Sunday 3rd July 2016

FG to Boost Economies of 9 Oil Producing States with Industrial Parks Acquires 2,430 hectares for the projects

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja To stimulate economic development in nine oil producing states, the Federal Government has acquired 270 hectares of land in each of the states for the creation of industrial parks.

Already, the nine oil-producing states have commenced a partnership initiative for a common investment drive aimed at stimulating economic growth and employment generation.

The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River,

As affected states begin common investment drive

Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The common investment partnership, which is an initiative of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is to be driven by a shared development module.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, unveiled the initiative while briefing journalists at the end of a peace meeting at the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo weekend.

Present at the meeting were

the state Governor, Udo Emmanuel; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Stanley Otuaro, as well as the development partners/investors, including the European Union (EU), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and Broadbased

Communications Limited, among others.

The minister disclosed that special purpose vehicles (SPVs) were to be put in place to create ventures that would Continued on page 8

13 Months After Inauguration, Ikpeazu Moves into Govt House ...Page 8

Sunday 3 July, 2016 Vol 21. No 7739

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Judge: Arraigning Saraki, Ekweremadu for Forgery, Abuse of Court Process Condemns filing of charges during pendency of civil suit SGF: Senate President, others should have their day in court Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ruled that the forgery charge filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, and two others by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, was an abuse of court process. Justice Gabriel Kolawole declared that the AGF was too hasty in filing the charge during the pendency of a civil suit challenging the propriety of the police report on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule 2015, which has the AGF and the Inspector General of Police as defendants.

Kolawole was ruling on a motion ex parte brought by Senator Gilbert Nnaji seeking to stop the implementation of the police report.

But in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, yesterday, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, accused Saraki and Ekweremadu of kicking up a fuss to obstruct a fair judicial treatment of the allegations against them. Lawal condemned what he called an attempt by the senate president and his deputy to present the forgery case against them as a persecution of the legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government. He said they should go and defend them-

selves in court rather than blaming the federal government for their ordeal.

The presidency and the two leading officers of the senate have of late exchanged fireworks over alleged falsification of the senate rules on which the election of the principal of-

ficers in June last year was based.

Kolawole held that the forgery charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu and others was done in a “desperate haste that was not in the public interest.�

Nnaji had on July 23 filed a case against the IGP and

AGF at the Federal High Court challenging the propriety of the police report on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule. He later filed a motion ex-parte in which he asked the court to stop the IGP and AGF from taking any step on the police report, pending the deter-

mination of the originating summon.

Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, who wrote the petition that culminated in the police report, had engaged Malami, then as a private lawyer, as one of his counsel that filed a motion for him to be joined as one of

the defendants in the suit.

As at press time, the name of Malami still appeared as one of the counsel representing Hunkuyi at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Kolawole said he would have nullified the forgery Continued on page 8

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

03.07.2016

BOLAJI AKINYEMI

A TIMEPIECE CONNOISSEUR

IFTAR WITH MR. PRESIDENT

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief Executive Officer, Erisco Foods Limited, Mr. Eric Umeofia, at the breaking of fast with Nigerian business leaders ...recently

EDITOR: Due to technical hitches, THISDAY Style is not in this edition.

Your favourite magazine resumes next week.

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SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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13 Months After Inauguration, Ikpeazu Moves into Govt House Abia AG: We have proof of service of notice of appeal, stay of execution on INEC Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Dele Ogbodo in Abuja In a bid to close his flanks, embattled Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has moved into the Government House, 13 months after he assumed office.

The governor who had been operating from Aba since his inauguration on May 29, 2015 finally moved into the Government House at the weekend apparently in response to the looming threat to displace him by Mr. Uche Ogah, who was declared governor by a Federal High Court Abuja and issued certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last week.

Until now, Ikpeazu had been living in Aba citing the need to keep close tabs on the ongoing rehabilitation of the infrastructure in the commercial city and also to allow for completion of renovation work at the governor’s lodge.

Also, Ikpeazu yesterday

worshipped at the Government House Unity Chapel for the first time since becoming governor and sought the face of God in prayers to overcome his present travails.

A day earlier, Ikpeazu, at a press conference, had insisted that he remains the chief executive of the state and also maintained that it was wrong to insinuate that there are two governors in Abia state, premising his position on the fact that he remains the only one that had taken the of Office and Oath of Allegiance as governor.

Yesterday, the governor led other members of Seventh Day Adventist Church as well as government officials, PDP stalwarts, including former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, traditional rulers and a cross section of Abia people, to participate at the church service.

Ikpeazu, along with his deputy Sir, Ude Oko Chukwu, Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Martins Azubuike, and elder statesman, Elder Emma

Adaelu, took turns to pray for a favourable outcome of his appeal against the judgment of Justice Okon Abang that nullified his mandate.

Preaching at the special service, President, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Bassey Udoh, urged Ikpeazu to cling to God in his present circumstance as God alone has the final say in all matters.

While urging the governor to remain silent and wait on the Lord to do his battle, he assured him that “God is still in charge and does not end His things half way,” adding that “God has never lost any battle”.

He told Ikpeazu that the current political crisis in Abia had come at the right time to enable God redeem the state, noting that crisis situations like this would enable the governor to know those actually on his side, adding that he should “not be deterred by hypocrites who have already identified with his opponents”.

Pastor Udoh described

the federal high court judgment that nullified Ikpeazu’s election as “a sinking sand” hence it would not stand because whatever God did not plan will not work.

Meanwhile the Abia state attorney general and commissioner for justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, has vehemently debunked the claims by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it did not receive any Notice of Appeal from Ikpeazu or an injunction stopping the Commission from issuing a Certificate of Return to Dr. Uche Ogah.

He pointedly stated that “INEC lied in its claims”, explaining that a proof of service has shown that the Commission did indeed receive the two important documents and it was signed for by Saleh N. Ibrahim, Senior Clerical Officer at the Legal Services Department at INEC headquarters, Abuja.

He said: "It's unfortunate that INEC said that it was not served. But the truth is that they were served. I have a proof to that. Saleh

Police vow to ensure law and order

N. Ibrahim, Senior Clerical Officer at the Legal Services Department of the Commission's Headquarters, Abuja, stamped the Notice of Appeal and Injunction with the Commission's official stamp by 12.50pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

"With the foregoing, it is now clear that the Commission had no reason or cause to proceed with their dangerous action of issuing a Certificate of Return to Dr. Uche Ogah when it was clearly in receipt of a Notice of Appeal and Stay of Execution expressly forbidding them from taking any further action on the Judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court pending the determination of the Appeal in the case.

"It is rather surprising that the Commission could lend itself to be used for an act capable of destabilising a state in Nigeria with the attendant consequences for anarchy and breakdown of law and order," Kalu said.

Also, the State Government has continued to dispel

any notion suggesting that Ikpeazu was no longer the governor of the state, saying that the status quo has not changed.

This was contained in a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, saying, that the state government “wishes to reiterate for the umpteenth time that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu remains the Governor of Abia State irrespective of whatever order was issued by the Federal High Court and the consequential actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pending the full exhaustion of all judicial avenues of seeking redress.”

Ogah however said at the weekend that he would been sworn in in due course.

"Dr Ikpeazu has been duly removed as Abia state Governor and not amount of legal shenanigans and illegal public holidays will derail the law of the land taking full effect.

See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

second defendant who is required by section 174(3) of the constitution to discontinue at any stage before judgement is delivered on any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person where such proceedings constitute abuse of legal process, is in fact the very person who initiated a criminal proceeding in a matter in which he had, as a private legal practitioner, acted for one of the interested Senators who had petitioned the first defendant on 30/6/15.

“Regardless of whichever way it is looked at, I will still hold the view that constitutional powers conferred on all persons and authorities, including arms and agencies of government, are required to be exercised in good faith and where as in this instance, it relates to the institution of criminal proceedings, it must be seen to have been properly exercised strictly in public interest.

“But, having regard to the peculiar facts which I have analysed, the said criminal charge dated 10/6/16 and attached as exhibit B to the plaintiff’s motion ex parte dated 23/6/16, given the course of these proceedings as I had in detail highlighted, can only be seen as one that constitutes an abuse of legal process to use the very words in section 174(3) of the constitution.

“In all of these facts and issues, having regard to the pendency of this suit in which the defendants have both filed processes, one question that did not cease to resonate in my thoughts is why this desperate haste to prefer the criminal indictments in exhibit B the investigation of which is at the heart of this suit and of the parallel suit in exhibit E, and which indictments, by law are not time barred as the substantive suit before this court, had by consent of both the Plaintiff’s Counsel and the first defendant’s Counsel, been scheduled for 6/7/16 for hearing.

“It is the event of the steps taken by the defendants in utter defiance of this pend-

ing suit, that in my view, unobtrusively betrayed the possible genuineness of the defendants’ intention and of the second defendant’s motives as steps taken which are beyond serving the public interest by the commencement of a criminal trial in the FCT High Court in order to subvert the pending suits in the Federal High Court one of which has been fixed for 6/7/16.

“By the extant Supreme Court’s decisions, once a court comes to the decision that a particular process before it constitutes abuse of judicial or legal process, the appropriate orders it can make, is to put an end to the continuation of such proceeding.

“Do I proceed and make such order? I probably would have done so if the criminal charge dated 10/6/16 was pending before this court. But as it is, it is pending before my learned brother, the Hon. Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court, which is a court of coordinate jurisdiction and who has become seised of the charge as at 21/6/16 when he adjourned it to 27/6/16 for the arraignment of the defendants listed in Exhibit B attached to the Plaintiff’s Motion Ex parte.”

However, addressing newsmen in Yola, Babachir absolved the federal government of all responsibility for the trial of Saraki and Ekweremadu, saying the two officers should prove their innocence in court.

The SGF said, “They should have their day in court” rather than try to drag the entire National Assembly structure into the case.

According to Babachir, “The federal government is like a punching bag, but I don’t know why they are blaming the federal government or any person for this.

When this issue started I was in the party as the National Vice Chairman. In June after the election and emergence of the leadership of the senate, some senators petitioned the police that the document used to conduct such election was forged.”

JUDGE: ARRAIGNING SARAKI, EKWEREMADU FOR FORGERY, ABUSE OF COURT PROCESS charge filed by the AGF before an Abuja High Court and set it aside for being a gross abuse of court process if it had been filed before his court. He said the actions of the IGP and AGF, whose offices are created by law, were in bad taste because his court had in the civil action asked parties not to do anything on the police report during the pendency of the civil suit so as not to render the civil action nugatory.

The judge berated the AGF, saying he ought to use his power under the law to terminate any charge filed in breach of court process but he found himself as a promoter of such abuse. He said the AGF acted in bad faith because before his appointment as AGF, he was one of the leading lawyers to Hunkuyi who authored the petitions upon which the police report was prepared and upon which the forgery charge initiated by the federal government was predicated.

By his involvement as a private lawyer in the civil matter before the criminal charge was preferred against the defendants, Kolawole insisted that the AGF knew of the pendency of several court actions on the issues and ought to have used his office and law to terminate the flagrant abuse of the le-

gal process.

The judge said, “In coming to a decision, I take due cognizance of the defendants, IGP and AGF, as offices created by the constitution, 1999 as amended. The first defendant (IGP) by virtue of section 215(a) of the constitution is a creation of the constitution and by virtue of section 215(2) of the constitution, shall command the Nigeria Police Force created by section 214(1). By reason of the provisions, it is not out of place to describe the first defendant as the ‘Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Federation’.

“The second defendant (AGF) is a constitutional office created by section 150(1) of the constitution who the constitution describes as ‘The Chief Law Officer of the Federation’.

“The plaintiff’s motion ex parte dated 23/6/16 is one that seeks restraining orders against these two constitutional offices created by the constitution. Both are connected with law enforcement and by extension, due administration of justice. I say this with regard to the provision of section 174(1) – (3) of the constitution in relation to the constitutional powers of the second defendant.”

Kolawole declared further, “The criminal charge dated 10/6/16 attached as

Exhibit B to the plaintiff’s motion ex pate is a criminal process filed on behalf of the second defendant by D.E. Kaswe, Esq. who signed the said charge as a Principal State Counsel for the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (who) was listed as one of the leading Senior Advocates of Nigeria who filed the motion of notice attached as Exhibit D to the plaintiff’s ex parte application and it was an application by which Hunkuyi, who until the learned Attorney-General of the Federation was appointed as the Minister of Justice, was his erstwhile client.”

The judge said, “Having regard to these issues, I asked myself what is the appropriate order this court can make given these peculiar facts of the involvement of the current occupant of the office created by Section 150(1) of the constitution – who doubled as it were, as one of the leading Counsels to the petitioner, Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, and fortuitously, was appointed by the President as the Minister of Justice?

“When I reflected on the Supreme Court’s decision in the State and Ilori, my view is that this court is somehow handicapped, in being able to query the second defendant’s decision

and the power he exercised pursuant to section 174(1)(a) of the constitution to initiate the criminal charge attached as Exhibit B to the Plaintiff’s motion ex parte as any issue which this court may raise as regards the propriety or otherwise of his doing so will eventually, when shorn of all legal niceties, border on moral considerations.

“But, I am not in any doubt that when the provision of section 174(3) of the constitution is carefully read and construed vis-à-vis the peculiar facts of this case, it may not be too far-fetched to reason that the filing of the said criminal charge in the long run, constitutes an abuse of legal process which is one of the limiting considerations to the exercise of the constitutional powers conferred on the second defendant by virtue of section 174(1)(a) – (c) when read with its section 174(3) of the constitution.

“Although, when this section is read communally with section 174(3), it is arguable that Section 174(1)(c) is to be read with the need to prevent abuse of legal process in section 174(3) of the constitution.

“The converse situation, which the drafters of the constitution, perhaps never envisaged appears to have occurred in this case as the

FG TO BOOST ECONOMY OF 9 OIL PRODUCING STATES WITH INDUSTRIAL PARKS positively impact the states in the region in various sectors, including telecommunications, housing, community development, agriculture, and manpower development, among others.

Broadbased Communications Limited, the minister disclosed, will for instance, drive a fibre optic broadband infrastructure highway revolution in the states via a shared development module.

This would provide broadband access aimed at impacting various sectors, including healthcare, education and agriculture, among others.

Usani stated that many organisations and development

partners had been working in the region without fully involving the states, adding that it was time to synergise efforts with every relevant agency involved in the affairs of the ministry for an integrated development of the states.

He said it was imperative to foster effective collaboration, particularly with the resurgence of recent violent agitations by new militant groups and other criminal elements in the region.

Usani said his ministry was giving priority attention to the development and security of the region.

"In doing this, the ministry has the mission to formulate and execute plans, programmes

and other initiatives as well as coordinate the activities of the agencies," he said, adding that the region has been bedeviled by security challenges arising from gap in job creation, poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, neglect and perceived discrimination.

"We are gathered here today to deliberate and chart a new course that will ensure relative peace.

"Government is desirous of dialogue with stakeholders on a way forward as the expectation are that the nagging security issues will be thrown up and comprehensively addressed," the minister said "Over 200 youths from the

region benefited from mobile phone assemblage in Calabar, as we speak now, over 60 youths are undergoing training in the same skill in Calabar and will soon graduate,” he disclosed.

He said the ministry had embarked on the provision of infrastructure such as the construction of roads, water supply that have not only built capacity in water management and maintenance but are also in collaboration with five states in the region.

The minister applauded the development partners for their continuous supports in the face of insecurity and paucity of funds in the region.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 3, 2016

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JULY 3, 2016 • T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

AS MANY STATES GO BANKRUPT… As many states are increasingly unable to perform routine functions because of shrinking incomes, something has to be done before it is too late

W

hen President Muhammadu Buhari said recently that about 26 states were almost too poor to pay their workers’ salaries, he was not saying anything new. The situation in the 36 states is so grim that some may not survive the prevailing economic spell. In the past few weeks, for instance, Ekiti State civil servants went on strike for being owed five months salaries. For want of anything to do about the catastrophe, Governor Ayodele Fayose went on sympathy strike with them. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Yari, recently declared rather ominously that many states would no longer be able to pay the N18, The current perception 000 minimum wage to their of the populace is workers.

The inability of the states that many of our to pay salaries had a year governors have failed to plug leakages and ago attracted the attention wastes, which over of the federal government. the years have become Last July, the Central Bank institutionalised of Nigeria in a special in their states. Top intervention package doled officials in some of out between N250 billion these poor states are and N300 billion in form of soft loans to enable the still ferried around states meet their salary in private jets and obligations to their workhelicopters mostly to ers. In addition, the Debt attend unnecessary Management Office also social events, including helped them to restructure marriage ceremonies their commercial loans to and birthdays the tune of N660 billion.

There is no sign that it had salutary effect.

A recent report indicates that the internally generated revenues (IGR) for no fewer than 15 states were far below 10 per cent of their Federation Account Allocations in one year - from June 2015 to May 2016. Outside Lagos, Rivers, Delta and Ogun States which have relatively impressive IGR, the remaining 32 states rely more on the dwindling allocations from Federation Account to fund their services. States like Yobe, Zamfara, Ekiti, Borno, Kebbi, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Bauchi and Katsina that generate little to nothing in internal revenue are particularly marked for hardship.

Letters to the Editor

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It is therefore no wonder that many of the states are scrambling for the N90 billion recently set aside by the federal government to bail out the financially distressed ones. But unlike the first bailout, this one comes with 22 stiff conditionalities, including the publication of audited annual financial statements within nine months of the financial year, and realistic and achievable targets to improve independently generated revenue.

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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

owever, while we agree that the falling price of crude oil, the nation’s major source of revenue, has contributed to the financial constraints faced by many states, we also believe that there are many leakages that need to be blocked as well. As recently revealed in Kaduna Sate, biometric capture of all states’ civil servants will eliminate payroll fraud. It is also insensitive to continue with the generous pensions for ex-governors, many of whom are still drawing hefty salaries from government.

In addition, a situation where a governor appoints 500 personal aides is nothing but sheer irresponsibility.

The current perception of the populace is that many of our governors have failed to plug leakages and wastes, which over the years have become institutionalised in their states. Top officials in some of these poor states are still ferried around in private jets and helicopters mostly to attend unnecessary social events, including marriage ceremonies and birthdays. The ostentatious lifestyles of most governors do not offer logical persuasion to the citizens they govern that their states are broke.

In the long-run, the issue of bankruptcy for many states poses the same challenge as the structural viability of Nigeria and the mockery of our federalism. When the government of Nigeria is mentioned today, the only unit that comes to mind is the central government - a symptom of the malady of over-centralisation. But the chicken is finally coming home to roost with the outright economic bankruptcy of many of these so-called states.

Things have degenerated to an extent that the fiscal law of matching federal allocation proportionally with states internally generated revenue had to be violated in order to maintain what the preponderance of states receive, which is now not even sufficient to pay salaries.

Given the foregoing, we are yet to see a way out of the prevailing governance mess without ultimately embracing a return to fiscal federalism.

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.

PDP POWER GAME: BETWEEN SHERIFF AND MAKARFI

enator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi is a former governor of Kaduna State. On the other, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a former governor of Borno State.

Makarfi was elected governor of Kaduna State in 1999 and won a second four-year term in 2003.

In April 2007 he was elected senator to represent Kaduna North Senatorial District (which includes Makarfi, Kudan, SabonGari, Zaria, Ikara, Soba, Lere and Kubau Local Government Areas).

In the April 2011 elections, Makarfi secured a reelection on the PDP platform.

Sheriff on his part was elected as a senator from Borno during the Third Republic under the banner of NRC.

He became Borno State’s first governor to serve two consecutive terms (2003–2011) and held two elected offices as a member of All Nigeria People’s Party before joining the All Progressives Congress as a founding member.

In 2014, Sheriff switched affiliation to the Peoples Democratic Party and acted as the National Working Committee chair from February 16, 2016.

Sheriff’s leadership whipped up controversies, with some members of the party faulting the decision to make him the chairman. Consequently the National Convention of the party removed and replaced him with Makarfi which ignited the hostility.

The arena shifted from the venue of the convention in Port Harcourt to the National

Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja and finally in the court rooms.

The prize is the national leadership of the PDP which has lost power barely a year ago after enjoying it for a little more than one and half decades.

The thrills and frills twisted around personality traits: Whereas Sheriff opted for the brigandage approach, Makarfi chose the path of diplomatic persuasion.

All through the fight he played the lame duck even as he delivered deadly but gentle punches right below Sheriff’s belt while waiting for a chance to send in a finisher.

Sheriff played to the gallery, threw wild punches all of which widely missed the mark. At a point, he stormed and took over the national secretariat in a gangster fashion. But Makarfi

sustained his diplomatic approach and maintained that he would continue to plead with Sheriff for a dialogue as unity remains an important tool for the party.

Sheriff characteristically refused to budge even after the final whistle last Wednesday when an FCT High Court presided over by Justice Valentine Ashi annulled the PDP 2014 Constitution Amendment through which he assumed office.

Justice Valantine Ashi declared as “unconstitutional, null and void”, the purported amendment of Article 47 Rule 6 of PDP Constitution, 2012, at a special National Convention the party held on December 10 - 11, 2014.

It voided the said amendment on the basis that there was no compliance with mandatory

provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the PDP constitution.

The court emphatically held that the purported amendments introduced to the constitution on the aforesaid dates, were setaside and all persons, individuals, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves as national officers of the PDP pursuant to the purported amendment were restrained from further parading themselves in these capacities.

Makarfi typically expressed satisfaction with the ruling and advised Sheriff to retrace his steps and join hands with others to move the party forward.

But the Sheriff camp said that the court did not sack him and that the judgment was being misinterpreted.

––Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, abdulabk@gmail.com.

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SUNDAYNEWS

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

You Have No Absolute Immunity, Falana Tells President, Govs, N’Assembly Leadership Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

YOU ARE WELCOME L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari and President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, CON, during the break of Ramadan fast at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja...recently

No Part of Lagos is Open to Terror Attacks, Say LASG, Police • Say lives, properties guaranteed across the state Gboyega Akinsanmi In a move to reassure residents, the Lagos State Government yesterday said the state was not opened to terror attacks.

Likewise, the State Police Command noted that it was always prepared not just to protect some strategic centres the groups allegedly plotted to attack, but also to secure lives and properties in the state.

The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, allayed residents’ fear in a phone conversation with THISDAY, saying the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode “is working with the State Police Command and other security agencies to deter or prevent attacks against the state.”

During the conversation, Ayorinde said the state government would not succumb “to

threat by any group to attack Lagos State. We are working with security agencies to protect lives and properties in the state.”

The commissioner added that the state “is not open to insurgent or terror attacks,” thereby charging all residents in the state “to go about their lawful businesses without fear and trepidation.”

He explained that the Ambode administration was built on a tripod: security, infrastructure development and wealth creation, noting that the administration had partnered all security agencies for effective public safety and order.

He assured that the state police command “is on the top of the situation. Other security agencies including the Nigeria Armed Forces are working together day and night to ensure that lives and properties are

secure.”

He noted that the Ambode administration was in strategic partnership with the state police command, which he said, explained the rationale behind the procurement of security equipment valued over N4.75 billion for the state police command.

In a reaction by its Public Relation Officer, Mrs. Dolapo Badmus, the police command urged residents not to entertain fear, saying its operatives “are always in charge to guarantee security of lives and properties across the state.”

The command added that it was thinking outside the box at all time “to ensure lives are safe and properties protected. We are always prepared not just to secure some strategic places.

Rather, we are on ground to protect Lagos State in its entirety. That is our mandate and

we are prepared for it.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) had on Friday issued a statement in Abuja, announcing that it had uncovered a plot to bomb West Africa’s largest computer market, Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos.

The DSS named one Chidiebere Onwudiwe, a graduate of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering and local members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the brains behind the plot to attack strategic centres in the state.

While Onwudiwe is currently under arrest, the DSS disclosed that the suspects were working with foreign and local members of IPOD to perfect the plot.

Also, the DSS claimed it had uncovered another plot to bomb worship centres, parks and gardens during the coming Eid-el-Fitri festivity, for which the federal government had already declared Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays.

Stop Discrimination against Christians in the North, Catholic Bishops Tell Buhari Paul Obi in Abuja and Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have called on the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency stop discrimination against Christians in the far North as a way of uniting the country.

CBCN President and Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama told THISDAY in an interview that such discrimination has taken a deep toll on the moral and spiritual life of Christians in the northern part of the country; creating a big gulf between Christians and other religious associations.

According to Kaigama, the federal government “in the far north do not give enough opportunity for places of worship and chaplaincies; we need that to be

available especially in all federal institutions.

“In federal institutions like Bayero University in Kano State and other establishments in the core north, they don’t give chance to Christians to express their faith. The federal government should consider there should be freedom of worship in every part of the country.

“If there is no room for moral formation, we suffer more than what we are expressing now. So, we will find it difficult to unite and that is not helping the students in their moral and spiritual formation,” he added.

Kaigama told THISDAY that unlike military formations such as the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police where they allowed the building of mosque for Moslems, a Chaplaincy for Catholics and a Church for Protestant Christians, most federal and state education-

al institutions in the North-west and some parts of the North-east have deliberately prohibited the building of churches and worship centres in such institutions.

To that effect, he said the Catholic Bishops “call on President Buhari to look into this crisis; that he should stop the narrow-minded religious behaviour and bias in federal and state institutions in the north.

“What we need is freedom of worship, freedom of expression: we are too divided in this country. For us to move forward, we have to be of the right attitude, having the right character and tolerance,” Kaigama stressed.

The CBCN clarion call on the President came on the heels of several obstacles the church has continued to encounter in securing places of worship for its faithful in the north. In most instances, Kaigama explained

that even when such places of worship are allocated, locals and hoodlums often demolish such structures.

Also,inaninterviewwithThe Church in Need monitored by The Vatican Radio, Kaigama said though the church is expecting so much from President Buhari, there is still some time to see if the president would deliver.

He added that “we needed change, and this change came in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari. He has now been in office for about a year, and we want to give him a chance to implement his promises to fight corruption and terrorism.”

Meanwhile, Catholic faithfuls led by three bishops yesterday literally shut down Enugu state in protest against the incessant killings of hapless residents of the state by rampaging herdsmen.

Human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu to face the forgery charges against them rather than politicising the process, saying the two leaders have no immunity to dodge the charges against them.

Falana, who was Guest Lecturer at the 60th birthday celebration in honour of the Secretary to the Edo state Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, entitled ‘Limit of Executive Immunity’, in Benin City, also declared that according to a Supreme Court ruling, there was no longer absolute immunity and therefore, any president, governor involved in criminal charges including the leadership of the National Assembly must face the law.

Faulting the invitation extended to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by leadership of the Senate over the forgery allegation against the senate President and his Deputy, Falana stressed that the senate leadership were condemned by law to report any forgery allegation against its members to the AGF, and therefore they failed in their duties by inviting the Attorney General on that issue.

According to him, “the senate is now politicising the issue, saying it is political victimisation but not that the offence was not committed. As leaders of the National Assembly you are supposed to be above board and that is even the more reason you must be careful. But I want to remind the senate that the Attorney General of the Federation is only answerable to his boss, which is the President and nobody else.

Nigerian Professionals Charged on Diet, Health Abimbola Akosile

Nigerian professionals in the workplace have been charged to take their health more seriously and eat right, in order to avoid future health challenges or medical complications that could cut short their lives and careers.

The charge was made at the special business roundtable organised by the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, which drew business officials from different companies in the country led by Chairman, MTN Nigeria and Co-Chair, NiBUCAA, Dr. Pascal Dozie.

The keynote presentation themed ‘Basic Nutrition: Tips for Healthy Living and Maintaining Healthy Living and Work-

life Balance’ was delivered by an HIV & AIDS Specialist, Dr. Anslem Audu at the Lagos office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Goodwill messages were also delivered by officials from the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), aside presentations by other speakers at the AccessBank sponsored event.

NiBUCAA, whose members include corporate organisations like Access Bank Plc, NNPC, MTN, Julius Berger, Dangote Group, Total Nigeria Plc, and Nestle among others, was set up in 2003 during the Presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the voice of the private sector response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

Boko Haram Attack Borno Village, One Killed Michael Olugbode

Boko Haram insurgents have struck Dile village in Askira-Uba local government area of Borno State, torching some buildings and carting away all foodstuffs and livestock in sight.

It was gathered that the insurgents who shot sporadically during the siege on the village met an empty village as all the residents had fled into the hills and surrounding bushes.

A man, a son of the late village head (Lawan) was however not so lucky as he was too drunk to flee when others were escaping, andwascaughtbytheinsurgents who woke him up from his deep slumber before shooting him dead.

A resident of the town, Clement Satumari, who spoke to THISDAY on phone, said the insurgents invaded the village in their numbers about 7pm on Friday and shot all through the night.

He said the villagers were lucky to have detected that some

people were laying siege on the village and were waiting for nightfall to launch an attack. He said this made everyone to flee into the surrounding hills and bushes before the insurgents could launch an attack.

Satumari said immediately it was dark the insurgents invaded the village and shot sporadically and even razed some buildings.

He said: “They ransacked everywhere and carted away foodstuffs and livestock,” noting that the attack was on from 7pm till about 2am. “From our hiding place we were hearing gunshots and everywhere was silent at about 2am when they must have left”, he added.

Satumari lamented that “when we got back to the village on Saturday morning at the break of dawn, we found Hamza Angyiu Lassa, a son of the last Lawan shot dead and his corpse was lying on the lonely street.”

He said: “Hamza was always drunk and definitely would have been too drunk to escape when others were fleeing.”

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

NEWS

PAPAL BLESSING R-L: Pope Francis 1; former Board Chairman, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Col. Paul E. Obi (rtd.) and his wife during a pilgrimage to the Vatican City...recently

PROMOTING SIGHT R-L: Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano; Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Peter Ndegwa; Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, and Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale, at the unveiling ceremony of the Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State...recently

Police Begin Manhunt for Killers of Oyo Lawmaker Ademola Babalola in Ibadan

The Oyo state police command yesterday vowed to track the gunmen who assassinated a serving Labour Party (LP) lawmaker in the Oyo state house of Assembly, Gideon Aremu.

Aremu, representing Oorelope constituency, was gunned down late Friday evening by yet-to-beidentified gunmen after alighting from his car in his Alakia residence, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Eye witness accounts said the lawmaker was murdered in front of his house by the killers, using motorcycle, who had trailed him to his residence, before opening fire on him.

Hon. Aremu, until his demise, was the only opposition lawmaker in the Oke Ogun area, as his other nine colleagues are from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was the Chairman, House

committee on Information, Public Relations and Security.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the State Command, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said investigation was ongoing, adding “I can confirm that the incident happened late yesterday (Friday), and the police have swung into action,” he said adding that the Commissioner, Mr. Leye Oyebade had already deployed human and material resources in tracking down the culprits.

“We can assure the public that very soon, we will apprehend those behind this cruel act. We equally appeal to members of the public who have information that will help our cause to come forward. Please don’t hesitate,” Ajisebutu stated.

The state Chairman of the opposition LP, Gbenga Olayemi

Ariba in a telephone chat with reporters said he was shocked to the marrow and with utter disbelief that “such an innocent and easy going lawmaker could be assassinated for political or whatever reasons.”

Ariba, in an emotion laden voice described the act as ungodly, barbaric and condemnable, stressing that “how could anybody consider that kind of thought to cut short the life of a fellow man?

What kind of politics is this?

Yesterday it was PDP ruling at virtually all levels, today it is APC and tomorrow, it could be another party and so why are we killing ourselves? What is the motive?

I implore the police and other security agents in the state to step up investigation into this matter and bring the culprits to book to serve as deterrent to others.”

Also, the APC has described

the murder of Aremu, as shocking and disturbing as the party called for thorough investigation into the matter by the relevant security agencies with a view to bringing the culprits to justice.

While reacting to the development through a statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Strategy,OlawaleSadare,theAPC condemned the brutal killing of the lawmaker who it described as an energetic, diligent and easygoing politician whose death had opened another sad chapter in the history of the Pacesetter State.

“We received the news of the killing of Hon. Gideon Aremu with utter disbelief and rude shock in view of the fact such nasty development had become history in the state since 2011 when the current administration of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi took the mantle of leadership of Oyo State.”

Sheriff Out to Frustrate PDP’s Chances in Edo, Ondo, Says Adeyeye Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it was now evident to all discerning minds in the country that its former acting National Chairman is on a designed mission to kill and destroy the party.

PDP said Sheriff and his group have been shopping and approaching law courts with dubious information for interlocutory orders to keep them afloat until it frustrates its gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states as designed by their sponsors.

The party said intelligence available to it shows that Senator Sheriff, in league with some agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) having nothing to lose and everything to gain if it helps destroy the PDP, has continued to enjoy the support of non-PDP members to carry out their nefarious acts.

Interim Spokesman of PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said in a statement issued at the weekend that members of the party across the country are already aware of the evil desires of the former Borno state Governor and have chosen to ignore him.

“Legitimacy in politics is

not given through a procured interlocutory injunction but through the mandate of the people and Sheriff and his cohorts will soon realise this. We are aware that Sheriff sponsors have urged him to sustain his illicit role for a while and create a semblance of a faction in the party to give way for some elected PDP members to take the advantage to decamp but unknown to them members of our party are aware of their game and have vowed to resist them.”

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led leadership of the PDP urged the judiciary to be

wary of dubious information and always block anything that would diminish their enviable role as the pillar in the sustenance of democracy in the country.

“Finally, PDP assures its members that the caretaker committee under Senator Ahmed Markafi remains committed to discharging the assignment given to them by members and have refused to be distracted even as it warns members to beware of Greek gifts being offered by agents whose mission is nothing but to kill this great party”, Adeyeye added.

Senators Vow to Discourage Monopoly in Free Trade Zones Blessing Abah The Nigerian Senate has reiterated its commitment to remove any form of monopoly that can impede the development of private and public free trade zones in Nigeria.

Speaking after inspecting facilities at the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment led by its chairperson,

Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki accompanied by Senators Effiong Nelson and Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf said the factfinding tour would enable the senate gather needful information to aid its review of existing laws.

Raji-Rasaki said the senate was committed to ensure a conducive environment that would move the national economy forward by strengthening the laws that govern

operation of free trade zones in order to give them an advantage of performing to benefit of the nation’s economy. She said the committee would also visit similar projects in Calabar and Kano.

The Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, according to Senator Effiong Nelson had already commissioned a team of consultants to work with it in looking at 45 laws that would among

other things look at the issue of monopoly and waivers from an all-inclusive view.

The issue of monopoly which gives undue advantage to a particular company has been on the front burner of discourse at the free trade zone fora. Other contentious concerns include legislative provisions pertaining to taxes, levies, duties and foreign exchange which border on the viability of the free zones.

Maritime Security: House C’tee Seeks Intervention Fund for Navy Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has called on the Federal Government to consider a special intervention fund for the Nigerian Navy to enable efficient tackling of the increasing piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea and rising militancy in the Niger Delta region.

This is as the committee commenced a nationwide inspection of naval facilities, as part of oversight efforts to proffer modalities to tackle the growing need for an effective maritime security in Nigeria. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdulssamad Dasuki, speaking at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja recently, said the Navy needs the special intervention, similar to that being done for the North-east

region of the country.

“The provision of such funding can support the immediate purchase of equipment and any logistics requirements which may be required for any naval operation…Federal Government to consider the presentation of a Maritime Security Supplementary Appropriation Bill for the immediate equipment purchase,” he said.

“We will assiduously put effort in collaboration with other committee members to create awareness on the need for increased funding for the Navy, and even consider channelling to Navybudget,allfundspreviously paid to private maritime security firms by NIMASA and NNPC for maritime security and other pipeline security arrangement,” Dasuki added.

South West PDP: Oyedokun Does Not Represent Us Segun James

The leadership of the South-west in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has denounced Chief Shuaib Oyedokun as the face of the geo-political zone in the campaign committee for Edo state governorship election coming up in September. The leadership under the aegis of the Lagos Collectives (LC) and in a statement signed by its chairman, Prof. Tejumade Akitoye-Rhodes insisted that it is an outright aberration to have chosen Oyedokun without consulting the leadership of the zone.

“It is an inverted logic, a

very flawed and erroneous judgment whose implication borders on the ability of the Makarfi Caretaker Committee to make a thoughtful decision in this challenging time.

“Chief Oyedokun is hardly a reference of principled uprightness. He is not the face of the rallying leadership in his home state of Osun talk less of the South West. Chief Oyedokun is an unabashed extended linkage of the Buruji unhealthy political mercantilism. Oyedokun’s antecedents in the PDP primary in Cross River state last year still rankles with bitterness and disgust.

