to be greeted person be damned.

Viewed within the jaundiced mediation of such a festering value system, it’s little wonder that Dr. Mike Adenuga - who by every indicator salient has been globally acclaimed as an A list member of the world’s wealthiest elite – got a culturally atrophying nation completely dazed by his reflexed act of obeisance to Nigeria’s number one citizen.

Indeed, given the common frailty of our human frame, it can be argued that many who have achieved but a fraction of Dr. Adenuga’s monumental business success and financial accomplishments have been known to be susceptible to the intoxication and self-absorption which success can bring.

It is this tendency - common to all races, sexes and faith persuasions, to become irredeemably swollen headed following even a modicum of success - that throws the multi billionaire’s oft cited humble disposition into especially graphic relief.

Significantly however, the real lesson to be learnt from this intriguing photo and from the uncanny humility of Otunba Michael Adenuga in the face of phenomenal success, must be seen within the dynamics of our recent socio economic past.

Discernible especially in the epoch beginning in the mid-2000s, an insidious final derogation of all that dignified our public life had begun to seep into the very marrows of our nationhood. A decade long sleaze fest played out its own patented and tragically predictable template. It was a template in which the sundry lout who gets appointed or elected into even the tiniest position of influence soon pockets appropriated funds wholesale. And, with odious impunity, begins to paint the town red with his own peculiarly comical variant of bigmanism. In this sordid theatre of the absurd, courtesy, deference, much less reverence such as was seen displayed here by the iconic Dr. Adenuga are painfully absent.

The reason is simple enough. If you were an empty barrel ‘big man’ wanna be, fixated all day every day on your own self-aggrandizement, intoxicated by a few miserable millions you never sweated for, such chivalrous attitudinal mores could not sync with your obsessive need to posture steely manliness.

To be sure, any serious student of history will agree that Nigeria’s seeming hurtling into the yawning abyss has been an age old foreboding. But the rapacious ethos which seemed to have found especially fertile ground in our national space in

Adenuga while receiving national honour from President Jonathan

...being introduced to president Buhari by Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona the decade immediately preceding Muhammadu Buhari’s coming certainly exacerbated the already endemic dysfunctions in our public and corporate sectors.

In consequence, a heavy pall of cynicism descended on our society. In somewhat nihilistic fashion, the seeming inevitability of rut in public life served to harden our collective psyche into acquiescing to the noise-some emergence of a new shadowy class of the suddenly ‘wealthy’ In a nation whose primordial contradictions essentially revolve around primitive resource competition, where classical fault lines of economic and class contentions invariably take on distorting ethnocentric hues, a supra ethnic new fraternity of the rent seeking pseudo successful arose. Perched ominously atop a fragile new naija Cosmo polis, this emergent class of nebulous wheelers and dealers is as rootless as it’s ruthless and as clueless as it’s classless. Visionless and faceless, loud and lewd, it is a consumption crazed prodigal band with zero organic linkage to the real productive base of society.

The cultural corollary to the ascendancy of this parasitic, non-productive new kind of money men is corrosive in the extreme and is directly antithetical to the kind of enduring values of hard work, wide spread economic empowerment, self-restraint and inclination to a humble, self-effacing lifestyle associated with Dr. Mike Adenuga With no discernible value addition beyond heating up the economy with an artificial sense of buoyancy that nevertheless left the scorched millions in their perennially impoverished state, the ubiquitous pseudo big boys or ‘bigz girlz’ of the new rent seeker elite assail our sensibilities with a flash in the pan exhibitionism that starkly contrasts to the quiet seminality evident in the Mike Adenuga phenomenon. Clouds without rain, mysteriously fattened trees without one hint of edible fruit, that pilfering, glutinous class is a cancerous bump in the womb of mother Nigeria.

Juxtapose such heart breaking sterility with the intrinsic reproductive capacity, the sturdy rootedness, robust organic integration, and overall, profound development catalyzing impact which Dr. Mike Adenuga’s epic strides, and to be said, a handful similar, have had and continue to have on the broadest spectrum of the nation’s economic value chain.

As family, friends, fans and associates continue to celebrate this trail blazing entrepreneur extraordinaire at 63, it is beneficial to a nation in the throes of rebirth for us to take a deeper look at the saliency of the Mike Adenuga model; the kind of hard edged value creation and broad based national edification which he has brought to the table with his inimitable, unyielding and implacably feisty entrepreneurial fire.

Now, writing about the reputedly reclusive chairman of Globacom has not been the easiest of tasks for the sundry commentator who has attempted a decoding of this extraordinarily accomplished Nigerian. Famously self-effacing, famously vanishing ‘spirit man’ as one eminent admirer describes him, the business mogul’s dogged commitment to media fasting betrays uncanny self-discipline and a rugged constitution that defies the seductions of public adulation. This has aided a flourishing of often speculative psycho analytical attempts in which some of the weirdest constructs of the Adenuga persona routinely titillate the itchy ears of an awe struck public.

Throw into the mix a certain disconcerting mystique that seems to define, for the uninitiated, solely the mercurial reputation of a hard driving business leader whose towering physicality coordinates unnervingly with a fiery passion that manifests in tempestuous torrents.

As someone who has had the rare privilege of encountering this extra ordinary human being at close, personal level, one can truthfully say that Dr. Michael Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga is a unique revelation of the mystifying, multiplex, unfathomably deep, yet awe inspiring and faith building glory of God. That’s no idle sophistry. And yes, the mega achieving Ijebu high chief who is renowned for his fiercely competitive bullishness in business is not your Pentecostal merchant of faith. Yet, if you are the contemplative type, if you would tap into that internal antenna by which every human can connect to the special purpose and special presence of God in any given phenomenon, you cannot but feel the fiery fire, the gripping, edifying immanence of the higher power in the mind boggling bundle of humanity that you come to confront in Mike Adenuga.

A formidable imperial presence that is wont to

relieve otherwise lion hearted men of their ego and swagger and their often misguided over confidence co exists seamlessly in one man with an incredibly earthy humanity and unexpected approachability, when you get to know him. An addictive, irrepressible inclination to benevolence, generosity and philanthropy, at possibly a level unmatched by anyone else on the continent, combines with an almost manic abstinence from public acknowledgement of his mind numbing depth of giving. A hard-nosed, bring – it - on dare devilry in entrepreneurship that has braved monumental odds in relentless pursuit of one global scale endeavor after another, combines with astonishing levels of compassion, of empathy, loyalty and sacrificial attention when Adenuga senses that there is a real need in anyone on his surprisingly large network of friends, associates and dependents.

You have heard about the incredible amount of hard work he puts in, but you don’t quite get it until you have witnessed for yourself how this stupendously wealthy man whose fortune now ranks him among the planet’s top 100 according to Forbes, immerses himself in the trenches with stoic patience and finicky attention to gritty details, like he is just another unit supervisor. That is when you are struck with some sense of how much hard work this one man puts in, every single day, to create so much value for his business, for his country, for the thousands and thousands and tens of thousands, nay millions, whose lives and livelihoods are daily touched by his sprawling network of businesses.

You have heard about the man’s equally astonishing humility. And yes, you could be forgiven for missing your step a bit on hearing that word, having witnessed the volcanic eruption that chewed up a sloppy staffer who thought that this furnace of productivity is one rumba dance party venue. Until you catch the big man unawares, again and again and yet again, in his elemental off work moment.

That is when you witness, again and again and yet again, the habitual differential courtesy and deep reverence with which this business colossus relates to his own elders.

If Mike Adenuga ever gets to visit your home, he will for sure not greet your gateman with quite as deep reverence as he greeted our President in that national museum worthy photograph, but I can stake my life on the fact that on reflex, he will greet that hapless one manning your gate with an involuntary bow of his head. Having had the privilege of his acquaintance many times at home and abroad, silently watching this powerful man engage with the widest cross section of demographies, I have come to realize that humility, in some mysterious way, is at the very core of his being.

Totally contradictory for an otherwise fearsome combatant entrepreneur.

In time, I came to realize that when Chairman Adenuga greets the lowliest person he meets with his patented head bow and addresses them with a ‘yes sir’ or ‘yes ma’am’, this unfathomably deep man is not being condescending nor is he grand standing. He is simply reverencing God. He is simply acknowledging the sanctity of that individual’s human person. He is simply recognizing that in that stiffly standing job candidate, who is struggling so clumsily to keep his composure in the presence of the venerated Chairman, might yet be the next generation Forbes listed multi billionaire.

You have got to catch Chairman Adenuga, at some discreet joint, on a night out with the boys – the boys not referring to fellow mega billionaires, but regular, base level folks drawn from across the group – amidst a superfluity of drinks and chops and rib cracking humor in which the chairman himself leads with unabashedly self-deprecating wit, for you to begin to get some sense of the earthy humanity of this leader of leaders. Ask anyone who has caught any real glimpse of the business mogul, including those with whom he might have now fallen out - resultant usually from some brawling over ideas -and they will tell you that in the kind of humility you find in Dr. Michael Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga, your own very life is challenged.

Yet, and now you are back to that mystifying, unfathomable glory of God, yet, here is a man whose business accomplishments are of such monstrous scale that even a globally rated business magazine, not ordinarily known for sloppiness, would choke on its own rating of Mike Adenuga’s net worth, and in rather flustered manner, hurriedly issue a rebasing addendum which added several more billion dollars to its estimation of his fortune.

––Omotayo Ken Suleiman, Public Affairs Analyst wrote from Lagos. omotsule@gmail.com, @0motsule (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MAY 8, 2016

EXCELLING IN A MAN’S WORLD

Senator Binta Masi Garba: Queen of the Red Chamber Binta Garba is a woman of many firsts, one who was ‘rejected’ as a child but has become the cornerstone of some key segments of society. Daji Sani writes

“S

ee what God has done,” Senator Binta Garba tells the congregation at the International Praise Church, Yola, during her thanksgiving last Sunday, “the rejected child has become the cornerstone of the family.”

Family here is certainly a metaphor for the sections of society, comprising gender, political, and economic constituencies, which Garba tries to give a voice in the overall scheme of things.

The senator for Adamawa North senatorial district of Adamawa State and mother of three was the first woman in Nigeria to become state chairman of a major political party.

That was when she emerged chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress. Thereafter, Garba joined the race for the senate in last year’s general election, where she defeated the then sitting governor of the state, Mr. Bala James Ngillari.

Garba is the only female senator from the North in the eighth senate and one of only seven women that made it to the Red Chamber at the last general election. Fondly called “Queen of the Red Chamber” by her colleagues because of lively manners and influence, she is the chairman of Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund.

Coming from a society where many people live in poverty and women are largely relegated, while the girl child is mostly denied education, Garba is acutely aware of the importance of bracing up and facing the harsh realities of life.

“I used to go to school on empty stomach, sometimes, I had just water,” she says regarding her childhood in the rural backwaters of northern Nigeria. “One chilly morning, on my way to school, a schoolmate and her father, riding on a bicycle, splashed muddy water on me as they rode past.

“That day, I made an oath with myself to get educated and save my family from poverty.”

She adds figuratively, “My shoe itches, I want to scratch but can’t reach it; I am in pains and only I understand my plight, only I can walk in my shoe.”

Garba says she often sold bread and Akara (beans cake) to support herself as a child because she was literally rejected by her parents following her conversion from Islam, the religion of her parents, to Christianity. Yet she says her parents made frantic effort to give her the best that their meagre resources could afford.

But today, that rejected child has become a vital person in the lives of many.

Garba’s journey to the senate seems to follow the story of her childhood, as there was really an outside chance of her success in the race at the beginning.

She narrates, “As the chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Adamawa State, I never had the intention of contesting for a seat in the senate. Some people of my constituency came to me requesting that I get someone interested in contesting for the position; I went looking for qualified people to get the forms. I went round and round, until one of the elders said to me: ‘you are the only one we know can challenge the PDP because we are aware that they have a very strong candidate (in the then Governor, His Excellency, Bala Ngilari). So you are the only competent person that can challenge the governor.’

“When the pressure became more, I asked if I would be given enough time to consult with my family, political leaders and associates, but most sincerely seek the face of God Almighty. As the consultation was going on, I was still sceptical, until my parents gave me their blessing. I met with my governor then, Admiral Murtala H. Nyako, who gave me his unreserved blessing and support. I went further to seek the blessing of (Atiku) Abubakar, our leader and former vice president, who not only gave me his unalloyed support but blessed me financially, too, from the beginning to the end.”