Nigeria Media Nite Out Award

The Nigeria Media Nite Out and Award is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The award ceremony which debuted in 2006 had in the past years honoured Journalists, corporate organisations and individuals that have contributed immensely to the growth of Nigerian Media Industry. Brain child of Sola Olugbemiro, CEO Solkem Entertainment and Publisher of Access Weekly magazine in his speech said a media briefing to unveil the new award plaques of the 10th edition is schedule to hold on July 28 in a brand new dimension to celebrate the 10th anniversary while the event will hold in September. However, PR firm Redline FB and Nigeria-based South Africa’s PR Company, Zinto are bent on making the 10th anniversary memorable. This year edition will parade A-List personalities from the media industry, corporate organisations and politicians who have played active impact in strengthen the industry. Delta, Ondo, Borno and Kogi States have participated on different occasions. Zenith Bank, the official banker of the event has remained a partner since 2006, UBA, Access, GTB, Diamond, First and FCMB Banks have given their supports in the past, and Financial Reporting Commission, Sifax Group, Power Horse, Flour Mills, Nigerian German Chemical, INTEL. All Nigerian media houses both print, electronic and online are expected to be there.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 3, 2016

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JULY 3, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION The Global Refugee Crisis

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It is high time we gave refugees a warmer welcome, writes Emmanuel Ojeifo

seriously frightening tragedy is unfolding before our eyes. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has just published the report of the global situation of refugees in the year 2015.

Titled Global Trends, the report notes that in the year 2015, 63.5 million people were displaced from their homes by war, persecution and human rights abuses than at any time since UNHCR records began. This means that an average of 24 people were forced to flee each minute in 2015, four times more than a decade earlier. The report also found that measured against the world’s population of 7.4 billion people, one in every 113 people globally is now either an asylum-seeker, internally displaced or a refugee – putting them at a level of risk for which UNHCR knows no precedent.

When put in proper perspective, the tally is greater than the population of the United Kingdom – or of Canada, Australia and New Zealand put together.

It is made up of 3.2 million people in industrialised countries who, at the end of 2015, were awaiting decisions on asylum, being the largest total UNHCR has ever recorded. The tally also provides that in the total number of displaced persons 40.8 million have been forced to flee their homes, even though they are within the confines of their own countries. Then there are 21.3 million refugees. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, this is the first time in the organisation’s history that the threshold of 60 million displaced persons has been crossed. “More people are being displaced by war and persecution and that’s worrying in itself, but the factors that endanger refugees are multiplying too. At sea, a frightening number of refugees and migrants are dying each year; on land, people fleeing war are finding their way blocked by closed borders. Closing borders does not solve the problem.”

Three reasons have been adduced for this global situation. The first is the situation of war and conflict, which is responsible for large refugee outflows.

Afghanistan and Somalia are examples of countries where conflict have spanned over three decades.

Secondly, dramatic new or reignited conflicts are occurring more frequently today. While today’s largest is Syria, wars have broken out in the past five years in countries such as South Sudan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Yemen, and Ukraine. Thousands

more people have fled raging gangs and other violence in Central America. The third reason is that the rate at which solutions are being found for the refugee crisis has been falling for the past 25 years.

Quite disturbingly, the report notes that three countries produce half of the world’s refugees: Syria at 4.9 million, Afghanistan at 2.7 million and Somalia, 1.1 million. For internally displaced persons, Colombia has 6.9 million, Syria 6.6 million and Iraq has 4.4 million, making them the countries with the largest numbers. This alone makes majority of the world’s refugees to be found in developing countries in the global south. Turkey happens to be the biggest host country, with 2.5 million refugees. With nearly one refugee for every five citizens, Lebanon hosted more refuges compared to its population than any other country. Distressingly, children made up an astonishing 51 per cent of the world’s refugees in 2015.

Some world leaders, from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Pope Francis have been in the forefront of highlighting the plight of refugees. On April 16, 2016 Pope Francis paid a symbolic visit to refugee camps on the Greek island of Lesbos. On his return to the Vatican, he came back with three Syrian Muslim families, 12 members in all, including six children. The pontiff performed this gesture to highlight the tragedy faced by

Sheltering and supporting people fleeing bombs, bullets, torture and rape is not an act of charity, but a legal and moral obligation prescribed both by international law and by our common humanity

hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe. He rescued Muslims, not Catholics, because his message is that we are all God’s children. We all remember the heart-breaking picture of the three-yearold Kurdish boy, Aylan Kurdi whose lifeless body was washed up on the beach near a Turkish resort, after two boats carrying 23 people from Turkey and headed for the Greek island of Kos, capsized. The dead included five children – among them Aylan’s five-yearold brother – and one woman, their mother.

To mark the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, Filippo Grandi published a rousing article titled, “Refugees deserve action and investment, not indifference and cruelty.” He called for a change of attitude in the current global attitude toward refugees.

The refugee crisis, he argues, is not just a problem to throw money at, but also an opportunity. “When people think of refugees, certain images come to mind: endless rows of white tents in emergency camps, pop-up clinics and makeshift schools, long lines of people waiting passively to be given food and water. But today, two-thirds of the world’s refugees live in villages, towns and cities. They have skills, ideas and aspirations, so they have the ability, at least in part, to shape their own destiny.” Refugees can boost the economy of their host countries if they are allowed the chance to improve their circumstances.

They may be vulnerable, but they are also tough, resilient and industrious.

Since 2015, more than a million refugees arrived on European shores. However, the reaction in many countries quickly turned to tightening border controls and erecting fences. Public opinion became increasingly alarmed, with some politicians stoking fears and adding to growing tensions. This was not a rational response. Sheltering and supporting people fleeing bombs, bullets, torture and rape is not an act of charity, but a legal and moral obligation prescribed both by international law and by our common humanity.

It is high time we collectively worked to improve their welfare by deliberate actions and interventions.

Governments, civil society, business leaders, religious bodies and humanitarian organisations all have a role to play. If we can harness all our technical and financial capabilities, we can create a powerful force for change.

Ojeifo is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Abuja

Brexit Undo: Not A Severe Reverse Oseloka H. Obaze argues that Brexit is essentially about lessons learned, not just opportunities missed

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he hysteria over the Brexit undo, whilst understandable, is hardly a severe reverse.

Certainly, that’s not the case for the UK; not for her allies and not for the EU. Indeed, what most EU folks worry about is not the loss of the UK, but the shakeup of presumed normalcy and contagion effect. Many fear that the UK set a terribly bad example in the EU neighbourhood, with imitators likely to follow. But UK’s segue out of the EU via Brexit brought home some home truths. I recall an Italian Deputy Ambassador to the UN saying once during a Security Council meeting some years back that when it comes to regional bloc politics, ECOWAS countries were far more organised; better disciplined, committed and good at rallying to a consensus than EU members. He blunted his point by noting that whereas all West African countries were members of ECOWAS, not every European country was an EU member.

Beyond the hoopla Brexit is an unintended consequence; long overdue, but hardly an aberration. The outcome, which is seemingly beyond introspection, remains essentially the byproduct of grievance politics; a backlash against UK and EU establishments, which gained its impetus from spillover of Arab conflicts that orchestrated an immigration surge, which in turn, stirred up long-suppressed fears and nostalgia for insularity and preserving “our way of life”, without exhibiting a hint of xenophobia. The spike in UK’s refugee intake from 100,000 to 300,000 with possible Trojan Horse implications was a tripwire. This faux protectionism, though well-rehearsed as being the right measure to check surging immigration and insidious threats to public order, social welfare and cultural norms, was not well thought out; surely not in terms of overall national needs, more so needs of the

UK youths, who grew up drenched with the ecstatic values of globalisation.

UK’s forced retrenchment of globalisation and the diminution of the salutary values of political and economic regional blocs and integration, will now lampoon all such efforts. EU candidate-states will do a rethink, just as Scotland and Wales must ponder the oxymoronic value of belonging to a fragmented United Kingdom. Indubitably, UK’s voice as an EU member was strong, but in opting for globalisationminus-accommodation, its voice just turned wispy.

Yet, whatever the perceived or real implications, the fundamentals of the UK economy will remain strong, inasmuch as the UK’s loss of hefty revenue from the EU, is likely to run into billions. The utmost risk facing the UK is its jilted EU partners.

Contemporarily, Brexit mimics Russia’s perestroika and glasnost. The post-event reflections, naturally, are a mix of euphoria, consternation and trepidation. What have we gotten ourselves into? David Cameron has asked that question a million times; and he won’t stop asking it for the rest of his lifetime. This working class and geriatric revolt is aimed at protecting social welfare and cultural values that UK politicians toyed with in order to be politically correct. Call it self-preservation! Huge demographic shifts from fragile and broken states, if left unchecked, were bound to turn stable states into unstable spheres.

The incremental rise of terrorism within EU countries hasn’t been uplifting in any sense. All things considered, it is a tad surprising that it took this long for the UK to disengage. For starters, the UK was very EU-tentative and never fully engaged. It wallowed in the spirited convenience and covers the EU and Trans-Atlantic alliance offered, but reserved

its monetary and visa rights. Such straddling of the fence, tolerated while it lasted, was vexatious and repugnant to UK’s EU partners, who knew it was a matter of time before the pyrrhic experiment, aimed at stopping inter-European wars outlived its usefulness. Brexit was it! Paradoxically, UK world war nurses pressed the Undo button.

The EU for all its presumed clout, is renowned for its dysfunctionality. The added variable of national disillusionment, which is now fully at play, must give everyone pause. Prime Minister David Cameron maleficently and recklessly led the UK down to a blind-alley gamble trench and suffered a weighty loss. Political exuberance is not just perturbing but costly, more so when delusion meets with reality.

While UK voters were stunningly ruthless in handing Cameron his exit card, the consequences of foisted regime change in rogue nations, have upturned otherwise stable countries, indirectly forcing a regime change in the UK, and perhaps, just perhaps, the disassembling of the United Kingdom as we know it.

The prevailing ennui within the EU is most understandable. The bitterness aside, some key EU members are relieved, and in guarded circles, would gleefully utter that “good riddance to bad rubbish” epitaph. A few among them, certainly, will make the UK pay for its “sins” — the past, present, and future. A facetious derivative of Brexit may well be a redo of that immortal bestselling song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”, with the nations substituted.

Brexit is about lessons learned, not just missed opportunities. In time, the gains will manifest. Surely, world political history will be richer for it.

––Mr. Obaze is the immediate former Secretary to the State Government of Anambra State

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

LETTERS

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IMMORTALISING STEPHEN KESHI AND SHUAIBU AMODU

ou deliberately do all to commit to memory some names, faces, events, data and the like but somehow the brain fails to deliver such information when needed, leading to a below par result after an examination or outright embarrassment. Funnily, the same memory keeps some things indelible even when you make no attempt to store it. The news of the death of Stephen Keshi and later Amodu Shuaibu typified those events that exposed the irony of the human brain.

Everyone remembers what or where he or she was doing or was when the news broke.

Mine was not too spectacular but was as well indelible.

Beginning with Keshi’s, it was a June 8 dawn that my wife woke me up to put on the generator so that she could iron her clothes. I reluctantly got up from the bed to do her bid. I immediately put on the television, plugged my phone, laptop and rechargeable lamps to the power sources while my wife went to press her clothes. Just then on the scroll bar on the television screen was the breaking news that Stephen Keshi was dead. In doubt I changed the channel for confirmation but was still bewildered that I put off the generator, told my wife I couldn’t believe it, said our

Dalong, Minister of Youth and Sports

morning prayers and saw her off to work. I returned home to put on the radio and all the morning sports’ shows confirmed the sad news.

Still living in denial of Keshi’s death three days later, I woke up by 7am to wish my mother a happy birthday on the phone, after which I put on the radio on my handset only to hear the demise of Amodu.

I went dumb and confused on what kind of calamity befell us as a nation in quick succession.

Honestly, their deaths were to me like that of a friend despite never having any physical contact with them.

Talks have filled the airwaves and football fraternity on the need and how best to immortalise these legends.

They really both deserve to be made immortal because of their imponderable sacrifices and patriotism to the nation.

Beginning with Coach Amodu Shuaibu: He had come to national limelight after leading BCC Lions of Gboko to win the then African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990. He had earlier coached clubs in the Nigerian domestic league such as Shooting Stars of Ibadan and El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. He also had a

successful stint with Orlando Pirates of South Africa. However, he is most remembered for managing Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles.

He was first entrusted with the team in the mid-nineties, when the Super Eagles was at its peak. The Eagles were African champions and had attained its loftiest ranking by FIFA. At the turn of the millennium, Amodu was repeatedly called upon to manage the Super Eagles especially when the team had recorded series of mediocre results and were almost out of qualifying for major tournaments like the World Cup. Amodu would always salvage the situation by unbelievably qualifying the Eagles but was always frustrated out of the job by the football authorities. Disallowing him from consummating his efforts by taking the team to the 2002 and 2010 World Cups after hard-earned qualifications readily comes to mind.

Whether taking Nigeria to the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations or qualifying for the World Cup, it must be noted that Amodu Shuaibu never failed to meet the targets set before him.

Despite these feats, Amodu was unfortunately the symbol of how indigenous coaches are disrespected and shabbily treated in contrast to the over-pampered expatriates. So

ALLEGED COUP PLOT: PERISH THE THOUGHT

T

he alleged revelation by the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force that some top army officers were planning to topple the nascent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through a military coup is unthinkable and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community as well. It is corruption fighting back. In the first place, military coup is no longer an option all over the world. But the swift reaction to the hoax by the military authorities denying the possibility of such plan and pledging their loyalty to the government and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a most salutary development which deserves commendation. This shows that the Nigerian military made up of some of the best and brightest men and officers is in tune with modern civilisation and alive to its responsibilities. It would be recalled that this is not the first time that the military is renewing its pledge to the sanctity of the constitution.

Against the backdrop of an alleged distribution of inciting statements, leaflets and compact discs loaded with information to confuse, misdirect and cause disaffection amongst men and officers of the Nigerian Army, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika warned that officers and men should desist from meddling in issues that would jeopardise the security of the nation.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Basic Counter

Terrorism Course 13/13 at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora in Niger State in 2013, Ihejirika warned that those who engaged in religious extremism would have no place in the Nigerian Army. He added that the action was “targeted at breaking the esprit-de-corps which binds us together as a fighting force”.

Similarly, the statement issued by the military authorities dismissing the claim of the militant group as the handiwork of mischief makers who do not wish the nation well, is a step in the right direction.

The constitutional obligation of the military is the defence of the territorial integrity of the nation, to fight against external aggression. It is not the responsibility of soldiers to be enmeshed in falsehood and propaganda, political intrigues, misinformation and religious extremism. But to really protect the military and other security organisations from the visceral grip of religious or political virus, the state itself should be distanced from religion and the military insulated from partisan politics. The state as an entity should extricate itself from the murky terrain of divisive religious politics. Government has no business sponsoring people to the Holy Lands. Commendably, President Buhari has banned the official sponsorship of religious pilgrimages. Over time, since the emergence of modern government, religion has given every indication of becoming increasingly secular, institutionalised and thus less influential in the public life of

most nations of the world.

All too often in our experience, however, views of the complete supremacy of security and international political objectives have formed the basis of proposals and actions that almost totally ignore secular considerations.

Hence, contrary to expectations, religion is very much in evidence, which means that the secular paradigm and prophecy that had dominated Western academic thought have come to be questioned.

In recent times the relationship between religion and the state in Nigeria has been brought to the front burner of public discourse. The people of this country have seen extreme cases of state governors trying to impose a particular religion on their states without recourse to the fact that there is diversity of religion all over the country.

Talking about extremism amongst the security forces even beyond religion and politics? It is obvious that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2009(as amended) recognises the president of the country as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But the constitution itself is the supreme authority which defines the limits of the powers vested in the president. Consequently, all loyalty and alliances are to the constitution and the nation and not the personality of the occupant of the office of the president. Therefore, it was unwholesomely discomforting when it was alleged that the

immediate past First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan engaged the services of members of the Armed Forces in what was clearly a political rally in Abuja as widely reported in the media. But that is just an aside.

The army as an organic national institution has to be more professional in the discharge of its duties even at peace time.

It is indeed lamentable that the political pose that held the military hostage for the greater period of our political history failed to build a properly constituted, well-trained professional armed force with a combat-ready counter-terrorism unit, more than 30 years ago.

Yet it is understandable that the country is just trying to pick up the pieces at a time when the situation is becoming precarious. Besides a comprehensive welfare package for officers and men of the armed forces, the federal government must engage the rank and file of the army creatively and explore more avenues from training and retraining of the men and women in concert with international standard. If the military had allowed our politicians to wobble and fumble until they honed their politics to a considerable art, we would have been like India in terms of development. Not even the assassination of Mrs. Indira Ghandi or that of her son and successor, Rajiv Ghandi could spur that country’s army to waddle into the murky terrain of their politics.

–– Dan Amor, Abuja

in immortalising the Edo-born tactician, all entitlements owed him should be paid by the football body and the Edo State government to his family first. Afterwards, the welfare of Nigerian coaches must be taken seriously. I suggest an Amodu Law. This law, which would be passed by the National Assembly, would make it unlawful for indigenous coaches to have discriminating packages and treatment in comparison to their foreign counterparts.

Asking for equal pay may not be practical considering it is a competitive market that calls for signing of legalbinding contracts reflecting the potentiality of the individual; however, the Amodu Law when passed would protect the Nigerian coach from uneven labour treatment like making them to handle national teams without signing concrete contracts with them as Salisu Yusuf is doing presently with the Super Eagles. It should also be crafted in such a way that a foreigner can only man the Eagles’ bench only after local coaches have been given right of first refusal while a local coach must, by this Amodu Law, compulsorily deputise a foreigner.

For multilingual Stephen Keshi, not immortalising him would do great injustice to him. Keshi bridged the then Green Eagles generation and the now Super Eagles. He was the one that paved the way for Nigerian footballers to professionalise their trade from

I

the local amateur player to the Europe-based international.

He is best remembered as the longest serving skipper of the national football team wearing the captain’s band for about a decade and earning him the nickname, The Big Boss. He captained the golden age of the Eagles culminating in its 1994 annus mirabilis becoming African champions, giving a respectable outing in its debut World cup in USA and attaining Nigeria’s highest fifth position on the FIFA rankings.

Keshi also excelled as a coach. After learning the ropes assisting Amodu, he went on to surprisingly qualify the small nation Togo to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Subsequent to coaching Mali in 2010, Stephen Keshi was called upon to manage the Super Eagles when the team was at its lowest ebb. He qualified and led the team to AFCON 2013 hosted in South Africa where Nigeria featured as underdogs.

Keshi proved us all wrong by winning the tourney, becoming the foremost Nigerian coach to do so and only the second African to win the title as captain and coach. He also led the Super Eagles to equal its best ever finish in the World Cup in Brazil a year later becoming the first Nigerian coach to do that.

There are talks of naming one of the National Stadia after him. I think that is tokenistic.

Ayodele Okunfolami, ayodeleokunfolami@ yahoo.co.uk

A NOTHER LOOK AT ELECTRICITY TARIFFS

n June this year the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, issued a widely publicised statement that it would be immoral for the federal government to sanction electricity distribution companies for poor performance in their duty of distributing power because they have not been given the tools to perform. In particular, the minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola, noted that the new tariffs approved for the discos were cost reflective and would bring about gains in the power sector and bring about liquidity in the market in due course. Since the minister’s statement, a lot of water has passed under the bridge and the wrongful vilification of the discos as the cause of epileptic power supply nationwide. The discos have invested heavily in modern meters that work like debit cards so that consumers use electricity based on what they consume. But electricity generation and transmission nationwide has crumbled because of pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta where a militant group called the Avengers has turned themselves into a state within the Nigerian state and has brought the nation to its knees in terms of total blackout consequent upon their destruction of gas pipelines used to produce electricity.

In addition, during last national strike called by the trade unions to protest the hike in petrol prices from N86 per litre to N145, the unions added

the increase in electricity tariffs as part of the grievances of the Nigerian masses against the discos which are saddled with the onerous task of distributing a product that was not available in any meaningful quantity and volume for distribution.

Fortunately for the discos the Nigerian masses ignored the call of the mischievous trade unions ostensibly because some concerned Nigerians in the media and electricity industry came out to make it clear that the discos were not to blame and the Minister of Power lent his learned voice to the innocence of the discos on poor electricity supply nationwide.

Another major revelation also in the media by patriotic Nigerians was that the discos far from being barons of the electricity industry are indeed the paupers in terms of the percentage of returns accruing to them for their distribution function. The discos get only 24% of revenue proceeds while the generating companies get 57 %. Yet no one has blamed the gencos, as they are called, for exploiting the Nigerian electricity consumers for the huge returns they get. Instead it is the companies distributing electricity not generated as and at when due that have been wrongly labelled by trade unions as the exploiter of the Nigerian masses and electricity consumers nationwide.

Ndubuisi Agah, Enugu

16

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 3, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

International Politics of Brexit: the Dilemma of an End to a New EU Beginning

B

rexit is the process by which the United Kingdom is seeking withdrawal of its membership of the European Union (EU). Britain, often used to also imply Great Britain, is part of the six thousands islands constituting the British Isles. The United Kingdom is made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In other words, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is comprised of England, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales. On June 23rd, 2016 a referendum was held to determine whether the UK should continue to sustain its membership of the EU or should withdraw its membership. 51.89% voted in favour of leaving the EU while 48.11% wanted continued membership.

The results of the referendum, the date of which was first fixed in 2004, have generated much global interest and politics, as well as domestic controversy in the UK. Scotland which has serious problems with Brexit, and which entered into a union with England three hundred years ago, is currently considering remaining with the EU. In the same vein, Northern Ireland which voted massively like Scotland to remain in the EU is seeking the possibility of remaining in the EU as an independent country. England and Wales, on the contrary, are for Brexit. The British are therefore sharply divided on what to do on the question of Brexit results.

At the domestic level, press reports have it that many of the leavethe-EU-voters now regret their vote and are reportedly prepared to vote against leaving the union in the event of a new referendum. In this regard, a petition has been signed by more than three million people calling on the David Cameron Government to quickly adopt a rule which will require the organization of a fresh referendum if ‘the remain voters’ or the ‘leave voters’ obtain less than 60% of votes cast and based on less than 75% turn out of registered voters.

Two points are noteworthy here. First, contrary to the pretensions of the petitioners, who believe that the British do not truly want Brexit, a public opinion in which 1,069 adults were interrogated and held following the Brexit has shown that only 39% were against a fresh referendum. Secondly, the poll has clearly shown that the overriding determinant for the leave voting is the inability of the UK to make its own laws. It is not a priori about macroeconomic questions.

This is the viewpoint of 53% of the voters polled, as against 34% who considered immigration as their rationale for the leave vote.

More significantly, in response to whether the current results of the Brexit should be honoured and that Britain should leave the EU, 79% opted for honouring the results and leaving the EU while 21% voted to remain a member. On the issue of whether there should be another referendum on British membership of the EU on the basis of the new terms of collaboration to be agreed to with the EU within the next two years, 66% voted to remain in the EU while only 14% voted to still leave the Union in the event of favourable new terms of collaboration..

Thus, it is crystal clear that the United Kingdom does not want to exit the EU per se, but because of the strong belief that it is no longer in the position to make its own laws in some critical areas of national interest, the British considered that the only option left for them to be able to assert their sovereignty is to negotiate their way out of the EU. The procedure for doing so is provided for in Article 50 of the 2007 Lisbon Treaty on the procedure for leaving the EU.

Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty

According to this 5-paragraphed Article, ‘any Member State may decide to withdraw from the Union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements.’ This paragraph 1 does not provide for what would happen in the event a decision to withdraw does not result from the logic of constitutional requirements.

As provided in paragraph 2, ‘a Member State which decides to withdraw shall notify the European Council of its intention. In light of the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with the State setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking into account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. That agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functions of the EU. It shall be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.’

The import of the first two paragraphs of Article 50 under consideration is that the withdrawal of the UK from the EU must be subject to constitutional provisions. The Brexit is already a pronouncement and a decision but it is still subject to the ratification of the Parliament, meaning that the process is yet to be completed. It is after the completion of the decision process that the final intention of the UK can be communicated to the EU for consideration by the European Council acting on behalf of the EU. In this regard, the European Council is to arrange for withdrawal on the basis of Article 218 (3) which says ‘the Commission or the High Representatives of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy where the agreement envisaged relates exclusively or principally to the common foreign and security policy, shall submit recommendations to the Council which shall adopt a decision authorizing the opening of negotiations and depending on the subject of the agreement envisaged nominating the Union negotiator or the Head of the Union’s negotiating team.’

What is noteworthy about Paragraphs 3 and 4 is that EU treaties shall cease to apply to the State withdrawing with effect from the date of entry into force of the withdrawn agreement or failing that, two years after the notification of withdrawal (para 3). Paragraph 4 not only provides for the non-participation of the withdrawing member

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

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Cameron in EU discussions but also for qualified majority as defined in Article 235 (3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. More significantly, paragraph 5 provides for the conditions for rejoining the EU. From the foregoing, it is not yet clear whether the final outcome of the Brexit will imply non-membership of the UK in the near future, especially in light of both internal contradictions in the EU and UK. What is currently indisputable about the Brexit is that, at the level of theoretical exegeses in international relations, it simply raises the issue of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as provided for in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. Put differently, it raises the extent of exclusiveness of issues that can be handled by the EU, as well as the extent to which a Member State can be allowed the exercise of its sovereignty.

As provided in paragraph 1 of Article 5, ‘the limits of Union competences are governed by the principle of conferral. The use of Union competences is governed by the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality.’ These three principles are explained in paragraphs 2 and 3: ‘Under the principle of conferral, the Union shall act only within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the Member States in the Treaties to attain the objectives set out therein. Competencies not conferred upon the Union in the Treaties remain with the Member States’ (para 2). Para 3 has it that ‘under the Principle of Subsidiarity, in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Union shall act only if and in so far as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by regional and local level, but can rather, by reason of the scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at Union level.’

This principle has largely informed African Union’s (AU) own principle which allows regional organisations to first seek immediate solutions to their problems but refer them to the AU in the event enduring solutions cannot be found at the regional or local levels.

It is within this policy framework that the EU also in paragraph 3 requires that ‘under the Principle of Proportionality, the content and form of Union action shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaties.’

In other words, whatever is needed to ensure the attainment of the objectives of EU Treaties falls within the competences of the EU. In essence therefore, the Brexit is an illustration of rivalry between proponents of national sovereignty and advocates of globalizing and supranational organizations. This is one major factor underlining the international politics and implications of Brexit. In the understanding of Claire Bradley, if a Member State feels that ‘a proposal is just another example of overregulation, that is, it is entirely disproportionate, then you may have strong grounds for opposing it on the grounds of proportionality. Equally if you believe that the issue being addressed by the legislation is not trans-European and should therefore be addressed by individual Member States, then again you might have grounds for opposition on the grounds of subsidiarity.’

Thus, in both cases, the issue is who has responsibility to do what at any given time? When should the application of national sovereignty and supranational authority be given first priority?

International Politics of Brexit

At the level of the EU, the BBC reported on Thursday, June 30, 2016 that the EU Trade Commissioner, Ms. Cecilia Malmstrom, had made it clear that there would not be any trade talks until full Brexit,

that is, the UK should first exit and then come back to negotiate. One possible rationale for this position may be related to the fact that the EU cannot negotiate a separate trade deal with any of its member, hence the need to first exit. In the same vein, the EU regulation does not allow any Member State to negotiate its own trade deals with outsiders. The implication of this is that, on exiting, the UK will be negotiating as a third country, and therefore, on the basis of application of the World Trade Organisation rules.

The German approach to Brexit is persuasive and reconciliatory.

Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor (1982-1998) has advised the German government to be more cautious as shunning Brexit Britain will be a ‘big mistake.’ He suggested that the EU should give greater respect to national identities in Europe and avoid imposing too much of standardisation in Member States. As quoted in Bild, a German tabloid, ‘he pleaded for calm and warned against (acting towards Britain with) unnecessary toughness and haste… The most important thing is for the country itself to decide what it wants.’

Before Brexit on June 23rd, US President, Barak Obama indicated that US-UK trade would move to the back of the queue.’ He explained that ‘there are some general longer-term concerns about global growth if in fact Brexit goes through and that freezes the possibilities of investment in Great Britain, or in Europe as a whole.’

French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, has said in Berlin that there is ‘a certain urgency… so that we don’t have a period of uncertainty, with financial consequences, political consequences.’

French Economic Minister, Emmanuel Macron, has noted that the UK has taken the EU hostage and that ‘the failure of the British government’ now appears to be paving way for ‘the possibility of the crumbling of Europe. Perhaps most importantly, President Francois Hollande, has, during his discussion with David Cameron at the Centenary Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, said that ‘being in the European Union has its advantages… and that is what the British are beginning to understand, what those who are tempted by the Brexit are going to reflect upon.’ Consequently, in the thinking of Hollande, ‘the implementation of the Brexit cannot be cancelled or delayed.’ On this question of delay, Michael Gove of the UK said, as Prime Minister, he would only act ‘after extensive preliminary talks’, and most probably not before the end of this year.’ In this same vein, Theresa Mary May (Home Secretary) has also said that ‘there should be no decision to invoke Article 50 before the British negotiating strategy is agreed and clear.’

Most analyses have pointed to Russia having everything to gain from the Brexit. As noted by former US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, ‘Putin, of course, did not cause the Brexit, but he and his foreign policy objectives stand to gain enormously from it.’

China supports the remain voters. So does Canada: Britain should remain a member of the EU In Ghana, Foreign Minister Hannah Tetteh has said that Ghana ‘would now have to consider renegotiation of … bilateral trade agreement with the UK even though this is something that we see coming in the horizon, we also will have to anticipate beginning our bilateral trade with the EU as we have significant trade agreements with Germany, France, among others.

Sameh Shoukry, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, has it that Brexit has the potential to lead to several reactions at the economic level. As he put it, ‘Brexit may change the course within the EU, especially in terms of dealing with Arabs and the Middle East. The EU may now lean towards the Euro-Mediterranean countries.’ In Algeria, Benali Cherif, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has said that ‘Algeria has taken note of the decision of the UK to leave the EU. The sovereign decision of the people of the UK has created a new situation that would have a deep impact on international relations, as well as on Europe’s cooperation with the rest of the world… Algeria has committed to “building a multifaceted and fruitful partnership with the UK.” The South African Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordham, has said that ‘we have seen that currencies have become volatile, the rand has depreciated, the share market in the London Stock Exchange has lost a significant amount of money and all of these are reactions to the decision that has been made in the UK… However, the trade links between South Africa and the EU and Britain are fairly strong and are based on solid agreements and we have a 2-year period which whatever changes need to be made to agreements and treaties can in fact be made.’

End of a New Beginning: the Dilemma

The essence of the foregoing analysis of international politics of the Brexit is to draw attention to the fact that, globally and gradually, the Brexit is being acquiesced to and more of it cannot but be expected.

The immediate challenge and dilemma is that new coinages are already in vogue: Nexit for Netherlands or for who is next? Frexit for France, etc.

The main rationale for the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957, which became European Community, and later European Union, is to make the Union strong and united for the purposes of a Greater Europe and development. This was the beginning and the cardinal objective of the EU. Now, with Brexit and its attendant domino effects, it appears there is likely to be an end to the beginning in the sense that the EU may sooner than later, suffer a master stroke, collapse and eventually death. Nigeria should therefore avoid NDexit (Niger Delta Exit) or Mexit (Massob Exit), as militants in Nigeria are already lobbying for international assistance to support self determination. The AU and the ECOWAS are not free from the ‘exit virus.

17

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

BUSINESS

Editor Festus Akanbi Email festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

QUICK TAKES Funding Infrastructure

To fund the infrastructural needs of its growing economy over the next 30 years,Nigeriawouldhavetospendabout N3trillion,accordingtotheMinisterof SolidMineralsDevelopment,Dr.Kayode Fayemi.

HedisclosedthisinLondonatabusiness forum organised by the Royal African Society. Quoting a recent report by the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, Fayemi stated that Nigeria’scurrentcoreinfrastructuralgap, basedoninternationalbenchmarks,is estimated at USD 80 billion.

Fayemi who presented a keynote address titled : Mining for Prosperity ‘Fuelling Nigeria’s industrialisation in the21stCentury,said,“Theinvestment wouldallowNigeriatocloseitscurrent infrastructuregapandsustainanideal infrastructurestocklevelof70percent ofGDPandbuildinfrastructureassets acrossthesevencriticalsectors-roads, rail,ports,airports,power,waterandICT.” According to him, “Iron ore and steel wouldaccountforthebulkofmaterials inputs needed to industrialise Nigeria andIurgedinvestorstotakeadvantage of the country’s huge steel market.

Special FX Trading floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange

10 Brokers Traded N98.430 Billion Shares in June Rencap, Stanbic IBTC led volume , value tables respectively

Kunle Aderinokun Activities on the floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) 2016 as measured by volume of trading by the top 10 stockbrokers for the month of June, totalled 7.218 billion shares . The volume of trading by these top 10 brokers represented 46.79 per cent of the total volume traded in the month under review.

Also, in the review month, top 10 stockbrokers traded a total of N98.430 billion worth of shares, accounting 62.95 per cent of the total value of the shares traded.

This NSE, which revealed this in its Broker Performance Report, showed that Rencap Securities (Nig) Limited traded 1.287 billion shares, which accounted for 8.34 per cent of the exchange’s total trading volume. It was followed by CSL Stockbrokers Limited with1.199 billion shares and Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited with 1.170 billion shares, representing 7.77 per cent and 7.59 per cent of total volume, respectively.

Ranking a distant fourth on the top 10 table, Morgan Capital Securities Limited, which traded 666.444 million shares, accounted for 4.32 per cent of the total while TRW Stockbrokers Limited, which followed with 553.006 million shares represented 3.58 per cent of the total.

Others are Primera Africa Securities Ltd with 540.710 million shares (3.51 per cent); FBN Securities Limited with 502.757 million shares (3.26 per cent); Cardinalstone Securities Limited with 482.540 million shares (3.13 per cent); Investment One Stockbrokers Intl Ltd with 475.665

CAPITAL MARKET million shares (3.08 per cent); and ARM Securities Ltd with 340.779 million (2.21 per cent).

Topping the table of top ten brokers by value, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited traded shares valued at N22.480 billion, representing 14.38 per cent of the value of month’s value. Closely followed, Rencap Securities traded N22.420 billion, accounting for 14.34 per cent of the total value.

EFCP Limited, which ranks number three on the table of top 10 brokers, traded shares valued at N15.546 billion, representing 9.94 per cent of total while CSL Stockbrokers Limited with N13.852 billion value of trading (8.86 per cent) followed.

Others are: FBN Securities Limited with N5.148 billion (3.29 per cent); Investment One Stockbrokers Intl Ltd with N4.999 billion (3.20 per

Source: Nigerian Stock Exchange

cent); African Alliance Stockbrokers Ltd with N4.679 billion (2.99 per cent); Primera Africa Securities Ltd with N3.456 billion (2.21 per cent); Cardinalstone Securities Limited with N3.055 billion (1.96 per cent); and Securities Africa Financial Limited with N2.790 billion (1.78 per cent).

Meanwhile, analysts at Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management Ltd in their assessment of activities at the stock exchange for the last week, which ended on Friday noted that, “for the most part of the week, profit-taking was at play as risk sentiment persists.”

According to them, “The two major factors that influenced overall market sentiments were: Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and uncertainty about the new CBN FX policy which is keeping foreign investors on the side-line.” “That said, we are of the view that the ability of listed companies to maximise revenues to boost their bottom lines at a period

of slow economic growth appears to be presenting dark cloud for the market, prompting some investors to avoid risk,” they added.

The DLM analysts who stated that, “the index heavyweights finished on the downside,” pointed out that, “it was banking, consumer, and industrial goods sectors that grabbed the headlines as these sectors fell sharply by 5.38 per cent, 5.07 per cent and 4.50 per cent respectively.”

The NSE-ASI delivered -4.39 per cent week on week, while market capitalisation fell by N461.69billion.

Activity level was also on the downside as value of traded equities on the bourse fell by 35.31 per cent.

Overall, 21 stocks recorded gains while 51 stocks recorded a decline during the week.

Julius Berger emerged as the best-performing stock rising by 15.75 per cent to close the week at N50.93 per share.

Despite the appreciable progress recordedintheforeignexchangemarket sincetheCentralBankofNigeria(CBN) announced its new foreign exchange policy, manufacturers in the country have decried their inability to get the greenbackto import rawmaterials for production.

Theyhavethereforecalledonthefederal governmenttocreateaspecialwindow toenablethemaccessforeignexchange for importation of raw materials.

Speakingonbehalfofhiscolleaguesin a chat with journalists during a public lecturehedeliveredattheUniversityof Lagos,theGroupManagingDirectorof VitafoamNigeriaPlc,Mr.TaiwoAdeniyi, enjoinedthefederalgovernmenttotake urgent steps to address the matter to save the economy.

According to him, “The first half of the year was not good for manufacturers, alotofpolicychangeshavetakenplace but it is too early to begin to think that theywillhaveanyimpactonbusinesses yet. On the 20th of last month when the CBN announced the new foreign exchange policy, a huge amount of dollars was released into the system andeverybodythoughtitwasgoingto continue that way.”

Air Fare

Foreign travels, especially for leisure during this year’s summer, may be out of the reach of many Nigerians, as the FederalGovernment’snewlyintroduced exchangeratepolicyhasmadeairfares onforeignroutestogoupbyatleast57 per cent, according to findings by our correspondent.

The adoption of N283/dollar as the new interbank exchange rate for the conversion of flight tickets, which are globally priced in dollars, by the Switzerland-based International Air Transport Association has made internationalairfaresonNigerianroutes to rise considerably.

IATA is a trade association for the world’sairlinesconsistingofabout260 airlines represented in 117 countries and accounting for 83 per cent of the total global air traffic. Findings from internationalairlinesandtravelagencies operating in the country revealed that the airfares might increase further as thesummerpeakseasontravelsbegin this week.

AtravelexpertandManagingDirector ofAirlinesLogisticsManagementand SupportLimited,ChiefJohnAdebanjo, said, “The interbank exchange rate moved from N197 to over N280 per dollar two Mondays ago.

18

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Eliminating Barriers to Ease of Doing Business, FDI Inflow

Considerable robustness has returned to Nigeria’s capital and money markets following the introduction of a flexible foreign exchange regime by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Abiodun Eromosele reports that government’s efforts to create an attractive investment climate must be accompanied by matured regulation

R

ecently, Nigeria made improvement in the World Bank ease of doing business global ranking which saw the country move up five places in the last one year.

The World Bank report revealed that it is getting better to do business in emerging markets, as Nigeria jumped to 170 out of a total of 189 counties measured in the ease of doing business survey.

The report revealed that Nigeria now ranks among the top five economies in Sub-Saharan Africa in two areas: the ease of getting credit and the strength of minority investor protection.

Also, some improvement was recorded in the process of starting up a business.

Analysts have hailed the feat as encouraging and laudable stressing however that Nigeria needs to do more to make its economy attractive to foreign investors and catch up with other developing countries, despite the improvement recorded.

“It’s appealing to see improvement in the ease of doing business in Nigeria, moving five notches to rank 170th of 189 ranked countries in the world. Whilst it is still a long haul to where a country like Nigeria should be, given the potentials and business opportunities in the country, I think it is important to look at the components of the rank to ensure further improvement going forward.

“In my view, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), operators, as well as other collaborators in the financial services sector, have enhanced access to credit, especially at the low-end of the market, with expectation of further improvement, when the high interest rate tapers out. Most state governments and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have also relaxed rigid rules on starting or registering businesses, thus improving our score on this component of the ranking criteria, ”said a market watcher.

In ease of obtaining credit, Nigeria jumped 73 places up to number 52, while in ease of starting a business, it improved nine places to number 125.

The World Bank report went further to say that Nigeria has implemented 10 regulatory reforms, starting from 2005, making it easier to do business.

Nigeria improved its credit information system through a CBN guideline defining the licensing, operational and regulatory requirements for a privately-owned credit bureau.

The country, the report showed, improved access to credit information by distributing credit information from retail companies.

Also, a majority of reforms have focused on improving business incorporation, trade, and credit reporting systems—allowing the country to gradually narrow the gap with the best regulatory practices in the region.

Between 2013 and 2014, Nigeria saw an increase of 3.6 points in its distance to frontier score, greater than the global average increase of 0.8.

This is due, in large part, to an increase in the coverage rate of Nigeria’s credit reporting system and a reduction in the company registration fee that made it less costly to start a business.

Nigeria’s upward movement (+5) compared favourably to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and China) (+0), other MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey) (+2) nations and Sub Saharan Africa (+2).However, Nigeria recorded a decline in rankings in the dealing with construction permit, getting electricity, paying taxes and resolving insolvency.

Regulatory Hindrances

Marina, Lagos

While the recent improvement in the ease of doing business in the country is commendable, analysts have warned that the gains may be reversed if regulators fail to do what is necessary.

The analysts also called on the federal government to eliminate regulatory rascality because the country had, in the past, missed several opportunities to enhance its business climate.

Over the years, the debate over the overbearing attitude of regulators as it concerns the ease of doing business in Nigeria has never been as contentious or rancorous as it is today.

What majority of the stifling policies or policy witch-hunt have effectively succeeded in doing is restrict or hinder innovation, investment opportunities, growth of economy and most importantly, bring about a static economy where bureaucrats dictate the pace of growth of an economy or out-rightly retard the process.

A country that prioritises the ease of doing business is almost on a sacred quest for the solution that will create growth, and open new eras of prosperity and well-being.

Unfortunately, like many things called holy, the concept of innovation is invoked ritually and ceremonially more than it is embraced in practice.

Having said that, amid all the rhetoric, of allowing organisations the enabling environment to thrive and in return grow the economy, a lot of regulatory authorities knowingly and unknowingly stifle it. They say they want more growth and innovation but at the same time, they seem to operate by a set of hidden principles designed to prevent businesses from surfacing or succeeding.

Impact of Regulation on Businesses A pointer to what regulators decision can have on business and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was witnessed recently when the CBN announced a flexible exchange rate regime.

Days after the Central Bank released details of the country’s new foreign exchange policy, hallmarked by a market-determined foreign exchange rate, the economic outlook has expectedly entered positive territory, with

growing investor confidence boosting the capital and money markets. The capitalisation at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) soared

by N760 billion three days after the policy was announced, pushing overall market value to over N10 trillion.

The new policy ended the CBN’s fixed exchange rate policy, which in the last 16 months, stifled economic growth as investors pulled out capital and many companies sacked thousands of workers as profits plummeted because they were unable to procure foreign exchange for their operations.

Following the development, Managing Partner at Noveni Advisors and U.S investment specialist on Africa, Aubrey Hruby, predicted a quick recovery of Africa’s largest economy as the new policy provides sufficient impetus for investors to return to the Nigerian market.

“This announcement has been a long time coming and could help move Nigeria onto the road to economic recovery. A bold step, devaluation will give investors a solid rate at which to return to the Nigerian market and give future transactions a baseline from which to start,” Hruby said.

Similar optimism was expressed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), whose spokesman, Gerry Rice, noted that the policy will provide greater flexibility in the foreign exchange market, and help to reduce the fiscal and external imbalances that had plagued the economy.

“As we have said before, a significant macroeconomic adjustment that Nigeria urgently needs to eliminate existing imbalances and support the competitiveness of the economy is best achieved through a credible package of policies involving fiscal discipline, monetary tightening, a flexible exchange rate regime and structural reform,” Rice said. “Allowing the exchange rate to better reflect market forces are an integral part of that.”

Balanced Regulation Herein lays the imperative of balanced economic regulation. Until the new policy,

Nigeria pegged its official exchange rate at N197/USD, a strategy that triggered huge pressure on the country’s external reserves and restricted foreign exchange supply to the economy. Economic stagnation was the result as the policy had numerous drawbacks, especially in stemming the flow of capital and foreign direct investments into the country.

The reversal of the policy, experts say, portends good for the economy, particularly by serving as a template for responsive regulation. Investment decisions and inflow of FDI depend in large part on the existence of a mature and balanced regulatory environment. Without clarity on policy directions and being able to modify such policies to support investment and business, hopes of attracting investment or engineering economic development are slim.

There is need for clear understanding and delicate balancing of the needs and aspirations of important stakeholders such as investors, financial institutions, the international community, and operators, among others, in order to safeguard the economy.

Ambiguities and uncertainties, especially arising from inadequate consultation or consideration of the outcome, lead to adverse consequences.

The arbitrary imposition of regulations or lack of continuity often fails to fulfill the objectives of economic development.

A development that readily comes to mind was the admission by the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, that the initial fine of N1.04 trillion imposed on telecom firm MTN Nigeria Limited, for some infractions, was reduced to N300 billion in order to encourage foreign investments into the country.

Shittu indicated that government took into consideration the negative impact the hefty fine could have on the country, the people and the economy. This, apparently, was the result of constructive engagement between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and MTN. “As far as we are concerned, the MTN issue is a closed matter. Nigeria as a country must

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY/APPOINTMENT Eliminating Barriers to Ease of Doing Business, FDI Inflow

Cont’d from Pg. 18

than stifle them with overbearing policies that will hinder industrial growth.

“It cannot be overemphasised that Nigeria needs as much foreign direct investments as it can get, particularly with the recent transformation agenda set in motion by the federal government, intended to ensure rapid growth and far-reaching economic prosperity, “he said.

Ohanyere continued: “Often than not, regulatory rascality, a situation where regulation takes the law in its hands rather than follow due process, is the key factor that negatively affects inflow of FDIs. Many a time, it unknowingly hinders investment inflows, for fear of losing domestic management control.

move on. We must not do anything to drive away foreign investors. Foreign investments are potent means of bringing about development and wealth creation,” Shittu stated.

The resolution of the MTN saga comes in the wake of the amicable resolution of the dispute between Guinness Nigeria Plc and National Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over some alleged infractions for which the brewing giant was slammed with a N1 billion fine.

Resolving Regulator, Operators’ Dispute Another issue that undoubtedly requires some closure, possibly through constructive engagement, is the lingering dispute between the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and Stanbic IBTC. Following what it described as discrepancies in Stanbic IBTC’s financial statements and general financial reporting for 2013 and 2014, FRCN announced a regime of sanctions, including the suspension of the Financial Reporting Numbers of Stanbic IBTC’s Chairman and CEO, and a fine of N1 billion. Ayodele Othihiwa of KPMG, auditors to Stanbic IBTC, was also suspended for the same offence.

As details of the issue became available, it turned out that FRC did not even consult the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), regulator of the industry, and acted without fair hearing for Stanbic IBTC, even when the rules and regulations stipulated that FRC can only sue when there is disagreement over an issue.

Stanbic IBTC went to court to seek enforcement of its right to conduct its business without interference from FRC, and subsequently obtained an injunction restraining the FRC from interfering with or hindering its operations pending final determination of the suit.

While this was going on, FRC unleashed an undated rule, which precludes Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) without FRC certification or registration number from attesting to financial statements.

The target, it is believed, was Stanbic IBTC. In the letter dated May 27, which the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) posted on its website, Stanbic IBTC claimed that its auditors, KPMG, refused to offer an opinion on its 2015 financial report, as required by regulation, because the auditing firm is afraid of being sanctioned by FRC. “The FRC also informed Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc’s external auditors, KPMG, that as they are “privies” of FRC, it would sanction the firm if it issues an audit opinion in respect of the financial statements of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc or any of its subsidiaries.” With this stalemate, it would appear that FRC is intent on destabilising the organisation.

A simple and perhaps unarguable deduction from the aforementioned quotes is that FRC appears not interested in an amicable resolution of the contentious issues. And to threaten

Enelamah

KMPG, if true, is despicable, to say the least.

This debacle, analysts believe, inevitably calls for the urgent constitution of a supervisory board for FRC, which is currently run like a sole administratorship, with Jim Obazee as executive secretary and chief executive officer.

Market watchers also wonder why the supervising Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, whose understanding of the workings of the private sector and the corporate world is well documented, has yet to wade into the problem even as FRC engages in the destructive quest of maligning organisations, to Nigeria’s detriment.

What has baffled observers is that despite reported moves for an out-of-court settlement, Obazee, using FRCN as linchpin, continued with its opaque goal of destroying these corporates. As gleaned from Stanbic IBTC’s letter to NSE, the regulator vowed never to listen to any wise counsel or back down from its vicious course. The letter stated in part, “The FRC has informed Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC that it will not comply with the court orders or engage constructively with Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC unless and until there is a non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. It is pertinent to mention that only decisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria are non-appealable.”

“By insisting on bringing Stanbic IBTC and KPMG to their knees, at taxpayers’ expense anyway, what purpose does Obazee and FRCN wish to achieve? Nigeria’s economy is presently on its knees due to volatility in the global oil market. Companies across various

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

sectors of the economy are retrenching in their numbers. President Muhammadu Buhari and his ministers have been to different parts of the world in search of investors and support for the economy.

“There is no better time for all hands to be on deck to revamp the economy by showcasing Nigeria’s potential to the world, especially investors. The consummation of Stanbic IBTC in 2008, which currently employs over 2,000 Nigerians, resulted in $525 million in FDI, the largest in Nigeria’s financial sector at the time. As part of Standard Bank Group, Africa’s biggest financial institution, Stanbic IBTC has gained considerable global expertise and network that Nigeria should harness for its benefit. KPMG, part of a global network in about 155 countries, has been operating in Nigeria since 1978, without a dent on its competence or integrity. Why now,” said a stockbroker who do not want his name in print?

He added: “I strongly believe that FRC’s intransigence would unnecessarily prolong the process of resolving the dispute with Stanbic IBTC or KPMG while keeping stakeholders on edge for as long as the litigation lasts. A situation where an individual will single-handedly indict major internationally-rated corporates operating in Nigeria as well as refuse to obey court orders does not augur well for Nigeria’s drive for foreign investment as a fillip to spur economic growth and development.”

An Economist, Emeka Chimezie, lent his voice to the call for government and other relevant authorities to support and encourage companies with huge investment appetite rather

FG’s Effort Meanwhile, the federal government has taken steps to ensure a better investment climate by approving the formation of committee on ease of doing business.

President Muhammadu Buhari approved the formation of a Presidential Commission on the matter. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who disclosed this recently, emphasised the need for ease of doing business in the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a high-powered commission to work on the issues around the ease of doing business in the country,” the vice president announced while presiding over the first Quarterly Consultation between the presidency and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN).

Osinbajo said: “The commission will have a secretariat to be headed by a private sector professional who will be appointed to lead the secretariat of the presidential commission that will now pay even greater attention and focus to the issues of doing business in the country.

At the consultation MAN raised, among many concerns, their worries about cases of multiple taxation, and in response the vice president promised to follow up on the matter, adding that “one of the key issues the presidential commission which I am heading would be looking at is the case of multiple taxation.”

He added that this is also an issue that the Ministry of Trade and Investment is also actively engaged with.

At the end of the meeting, the President of MAN, Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, while speaking with State House Correspondents, expressed concern about the acts of vandalism regarding the nation’s oil and gas installations describing such as economic sabotage.

According to him, while “the association is happy about what the federal government is doing, but we are concerned about what is happening in the Niger Delta area which is a kind of sabotaging the economic activities of government and therefore we want to call on them to lay down their arms in the interest of the country.”

Seni Adetu, Quintessential Business Executive, Joins Fidelity Bank Olaseni Durojaiye

S

eni Adetu was recently appointed to the board of Fidelity Bank as a non-executive director. His invitation to the board did not come as a surprise given his pedigree in management and his achievement as a business executive. He is armed with a vast experience which straddles different markets including Ghana, Nigeria, East Africa and United Kingdom.

Adetu is credited with considerable expertise in commercial, financial and corporate governance best practices, which he gained from his work experience with Diageo in the United Kingdom (UK) and leadership development programmes with Coca Cola Company in the United States (US).

He boasts of 30 years of distinguished private sector experience, having worked with various multinational companies at home and abroad.

Adetu began his career in Marketing with John Holt Plc in 1986 and joined Coca-Cola International as Marketing Manager in 1992.

While in the company, Adetu held various positions of increasing responsibilities in Sales,

Adetu

Marketing and General Management in several countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

In 1998, he became the first Nigerian and first African to be appointed Marketing Director for the Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria; and in 2001 became Managing Director Coca-Cola International for English West Africa (excluding Nigeria), based in Ghana.

Adetu joined Diageo Group, the parent company of Guinness in August 2006 and after a short stint in the UK office, again became the first-ever African Managing Director/CEO and Vice Chairman of Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd, based in Accra, Ghana. In 2008, he led his team to becoming the “Company of the Year” for Diageo/Guinness of all the International businesses.

In July 2009, Mr. Adetu was appointed Group Managing Director/CEO of Diageo East Africa and East African Breweries Ltd (EABL). His tenure at EABL witnessed significant turnaround in the company’s business.

He returned to Nigeria from Kenya to lead Guinness Nigeria Plc as its Managing Director/ CEO while doubling as Executive Chairman of Diageo Brands Nigeria.

Renowned for championing innovation in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)

sector, under his watch, the business recorded considerable expansion in its production lines and brand portfolio, leading to the launch into the market of products like Snap, Orijin Bitters and Orijin Ready-to-drink among others.

While he superintended the business, Spirit and high octane brands in the Diageo group also recorded considerable market penetration in Nigeria.

In response to media enquiries, a press statement from Guinness Nigeria Plc in December 2014 announcing his exit explained that Adetu quitting his position at Guinness Nigeria Plc to assume bigger responsibilities at Diageo Group in the United Kingdom.

A thought leader in business management and marketing, Adetu is a frequent speaker at various high profile marketing and corporate governance functions.

He is a Chemical Engineering graduate of the University of Lagos and holds an MBA with specialisation in Marketing from the same university. Adetu is Founder/Group CEO of First Primus West Africa Ltd, an upscale Integrated Marketing Communications company. He is a Leadership Coach and facilitator on the Chief Executive Programme of the Lagos Business School. He is married with children.

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

30-day Truce Offers Nigeria Room to Claw Back Lost Oil Volumes

Chineme Okafor writes that the 30-day ceasefire reportedly agreed by both the federal government and militants in the Niger Delta offers the country the opportunity to restore its oil production volumes to previous levels

There had been incessant bombing of oil facilities in Niger Delta by militants

L

ast week, THISDAY exclusively reported that the Nigerian federal government, led by its officials had clinched a deal for a 30-day truce with Niger Delta militants who had engaged in constant disruption of oil production in the Delta since February.

The deal according to the report gives President Muhammadu Buhari’s government some very limited time to come up with a comprehensive plan for the oil-rich region which the militants said was being short-changed by the Nigerian State.

It also offers the country an opportunity to claw back volumes it had lost from the disruptions as predicted by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, that relative peace could afford the country the chance to climb up by August.

Though, a Twitter account of one of the most prominent armed groups, the Niger Delta Avenger later denied the group had agreed to stop attacking oil facilities and dialogue with the government, the report however noted that Kachikwu was largely instrumental to the reported truce.

Kachikwu before the report of a ceasefire, had stated that the government was in dialogue with the militants. He said the dialogue will lead to a halt in their destruction of oil facilities in the Delta, and that it will involve good spirited stakeholders. He has since continued to push for a resolution to the hostilities.

Following from this, the ceasefire report by THISDAY indicated that government officials eventually reached the truce with major stakeholders in the region involved.

It was also learnt that through back channels, Kachikwu was able to get to the militants and

asked that they allow the government sometime to work through their demands and which they agreed to.

As it stands now Perhaps in line with the spirit and letters of the truce, persistent breaks which had been the situation with oil facilities in the Delta right from February has since stopped.

Monitored reports of the activities of the militants has also shown that the last attack by the militant group took place on June 16, after which there had been no new reported attacks yet.

The Avengers, since February had religiously carried out attacks on oil installations at least on weekly basis. They and other groups have said they were protesting against the Nigerian government, which they alleged was stealing natural resources in the Niger Delta region and refusing to develop the region.

The militants had previously indicated that they would go on with their violent campaign against oil mining in the Delta and not interested in dialogue. They even said at a point that they wouldn’t stop their operations until Nigeria’s oil production dropped to zero, but they may have shifted on this stance with the reported ceasefire.

At the height of their campaign, Nigeria’s oil outages dropped from 2.2 million barrels every day to about 1.6 million barrels. Kachikwu when he announced the overture to negotiate with militant, confirmed the production status.

The development also helped in May to push oil prices rebound to above $50 a barrel – a level not seen since October 2015.

Even so, when the incoming Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Barkindo, paid a courtesy visit to Buhari in the State House alongside Kachikwu, he stated that he was told the country’s oil production was beginning to rise again.

He also expressed confidence that there would be a ‘stable and permanent solution’ to the hostilities in the Delta.

Exports data from Windward and Thomson Reuters which THISDAY also monitored showed the country’s oil export from April to May had a far smaller drop than observers had predicted.

It said while May production was at 1.37 million barrels per day (bpd) representing a 30 year low, exports for that month dropped by just 62,000bpd to 1.67mbpd, compared to 1.77mbpd in April.

According to it, there was also a rise in exports of top Nigerian grades including Bonga, Agbami, Antan, Amenam, Okwori, which it noted helped to offset the losses from the disruptions.

The data equally indicated that Nigeria exported up to 500,000bpd more than what OPEC thought it had produced in May. James Davis, head of crude supply at FGE Energy was quoted to have explained that the surprising figures were gains from small fields that offset declines from others, perhaps from where outages were mostly recorded.

“The disruptions in the fields that were out was pretty much what we expected; what we didn’t expect was the marginal increases in other fields,” said Davis.

But in an interview in China where Kachikwu spoke on the current status of oil production from Nigeria’s oil fields as well as dialogue with militants in the Niger Delta, he stated that production figures were gradually growing back up.

“All the way from January right through to April of this year, we were producing about 1.9 to 2.2 million barrels per day which is still within the threshold that we budgeted for the year.

“In May and June, we suffered a lot of militant attacks which took us all the way down from 2.2 million barrels to about 1.3 million.

“We have managed to begin to lead conversations with the militants. We have been able to get production back to about 1.9 million barrels a day, we are continuing those conversations and by the time the Forcados is repaired in July, we should be able to come back to expected production ceiling for this year of 2.2 million and begin to look whether we can increase a bit to enable us recover the two to three months hiatus that we had.

“And so, things are looking up, engagements are going on well, we have been able to make inroads into those conversations but what is important is the need to continue that momentum and to look to long term solutions to the Niger Delta crisis that creates the militancy that we have,” he said.

To pave way for proper negotiation, the government has also reportedly ordered a ceasefire of operations by its military troops in the Delta, as well as a withdrawal of fighter jets and battleships that were earlier deployed in the region to fight the militants.

Industry experts however believe this move and the 30-day reported ceasefire, even though its details are still kept in hushes, will have mixed implications for Nigeria’s oil production.

According to them, it will in the interim allow the country claw back its lost production volumes which Kachikwu confirmed could happen in July, as well as rebalance its share of OPEC’s production quota.

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

BUSINESS/TELECOMS

MTN’s Acquisition of 2.6GHz Spectrum Rekindles Hope of FDI

The declaration of MTN as winner of the 2.6GHz broadband spectrum licence has renewed the confidence in the Nigerian economy especially as it is expected to increase the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) to country. As well, the development has raised the hope of better telecoms offerings to Nigerians, who are now anxious to witness a fast rollout of the spectrum with a view to having ubiquitous broadband access. Emma Okonji writes

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), last week, announced MTN as the winner of the nation’s 2.6GHz spectrum, and since then, Nigerians have been hopeful that MTN would bring about the much needed availability of broadband access to the Nigerian populace, giving its investment pedigree as the largest network operator in the country, and coupled with the fact that the spectrum is a broadband spectrum that is designed to deepen broadband internet access in the country.

Although NCC called for expression of interest among telecoms operators for the 2.6GHz spectrum licence, through a bidding process, only MTN showed interest in the spectrum, even when all other operators actually needed the spectrum to drive broadband penetration on their various networks. The action of MTN as the only telecoms operators with interest to invest in the country’s 2.6GHz spectrum, has been described by industry stakeholders as laudable, which they said, clearly demonstrated MTN’ commitment to invest in Nigeria, despite the global economic meltdown and the direct challenges it faced in the Nigerian telecoms space recently.

All eyes are therefore on MTN to do the magic of deepening the country’s broadband penetration and create available internet access to all Nigerians, being the only operator of the spectrum.

About 2.6GHz Spectrum The 2.6GHz spectrum licence, which has been issued to MTN, is a 10-year licence, designed to boost broadband and internet penetration. Giving insights into the spectrum, the Director, Spectrum Administration at NCC, Austin Nwaulune, explained that the 2.6GHz spectrum has been identified for international mobile communications on a global basis and that countries need the spectrum to complement other lower spectrum band. He added that it would help deliver broadband everywhere and offers opportunity to improve network performance. The more frequency an operator has, the more capacity the operator will have to deploy and improve

Group CEO MTN, Phuthuma Nhleko services. According to him, the 2.6GHz spectrum has the capacity to harmonise spectrum bands that are used globally and allows connectivity anywhere in the world. He said the spectrum would also create opportunity for the deployment of advanced wireless 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology services, as well as improve standardisation and harmonisation of telecoms operations. Other benefits of 2.6GHz spectrum according to him, include reduction of complexities, reduction of interference across borders, which means it can be used anywhere in the world because it is a harmonised spectrum band with increased flexibility for roaming subscribers’ lines.

How MTN Won the Spectrum NCC had on February, 25, 2016, placed a publication of the resumption of the 2.6GHz frequency spectrum auction, which was followed by a period for the submission of questions to the commission, relating directly to the licensing process defined in the information memorandum, and the period elapsed in April 16. By April 29, the application was closed to all operators, to give room for the auction committee to scrutinise the applications and inform those that will qualify

for the bidding exercise. The actual bidding was to commence with preliminary auction exercise from May 16 to 19, and by June 10, 2016, spectrum winners must have made full payment for the licence won, and by June 13, 2016, the NCC will announce the winners that complied with full payment directive. But to the utmost surprise of NCC, only MTN indicated interest to bid for the licence. After due consultations, NCC last week, declared MTN as the winner of the spectrum licence. It was gathered that MTN bid for six lots out of the available 14 lots of the spectrum and the reserve price for each lot of the 2.6GHz spectrum is $16 million. Since MTN indicated interest to acquire six lots, MTN is expected to pay 10 per cent of the total $96 million for the six lots, which is $9.6 million, as part of the pre-qualification process. By adding the 10 per cent compulsory payment of $9.6 million to the actual cost of the six lots that MTN bid for, which is $96 million, it means MTN must have paid NCC the total sum of $105.6 million to clinch the six lots of the 2.6HGz spectrum.

Expectations of Nigerians Commenting on the 2.6GHz spectrum, the Chief Executive Officer of Teledom Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said MTN must take advantage of being the only operator on the spectrum band, to roll out its services as quick as possible to provide ubiquitous broadband access to Nigerians.

According to him broadband availability would drive data services, which would in turn drive knowledge acquisition and productivity that would eventually boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. “Ubiquitous broadband access will lead to ubiquitous productivity, thus providing easy access for video conferencing, Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media,” Ekuwem said.

Stressing the importance of broadband to Nigerians, Ekuwem explained that Nigeria needed broadband access for education, entertainment, agriculture, health, e-Commerce, sports and in governance, among other things. People need to have seamless communication for businesses purposes and for keeping family relations, and we cannot have such seamless communication without ubiquitous broadband access. I therefore challenge MTN to roll out services on the 2.6GHz

spectrum without delay, Ekuwem said.

The immediate past President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Lanre Ajayi, commended NCC for the auction of the 2.6GHz spectrum, which would further help to deepen broadband penetration in the country. He equally commended MTN for investing in the country’s 2.6GHz spectrum and called on other telecoms operators to also consider investing in the remaining lot of the 2.6GHz spectrum, to make it more competitive.

According to him, Nigeria needed competition in broadband service offerings, in order to drive down cost.

MTN’s Assurances Having been declared winner of the 2.6GHz spectrum, MTN has assured Nigerians of its commitment to further deepen broadband penetration from its current 10 per cent penetration level, to an appreciable level that would provide easy access to broadband services.

According to MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi Moolman, “After complying with all the requirements for the 2.6GHz auction and making the licence payment of N18.96 billion to the NCC, MTN has been issued a letter of award. With the 2.6 GHz band, we expect to roll out and provide the full range of LTE services to Nigerians, empowering Nigeria with the latest mobile broadband technology.”

According to Moolman, “We are very pleased with this development at this time, which is a further step in the right direction for Nigeria.

Indeed, MTN is fully aligned and supports the NCC’s objective to deliver broadband services to present and future generations of subscribers, in line with the National Broadband Plan of 2013.”

He added: “This licence acquisition further demonstrates MTN’s abiding faith in the future of Nigeria and the resilience of the Nigerian economy. MTN continues to believe in Nigeria and we have expressed this belief in the level of our investment, which currently stands at approximately $15 billion and counting. We strongly believe that there is need for significant levels of investment in broadband infrastructure and services to truly launch Nigeria into the information age. We are honoured to be the arrowhead.”

Steering Africa’s Creative Output Neo Mashigo

A

s we take stock of yet another year creeping by, May signifies a great deal more than just payday for the salaried among us.

Africa Month gives us a yardstick to measure our progress as a continent, and commit to rolling up our sleeves to be the difference we’d like to see on the continent.

In my position as chairperson of the international brand showcase that is the Loeries, I look to promote the very best of African creativity. The Loeries is an African show about creativity trying to change the world. The organisation has become overtly African, recognising that even just a few years ago, it wasn’t. It has identified the immense need for Africa to express itself creatively to the world, and is rewarding those who tell their stories authentically and creatively.

The Loeries as an organisation measures itself against the percentage change in terms of its entries and winners. We’re hard on ourselves. We

know it takes sweat and determination to shift things, but we’re noticing a distinct improvement.

We’re also encouraging other African countries to have their own shows and awards, because for change to be real or lasting, it has to happen everywhere.

But how do we encourage creativity among our people? As a leader in the industry, it’s a difficult question to answer, and the solution isn’t quick or easy. But it is within our grasp.

From the early days of our education, we’re fed literature from a Eurocentric point of view.

Dick and Jane play with Spot. Snow White (could there be a less politically correct name in all literature?) frolics with the seven, erm, small people. Rapunzel lets down her flowing blonde mane. The implication, from so early on, is that stories come from people other than us; we can share in them, but we aren’t qualified to be the subjects.

When I was in school, I read the stories of Chinua Achebe and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, and I was inspired. I was enthralled to participate in narratives that resonated with my own cultural references. I gobbled them up. They inculcated

in me a love for reading, for the creative process, for stories. They showed me that I could be the protagonist in my own story, that I could craft it and share it.

To be creative, a person needs an environment that allows it, that gives them the time and space they need to reflect, and represent themselves and their culture authentically and surprisingly through their craft. The media and advertising space has recognised that we need to open doors for younger people through bursaries, specifically creatively, throughout the country so children can be inspired, and in turn inspire future generations.

A lot more still needs to change in the industry, but I’m confident that we’re on the right track, and that in time, we’ll recognise what needs to be thrown out and what needs to be nurtured and developed.

What we also need is a recognition among ourselves that our destiny is in our own hands, and that to foster creativity and new and unfamiliar modes of expression, we need to be prepared to roll up our sleeves and get involved.

We need to mentor, guide, show, impart our

learnings on those eager to share them. We need to reinvigorate the way we teach, decolonise the syllabus, and inject it with imagination.

As Africans begin to take up the mantle and craft stories ourselves, about ourselves and from our perspectives, we are beginning to debunk those preconceived ideas and stereotypes that are foisted upon us. We are beginning to tell a different story, one of an emboldened, creative and prosperous people who hold their destiny in their own hands.

The annual Loeries Creative Week takes place in Durban from 15 to 21 August, with the awards ceremonies on 20 and 21 August.

As African creatives, we have a duty to steer the ship closer to home shores. Africa’s rise has already begun, and the stories we tell will shape not only the perspectives of generations to come, but provide Africa’s people with new stories they can relate to. Let Africa Month be a measure to show us both the strides we’ve made and the work ahead of us.

– Mashigo is Chairperson of the Loeries and executive creative director of I See a Different You

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

INTERVIEW

Ibrahim

JIMOH IBRAHIM AMCON’s Decision to Seize My Assets and Businesses is an Abuse of Court Process

Recently, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) announced that it had obtained a court order to possess assets of NICON Investment Limited, Global Fleet Oil and Gas and their Group Chairman, Jimoh Ibrahim, over a debt of N50 billion owed Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. In this exclusive interview with Kunle Aderinokun and Olaseni Durojaiye, Ibrahim expresses reservations about AMCON’s decision to shut down his businesses

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

INTERVIEW

Ibrahim: AMCON’s Decision to Seize My Assets and Businesses is an Abuse of Court Process Cont’d from Pg. 22

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rending media reports suggest that AMCON will possess some assets belonging to NICON Investment Limited (NIL), Global Fleet Oil and Gas and your personal assets including bank accounts, what are your thoughts on this?

What AMCON got was an interim court order; it lasts for 14 days but what we read in the newspapers was as if they got a court judgment against us, which is not true.

However, what really happened is this: We had a transaction with Union Bank in which we used our Pound Sterling account to borrow some cash from Union Bank, meaning that it was cash-for-cash lending.

We have our group life savings, which we refer to in the group as ‘reserve’ in Pound Sterling with Union Bank and over time we deposited 132 million Pound Sterling cash in that account, against that, we then borrowed N16 billion. As at that time, the naira value of the cash that we had with the bank was N32 billion and we borrowed N16 billion; obviously we had excess surplus with Union Bank and that was a good loan that any bank will do, meaning that the cash that we had with the bank was far more than what we borrowed.

Along the line, we wanted to repay the N16 billion loan with part of our Pound Sterling loan, as we were trying to do we’re informed that Union Bank has been bought over by Central Bank of Nigeria and a new management led by Mrs. Funke Osibodu put in place. When the new management led by Mrs. Funke Osibodu came in, we had a meeting with them. At the meeting they said to us that they were new and needed some time to study the transaction to be sure that it was in order. We told them that was fine by us, we even gave them records of our Pound Sterling account including the statement of account of the fixed deposit account and the certificate that was given to us as proof of the transaction and they didn’t deny that we were owe them the money. So that was not a problem again.

The next thing we heard was that they have sold the money and we were like how could you have sold the money without authorisation from us. The next thing we saw was again was a writ of summons to appear in court. When we got to court we showed the court proof of our deposit with Union Bank, we also showed them documents that showed what we borrowed from them. The court looked at the documents and gave judgment. In the 130-page judgment, court dismissed the case brought by Union Bank against us. In other words, Union Bank lost the case they instituted against us.

We then applied to a Lagos High Court for order to collect the judgment since we didn’t institute the case, we only went to court to defend a case brought against us so we could approach a Lagos High Court to get our money back. At that point, Union Bank then filed papers and admitted that it was true that we had the money with them adding that they needed sometime to file their papers. The court then adjourned for definite hearing of the case; but while the Lordship was preparing to hear the case, she asked both parties to agree on documents to be tendered so that the case can be heard on the strength of the documents that both parties have agreed on; then the counsels were doing that.

The next thing we heard was that AMCON had gone to court to get an interim order against us.

When did AMCON go to court?

They went to court last week. This case has been in court since 2010; we’re now in 2016; so how come AMCON still went to court when then they knew that the case was still in court and Union Bank has put up appearance and that Union Bank has lost one of the cases.

In fairness to AMCON, the former management of AMCON was aware of the court cases and they didn’t bother with us; or perhaps they were waiting for judgment to be delivered in the case before they act. What we suspect is that someone in AMCON may have told them a lie that there was no case pending in court on the matter and then they went on to get an interim order that says they should possess N50 billion against us, that

Ibrahim

is, the N16 billion with interest from that period to the present is now N50 billion.

Okay, what about the 132 million Pound sterling that was agreed on five per cent interest rate which would have risen to 175 million Pound sterling, which is now N96 billion? So who owes who? If I had N96 billion with you and I owe you N50 billion, how then do you now come around to say I am owing you? What about the N46 billion balance?

My suspicion is that, the exchange rate has become a problem for Union Bank. The real problem could be that the exchange rate rose against the bank and everybody is panicky, as at the time we were doing the transaction the Pound was N250 and it is now N550 to a Pound which is to our advantage, which means that the volume of money that we have with them has grown.

But there was a court judgment that exonerated you in the case …

But I was still joined in the case despite the fact that in the initial judgment the court declared that joining me in the case was done in bad faith. If a company borrowed money why are you joining Jimoh Ibrahim?

What is your current relationship with Union Bank like? Or have you severed your relationship with the bank?

The fact that AMCON is coming six years after, when we are still in court is condemnable. It is an abuse of court process because they are aware that the case is still in court; they shouldn’t have come up with all of these, they should have waited until judgment is delivered in the matter before they acted.

Along the line, we wanted to repay the N16 billion loan with part of our Pound Sterling loan, as we were trying to do we’re informed that Union Bank has been bought over by Central Bank of Nigeria and a new management led by Mrs. Funke Osibodu put in place. When the new management led by Mrs. Funke Osibodu came in, we had a meeting with them.

At the meeting they said to us that they were new and needed some time to study the transaction to be sure that it was in order

So what is your response to AMCON’s action?