“Prior to that, the present governor, then the senator representing Adamawa North senatorial district, Senator Mohammed Umaru Jibrill Bindow, told me in January 2012 that he will take over from Governor Nyako and I will be the next senator representing our zone, when I was riding with him in his car, on our way to the Presidential Villa for an emergency stakeholders meeting. I laughed over it and in his manner, he said, you will tell me that I said so, and

Garba today it is history.”

Garba was born April 17, 1967 to the family of Corporal Garba Tumba (rtd) and his wife, Hajiya Hauwa Masi Garba, in Kaduna State. Her parents are Higgi by tribe from Bazza District in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State and her father was the driver of President Muhammadu Buhari when he was a military Head of State.

Garba attended Army Children School, New Cantonment D, Hayin Banki, Kaduna; Government Day Secondary School, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna South, Kaduna State; College of Administrative and Business Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State; and Harvard University, J.F Kennedy School of Government, where she obtained a degree in public finance.

Before going into politics, Garba worked as an advert executive with New Nigerian Newspapers. At a point in the job, she says, she was a victim of gender inequality, when a colleague of hers was promoted and she was not, just because she is a woman. That incident was the turning point in her career, she recalls.

Seeing a seemingly bleak future in the job, and with her strong resolve to impact on her world, Garba decided to venture into politics, particularly with the aim of fighting against the stigmatisation of women. In politics, her experience in the media and exposure got her a lot of mileage.

She has become an authoritative voice for women in the country and abroad by dint of hard work, resilience, willingness to listen to wise counsel, and determination to succeed.

Garba says she is in politics to do great things – not just to be someone great.

“She believes that every woman is exceptional and not created for the sole reason of holding or playing her family roles; but every woman must have a voice,” an excerpt from the programme of activities during her thanksgiving reads. And it was for this reason that she went into politics in 1998, when she contested, though unsuccessfully, for the House of Representatives on the platform of the National Centre Party of Nigeria in Kaduna South, a place where culture seemed to forbid women from playing any promi-

nent roles in politics.

She says she is neither deterred nor intimidated by the menfolk. “I am not intimidated by anyone but what I do is to respect people because you need them to succeed in life.”

In 1999 Garba was elected to the House of Representatives under the auspices of the All Peoples Party to represent Kaduna South Federal Constituency for two terms, from 1999 to 2007.

A woman of deep passion for the empowerment of the less-privileged and disadvantaged persons, Garba was elected to represent Madagali/Michika federal constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives in 2007. She established the Binta Masi Garba Foundation based in Yola as an avenue to reach needy people in Adamawa and other parts of the country.

While in the House of Representatives, Garba chaired and served in several committees and sub-committees.

She was chairman of Infrastructural Development, Appropriation Committee; deputy chairman, Anti-corruption, Ethics and National Value Committee; chairman, Inter-Parliamentary Relations Committee; and chairman, Women Affairs Committee; as well as member, Defence Committee.

Besides serving three terms in the Green Chamber from 1999 to 2011, Garba was the national deputy publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party and later national woman leader of the breakaway New Peoples Democratic Party. She was vice-president of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (African Region).

Garba believes it is time to support the womenfolk to be at the helm of affairs in the country. She vied for the position of senate president for the eighth senate, but lost in the highly acrimonious contest.

A professional marketer and activist, Garba has grown from humble beginnings to an important mouthpiece for the masses, especially women and the less-privileged, in Adamawa, Kaduna and other states of the federation. But she says, “Beyond the honour and significance there were prejudices and stereotypes to confront.”

94

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

PERSPECTIVE Herohood and the Nigerian Project Odia Ofeimun

I

was thrilled to be invited by the author, Tunji Olaopa, to write a Foreword to this book. Let me be quick to add that I was trapped by the surprise of discovering that the Nigerian Civil Service, so egregiously demoted to a rather ‘dysfunctional trench’ in Nigeria’s struggle for development, has produced a major writer, a truly sagacious intellectual of the public sphere, who happens to be intent on correcting the ills of the system. Among his earlier books, I had found four - The Nigerian Civil Service of the Future; Public Administration and Civil service Reforms in Nigeria; Managing Complex Reforms; and Innovation & Best Practices in Public Sector Reforms - Ideas, Strategies and Conditions - among the most thoughtful, hard-headedly ambitious and admirable engagements with the public sector in our times.

His best-advertised book, A Prophet is with Honour - The Life and times of Ojetunji Aboyade, belongs to a very special class. It takes off from being a biography of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, an old teacher of mine at the University of Ibadan, and a much-tested economic adviser to successive Federal Governments in the seventies into the 90s. But it is more than being a mere biography.

It is a painstaking exposition of the travails of managing change in a society quite desperately in need of prime movers. The desperation, as a virtual fabric of the whole society, is clearly the reason that the author is ready to grant the outstanding performers in our midst, the feat-makers, so to say, the status of culture heroes. Otherwise, truly evident and uplifting, across Olaopa’s many books, is that he has turned his own admiration and worship of our heroes past into a means of personal, communal and national pursuit of organizational effectiveness.

In an environment so much in need of seminal and constructive orientations, he has, I would argue, done enough to be placed among the heroes that he has been so keen to showcase and celebrate within a paradigm shift in the workaday study of leadership in our part of the world.

I may well note that, over several seasons, I had been quite fascinated by Tunji Olaopa’s articles in the newspapers which have yielded the chapters in this book. As an irredeemable partisan on the side of the Nigerian project, I had taken each of the entries, Ofeimun path-breaking work in every sense, in the spirit of an almost nation-building and development which Nigerians espouse is a occult pursuit of Nigeria The Beautiful. That is, even before they journey without maps, undertaken in moral anarchy towards could be added up, each of them formed quite a respectable bid an uncertain destination”. This position happens to be so easy to alter the staple attitude to leadership, general social creativity, to slip into when the high rating of Nigeria’s potentialities in the and the need to reconstruct our society. The good deal is that scheme of development is set against the roundly distressing the author has made a shift, easy to appreciate, away from the performance of successive administrations. It has led to a loss of patterns of the early literature on post-independence Africa. The faith in the possibility of transcendence and produced unyieldbulk of that literature gave unbounded space to the discussion ing pessimism that makes a reversal of Ake’s verdict quite an of leadership by focussing mainly on so-called charismatic uphill task. leaders who were the celebrated heroes of the struggle for All the same, this book, quintessentially, is braced for a independence. The leaders were ritually lionized for taking their reversal of the verdict; and to bring grand visibility and people to the promised land athwart poverty ignorance and acceptance to those whom the author considers deserving disease. Their tenures were presumed to enjoy a freely given of acknowledgement as heroes. By memorializing their devotion by followers, empowering them to make innovations, feats , up-raising the heroic status of people like Claude Ake through hard choices, and to draw more conservative elements in the society into a new sense of citizenship and public address. himself, and deploying the values and standards that he and others have upheld in sector after sector, a corrective is The qualities of individual leaders were assumed to be so emplaced against the rudderless, morally anarchic devaluation refreshingly sanguine that, even if based on reaching for what of outstanding performers. Thus, a categorical shift from the Ali Mazrui described as a royal historical identity, they tended old focus on charismatic political leaders takes place which to be motivated in directions that would help to build modern grants leadership as a factor across other vocations and walks institutions through the routinization of the leader’s charisma, in of life, and helps to set out a social narrative whose parameters Max Weber’s sense of the term. are broader, more catholic, more universalistic. Quite heartily, Unfortunately, the expected eventualities, never quite materialit engages a Pan Nigerian landscape in which religious and ized. Many of the leaders were adept at manufacturing their supposed charisma, outside a freely-given devotion. They created political leaders, academics and intellectuals, entrepreneurs, philosophers, physicians, scientists and creative writers, actors a format of leadership around themselves which encouraged and filmmakers, musicians and community leaders, are placed echeloned social features that led to graft, patrimonialism, and in the same force-field, as heroes. Politics is not thereby downcronyism. Especially in the ultra-glorified days of the one-party graded or degraded but visualized, in context, as one of the chieftains - the days of the founding fathers that led to regimes theatres in which leadership may manifest within a contingent of force and graft in the age of the militariat - African leadernetwork of outstanding performers . ship fell from the grace once credited to it. Nation-building, as In effect, this book is laid out as a commingling of a result, was wrong-footed. It soon began to be haggled that legendary entrepreneurs like Dantata, da Rocha, Ojukwu the something was fundamentally wrong with African leadership, elder, Dangote, Omolayole and an Onosode with maverick if not with the African. The problem with Nigeria, as Chinua Achebe famously put it, is the failure of leadership. This became social consciences and educationist like atheistic Tai Solarin a shorthand way of precluding the discussion of core values that and lawyer-activist, human rights crusader Gani Fawehinmi, Pentecostal pastors like Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and Oyedepo, could determine and shape how potential leaders navigate the all in the same feast of herohood with Bishop Hassan Mathew social givens of their generation. It prefigured much discomfiKukah, a catholic priest pursuing an ecumenical programme ture, but no real escape from the social political and economic of dialogue between diverse creeds, on the same counterpane issues that overlaid the inordinate search for messianic and with Wande Abimbola, a virtual Babalawo, who is toasted charismatic leaders. for removing the libel and rudeness of the bad sciences that The paradox is that the overconcentration on the charismatic once consigned traditional religion, and specifically Yoruba Ifa leaders at the top of the political pyramid not only displaced concern for other decision-makers in society, but led to a rampant divination system, to a zone of fetish, if not barbarism. By the same token, we are enabled to deepen acquaintance with great disavowal of their heroic qualities once they began to tumble minds like Professor B.J. Dudley, one of Africa’s most rigorous from power, accused of corruption, tyrannical rule, and sundry political scientists; and Professor Ayodele Awojobi, a professor malfeasance. The general disappointment it caused may be of mechanical engineering with specialization in vibrations, seen as justification for the position taken by Professor Claude an inventor, social critic and futuristic thinker; and the savvy Ake in his Foreword to A Prophet is with Honour, to the effect economist, Pius Okigbo; the mathmatician, politician and folk that “The country has no heroes, acknowledges none, and it hero, Chike Obi; and scholar and gender activist, Bolanle Awe, devalues and derails those who could be”. Ake took an even writers and artists Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, D. O. more hardline position when he added that “The project of

Fagunwa, Hubert Ogunde and the much younger Chimamanda Adichie - all of whose achievements may be consensually upheld as building blocks for the ultimate national edifice. Among physicians, Adeoye Lambo, Oritshejolomi Thomas, Umaru Shehu and Oladipo Akinkugbe are duly celebrated as are the great denizens of the Ibadan School of History for incomparable practice and research. The consequence is that the country is presented or delivered not as a place of discordance or anarchy but a site of vibrant, earthy conversations, absorbing diverse forms of creativity and worldviews within a shared knowledge industry. Squarely, by canvassing a common sense of values across disciplines, careers and vocations, the perfectly correct verdict bodies out: that this is not a land without heroes.

A recourse to heroes of other lands, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, and the scholar, intellectual, Ali Mazrui is made virtually as a form of authentication of values and extension of rationale for this book .

Still, many may question the grounds for embossing one or the other with heroic qualities. Or, wonder why in spite of the outstanding qualities of the many successful people on display, Nigeria may still be described as a failed state and country. As a civil servant, well seasoned, Olaopa exercises admirable gumption in letting objectivity and balance foreclose partisan accounting as to who is, or is not a hero or heroine. Getting the unacknowledged to be better known is turned into a means of advancing the national project itself. Across a broad canvass, over fertile swathes of national life, the inventiveness of those chosen for celebration cuts a representative grain across various fields whose cumulative impact is what, arguably, makes Nigeria truly a country of great promise. Besides, the author does not merely romanticize the qualities of the individuals but relates them to the concrete project of nation-building: a case of priming the feat- makers in every sector and at every crossroad by celebrating their contributions to a living project. The strength of the eventual narrative lies in the power packed into drawing a correlation between the high quality of individual persons, and the features necessary for keeping the National Project as an ineffable reality.

Insistently, the project is visualized as a factor of national integration, bringing the country’s multi-ethnic and multireligious groups closer to coalescence. What was once described as a mere geographical expression is presented, quite correctly, in my view, as a cultural expression, formalized in terms of an agenda of trust between different geo-cultural groups and social classes whose origins lie as much in modern socio-economic interactions as in the fixtures of old feudal and slave-hunting societies overtaken by common citizenship. The point is that, in spite of differences, a united nation, a common community, with a common morality is made obvious. The gravest threat to such a society lies, proverbially, in the tendency to segment and apply disproportionate standards to different groups and nationalities as in situations where, for instance, writers like Achebe and Soyinka are celebrated but by deploying oversubjective, non-literary and subtle ethnic criteria in assessment of their work and progress. This is the lacuna so well pictured by the political sociologist, Peter Ekeh, one of the heroes celebrated in this book, who has viewed with some consternation the tendency for the primordial, ethnic, realm to overcome the civic public and corner loyalty away from modernization and development. The salutary part is that the consequent practice of a benign morality for self and a pernicious one for others is so often contested, if not defeated, by the heroes in our midst who as agents of change continue to advance the cause of merit and hard-work as guides to recruitment of leaders and choice of policy directions.