My response is to discharge the court order. The agreement that AMCON and Union Bank entered into was in December 2010 while we filed our case on May 28th 2010; in order words, while the second case was pending they ((Union Bank and AMCON) were already meeting. So they know that it wasn’t a right move to make.

And even if AMCON had bought the debt why didn’t they inform us or invite us to a meeting to tell us that they have bought over our debt with Union Bank. They didn’t call us from 2010 to 2016 to come and discuss our ‘debt’.

Are you taking any action against AMCON?

What we have done is to file court papers to discharge the interim court order, after that, we will wait for the judgment at the Lagos High Court to collect our Pound Sterling and if we are owing them any money, we will pay Union Bank. Of course, our money is with Union Bank; that is not in doubt.

Do you really think any bank will shell out 132 million Pound Sterling from its vault given the current trend in the forex market?

That is why we’re in court. That is why the court will pronounce that we have money with them since they didn’t deny that we

do. The action of AMCON is mischievous and it is killing the country’s economy. A man has N86 billion with you and you say he is owing you N50 billion, you didn’t convene a single meeting with him for almost six years and then you suddenly wake up one day and rushed to court to obtain an interim order just because President Buhari is now in office and you want to impress him that you are working.

What is the monetary value of all the assets that were listed for possession?

Lest I forget, in the interim court order that they got, they said I am the owner of Cumberland Hotel in London; am I the owner? They also deceived the Court that I am the owner of Grand Mid-West Hotel in Dubai, this was the hotel where we had our group seminar, and they also stated that AMCON will take them over. They also listed number 94 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos House as belonging to me because it is called “Energy House;” same thing for former Allied Bank building at No 3 Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. The court was deceived to grant orders against properties that I don’t even know who owned them.

What do you ascribe all of these to?

I think AMCON is just being mischievous.

If you bought over an alleged debt, it is only proper that you convene a meeting between the two parties to have a discussion around the issue; you don’t buy a debt and only meet with one party without meeting with the other party. More so, you know that they are in court and that one party has deposit with the other party.

Then again, NICON Insurance didn’t borrow any money, NICON Hotel didn’t borrow any money; in the case filed by AMCON there was no mention of these companies so why then go after the companies.

That could be because they are in the same group?

Does it mean that because one company belongs to a group it can’t have a different business interest? I am not the only shareholder in the group that we’re talking about here; for instance, Federal Government of Nigeria has shares is NICON Insurance, does it then mean that Jimoh Ibrahim owns the place and then they should go and seal it up. I don’t know what their motive is; are they really pursuing recovery or something else?

Well, I know that it is a straight forward

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Ibrahim: AMCON’s Decision to Seize My Assets and Businesses is an Abuse of Court Process Cont’d from Pg. 22 I realised that they were working against making it a successful business I decided to shut it down.

We went to Egypt Air and leased an aircraft, we paid $3.5 million initial deposits and we were paying $1.5 million every month for the rental lease; we also accommodated all the pilots in Sheraton Hotel because the owners of the aircraft wouldn’t allow any other pilot other than their’s to fly the aircraft. We agreed to all of that yet the people running the airline were printing tickets and selling it for N40,000 and N50, 000; even as a member of IATA, the ticketing wasn’t going into the system.

Then what do I do? Do I stop somebody who has a ticket from boarding? Yet we weren’t seeing the money, do I continue with that kind of business?

At one time, staff members came to me and said they wanted to go on strike for unpaid salary of month of May, they came on a day that I wanted to travel to get an additional aircraft on lease and I told them how could you be talking of going on strike for the salary of May when it is just 23rd of May; when May has not ended. I told them somebody was using them and asked them to go ahead with the strike. They went on strike and later called it off and when they resumed, the regulators came over to say they wanted to inspect our aircraft because we didn’t fly for two or three days.

They said they want to inspect our fleet and I said to them that this is an unusual inspection, because we didn’t fly for two or three days you want to inspect the entire fleet and Captain Demuren told me to go and talk to the minister of aviation. I told him that I cannot go and talk to any minister if I won’t be allowed to run the airline as I should be running it.

Were there no checks in place to forestall such sharp practices?

What kind of check could you have put in place that Nigerians won’t abuse?

Ibrahim

case; we will have the order discharged. And if the court for any reason don’t discharge the order, we have the Court of Appeal.

There are insinuations that you benefitted from the aviation intervention Fund and that it was not appropriately deployed?

That has been laid to rest with my appearance at the senate hearing on the matter. The Central Bank of Nigeria also made it clear that they didn’t give any aviation intervention fund directly to the airlines and that the money was to refinance the loans that were granted the airlines.

Let me refresh your memory. When we bought over Air Nigeria we met a $150 million loan on ground. So when the CBN bought over the loan, how does that come to us? That was an account to account clearance yet people were mentioning Jimoh Ibrahim all over the place. When I appeared before the Senate Committee I made that clear and the Senate Committee saw my point and the Chairman of the committee stated it that the fund was a bank to bank transaction with no cash ever getting to us. I believe my submission at the Senate has cleared the air on that and that matter has been laid to rest.

Was there any time that you got wind of AMCON’s plans to approach the court to get an order to possess your assets?

Even if I got wind of it there was nothing that I could have done; if I were in court that day the court will not listen to me.

What I expected was for AMCON to have written a letter to me which they didn’t do.

Do you see this as impugning your reputation?

It does not affect my reputation in any way that a company that I have interests in owes a bank. Assuming that my company owes a bank, which company doesn’t owe in its entire life span? Companies owe, that’s allowed in businesses.

Owing is different from owing and refusing to repay. It doesn’t matter; it only becomes an issue if the company collapses.

But you have not declared bankruptcy...

You can only declare the company bankrupt not the directors of the company. What we must not fail to realise is that there is a separate personality between the company that owes and the owners of the company.

The fact that I represent a company is not a guarantee that the company is going to live forever, a company can die and it does not mean that because a company died due to bankruptcy. The owners could decide to wind down the company if they realise that they can no longer run the company.

Did government not wound down some of its companies when they realised that they cannot run it and the company was moribund and eating deep into the national pocket? You cannot give guarantee that a company won’t die. Didn’t Merrill Lynch die? Even British Airways, Goldman Sachs, all had their problems. Every company is bound to have their problem at one point or the other but what you have in Nigeria is that you can hardly separate a company from the owners of the company. So what does my reputation got to do with that? Does it mean that I cannot attain any position that I aspire to attain?

Would you say you left the company better than you met it?

When Richard Branson ran the company, he left a huge debt with UBA; does it mean that Richard Branson doesn’t have a reputation again? He left the airline with two aircraft parked at the tarmac and walked out all his management staff. Have you forgotten the state at which I bought the airline? It was actually at a stage of being wound up by Guaranty Trust Bank because the management of the company owed the bank some money. The case was adjourned for judgment when I bought over the airline.

If a company is set up and its asset is in trillion, and, assuming the company owes a bank N50 billion what is the proportion of that debt to your asset? 0.1 per cent; is that what you call debt. If as a business man you do not have any liability at any point in time then you’re a thief.

If at the time that you bought over Air Nigeria it was in such bad shape, why did you still go ahead to buy it over?

It was about how to rescue the country

from certain misnomers. It is absurd that a country of 180 million people is without a national airline. I was a young man, in my early 40s and I saw a foreigner who came into the country and tried to provide us with a National carrier, he was celebrated when he came here during the President Obasanjo’s administration; the man tried his best but when he realised that the Nigerian problem would not allow him to run the company profitably he decided to leave and at the time he was leaving the airline was owing so much, about a quarter of a billion dollar, that’s a lot of money. But you cannot blame him, he has done his best but the system would not allow him to work.

I bought it over because I thought if the system did not allow it to work for him, may be Jimoh Ibrahim who is a Nigerian would be able to walk around those factors, so I took over. I didn’t see anything bad in what Richard Branson did.

Even though the airline owed $250 million at the time, don’t forget that Richard Branson developed the West African route and people were able to fly with affordable tickets. Lagos to London was also opened and we were able to compete with British Airways but when Nigerians won’t allow it to work, then I took over. I cannot continue to use his brand so I had to change the name, yet I didn’t change the name to Jimoh Airline which I could have done; I changed it to Air Nigeria. I did all asset debentures to our group to be able to run the airline then we grew it from 2 planes to about 12 planes.

What killed the airline is the same Nigerian factor. One fateful day I flew the airline and saw that the flight was fully booked, I flew back to Nigeria the same day and the whole seats were fully booked, by the time we got back to Lagos, when I asked for the revenue, it was nowhere to be found. In my bid to find out what was happening by myself, I went to London, when I opened the drawer of the accountant in London I found bundles of tickets there, then I took one bundle and brought it with me to Lagos, days after my accountant didn’t report any missing ticket. Two weeks after I summoned him to Lagos and I said to him, see the tickets that I took from your office drawer.

They were printing tickets and selling and keeping the money for themselves. When

You said you bought Air Nigeria and you shut it down because of sharp practices; with benefit of hindsight, do think that was the best way to have gone about the problem with Air Nigeria?

That was the best way because of safety. If people are corrupt within an airline they can compromise safety and if they compromised safety an aircraft could crash, if it crashed people will die and they will mention my name that I am the owner of the aircraft; I probably will not be able to come out of that stigma. Imagine going along the road and somebody points to you and say ‘his airline killed my father.’ It could even kill the entire group.

In all of these, what are your thoughts regarding doing business in Nigeria?

Before I went into business in Nigeria, I was told that doing business in Nigeria was tough but I didn’t agree with them.

I believe the problem with doing business in Nigeria is a systemic problem, I don’t have a time frame but I know things will get better with time. It is not limited to business people alone or doing business in Nigeria. I am sure you are aware of how EFCC has been arresting people and the huge sums of money involved, it has permeated down to the grassroots so much that people are extremely fraudulent.

The issue is that remuneration package for workers is low and people don’t see the reward for loyalty.

One of the solutions to the problem is for workers to be certain that they will get their due reward including pensions the moment they are done working. As a journalist, you want a situation that when you retire from active employment you can walk straight to the pension office and start drawing from your pension if that will not happen your loyalty will be affected.

It is the same thing with an airline worker, you work and expect to get your salary at the end of the month but if you were yet to get it for two months, the chances that you will not go for fairly used spare parts when you are asked to buy one is very low. Definitely you can compromise safety and the consequence of it is hundreds of people will die if the plane crashes. That said, doing business in Nigeria, I want to agree is very tough and difficult.

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

Diamond Bank PLC – Significant increase in impairment dampens income further

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iamond Bank Plc’s in its released financial results for the first quarter ended; March 2016 reported a modest rise in gross earnings by 1.80% to N52.47 billion from N51.54 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. The insignificant growth in revenue impacted on profitability which recorded a notable decline of 19.63% to N5.76 billion from N7.17 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2015.

The poor performance reported by many financial institutions can be attributed to the tough operating environment and the prevailing unstable macro-economic variables during the first quarter of the year.

Diamond Bank commenced operations in March 1991. It assumed the universal banking status in February 2001, and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in May 2005 and is one of the top 35 capitalized stocks. The Group has 302 business locations across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo and the United Kingdom.

FEE AND COMMISSION INCOME DRIVES GROSS EARNINGS Gross earnings grew by a marginal 1.80% to N52.47 billion from N51.54 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. The rise was uneventful and betrayed by unstable operating environments which disrupt economic activities and delayed investment decisions.

The Bank’s interest and similar income which usually drive earnings failed in the first quarter of 2016 as it declined notably by 11.80% to N35.71 billion from N40.49 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. However, interest and similar expense did not decline but increased by 10.29% to N10.44 billion in March 2016 from N11.64 billion reported in at the end of March 2015. The growth in interest expense was driven by a continued high interest rate environment due to the tight monetary policy which led to increased interest payment on bank’s deposit and long term debts. However, despite an increased interest expense compared to a decreased interest income, the bank’s net interest income increased by 10.29% to N25.26 billion from N28.85 billion over the period.

The main driver of the gross earnings performance is the noteworthy 14.96% rise in fees and commission income and the extra-ordinary increase in net trading income to

WE RECOGNIZE THE BANKS GROWTH POTENTIAL THROUGH AN EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS EXPENSES AND SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT OF AGGRESSIVE TACTICS TO INCREASE DEPOSITS, WHICH WILL LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN LOANS AND ADVANCES TO CUSTOMERS THAT WILL YIELD SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN INTEREST RELATED INCOME

N5.99 billion from a reported loss of N17m in March of 2015. Fee and commission was impacted negatively by a 202.23% increase in fees and commission expenses, thus net fees and commission reported a decline of 4.44% to N7.99 billion in from N9.23 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Also, other income decreased by 91.63% to N153m from N1.84 billion during the corresponding period.

DECLINE IN OPERATING INCOME FURTHER ERODES PROFITABILITY Total operating income declined by 6.05% to N30.59 billion in from N32.56 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2015. On the flip side, total operating expenses contrary to expectation dips by a borderline figure 1.23% to N23.90 billion from N24.19 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Further breakdown of the company’s expenses revealed the drop was spurred by other operating expenses which declined by 4.65% and 1.92% decline in personal expenses to N13.34billion from N13.99 billion and to N8.42 billion from N8.37 billion respectively over the period under review.

Due to the decrease in operating income compared to stable figures reported for total expenses, the Bank’s profit before tax declined significantly by 20.00% to N6.69 billion in March 2016 from N8.37 billion in March 2015. Also, net income followed suit with a decline of 19.63% to N5.76 billion from N7.17 billion over the period; despite a 22.19% reduction in income tax expense from N1.20 billion to N933m in March 2016.

ASSET QUALITY WANES DESPITE INCREASE IN TOTAL ASSET The Bank’s balance sheet shows an increase of 3.90% in total assets to N1.82 trillion as at March 2016 from N1.75 trillion as at December 2015. The increase was spurred by a significant rise in loans and advances to banks by 64.49% to N98.86 billion from N60.10 billion as at December 2015, and an increase in loans and advances to customers by 2.16% to N780.15 billion from N763.63 billion over the period. Although, there were recorded declines in other asset items, however the impacts of such declines on total asset figure were cushioned by the significant increase in loans.

Conversely, total liabilities followed suit with a 4.06% rise to N1.60 trillion from N1.54 trillion over the period. This was primarily triggered by increase in current income tax liability, other liabilities, and borrowings which recorded significant increase of 62.23% to N2.75 billion from N1.70 billion; 38.49% to N61.87 billion from N44.67 billion; and by 14.93% to N118.05 billion from N102.72 billion respectively over the period under review.

Shareholder’s equity for the three month ended, March 2016 improved by 2.70% to N220.41 billion from N214.61 billion as at December 2015, largely due to increase in retained earnings.

Return on equity (ROE) and return on asset (ROA) declined to 2.61% and 0.32% as at the first quarter ended, March 2016 from 3.34% and 0.41% as at the first quarter ended, March 2015 respectively; reflecting the decline in profitability recorded during the financial period.

WE MAINTAIN OUR HOLD RECOMMENDATION We recognize the banks growth potential through an effective management of various expenses and successful employment of aggressive tactics to increase

Valuation Metrics 01-July-16 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price (N)

2.22

Current Price (N)

2.25

Market Cap (N'm)

52,111

Outstanding Shares (m)

23,160

Rolling EPS (N)

0.25

Rolling PE Ratio

9.05x

Forward EPS

0.26

Forward PE

13.66x Source: BGL Research

First quarter - 2016 Unaudited Results Gross Earnings (N’m)

52.47

Profit Before Tax (N’m)

6,693

Profit After Tax (N’m)

5,760

Pre-tax Margin (%)

12.76% Source: Company Data 2016, BGL Research

Audited Full Year - 2015 Results Gross Earnings (N’m) Profit Before Tax (N'm)

217,092 28,101

Profit After Tax (N'm)

25,485

Pre-tax Margin (%)

3.27%

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

CSSAF DBN Holdings

17.75%

Stanbic Nominees Nig. Ltd

17.21%

Kunoch DB Limited

9.25%

Diamond Partners Limited Public float

6.10% 49.19%

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

deposits, which will lead to significant growth in loans and advances to customers that will yield substantial growth in interest related income.

Considering the above, we project gross earnings of N243.01 billion for the full year December 2016 and forward earnings per share (EPS) of 0.26. Using the PE valuation method, we arrive at a 9-month target price of N2.22 per share. Since this presents a downside potential of 1.44%, we therefore maintain a HOLD recommendation on the shares of Diamond Bank Plc.

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC: Tough operating business climates impedes performance

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ransnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) is a leading diversified conglomerate.The company focuses on acquiring and managing strategic businesses that create long term shareholder returns and socio-economic impact.Their business interests are in four strategic sectors: Power, Energy, Hospitality and Agriculture. Notable businesses in the company include the award-winning Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja;Transcorp Hotels, Calabar;Teragro Commodities Limited, operator ofTeragro Benfruit Plant – Nigeria’s first-of-its-kind juice concentrate plant;Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited which acquired Ughelli Power Plc, owner of the 972MW Ughelli Power Plant andTranscorp Energy Limited, operator of OPL 281.

Incorporated on November 16, 2004 and quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),Transcorp has a shareholders’ base of about 300,000 investors, the largest of which is Heirs Holdings Limited, a pan-African proprietary investment company.

The Company recently released its results for the first quarter ended March 31st 2016, showing decline in key performance metrics when compared with the corresponding period of 2015 due to the tough business climate in 2015, which has seen the economy grow at a sluggish pace.

INCREASE IN GROSS PROFIT DESPITE RISE IN COSTOF SALES The Company’s financial statements for the period ended, 31st March 2016 showed a significant rise of 32.03% in turnover to N13.19 billion from N9.99 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Further insight into the company’s financials revealed that the Company’s power business (Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited) contributed 47.44% in N6.26 billion to revenue while its hospitality business (Transcorp Hotels Plc) contributed 27.87% in N3.68 billion to the total revenue.

Cost of sales however increased significantly by 69.77% to N7.28 billion in March 2016 from N4.29 billion in March 2015.The primary reason for the spike in sales cost can be traced to a 134.66% rise in natural gas and fuel costs to N4.99 billion from N2.12 billion in 2015. In percentage terms, natural gas and fuel costs amounts to 68.47% of cost of sales.

However, despite a higher increase in cost of sales compared to revenue, gross profit rose moderately by 3.65% to N5.91 billion in March 2016 from N5.70 billion in March 2015.

HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT THE ON-GOING CAPEX IN BUSINESS SEGMENTS’ EXPANSION AND CONTINUING TRUTHFULNESS OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GROUP TO ITS BUSINESS PLAN WOULD SUPPORT CONTINUING TOP LINE AND BOTTOM LINE GROWTH IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS

DECREASE IN OPERATING PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO MASSIVE DECLINE IN OTHER INCOME Operating profit for the period ended, 31st March 2016 dropped by 14.05% to N3.25 billion from N3.78 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Further insight shows that the primary reason for the decline in operating profit was a direct result of a slight rise of 4.67% in administrative expenses to N2.70 billion from N2.58 billion in the corresponding period of 2015; which was further impacted by a massive decrease of 97.26% in other income to N655m from N17.93m during the period under review.

INCREASED FINANCIAL COST GREATLY ERODES EARNINGS Net finance cost increased enormously by 25.54% to N1.52 billion in March 2016 from N1.21 billion corresponding period of 2015. We assume that the significant increase is a direct result of ongoing debt service on acquisition of finance loan for Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited.The Group decreased short term borrowing to N11.55 billion in the first quarter 2016, down by 24.84% from N15.36 billion in the prior year.

The tremendous increase in net finance cost, in addition to the other factor, resulted in a 32.70% decline in the Company’s profit before tax to N1.73

billion compared to N2.57 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.This translated to the significant reduction in pre-tax margin to 13.11% from 25.72% in the prior year. Income tax expenses for the year rose by 39.04% to N524m from N377m in the corresponding period of 2015. Consequently, due to rise in taxation, net income dropped to N1.21 billion from N2.19 billion, representing a substantial decline by 45.03% over the period.

MAJOR INCREASE IN FINANCIAL LIABILITIES FORTHE PERIOD ENDED 31STMARCH 2016, the conglomerate recorded slight growth in total liabilities by 4.55% to N120.63 billion from N115.38 billion in the prior year.The moderate increase is attributable to the increased borrowing of the group to finance the operations of the power business (Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited). Further breakdown of the conglomerate’s total liabilities revealed that the current liabilities increased by 5.81% to N45.53 billion in March 2016 from N43.03 billion in December 2015 while the Non-current liabilities of the company also followed suit with a moderate increase of 3.80% to N75.10 billion in March 2016 from N72.35 billion in December 2015. Also, notable is the increase in the Group’s long term loan by 4.45% to N64.59 billion from N61.84 billion in the prior year.

NOTABLE EXPANSION INTOTAL ASSETS; SURGE IN CASH EQUIVALENTAND INVENTORIES The company’s total assets grew by 3.13% to N209.23 billion in March 2016 from N202.88 billion in the December 2015.The growth in assets was due to a growth of 7.44% in current assets to N54.54 billion from N50.76 billion over the corresponding period of 2015.

This was caused largely by the 18.70% increase in trade and other receivables to N37.22 billion in March 2016 compared to N31.35 billion in the December 2015.

Also, a reduction in debt and equities securities by 5.17% to N340m was recorded while cash and cash equivalent declined by 13.73% to N12.44 billion in March 2016.

As a result of the significant decline in the net income of the company, Return on Assets (ROA) declined to 0.58% as at March 2016 from 1.08% in the corresponding period in 2015. Return on Equity (ROE) also declined to 1.36% from 2.51% as at the corresponding period of 2015.

WE DOWNGRADE OUR RECOMMENDATION TO A HOLD The Groups top line performance

Valuation Metrics 30-Jun-16 RATING

HOLD

Target Price (N)

1.74

Current Price (N)

1.77

Market Cap (N'm)

40,657

Outstanding Shares (m)

71,962

Rolling EPS (K)

2.57

Rolling PE Ratio

68.94x

Forward EPS (K)

2.90

Forward PE

60.96x Source: BGL Research

Q1 March 2016 Unaudited Results Gross Earnings (N'm)

13,192

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm)

1,729 1,205

Pre-tax Margin (%)

13.11 Source: Company Data 2016, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'm)

40,754

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

3,320

Profit After Tax (N'm)

2,031

Pre-tax Margin (%)

8.14 Source: Company Data 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

HH Capital Ltd

44.06

Public Float

55.94

Outstanding Shares (m)

38,720

Source: Company Data 2015, BGL Research

exceeded our projection for the full year 2015 but disappointingly missed our projection for profitability. However, we believe that the on-going CAPEX in business segments’ expansion and continuing truthfulness of the management of the Group to its business plan would support continuing top line and bottom line growth in the next 12 months.

Considering the above, we make our revenue projection to N53.33 billion for the full year 2016 and also our net income to N1.04 billion, leading to an EPS of N0.029.Therefore, using the combined price-to-earnings and book value multiples, we arrived at a 9-month price target of N1.74 per share, which translate to a 1.69% downside potential on the current price ofTranscorp Plc. shares. We therefore place a HOLD recommendation onTransnational Company of Nigeria Plc.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

BOLAJI AKINYEMI

A TIMEPIECE CONNOISSEUR

03.07.2016

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COVER

Akinyemi

PHOTOS: Akinwunmi Ibrahim

BOLAJI AKINYEMI

A TIMEPIECE CONNOISSEUR He is famous in his own right, but definitely not as much as his better known namesake, the Professor of International Relations who once manned Nigeria’s Ministry of External Affairs. However, their common name may be where the similarity ends: There is Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the erudite scholar. And there is Bolaji Akinyemi, the engineer turned lifestyle product connoisseur whose journey to relative fame is highlighted by how he swam against the high tide of crushing debt to financial independence. Vanessa Obioha reports

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haring a name with a famous person doesn’t always bring good tidings. It could also smell trouble. The latter seemed to be the case for Bolaji Akinyemi who coincidentally bears same names with the former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi.

It was during the Gen. Sani Abacha regime that Akinyemi experienced the ugly side of fame. The scholar at the time was on self-exile like many pro-democracy advocates who were being hunted by the government in power. Unfortunately, Akinyemi was returning to the country from the UK during that period. He was accosted by immigration officers when he presented his passport.

“Of course, they knew I was not the man they were looking for but they assumed I was a relative.

Probably a son. I told them that I don’t even know the man. It took the interference of well-meaning Nigerians who thought a son should not pay for the sins of his father before they could let me go. I also realised that the man was not married to a woman from his tribe. So it helped clear my name. People ask me a lot, if I’m related to him. I’m not. I haven’t even met him,” he said.

Akinyemi didn’t set out to be a businessman or a jeweller. In fact, he mapped out his future at an early age.

Fascinated by the amount of research and development some Japanese engineers did in a documentary on TV, he was convinced that engineering

was his true calling. So, there was no dithering when he applied for a university course. He confidently studied Mechanical Engineering and graduated with flying colours from Obafemi Awolowo University.

The sky seemed brighter for Akinyemi until he worked at the Nigeria Bottling Company. He was among the third set of engineers trained by the company. This was in 1995. Their goal was to uccupy the coveted position of a Plant Manager.

It was a vey competitive terrain, nevertheless he was undaunted.

But working in a factory had its side effects. He worked round the clock, hardly taking a break to rest his tiring body. There were no public holidays for him. A scar on his right hand epitomises those years of hard

work in the factory. The tedious routine should have been a perfect excuse to exit the job, yet he stayed until he keenly examined the life of his superior whose shoes he would be in if he worked harder in five years.

The picture was not a beautiful one.

He realised that despite the strenuous tasks they performed in the factory, it also deprived them from spending quality time with their family. That sudden realisation was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

He resigned after three years of hard work.

His best option after his resignation was to become an entrepreneur.

For Akinyemi, the childhood lure of engineering had lost its appeal since what was obtainable in the field in Nigeria was maintenance

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Akinyemi didn’t set out to be a businessman or a jeweller. In fact, he mapped out his future at an early age

management.

Banking on his engineering skills and his large network of friends, Akinyemi forayed into servicing of generator sets. That too, didn’t last.

His engineering skills were limited to supervisory roles. He could easily identify the fault in a generator set through sounds, but could not fix it. It required him to employ extra hands to do the dirty work. But his employees lacked the value of excellence. They did shoddy work which inadvertently resulted in further breakdown and loss of trust for Akinyemi.

Again, he tried his hands on selling safety and security equipment but was discouraged by the politics of the business. His breakthrough however came when an in-law of his returned with a fancy umbrella from Italy. He was intrigued by the unique design.

“The umbrella had a small plastic cover which when pulled down, folds the umbrella and when pulled up, spreads the umbrella like a small car.

I thought it was nice. They are still around.”

He did a little research and discovered that it was manufactured in China. He tried sealing a deal with some manufacturers to import the umbrellas but they wanted a 40ft container. Where was he going to get the money from? “At this time, I had been doing business for a year and spent all my savings,” he laughed as we sat in his office in Ikeja. “I needed about a million naira. This was far back in 2000.”

Pushing aside the story of how he raised the fund for another day, he talked about his ordeal when the merchandise finally arrived his

TODAY’S WRISTWATCHES SPEAK A LOT ABOUT ONE’S PERSONALITY. USUALLY, YOU CAN TELL IF A PERSON IS FLAMBOYANT OR CONSERVATIVE FROM THEIR WATCH. YOU CAN ALSO TELL IF A PERSON IS CHEAP OR PERHAPS LIVE ABOVE HIS MEANS, OR A CARELESS PERSON. UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF US DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATCH WE WEAR SINCE WE DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH IT COMMUNICATES ABOUT US. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT A WRISTWATCH HAS MOVED FROM A GADGET FOR TELLING TIME TO A PROPER ACCESSORY

doorstep.

“My initial plan was to sell the umbrellas. I had already been to a street called Tom Jones in Lagos Island. That’s where people who sell umbrellas stay. I had bargained with the traders and they assured me they would patronise me when my goods arrived.”

It never happened that way. By the time he returned with his umbrellas, the traders sang a different tune to him.

They argued on the price. “The initial cost price was N320. I intended to sell it for N500 which they agreed on. But when I came back with the umbrellas, they told me times have changed unless I wanted to sell it at the rate of N120.

I nearly had a heart attack. I pleaded with them to take it for N400 but they were adamant. It was either N120 or I leave with my goods. They said another marketer offered them at N140, unless I give them a cheaper rate. It was all a lie. I started crying on the road. People thought I was lost or something. How was I going to repay all the monies I borrowed?”

Fortunately for him, a stroke of luck was already on the way to rescue him from his dilemma. As he dangerously drove the streets of Victoria Island to a friend’s office for solace, he stumbled on a gift store: Aquarius Gifts. He was urged by the Holy Spirit to go there. Pretending to be a potential customer, his eyes scanned the items on display and surprisingly, found the umbrella, perched beautifully in a corner. The owner had only four pieces.

“I found out that the owner was into corporate and promotional gifts supply. So when I told him I liked his umbrella, he grumbled as if there

were no more in stock. Then I shocked him by telling him I had them. He looked at me unbelievably and asked for the price. So I told him I will sell between the range of N470 to N500.

He was still not convinced I had them so I brought one from the car and showed him. He pleaded with me not to sell it, that he would buy from me.

While we were there a staff member of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) walked in and priced the umbrella.

Before my very eyes, he told her it costs N980, the lady in turn went back to her office and told them it costs N1400. The owner later called and like a doubting Thomas wanted to be sure I had the supply. He said he needed 100 pieces and in less than 24 hours of crying, he paid me N50,000 for the umbrellas.”

As much as he wanted to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, Akinyemi was aware of the need for a family.

It was in 2006 that he finally decided to assume the role of a husband.

Back then, he only had a BMW car and an apartment. His only prized possessions were a bed and a dining set. It was a typical bachelor’s house.

Recalling those giddy days, Akinyemi conceded that he brought his wife to a house and not to a home. Yet, he knew the importance of providing comfort for his newly wedded wife. The first thing he did was to make a solemn promise to buy a car for her. However, things did not go as planned. As the saying goes, ‘man proposes, but God disposes’.

Twice, he thought he had all wrapped, like water, it slipped through his clenched fist. Akinyemi’s promise was washed away by unforeseen contingencies. He was forced to

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Akinyemi with his staff

give the car away. In humiliation, he watched his wife mount commercial motorcycle to take his son to school.

The following year, he made another promise. Again, he was forced to choose between buying a car for his wife and to invest in his corporate and promotion gifts business.

Like a supportive wife, she urged him to do the latter. “There was never a time she complained or threw tantrums about our situation.

She has always been supportive.

Fortunately for her, she got a job in a big pharmaceutical company and the job came with a car.”

Being an honourable man, Adeyemi, nonetheless fulfilled his promise. The couple is happily married with two children. By this time, the umbrella trade had yielded more customers for Akinyemi. From selling umbrellas, he veered into corporate and promotional gifts.

Like previous businesses, it had its limitations. Nonetheless, it created an opportunity for him in the lifestyle business. Having sold all manner of items, he was intrigued by the Swiss Army Penknives. It was through that link that he ventured into the wristwatch business.

Admitting, that he is no lover of watches, he nevertheless found a viable market there. The only problem was that he needed to be a retailer in the business. After much consultation and a one year litmus test, he became a retail distributor of Swiss Army watches in Nigeria and his company Timekeepers was launched. Today, he has eight outlets across the country with the intention to open another by the end of the year.

From being a major distributor of Swiss Army wristwatch collection, he also distributes for Police, Cerruti 1881, Sekonda, French Connection, Roamer of Switzerland, Jacques Farel and hopefully by the third quarter of

AFTER MUCH CONSULTATION AND A ONE YEAR LITMUS TEST, HE BECAME A RETAIL DISTRIBUTOR OF SWISS ARMY WATCHES IN NIGERIA AND HIS COMPANY TIMEKEEPERS WAS LAUNCHED. TODAY, HE HAS EIGHT OUTLETS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE INTENTION TO OPEN ANOTHER BY THE END OF THE YEAR. FROM BEING A MAJOR DISTRIBUTOR OF SWISS ARMY WRISTWATCH COLLECTION, HE ALSO DISTRIBUTES FOR POLICE, CERRUTI 1881, SEKONDA, FRENCH CONNECTION, ROAMER OF SWITZERLAND, JACQUES FAREL AND HOPEFULLY BY THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR, ADD GUESS TO ITS GROWING LIST OF COLLECTION

the year, add Guess to its growing list of collection.

Like previous businesses, the wristwatch business was riddled with challenges. One of which was having a geographical spread which he has cushioned by allowing customers to make an order on the company’s website.

Another was the test of integrity. Usually, the watches came with a one or two year warranty. His ability to repair or replace a faulty watch with a new one for free, earned him respect from his customers.

The need for variety also posed a problem. He unashamedly admitted that he didn’t know he was operating a business without a business plan until he went to Pan-Atlantic University for an Entrepreneur Management programme.

Prior to the expansion of his collection, he usually referred customers to other retail outlets to get affordable watches since his collection was on the high side. But with the knowledge gathered at the business school, he carried out a SWOT analysis. The result was the expansion of his collection.

Undoubtedly, Timekeepers stands out from other watch retailers in any of its outlets. For instance, in Ikeja City Mall, it is the only store with various designers clearly separated from one another by a shelf. This strategy according to him differentiates him from the average watch retail seller.

“We are actually brand managers for specific brands and our functions include maintaining the brands image and reputation by positioning the brands in such a way that they enjoy same public perception that they command in their home country as well as creating unique consumer experience.”

Perhaps, the most outstanding knowledge he has gathered so far in the business is the remarkable importance of the time piece to a man’s style. “People see wristwatches

as a luxury item that they can do without. But that’s wrong. We have gone past the era when the function of the wristwatch is primarily to tell time. We have mobile phones and other devices achieving that purpose.

Today’s wristwatches speak a lot about one’s personality. Usually, you can tell if a person is flamboyant or conservative from their watch. You can also tell if a person is cheap or perhaps lives above his means, or a careless person.

“Unfortunately, most of us don’t pay attention to the watch we wear since we don’t really understand how much it communicates about us. We need to remember that a wristwatch has moved from a gadget for telling time to a proper accessory. You are better off not wearing a wristwatch than wearing rubbish or wearing one improperly.

He continued: “Also, the days of having one watch are long gone. You should have a different watch for different occasions or situation. If you must have only one watch, a black leather strapped watch with a white face would be ideal as this can be worn formally or casually.”

Akinyemi further shed light on what constitutes style in wristwatches. “It all depends on the perception of the buyer.

It has nothing to do with cost or aesthetics. There is a fashion brand and a traditional brand. The fashion brands are the popular names we know today. They do not manufacture watches. But the traditional brands are those who actually manufacture wristwatches.

You can have different brands made by same manufacturer but with different prices. Obviously, the fashion brand will be more expensive and appealing to the buyer than the unknown traditional brand. But both are manufactured by the same company.”

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

Onoshe

Nwabuikwu

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

I expressed these concerns then. My one wish was for the producers of The Voice Nigeria to remain as true as possible to the international format.

Now, they have not only managed to maintain the international format of The Voice, they’ve added the Nigerian flavour. The last time we saw this fine mixture of international and Nigerian would be Big Brother Nigeria (BBN). And that’s all of ten years go. Perhaps I exaggerate. But you do get my drift? In any case, The Voice Nigeria is far from over. There are still a few more weeks to go.

Don’t forget to tune in tonight, Africa Magic Showcase, dstv channel 151. Do let me know what you think. Deal?

The Voice Nigeria Coaches

Meet the Voice Nigeria Coaches

I

•A Few Things You Didn’t Know About Them

’m sorry I couldn’t resist the urge to sound all ‘tabloid-gossip-y’. I had so much to say that wouldn’t have fitted into one nice headline. Plus, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have been wowed by a headline with words to this effect: ‘How The Voice Nigeria Is Helping Viewers See The Exciting Other Sides Of Musicians.’ Or would you? You see.

Well, the point of this really is how I have been pleasantly surprised by the coaches on The Voice Nigeria. I’m talking about Messrs. Tubaba, Pato Ranking, Timi Dakolo and Miss Waje herself. The surprise is more for some of the coaches than others, of course.

I imagine everyone like me had an opinion of these coaches before the show. Even though in some cases, there was simply not enough information to have an opinion. This much was evident during the Blind Auditions.

When asked which coach they’d prefer, most contestants went for Tubaba. It’s a singing competition after all. Imagine also Tubaba was the biggest star when some of them were growing up. There’s certainly now a ‘Before’ and ‘After ’ to this story. Fortunately, the contestants found out faster than the rest of us how much reality was different from the fiction of what they thought they knew about the coaches.

•Coach Timi Dakolo

-Team Timi Who knew Timi was a fun guy? I’m not talking about those people who are his friends or who have been privileged to have had close contact with him.

I’m talking about his on air/ public image. We all knew he could sing. And that he was close to his late grandmother and he had a tough childhood. But who knew Timi could be so playful

and mischievous?

Each Sunday, viewers see a ‘different’ Timi from the one they knew in their heads. There must be those who’d swear he’s new to the music scene. A young friend I was watching the show with asked who Timi Dakolo was. I mentioned some of his popular songs: Don’t you know Great Nation? Iyawo Mi, etc?

The answer: ‘Oh, you mean, he’s the one? He’s so different’.

•Coach Pato Ranking

-Team Pato Ranking Did you know Pato Ranking (Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie) had such an intelligent head on his young shoulders? Or could you tell from all that patois? He is 26 years old, by the way. It isn’t just his intelligence and understanding of show business, it’s really how accomplished he is.

As we all know, in these parts you have to blow your own trumpet. I suppose this is a carry over from our cultural praise singing days, where every family was an ogbuagu (killer of tiger).

Call it ‘oriki-ology’. Oriki is the Yoruba praise singing. Add to that what our musicians have copied from American hiphop music. Then you can understand how every musician claims to own half the world. The fact that we don’t have real facts and figures about actual sales or net worth only worsens this.

But when in ‘selling my market’, Pato Ranking tells a contestant he toured over twenty countries without an album to his name, you’d have to take note.

•Coach Waje

-Team Waje As for Waje (Aituaje Iruobe), she has confirmed what I’m sure many always knew: She is one talented singer. She’s also shown herself to be a good sport and

knows her (singing) onions. And she is very confident and not afraid to stand her ground.

Seems like she should be running a talent school if she is not already doing so. She and the other coaches better have projects lined up to leverage on their time on The Voice Nigeria.

•Coach 2baba

-Team 2baba As for Innocent Idibia who used to be known as Tuface or 2Face and now chooses to be addressed as 2baba, I’m sure no one had any doubts about his singing. Or whether he could deliver as a musical coach.

Viewers have known him the longest, after all.

But on The Voice, he has stopped hiding behind his choice words: ‘Nice’. ‘Amazing’. ‘No shaking’, etc. Now he shows just how much he knows about music. Even about the Queen’s English. Who knew 2baba could use phrases like ‘second guess’ effortlessly?

The best part of watching these four coaches on The Voice Nigeria is the fact that they understand that above everything else, The Voice Nigeria is a TV show not some tutorial on how to sing. I have seen a few judges on talent shows, knowledgeable as they were but who did not get that viewers needed to be entertained as they’re being informed. Then there’s the chemistry between the four coaches.

Must confess I wasn’t super impressed when their names were released though. Nor I was overjoyed that yet another musical reality franchise was about to hit our screens. We seem to have a talent for taking known international musical talent shows/franchises and turning them into a poor version of themselves. We’ve seen Idols and the others come and go.

NOTICE BOARD African Audiovisual and Cinema Commission (AACC) Established ‘The Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sports of African Union Member States have announced the establishment of the African Audiovisual and Cinema Commission as a specialized agency of the African Union.

The establishment of AACC was first called for by the AU Executive Council in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003.

‘The audiovisual and cinema industry accounts for US$5 billion in continental GDP, employing an estimated 5 million people. With the current push for its development, the cinema industry is expected to grow to over 20 million jobs and US$20 billion in annual GDP contribution.

‘The AACC is part of a 5-programme ecosystem that is mobilizing US$410 million in programme funds for the promotion of this industry over the next five years. And will be responsible for the promotion of the rapid development of the African audiovisual and cinema industry; strengthen cooperation between African States in the area of audiovisual and cinema; and promote the use of audiovisual and cinematic expressions as factors of rapid development, job creation, integration among other lofty objectives.’

According to Jane MuragoMunene, executive director, Pan African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI), there are more expected benefits like “growing the sector from 5 to 20 million jobs in the medium term; growing its annual GDP contribution from US$5 billion to 20 billion in the medium term; and the eventual emergence of a robust audiovisual and cinema industry capable of projecting a positive image of Africa.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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High Life

with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Her Life’s A Party! Folorunsho Alakija Plans 65th Birthday and 40th Wedding Anniversary

•Africa’s third richest woman plans grand ceremony to celebrate birthday and wedlock

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any a rich, privileged woman, stumble into wealth by marriage or inheritance. But it takes a brilliant, perceptive lady to create wealth from the scratch and mirror the depth of burgeoning wealth and enterprise to the world. However, when such woman possesses the dash and charisma to dictate and often set the pace in whatever economic and social circuit she inhabits, she runs the risk of affliction by societal thought that labels substance, affluence and sophistication, particularly when intense, as amoral.

Folorunsho Alakija is no doubt a rich, privileged woman. She is profound and perceptive too. But she does not suffer the affliction of such acerbic thought. Besides being the third richest woman in Africa and an economic giant in the oil industry among other sectors that she dominates, Folorunsho dictates and sets the pace in her social circuit; she’s got substance and classiness too and she is never amoral, in

the estimation of her business associates, friends, family and even her major rivals.

Folorunsho symbolises the incontestable affirmation of charm and élan as acceptable traits in a virtuous woman and economic giant. The world renowned billionaire who was recently listed as the 87th most powerful woman in the world in 2015 by Forbes, Folorunsho is set to spare no expense in celebrating her 65th birthday and 40th wedding anniversary with her husband Modupe Alakija in a few weeks.

The Rose of Sharon Foundation boss and real estate mogul plans to hold a 3-in-1 celebration to also launch her inspirational book.

The event, which is scheduled to kick off on July 15, will start off with a Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos. Folorunsho will be holding her reception at the exotic ballroom of the Lagos Oriental Hotel, where top society businessmen and woman, and others will gather to celebrate her.

Ojo Maduekwe

SO SAD! TIMELESS LESSONS IN OJO MADUEKWE’S SUDDEN DEATH

•How His wife’s 70tH anniversary morpHed into His funeral

For Chief Ojo Maduekwe, all roads lead to his grave spot. In a proceeding that seems a cruel and unusual joke by fate, Maduekwe recently arrived from the United States to party with his wife on a marble dance floor only to be interred six feet in mud earth. The former Minister of Transport and Foreign Affairs embarked on a trip of no return few minutes into his arrival in the country for his wife’s

70th birthday. Henceforth, friends and family of the 71-year old will tread with heavy steps to his final resting place although few minutes before his demise, they were preparing to hit the dance floor with him last Wednesday, as he celebrates his beloved wife’s 70th anniversary.

There is no gainsaying Maduekwe, who was also Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, hastened into the country to be part of his wife’s thanksgiving and success story but unknown to him, fate had a nasty surprise in stock for him.

Folorunsho Alakija

At his demise, the birthday party was cancelled and all the drinks and food for the celebration will be used for his burial.

This is indeed sad and ironic for the deceased’s family, and a worthy testament to the paradox called life.

Ojo Maduekwe slumped last Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He was later confirmed dead at a private hospital where he was transported for treatment.

Maduekwe allegedly arrived the airport ill on board an international flight and slumped as he was being transported to the Turkish Hospital in the nation’s capital where he was confirmed dead.

The politician was the National Secretary of the Senator Makarfi-led faction of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and also Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) until his demise.

THE OTHER OTEDOLA BROTHER...

FEMI OTEDOLA’S ELDER BROTHER, AYO, CELEBRATES 57TH BIRTHDAY As the tired sun melts into an endless horizon and azure skies are shrouded in dusk, the passage of childhood and transition

into youth opened fresh vistas in the life of Ayo Otedola. If only youth were enough to bring the relief of peace, success and acclaim, Ayo would sleep easy. But he couldn’t.

Unlike the proverbial lazy bones who lived to see the sun rise before his eyes were closed while the dawn chorus becomes his lullaby, he worked through dusk and dawn to actualise his heartfelt dreams of grandeur.

Curiously, however, very

Ayo Otedola

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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Yudala! Making Sense With Leo Stan Ekeh’s New Big Deal

he seasons pass but Leo Stan Ekeh, the chairman of Zinox Group and Yudala, remains grand, like the nurturant guardian whose tenderness and warmth blesses the land. In 60 years, Leo has blossomed into a man of affluence and integrity. The story of his exquisite manhood resonates with a pleasant peal.

To his staff members, family, friends, beneficiaries and other loved ones, his smiles have been their anchor, his shoulders their rampart of comfort. However, the shrewd entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Technologies boasts of a series of remarkable firsts to his name. He stands out as one of the few daring businessmen that pioneered desktop publishing and computer graphics in Nigeria. He is credited for computerising about 95 per cent of the print media,

publishing houses and advertising agencies in the country.

Unbeknownst to a lot of people, Leo owns the much-talked about Yudala. Exactly, a year ago, the premium online shopping store, Yudala, stormed Nigeria and became a big hit, beating other existing online stores with its aggressive campaign, celebrity endorsement and impeccable delivery services. It became the first company to combine an e-commerce platform with offline retail stores located nationwide, after its launch last year July attracting millions of customers from inception. With its massive media buzz, it instantly took over the social media but the buzz is however backed up with prompt service delivery. The company, run by Nnamdi StanEkeh, Leo’s first son who is the Vice President of Yudala Online, is an Economics graduate from the University of Lancaster.

few people know Ayo, the elder brother of Forbescertified billionaire, Femi Otedola, the chairman of Forte Oil. This is because he keeps decent miles away from the spotlight, like a moth fleeing the flames of a wildfire.

Ayo, like the proverbial moth probably fears being burned or corrupted by the spotlight thus his studious reticence and avoidance of the cameras.

Fame is dispensable in the life of Ayo Otedola.

That is why he keeps his family and business very private. However, Ayo, a jolly good guy, who has one of the largest farms in Africa, is unable to escape the focus of Highlife as he adds another year to his illustrious spell on mother earth. Last Tuesday, June 28 to be precise, he celebrated his birthday in the company of his closest friends and relatives in a posh restaurant in London.

Ayo is a happily married man, father and grandpa.

He looks so much like his billionaire sibling and Forte Oil boss, Femi. They share a very close bond and their children are always together.

THE GODS ARE WISE! HOW BABATUNDE FASHOLA CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY LAST

Babatunde Fashola

TUESDAY If fortune can be harvested as gold and silver grapes and blessings flourish like leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys, the lifepath and home of former governor of Lagos State, now a minister, Babatunde Fashola, would glitter like a barn full of treasure and a life well spent. Tunde clocked 53 last Tuesday.

The day presented him with an opportunity to express gratitude to his Creator for the inestimable love and mercies he bestows upon him. However, the truth has dawned on the Honourable Minister of Power, Works

HIGHLIFE

Leo Stan Ekeh

and Housing on his day of joy, like parched sun on naked earth. As he clocked another year last Tuesday, June 28, nobody cared enough to accord him a congratulatory message on the airwaves or pages of the nation’s newspapers.

Back when he was governor of Lagos State, the news dailies were cluttered with congratulatory messages and hyperbolic praise of Fashola. Corporate titans and political big wigs jostled to place the most sensational advertorials in the media, to wish the twotime governor the best that life and fate could offer.

But no sooner had he left his exalted office than he was deserted by his army of loyalists and political associates. Funnily enough, journalists, bloggers, political underlings and other major beneficiaries of his government and political caucus, while he was governor, also ignored him on his birthday.

Perhaps the former Lagos governor would glean a lesson or two from this.

is not a miser. The Chairman of Gibraltar, a real estate firm, lives a charmed life, unlike the proverbial miser. The popular socialite and real estate player is notable for his love of expensive automobiles. He has different models of the luxurious Rolls Royce in his garage and he spares no expense in catering to his wants and guilty pleasures.

However, rumour has it that Sir Okeowo is extremely stingy to friends, associates and acquaintances.

According to rumour mongers, he prefers to show off his intimidating wealth and spend his

CALM DOWN, OLU OKEOWO IS NOT WHAT THEY THINK!

•Real estate boss in the eye of the stoRm as cRitics flay him foR being stingy

A miser lives poor to die rich. Thus Sir Olu Okeowo

Olu Okeowo

Cont’d on pg. 34

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

34

HIGHLIFE

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Plans to Take New Bride?

•Estranged wife, Anita, reverts to maiden name

M

alice is of a low stature, but it has very long arms and piercing roots.

Having extended its reach in the wedlock of presumed Man of God (MoG), Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, it cracked its basement and ripped his family apart inside out. Even the selfacclaimed evangelist and man of God could not summon the faith and heavenly grace to resist the devastating blows of malice and discord in his marriage. Little wonder his marriage with his beautiful wife, Anita, crashed like a sand castle.

However, rather than keep a low profile or sulk in private over his inability to save his marriage and practice what he preaches, Pastor Chris is planning to remarry.

According to a source in his church, the dandy cleric is considering taking another wife. Although he hasn’t made this known to his congregation, findings revealed that a large segment of his congregation are already aware of his plans to take

money on his expensive lifestyle rather than give it out to the needy. Thus whenever folks approach him with bills and other financial needs, he simply deflects their requests with a charming smile even as he declines their heartfelt requests. But a very close source to Sir Okeowo argued that, the rumours being peddled about him are part of the plot by mischief makers to destroy the name and reputation of the very amiable and generous man. According to the source, Sir Okeowo is not as stingy as he is being described; he simply avoids the machinations of lazy men and women with indecent motives.

Olu is not just another socialite; he is a respectable corporate veteran with noble background. He is from the famous Okeowo family whose patriarch made overwhelming success in the business world.

His imprints in the social map are as indelible as his landmark achievements in the economic firmament, especially in realty sector.

WEDDING BELLS...BOBBY EKE GETS HOOKED

•After 50 yeArs of bAchelorhood, celebrity stylist finds his missing rib

At last, Bobby Eke has quit the playing fields; like a ball weary soccer star, he has outgrown the pitch and lure of balling on alien and

another wife. But rather than urge him to reconcile with his wife, they are cheering him on. The ladies in particular have started positioning themselves to fill up the void created

by Anita’s departure from his life. Already, a lot of fair-skinned ladies in the church’s branches at home and abroad have started jostling to become the next Mrs. Oyakhilome. But Pastor Chris is reportedly not interested in any of them.

Sources revealed that by the time he names his new bride, every member of his congregation will gape in surprise. Pastor Chris allegedly gave up on his former wife when it became clear to him that there was no way that they could resolve their differences and save their marriage. Previous attempts to reconcile the couple by church elders, friends and family had proved futile. But while her husband prepares to take a new bride, Anita has reverted to her maiden name. She is now to be addressed as Anita Ebhodaghe.

Chris Oyakhilome

has located his ‘missing rib’ and he is ready to say ‘yes, I do’ anytime soon. Fondly called Bobby by friends, the handsome dude suffered a mild stroke two years ago and was treated in one of the best hospitals in India.

But all that is now firmly in the past as Bobby is now as fit as a fiddle.

Bobby Eke

familiar turfs. The celebrity hair stylist and owner of Bobby Signatures, is excited to leave the singles club and eager to unwrap the exciting institution of marriage. He is bubbling with excitement as he eagerly counts down to his big day. Having spent more over 50 years as a bachelor, Bobby has had his fill of the travails and triumphs of a single man.

At the time he was down, it was obvious to many of his admirers that he had no serious relationship with the opposite sex. His single status has provoked all manner of insinuations, but his friends insisted that he was only taking his time to search for ‘Mrs. Right’ who unfortunately had been elusive.

The latest gist is that he

BITTERSWEET JOY...PASTOR TAIWO ODUKOYA CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY WITH REGRETS With Pastor Bimbo by his side, the gospel according to Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, fanned and blossomed like the sunflower. Bimbo was to him what the muse signifies in the life of a visual artist.

Then she died in a plane crash and his world began to fade from inside out. At her departure, Pastor Taiwo was stagnant, trapped in a monochrome world. What is an artist without his muse but a book without words.

What is a Pastor without his soul mate, but a vessel without a core. Then heaven intervened and he found Pastor Nomthi, the mother of his two young boys. Life took on a new meaning at Nomthi’s entrance into his world thus as he celebrated his 60th birthday recently, Pastor Taiwo had every cause to give thanks to God - although his late wife, Bimbo could not be with him in person, he felt her abiding love and goodwill in spirit.

Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of Fountain of Life Church and his twin sister, Kehinde Hassan, clocked 60 last Wednesday and as would be expected, his phone buzzed incessantly with congratulatory calls.

Pastors of Fountain of Life Church paid him a surprise birthday visit, members of his congregation took time out to pray for him and his family and friends appreciated him and his sister in memorable ways.

It was a day of reflection and gratitude for the pastor who has been a mentor, spiritual leader and friend to thousands of Christians.

Taiwo Odukoya

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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ON THE COUCH

OLUSOLA ERINLE (ENGINEER)

I was a Married Man as an Undergraduate Interviewed by Funke Olaode Where were you born?

I am from Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State but I was born in the northern part of Nigeria. It was interesting growing up in Zaria in the present day Kaduna State.

My father worked for an international company then called London and Kano Trading Company. Being an international company, he was always on frequent transfer; from Zaria to Jos to Kano.

We lived in the Sabongari area which was predominantly peopled by Igbos, Yorubas and a few Hausas.

Nipol, a plastic engineering company in Apata, Ibadan in 1977. After four years in Ibadan I was invited to join the UAC in 1981 in the Business Equipment and Manufacture (BEAM) where Mr. Felix Osifo was the general manager. Again, I decided to leave that section because engineering practice in Nigeria is very limited.

What are the fond memories of the old times?

They are many. I enjoyed my undergraduate days in Soviet Union. I remember we used to travel from Soviet Union to London or United States during holidays. We actually engaged in small trading. We would buy things from Moscow and sell in London. We were able to live comfortably well. Sometimes our profit from one trip covers our annual allowance. So I travelled very widely. I enjoyed my youth that even as an undergraduate I was married. I met a Nigerian lady who was studying medicine, our chemistry just jelled and we decided to get married. By the special grace of God I have grown up children and a grand-child in secondary school.

How would you say parental influenced helped your endeavours?

Having educated parents was an advantage and there was always motivation to read and get educated.

This influenced the progress one made.

The discipline too has helped. It was a disciplined life because my parents didn’t spare the rod at all. The slightest prank could earn severe punishment. The religious background also helped because my father was an active Anglican. My secondary school, Christ School, Ado Ekiti also played a significant role in moulding one in both learning and character.

You came from a relatively privileged background, which tends to create a burden of expectations.

Did you feel the pressure to excel?

Initially, I was rascally. I didn’t want to read, I wasn’t serious. And that was why they moved me from the North to a private school in Ibadan, Children Home School. It was challenging but I overcame.

By the time I got into the secondary school in Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, I started doing well from the first term and never wanted to fall back. From there, I became a good performer. It was a new environment but I enjoyed it.

What influenced you to study engineering?

From the onset I had wanted to be an engineer. My school also prepared me.

While in secondary school I was good in the science subjects. With modesty, I had one of the best results in my set in 1967.

I had a Western Region scholarship to Comprehensive School, Ayetoro for my Higher School Certificate (HSC) where I did Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and English. Normally, students were

restricted to three subjects but I did four.

Again, I had one of the best results as well in 1969. After my HSC I didn’t know what to do. I was contemplating whether to do chemical engineering or mechanical engineering.

I applied to the University of Ife for Chemical Technology, University of Lagos Mechanical Engineering and Ahmadu Bello University Mechanical Engineering. I had admission in all the three universities. Interestingly, I was doing a vacation job at Nigeria Television Authority in preparation for my resumption at the varsity when my plans changed. I met an old student now Prof. Akin Oyebode. I said to him “You must have graduated now?” He said no I am currently in Soviet Union. He said it is an opportunity to get out of the country.

I was later invited for a scholarship interview which I passed. I ended up going to the Soviet Union where I studied

Mechanical/Chemical Engineering (a combined honour).

What was your experience jetting out to an unknown terrain?

It was an extremely cold environment so it was tough for me. But I coped by dressing so warmly that I wouldn’t feel it. I missed home and the food and all that. At a stage I planned to come back to Nigeria. I saw an escape route two months after I got to the Soviet Union.

Federal Government scholarship for Nigerian universities was announced and I got a scholarship to study at Ahmadu Bello University.

I told my father that I would like to come back to Nigeria but he prevailed on me. He encouraged me to stay on and today I have no regrets. I spent six years and had a Master’s degree. I came back home after my programme and did my youth service in Port Harcourt. I joined

What is the secret of your youthful look?

It is the grace of God and contentment.

Also, physical exercise also helps. I love badminton game. Life in retirement has been good as well. These days, I am involved in community work, consulting and all that.

If you could turn back the hand of clock are there things you would have done differently?

If I had a chance again, I would have taken advantage of opportunity available for me to network while in UAC. What lesson has life taught you?

While working for others no matter how comfortable you are, you should not forget to think about your future early enough.

What is your philosophy of life?

Do your best and no matter your level, be good to people around you. Live a good life, be content with your situation; trust in the Lord and work hard to attain goals that are attainable.

SPOTLIGHT

African Women Honour Yakubu Gowon Funke Olaode

T

he national representatives of the West African Women Association (WAWA) Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by some of its board members recently honoured former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon with a special award for his contribution to ‘Gender Parity in the African Context’.

Those at Gowon’s residence to honour him included Mrs. Betty Ubeku, Mrs. Agnes Otobo Ojehomon, Mrs. Theresa Maku, Ms. Tabitha Wakshama, Mrs. Ojemen, Ms. Gladys Eriamialoe, Sir Chris Akwarandu, Mr. Usifo Oluwasegun and Mr. Damilola

Saibu, who are representatives of GABASWA/WAWA networks.

According to Mrs. Ubeku, the Women Association in ECOWAS sub-region initiated the award in recognition of Gowon’s selfless service and contribution to humanity, and more importantly, the growth and development of women in Nigeria, Africa and globally.

Mrs. Agnes Ojehomon recounted that it was the efforts of the Gowon that led to the unity of Nigeria after the three year civil war.

“After the war the surname of the General was divinely interpreted to mean ‘Go With One Nigeria’ (GOWON), an “acronym”, which accidentally commemorates the divine

unity of Nigeria till today.

Accepting the award, Gowon who was full of encomiums to the team, the organisation and its members, women in Nigeria, Africa and in the Diaspora, recounted the support of his wife when he was the head of state of Nigeria during the war, and her selfless service as a wife and mother in contributing to the unity of Nigeria.

He emphasised the positive role that led to his effort in unifying Nigeria as one. He went further to tell the team that the woman, his beautiful wife still remains with him in love, happiness, in joy and oneness and indeed her role as a mother after the war and till present time solidify the unity of their home.

Gen. Gowon

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

entertainment

with nseobong okon-ekong 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Afrika Shrine Lit-Up with Praise

T

Sandra Ukele

he New Afrika Shrine came alive recently with an extra-ordinary gospel event tagged ‘Encounter at The Shrine’. The event, which featured a wide range of known and upcoming artistes in gospel world the likes of Sammie Okposo, Mike Aremu, Olufunmi, Mike Abdul, Spirit of David, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and many other top gospel ministers, had many participants baffled at the choice of venue.

The Afrika Shrine, which is known for Afro-beat genre of music, Felabration celebration and “freeAfrica-cry” calls, was taken unawares the first time ever with a gospel festival.

When asked about the significance of the location, Glo ambassador cum gospel artist Sammie Okposo had this to say: “I am just here as a person to support what Gig Entertainment is doing. I have always been unconventional from day one.

It is just the Afrika Shrine this is not the kind of event that happens here, bringing a gospel event to this place.

“When I was holding up the flier some people asked me ‘what are you going to do?’ As far as I am concerned it is just a venue and it has been proven so. For the management of the Shrine to agree for a gospel show to hold here is a miracle,” he affirmed.

The hosts Pastors Diran and Olufunmi Olajoyegbe of GiG Time Entertainment aimed at ministering the love of Jesus Christ to souls at the Afrika Shrine, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

It was an unprecedented ‘Everyone say Jesus’ evening as over 100 people positively responded to the call to improve their lifestyle by accepting Jesus as their Lord. This line filled the Afrika Shrine when Pastor Itua Ighodalo of Trinity House preached a sermon.

FTK: THE NEW TWINS ON THE BLOCK

Apart from their striking resemblance and shared birth, Taiwo and Kehinde Falobi also share a common passion: music. And they are ready to take the music industry by storm.

With over four audio singles recorded and two videos, the twin brothers

FTK

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo making altar call

He held the crowd who had enjoyed several performances from thrilling artistes bound when he preached a message titled ‘I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back’. He called for the people to embrace and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He prayed specially for those who decided after his brief message.

Ighodalo said, “What transforms a man’s life is an encounter, what brings you from zero to hero is an encounter.”

He recalled his lifestyle prior to accepting Jesus as “I did a lot of things in my life, the best thing is to follow Jesus,” he concluded.

There were gifts won at the event which culminated in a keenly contested Dance Battle which will be concluded at the next ‘Wajo’ Event.

Okposo led everybody to a wonderful

experience of praise that would make one totally forget the location and focus on the praise.

Pastor of the Unlimited Waters Ministry, Pastor Ladi Thompson, later mounted the stage to minister in songs. Thompson particularly appreciated the Ransome-Kuti family for their contribution to Nigeria. He also prayed for the family before ministering in an Afrobeat fusion with highlife gospel song.

Saxophonist, Mike Aremu featuring also at the event, ministered in songs while Mike Abdul of the Midnight Crew group took the crowd through a session of high praise and worship.

In a release earlier signed by Pastor Olajoyegbe, on behalf of the organisers, he said, “The event is an unprecedented full blown gospel

known as FTK started their music career in 2014. Determined to create their unique style, they attended a music school to groom themselves more in the field. Today, they are not only performing artistes but also play musical instruments.

The duo recently released the video of remix of their single ‘Gbe soke’, which featured ‘Konga aso’ crooner 9ice.

‘Gbe soke’ is a jamming hit and we chose to feature 9ice in the remix because he already has a strong followership. He is a talented and renowned artiste and we are glad he honoured our request to feature in the song.”

Other singles by the versatile RnB artistes include Assassin, Shout Out, among others.

Inspired by award-winning popular twin musicians, P-Square, FTK however would not want to be seen as a copycat of the duo. For instance, they prefer to dress differently. They are currently studying Mass Communication in Babcock University.

The beneficiaries were selected from the AFRIFF Talent Development Workshops sponsored by Access Bank and Africa Magic at the 2015 edition of the festival which held in Lagos.

The initiative provides beginners and intermediate scholars a in their choice area of filmmaking.

The scholarship scheme, which is meant to advance the aspirations of these burgeoning talents, is an intensive hands-on training camp on various aspects of filmmaking with emphasis on documentary filmmaking.

Although 20 students qualified for the scholarship, 15 have been granted visa by the American embassy so far. They include 13 Nigerians, one Ghanaian and one Rwandan.

They are: Morakinyo Fapohunda from Lagos, Leke Oyeyinka from Ogun State; Kalu Nnamdi Anaga from Enugu; Damian Ashinjo from Benue State; Richard Odilu from Delta State; Tunray Femi from Delta State: Kelechi Nduka from Anambra; Dan Ikpoyi from Delta State; Osei Owusu Banahene from Ghana; Adebusola Adeboyejo from Ondo State; Kenechukwu Nwatu from Enugu; Alero Okorodus from Lagos State; Joy Igbe from Benue State, Susan Akalazu from Imo State, and Vanessa Uwase from Rwanda.

Ford Foundation has often expressed how their organisation’s vision and

AFRIFF, Ford Foundation Sponsor Students to Film School The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the Ford Foundation have provided capacity development for 15 students for a summer course in film production at the popular Montana State University, United States.

outreach at the shrine, and by the grace of God, will also ignite the building of a passion for the gospel at venues like this.”

Olajoyegbe stated that, “The Encounter at The Shrine is aimed at demonstrating the joy of being in Christ, expressing the love of God and the manifestation of His power.”

Other artistes that ministered at the programme include Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) with Sarah Boulos, Spirit of David (SoD), ICE who thrilled the audience with a painting right there on stage, DJ Mow, Jo Deep and other acts.

The organisers GiG Time Entertainment began in September 2003 as a Wednesday morning fellowship, focusing mainly on Christians in the performing art. support for creative talent fits into AFRIFF’s capacity development for the Nigerian film industry, hence the partnership.

Also in the partnership is Arik Air, Montana State University and Africa Magic. Last year, the scheme had a total of 35 participants; 15 young film students, selected by AFRIFF for the Ford Foundation scholarship, and 20 upcoming filmmakers, who attended first-hand training at Relativity School, Los Angeles.

Programmes Officer for Ford Foundation, Mr. Paul Nwulu, said his agency is excited about the scheme, saying they already had proposals for 10 of the 15 guys who made the training last year.

According to Nwulu, the choice of Montana State University was strategy owing to the quality of training they offer.

For Founder/CEO of AFRIFF, Ms. Chioma Ude, the scholarship is one in a series of other talent development initiatives of the six-year-old festival.

According to her, the skill acquisition and youth development initiative was designed to use filmmaking as an authentic vehicle for youth empowerment.

FIVE WIN AT HUAWEI’S SHARE A DATE RAFFLE DRAW Over 50 customers of Huawei and

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ENTERTAINMENT

WE ALMOST FORGOT: QUDUS ONIKEKU THRILLS WITH CONTEMPORARY DANCE

A

fter a successful showcase in Berlin, Germany, the much talked about Nigerian dance show, We Almost Forgot (WAF) returned with a bang, leaving so much to desire by the Lagos and Abuja audiences.

The Lagos premiere, which was part of the Lagos Live Arts Festival at the Freedom Park, Marina on Friday June 24, gave Qudus Onikeku more than the one thousand people he’d estimated will watch his show.

Taking a sweeping glance at the audience, you’d see in their countenance, a seriousness with which they watch the 6-cast create a non-verbal dance with so much melee (albeit bloodless) and a craze that typifies today’s society which in his creative philosophy suggests how ‘we almost forgot’ that the world was created with sanity and mankind was meant to co-exist peacefully.

Onikeku himself takes the lead in the one-hour drama, with an actress whose narrative further provoked the thoughts of the audience.

Complex but clear, Onikeku’s play uses high energy movements, singing and intricate music to tell a potpourri of stories of war, crime, starvation, abuse and weirdness where everyone is victim and villain at some point. The underlining message is that while the unusual has become the norm, we are reminded once in a while, of the law of retributive justice.

The Lagos leg of the show was followed by another in Abuja

We Almost Forgot

on Sunday June 26, hosted by the National Universities Commission, just as he is planning a Paris premiere on November 3.

The project has received active support from developmental agencies such as Bank of Industry, Goethe Institut, The French Institut and the German Embassy. This work, which is Onikeku’s latest creation, pooled its cast from Nigeria, Gabon, Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar & France.

Onikeku is a graduate of The National Higher School of Circus Arts,

France. For close to two decades now, he has constantly pushed the limits of dance beyond the shores of Africa, he is part of the new generation of international creators, whose works are redefining and refining African cultures and philosophy. He is known globally, for his solo works, writings and research projects.

He was awarded ‘Dancer of the year’ by the future awards in Nigeria in 2009, while in October 2010, his solo piece titled ‘My Exile is in my head’ won ‘the best solo performance’ POPS CONCEPTS LAGOS MAKEUP FAIR

L-R: Love Akinlabi, Thatcher Okuegha, Maureen Orebanjo, Saka Abiola, and Saka Fayidat, all winners of the Huawei Share A Date competition, with Music superstar D’banj, at the Huawei Share A Date with D’banj event held at Silverbird Cinemas Ikeja, Lagos…recently lovers of award-winning artiste D’banj thronged the Silverbird cinema at Ikeja City Mall for the Huawei’s Share a Date with D’banj.

The campaign, which kicked off on April 1, recorded over 500 entries, out of which 50 customers won two movie tickets each to share with a date.

The campaign, according to Huawei Managing Director, Devices, Leo Jianghui, is one of the ways the customerfocused company seeks to continuously delight its customers with quality products and unmatched experiences.

“We encourage our customers to dream the impossible and make it possible, and with this campaign we have made some of their dreams possible by organising a movie date with one of their favourite stars, D’banj”.

He further noted that “Huawei is a very fashion-centric brand and this is evidenced in the style and sleekness of our devices. D’banj is a fashion

icon and that’s why we chose him as the celebrity date for this campaign.

Our customers loved it so we are very pleased with the outcome of the event and the campaign”.

The ultimate charmer he is, the koko master waltzed into the cinema where excited winners awaited him. Many scrambled to take pictures with him before proceeding to the hall for the movie.

A raffle draw was entered by the winners after the movie where five lucky winners were selected by D’banj and rewarded with Huawei flagship smartphones and power banks.

The superstar in a brief interview regarded the campaign as a reflection of his brand personality.

“One of the things I stand for is visible hope. My fans are the reason why I am here, so any time I bond with the fans is always a great time for me,” he said.

It was a spectacle of aesthetic delight and great shopping experience for attendees in the city of Lagos recently as POPs Concepts, organisers of The Makeup Fair Series held its 5th Lagos Makeup Fairat Classique Event Place, Oregun, Ikeja.

This edition of the makeup and beauty trade exhibition could be said a unique kind in the industry as it had the INDIE Beauty and Wellness Fair (IBWF2016) for independently owned makeup, beauty brands and professionals introduced for the first time. The two in one event, provided learning and networking opportunities for industry practitioners, vendors, buyers, and makeup artists, and also showcased variety of cosmetics brands, services, and products to an interestingly engaged audience.

during the Africa-wide dance encounters ‘Danse l’Afrique danse’ in Bamako – Mali, and the 2012 “New choreographic talent” in France.

A TED global fellow nominee and a visiting professor to the University of California, Davis Qudus is a fluid traveler who shares his time between borders, but presently involved in various artistic projects, teachings and collaborations in Lagos, through The QDanceCenter.

Amongst others, popular brands such as Maybelline, Zaron, Nyx, Elsas Pro, Lise Beauty Range, SoniaKashuk were present to showcase their products. The highlight of the two-day beauty show was the POPS beauty debates between international makeup brands and indigenous makeup brands as to which is better in relative to makeup.

The representatives for international brands were Tejumade Nwafor, CEO of Brushstrokes Makeovers, and Ngozi Oni, principal at Beauty and the Beholder, and the representatives for indigenous brands were Kunbi Fasaki, principal at Sit Pretty Makeovers and Ngozi Attah CEO of Jega Beauty.

Each participant had valid points for the argument but it was resolved that indigenous brands still has to up its game to be at par with the international brands.

R-L: Mr. Taye Ige, Mr. Joe Dada, Okey Bakasi and Mr. Seyi Fawehinmi, at the unveiling of ‘UAC Unscripted’ – a Family TV Game show at HS Media Group complex in Oregun, Lagos at the weekend

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

#Oscarsowhite Pays Off Vanessa Obioha

I

n a giant move by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last week, a ground-breaking record of 683 new members were added to its list of invitees.

The award in the past suffered backlash for its lack of diversity. Its last award ceremony was greatly pilloried and led to a protestation from many Hollywood actors with the hashtag #Oscarsowhite.

The new tweaks however reveal an increase in percentage of women’s participation; 46 per cent of the new additions are female while 41 per cent are people of colour.

Some of the big names that made it to the list include Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation), Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Eva Mendes (Hitch), Ice Cube (Ride Along), Gabrielle Union (Top Five), John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Vivica Fox (Kill Bill) among others.

Interestingly, the Academy snubbed David Oyelowo for his outstanding performance in the Martin Luther King Jr, film ‘Selma’. It however added his co-star Carmen Ejogo.

The new class of 2016 is considered the largest and most diverse class ever in the history of the awards.

“We’re proud to welcome these new members to the Academy, and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission and not just a membership,” says Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “We encourage the larger creative community to open its doors wider, and create opportunities for anyone interested in working in this incredible and storied industry.”

Despite the huge leap, the announcement was greeted with mixed reactions.

Critics argue that the Academy still have a long way to go if they are to achieve their diversity goal.

WHO WILL SUE KANYE WEST?

That seems to be the question on everyone’s lips following the release of ‘Famous’ video last Friday night. The infamous video featured the artiste and his wife in bed with realistic and nude depictions of prominent celebrities.

Apparently, the celebrities featured were carefully selected to spark controversies in the public space.

A controversial person himself, the celebrities in the video were a mix of political, artistic and controversial persons.

From Caitlyn Jenner, Bill Cosby to his famous bully victim, Taylor Swift, whose name was mentioned in the lyrics.

The resultant reactions are varied with many memes floating on the internet. Yet, no one has publicly filed a lawsuit against the rapper. The depicted celebrities are only expressing a lukewarm reaction or livid silence.

Call it provocative, revenge porn, orgy or whatever, the rapper did a profound homework before making the video. He knew the legal implications of depicting such public figures in such an immoral way and cleverly covered his path. His braggadocio was clearly seen in his nowdeleted tweet where he asked anyone to sue in.