One of the triumphs of the LABOUR OF OUR HEROES PAST, in this regard, is that it identifies with the activism of groups of irrepressible defenders of popular causes, entrepreneurs in their own right, who do not give up and have thus helped to ward off negative depictions of the national project.

Although, ill-cultured groups of regime enforcers may succeed now and then in determining who gets what when and how without meeting the standards of democratic governance, the point is that they are antonyms to the heroes in our midst who question and speak truth to power, in writing, music, life-style and the sheer refusal to be cowed by authority or adverse circumstances.

––Odia Ofeimun is a poet.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

95

MAY 8, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

A Friendly Chat With an Old Friend Femi Fani-Kayode

T

he following discusion took place on my Facebook friends page on May 2nd 2016. Since it is already in the public realm I have taken the liberty of.sharing it in my column as well.

Though we have not seen much of each other for a while I have known Alhaji Muktari Shinkafi for the better part of the last 35 years and we are more like brothers than friends.

We spent a lot of time together in our youth and in those heady and blissful days of the early and mid-1980’s when I was still at Cambridge University and when I spent most of my leisure time playing polo at the Lagos Polo Club or at the Guards Polo Club in the U.K., eating caviar and drinking champagne.

We had great fun in those days and Nigeria was a much better and happier place than it is now.

At that time Lagos was something of a melting pot and everybody that was anybody in the country had a home there. These were the days before Abuja was built and Lagos was still our nation’s capital.

Most people were very comfortable then because the naira was still strong at approximately two naira to one dollar. It was often the case that people would travel to London, the South of France or the Bahamas for long weekends with their loved ones and be back in Lagos for Monday morning. Then of course there was late night chicken suya in Obalende which was always a delight. I wonder if they still have that?

More importantly it really didn’t matter which part of the country you came from or what your religious faith was because nobody cared in those days.

The only thing that mattered was whether you had a good education, a good pedigree and whether you had class. Whether you were a northerner, a southerner, a Christian or a Muslim didn’t matter at all. Lagos was home to all and we loved it.

It was in that pleasant setting that Muktari and I became close together with a large number of other Polo Club buffs.

His older brother, a legend in intelligence circles and in the world of spying, the former head of Nigeria’s dreaded spy agency the NSO, a much loved and reverred elderstatesman and the former Presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, the Marafan Sokoto, brought me into politics in 1989 and he was my leader and political mentor for many years.

Simply put Marafan was like a second father to me. He was an arch-conservative and a man of immense discipline and courage and all of us at the Lagos Polo Club were in absolute awe of him. When he walked in the room with his head held up high there would be pin drop silence as we all stood up.

We were his boys and we were all very proud of that fact. I learnt everything from him from the art of politics to the murky and grey world of espionage.

In addition to that I had the distinct honour and privilege of being appointed as his Special Assistant in 1992 when he ran for the Presidency before General Ibrahim Babangida banned him, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (who was the presidential flagbearer for the rival Social Democratic Party) and all the other “old-breed” politicians from contesting.

I have nothing but the deepest respect and affection for the Shinkafi family and that remains so till today. I was therefore delighted when Muktari made his contributions on my Facebook wall.

The conversation was prompted by the fact that I posted some graphic pictures of the victims of the Fulani herdsmen in Agatu and Enugu. Those pictures can still be seen on my Facebook friends page.

Muktari did not feel that it was appropriate to post the pictures and the following conversation took place between him and I on the thread.

I believe that it was an interesting discussion which brought out two distinct and separate

Fani-Kayode

perspectives (if you like call them the northern and southern ones) to the whole issue of the Fulani herdsmen.

I believe that both sides have something to learn from one another on this issue which is why I chose to share it with my readers.

Enjoy!

Muktari Shinkafi wrote: “Since we already have the Senate and House of Representatives in place, it will be easier to bring the issue next week of dividing Nigeria immediately after the budget issue.

The division of the country should be proposed based on six Geo-polical zones based on the following basis and natural / human resources to sustain each zone.

1. South south: Oil, Sea port, 2. South west: Service industry, Sea port, Agriculture 3. South east:. Oil,, commerce 4. Middle belt: Agriculture, Solid minerals 5. North east: Oil, agriculture 6. North west: Oil, Strategic solid minerals, Agriculture.

We in the North don’t deserve this negative propaganda and name-calling.

Let us separate peacefully for the sake of our children since even after the separation, we will be surely bonded together by commerce and personal relationship.

We have millions down there that we are friends through business, marriages etc. I don’t think posting these pictures is necessary as no one is sure of their source, they may be accident victims but some people are posting them to propagate messages of hate among us”.

Femi Fani-Kayode responded: “Before I would post such pictures on my wall I have to be certain of their authenticity and in this case I am.

There are other pictures which are far worse and which I cannot post here. My brother, your people kill ours and we are not supposed to even complain about it or let the world know what is happening?

Enough of this madness. If the Fulani leaders cannot reign in their herdsmen and terrorists themselves then we will do it for them.

This barbarity has been going on in the Middle Belt and core north for years unchallenged and now you guys want to extend it to the South.

We will not take it, we will not allow it and we will not sit by idly as your kinsmen slaughter, rape and abduct our men, women and children and occupy our land.

It has been going on for far too long and now we are prepared to resist it. I agree with you that maybe it is time that we begin to consider the division of this country and the best way to start is simply to let the core North go its separate way first and leave the rest of us alone.

Either that or a clean North/South break.

We in the South cannot be expected to continue to live peacefully with what the Global

Terror Index has described as the first (Boko Haram) and the fourth (Fulani militants/ herdsmen) most deadly terror organisations in the world.

They both come from the North and the socalled northern leaders would do well to look within, accept the fact that they have a major problem with their youth and try to fix it.

What baffles me is that most northern leaders are more concerned about the fact that these atrocities are being exposed before the world and evidence of it is being adduced than the fact that people are being killed.

They are very comfortable with it when the slaughter is being done in silence but when we scream about it they get upset. This strange and alien mindset is unacceptable to us.

If this rubbish goes on, sooner or later, the South will rise up as one together with our brothers in the Middle Belt and there will be a terrible reckoning.

I do not spread hate and I have no hate in me for anyone or any ethnic group. The truth is that, as you know, one eighth of the blood that flows through my veins is Fulani. I cannot hate myself.

You know very well that our leader and older brother, the Marafan Sokoto, brought me into politics in 1989 and I love him as if he were my father.

Yet the North no longer has strong, decisive and fair minded political leaders like Marafan or gentle, kind, wise and accommodating ones like President Shehu Shagari. That is the problem. If Marafan was President today this herdsmen problem would have been history long ago and so would Boko Haram.

He would care as much for the South and the safety of its people as he would have for the North where he comes from. Yet how many northern leaders think like that today?

As I wrote in my last column there are a few like Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Nuhu Ribadu, Kashim Ibrahim Imam, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Ibrahim Turaki SAN, Atiku Abubakar and a few others, but not many.

What is in me and millions of other southerners and Middle Belters is not hate for the Fulani or the core north but anger: a very great and powerful anger that is growing by the day.

We trusted and loved you like brothers for the last 56 years but in recent times what have we got in return except for suspicion, persecution, misunderstanding, violence and pain.

First it was Boko Haram and now it is cold blooded murder and the claiming of our lands by your herdsmen.

Nobody can take all that with a smile.

Nobody can tell us to take it all and keep quiet.

You are my brother and you always will be.

We go back such a long way and it pains me to write all this.

Yet the truth is that if only the North could change its attitude and leadership we could all be one big happy family again.

Sadly though they will not because there are a few northern leaders who relish all that is happening today and who believe in the utter crushiing, destruction and subjugation of everything and everyone South of the River Niger”.

Muktari Shinkafi replied: “Honestly we the northerners have been at the receiving end since the beginning of this insurgency and fulani herdsmen terrorism. If the division of Nigeria will bring peace, we wholeheartedly welcome the idea and the sooner the National Assembly begins deliberation the better.”

Femi Fani-Kayode responded: “We both know that the National Assembly will not do it because the northern legislators and those that they represent are addicted to southern oil.

We can do it without the National Assembly if we so wish and the way things are going now we are getting close to that final parting day.

All we have to do is to begin to mobilise our people and tell them the benefits of going our separate ways and breaking up the country.

I guess it is long overdue. When that day comes the parting of ways will be peaceful if the North lets us go in peace but if they try to stop us it will not be so peaceful”.

Muktari Shinkafi replied: “I think the issue here is that you refused to acknowledge the frustrations of all Nigerians. We are all making these comments and postings because of total failure of the APC governmemt to address critical challenges facing the nation instead, it’s over one year now but they are still associating their failure to PDP which to me is a sign that they just won the election without proper plan but based on change propaganda.

Where are Bakassi boys, kidnappers and the Niger Delta militants? Since the government cannot protect our brothers and communities there, let them come out and protect its people against these bandits (herdsmen).

They killed 25 people in my local government 10 days ago, stole grains and their valuables.

We resorted to use the vigilantes and our young men to protect our farmers from the so called herdsmen bandits from neighbouring countries. Its time government take this issue seriously and I believe our police, armed forces and civil defence can take them out squarely, grazing reserve will not solve the problems because these criminals are not the same Fulanis we knew years ago.

They used to live peacefully on hausa farmlands grazing their animals but today, Hausas are their worst enemies”.

Femi Fani-Kayode responded: “I acknowlwdge the fact that it happens in the core north too but if the leaders and people of the core north can live with it the rest of us cannot.

They have a duty to fight it and to put a stop to it more than anyone else because these beasts, militants and religious extremists that call themselves Fulani herdsmen are their kinsmen.

They are their slaves and their serfs. The cows that they are herding all over the country and destroying peoples lives for belong to the Fulani elites and not to the herdsmem or cattle-rearers themselves.

The herdsmen are too poor to own the cows and they do not have the resources to purchase the AK 47’s that they carry around and kill people with.

It is their sponsors, the Fulani elites that provide all that and, together with the government agencies, they also give them protection and free passage. Since President Buhari came to power they have been virtually untouchable and so have their cows!

What you said about APC’s incompetence and inability to run government is true though. The APC more than anyone else used religion and ethnicity to win power at the center.

They are not only the Boko Haram party but also the Fulani herdsmen party. Even though there are a few token and Uncle Tom Christians in their midst they are essentially like the banned Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

They believe in the total and complete domination of all other tribes by the Fulani and they wish to islamise our country.

That is their agenda and for the last ten months we have witnessed it all unfold before our very eyes. That together with the obsessive drive to use the various security agencies to discredit and destroy President Goodluck Jonathan’s legacy and to ruthlessly silence and persecute all dissenting voices.

I warned Nigerians during the presidential campaign that this was their agenda but they wouldn’t listen. Now they know better”.

The conversation ended there. My brother Muktari did not respond to my final contribution and we have not spoken since then. Despite all I still cherish him and I hope that we shall remain brothers even after the great divide if it ever comes.

No matter what happens in the end I will never forget those beautiful and youthful days in Lagos when we were proud of our rainbow nation, when we were all one and when tribe, faith and tongue did not matter.

–– Fani-Kayode is a former Aviation

96

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Saraki’s Senate: Milestones on the Road Towards National Development

Chuks Okocha

U

nlike the seventh Senate, which tended to pass fundamental bills for national development towards the twilight of the session, the eighth Senate under Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki hit the ground running after it was inaugurated on June 8 last year. The Senate under Saraki has exhibited courage and leadership to ensure harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

In keeping with his campaign promises as the Senate President, Saraki has tried to ensure a transparent leadership by opening the books of the National Assembly for public scrutiny.

This became an issue against the back drop of demands by Nigerians that the National Assembly should open its books for the public to see. In line with the senate president’s campaign manifesto of transparency, the eighth Senate was the first to state what the budget of the National Assembly looks like.

It was the first time that the books of the Senate and House of Representatives were opened.