Legal pundits who have analysed the video believe it’s a 50-50 chance for the rapper because of the various laws governing the work of arts and commerce in the States. The likely instances the rapper may be wrangled in will be defamation, invasion of privacy or libel. These too, they argued, have to be sufficiently proved in the courtroom.

Till then, the famous controversial

Cheryl Boone

Kanye West

rapper will be living the ‘Life of Pablo’ (pun intended).

OVER 1,000 ARTISTS PETITION YOUTUBE

YouTube is facing a petition by more than 1,000 artists who signed a letter to Europe’s leaders to address the disproportionate returns for the commercial exploitation of music.

The artists are fighting for a redress in the value gap for user-generated services like YouTube.

Just last month, 58 members of the European Parliament petitioned the European Commission (EC) over safe harbour provisions, while Paris-based International Artist Organisation (IAO) called for legislative action to address the “value gap.”

“This is a pivotal moment for music.

Consumption is exploding. Fans are listening to more music than ever before.

Consumers have unprecedented opportunities to access the music they love, whenever and wherever they want to do so. But the future is jeopardised by a substantial ‘value gap’ caused by user upload services such as Google’s YouTube that are unfairly siphoning value away from the music community and its artists and songwriters,” reads the latest letter, which is signed by ABBA, Coldplay, David Guetta, James Bay, Mark Ronson, Maroon 5, Robin Schulz among others.

A similar legislative reform petition signed by hundreds of artistes like Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Lionel Richie, was addressed to the US Copyright Office early this year.

In defense, YouTube responded to criticisms from Trent Reznor and Nikki Sixx over the same issue a fortnight ago, insisting that the overwhelming majority of labels and publishers have licensing agreements in place with YouTube to leave fan videos up on the platform and earn revenue from them.

“Today the revenue from fan uploaded content accounts for roughly 50 per cent of the music industry’s YouTube revenue.

Any assertion that this content is largely unlicensed is false. To date, we have paid out over $3 billion to the music industry and that number is growing year on year,” the statement reads.

In the letter addressed to the president of European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, the artists urged the Commission to fix the market distortion by clarifying the appropriate use of safe harbour provisions in its forthcoming review of copyright legislation, due to be published

Lil Wayne

this fall.

LIONSGATE JOIN FORCES WITH STARZ

The move by Lionsgate Entertainment to acquire Starz in a deal valued at $4.4 billion, spread across cash and stock was greeted with mixed reactions. There is scepticism that the marriage would not last long because of the flirtatious nature of the film industry.

However, both entertainment companies will mutually benefit from the merger under the terms of the agreement. For instance, each share of Lionsgate common stock (LGF) will be reclassified into half voting and half newly created non-voting shares. Holders of Starz Series A common stock (STRZA) will also receive $18 in cash per share, as well as 0.6784 of a share of Lionsgate non-voting stock.

Essentially, that offer adds up to a total value of $32.73 per share, an 18 per cent premium for STRZA shareholders.

Holders of Starz Series B common stock (STRZB) will get $7.26 in cash, 0.6321 of a share of Lionsgate voting stock and 0.6321 of a share of Lionsgate non-voting stock.

“This transaction unites two companies with strong brands, complementary assets and leading positions within our industry. We expect the acquisition to be highly accretive, generate significant synergies and create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Chris Albrecht and his team have built a worldclass platform and programming leader,

and we’re proud to marshal our resources in a deal that accelerates our growth and diversification, generates exciting new strategic content opportunities and creates significant value for our shareholders,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns.

Some of the shared properties of the merger include a 16,000-title film and television library; the largest independent television business in the world, including 87 original series on 42 US networks; the Starz Encore network with over 32 million subscribers and five OTT services and others. The deal is expected to be sealed by year-end.

LIL WAYNE’S PRISON MEMOIR DUE IN OCTOBER

The much-awaited memoir of rapper Lil Wayne ‘Gone ‘Till November: A Journal of Rikers Island’ will be released in October.

The memoir is an account of the New Orleans rapper’s time in the prison following his gun possession charge in 2010.

Initially planned to be released in November 2012 by Grand Central Publishing, the memoir will now be published by Plume, an imprint of the Penguin Group.

A representative for Penguin said the book was taken directly from Wayne’s own journal and reveal the true story of what happened while he was at Rikers Island, exploring everything from his daily rituals to his interactions with other inmates to how he was able to keep himself motivated and grateful.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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ENCOUNTER

Inspired to Make Clothes From initiating marketing ideas that helped promote brands to crafting custom-made clothes for high profile personalities, majority of which make celebrities A-List, ‘Mai Atafo has emerged one of Nigeria’s leading fashion designers, building formidable bespoke suit culture and industry in Nigeria and Africa, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

T

he year was 2008. And the period was more of academic session for a research work by a mass communications student of a leading federal university in the South-west. She had taken up a study on the use of outdoor advertisements, specifically billboards, for brand promotion with two highly profiled case brands: Globacom Limited and Guinness Nigeria Plc. As it were, the student had sought assistance from this writer to guide in her long essay, being that she was technically deficient in writing for the first time and somewhat unclear about how to embark on such work.

In the course of the study she had embarked on her field work and would be meeting the persons who respectively handle these brands. And she did.

Eventually when she came back and interestingly so, with good reports, one of the senior brand executives she had met unscheduled at the Guinness office happens to be Ohimai Atafo, fashion designer and label owner.

Same time then as the Senior Brand Manager for Guinness Extra Smooth Stout, ‘Mai had not only well responded to, but also fascinated the young final year student with his profile of a dual creative person. It was at this point also the name caught my almost ever conscious mind and ever since has come across him at countless outings and social events, the last of which was at the 2015 Etisalat Prize for (Africa) Literature.

His Mai Atafo Inspired (MAI) bespoke clothing line has just berthed few months earlier before the meeting with the female student and ‘Mai, just about that time had hinted of his planned exit from the highly competitive alcoholic beverage sector where he was not truly known, to a more burgeoning fashion industry with his

Atafo

brand which was already gaining celebrity endorsements and media acclaim. To make good his initiative and hone his ingenuity, ‘Mai enrolled at the Savile Row Academy of fashion where he further trained as a tailor.

Fast forward to some years later ‘Mai had completely switched from taking executive boardroom decisions hinged on marketing communication dynamics that helped promote the Guinness and other brands to creating bespoke clothes for high profile personalities, majority of which

make celebrities A-list. “It was a switch of product and brand, from Guinness to Mai Atafo Inspired”, he would later tell THISDAY Style Magazine in 2014.

“To be honest, it’s just that feeling you get when you assess life and wonder if you would have any regrets in the future for not making some decisions or taking some actions. I have always loved fashion and making clothes. It was time to decide and I did. The decision was more emotional (based on passion) then rational.”

Through his parent brand, ‘Mai Atafo

Inspired’, in 2011 launched a wedding line called ‘Weddings by Mai’. The wedding line caters to every wedding clothing element from the bridal gown, bridesmaids dress, little brides’ dresses, groom and grooms men’s suit, waistcoat and cravat.

Till date, one can say this marketing specialist has no regrets so far and his actions paid off albeit handsomely as he has been able to build a position that has made the MAI brand so successful beyond just amazing clothes but continuously try to please clients and improve on his products.

True to his words and distinctive ways, ‘Mai is unabashedly hands on with fashion details and readily follows up on his works. This he exemplified at the 4th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) 2016 when he brought out from his pockets work tools (thread, needle, pin and button-hooks) during the red carpet interview to show the extent he goes to satisfy his clients a good number of which were on the event role call that night.

Since his arrival on the Nigerian fashion scene, ‘Mai is noted to have dressed a large collection of male and females especially regulars and never seems to miss out on the best dressed list for well profiled events. And he also has been showcased on the runway by top models. A feat possible by his avid drive to create and recreate fashion designs and styles that stands out from the pack thus attaining commercial success, the result which tells in his massively growing client base.

To him the most exciting thing about being a bespoke tailor is giving life to a well-tailored bespoke suit with hands.

With his creative hands on spectacle of luxurious styled suits made for discerning people, ‘Mai has emerged one of Nigeria’s leading fashion designers, building formidable bespoke suit culture and industry in Nigeria and Africa.

EVENT

On a Spirit-filled Night Yinka Olatunbosun

I

t’s all in the spirit. Golden Tulip, FESTAC was recently swarmed by distributors of Lord’s Dry Gin as Grand Oak Limited, the renowned marketing and distribution company in wine and spirit, recently re-launched the premium spirit with a new classic label in a very attractive pack.

The white and red collage of outdoor décor ushered in the guests drawn from various distribution networks and geographic locations who assembled to unwind and celebrate the brand at the Distributors’ conference.

After the launch, the atmosphere became playful at the surrounding park where the distributors engaged in fitness exercises, relaxation-motivated games such as tug-ofwar, hide and seek amongst others.

Meanwhile, the beautiful spot for the cocktail was shut down by the heavy storm that threatened to dislocate caps and headties from the congregated distributors who

wanted to enjoy the nightlife. But the table was quickly set inside with the hall which was the venue of the launch earlier in the day at the two-day conference.

The gin, being the reason why everyone stayed awake all night, is made of exceptional international quality and has been in the market for 34 years. To this end, a new television commercial was launched alongside radio jingles and press advertisements which are also available in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages.

In his remarks, the Brand Manager, Jacob Akaade observed that the dry gin market is highly fragmented but can be divided into three essential segments namely the value segment, the mixed price segment and the premium segment. He classified the gin in the last category. Similarly, the category manager Amuwo Olayinka revealed that the Lord’s Gin has enjoyed leadership in the spirit market as a staple in top bars and hotels.

The night of fun climaxed in the distribution of brand new automobiles to outstanding

L-R: Aare Fatai Odesile, presenting Acura SUV Car Key to the best performing Distributor, Top Class Enterprise, Mrs Temitope Olaniyan (second left), assisted by Mr. Wale Dosunmu (second right) and Mr. Fred Usman during Grand Oak Distributors Conference

distributors who have either shown the spirit of commitment to the brand in a few years or devoted their resources into promoting the brand for almost two decades.

The Managing Director, Aare Fatai Odesile

extolled the brand attributes in the Lord’s Dry Gin and he reaffirmed the leading position of the mouth-watering premium spirit as the guests milled around the hall for dinner and complementary cocktail mixes.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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EVENT

Towards Growth of Entertainment in Abuja Akan Eyo

T

he 2016 Abuja Entertainment Seminar was in many ways better than the previous edition and the efforts of 41 Naija Entertainment to bring together industry stakeholders, policy makers, practitioners, professionals from private and public sector in an attempt to help build a unifying structure, support growing talents and open more opportunities for investment in the entertainment industry in the Federal Capital Territory was applauded by participants.

Held at the Sandralia Hotel Abuja, it lived up to its billing. There was much pre-event hype over the annual event and entertainment stakeholders, practitioners and lovers left the venue of the event with smiles as it proved to be worth their time and wait.

The annual event which is organised by 41 Naija Entertainment brought together entertainment practitioners and stakeholders who discussed ways through which investing in local content and entertainment could grow the economy in light of the recent challenges facing the Nigerian economy.

Top personalities and celebrities in Abuja entertainment circle and beyond such as Tee Y Mix, Terry Tha Rapman, GospelOnDeBeatz, Bigmo (Wazobia FM), Tunde (Styl Plus), Modenine, Morell, Paul Play, Shortcut, Chuks D General, Mr. Collins Adeyemi (former PMAN Governor, Abuja Chapter), Dominic (Barcity TV), Candelbeats and many more graced the event.

Officials from top government organisations such as the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) were also present.

There were a total of four speakers at the seminar. Paul Alaje, a Business Consultant spoke on the topic “The creative industry and the economy.”

Mr. Okoh Aihe, Deputy Director, Online Media Publications (NCC), who represented the Director of Public Affairs, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo, spoke on “ICT and entertainment: the drive to a sustainable economy.”

In his speech, Mr. Okoh stressed the need for entertainers to create meaningful content and the importance of the ICT in promoting frontiers of entertainment. President of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists, Prof. S.E. Ododo, spoke on “The place of arts and entertainment.”

Renowned music producer, Tee Y Mix who was also an invited speaker treated the topic “Building a brand with your craft.” In his speech, he stated the importance of branding and the need for entertainers to be unique and original with their craft.

In the first panel discussion, Mrs. Franca Aiyetan of the NBC, Andy Madaki, Mode 9, Paul Play and Belema Meshack Hart (CEO Tatafonaija), Burnertunes were panellists and deliberated on the topics “Creating Content for a Target Audience and “The Social Media and Showbiz.” In between the panel discussion, Paul Play made an honourable move as he reminded the audience of the recent passing

Performance at the conference

away of legendary music producer OJB Jezreel and requested a minute silence in his honour, which was observed by everyone in the hall.

Blessing Tangban, Rex Idaminabo, Ustaz Pharouk, Terry the Rap Man treated the topic “Branding” in the second panel discussion of the seminar. The third and last panel session titled “The Power of Collaboration” was handled by Taiwo Olukorode, Godwin Adogame, Timi Elegbede and Bamike Olawunmi.

Oge Kimono who was the sole moderator at the first edition of the Abuja Entertainment Seminar, was also saddled with the same responsibility at this year’s edition.

She moderated all the sessions of the seminar and quizzed the panellists with brilliant questions which demanded their spontaneity, intelligence and experience.

There were entertainment breaks in between sessions and star artist Morell and ace comedian Shortcut were the only performers to climb the stage. While Morell got the audience on their feet singing his popular songs, Shortcut ensured their ribs were cracked as he churned out new materials.

Seminar Director of the Abuja Entertainment Seminar, Mr. Victor Chase, gave the vote of thanks in which he thanked all those in attendance who saw the importance to attend despite their busy schedules.

Guests reconvened in the evening for an exclusive dinner. The audience was treated to music from Alternate Sounds; a live band which comprised of popular music producer Gospelondebeatz (You don’t know him? Listen to Davido’s “All of you”, in Davido’s voice “Gospelondebeatz… badder man).

Like the seminar, the dinner was well attended by top personalities from the entertainment and government circle such as Tee Y Mix, Terry Tha Rapman, Gospelondebeatz, Bigmo (Wazobia FM), Tunde (Styl Plus), Modenine, Succy Blue, Mr. Collins Adeyemi, Prof. Sunnie

Tee Y Mix presenting an award to GospelOnDeBeatz

Ododo, Jamix, representatives from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and a host of others.

The Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed was ably represented by Deputy Director, Special Duties, Entertainment and Creative Services Department, Mrs. Akudo-Nwosu U.N and other members of staff of the Ministry of Information and Culture.

Mrs. Nwosu was called upon to give a speech and she commended the efforts of the organisers of the seminar. She also encouraged more of such events, according to her, it was part of the mandate of the Minister for Information.

The major highlight of the evening was the award presentations. While receiving his award in recognition of his efforts in developing young talents in Abuja, which was presented to him by long time mentor and friend, Tee Y Mix, Gospel Obi popularly known as GospelOnDeBeatz reflected on his journey into music production and how Tee Y Mix mentored him 10 years ago.

Tee Y Mix also expressed his satisfaction in GospelOnDeBeatz’s career

and wished him greater heights in the future as he presented the award to him. Other award recipients were Mama Cass and NCC. During the course of the dinner, there were performances from some of the hottest up and coming acts in Abuja namely Jessica Bongos, Matilda, Peerayce and E Marshal.

Popular Abuja dancer, Adela, also thrilled the audience with her group.

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 deputy managing director kayode komolafe

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

WHERE IS THE ART IN THAT? PAGE 44

03.07.2016

ELECHI AMADI

AN ABRUPT CURTAIN CALL EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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JULY 3, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\TRIBUTE

ELECHI AMADI ABRUPT CURTA

For his lasting literary legacy, Yinka Olatunbosun pays tribute to the renowned writer and Nigerian civil war veteran, Elechi Amadi who died at 82.

I

t hit the literary community like a storm as the news of the death of one of the post-independence writers in Nigeria, Elechi Amadi on Thursday June 29 at Good Heart Hospital, Rivers State filtered in.

Online search engines became busy with curious readers in search of information about the leading writer from the nation’s first generation of literary giants.

Born on May 12 of the same year as the Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, precisely 1934, Amadi’s journey into writing began, not necessarily with his first published fiction, The Concubine.

He’d probably stack notes on his table as a young man or simply let his imagination play around certain societal archetypes acting different roles. To be sure, Amadi had reportedly published a poem “Penitence’’ in the University of Ibadan campus magazine in 1957 with the playwright, John Pepper Clark as the editor.

Like his contemporaries such as Chinua Achebe and Christopher Okigbo, he attended the Government College, Umuahia. Later, he proceeded to the Survey School, Oyo and studied Physics and Mathematics at the premiere university. He married a midwife, Dorah Nwonne Ohale in 1957 as an undergraduate student at the institution.

Upon his graduation from the University of Ibadan, he earned a living as a land surveyor. After publishing the mythical fiction, The Concubine, he was hailed as the successor to fellow University of Ibadan alumnus, Chinua Achebe, whose 1958 novel Things Fall Apart opened a new vista in post-colonial literature.

Flipping the pages back to his personal life between 1963 and 1966, Amadi taught at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria. It goes without saying that he had moved around the country like a man on a mandatory expedition. His experience serving his motherland during the Nigerian Civil War became a pivotal one in most of his writings spanning the three genres of literature.

His pastime, playwriting birthed Isiburu, a play about a wrestler which enjoyed a run at the National Arts Theatre, Lagos in 1973. Peppersoup, another of his plays, raises the issue of interracial marriage. A 1978 work for the stage, Dancer of Johannesburg, has been described as “an espionage thriller set in South Africa and ended, presciently, with the dismantling of that country’s apartheid system.’’

For this writer, it had been a distant encounter with Amadi. First, on an official visit to Port-Harcourt as a legal reporter, this writer spent a week in Aluu community where the writer lived till his death. Some years earlier, while surfing through the school library for a very simple play to direct as an undergraduate student of Drama, Amadi’s play, The Road to Ibadan was a saving grace in beating deadlines and working

Amadi with busy actors who had limited capacity to memorise the lines of a play. However, Amadi is not famed for his plays. They are hardly picked for specials like project plays or convocation plays. They are often bereft of detailed spectacle and the dialogues are incredibly short. Yet, Amadi’s plays are perfect for comic sketches and simple class presentations.

Amadi is widely acclaimed as an author for his 1966 novel, The Concubine which outlived its generation. It was published as part of Heinemann African Writers Series.

For critics, Amada’s first cut is the deepest.

The Concubine was hailed as a “most accomplished first performance” upon its release.

Research in African Literatures critic, Clara A. B. Joseph observed that “Although not

to the same extent as with Achebe’s works, Amadi’s works are peppered with witty translations of proverbs and numerous references to age-old customs. His narratives highlight the importance of tradition more than language in the creation of a political community.”

The Concubine became a compulsory read for literature students at the secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria with good reasons. One is that The Concubine is an exemplary work of fiction with its cultural leanings, African world-view and universality.

Secondly, it is a narrative that combines fatality and predestination as core thematic preoccupation. In March 2007,

the novel found its way to the cinema as Andy Amenechi directed its reel version which premiered in Abuja. It captures the same ill-fated love story of Ihuoma, a beautiful young widow, whose love interest was a hunter Ekwueme. Ihuoma is haunted by the gods and marriage to her is suicidal. She is said to be the wife of the mythical Sea King deity. This gives her great status in the present, portending doom for any mortal man who seeks to marry her. Ihuoma is married and widowed three times, as a result of the wrath of the Sea King toward those who, well, usurped his bride. The narrative had long provoked critical assessment. For instance, Emmanuel Obiechina in the Dictionary of Literary Biography essay noted that “the

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 3, 2016

ARTS & REVIEW\\TRIBUTE

I: AN AIN CALL

TELEVISION

L-R: Wumi Raji ,Banji Adesanmi, Yemi Adesanya at a press briefing...recently

THIRTY MINUTES WITH INSPAYA TELEVISION SHOW Yinka Olatunbosun

A

Top: Amadi (recent and past); Bottom: Cover for Amadi’s debut novel

strength of The Concubine rests on the fact that it is not folklore but realistic-style fiction, in spite of its strong penetration by the super-natural.”

Like his contemporaries, Amadi’s works have also been influenced by the Nigerian Civil War. Between 1963 and 1966, he served on the Nigerian Federal Army, became a captain and rejoined in 1968, serving with Marine Commandos during the Civil War. For instance, The Road to Ibadan is set against the backdrop of civil war with a tinge of romance. His autobiography, Sunset in Biafra (1973) was his documented memory of the Nigeria-Biafra war. Interestingly, his second novel, The Great Pond is not based on war, but on a conflict over a pond between two communities. It is set in the years

before World War I, but its plot revolves around a long struggle for control of a part of the Niger River-delta.

Although, scholars who read between the lines will draw a parallel between the portrayed conflict and war, the novel seems to have a lasting relevance in a country where communal clashes are a routine.

He was on a hiatus of sorts until 1979, when The Slave was published. Like his previous works, it is set in a rural West African village. The central character, Olumati, the last in his family lineage faced a predicament- to flee the village, as his parents have been ostracized and forced to serve as slaves to a god at a cult shrine in another village.

Olumati is expected to take over this duty. He tries to restore his family’s standing, but forces conspire against this plan.

Ironically, Estrangement, published in 1985, was the last of Amadi’s novels and the first to be set in Port Harcourt. The plot centres on a woman named Alekiri and the traumas she experiences during the Biafran civil war.

Her marriage ends, she becomes romantically involved with an army officer, and struggles to regain her footing after the hostilities end.

Since he left writing, Amadi had held a number of government posts in Rivers State, including Commissioner of Education and Commissioner of Lands and Housing. He has also had a long involvement with the Rivers State College of Education where he was named the head of Department of Literature in 1991. That same year, he discussed his literary career in a brief essay for Contemporary Novelists. “I like to think of myself as a painter or composer using words in the place of pictures and musical symbols,” he said. “I consider commitment in fiction a prostitution of literature. The novelist should depict life as he sees it without consciously attempting to persuade the reader to take a particular viewpoint.

Propaganda should be left to journalists.”

In 1973, he received the International Writers Program grant from the University of Iowa, 1973. In 1992, he won the Rivers State Silver Jubilee Merit Award and three years later, Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality Merit Award for Literature. His literary legacy is mirrored in the essay by Obiechina in the Dictionary of Literary Biography who observed that, “In his novels, African villagers come alive in the immense variety of their individual and group activities, which are deeply informed by a shared sense of religion, ethics, social etiquette, and culture.”

He had not been in the news until January 5, 2009 when he was kidnapped at his home in Aluu by unknown gunmen. He was released on the evening of the next day. In 2003, he was inducted as Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education and that same year, he received a national award as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

thirty-minute television show, Inspaya, is coming soon to the screens.

That piece of information was received recently during a visit to the Ikeja-based studios where the new inspiration programme is recorded.

Founded by Pastor Banji Adesanmi, the show is designed to bring hope to Nigerians. In life, challenges abound. While many die wrestling with these challenges, some surmount these obstacles and live to tell their stories. It is against this backdrop that the creative team behind this new television show had been searching for real people with extraordinary stories that are tested as true testimonies.

At present, the production team has completed a season while another season is still being recorded.

While explaining the programme content to the journalists at the studios, Adesanmi revealed that the show is not just an interview but a narrative which will be available on PTV phones.

“My vision is to give encouragement through survivor’s stories. There is a way stories change lives.

We have here quality media content production.

We came out with good quality production both in delivery and in presentation.

“Our work means comfort and hope in the midst of hopelessness and economic hardship. The stories will help the viewers to put their challenges into perspectives and sometime in the future, they will have a story to tell,’’ said Adesanmi who floats the show as a production of Banji Adesanmi Ministry.

The show will be launched officially in the first week of July.

The Producer, Yemi Adesanya said that the focus is not on the art of story-telling but on the impact of these stories on the viewers. For now, there will not be scenes of reenactment but actual narrations by testifiers and co-testifiers. The producer also revealed that many stories had been discountenanced because there were no co-testifiers to corroborate the stories.

In the same vein, Adesanmi added that when testimonies are self-aggrandizing, they are discarded.

Adesanmi recounted how he developed this media content based on personal experiences and the need to make positive change.

“I am an accidental preacher. It came to me like a hobby. I discovered that I love impacting people.

Besides, I have had some setbacks in life. And I have watched a lot of documentaries too,’’ he said.

Adesanya said that the show demands a lot of research and fact-finding. One of the most interesting find for him was with the comedian and actor, Julius Agwu.

“We went to the Redeemed camp, MFM and other places in search of testimonies. We started looking for celebrities with good testimonies. Julius Agwu has an amazing story. Right now, we have enough stories for our second season,’’ he assured.

Before the production manager, Wumi Raji accompanied the journalists into the interior of the studio, a few episodes of the show was screened which featured a question and answer segment called, “Ask EVB’’.

Some of the episodes include stories recounted by former drug addicts, women who overcame barrenness, persons who surmounted serious health challenges, amongst others.

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ARTS & REVIEW\\FICTION

WHERE IS THE ART IN THAT? Daniel Chado

W

hen I woke up, my roommate, Folarin, was getting dressed.

He was wearing his best blacks. He was excited, even happy. Today was Tobi Williams’s opening. Folarin thought he would finally get a chance to talk with Vanessa and set things right. He had bought her a gift that he showed to me. It was a gold heart shaped pendant with a tiny diamond set in its center.

On its backside, “With All My Love Folarin” was engraved. He had also written her a love letter explaining how he felt, “just as a precaution,” he said, “in case I’m unable to express my feelings to her in person.”

I knew he was courting disaster and the letter and pendant were just a few tiny flares sent up to light the battlefield, too few, too late, the battle having been won

by Tobi Williams. I felt, as a private might standing behind his defeated captain, that he shouldn’t venture out onto the battlefield alone. I told him I was going to the opening as well and that perhaps we could drive out there together. “No way,” he said. “I am taking my own car so Vanessa and I can leave together.” He actually expected to bring her back with him that evening! A classic example of the valiant warrior looking at defeat and seeing future conquest instead of devastation.

The opening was from 4 to 7 p.m. He left at 1 p.m. He wanted to get there early just in case she showed up so they’d have time to talk. I left at 3:30. When I arrived at the gallery, Folarin was standing alone at the front door. He had a glass of wine in one hand and the gift and letter in the other. He asked me if I had seen Vanessa. I told him I hadn’t, that I had just arrived.

The gallery was a large open space. It was overflowing with stuff, so much stuff, that the hundred or so people who showed up to see the show could barely move without bumping into or stepping over something.

All these items were the things one would find in a suburban garage except for the fact that instead of appearing tidy and unused, this room was a riot of tangled and stacked junk. Was his father really such a slob? I wondered. Is this a literal recreation of his father’s garage, or a mangled mess the junior Williams orchestrated having the foreknowledge that in contemporary art disorder is always perceived as creative, whereas, order is a harder sell, being generally perceived as unremarkable conventionality.

There were shelves full of hardware, stacks of lumber, tools of all sizes, boxes labeled Christmas Lights, Baby Clothes, Taxes, cans of old paint, used paint brushes, old dirty clothes, garden tools, a broken down baby crib, stacked folding chairs, worktables, crushed beer cans, and sawdust and plaster dumped on the floor. A mommie’s worst nightmare. On the back wall of the gallery was an altar of sorts; a worktable with “Post-it” notes stuck to it with descriptions of things needing to be done like, build shelves in pantry, fix faucet in bathroom sink. A calendar hung on the wall with photographs of young girls posing in tiny bathing suits.

There were four pictures of kids on the wall next to the calendar with nails hammered through them. On the worktable, a moldy cup of coffee sat next to a blotter pad full of doodles. Lettered on the wall to the right was the following aphorism: “If a machine stops it doesn’t mean it’s broken.” On the wall to the left of the worktable, built out of old weathered wood, were the words, “Under(mine)ed Dad(a).” Hanging next to it was a framed drop cloth that had layers of dripped and splattered paint on its surface.

“Dad’s Pollock Painting” was cut out of its center.

In sum, the installation was the virtual essence of chaos and everybody seemed to love it. It was the type of space we moderns love to frequent: a cluttered and busy space that appears significant, because nobody can make sense of it. The ideal spot for a meaningless chat with a friend over wine while being bombarded with images and objects so common in their origin one can feel an instant connection with them. What a perfect evening. You have a pleasant social encounter and, as an added bonus, leave

feeling you have been exposed to a meaningful cultural experience.

I was standing outside, a few feet from Folarin , talking to a friend about the intended meaning of the nails hammered into the photographs of children when Vanessa arrived about 5 p.m. hanging on the arm of Tobi Williams. This fashionably late arrival by the artist was calculated to create a favorable impression upon all those individuals at the exhibition that mattered, first and foremost, any and all in attendance with money to spend and, secondly, those few higher ups in the art world who define and maintain the status quo for the aforementioned art financiers. By arriving late, Tobi Williams displayed his disregard for the entire production. It was an accepted form of one-upmanship, a symbolic flaunting of artistic superiority. He was proclaiming from his elevated position: “What do I care what you think of my work? I know my work is important and I don’t need your approval or support.” Of course, this was far from the truth. Once he entered the gallery he would spend the remaining two hours groveling at the feet of not only those that mattered, but also at the feet of a few who didn’t—though he wasn’t privy to the fact.

As they approached, Folarin became anxious and nervous not to mention selfconscious (to an extent I would never have guessed possible). He finished his drink, set it down, and turned to the large plate glass window at his right to inspect his reflection, not as Narcissus might have, lovingly, but as though he felt sure something was amiss. He turned around at the precise moment Vanessa reached the door. He stepped in front of her.

This blocking of her entrance startled her and threw a twist into Tobi Williams’s posture, forcing him to spin at the hip. He gave Vanessa a tug that lifted her into the air. She bumped William’s shoulder, which sent him banging into an unsuspecting young man.

Williams looked angry. I’m sure this was not the choreographed entrance he had rehearsed in his mind.

“Vanessa,” Folarin blurted. “We have to talk.”

She recoiled from his touch as if it scorched her flesh. Williams straightened up, lifted his head high, lit up his face with a smile, and plunged forward dragging Vanessa behind him. Folarin followed, and stated again, “Vanessa! We have to talk!” He somehow had the presence of mind to sense this approach wasn’t working, so he ended this demand with an imploring, “Please.”

Vanessa turned to him and replied, “Not now, Folarin! This is not the time or the place.”

By now Williams had turned on the charm and was chatting it up with a distinguished elderly gentleman. Vanessa turned her back to Folarin and assumed the supporting role demanded of her. “So nice to meet you,” she said to the gentleman Williams introduced to her.

Folarin stood immobile, apparently unsure of his next move. He glanced at the threesome

chatting and then at the gift and letter in his hand. He looked as though he was about to turn and leave but then reconsidered. I doubt that he was actually thinking about anything, but rather waiting for the inertia that had enveloped him to pass. It did as soon as they moved further into the room. Folarin maneuvered his body around a set of saw horses supporting a sheet of plywood, past a half dozen spectators, and into a position in front of Vanessa “Look,” he said lifting the gift up in front of her with his two hands, “I bought it for you.

It’s...”

Before he could finish his sentence, Vanessa leaned toward him and said, “Go away Folarin!.”

Talk about a pivotal line. I think even Shakespear would have been in awe at the chain of events these three words set in motion. I walked over to Folarin, grabbed his arm, and said, “Come on. Let’s go outside and get some air.” But that arm instead of coming with me, plunged into my chest sending me flying back into a group of conversing onlookers.

As he thrust me back, he yelled, “No! I have to talk to her!” He grabbed Vanessa’s arm and spun her around. Somehow he managed to maneuver the gift and card out of his hands and into hers. With a forceful tug she freed herself from his grip, then took the gift and card and tossed them into a trash can filled with wood chips. As she did this, Tobi Wuilliams stepped in front of Folarin and said, “I think you better leave.” Folarin shouted, “I’m not going anywhere until I talk to Vanessa.”

By now a crowd had gathered around the three of them. Everyone seemed amused.

They apparently perceived this drama as a performance piece intended to accompany the exhibition. As the voices escalated, the crowd gave approving nods and passed approving smiles around as though to say, “Clever, don’t you think?”

“If you don’t leave I’m going to have you thrown out!” Williams screamed.

This threat didn’t have much effect upon Folarin. Williams was a thin artistic type and Folarin knew ten little Williams couldn’t budge one heavyset Folarin. He simply said, “Get out of my way,” and brushed Williams aside with a sweep of his thick arm. Right about then two larger art types stepped forward and restrained Folarin, one on each arm. “Throw that Miscreant out of here!”

Williams demanded. The crowd cheered.

“Get your hands off me!” Folarin screamed as he struggled to free himself. He was attempting to get to the trash can to retrieve the gift and letter.

Willams, meanwhile, had become conscious of the crowd’s interest and decided, Why not play up to it? He shouted at the top of his lungs, “You’re just like my dad!

When things don’t go your way you become violent!”

“Oh no! Take your hands off me!” Folarin screamed.

Right about then the owner of the gallery

called the police knowing this was not a scripted performance. A third individual joined the two restraining Folarin, and together they dragged him outside. All he could do was toss off a few “Oh nos!”

As soon as they released him from their grip, he shoved them aside and rushed back into the circle of spectators that surrounded Vanessa and Williams. Folarin went blasting through the crowd like a tank rolling over foot soldiers. He went straight to the trash can and overturned it, dumping its contents onto the ground, and retrieved the gift and card. He spun around and again presented them, raised high in his hands, to Vanessa, like a crown presented to a queen. He didn’t say anything. He just stood there like a sweaty eunuch. This gesture was sufficiently dramatic to send Vanessa into action.

“You dirty thing! Don’t you get it! I don’t want your gift! I don’t want to talk to you! I don’t want to see you again! I don’t even like you!”

He lowered the gift, “But what about all...”

He never had a chance to finish his sentence. “You just don’t get it do you?”

Vanessa yelled. “I never liked you. Where do you think I was when I said I was staying at my friends place? I was spending time with Tobi that’s where I was, you fool” This so enraged Folarin that he threw the gift at her and then tore up the letter and tossed that at her as well. About then, his three escorts reappeared and a struggle ensued. Folarin began kicking and turning over objects in the exhibition. Moments later several policemen arrived. Their entrance was greeted by a great clapping roar of approval by the crowd, which still hadn’t realized the gravity of the situation. One of the officers grabbed Folarin. When he saw the uniform his reason returned and before the officer even uttered a word he said, “Okay, Okay. I’m leaving.” They escorted him out.

I followed them out. I knew my role as arbitrator would be crucial to a quick resolution to this ugly business, a resolution that would leave Folarin free to wallow in his misery (as opposed to wallowing in his misery confined in an iron cell). I approached the officers and offered an explanation of the events that had just taken place. I explained to them how Vanessa had dumped Folarin without a word. I told them about the gift and love letter she had so cavalierly tossed into the trash can (which actually wasn’t a trash can but a sculpture, though I chose to refrain from explaining to the officers the aesthetic considerations that allow for the possibility of an ordinary trashcan being perceived as sculpture). I tried to play upon their sympathy. They were attentive, but not sympathetic. They had Folarin handcuffed and locked in the back seat of their car. To them this was just another case of domestic violence. They had learned from experience that sympathy in such situations might alter their judgment which they felt to confine within the strict rule of law. Folarin had become violent regardless of who or what provoked his violent behavior. They were reluctant to let him go for fear he might hurt somebody. I understood their concerns but still pressed my case. This guy, I told them, was the most passive I knew. I assured them the passion of the moment had passed. He had reverted back to good old Folarin, the guy who couldn’t hurt a flea much less a rodent the size of Vanessa. “Yeah, we’ve heard all this before” was their reply.

It was the owner of the gallery who came to his rescue. He came out and joined in the conversation. He was very sympathetic.

There was no real damage done. (Actually, I thought Folarin had contributed to the look of the installation by scattering the junk around in a much more random, haphazard manner, making the environment look less contrived. And the pendant and torn letter added a touch of sentiment that was lacking from this dry, academic presentation). He told the police he didn’t intend to press charges. He just wanted Folarin to leave. I told the police that I would see that Folarin got home safely. They released him in my custody and escorted us to my car.

On the way home I tried to console Folarin with dumb trite comments like, “She’s not worth it” and “More fish in the sea,” but I doubt he heard a word I said. He sat quietly staring out the window as though frozen to the seat, an icy numbness emanating from his immobile body. When we arrived back at the loft he went straight into his room without uttering a word.

-Chado is a Lagos-based writer

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER •JULY 3, 2016

ARTS & REVIEW\\ART-LOGUE

ASIDERE’S BRAIN GAME Yinka Olatunbosun

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few days before the press preview, the curator for the exhibition, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago had been hanging some of the works along the corridors in the interior of Wheatbaker Hotel, when a couple on a business visit to Nigeria approached. The wife was tugging at her husband, persuading him to look at the works appreciatively. She was very excited at her discovery of those unusual sketches and particularly intrigued by the embedded messages.

The couple is just an example.

Asidere’s works in the show called, “Mental Space’’ possess some sort of magnetic pull because they are not your regular paintings, for its abstract and minimalist’s outlook on the human experience. Essentially, the 38 pieces are visual commentaries on Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape with a dosage of audacity. Name it, corruption, greed, war versus peace, trade and silent meditation, no holds barred with this artist with a variety of genre including pencil, engravings, oil and acrylic, pastels and collage.

His piece, “One Man, One Generator’’ is a symbol of social reality in Nigeria.

There is hardly any household in Nigeria where there is no power generating set or power saving device and lately, energy conversion appliances. The “generator’’ is a significant reference to the agony of Nigerians who have been plunged into darkness by the perpetual black-out. But as the artist observed, power generating is not the only aspect of state responsibilities that individuals have shouldered.

“This represents the essence of our

Yinka Olatunbosun Nigeria’sreveredmusiccritic,researcherandfirst managertothelegendaryAfrobeatmusician,Fela AnikulapoKuti,BensonIdonijearrivedquietlyatKongi GalleryinsideFreedomParkwhereafewartistsand journalistswerewaitingtoreceivehim.Hewas,asusual, calm,cheerfuland,perhaps,alittlecuriousastohowthe portraitsessionwilloccur.Ofcourse,hehadbeenduly informedthatinhishonour,top-notchartistswould makedrawingportraitureofhimtocelebratehis80th birthday.

Theinitiatorandfineartist,OluAjayihadbeenone ofthebrainsbehindtheLivingLegendseries,which startedtheartisticdocumentationoficonicNigerians suchasFormerHeadofState,YakubuGowon,Prof.

WoleSoyinkaandafewothers.TheLivingLegendbrand hadbeenassociatedwithpersonalitiesthathavehelped shapedNigerianhistoryandtheirlegaciestellthetales.

Artiste at work at Idonijie’s life painting

Duke Asidere, The theft looting and bad governance, 92 x 92 cm, 2015 emotional being as a nation. It depicts what we are going through emotionally, physically and psychologically. Some of the issues we are currently dealing with are as a result of government negligence, lawlessness, suppressed issues leading into other issues,’’ he remarked.

Another work titled, “Brain Analysis’’ explores the female form in assessing the collective mental disposition of a people.

Ironically, there are no heads in this painting. Heads are necessary housing and

protection for the human brain. However, the presence or the disappearance of the human head was not the artist’s preoccupation but the brain’s functionality.

“Brand new brains refer solely to those used for basic reasoning. In contrast, well-used brains have been pushed and challenged by things such as keeping up with advance in technology,’’ he noted.

True, the proliferations of apps and mobile devices can lead to some confusion for those with “well-used brains’’.

AlthoughBensonIdonijeisnotlistedintheLiving LegendSeries,hisrarefeatasaseasonedbroadcaster andjazzpromoterhasinfluencedNigeriaandAfrica’s musiclandscape.

OnthatThursday,hewasthesitter.Afewminutes afterhetookhisbreakfast,hesatintheredchairbutonly afterthecultureactivist,formerSundayEditor,Guardian andamemberoftheplanningcommitteeforthe birthdaycelebration,JahmanAnikulapohadgivenabrief backgroundtohowtheportraitureisakick-starterfora four-daycelebrationwhichbeganofficiallyonJune14.

AccordingtoAnikulapo,IdonijecametoLagosatthe ageof17andstartedworkingalmostimmediately.

“HewastheonlyNigeriancolumnistwiththree columnseveryweek,”hesaid.“Whathewaswritingwas thoroughlyresearchedandthepiecescontainedinformationthatyoucan’tanywhere.Hedidn’thavetoconsultany book.HeknewNigerianandforeignjazzartistsandhe wouldtalkfreelyabouttheirartistry.Itoldmyselfthatif BensonIdonijehadbeenintheacademics,hewouldhave beenaprofessor.

Heisaprofessorinhisownrightsandhedoesnot needtogethigherdegreestolegitimisehisknowledgeof wealthofexperience.

“Hedidn’twanttocelebratehisbirthday.Asamatter offact,wehadtohidetheideafromhim.Heisatough

And there are many who invest in snazzy gadgets but can only power on and off.

Then again, his piece, “The Theft Looting and Bad Governance’’ has a stamped N550billion newspaper clipping on it. It speaks of bold-faced corruption especially in public service where some outrageous sums of money that had been earmarked for specific aspects of governance had been diverted into private purse or better still, private sewage tanks.

Asidere’s works had been organised in series namely the Power series, the Sketches, Faces and Signature forms. In all, the female form is a very predominant feature. Asidere agreed that his mother and other women he had encountered right from his childhood days tills now have occupied such position of influence in his artistry.

“Women epitomise hard work, more so during an economic downturn, and are, an index of the pathos, also in a community. These female images enthrall, considering their persuasive posturing as they made it to sit as if confronting their world alone. However, it is with the face that expressions make meaning to humans and with humans,’’ he explained.

His choice of colours in expressing his views through the works is also very profound. Sometimes, he deposits warm colours when touching on sensitive topics that had heated up the polity and the media such as financial scandals in government and some other historical truths.

Asidere is also conscious of his immediate environment. In the piece, “Discovering Orelope Street’’, he captures his over-twodecades’ experience living on a street that has undergone remarkable changes over a period of time.

This exhibition, sponsored by Wheatbaker and Louis Guntrum Wines will open to the public on July 4 till September 15.

IDONIJE, AS THEY SEE HIM

person.Hesaidhedidn’twantanyparty.Heonlywants hisbookstobepublished.’

Anikulapoalsorecountedanencounterhehad withIdonijeandhisgrandsonwhenhewenttoreceive thelatterattheairport.BurnaBoy,whosportssome tattoosandblings,becameasubjectofheated argumentinthecaronthewayfromtheairportto theGuardianoffice.Idonijetoldhisgrandsonthathe wouldn’tmakeitinmusicwithsuchappearance.But hisgrandsonresponded,“WhenImakeit,Iwillletyou know’.’Idonijeisnowamusicdirectorforhisgrandson.

PerhapsthatexplainswhyBurnaBoy’smusichas evolvedasamarkedlydifferentgenreamongsthis contemporaries.

Next,Idonijesatfacingtheartists.Ajayiintroduced theartists,mostlydrawnfromtheacademia,who werepoisedtomakehistorytogetherbyhavinga directinteractionwithIdonije.Theoctogenarianfondly called“UncleBen”wasserenadedwithhisfavourite songsandinafewminutes,hecouldnotremain steady.Hishandstappedgentlyonthearmofthe chairandoccasionallyhenoddedappreciativelytothe reverberatinghighliferhythms.

AjayipleadedwithIdonijebrieflytokeepsteadybut thelatterhadbeenfasttransporteddownmemory lanewiththespecialmusiccollectionforhisentertainment.Buthewasn’ttheonlyonewhowasentertained.

Oneoftheartistsalsodancedthroughhisfirstpencil sketchofhimbeforeyankingitoffanddoingacharcoal piece.

Theportraitvariesfromoneartisttoanother.Olu Ajayi,TheoLawson,Prof.BolajiOgunwo,Dr.Aladegboungbe,EmmaIrokanulaandDukeAsideremade bothimpressionisticandexpressionisticsketchesof Idonijeonpaper.Whilesomeconcentratedonhisface, otherspreferredrealismandcapturedtheseatandhis moodjustasitlookedtothematthatpointintime.

Duringoneofthefewbreaks,Idonijeexpressedhis sinceregratitudefortheorganisersofthelifepainting whichhedescribedasa“strangeandwonderful experience.”

“Iamimpressedbythecalibreofartistshere.Some ofthemareheadsofdepartmentofartatvarious institutions.ListeningtoVictorUwaifo’smusicevokes alotofnostalgiaordoIcallitafeelingofdéjàvu?”

Idonijeremarked.

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JULY 3, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

REMEMBERING STELLA STELLA: Her Journey & Her Legacy, by Antoinette-Rita, Published by: Books with A Mission (Sophos Books is an imprint of Books With A Mission) Yinka S. Kareem,

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ntoinette-Rita’s previous books are poetry books: Purple & Blue – Inspirational Poems and TheBlue Ocean – Peace, Power, Prosperity (Volume 1); she fell in love with poetry at an early age. Unlike many poets, she began writing poetry at the age of 6and songs at the age of 9. She has received among other international awards including, The Young Poet Award, courtesy of the International Society of Poets, held in Florida, United States of America in 2004.

Antoinette-Rita’s STELLA: Her Journey & Her Legacy is an anthological biography (including poetry and photographs) of the life of Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo, the erstwhile First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sixteen key personalities and other thirty-two individuals give anthological accounts and tributes about the life and legacy of Stella Obasanjo in the book.

This contribution, STELLA: Her Journey & Her Legacy by Antoinette-Rita to biographical literature of First Ladies in the world is phenomenal. When she discovered, as a committed female writer, that no publication on Stella Obasanjo was in the public domain, she decided to blow the trumpet of Stella’s legacy. The book is therefore not a commissioned biography or imprimatur of Stella Obasanjo’s biography. Her description of the book underscores the fact that the book is a legacy book; she writes inthe book: “…legacy book about Mrs. Obasanjo…”(19).

This statement by the author could as well serve as the epigraph of the book. However, her commitment towards the proclamation of the legacy of a fellow woman is noble.

In STELLA: Her Journey and Her Legacy,Antoinette-Rita organizes her materials well and also uses them effectively. With the two chapters; “Introduction by Antoinette-Rita” and “A Life Remembered”, she asserts that she is more than an interviewer and a compiler of the comments and the tributes of others on Stella Obasanjo. What others do not mention about Stella, Antoinette-Ritadiscovers with the keen eyes of a good biographer. For example, she includes in her own story that Stella Obasanjo received the 2000 African Civic Responsibility Award, based on her philanthropic works.

With “A Life Remembered (A Poem)”, AntoinetteRita exhibits her creativity by incorporating poetry into the anthological biography of Stella Obasanjo.

The inclusion of the poem is appropriate because it is a poetic tribute – an ode. This ode to Stella Obasanjo is encomiastic in line with Pindaric odes; but it has irregular stanzanic structure like the odes of Abraham Cowley. With simple diction and the use of dramatic monologue, Antoinette-Rita addresses both Stella Obasanjo and her readers. She also effectively uses other various poetic devices in this poem which is also biographical for it conveys the life history of Stella Obasanjo.

STELLA: Her Journey & Her Legacy bears one major “weakness” of anthological biography – lack of chronological narration of events. But in the book, Antoinette-Rita masterfully takes care of this defect which are evident in two main chapters, by her inclusion of a chapter titled “Mrs. Stella Obasanjo; A Chronological Summary” before these two chapters.

Her summary of the life of Stella Obasanjo from when she was born on 14 November 1945 to her demise on 23 October 2005 is indeed an antidote to the defect inherent in anthological biography.

Two chapters titled “The Story of Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo” and “Tributes to the Life of Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo” embody the anthological biography of the former First Lady. At the beginning of each chapter, Antoinette-Rita gives introductory lists of the sixteen commentators and the thirty two individuals who give tributes in honour of Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo. However, at the end of the list of names of the sixteen commentators, she writes the phrase, “Be inspired”. The addition of this phrase reveals the direct and conversational approach of the author to her reader in the middle of the book. What appears to be intrusive is however deliberate and appropriate; it is the voice of the public- speaker in Antoinette-Rita that is speaking. A young public speaker, a carer of her disabled mother, who is committed to inspiring

others to take care of fellow humans, is calling on her readers to be inspired by the story of another “carer”, Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo.

In the first chapter, containing the anthological biography, the author presents the journey and legacy of Stella Obasanjo through an array of commentators from all walks of life, and different backgrounds, who are of diverse relationship with Stella Obasanjo while she was alive. The accounts from this group of sixteen, consisting mostly of individuals who were part of Stella’s journey from her early days, are perceptional. However, in a separate chapter, the author presents the life history of Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo through the perspectives of different people who give peripheral accounts of her life and legacy, based on the perceptible achievements of Stella Obasanjo in the public domain.

The presentation of the accounts of the group of sixteen in a separate chapter from that of the group of thirty-two, is effective because the testimonies of those who did not have any intimate relationship with Stella Obasanjo complements and corroborates that of those who were close to Stella during her lifetime. The inclusion of the testimonies of the group of thirty-two in the anthological biography of Stella also shows that AntoinetteRita has not presented a white-wash biography.

STELLA: Her Journey & Her Legacy, from the pen of AntoinetteRita is also not a cosmetic or face-saving biography of Stella Obasanjo; it also contains some flaws in the character of Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo. With this, the author exhibits one of the qualities of a good biographer. According to the account of Mrs. Victoria Ebohimen, Stella normally yelled at those who were close to her; but she adds that it was a yell in love (114). Apart from this, her taste in fashion was exquisite and flamboyant. She bought lots of dresses, shoes and handbags; many would definitely frown at this, under a depressed economy, but come to think of it; she “… gave clothes to many ladies with a free heart” (116).

Overall, the collage of accounts and tributes from forty-eight people unanimously presents Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo as a loving and willing “carer” who loved God; cared about Nigeria, Africa, her parents, siblings, husband (whom she stood by while he was imprisoned by Abacha), children, members of the extended family, workers, aides and friends. She also cared about the women-folk, the disabled and orphaned children; her Child Care Trust and her fight against genital mutilation are testimonies to this.

However, she is also presented as a “carer” who takes care of herself, her beauty.

Antoinette-Rita’s convincing presentation of Stella’s biography would have been more convincing if she has included the tributes of women who directly benefitted from the campaigns organized

by Stella against female genital mutilation. Tributes from disabled children or parents of these children, who benefitted from Stella’s Child Care Trust, would also have been a plus to the book. The photographs included in the book testify to the external beauty of Stella; but the inclusion of photographs with Stella

in the midst of disabled children or in the midst of women she uplifted would also have pictorially shown her inner beauty and her caring for others.

In future, some typographical errors in connection with Yoruba names will have to be corrected in the book; the title of Oba Dr. Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu is Olowu Kangunere not “Kangumere” (42).

The author will also have to make Mr. Richard Taylor, OBE, a more reliable witness; in his account of Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, he uses the phrase “I first met Stella Obasanjo” on two different occasions; this is confusing (98). The failure of the author to number the lines of “A Life Remembered” also makes it difficult to make reference to the lines in the poem. The numbering of the lines would go a long way in enhancing the appreciation of the poetic tribute to Stella Obasanjo.

Antoinette-Rita’s silence on the cause of Stella’s death and her not mentioning in the book that she died in Puerto Banus, Spain; when she mentions that Stella was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, however shows that she is indeed interested in the legacy of Stella more than her journey. After all,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo dwells on this aspect of the journey of the life of Stella in his autobiography,My Watch.

Overall, STELLA – Her Journey & Her Legacy is an interesting and well written anthological biography in simple language about a “carer”; a unique “shero”, Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo. We cannot but agree with Antoinette- Rita that, “She came, she handled, she conquered!” (34).

This is a book recommended for everyone tomake the world a better place to live as we care for one another.

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

The Unending Prison Tensions The federal government should take deliberate steps to address the living conditions in the prisons and improve security around them to check unrest among inmates and jailbreaks, which are threatening the corrective purpose of the prisons. Vincent Obia writes

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iven the difficult and unpleasant conditions in which they live, it is hard not to feel a certain sympathy for prison inmates each time there is a jailbreak or unrest in the prisons. Yet the danger such incidents pose to society cannot be overestimated. In the last one week, there have been at least two violent incidents in the prisons, with one resulting in the escape of some notorious suspects.

Penultimate Friday in Abuja, two culpable homicide inmates of the Kuje prisons, Maxwell Ajukwu and Solomon Amodu, reportedly, escaped in a jail break that caught the prison officials and security agencies napping. All attention had been focused on a high profile inmate, the suspected mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bombings, Mr. Charles Okah, when news of the incident broke. He was later found to be in custody.

One week later, in Enugu, there was tension within the Enugu Prison following a protest by the inmates. They were said to be protesting against their bad treatment by the authorities of the prison. Though, there was no reported case of escape during the incident at the Enugu prison on Friday, many inmates were injured in the protest as prison and security officials tried to contain the unrest.

The federal authorities have ordered a beef up of security in and around the prisons in the wake of the recent incidents. There have also been reports about punitive measures against those in charge of the prisons where the latest cases occurred. But the effect of such reactions has always turned out to be, at best, tenuous. Nigeria requires fundamental policy and attitudinal changes to prevent the incidents that are threatening the corrective purpose for which the prisons were set up, and endangering the society.

That the living condition of people in the country’s prisons is inhuman and a great stimulus for restiveness among inmates is no longer news. What is worrying is the seeming indifference of the authorities to the abnormality.

The Nigeria government is alleged to spend a miserable N3.50k per day to feed a prison inmate in the country. The Legal Defence and Assistance Project, which disclosed this at a function in Lagos last year, said it was even the then new Comptroller-General of Prisons that raised the money devoted to each prisoner’s feeding from a previous N2.10k to N3.50k.

Yet Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, told a town hall meeting in Kaduna last month that the federal government was spending N10 billion annually on feeding of prisoners in the country. With the country’s estimated prison population of 57,000, the government spends N14, 000 to feed a

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

I Buratai

prisoner each per day on paper. But there is no evidence of this in practice, as the conditions and experiences of inmates show. Like in many public institutions in the country, appropriated funds hardly get to the prison inmates, obviously, due to corruption at various levels. Add the bizarre feeding experience of prison inmates to the dirty and nasty conditions in which they live, and what do you get? A punitive consignment to a life of doom and gloom. This is unacceptable, it is a clear incentive for unrest and disorderly behaviour.

Some experts have also raised the issue of locating prisons in residential areas, which allows easy access to such facilities and often facilitates security breaches. “When prisons are located within towns or cities, inmates are bound to have frequent and unwarranted visitors, who can infiltrate the prisons with substances that could aid jailbreaks,” a prison official, Mr. Patrick Ani, said in March last year in Abuja at a stakeholders meeting organised by the National Human Rights Commission. The meeting was to discuss ways of reducing congestion and insecurity in the prisons.

The federal government should make conscious effort to address the living conditions of prisoners and fix the infrastructural decay in the prisons. It is the harsh conditions that have inadvertently turned the prisons to a place where citizens are hardened in criminality, rather than corrected.

Buratai’s Instructive Alarm

n an enlightening signal last week warning the country of potential danger, Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, lamented that involvement in numerous internal security operations was stretching the Nigerian Army to the limit. Buratai stated this at the inauguration of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja. He said participation in operations to check militancy, pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, cattle rustling and inter-ethnic clashes were among myriad security challenges that “have stretched us close to our limits.”

Buratai’s concerns are instructive. They call for sober reflection on the logic behind a national security

strategy that tends to put the armed forces, especially the Army, at the centre of virtually every internal security operation. The Nigeria Police, which ought to be equipped to perform its statutory role as chief internal security organ, has been effectively relegated.

The Nigerian Army is being looked up to for practically every security issue, and this is bad for national security. The police by their training are better placed to navigate the complex network of civil activities to track, prevent, and deal with crime. The armed forces can be called in only in some critical cases to assist.

The Nigeria Police must to be properly equipped to do its job to ease the unnecessary pressure on the military.

– Vincent Obia

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

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CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Obaseki

As Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu Square off on Edo Governorship Adibe Emenyonu writes on the emergence of Godwin Obaseki and Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the main candidates in the September 10 governorship election in Edo State

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lthough, there are other political parties gunning for the occupancy of Osadebe Avenue, the seat of government in Edo State, the two dominant parties are the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state and the Peoples Democratic Party. On June 18, APC conducted its party governorship primaries amid tension. At the end of the exercise, Godwin Obaseki, currently chairman of the Edo State Economic Team, beat 11 other aspirants, to emerge the APC governorship candidate.

‘Dark Horse’

Regarded as a dark horse in political circles, Obaseki beat prominent aspirants, like the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu; former governor of the state, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor; former Minister of State for Works, Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi; PDP candidate in the 2012 governorship election in the state, who later defected to APC, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere; political maverick, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, otherwise known as “rice man”; and former president of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele.

Obaseki scored a total of 1,608 votes to clinch a victory, while Odubu got 471 votes. Imansuangbon got 247 votes, Ogiemwonyi 137 votes, Airhiavbere 11 votes, Paula 10 votes, Osunbor nine votes, Esele and Amadasun, eight votes each, Agbomhere five votes, and the only woman in the race, Justina Agbara, three votes.

According to chairman of the APC governorship primaries committee, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, a total of 2,771 delegates were on the list, while 2,582 delegates were actually accredited and voted in the election.

Peace Strategy

Many people had envisaged crisis before, during and after accreditation of delegates and subsequent voting. But such was averted following an innovation introduced by the electoral committee to conduct accrediting at three different locations before voting at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City.

For instance, delegates from Edo South senatorial district were accredited at Agbado Primary School, along Akpakpava road, Benin City. Their counterparts from Edo Central had their accreditation done at Idah Primary School, Obama road, GRA, while the North senatorial district delegates were

accredited at Inaguero College, Sapele road, all in the state capital, Benin City. With this arrangement and the efforts of the various security agencies, it became difficult for the thugs to operate freely. Moves to truncate the exercise were, thus, thwarted.

Emulation

On June 20, PDP conducted its governorship primary in a similar fashion as APC at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, where Pastor Osagie-Iyamu was declared winner and, thus, candidate of the party with a total vote of 584 votes. PDP also adopted the APC model of accreditation of delegates at three different locations, namely, Okada House, Urubi Street for delegates from Edo South, JB Estate, GRA for delegates from Edo North, and the state party secretariat at First East Circular road for delegates from Edo Central.

Ize-Iyamu defeated other two aspirants, the president of Nigeria Institute of Welders, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, who came third with 38 votes, and two-time state lawmaker and former commissioner representing Edo State on the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who scored with 91 votes.

Battle Line

Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu are set to do battle with each other on September 10 over who becomes the next governor of Edo State after Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Ize-Iyamu, a great mobiliser of votes, no doubt, secured the votes of the PDP delegates because of his antecedents. In 2007, he was instrumental to the formation of Grace Group with the slogan “No Man Is God”, which later fussed with the then Advanced Congress of Democrats, Action Congress, which later became Action Congress of Nigeria, the platform on which Oshiomhole contested and won the governorship election. ACN later merged with All Nigeria Peoples Party and Congress for Progressive Change as well as factions of All Progressives Grand Alliance and Democratic Peoples Party to form APC. When Ize-Iyamu left APC and went back to PDP, the party hierarchy, which hitherto did not want to see him because of the role he played in the 2007 governorship election, accepted him as a force that could give the Oshiomhole-led APC a run for their money. That was why during the primaries, he was said to have been favoured by the party’s leaders, who, as gathered, instructed delegates to ensure he won the delegates election.

That alleged instruction was behind the anger of the other two contestants in the race. They saw it as a betrayal because, according to them, Ize-Iyamu, though a member of the party prior to 2007 general election, had left the party since then only to reappear last year because he could not fulfil his governorship aspiration in APC. A handsome young man and pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church, Ize-Iyamu says he is ready to upset the apple cart to favour PDP. In his acceptance speech, he boasted that the days of APC in Edo was over, adding that the September 10 election is PDP’s chance to keep the aspiration and hope of the people alive.

Odds Against Ize-Iyamu

But a former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Government of Edo State during the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who is widely believed to have grossly underperformed, Ize-Iyamu has a lot of explanations to make to convince the Edo electorate that he would be better than his former boss.

Besides, Ize-Iyamu would have a difficult time convincing the other aspirants, who are aggrieved, to work with him in the battle ahead. Shortly after the declaration of the result of the primaries, one of the contestants, Edebiri, declared that the result as unacceptable, alleging that the state executive of the party, led by Chief Dan Orbih, coerced delegates into voting for Ize-Iyamu. Edebiri said the exercise was a conspiracy by the leadership of the party in the state to impose Ize-Iyamu.

According to Edebiri, “Orbih threatened few weeks ago that he will make sure that I do not get the ticket because he accused me of working against him during the party chairmanship congress. He promised that he will ensure I do not get the ticket.

Last week, he started giving directives to party leaders to deliver Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

“Even last night, my coordinator in Akoko Edo refused to come to Benin because his leader told him that the leadership of the party directed that Pastor should be delivered. And he did not come. People sent me text on the pitch that Orbih was telling people where to vote. Even the leadership of the party, I drew their attention to it. It is a conspiracy of the leadership of the party to impose Pastor on the party. I do not see why I should celebrate falsehood; Orbih is not a fair leader. He threatened to do it and he did it. If anybody wins without interruption then it is fine but this one is unacceptable to me.”

Ize-Iyamu is also currently is enmeshed in

controversy over a N700 million 2015 presidential election campaign fund that came to Edo State, which was allegedly signed by him. Severally in the build up to the party primaries, he had been invited along with other leaders of the PDP in the state for explanations regarding the money.

Another odd against Ize-Iyamu and PDP in Edo State is that there is currently no clear-cut leadership of the party at the national level following the crisis that has engulf it. As it is, the gladiators in the war of attrition, ousted national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and newly appointed national caretaker committee chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, have vowed to fight on. And concerns are mounting over the effect of the crisis on the party, especially, during the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

Unfavourable Conditions for Obaseki

Obaseki also has his own problems. Nearly all those that contested the primaries with him feel he is a usurper who is not well grounded in politics.

He is believed to have been unduly helped by Oshiomhole.

Before the primaries, there were accusations and counter accusations among the contestants regarding the propriety or otherwise of the aspiration of Obaseki. Some said he was not a party man and politician, but only a technocrat who by chance found himself in government as chairman, Edo State Economic Team.

There was protest by other contestants when Obaseki was declared winner of the primaries.

Those who championed the protest were Ogiemwonyi and Imansuangbon. During a joint press briefing, the two contestants declared their rejection of the result. They called on the national leadership of APC and the party’s Primary Appeal Panel to order a repeat and a forensic analysis of all the ballot papers used at the primaries. They alleged that the ballot papers used for the primaries had been compromised.

“A criminal investigation has become necessary because the party members hold the view strongly that no one individual or group should be allowed to destroy the good image of APC and its leadership that is committed to free and fair primaries, internal democracy and democratisation in Nigeria,” Ogiemwonyi and Imansuangbon stated.

They also accused agents of the state government of victimising party officials and delegates believed not to be in support of the governor’s

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH/INTERVIEW

Onuoha-Bourdex: Constituency Projects Should Be Expunged from Budgets ChiefDavidOnuoha-Bourdex,thesenatorialcandidateofAllProgressivesGrandAllianceinAbiaNorthatthelastgeneral election,speaksonsomepoliticalissues,inthisinterviewwithjournalists,coveredby Anayo Okolie.Excerpts

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hat was behind your loss of the Abia North senatorial seat?

Let me start by telling you that I did not lose the election into Abia North senatorial district. What happened was that after I successfully waged a legal battle against the barefaced rigging and stealing of my mandate through intimidation of electoral officers, falsification and mutilation of election result sheets, a rerun was ordered by the court. Then during the rerun, the same brazen acts of rigging and intimidation by the ruling party in Abia State were repeated, this time using even the armed forces and INEC. So, I declared that there should be an end to litigation seeing that the Peoples Democratic Party was more desperate for the seat than to serve the interest of the people.

I was not happy that during the consideration and debates on the 2016 appropriation bill, which was the first budget under the new APC federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari, Abia North senatorial zone did not have a representative in the senate. Although a lot of stakeholders came to me to reconsider my petition against the outcome of the senatorial election, I told them that since my mission in politics is to serve the people, I have to protect their choice during the election by proving that I was robbed of victory by those who believe in impunity and the breach of the electoral process. I am happy that at the end of the day it was clear as crystal that the result was manipulated against the expressed wish of the people as demonstrated by the votes.

Why did you call for the removal of constituency projects from the constitution?

Concerning the call for an end to the bogus provision for constituency projects, I had told my people that within the first six months in the senate, I will bring about fundamental changes in the way the senatorial zone was being represented. One of the fundamental changes was to move a motion for the abolition of constituency projects from the budget.

I knew I would face opposition from my colleagues in the senate.

I also know very well that the provision for constituency projects was meant to assist in redressing the deficit in infrastructure and social amenities in various communities. But records show that that laudable innovation had been hijacked by lawmakers to corruptibly enrich

Bourdex themselves at the expense of their constituents. So those who say I am calling for the removal of the conduit out of pain or frustration for not being in the senate miss the point. I was prepared to make the change, because I was convinced that provision for constituency projects remained the major way previous administrations encouraged the culture of legislative corruption. In one of the interviews I granted before the Abia North senatorial re-run election last March, I said my job of introducing changes in the Senate would be made easy, because there was a new party in power that preached probity and accountability.

I believe I was vindicated by the padding that surrounded the 2016 budget.

But the senator for Abia North said lawmakers only choose project sites while relevant ministries handle the award of contracts and execution of the projects?

Is that what he said? May be he was reacting to my call for the

abolition of constituency projects. The truth is that even if they claim that money appropriated for constituency projects do not go to lawmakers on paper, we know that the legislators cleverly go underground to nominate emergency contractors and most times end up undertaking the projects. There is abundant evidence of how such jobs are usually poorly executed without proper supervision. By virtue of their constitutional responsibilities, lawmakers are to hold the executive accountable.

Now when they nominate contractors, who oversights the project execution? It sounds odd that lawmakers should have anything to do with nomination of contractors or even the siting of projects. They should focus on law-making, holding the executive accountable and ensuring better distribution of amenities and execution of projects through oversight and vetting the budget.

The Arochukwu-Ohafia road has remained in a deplorable shape mainly because lawmakers see the project as a source of easy money during oversight. If not that their hands have been greased by constituency projects, the lawmakers should have been better placed to ensure that deep and innovative thinking were brought to bear on the damaged road. They would have forcefully insisted that the executive should fix the road using the best contractors, materials and equipment. Arochukwu-Ohafia road has passed the usual cement and reinforced concrete approach. Marine engineers and contractors should have been pencilled to handle the erosion-prone project. Such suggestions would have come from the lawmakers during oversight. But with their attention divided between nominating contractors, choosing benefitting communities and ensuring the take-off of the project, the lawmakers lose quality time for law-making and scrutinising government expenditure, thereby confusing the system of checks and balances. I challenge any lawmaker to show Nigerians constituency projects that outlived the tenures of those lawmakers that attracted them. I think that after 17 years of democracy, politicians should move away from tokenism for electoral purposes and concentrate on the real issues of policy formulation and implementation to make our nation and democracy better. As an entrepreneur and investor, I know how the corporate mind works. If a contractor sends some freebies or kickback to the supervising authority, there is no way he could go ahead to deliver according to project specifications. In the first place, the money he gave to you must have reduced his profit and because he depends on profit to survive, he reduces quality, knowing that you have become powerless to hold him to account.

• AS OBASEKI, IZE-IYAMU SQUARE OFF ON EDO GOVERNORSHIP • Continued from Pg. 48 anointed aspirant before and during the primaries.

Ogiemwonyi and Imansuangbon claimed that some of the acts of victimisations included the suspension of some ward chairmen, removal of Orhionmwon local government party chairman, Mr. Matthew Ehigie, and suspension of APC Edo South senatorial chairman, Mr. Gentleman Amegor.

They also cited alleged attempts by agents of the Edo State government to substitute names of authentic delegates for the primaries.

Ogiemwonyi and Imansuangbon stated, “We are grateful to the national leadership of our party, because the inability of these agents of Edo State to achieve their subversive aim as listed above, was as a result of the principled stand and determination of the national leadership to sustain internal democracy in our party and ensure the conduct of transparent primaries.

“However, and most sadly, these agents of Edo State government were not ready to give up their desperate ambition to impose a candidate on all good men and women of APC. Surprisingly, the next step of these agents was to forcefully seize the Permanent Voter Cards of APC delegates for the gubernatorial primaries.

“There was never a time APC delegates voluntarily and willingly surrendered their PVCs to these agents of Edo State government. All the PVCs that were obtained were by the process of the application of the coercive apparatus of Edo State government.

“The intimidation of APC delegates by Edo State government heightened few days to the gubernatorial primaries, when the APC delegates were arrested and conveyed to different locations that served as camps and temporary prisons.

The delegates were not allowed to communicate with the outside world and regular sermons were delivered to them by their captors, on the dangers that will befall them if they refused to vote the anointed candidate, if and whenever they are released.”

It was, however, gathered that the inability of the other 11 aspirants to drop their ambitions for a single person to slot it out with Obaseki was what robbed them of victory.

Reconciliation

The APC leadership has begun a reconciliation move to douse tension and assuage the grievances of the aspirants and members.The move, THISDAY learnt, is not unconnected with the advice of the governor of Katsina State and chairman of the election committee, Masari, who during the submission of his committee’s report to the national chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, strongly recommended reconciliation among the APC family in Edo State.

First to be met in the fence-mending exercise by Obaseki was Odubu. He was visited by Obaseki, his campaign director general, Mr. Ogie, and some leaders of APC. At the meeting, the deputy governor was said to have given his words to his visitors that he will not leave the party, pledging that as a true party man, he is ready to work for the party and its candidate in the September 10 election. Odubu, reportedly, assured that what was paramount now was ensuring victory for the party and its candidate However, a source said Odubu advised Obaseki and the party leaders to quickly move to reconcile aggrieved party members, especially the victimised ones.

Another team, comprising the governor and the state working committee, is said to have concluded plans to also meet with the deputy governor and other aggrieved persons.

According to the five-page report of the Masari committee, “There is an urgent need for the party to set up a high-powered reconciliation team to meet with the state governor, all aspirants and other stakeholders in order to strengthen the party and restore harmony for a successful election.”

APC in the state has inaugurated a reconciliation committee to reach out to members who may feel aggrieved by the outcome of the governorship primaries. Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, said in a statement that the committee was chaired by Prince Malik Afegbua, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees. Other members of the reconciliation committee, according to the statement, are Hon. Lucky Imasuen, Mr. Austin Omofuma, Hon. Charles Idahosa, Hon. Theophilus Okoh, Senator Damingo Obende, and Hon. Lawrence Okah.

Ojezua stated, “The governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State on Saturday, 18 June 2016 has been the most successful primaries ever conducted by the APC in Nigeria. It was peaceful, transparent, free and fair. We give thanks to the Almighty God for His comprehensive control of the entire process, our thanks also goes to His Excellency, Alhaji Bello Masari, the governor of Katsina State and chairman of the committee that conducted the primaries; through him, we extend our gratitude to each and every member of the committee that worked to ensure the successful conduct of the event.

“We remain eternally grateful to all delegates ably led by the Comrade Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, for the patience, perseverance and outstanding conduct throughout the process, which lasted almost 24 hours.

“The result of the election is a clear indication that the APC in Edo State is strong and united contrary to the falsehood earlier peddled in the media that Edo State APC was in crisis.”

Ojezua said he had inaugurated the reconciliation committee to reach out to all aggrieved members.

“This is in order to position the party to confront the general election which comes up on the 10th of September 2016.”

Advantage

The greatest advantage of APC and its candidate seems to be the performance of Oshiomhole, which many have praised and PDP may find difficult to convince the electorate it can surpass. Besides, there is a general expression of confidence in the APC national leadership and the national electoral committee that conducted the primary election by all the aspirants, even those that have reservations about the outcome.

Disadvantage

The case of APC is unlike the situation in PDP, where the aggrieved aspirants and members do not only nurse grievances against the candidate that emerged, but also against the national leadership and the electoral committee sent by the national body.

One of the aspirants, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, has rejected the outcome of the primaries, which produced Ize-Iyamu.

Iduoriyekemwen, who came second in the primary election, which was conducted by the Markafi-led committee, pledged his loyalty to the Sheriff leadership of the party, adding that he would participate in the primary election of the group scheduled for June 29.

The former Majority Leader in the state House of Assembly described the primary election as a “comedy” which was “clinically manipulated” to favour a preferred candidate of the state leadership of the party.

According to him, “Having looked at all the processes, starting from the clinical manipulation and rigging of the primary, I hereby fully dissociate myself from every process that led to that so-called primary, which ended on June 20.

“Myself and members of my team across the state reject the outcome and we pledge our loyalty to the authentic leadership of the party headed by His Excellency, Ali Modu Sheriff. They have drawn up the programme for the PDP primary and I hereby declare that myself and my team are participating in that primary.”

Iduoriyekemwen and the member representing Egor/Ikpoba Olga Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ehiozoje Agbonayima, had been suspended from PDP. Agbonayima, it was learnt, was suspended beause he backed the collection of nomination and expression of interest forms from the Sherriff faction of PDP. The State Working Committee of the PDP said penultimate weekend that it suspended Iduoriyekemwen “from the party for one month, pending further disciplinary action in accordance with chapter 10 of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution of 2012 (as amended).”