Since then, whatever the National Assembly is embarking upon has remained an issue in the court of public opinion. It is on record that due to the campaign promise of the senate president, Nigerians have come to know that N105.4 billion has been set aside for recurrent expenditure and N9.6 billion is for capital projects.

The National Assembly under the chairmanship of Saraki has, indeed, come to represent a listening legislative arm, to the extent that when civil society groups complained against a planned legislative amendment to some laws of the federation, the senate stepped down such efforts in deference to public opinions. Nothing stopped the Senate from going ahead in the course of doing its legislative duties, but in a mark of respect to Nigerians, it stepped down the proposed amendments.

The eighth Senate was the first organ of

Saraki

government to respond to the plight of Nigerians living in the Internally Displaced Peoples camps.

It was this visit of the members of the upper chamber that opened the eyes of Nigerians to the deplorable condition of Nigerians in the Boko Haram insurgence-destroyed North-east. Thereafter, the zone became the cynosure of officials from the executive and legislative arms, like the famous race to Nikki between the British and French colonial masters. The action of the senate has come to put it before well-meaning Nigerians as a law making body with human feelings, because it brought to the fore what fellow Nigerians suffered on account of Boko Haram’s inhumanity.

In the course of its legislative duties, the eighth Senate set up an ad-hoc committee to unravel the names of companies and other commercial outfits that were granted import waivers to the detriment of the national economy. The Senate ensured that companies and individuals that benefited from the import duty bazaars were made to refund what was due to the federal government. It is on record that several billions of naira was eventually remitted to the coffers of the federal government, courtesy of the insightful eyes of the Senate.

Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the mandatory fees charged by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on every prepaid electric

metre purchased. But today, such fees are history, as the Senate under Saraki has ensured through dialogue with NERC that Nigerians only pay for what they consume. The Senate has passed motions that led to the review of the electricity tariffs by NERC. It is on record that the Senate on August 11 last year asked NERC to abolish the N700 mandatory fees charged Nigerians as part of its fixed rates. Today, the issue of bulk metering is a thing of the past.

At a time the naira was becoming like the Ugandan currency, which was once referred to as toilet paper, the eighth Senate under Saraki engaged the Central Bank of Nigeria in series of dialogue on how to ensure that the value of the naira was improved. It was followed by Made-inNigeria trade fairs with the fundamental message of the need to patronise Nigerian goods as the only way out of the present economic woes.

Additionally, there were talks with indigenous auto manufacturers, like the Innoson Motors and other promoters of made-in-Nigeria goods.

No doubt, all these added positive thoughts on how to make the eighth Senate a people-oriented upper chamber; after all, they are the people’s representatives. There are no better ways to represent the people than to take to heart issues that concern them. This, indeed, opened new vistas in the Senate’s relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other civil society organisations.

Though, the Petroleum Industry Bill is yet to be passed, has passed Second Reading at the plenary of the Senate. What remains is the public hearing, where stakeholders in the industry will air their views. This bill is critical to the reaping of the benefits the country expects as an oil producing and exporting nation. Its benefits can never be underestimated.

It was within the period under review that the Senate set up the Senator Adamu Aliero committee to probe the power sector. It was during the probe that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Godkmnows Igali, revealed that over N2.77 trillion had been spent on power generation since 1999, and Nigerians are still suffering epileptic power supply

The Senate in the course of its legislative duties partnered with the British Department for International Development and some commercial lawyers in the country to ensure the review of some of the laws considered as hindering investment in Nigeria. In a 168-page report titled “Comprehensive Review of the Institutional Regulatory, Legislative and Associated Instruments Affecting Businesses in Nigeria,” the team of commercial lawyers outlined obstacles that hindered economic development by making Nigeria unattractive to investors.

The leader of the team of experts sponsored

by DfID, Professor Paul Idornigie, said the group reviewed 54 commercial laws in the country’s statute book and did a comprehensive analysis of 50 other bills pending before the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Idornigie said the priority rating list will help the legislature to focus on some areas that require urgent intervention. He recommended nine bills that if passed into law in the life of the eighth National Assembly would help to comprehensively reform the business environment.

The bills recommended by the experts as requiring urgent attention are Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2015, Federal Roads Authority Bill 2015, National Inland Waterways Authority Bill 2015, National Roads Funds Bill 2015, National Transport Commission 2015, Nigerian Ports and Harbours Authority Bill 2015, Nigeria Postal Commission Bill 2015, and Nigeria Railway Authority Bill 2015.

The Senate followed up with the summoning of a business roundtable where the relevant issues were discussed and a bill was proposed to remediate laws that hinder investment.

The above achievements represent only the tip of the iceberg, as the Saraki Senate has done a lot more in several areas of the country’s life, despite the political distractions occasioned by his trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

––Okocha is Special Assistant to the Senate President on Print Media

Enugu Killings: Ugwuanyi and Quest for National Unity Levi Odogwubueze, Jnr.

T

hemisconceptions,pain,emotions, angerandcondemnationsthat greetedtherecentsenselesskillings ofinnocentcitizensofEnuguStatein Nimbo,Uzo-UwaniLocalGovernmentArea,bysuspectedFulani herdsmenarequiteunderstandable andappreciated.

The unfortunate incident, which has threatened the unity and existence of the country as one indivisible entity, has equally set a new agenda for the renewal of national unity and integration. It has sensitised the world against the growing national terror culture of the herdsmen that has fast snowballed into an endemic disaster against the peoples’ right to life, with all the imperious features not very different from those of Boko Haram.

The herdsmen attack in Enugu has equally caught the security agencies lacking in intelligence. The carnage has received the widest attention so far witnessed since the itinerant herdsmen opened their wild killings on an industrial scale, to the extent that every ethnic group in the country and, indeed, the globe have risen to condemn the heinous act as criminal and barbaric.

President Muhammadu Buhari while condemning the Enugu attack directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin, and the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to immediately secure communities under the attack of herdsmen.

Buhari also gave a presidential directive that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts should be arrested and brought to justice.

The president’s intervention was sequel to a meeting he had with the Enugu State governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was at the presidential villa to brief the president on the unfortunate incident and seek the best ways to tackle the inherent challenges with circumspection. Buhari’s intervention was a major breakthrough towards finding a lasting solution to the menace of the herdsmen. I commend the president for his prompt and decisive decision. I hope that the outcome of his

directive will yield the expected positive result.

There is no doubt that Ugwuanyi, who first visited the traumatised Nimbo community to sympathise with them and offer necessary assistance to the survivors and families of the deceased, displayed a deep sense of maturity and wisdom in handling the matter by not making inciting comments that could have allowed a reprisal attack.

Even though, the governor’s peace approach was initially misunderstood and mistaken as a sign of weakness, especially, in the social media, the recent turn of events have vindicated his wisdom in calming frayed nerves and maturely de-escalating the very tense situation.

He did not stop at that, he assured the people of the state that he will do everything possible within his constitutional powers to put an end to the menace of the herdsmen and bring the culprits to justice. Today, I am elated that he has taken decisive actions towards fulfilling his assurances through his administration’s donation of a seed fund of N100 million for the reactivation of neighbourhood watch in all the communities in the state, redeployment of the then Commissioner of Police by the Nigeria Police headquarters, among others.

At the time the people were reacting negatively in the social media against the governor’s approach to the matter, I was convinced that his stance on peace, against outright retaliation or reprisal attacks, was in the overall interest of Ndigbo, especially our brothers and sisters who reside in the northern parts of the country. I saw the consequences of a reprisal attack on our innocent brothers and sisters in the North who would fall victim to a possible counter- attack. I wondered what would have been their fate if such an ugly incident occurred. I asked myself, would all these people criticising the governor’s peace approach in the social media come to their rescue if anything strange happens? Of course, no! I thank God that it did not happen. I equally thank Ugwuanyi for making it not to happen.

All these compelled my recent post in the social media supporting the mature and peaceful approach

of the governor in handling the matter. I commended his wisdom and maturity and assured him that posterity will be kind to him at the end of the day for not allowing a reprisal attack.

Today, the governor’s maturity has brought a radiant hope towards a new order of national unity and integration among our brothers and sisters from other tribes of the country. It has proved that most wars do not end through the barrel of the gun but through the ability to identify peace as the best alternative measure.

I was touched by the narrative of the governor on his painstaking efforts to forestall the attack on Nimbo and the assurances given to him by the security agencies that the attack will not happen. After the governor’s press conference on the attack, I did not hesitate to concur with his stance that only the security agencies can answer the question concerning what happened at Nimbo between 6.30am and 7.30 am on April 25.

According to the governor, “After receiving these assurances of deployments to Nimbo, I felt quite confident that we had done everything possible to forestall an attack on Nimbo. Sadly, in the early hours of Monday reports of this carnage reached me. More disturbing was the report that the attack of innocent and defenceless citizens was carried out about 6:30am…

“On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, I visited Nimbo in order to establish first-hand the extent of carnage. My visit to Nimbo was revealing. I came face to face with the wounded and bereaved. I saw burnt and damaged personage of Christ Holy Church. I saw a traumatised community in shock and despair. I saw a dead body.

I wept. I wondered what has become of our quest for a united, peaceful and prosperous nation. Our first national anthem had a phrase which went thus: ‘though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’”

I was also impressed with the kind words by the governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, when they paid a condolence visit to Enugu to sympathise with the government and people of the state over the herdsmen attack. The APC governors through their forum’s chairman, Governor Rochas

Okorocha of Imo State, condemned the attack and commended Ugwuanyi for his show of maturity in handling the provocative incident. They described the attack as a criminal act that cannot be associated with tribe, religion or political party.

I was equally glad to note that Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State, who spoke on behalf of the northern governors under APC, told the people of Enugu State that they were in the state to register their profound condolence over the tragic loss. He stated, “As a nation, we mourn and rejoice with each other at different times. We have lived with our brothers and sisters in the North-east ravaged by Boko Haram for years. What kept us going was the empathy from people living outside the North-east. Times like this call for maturity, calmness, leadership role. We are one nation with a common destiny. The killers should be treated like criminals and should be fished out and dealt with.”

Also speaking, Governor of the State of Osun, Ogeni Rauf Aregbesola, from the western part of the country, condemned the carnage as callous, saying that the people of Enugu State are not alone in this moment of grief as the governors would collaborate with the federal government to put an end to the incessant killings by the herdsmen. He commended Ugwuanyi for the manner he handled the matter by not allowing a reprisal attack.

In all, it seems that the incident in Nimbo and Ugwuanyi’s display of maturity in the face of provocation have renewed the quest for national unity and integration, in line with the dreams and aspirations of the country’s founding fathers. Let us, therefore, work together as a family to end these incessant killings and maiming of innocent and defenceless citizens of the country by the marauding herdsmen to be able to achieve our common goal of a prosperous and united Nigeria. May the souls of all those that lost their lives in the carnage in Nimbo and other parts of the country rest in perfect peace, and may those who perpetrated these heinous acts never go unpunished. Amen.

–– Odogwubueze, a political analyst, writes from Enugu.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

97

GAVEL TO GAVEL The Appointment that Disquieted National Assembly Commission

Edited by Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

There is uneasy calm in the National Assembly following the recent appointment of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, as the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA). Omololu Ogunmade writes on the politics of the appointment

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he bureaucracy of the National Assembly is currently in disarray following the appointment of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, as the Acting Clerk of the federal parliament on April 20.

The appointment rekindled the rivalry and agelong battle for supremacy between Sani-Omolori and the incumbent Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA), Benedict Efeturi.

The appointment which was announced on April 20, 2016 by the Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Adamu Fika, shattered the fragile peace in both National Assembly’s bureaucratic and political structures as it was accompanied by mixed feelings.

Fika had in the appointment letter, said Sani-Omolori would replace Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa who is scheduled to proceed on terminal leave on May 14.

He congratulated Sani-Omolori, saying his appointment was an acknowledgement of his hard work and dedication to duty and wished him well in his new office. But the appointment came as a rude shock to the leadership of the National Assembly which had expected Efeturi to replace Maikasuwa in acting capacity on the basis of seniority.

Reversal Order Therefore, while Sani-Omolori was still celebrating his new status and warming up to ascend the top echelon of National Assembly management, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chairman of the National Assembly ordered the immediate reversal of his appointment in a letter signed by his Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu, entitled: “Withdrawal of Letter of Appointment of Acting Clerk of the National Assembly.” The letter was dated 22 April, 2016.

The letter addressed to Fika, accused the commission of failing to follow due process by ensuring the appointment of Efeturi as the acting clerk of the National Assembly. Saraki also accused Fika of treating him with contempt by failing to consult him before announcing the appointment. He described the action as an affront to the guiding principles of appointments and promotion by the commission.

The letter read in part: “We present to you the compliments of the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) O. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON. Please recall that during your last meeting with the President of the Senate on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly was discussed. “The Commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is adhered to. Of course, Mr. Benedict Efeturi who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly should be the first to be considered.

“Most importantly, you have been directed to confer with the President of the Senate the outcome of the Commission’s meeting before a letter of appointment is issued and regrettably that did not happen.

“The President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. On further enquiries, we found he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission.

“Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency, the President of the Senate, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr. Sani Omolori asActing Clerk of the NationalAssembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations.”

Fika Calls Saraki’s Bluff But Fika dared Saraki as he rejected the order asking the commission to reverse the appointment of Sani-Omolori as the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, explaining that Efeturi was not qualified to succeed Maikasuwa because it is against the rule of the civil service to appoint an officer who is also billed to proceed on terminal leave within six months in acting capacity.

In clear terms, Fika said Efeturi would proceed on terminal leave on August 2 and hence, would be a breach of procedure if he was appointed to take over from Maikasuwa. Fika further claimed that at the commission’s 440th meeting on April 20, only one of the 12 commissioners voted against the appointment of Sani-Omolori, saying he did not impose him on the management of National Assembly but was a product of the rule of engagement where appointment is done by simple majority of the votes of commissioners.

On this basis, Fika ruled out the possibility of considering

National Assembly Complex

Saraki’s order. “In the light of all the foregoing, Your Excellency will agree that reversing the decision of the commission appointing Mr. Mohammed A. Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly cannot be tenable in the circumstances,” he stated.

Fresh Shocker However, while all believed that Fika’s reply to Saraki’s order had finally laid to rest any agitation against the appointment of Sani-Omolori, his colleagues in the commission fired a salvo, dissociating themselves from the appointment.

Consequently, seven of the 12 commissioners threw their weight behind the appointment of Efeturi as the next acting clerk.

In a letter addressed to Fika and dated April 26, the seven commissioners, without any fear of equivocation, accused him of lying by his claim that at the meeting of the commission on April 20, only 1 of the existing 12 commissioners opposed SaniOmolori’s appointment while 11 voted in his favour.

Instead, the seven commissioners disowned his claim, saying it was actually five commissioners who opposed the appointment, five others abstained while only one supported it. This raised a rhetorical question on who is actually feeding the public with lies and consequently desecrating a public institution in pursuit of selfish and ulterior motive?

Thus, the seven commissioners in their letter to Fika, said despite almost total rejection of Sani-Omolori, Fika had the effrontery to proceed and appoint him as the acting clerk in flagrant violation of the policy of the commission to adopt minutes of the last meeting as the bedrock for progress.

They also accused Fika of repeating what he did in 2014, when he appointed Sani-Omolori as DCNAdespite eight commissioners voting in favour of Efeturi. The commissioners further added that it took a protest letter addressed to the then Senate President, David Mark, dissociating themselves from the appointment to reverse it and eventually giving Efeturi the opportunity to emerge as the DCNA. The commissioners therefore passed a vote of no confidence on Fika.

Hear the commissioners: “Also recall sir that in November 2014, you unilaterally issued a letter of appointment to the same Sani-Omolori as Deputy Clerk of National Assembly until the members wrote to the Senate President dissociating themselves from your action: 11 commissioners out of 12 signed that letter.

The commission then met and voted overwhelmingly in favour of the appointment of Mr. Ben Efeturi who was regarded as the most suitable candidate. “By that appointment, the issue of seniority between Efeturi and Sani-Omolori has been laid to

rest. We make bold to say that any letter emanating from you (Dr. Adamu Fika) at this time is an individual effort on your part without the consent of the commission and has not followed due process.

“We the under signed commissioners disassociate ourselves from your letter appointing Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the Acting Clerk of the NationalAssembly and affirm that Ben Efeturi is the rightful person to assume that office based on seniority.

Although you are chairman of the Commssion, you are not the commission. For the above reasons, we cease to have confidence in your leadership and chairmanship of the commission.”

The commissioners who appended their signatures to the letter are: Abubakar Rufai (North-West), Idi Ningi (North-east), Joseph Oru (South-south), Paul Oweh (South-south), Stephen Yepwi (North-central), Funmi Lamuye (South-west) and Abel Chukwu (South-east).

Commissioner Pulls Out About 72 hours after seven commissioners distanced themselves from Sani-Omolori’s appointment and threw their weight behind Efeturi’s appointment, the intrigues got messier as one of the commissioners, Idi Ningi, reversed himself.

Ningi, one of the seven commissioners whose signatures had appeared on the letter to Fika, where the commissioners alleged that Sani-Omolori was imposed by Fika as against his claim that the appointment was the collective decision of commissioners, distanced himself from the claim.

He said he did not sign the rejection letter along with six other commissioners as claimed but his signature was lifted from attendance list at a meeting they held with Saraki at his residence. In a statement, Ningi vehemently denied signing any letter with the commissioners. ”I am therefore shocked and surprised to learn that I signed a document. No document was presented at the meeting and I did not sign any document but an attendance sheet. I could not have signed any document dissociating myself from the decision of the Commission as I had earlier (on the 19th April, 2016) in a hand written note – attached – expressed my support for the appointment of Alhaji Sani Omolori as the Clerk to the National Assembly in Acting capacity,” he claimed.

But in a swift reaction, the six commissioners castigated Ningi, describing him as a liar.

The commissioners in a counter statement, describedNingi’s action as unfortunate, saying they were disappointed by his inconsistency.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

GAVEL TO GAVEL/ BILLS, MOTIONS ET AL

A Divisive Grazing Bill

The different versions of the grazing bill in the House of Representatives intended to resolve incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen are generating tension among lawmakers. Damilola Oyedele writes

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Abonta said, “A situation where a council is being proposed in the bill with the powers to seize lands deemed suitable for grazing without the owners having a say is draconian.

“Cattle rearing is done by private persons, so why would government be seizing or acquiring land for such venture. We are already crying that the Land Use Act is not good anymore.”

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari should declare his interest in pushing the bill, which would favour people who are “probably not even Nigerians.”

A lawmaker who spoke off the record said the grazing reserve bill was capable of pitting the North against the South. He alleged that the leadership of the House was already mobilising to ensure that the executive bill, when it is brought to the National Assembly, was passed.

“Even if we are muscled in the parliament, and it passes, the violent protests that would follow across the country would be hard to contain. Imagine that they want the funding to be included in federal government annual appropriation. How unfair is that?” the lawmaker stated.

For some others who also spoke off the record, taking land from people, where land is already insufficient, does not just amount to exploitation; it amounts to treating some citizens as second class.

hen recently reports filtered through the newswires that the federal government wanted to create, through a bill in the National Assembly, grazing routes amounting to 50,000 hectares of land across the country for nomadic cattle rearers to feed their cattle, angry reactions were rife and almost spontaneous. But clarifications were made both government officials and officers of the National Assembly.

Some officials of the government stated that what was being planned was grazing reserves, and not grazing routes. Either way, many Nigerians opposed the grazing initiative, saying it amounts to robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Bloody Farmers/Herdsmen Clashes From Benue to Taraba, Ondo to Enugu, and other parts of the country, Nigerians are painfully aware of the constant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers whose crops are destroyed by cattle. In recent times, the clashes have degenerated into killings and reprisal killings. In Agatu community of Benue State and its surrounding communities, recently, nearly 1,000 persons have been reported killed during attacks by Fulani herdsmen since the beginning of this year.

More recently, communities in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State were attacked by the herdsmen, leaving at least 40 persons dead and incalculable property razed.

The Fulani herdsmen have been accused of murders, kidnapping, rape and other atrocities. Some have, however, insisted that the marauders are not Nigerians. Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari (Sokoto APC), a Fulani, noted at plenary Tuesday that the Fulani were peace loving people. Shagari alleged that marauders were merely taking advantage of the country’s porous borders and insecurity in the West African sub-region to unleash violence on communities in Nigeria.

Shagari’s sentiment was echoed by Hon. Adamu Chika (Niger APC) who also noted that there was a high likelihood the marauders were not cattle herders, as there were hardly traces of their cattle in places they had attacked.

Many, however, believe the citizenship status of the raiders does not diminish the fact that an urgent solution to the menace of herdsmen invasion is needed to avert anarchy in the country.

Grazing Bill Aproposal to create grazing routes or reserves across the country for the cattle herders as a way of solving the problem of farmers/ herdsmen clashes is facing stiff opposition by many lawmakers.

There are three bills currently in the House of Representatives on the grazing issue, all private member bills. But THISDAY gathered that an executive bill was being expected from the presidency to back the establishment of grazing reserves.

The National Grazing Routes and Reserve (Establishment) Bill, sponsored by Hon. Sunday Karimi (Kogi PDP), passed first reading on November 16 last year, while the National Grazing Reserve Establishment bill 2016, sponsored by Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim (Adamawa APC), was introduced last April 13.

Both bills are expected to be consolidated ahead of second reading by the lawmakers.

However several caucuses in the House are already mobilising to ensure that the bills, and the executive bill being expected from the presidency, do not pass.

The National Grazing Routes and Reserve Bill seeks the establishment of a commission to establish, control and man-

Dogara

age grazing routes and reserves in all parts of the country. The commission is expected to undertake a physical/geographical analysis of land use in each state in order to ascertain the best and most appropriate place to locate the federal government reserve and route within the state.

The second bill, which also seeks the establishment of a commission, wants the commission empowered to undertake and make regulations to establish at least one cattle reserve in each state.

Mounting Opposition The two bills have faced stiff opposition in the House and beyond. Several Nigerians have queried why land should be taken from some states to serve cattle rearers who are in private business.

The Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, while speaking on the Enugu murders, noted that a more modern solution such as ranching would be the most appropriate solution.

Ogor stated, “We have to bring in modernisation. The idea of moving from one place to another with cattle should be discouraged. Everyone who wants to raise cattle should have his own farm or reserve.”

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia PDP) said the grazing bills would die in the House, as the lawmakers would not allow them to pass. She added that insisting on grazing reserves in state was an invitation to more clashes, this time with the people.

“When you take land from the people and give it to cattle rearers, what will happen to our cassava or yam farms? Are we going to live on meat alone? Let them buy ranches and rear their cattle there,” Onyejeocha said.

Also speaking with THISDAY, Hon. Uzoma NkemAbonta (Abia PDP) said the attempt to pass the proposed bill at all cost was a misplaced priority, stressing that it is capable of compounding the clashes between farmers and the herdsmen, while impoverishing the people whose lands would be forcibly taken.

The Appointment that Disquieted National Assembly Commission They further described him as a traitor who speaks from both sides of his mouth because of alleged financial inducement.

“It is unfortunate that he could speak from both sides of the mouth, an action which speaks of how much of a liar and traitor he is. We expect that a man of his age and standing should know better than to publicly deny a position he had earlier taken in the last meeting which held between us and the Senate President in the interest of the commission which has been brought to disrepute owing to the crisis rocking the commission,” the statement said.

Bureaucratic, Tribal Politics and Cold War However, at the root of Sani-Omolori’s appointment by Fika and its rejection by seven commissioners was politics of bureaucracy on one hand and religious and tribal politics on the other hand.

For instance, if the letter from the seven commissioners that Fika appointed Sani-Omolori as DCNA in 2014 in violation of due process is anything to go by, there is obviously no love lost between Efeturi and Fika. Cold war between them appears to have lasted for years.

On the other hand, his perpetual favourite is Sani-Omolori.

Thus, there were arguments in the National Assembly on Thursday that Fika’s preference for Sani-Omolori might have been predicated on religious and tribal sentiments as against the claim of civil service rules. Both Fika and Sani-Omolori are from the North. They are also Muslims while Efeturi is from the South and a Christian. Individuals who discussed the matter in groups however, argued that promoting religious sentiment above rules in a national institution like National Assembly in

Presidency Denies Pushing For Grazing Reserves/Routes In response to widespread allegations that the Buhari government was proposing a bill to create grazing reserves across the country, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, was recently reported as denying the existence of such a bill or idea.

“There is nothing called the grazing bill,” Adesina was quoting as saying during an interview programme on Radio Continental, a Lagos-based radio station. “It is a figment of imagination of some people. Some people are just there to cause mischief in this country.”

Adesina said, “What has happened is that the government has agreed to have what is called ranches for cattle rearers. When you set up ranches in different states, cattle rearers don’t have to drive their cattle round in the wild again and in the process get into the farms of some people and destroy their crops. When you set up ranches, it then becomes illegal for anybody to drive his cattle openly. That is the way forward.”

Ranching to the Rescue Onyejeocha said the practice of ranching was common in the developed countries. She explained that since the cattle rearers were in private business for profit, they should purchase land from those willing to sell to them to establish ranches where they will rear their livestock, without trampling on the rights of other citizens.

To Abonta, if Buhari who declared several heads of cattle among his assets is rearing them in his ranch in Katsina, there is no reason why other cattle owners should be allowed to trample on the rights and livelihoods of other citizens. Abonta believes the ranching matter can be handled by the states and local governments without the involvement of the federal government.

Opposition to the grazing reserve or route proposal has tended to indicate support for the Cattle Ranching Bill 2015 sponsored

by Hon. Dickson Tarkigir (Benue APC).

It is difficult to determine how the bills would pan out in the legislature. What seems obvious is that there is a preponderance of opinion that ranching is the best solution to the conflict between farmers and herdsmen.

Cont’d from Pg. 97

the 21st century Nigeria is unfortunate. But are they necessarily right? Couldn’t it have been a mere politics of bureaucracy playing out? These remain a one million dollar question. On the other hand, some pundits would argue that the propriety and effectiveness of civil service rule cited by Fika as the basis for Sani-Omolori’s appointment needs to be critically examined.

Such pundits would further note that there is the need to find out its altruism on one hand and whether it’s indeed legal or binding before labelling Fika as an ethnic or religious bigot who is deliberately working against Efeturi.

This has further raised another rhetorical question - if the rule is indeed in force, why did the seven commissioners choose to disregard it by rejecting Sani-Omolori and throwing their weight behind Efeturi? Doesn’t that also imply a violation of due process? These questions look rhetorical but expected to be answered if the dust over the appointment of the next clerk must fully settle.

The Way Forward Nevertheless, the crisis over the appointment of Maikasuwa’s successor has thrown up various issues. First, if the crisis is not quickly nipped in the bud, the outgoing clerk may leave the office without a successor on May 14, a situation believed would be counter-productive for the legislative institution. This is moreso that the clerk is a central figure in the scheme of legislative activities in the National Assembly as the bulk of decisions in the chambers will only gather dust if he’s not available to tidy it up.

For instance, only the CNA is empowered to transmit bills and

communications from the National Assembly to the executive.

Second, the public will not know who is lying between Fika and the seven commissioners unless the minutes of the commission’s meeting of April 20 where voting on the appointment was done is made public.

Third, there were insinuations on Thursday that if Saraki eventually survives his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false asset declaration, Fika should proceed to sign his exit in view of perceived affront on his office.

However, this perception, keen observers argued, might not be automatic as the Act setting up the commission provides that the commission’s chairman can only be removed by two-thirds of lawmakers. This provision may then serve as security for Fika who had been accused of daring Saraki allegedly because of thoughts that he would not survive his trial. However, this allegation may also be a mere conjecture.

Fourth, the letter from the commissioners reveals clearly that there is a crisis of confidence in the commission which implies that the commissioners have been working at cross-purposes.

Hence, the issue of trust and unity of purpose as necessary ingredients for progress are absent in the commission while suspicion among members is rife. Against this background, the commission is perceived to lack the capacity to secure the confidence of the staff of the National Assembly whose appointments, promotion and discipline it is meant to guarantee.

Finally, the events to unfold in the next two weeks will determine if activities in the National Assembly’s bureaucracy will be crippled or not.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • MAY 8, 2016

GAVEL TO GAVEL/ BILLS, MOTIONS ET AL

The Crisis of Confidence in Edo State House of Assembly Adibe Emenyonu writes on the impeachment of the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and his deputy

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here was pandemonium at the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday. The fracas was not expected because of the public holiday declared by the federal government to mark the May Day celebration, which fell on a Sunday. Workers in the Assembly looked forward to a new week. More so with the promise of N25, 000 minimum wage to workers beginning from this month, which Governor Adams Oshiomhole made at the May Day rally.

Shooting But not long after the Assembly workers settled town for the day’s job, they started hearing sporadic gunshots. To many who did not know what the gunshots were about, it was ignored. But when the shots began to look like an invasion of the entire complex by a foreign army, the workers became worried. They did not know that the shooting was coming from hallowed chambers of the Assembly. Many ran for cover and sustained serious injuries in the process.

Victor Tiger Edoror wanted to save his job as speaker.

Impeachment Trouble started for Edoror according to THISDAY investigation, when Hon. Folly Ogedegbe, the majority leader and member representing Owan West constituency, moved a motion for his impeachment along with the Deputy Speaker, Bright Osayande. The motion, which was seconded by the Esan North East constituency 1 member, Mr Patrick Iluobe, read in part, “We the underlisted and undersigned Honourable Members representing the various constituencies in the Edo State House of Assembly have on this day, 3rd of May 2016, resolved to impeach our speaker, Hon. Chief Victor Edoror Tiger, and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Osayande, for acts of gross misconduct.”

A temporary Speaker was appointed, in the person of Patrick Iluobe, to preside over the business of the day, where a new speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, representing Uhumwonde, was elected. Dr. Joseph Okonobo, representing Iguebe was elected as Deputy Speaker.

Ativie became the first female to be elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Immediately the new speaker was sworn in, the impeached speaker and his deputy walked into the chamber with thugs, who shot sporadically to scare other legislators out of the chamber. This prompted staff of the Assembly to scamper for safety as the fracas, which began in the chamber spread to the premises and even outside the Assembly compound.

Corruption Allegation Addressing journalists after the fracas, the new speaker, Ativie, said the members could no longer tolerate the greedy nature of the former speaker. She said the impeached speaker had up to six different financial cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the members could not continue to allow such person to lead the Assembly.

She said a five-member committee headed

by Kabiru Adjoto, representing Akoko-Edo 1, will investigate the alleged financial recklessness of the impeached speaker and his deputy from June 2015 till May 3 this year. According to her, if found wanting at the end of the three months within which the committee is expected to submit its report, they will be handed over to the appropriate authorities.

Also speaking, Adjoto said the impeached speaker was violently corrupt. He stated, “As it is today, Edoror has a lot of EFCC cases hanging on his neck. You can go and verify this. We cannot afford to have a speaker that is being investigated by the EFCC because of his corrupt nature. As earlier mentioned by our new speaker, Edoror has a corrupt tendency.

Enough is enough. That is why 16 members of the house today signed impeachment notice against him. As we speak today, both APC and

Edo State Assembly Complex

“We are here this afternoon to reaffirm our united commitment that the impeached speaker stands impeached and that the Edo State House of Assembly stands united under the leadership of Hon. Ative,” he said.

Victor Tiger Edoror

PDP members in the house signed impeachment notice against him.”

Fighting Back The impeached speaker is, however, fighting back. He insists he is still the Speaker. Addressing journalists after his removal, Edoror, who was flanked by seven other legislators who did not sign the impeachment notice, said he regretted the rowdy session that characterised the plenary. He said a committee would be set up to look into the matter.

Edoror said, “They have a paper duly signed by 11 members. That is not a quorum to remove a Speaker. We do not want to suspend any member now. They have learnt their lessons and ran away from the chamber.”

While faulting the sitting that removed him, Edoror argued that the impeachment was done in his absence, noting that only the speaker can convoke a sitting and the signatories on the impeachment papers are fictitious.

He said, “They don’t have the numbers. We are carrying out our jobs for the benefit of the state in support of the Comrade Governor. There is no allegation of corruption before me. Those allegations are frivolous.”

However, 24 hours after his removal, the number of lawmakers on his side has continued to deplete. At a party organised by the new speaker, Ativie, one of the lawmakers,

Elizabeth Ativie

Osaigbovo Iyoha (Oredo East), who did not sign the impeachment notice, was seen quaffing a glass of wine with other 16 members. At the party, which took place at the legislative quarter, the new Speaker reassured members of the Assembly that she would run an open -door policy.

Ativie said, “We have given you the opportunity to see all the members that have taken part in this impeachment and we have been able to clear the air. You should not have any doubt in your mind. And, in fact, from 16 members we are now 17 members. And by our rules, two-third of the 24 is 16 and all the statutory things that we are supposed to do, we have done. As we speak now, we have started doing the work of the house and you are going to see a very robust house. You are going to see a house that will be an envy that other states are going to emulate.

“Edo State House of Assembly will run a very inclusive and transparent house and we will not allow cheating anymore.”

Ativie said being the first female speaker of the house, she felt challenged to work hard to surpass the men who had been speakers of the house.

Speaking earlier, Chris Okabean (Oredo West) said they trusted the leadership of the new speaker and that they would give her the necessary support to succeed.

Motivation There was a strong rumour that Oshipmhole had during a meeting with the lawmakers after the impeachment of Edoror offered them SUVs to bring him back.

Unlike other impeachments of speakers in the past, the impeachment of Edoror was said to be purely based on his alleged corruption.

But some have linked the impeachment to the rift between Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, over succession.

THISDAY, however, gathers that Edoror was forced out because of his failure to carry other members along, especially in relation to financial matters. For instance, it was alleged that funds meant for other members had on many occasions ended up in Edoror’s pocket without the knowledge of other members.

This situation caused many members of the Assembly to bear ill will towards him.

Apart from general funds, it was also alleged that even money meant for individual members was not speared so long as it passed through Edoror. “It cannot reach the owner intact. The former speaker must tamper with some of it,” a source close to the Assembly alleged. The source who craved anonymity, narrated how one member who had a kidney problem approached the governor for help to travel abroad and he gave the sum of N5 million through the former speaker.

According to him, “That member ended up getting N3 million while the former speaker pocketed N2 million. The bubble, however, burst when the member, in a bid to thank the governor, now learnt that what actually was given to him was N5 million and not the N3 million he got through the erstwhile speaker.”

The last straw that broke the camel’s back, THISDAY learnt, came at the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen after their statutory three years. The council chairmen were alleged to have passed the sum of N20 million through the former speaker to lobby the lawmakers to extend their tenure and the money was not distributed to other lawmakers.

This prompted the rebellion against him and his eventual removal as speaker

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • MAY 8, 2016

SPORTS/PERSPECTIVE

Kenyans Win Okpekpe Marathon

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Adibe Emenyonu in Benin enyans Simon Cheprot and Polline Wanjiku Njeru have won this year’s Okpekpe 10 kilometre road race in the male and female categories. They went home with $15,000 prize money each. Both finished in a record time of 29min: 48sec and 33min: 53sec respectively.

The silver medals went to Ismail Juma Ballet of Tanzania who finished in a record time of 29min: 50sec and Esther Ndiema of Kenya in 33min: 55sec with a prize money of $10,000 each, while the third position was won by Timothy Toroitich of Uganda at 29min: 54sec; and Buzunesh Gutalshor of Ethiopia who finished in 33min: 58sec with a prize money of $7,000 each.

The yearly marathon which is the 5th in the series also had Nigerians participating in the local category as well as indigenous participation.

In the Nigerian category, Adamu Shehu, Stephen Joshua and Emmanuel Jiang, all from Plateau state came first, second and third in the male category and went home with the prize money of

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS & FIXTURES

Norwich City Bournemouth Aston Villa Crystal Palace Sunderland West Ham Leicester

1:30pm Tottenham 4:00pm Liverpool 4:00pm Man City

0–1 1–1 0–0 2–1 3–2 1–4 3–1

v v v

Man United West Brom Newcastle Stoke City Chelsea Swansea Everton S/ampton Watford Arsenal

N250,000; N100,000; and N80,000 respectively.

In the Nigerian female category, Deborah Pam (Platuau state), Olamide Oluwaseun Serah (Ogun state) and Elizabeth Nuhu (Nasarawa state), were first, second and third respectively and also won N250,000; N100,000; and N80,000 in that order. Meanwhile in the indigenous category for Okpekpe, the host community, Raphael James and Mary Enodube won the male and female category race and were given the prize money of N150,000 each.

In his speech, the chief host, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state congratulated the sponsors of the event and participants for a successful outing. Oshiomhole also paid special tribute to the traditional ruler of Okpekpe, adding that one of the good things that has happened is that the event took place under his reign.

He also urged the organisers and sponsors of the event to improve on the prize money and if possible, introduce a half marathon race in addition to the full 10 kilometre race.

According to him, “Okpekpe marathon road race has come to stay.”

Also speaking, Chief Solomon Ogba, President, Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) described the marathon as an event that has brought international recognition to the once rural community because of the calibre of people involved and the rating by IAAF.

Nnewi Indigenes Hail Ubah’s Election as Anambra FA Chairman Anayo Okolie The indigenes of Nnewi yesterday hailed the election of the Proprietor of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, as the Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (ASFA). This was disclosed in a statement made available by the Director of Izu Okaka Anaedo Limited, an off-shoot of Izuchukwu Transport Nigeria Limited, Prince Chidi Ubajaka.

According to Ubajaka, “Ifeanyi Ubah has not only created jobs since he acquired the club (previously

City Host Arsenal with 3rd Place at Stake Santi Cazorla could be involved for the first time since November as Arsenal travel to Manchester City in the Premier League today. The Spaniard returned to the bench for Arsenal’s victory over Norwich last Saturday, and may feature at the Etihad Stadium.

A few months ago this game on the penultimate weekend of the season looked as though it may have been a title decider. Instead, Manchester City and Arsenal are still looking over their shoulders as they look to secure a top-four finish.

Victory for Arsenal will guarantee a place in next year’s Champions League, while City will need all three points to keep their fate in their hands. Manuel Pellegrini’s side, meanwhile, will

Dignitaries at the event include the Managing Director of THISDAY group of newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello, Phillip Shaibu, member, representing Etsako federal constituency, the traditional ruler of Okpekpe, Oba Peter, Osigbwmhe who all made presentation of medals on behalf of the sponsors.

be hoping to bounce back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid in midweek.

City have lost 23 Premier League games against Arsenal, more than against any other side. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches against City, winning the last two (W2 D2).

City’s win percentage against Arsenal in the Premier League is 16%, their lowest against any opponent in the history of the competition.

Mesut Ozil provided his 14th and 15th assists of the season at the Emirates against Man City in December. Since then, he has just three assists in 18 Premier League games.

known as Gabros International), he has also brought life to Nnewi.”

Ubah, a prominent sports financier received overwhelming support of other prominent members of the state FA to sweep into office as the Board Chairman in an election witnessed by prominent sports personalities like former National Head Coach, Ambassador Fanny Amun.

Also present at the election were Mr. E.C. Chukwuemeka (NFF Electoral Committee Chairman); Sir Chidi Nwafor Okenwa (NFF Appeals Committee Chairman); Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau (NFF President’s Representative and the Chairman of Chairmen’s Forum); and Sen. Obinna Ogba, former NFF Executive Board member and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports.

Ubajaka urged other prominent and wealthy Nigerians to emulate Ubah, adding that since Ubah acquired Gabros, the local league has become interesting. “We, the people of Nnewi will continue to support him.” Ubah in his acceptance speech, said he was accepting the post with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the development of the game of football in Anambra State in particular, and Nigeria as a whole. Ubah also pledged to serve with genuine commitment, integrity, honesty and transparency. “I will do my best to turn around football in Anambra and Nigeria and make it a big industry and a major tourist attraction. It is a new dawn for football development in Anambra State.

In Support of the Quest for Homegrown Solution to Economic Problems

I

Johnson Ojeme

t was not a surprise that some of the decisions and positions of participating member-countries at the just concluded Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have continued to reverberate in the local and international media, days after the curtain was drawn on the all-important economic forum.

Thanks to the power of the traditional and the social media, Nigerians and other members of the international community were able to follow proceedings that took place in faraway Washington through spontaneous reports on what transpired in the course of the Spring meetings.

I was one of the few pessimists, who had feared that Nigerian government officials that attended the global event might fall to irresistible offers of the International Monetary Fund, which has been flaunting its capacity to help nations out of critical financial positions.

However, it was with a great relief I received the news of the unequivocal position of the Federal Government’s delegation led by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, indicating that going for IMF loan is not in the agenda.

Perhaps, what excited people like me was not the rejection of the temptation to run cap in hand to the IMF alone, but the sincerity of the Minister in acknowledging the precarious situation of things back at home and her clear explanation on how the government plans to tackle the problems headlong. One of the reports quoted the Minister as saying that `’we are not saying Nigeria doesn’t have challenges. We recognise those challenges and we are facing them.

What we want is the opportunity to take responsibility to provide solutions by ourselves.”

But was the Minister grandstanding? Definitely no. I came into this conclusion when I read about the Minister’s blueprint on how to confront the challenges in the nation’s economy.

For those of us who were adults when previous administrations made wave, Adeosun’s modesty deserves commendations because we are familiar with various regimes of propaganda when warnings of impending economic disasters were often ignored.

Today, I want to agree with the Minister “We are not the only country that has challenges.” So rather than brood over those issues distracting us, the Minister told the global financial community that our problem can be solved by making necessary adjustments.

This, she said would be done not only by monitoring the in-coming revenue, but also by taking practical steps to block leakages.

So, we are fixing the problems ourselves. In Nigeria, we have the capacity and we have the will to sort out our issues in our won way,” she said.

By opting for a budget support in form of loans from the World Bank and African Development Bank, I cannot but agree with the Minister that the Nigerian economy is not sick in the real sense of

Adeosun the world.

Economists have argued in the recent times that Nigeria’s case is not as bad as to have required urgent bailout from the IMF which often dangles its facilities with serious conditions.

And if the media reports on the fruitful discussions that transpired between the Nigerian delegation and representatives of the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and ADB is anything to rely upon, then hope of getting back on track is not lost after all.

The truth is that Nigeria has been hit hard by the fall in crude prices since oil sales account for around 70 per cent of its income.

The economy grew 2.8 per cent last year, its slowest pace in decades, and in March annual inflation rose to a near four year high of 12.8 percent.

Last month the IMF said it had again cut its growth forecast for Nigeria, predicting that gross domestic product growth would slow to 2.3 percent in 2016. It has said it hopes exchange rate limits imposed by Nigeria will be removed.

Government, we are told, wants to boost non-oil income by 87 per cent to offset the impact of the oil slump and squeeze informal small traders to boost tax revenues by 33 percent. As Mrs. Adeosun also admitted in one of her widely circulated articles in the national dailies, at the lower levels of our social and economic life, the waste, inefficiency and culture of non-performance have, like a financial cancer, eaten away at our core institutions.

So, it will not be out of place for the administration to look inwards for solution to Nigeria’s problems by taking conscious efforts to redress the infrastructure deficit, unlock the rich diversity in the economy with a determined and focused turnaround programme.

As the Minister put it, it would be a tragedy to have endured so much pain and not emerge better and stronger. The provision of a spending stimulus to the economy is critical to releasing the upside in the economy. Investing specifically in Power and Transportation, will release the opportunities in solid minerals, manufacturing and agriculture.

From my understanding of the position of this administration on financial aid, efforts need to be made to purge the system of the virus of corruption that turned previous loans into economic burden.

So, I support the position of the Minister of Finance that it is important to link the fiscal housekeeping initiatives of this administration with the wider economic strategy. Specifically, questions around the focus on corruption and the elimination of ghost workers, controlling inefficient spending and preventing revenue leakages, need to be evaluated in the context of how it impacts our ability to stimulate the economy.

One way to go is through fiscal housekeeping, which the minister listed during her presentations at the Spring meetings.

There is no doubt that growing the economy at a rate that will address the employment needs of our huge population requires a fundamental change in how government collects its revenues and spends. The 2016 budget is deficit financed. And the fiscal housekeeping, which is aggressively blocking revenue leakages and reducing costs, is firmly aimed at ensuring that the borrowed funds are channelled into capital projects, rather than seeping through an inefficient financial management system. This is not only prudent economics but it is a moral necessity, since these borrowings will be repaid by future generations.

In an unmistakable term, the Minister declared that financial discipline is going to be a game changer in shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.

The seriousness of this administration to put things right can be measured by its resolve to bringing discipline and effective system of managing our financial resources to ensure maximum value and according to the minister, we should no longer measure performance by the size of our budget or the amount disbursed; we must measure by the impact of that expenditure on the lives of Nigerians.

I’m equally glad to hear that this administration has made some key changes in the way funds are released. One way of doing this is to abandon the old system of capital releases that funnelled a proportional share of available funds released to each ministry, department and agency. Government now tie funds released to specific outcomes as documented by each agency. This is being supported by follow up reviews to ensure implementation.

– Ojeme writes from Lagos.

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NEWSXTRA PDP Congresses: Faction Accuses Sheriff’s Aide of Imposition Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

CLEANLINESS IN SPORTS L-R: Category Manager Home Care, RB West Africa, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola; Bukola Gbede; Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Oguzhan Silivrili; General Manager, RB West Africa, Rahul Murgai, and Health Committee Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Segun Olulade, cleaning the Indoor Basketball Bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere during the grand finale of Dettol Clean Naija Campaign in Lagos...recently

FG Embarks onVitamin A Food Bio-fortification to Reduce Death Rate In order to reduce death rate and boost nutrition in the country, the Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole yesterday said the ministry has embarked on vitamin A food bio-fortification.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director of Nutrition, Dr. Chris Isukpunwu, disclosed this at the launching of 2016 planting season for biofortified vitamin A cassava and maize.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the programme was organised by Harvestplus Nigeria, at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure.

HarvestPlus is an international organisation leading a

global effort to improve nutrition by developing and disseminating staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.

The theme of the programme is ‘Scaling Up Bio fortification Investment in Nigeria.’

Adewole noted that vitamin A was one of the five major nutrients of the body, adding that many children under the age of five die due to measles, which is caused by lack of vitamin A. “It’s a huge cause of death of children under five and the second cause of blindness for adults. The ministry partnered Harvestplus because bio-fortified vitamin A yellow cassava especially is a good cure of lack

of the vitamin as many people consume cassava in the country.

“Investment in agriculture is a long lasting investment,” he said.

The minister urged mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months and ensure that they continue to breastfeed them until two years, saying that breast milk is a good source of vitamin A. In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Mr Edet Ekon, said agriculture research and training was the key to unlocking the gap of productivity in the agriculture sector.

Arrest of Jonathan’s Aide: Fayose Lambasts EFCC for Being Brutish Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has frowned at the persistent harassment of Nigerians by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the continued detention without trial of Mr. Warimopei Dudafa, a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and invasion of the Abuja residence of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode as irresponsible, barbaric and undemocratic.

Fayose said it was the height of executive rascality for the EFCC to have held occupants of Fani-Kayode’s residence hostage for eight hours despite that he was only invited to come to the EFCC office on Monday and there was no evidence that Fani-Kayode refused to honour the EFCC invitation.

According to the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, “EFCC under President Mohammadu Buhari is acting as if it is above the law and Nigerians and the international community must

remind the commission that we are in a democracy where rule of law is sacrosanct.”

The governor said actions of the EFCC have shown clearly that it was instrument of victimisation against oppositions in the country, adding the anti-graft agency should go and study how other anticorruption agencies in other countries behave.

He said: “the EFCC must be reminded of the judgement delivered in March, this year

by Justice Yusuf Haliru of the Federal High Court in Nicholas Arinse Vs EFCC & Nigerian

Appointments: FG Treating Bayelsa Unfairly, Dickson Alleges Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday expressed disatisfaction over what he described as neglect of the oil-bearing state by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.

The governor noted that the state was poorly represented in all cadres of the federal civil

service in the centre, especially in the selection of Permanent Secretaries for federal ministries.

Dickson called on Buhari to redress the trend which he described as “unfair and inequitable” to the people of the state.

The governor, who spoke at the Government House, Yenagoa, during a courtesy call by the Head of the Civil Service

of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, also challenged Buhari to expedite efforts on the completion of the ongoing federal secretariat project in the state.

According to him, available employment statistics reveal that Bayelsa ranks among few states that suffer underrepresentation in all cadres of the Federal civil service.

A major crisis has engulfed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State following alleged imposition of candidates in Nkanu West Local Government Area by Uche Nnaji, the Political Adviser to the party’s National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff in the Ward and Local Government Congresses of the party in the state.

Already, a group of party members under the aegis of Enugu PDP Reform Group led

by Hon. Henry Chibuzor and Mr. Henry Nwobodo has called for the postponement of the party’s May 10 State Congress and the National Convention until issues arising from the ward and local government congresses were properly addressed.

The group made the ac-

cusation at a press conference in Enugu on Saturday.

Nnaji’s brother and a former commissioner in the state, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji has however dismissed the allegation as false, mischievous and a calculated attempt to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

But the group in their statement observed with dismay the turn of events at the just concluded PDP ward and local government area congresses in Enugu State, with particular reference to Nkanuland.

He said it was disheartening that the results of the PDP congresses at the ward and local government were hijacked, mutilated and completely altered by those who felt that they can change or break the collective decision of the very resilient and loyal party faithful who turned

out en masse on 30th April 2016 and 5th May 2016 to exercise their franchise to elect party leaders.

Nwobodo said they discovered that Nnaji who incidentally is the Political Adviser to the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif, connived with some people in Wadata Plaza Abuja to usurp the collective will of the people because of their unholy desire to destroy the party and make it weak.

“This heinous act was perpetrated by Uche Nnaji in collusion with his brother, Nnali Nnaji who is well known to have left the PDP for another party, the People for Democratic Change (PDC), where he contested and lost House of Representatives election for Nkanu East and West Federal constituency to PDP candidate.

FG Partners A’Ibom to Curb Medical Tourism Okon Bassey in Uyo

Federal Government has indicated interest to partner Akwa Ibom State in order to curb medical tourism in the country.

The Minister for Health, Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole disclosed this while interacting with the management and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching

Hospital shortly after inspection of the Ibom Specialist Hospital on Friday.

According to the Minister, “Visiting the complex is an eye opener. There is no such complex in this country and I believe that with that complex we can actually begin the process of reversing medical tourism in Nigeria.”

He said the Executive Director

of the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority has been told to add the hospital to those facilities thatthefederalgovernmentwould uplift this year. “My expectation is that if we work hard that facility should be put to use January next year and with that facility I will certainlynotapproveanyNigerian should use government resources to go abroad.”

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he funeral service for the Late Otunba Eric Ademola Fowora, was held at the Cathedral Church of our Saviour, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Friday, April 15. Reception was held at the Conference Centre Hall, Ijebu-Ode. Here are some of the personalities that graced the occasion. Photos: Dan Ukana Children of the deceased, Otunba Ade Fowora (l) and Otunba Segun Fowora

L-R: Otunba Gbenga Daniel and AmbassadorOlufemi Fowora.

L-R: Mrs. Olufunke Agagu and Alhaji Aliko Dangote

L-R: Mrs. Sharianne Fowora, Linda Priddy, Valerie Arinze, and Dolores Odogwu

L-R: Senator Ike Nwachukwu and Engr. Eben Osoba

L-R: Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo and Senator Demola Seriki.

L-R: Hon. Yinka Babalola, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Jibike Babatunde and Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson.

L-R: Dr. Segun Oshin and Mr. Tayo Ayeni

L-R: Mrs. Bukola Majekodunmi,Mrs. Mowunmi Falodu and Ms. Dupe Sanyaolu

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IMAGES

L-R: Olorogun Sunny Kuku andChief Adebisi Areagba

L-R: Architect and Justice (Mrs.) Adedeji Adebiyi

L-R: Major-General Abdullhi Martins (rtd), Hon. Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, Otunba Shola Alao and Sola Adedoyin

L-R: Ruth Osime and Prince Oniru

L-R: Professor. Oladapo Ashiru and his wife, Idowu

L-R: Mrs. Tessy Ashiru, Prof. Mrs.Adenike Osoba, and Chief..Adebola Ashiru.

L-R: Mr. Jide Coker and his wife, Shola

L-R; Mrs.Enitan Rewane, Mrs. Funlola Fowora, Mrs. Esosa Anenih, and Mrs. Ronke Edovbie

L-R: Mr. Damien Jones, Mr. Rajest Thiramani and Mr. Femi Fowora

L-R: Dr. Tunji Abimbola and Mr. Femi Abimbola

Sunday May 8, 2016

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& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Ikpeazu to Herdsmen

“I have mandated the law enforcement agencies to search and screen all trucks and vehicles conveying livestock, food items, and persons into the state from any part of the country. The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestock and dealers are, to ensure security.”– Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu revealing plans to deploy the State Vigilante Services (popularly known as Bakassi Boys) to provide security against the threat of Herdsmen

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Four The Ultimate Anti-corruption War And Other Things...

Y

our little daughter is in the room.

Your phone rings. It is apparently a call from your business partner whom you have an appointment with. And you pick and say: “Sorry, I’m in Kano.” Your daughter smiles in amusement.

You are definitely not in Kano. The phone rings again. It is another business partner. This time, you say: “Sorry, I’m in Abuja.” Your daughter is scandalised. “Daddy! Where exactly are we?” she asks. She goes on to express her surprise at your insincerity and gently lectures you that it is a form of corruption. “Not in my country!” she affirms, in a respectful tone. You are the one that should be teaching her morals, remember.

What I have just described is a skit from the anti-corruption campaign, “Not in My Country”, developed and produced by my friend, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, the CEO of Bufferzone International Ltd. Fadeyi describes his campaign, completely funded by him, as a “bottom-up” approach in the war against corruption. Bottom-up because it is designed to be a citizen-led initiative.

Citizen-led because it is not the usual anti-graft homilies from government officials and clerics, but messages preached by citizens themselves to fellow citizens. Fadeyi has produced over 30 skits featuring celebrities such as Bukky Wright, Tina Mba, Hafiz ‘Saka’ Oyetoro and Jude Orhorha.

Why do I like this campaign? When we discuss corruption in Nigeria, we only think of billions of dollars and governors and ministers and commissioners. We hardly see ourselves in the picture. The nurse that takes a bribe to provide a bed space for a patient does not see this as corruption. She would rather say “where you work is where you chop — so this is my workchop”, as a dishonest taxi driver actually put it in another skit. The vendor that fraudulently withholds payments due to a newspaper from copy sales does not see corruption in this — it is the minister who has been accused of stealing N2 billion that is corrupt in his own estimation.

Yet, if the truth be told, there is a way we are wired for corruption in Nigeria. When a father blatantly lies in front of his daughter about his location, he is sowing the seeds of dishonesty in her. Corruption will be the end product. When a mechanic teaches his little apprentice to buy fake spare parts, he is sowing corruption into the future. When you pay a carpenter to use mahogany for your furniture and he uses ordinary wood to maximise profit, he has demonstrated what he can do if he eventually gets a big contract. As Jesus puts it, if you are faithful in little, you are faithful in much. If you cheat in a N10,000 deal, you won’t suddenly become upright in a N10million contract.

There seems to be an unwritten understanding that nothing is meant to be done honestly in Nigeria. Study artisans closely and you will discover that they are wired to cut corners. They are trained to tell lies and use substandard materials. Indeed, there is a mentoring programme for corruption in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, we do not see corruption in the things we do in our own corners. Addressing corruption at the retail level is as important as addressing it at the wholesale level. We don’t become corrupt the day we occupy

Buhari big positions — corruption has already been embedded in us. If you stole as a clerk, you won’t suddenly become upright as a perm sec.

There are various ways of fighting corruption.

Right away, I can identity at least five. One is media trial. Nigerians love media trial, or public lynching, a lot. Media trial is basically naming and shaming people through the media.

If somebody is invited to EFCC, for instance, we love to have the story splashed all over the newspapers. It wouldn’t matter if the person is eventually cleared. Our first assumption is that anybody who ever served in government or ever did business with government is a thief, so the media trial serves them right. Someone once told me that since the court system is weak, destroying people through the media is the best revenge we can get.

The unfortunate aspect of media trial, however, is that both the guilty and the innocent are messed up. The fact that you are being investigated does not mean you are guilty.

How many Nigerians know, for instance, that Mrs Patricia Etteh, the former speaker, did not steal one kobo, and that the house of representatives eventually apologised to her after the whole drama? She was reported to have awarded a fraudulent contract to renovate the speaker’s residence — only for us to learn much later that she had no such powers! She was scandalised in a hire-wire political game.

But in the minds of many Nigerians today, Etteh is a thief. That’s the danger of media trial.

A second way is legal trial. In this case, we choose to apply the laws of the land to pursue cases of corruption. In a democratic and civilised society, this is always the preferred option. However, our experience is that the judicial process is very weak, especially when it comes to the big fish. Petty thieves get justice on a daily basis, but the big guys have all the money to slow down or disrupt the system.

The process could be very frustrating and very slow, and Nigerians do not generally believe we can tackle corruption using the legal route.

The record of convictions of former high-level public officers is not sparkling at all.

A third way is institutional reform. Police used to be charged with handling cases of

corruption, but the institution itself has suffered credibility and capacity problems over time, partly because of poor welfare, poor motivation, archaic and inadequate internal systems, and so forth. We had the options of reforming the institution as a whole, breaking it up or creating parallel bodies to discharge some of its functions.

We chose to create EFCC and ICPC. These two bodies are better funded, better trained and better supported, and they have at least complemented the work of the police force over the years. These days, people would rather report you to EFCC than to police.

The fourth way is administrative reform. This works better than media trial, legal trial and institutional reform because it offers measures that can drastically cut down or prevent some forms of corruption. For instance, the introduction of treasury single account (TSA) by the federal government has reduced the opaqueness of the accounts operated by ministries, departments and agencies. When former President Olusegun Obasanjo first introduced it in 2004, at the time Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was the CBN governor, he reversed the policy under pressure from the banks. Former President Goodluck Jonathan also toyed with the idea but did not implement it.

I hear government officials say they have saved N3 trillion in TSA — but that is not accurate. What TSA has done is to make sure government accounts are no longer scattered all over the banks but domiciled with the CBN, which means they can now be better monitored.

The corruption being perpetrated through the opaqueness is now being contained. That is an effective administrative measure. Another effective administrative tool is the use of BVN to verify government workers. Hundreds of billions of naira lost to bogus salaries are being saved with the implementation of BVN. Without firing a bullet, TSA and BVN are taming corruption in their own ways.

The fifth way is moral suasion. This strategy, which works on changing mindsets and engendering a new way of thinking, is the ultimate tool of fighting corruption. We need to get to a level that we are individually and collectively convinced, genuinely, that corruption is unacceptable. We will shun corruption not because we are afraid of media or legal trial, not because of institutional reforms, and not because of BVN and TSA, but because from the bottom of our hearts, we know corruption deserves to be shunned. There are various factors fuelling corrupting in Nigeria — notably poverty and greed. Reforming our thinking is non-negotiable.

Ultimately, attitudinal change/value reorientation is where we need to do the most work. Ironically, that is where we do the least. We spend a lot of energy on media drama (Nigerians really, really love it) as well as reforms but we need to genuinely change from the inside. Our minds must be reformed to see good as good and bad as bad. That is why I love moral suasion. That is why I love “Not in My Country”. It makes us see how we perpetrate corruption in our little ways. It asks us to rent our hearts, not our garments. I should also say that while the bottom-up, citizen-led initiative of Fadeyi is highly commendable, government must still play the lead role in promoting value change.

BUHARI’S BUDGET Have we finally ended the budget scandals that have so often plagued us?

Budgets used to be insanely padded, unchallenged. The usual reaction of the executive was to ignore the Appropriation Act and spend as it wished. GhanaMust-Go was typically deployed to get budgets passed. Civil servants have their own version of the budget which is what the national assembly usually passed.

President Muhammadu Buhari has, however, put his foot on the ground. Sadly, it slowed things down and complicated the economic crisis. But the message should be very clear to the lawmakers and civil servants by now: no more hanky-panky.

Checkmate.

UNENDING WARS And so, the militants are back in full force. Having taken out the Forcados pipeline in February, reducing our export by 250,000 barrels per day and plunging power supply into an all-time low, the militants, under a group called Niger Delta Avengers, are destroying more pipelines.

These pipelines are very vulnerable. The militants know that they can continue to hit and run at will. More darkness, less petrodollars. This is a new war we don’t need. The military is still battling with Boko Haram while the herdsmen, assuming they are not insurgents in disguise, remain a big security challenge. Daunting.

TRUMP VS CLINTON Am I the only one who has not been stimulated by the US presidential race so far?

It must pass as one of the least inspiring in American history. I’ve been hearing a lot of sound bites, rhymes and alliterations, but I just cannot put my finger on what the leading candidates — Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — have to offer. Trump is busy trying to annoy anyone who is not his own kind of white. He has enjoyed tremendous airtime abusing Muslims, Hispanics, blacks and rivals, while Clinton has not particularly set the world alight with her own campaign.

Disappointing.

CHAMPIONS LEICESTER! I have finally given up punditry. I never for a second thought Leicester would win the 2015/2016 English premier league.

Their triumph should easily pass as the most romantic tale in football history. It reminds me of Sampdoria winning the Italian Serie A, against all expectations, in 1991. But Sampdoria’s story was less romantic: whereas they had won the old European Cup Winners Cup (now Europa League) in 1990, Leicester only survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last year. Every neutral football fan wanted this kind of success story. We may not see another one in the next 100 years.

Historic.

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