Announcing the suspension at a press briefing, the publicity secretary of PDP in the state, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said, “All members of the party in the state are enjoined to disregard the antics of Alhaji Modu Sheriff and Matthew Iduoriyekemwen in their desperate attempt to discredit the outcome of the governorship primary held on 20 June 2016 at which Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was duly nominated as the candidate of our great party.”

It does seem the PDP would be its own greatest opponent at the September 10 election in Edo State.

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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 • JULY 3, 2016

CICERO/REPORT

In Fayose’s Ekiti, It’s One Day One Trouble Olakiitan Victor, in Ado Ekiti, reports on the current climate of socio-political crisis in Ekiti State

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he governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has become a household name in Nigerian politics. Some admire his populist politics and courage while others loathe him for his rather vociferous manners.

Defeating two former governors, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Dr Kayode Fayemi, in elections they contested as incumbents, attested to Fayose’s political prowess and popularity. But events of the recent past seem to have considerably eroded the goodwill the governor enjoyed. Many appear to dislike the way he has been attacking the administration and personality of President Muhammadu Buhari. Now, Fayose’s political rhythm and perception in the eyes of Nigerians has changed.

Many now see him as a rabble-rouser, who is making enemies for himself in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points needed to cover up his past misdeeds.

concentrate on good governance to reduce poverty and several security challenges in the country, rather than embarking on a wild goose chase of perceived opposition elements as seen in its several attempts to muzzle Governor Fayose of Ekiti State and many others.”

PDP Condemns EFCC Action

The state chapter of PDP also condemned the freezing of the personal account of Fayose. A statement by the party’s state publicity secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, said Buhari had exposed himself as a dictator by the freezing of a sitting governor’s account.

“We want to say categorically that the federal government is sliding into rascality in dealing with opposition while the face of dictatorship has been unveiled in Nigeria as it was the practice of the military era,” the statement said.

Adebayo alleged that EFCC’s action was part of a revenge mission by APC following the defeat it suffered in the hands of the Ekiti electorate during the June 21, 2014 governorship election and subsequent elections, where it was roundly beaten

by PDP.

Overzealousness

Fayose played a prominent role in the failed second term ambition of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. The highly vociferous governor deployed all the resources at his disposal to try to plummet the rising profile of Buhari, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Fayose sponsored myriad newspaper and television adverts to deride Buhari’s personality, painting him as someone without astuteness and intellectual acumen to steer the ship of the country. In one of the highly defaming adverts, Fayose alluded to Buhari as inherently senile and too frail at 72 to lead the country.

The governor was quoted as saying, “I was 23 years when Major General Muhammadu Buhari was the Head of State in this country.

Nigerians can’t forget in a hurry the Decree 4 of 1984, the War Against Indiscipline and clamping of politicians from the southern part of Nigeria in detention. What did he forget in Aso Rock?

I know Nigerians can’t leave a much youthful President Jonathan for an old man, who ought to be using pampers now. He is of the same age with my mother. He has failed in the past and he will fail this time.”

Since the inception of the APC federal government, Fayose has tried to maintain his anti-Buhari stance. The governor has even gone to the extent of sponsoring paid adverts cataloguing a 12-point prophecy of gloom under the Buhari government. Among them are fuel scarcity, removal of fuel subsidy, and the free fall in the value of the naira.

Today, the average Nigerian knows that Fayose is one of Buhari’s political traducers.

At two different occasions, Fayose narrowly escaped an alleged impeachment plot, which he accused Buhari of masterminding. First was under the former APC-dominated House of Assembly, where 19 APC lawmakers allegedly made spirited moves to impeach the governor.

Second was the arrest of a member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Afolabi Akanni, by the Department of State Security in an alleged move to force Fayose’s impeachment.

Battle Shifts to the Bank

The battle shifted to the banks recently. On June 20, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission froze Fayose’s personal account and those of many of his associates. The governor’s personal account in Zenith Bank, Ekiti branch, was allegedly frozen on the orders of the anti-graft agency. It was also rumoured that the governor’s account in Access Bank was frozen. EFCC hinged this on Fayose’s alleged involvement in the $2.3 billion arms deal under Jonathan to finance his governorship election.

In reaction, Fayose, who had earlier issued a cheque to make withdrawal, which was rejected by the bank, visited the branch located at Onigari, GRA in Ado Ekiti, where he described the account’s freeze as criminal and illegal.

He called it a desperate and callous attempt to muzzle the opposition. Making allusion to Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, Fayose said he enjoyed immunity as a sitting governor and urged the federal government to fight corruption within the ambit of the law.

The governor stated while at the bank, “I

Election Funds

Fayose

got wind of the fact that the EFCC had placed restriction order on my personal account and that of my associates. I came here today and I have been able to see it. This action shows that this government has no respect for the constitution because I enjoy immunity under Section 308.

“I support government fighting corruption, but it has to be within the ambit of the law. You can investigate me; it is their right, but they have to wait till 2018, because I will be done by then.

They should not be in a hurry because I will personally come to them for investigation. I have become a figure in this country; I don’t have anywhere to run to. This rascality of EFCC must stop. If they like, let them investigate the whole world. Is it because they are the sitting government now that nobody can ask them questions?

“We will take every legal procedure to get things right. I am not leaving this bank until they give me my statement of account. They must put it into writing because EFCC has no right under the law to freeze my account. They did not communicate me. They want to destabilise the state and we will use all legal means to make them obey the constitution. They can investigate me, but they can’t coerce me.”

Allegation

The governor also tried to call the integrity of the Buhari administration’s anticorruption war to question when he alleged that the president’s wife, Aisha, was involved in the Jefferson’s scandal in United States.

But in a statement by presidential media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, the presidency quickly dispelled the defaming attack and branded Fayose as childish for raising dust against the president’s wife. Shehu clarified that Mrs. Buhari had no business, either closely or remotely, with the US Congressman, Jefferson, saying the Buhari that was convicted in connection with the scandal has no relationship with the first lady.

Fayose said, “Mrs. Buhari was accused of wiring $170,000 into Jefferson’s account and the man has been convicted in US. So Buhari and APC should not see themselves as saints.”

Despite the presidency’s threat of possible resort to litigation to save Mrs Buhari’s integrity, Fayose said he stood by his allegation that Buhari’s wife was involved in the Halliburton scandal. The governor challenged the president’s wife to visit the United States of America to

convince Nigerians that she was not the Aisha Buhari mentioned in the judgement convicting William Jefferson.

“It is on record that the president has visited USA three times and his wife did not travel with him. Equally, she ought to have visited USA last year September to chair a United Nation programme, but she sent wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, to represent her,” Fayose stated.

Ekiti Assembly Joins Fray

Ekiti State House of Assembly also criticised the EFCC for ordering the freezing of Fayose’s bank accounts. The Assembly said it was illegal for the anti-graft agency to have given the order without valid court order, saying the body ought to have approached the court through an ex parte motion before issuing the directive.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan, and the chairman, Committee on Health, Hon. Samuel Omotoso, called for the immediate removal of the restriction of the restriction order on Fayose’s account, saying it contravenes section 308 of the constitution, which confers immunity on a sitting governor.

The Assembly challenged the EFCC to commence a probe of Fayose’s predecessor, Fayemi, for alleged financial profligacy while in office. It summoned the immediate past Commissioner for Finance, Mr Dapo Kolawole, to appear before it to clarify issues bordering on the state’s finances.

Aribisogan stated that the Assembly had passed the following resolutions: “That the EFCC should investigate all allegations of financial mismanagement made against former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi, without further delay; “That the EFCC should defreeze the account of Governor Fayose immediately, because it is illegal, null and void, due to the immunity he enjoys under Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That the EFCC should work within the legal framework of its establishment and stop being an agent of the APC; “That this honourable house passed a vote of confidence on Governor Fayose today, being exactly two years after the conduct of his election adjudged to be free and fair by the international community and all concerned; “That the APC-led Federal Government should

Fayose said penultimate Tuesday that contrary to allegations by EFCC that he benefited from the $2.3 billion arms deal through the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, his election was funded by Zenith Bank Plc, fund raising, donations from friends and associates, and sale of campaign souvenirs.

He said, “I have no financial transaction whatsoever with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Dasuki (rtd) and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.”

The governor challenged the EFCC to publish statements made by Obanikoro, his son or any other persons associated with money from the NSA office where they claimed they gave him money for the election.

“EFCC is only acting a movie scripted, produced and directed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Buhari just to silence me being a major opposition voice in the country,” Fayose alleged.

Fayose said: “I must say it categorically that I don’t have any link financially with Obanikoro and I know as a fact that he (Obanikoro) has not; and cannot mention my name, as beneficiary of whatever money any company in which he has interest could have gotten from the ONSA if truly Obanikoro collected money from the ONSA as being claimed by the EFCC. “Therefore, bringing Obanikoro and his son’s narrative or that the Zenith Bank is telling different stories, having been blackmailed and coerced into submission by the EFCC is a joke that will not fly.

“I wish to state further that if it becomes evidently clear that those who willingly provided money for my election can no longer stand by what they did, may be because of threat from the EFCC, I will not hesitate to name names.”

The governor, however, challenged the EFCC to also beam its searchlights on the funding of APC elections, especially that of Buhari. He said, “Since we are now in the era in which financial assistance from Nigerians to fund elections is being criminalised, the international community, especially those funding EFCC must insist that the commission probes the funding of APC elections before further funds are released to the commission.

Most importantly, Nigerians are interested in the $60 million allegedly donated to the APC campaign by Sahara Energy, on which EFCC has been forced to suspend investigation.”

Fayose threatened legal action over the freezing of his account.

Pitched Battle

The situation in Ekiti State appears to be escalating into a pitched battle between Fayose and a widening range of social and political forces.

Besides his troubles with EFCC, he is currently battling students and various labour unions in the state over unpaid wages.

There appears to be no end in sight to the battles facing the governor. How far he can hold his ground in the face of the multifarious forces remains to be seen.

51

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

CICERO/ISSUE

Again, Dark Clouds Gather in Abia

Emmanuel Ugwu, in Umuahia, writes on the political situation in Abia State following the court judgement ordering the governor’s removal from office

T

he judgement by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu should vacate office has plunged Abia State into another round of political crisis. The court ordered that Dr Sampson Uche Ogah, who placed second in the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party prior to the 2015 governorship election, was the rightful candidate of the party. It directed that the Independent National Electoral Commission should issue Ogah with the certificate of return immediately, thus, invalidating the certificate issued to Ikpeazu after the election last year.

Surprise

The verdict came like a bolt from the blues, given that Ikpeazu had emerged from a gruelling legal duel that almost claimed his political life. Mr. Alex Otti, who was the flag bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the governorship election of April 2015 almost succeeded in unseating Ikpeazu when the appeal court upturned the tribunal ruling affirming his electoral victory. As the governor continued to fight for his mandate, Abia was then plunged into the dark cloud of political uncertainty, as the two gladiators jostled for the Government House. The dark cloud finally cleared when the Supreme Court set aside the judgement of the lower court and affirmed Ikpeazu’s mandate.

But Ikpeazu had barely heaved a sigh of relief and settled down to work when what seemed like the most potent threat to his mandate ensued.

Curious Haste

Perhaps Abia would have been spared the current crisis if INEC had waited for the appeal process to run its full course before complying with the order of the Abuja high court. The electoral body, which ordinarily is noted for its lethargic compliance to court decisions, opted to act fast this time around. With this suspicious compliance to court order, INEC wittingly or unwittingly caused so much tension in God’s Own State, as Ikpeazu battled to stay in office while Ogah intensified efforts to unseat him.

INEC said its action in the whole imbroglio was justified. According to the INEC National Commissioner in charge of the South-east, Chief Lawerence Nwurukwu, the commission merely obeyed a court order which, according to him, was “wonderful and direct” with a clause that INEC should issue a certificate of return to Ogah “with immediate effect”. Nwuruku, who personally issued the controversial document to Ogah, conferring on the oil magnet the status of governor-elect, said INEC studied and interpreted the court order before taking action. “The situation is we are simply obeying the court order. The court said with immediate effect, we should issue him certificate of return, and that is what we have done.”

The INEC commissioner said the electoral umpire was ready to dance to any tune played by the court at any point in time, saying, “If the court tomorrow issues another order, we will obey the same. I will do the same thing if the court orders us to issue the certificate to another person.”

INEC has been vilified and roundly condemned for issuing the certificate of return to Ogah. Chairman of Abia State chapter of PDP, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, said INEC acted in bad faith given that

Ikpeazu

the legal team of Ikpeazu had filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution.

He said his party was concerned about the role of INEC in the Abia political crisis.

“Our democracy is being threatened and endangered by those who do not believe in the rule of law,” Onuigbo said, adding that it has grave implication for Abia as the prevailing peace was under serious threat. The party chairman alleged that there was a surreptitious plan to swear in Ogah as governor under an atmosphere of confusion created by disobeying a court order. “We are here to tell the world that this state is tensed up because democracy is going to be raped and we say no. We are here to tell you that Abia is not safe,” he lamented at a press conference.

Onuigbo said those prodding Ogah to be installed as governor “are calling for anarchy in the state and we will give it to them. We are ready to die in defence of democracy.”

Ex-parte Order

Events started moving in unpredictable direction on June 30 when Ogah, armed with his certificate of return, made his way to Umuahia to be sworn in as governor. His supporters were agog as they waited for his arrival. Apparently taking comfort in his notice of appeal and stay of execution, Ikpeazu was oblivious of the plan to unseat him with immediate effect. He was scheduled to attend a public event at the Abia State University, Uturu. It was the maiden edition of the Eminent Persons Lecture series introduced by the university and the state governor was billed to be the first eminent lecturer to kick-start the series. He was to deliver his lecture on the topic, “Socio-cultural diversity and economic development in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects.”

The stage was already set for Ikpeazu to be ushered into the university auditorium to deliver the lecture when information filtered in about the imminent threat to his mandate. He made a U-turn and headed back to Government House, Umuahia. The audience waited in vain, not knowing that the expected eminent lecturer was no longer coming, even though he was already within the premises of ABSU and announcement was being made that “any moment

Ogah

from now” Ikpeazu would enter the auditorium. By 12.10pm commissioners and other government officials who were seated and waiting for the arrival of the governor started moving out of the auditorium very briskly. Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who had come as an invited guest was said to be waiting in the office of the Vice-chancellor when the event collapsed.

Back in Umuahia, Ikpeazu called his “war cabinet” and held discussions on how to quench the raging inferno threatening to consume his mandate.

The information was that Ogah was coming down to Umuahia purposely to be sworn in as governor and something had to be done to scuttle the plan. A suit was promptly filed at a state high court in Osisioma. After hearing the ex-parte application by the counsel to the governor, O.O. Nkume, in the suit No. HOS/52/2016, the presiding judge, Justice C.H Ahuchaogu, gave the order restraining INEC from issuing certificate of return to Ogah, the first defendant. The state chief judge, who was listed as third defendant, or any other judicial officer in the state was also restrained from swearing in the first defendant (Ogah). The motion exparte was brought pursuant to Section 143 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The ex-parte order appeared to have worked as the status quo in Abia Government House remains.

Ogah on arrival in Umuahia did not make any attempt to enter Government House. His convoy had the paraphernalia of “governor elect” by virtue of the certificate of return in his possession. The security component of his convoy included Army, police and DSS personnel. As his supporters cheered and Umuahia residents waited in bated breath over the unfolding drama, Ogah and his convoy sped past and headed to the office of the Department of State Service. It could not be ascertained if it was on invitation or he just went there to inform the service of his plan to be sworn in as governor. However, after conferring with the state director of DSS, Ogah drove out about 8pm with his convoy. It could not be confirmed if the challenger for the Abia governorship seat stayed back in Umuahia or went to his country home in Onuaku

Uturu in Isuikwuato local government.

Nonetheless, it was a long night for Ikpeazu and his supporters as rumour filled the air that there were plans to bring in the chief judge of Imo State to administer the oath of office on Ogah.

The anxiety and uncertainty created

by Ogah prompted some political appointees to start moving their belongings out of Government House. But the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Eme Okoro, said it was not unusual if those with “weak knees” decided to panic due to the tension generated in the state.

Ogah’s Challenge

Unlike the challenge by Otti on the platform of an opposition party, Ogah’s challenge is an intra-party struggle, which ensued after the primary election. Nonetheless, those outside the PDP fold were equally excited over the unfolding political drama. They pitched their support with either Ikpeazu or his challenger, Ogah. The coming of the president of Masters Energy Group to be sworn in as governor generated so much tension in the capital city of Umuahia, almost pushing it to explosive point. By nightfall youths loyal to either of the gladiators poured into the streets of Umuahia, especially the Akanu Ibiam road that leads directly to Government House, singing and brandishing clubs and other dangerous items.

Motorists and passers-by were harassed as the angry youths banged on passing vehicles and even blocked the entire road to Government House.

By day break the tension appeared to subside. There was no sign that Ogah had transformed as governor overnight as it was believed that he would be sworn in secretly overnight and emerge as governor on the first day of July. On the contrary Ikpeazu continues to hold his mandate.

“There is no doubt who is in charge and who is governor,” he told journalists at Government House the morning after fending off the attempt to unseat him. “You people witnessed the day we were sworn in. You people also witnessed when we took the Oath of Allegiance and no other person has taken that oath on behalf of the governor of Abia State. No other person has taken allegiance as Abia governor.”

52

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Dehab Ghebreab: Being in Nigeria Has Been a Great Experience After four years in Nigeria as the Public Affairs Officer and briefly as the Acting Consul-General of the United States Consulate General in Lagos, Dehab Ghebreab shares her experience with Davidson Iriekpen and Zacheaus Somorin. Excerpts

W

e can see that you are rounding up your four-year assignment in Nigeria and preparing for retirement.

What has been your experience so far as a diplomat in Nigeria and other places that you have been to?

My background is in journalism. I have my first degree in Journalism and political science.

My wish was to do what you do - being in the press - which I did for about seven years. I worked for Aljazeera newspaper in Washington DC. I was the head of the Bureau there then. I also worked for a magazine called The Mass Transit. I also worked for the United States Information Service where I handled exchange programmes. So at a point the US Information Service merged with the Department of State and I was at the Department of State handling exchange programmes for teachers.

Later I joined the Foreign Service for diplomatic work. So it has been diplomatic work all the way as Consular Officer, Cultural Officer and Information Officer, among others. I feel very fortunate because I am a naturalised citizen of the United States. And you know that is one of the reasons why people perceived the US as the number one democracy in the world; just because of the diversities and opportunities and the rule of law that exist in the country. Most of the immigrants have been in the US for years, having been oppressed from where they were coming from, they were given equal opportunities to thrive, grow and become successful in the US. That is because the US recognises and appreciates the diversity that exists in the country.

So the US creates opportunity for you to become whatever you want to be. Hence, I benefited from that opportunity. And within the Department of State itself, you have the opportunity to develop yourself. I personally took the advantage of all the opportunities that came my way; so if you have the skill, potential, commitment, focus and dedication required, it would be easy to rise to the highest level you want and to grow. As at present, I am one of the five senior US diplomats in Nigeria. I feel that it has been a very wonderful journey for me.

So coming to Nigeria, my first assignment was in Abuja where I was Cultural Affairs Officer. And as Cultural Affairs Officer, I facilitated exchange programmes for Nigerians. It was a wonderful time working with women, children, empowering women and all that.

What would you consider as your most memorable moment in Nigeria?

There are many memorable moments that I would remember. Obviously, one of them is the 2015 general election. The US mission was fully involved in making sure that what the people wanted was guarded and upheld - ensuring that different forces should not be allowed to manipulate the process through violence or any other means. So from President Obama down to the working level people like me, we worked with young people, including women, to advocate for constructive engagement to say no to wherever corruption or bribery was taking place during the election. So for me, that experience was really invaluable.

Also, people coming to say they want change was also a great experience for me. In 2008, in the United States, we also had the same energy in our electoral process where people wanted change because they were moved by what was going on.

So for me that was historic, especially for the fact that I was there to witness it closely, was something I would never forget. Aside that, I was involved with working day-to-day with different people.

And being in Lagos, you have to understand what is going on in other states, because there are a lot of positive things going on in terms of governance. It is not an easy thing to govern.

We have seen developments in various locations

Persons (IDPs)?

There is a lot going on in terms of supporting the IDPs at the camps. USAID is rendering a lot of support in this area.

Ghebreab across the country with over 100 universities to educate people. Where else in Africa can you have that? It doesn’t happen. I am also aware of the challenges that exist: challenges in terms of the poverty level that people face, power problem is also there. I also hear people complain that the educational standard has deteriorated compared to the past. All of these things, I think, need to be looked at. Sometimes, I have difficulty managing my time; like sometime travelling from here to Ikeja takes about two hours; and for me, that’s a lot because it takes me away from my productivity. So most times, due to all these, events and programmes start late.

Since you have been here, you must have had some practical experiences about how politics is played in Nigeria. What is your general perception of Nigerian politics?

There are many memorable moments that I would remember. Obviously, one of them is the 2015 general election. The US mission was fully involved in making sure that what the people wanted was guarded and upheld ensuring that different forces should not be allowed to manipulate the process through violence or any other means. So from President Obama down to the working level people like me, we worked with young people, including women, to advocate for constructive engagement, to say no to wherever corruption or bribery was taking place during the election. So for me, that experience was really invaluable

Politics is played in different parts of the countries in different ways because of the cultural contexts of different countries. What I have observed is that politics is still at developmental stages in Nigeria. May be some of the things that exist in developed countries don’t exists here. One of the things I have seen here is the bribery that happens during elections - giving people money to buy their votes. I have not seen that happened in the United States. So in most cases, the trend has almost become acceptable and a way of life. It shouldn’t be that way.

What should happen is that the civil society should be more active. There should be civic education that would inform the people that it shouldn’t be that way. If the person that receives it is properly educated, he or she would say you are not going to buy my vote. But I believe that with time and developments, things would change.

For a short time, you acted as the head of the consular section. What was your experience in terms of many Nigerians applying for visa and the processes that are involved?

Yes, I acted as the head of the consular section here. What happens at the visa section is that we have been very proactive by reaching out to Nigerians via the media to inform those interested in travelling to the US for legitimate reasons like study, function or for tourism. We have been out there to inform people that they don’t need to hire touts to do that because it is a very simple process.

And we’ve had consular officers here and there talking on radio to inform people about this very simple process. If you have a legitimate thing to do in the United States, all you need to do is to follow the process. And there is a wrong perception out there that most of the people that apply for visa are refused. But the truth is that those that are issued visa are in the majority. If you have legitimate reason to travel, and you express yourself, why you are travelling, there shouldn’t be any problem.

We are interested in people going to the US because you are going to spend money; and you’ll get to know more about our country.

What has been the level of the United States support to the Internally Displaces

What is Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme all about and what has been the impact of the programme on the nation’s development?

The Mandela Washington Fellowship programme was initiated by President Barack Obama.

Just after his visit to Ghana, he announced Young African Leaders Programme. I was in Liberia that time and selected young people to participate in the programme. President Obama travelled to Johanesburg, South Africa in 2012 where he announced the Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme which is in three categories: entrepreneurship, public service and civic leadership.

In any society, you need to have these three tracks in order to move the community or the country forward.

You need proactive public service with good leadership to come up with policies that would help in advancing the country; you need entrepreneurs to tap the resource for the purpose of creating jobs, which all boils down to improving the economy for the general well-being of the populace.

The third part is civic leadership. Without civic leadership or the civil society, you cannot hold the government accountable; or the private sector accountable. So you need an educated citizenry to ask questions. And the media is also part of this.

When the civil society sees something wrong or illegal going on, they expose that because they are conscious of the fact such would not be beneficial to the society hence the need to challenge it. That is where Mandela Washington Fellowship comes in.

In 2014, we had 500 participants across Africa, with about 45 to 50 participants from Nigeria.

Second time, the same number. Then the President announced that it should be doubled from a thousand across Africa with 100 from Nigeria.

So we are having 100 Nigerians in the United States now doing their various tracks. At the end of the programme, they will be meeting with President Barack Obama where they would have opportunity to ask question about different issues including leadership. At the end of the programme, they are expected to give back to their various communities.

Just recently, the US Supreme Court blocked the Obama immigration plan. And last week about 40 Nigerians were deported from the US. Is there any link between the two incidences? And are we likely to see more deportation based on this?

I don’t think there is any link between the two because deportation takes a long process which includes serious investigation by the US immigration and customs and other law enforcement agencies. So it takes a long time for deportation to happen. But in terms of immigration in US, the issue is being hotly debated. It is a big issue; and a lot of discussion is on so that the government can come up with a comprehensive immigration plan.

And it will continue because election is coming and campaign is on and that should be an issue for the American people to take a decision on.

In the United States now, we have a woman running as president. It is quite rare to have such in Nigeria. How do you think women can be more integrated politically in Nigeria and in Africa as a continent?

We have two African leaders who are women.

Liberian President Sirleaf Johnson and Joyce Banda. So I think that is a good progress. So I think African women should learn from these two ladies and not to be intimidate but endeavour to move on. There are many African women here who are resilient, strong with so much energy. So with this, I am sure the situation will change soon.

53

JULY 3, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Three of the awardees, Governor Ibikune Amosun, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Senator Stella Oduah

When TUC Honoured ‘Comrades’

Sam Akpe

J

une 3, 2016. The night was bound to glitter; and it did not disappoint. It was full honour, glitz and glamour. At least, for a moment, joy invaded not a few hearts; and laughter put a shine on many lips; in spite of the obvious strangulating economic hardship in the country. Friends met friends and laughter took centre-stage.

It was the night of Gala and Excellence organised by the Trade Union Congress to honour people identified to have either contributed to the growth of labour movements in Nigeria; or have been a part of the struggle from the inside. It was not an occasion to plan a strike action. It was a night to celebrate friendship and partnership.

The awardees, dressed in their Sunday best were professionals, entrepreneurs, politicians and veteran labour leaders. While some appeared in person; others were represented. Most of them were predictable honourees while others were great surprises. These were people appreciated for quietly operating in the background without much media attention.

When he was introduced and his profile read to the distinguished crowd, Barrister Enobong Etteh, 51, attracted quite some attention; not because of his welltrimmed goatee that sparkled with dotted white hairs, but because of where he comes from and why he chose to practice law in Lagos. A native of Upenekang, the oil rich community of Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State where Exxonmobil has its operational base, Ette’s clientele is everything but the oil industry.

In the Nigerian political scene, his name does not ring a bell. However, in the legal arena, not many people can feign ignorance of his consistently rising profile. He was introduced as a specialist in labour and employment.

They went ahead to enumerate his indelible contributions to the development of labour law in Nigeria. As he stood there savouring the glory of the moment, his wife Catherine kept beaming smiles of satisfaction. Etteh is the Nigerian Bar Association’s pioneer chairman of the Employment and Labour Committee of the Section on Legal Practice and publisher of Nigeria Labour Law Report. He was honoured with the award of Outstanding Labour Friendly Legal Luminary.

From the political terrain came the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; who graciously appeared in person. Someone promptly observed that next time the organised labour has any issue to settle with Amosun, members will surely remember that he was the only state governor to honour their invitation that night.

With his trademark Amosun Cap rising heaven-ward, he walked into the event centre at Sheraton Hotel amidst applause and a lot of attention. He was honoured for Excellence in Good Service in Leadership.

It is still not clear why Adams Oshiomhole, the Comrade Governor of Edo State was absent. Though he sent a representative, nothing could be good as having the veteran labour leader in person at such a night. He was honoured, even in absentia, with Excellence Award in Meritorious Leadership; an award received on his behalf by one of his aides, Patrick Obahiagbon; better known as the man who speaks English Language with

the crashing impact of a bomb blast. He did not speak that night despite every effort to get him near the microphone.

Also honoured was the charming Governor of Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a lawyer and former Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was introduced as the Obong Ufan of Akwa Ibom State; and the Udonyi Oro of Oron Local Government Area. He could however not make it to the event but was represented; and was honoured for Excellence in Outstanding Leadership.

The Labour Friendly Governor’s Award went to absentee Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu State; also called Gburugburu. The boyishlooking Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, a professor of environmental microbiology, sent a representative. So was the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo. A celebrated accountant and former Accountant General of the Federation, he is the only PDP Governor that smoothly survived the APC storm in the north without much struggle. He was absent at the event but was represented.

It was not clear why these state governors became so busy that they could not attend the beautiful event.

If only they knew how those who attended were celebrated. Governor of Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was one of the state governors honoured that night by the TUC. It was announced that he could not make the trip to the venue and was politely represented.

Africa’s richest man and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Aliko Dangote, led the pack of businessmen honoured at the event that night. He bagged the esteemed Excellence Award in Major Employment.

The foremost businessman though absent, sent one of his executive directors to stand in for him. For someone who is constantly on the move visiting his global business outfits, it was only hoped that he would make it. There was no assurance.

Other business moguls honoured were Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija of Famfaa Oil, a multi-talented professional described as “a fashion icon with infallible sense of style, a loving wife, a caring mother and dotting grandmother, and a friend indeed.” Alakija, a former national president of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, is a known born again Christian and has a passion for empowering widows and orphans through her educational programmes and scholarships. She has five honourary academic degrees from within and outside Nigeria. Always glittering like a star, she was crowned with Excellent Creative Executive of the Year 2016.

Some other outstanding Nigerian women also received awards for their roles in making Nigeria great and remaining committed to the welfare of Nigerian workers. There was Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the former First Lady of Lagos State; described as an author and a philanthropist. Currently the chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, the happy-looking senator was honoured with Excellent Female Legislative Public Servant award. Also in the pack was the smiling Princess Stella Ada Oduah, a senator and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee

on Women Affairs and Police Affairs.

Another woman of unquestionable substance, pretty and simple-looking Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, the director general of the Pension Commission, bagged the award for Excellent Visionary and Emphatic Leader.

Trained at the London School of Economics, with stints at Harvard, Columbia and Pennsylvania, Anohu-Amazu was described as a “part of a new generation of leaders in Nigeria, skilled technocrats determined to modernise and diversify the economy and society.” She is the first woman to head PENCOM. Honoured alongside was Mama TUC, Nkiru Peace Obiajulu, a nurse and labour leader extraordinary. Hers was more than an honour. It was a celebration of virtue.

Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah of Masters Energy was honoured with award in Excellent Investment, Strategist and Youth Developer. One of Nigeria’s foremost business icon and multiple business award winner, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo of Elizade Group was decorated with Excellent & Outstanding Achiever in Entrepreneurship. He was described as “an incurable lover of his people...a patriot and a lover of culture.” Alexander Chika Okafor of Chikason Group was given Excellence Award on Absolute Visionary.

From the banking sector came the Chairman of Jaiz Bank, Dr Umaru Abdul Mutallab, a quintessential banker and businessman who bagged the Excellence Award in Outstanding Leadership Skill. Mutallab, born in 1939, is currently the chairman of the Vision 20:2020 Committee in Nigeria. He is an accountant and was described as “one of the richest men in Africa.” The posthumous award for Excellent Exemplary Service in the Promotion of Human Development and Entrepreneurship went to the founder of Dantata Group, the late Abdulkadir Dantata. The Lifetime Legacy Award was posthumously given to the founder of Setraco Company, the late Inu Umoru.

With good entertainment and short beautiful speeches by resource persons, the event of the night was completely people-centred. Veteran Labour leader and lawyer, Femi Aborishade received the prestigious Excellent Labour Activist Award while the award of Remarkable Pacesetter went to the former fire-spiting National President of TUC, Comrade Peter Esele. He was cheered and celebrated nonstop. It was taken for granted that NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, a public health specialist, would be honoured; and he was. Also honoured was veteran TUC leader, John Kolawole and Nigeria’s former ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Musa John.

Standing tall in accolades was the founder of Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, Allen Onyema, a lawyer, an entrepreneur and a reckless optimist in the Nigerian project. He is the founder and managing director of Air Peace, his latest business brainchild. His involvement in the successful demobilisation and rehabilitation of former Niger Delta Militants must have qualified him for the award as Icon of Peace.

As the beautiful, star-loaded night drew to a close, notice was taken of emerging Nigerian leaders yet to be announced but whose presence at that event confirmed that we as a nation are loaded with potentials yet untapped. These three: Anohu-Amazu, Enobong Etteh and Allen Onyeama are emerging citizens of great value. Their stories will be told one day in the superlatives.

- Akpe is an Abuja-based media practitioner

54

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

As Wike Implements New Security Strategies Simeon Nwakaudu

S

ince the March 19 rerun elections in Rivers State, which witnessed a high level of violence in some constituencies, the state has experienced some security challenges.

These security issues have led to the deaths of innocent residents of the state.

Top on the list of the crimes committed across the state are cultism and kidnapping. These two crimes have impacted negatively on the rural economy of the state, dislodging some communities in the process.

However, Governor Nyesom Wike, in line with his development blueprint, “New Rivers Vision,” has been working round the clock to make Rivers State secure, safe and peaceful. The governor has opened up lines of collaboration with the federal government, security agencies and critical stakeholders to fight crime, guarantee the safety of the people, and secure lives and property across the state.

Wike has also developed and enhanced surveillance networks in the local communities to provide intelligence for security agencies to root out criminals in the communities. With the direct involvement of stakeholder groups in all the communities, the results are pouring in, despite the challenges posed by political interference from some politicians.

The amendment of the Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Law Number 3 of 2009 by the current Rivers State House of Assembly, which was assented to by Wike, provides for additional penalties, including confiscation of assets derived from kidnapping, cultism and related crimes. This forms one of the most outstanding contributions of the administration to the promotion of security in the state.

The governor made the law functional by attaching a cash reward of N1million to any person who gives useful information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of notorious cultists and kidnappers in the state. Several credible informants are already working with security agencies and the state security architecture set up by Wike.

For the security personnel, who are foot soldiers in the fight, to secure Rivers State for meaningful development to take place, Wike has put in place quality monetary compensation and support for the families they leave behind, should they unfortunately be victims of violent crime. Needless to say that the Wike administration has continued to provide logistics and financial support for all the security agencies in the state. These investments have been yielding the right results.

With the right foundation laid in terms of laws and security architecture, Wike has commenced the consolidation of his achievements by taking the fight to the kidnappers and cultists in the state. Through his strategies, he has taken measures to ensure that these criminals are rooted out of the state and their crimes made unattractive to the youth.

The administration is also floating an amnesty scheme for repentant criminals in different local government areas who surrender their weapons to state security agencies and turn over a new leaf. Youths across the state are positively responding to the amnesty offer of

Wike discussing with some security agents the state governor. In Ogba/Ndoni /Egbema Local Government Area, several youths have laid down their arms in line with the amnesty programme of the state government.

Determined to rid Rivers State of cultists and kidnappers, the governor has directed the immediate demolition of property acquired through the crimes, in line with the state’s antikidnapping and cultism law.

On Tuesday, Wike, in company of soldiers and policemen, supervised the demolition of the Rumuolumini home and hideout of a notorious suspected cultist and kidnapper, Munachim Ihunwo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The governor stated that his administration had zero tolerance for cultism and kidnapping, stressing that any suspect arrested will face the full weight of the law. He said the arrested suspect and his boys had terrorized Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, creating insecurity in the commercial zone of the state.

According to the governor, “The Rivers State Government has taken over the criminal hideout of these arrested cultists. After the on-going demolition of their hideout, we will build a police station and mini barracks in this location. We have also taken over the home of the kingpin that we have also demolished. We will build a befitting health centre there.

“This is to let members of the public know that this administration is serious. We will not allow anyone to cause insecurity in this state. We will chase criminals to their hideout...

“Let them submit their arms and we will give them amnesty.”

The governor declared that the state government would continue to demolish the homes and hideouts of confirmed cultists and kidnappers to serve as a deterrent to would-be cultists and kidnappers. He commended the combined team of soldiers and policemen for effectively fighting criminals in the state.

Wike appealed to the people of the state to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing relevant information that will lead to the arrest of hardened criminals.

Briefing Wike on the operation that led to the capture of the notorious cult kingpin, Lieutenant Colonel AC Unaogu said Ihunwo ran a camp with 200 armed criminals. He noted that the security agencies were working

round the clock to locate the camp.

Unaogu said the cult kingpin and his boys were captured in their hideout, which has a shrine with human skulls. It was learnt that the demolished home of the cult kingpin also had a tunnel.

Wike directed the Special Adviser on Lands, Anugbum Onuoha, to initiate the process for the government to acquire the lands hitherto owned by the suspected cultists.

The successful arrest of Ihunwo is considered a major breakthrough in the governor ’s fight against kidnapping and cultism, as he has been linked with insecurity along the Rumuolumini axis, which has disrupted the operations of several multi-national companies in the area. The attendant loss of revenue is unquantifiable.

The fight to dislodge violent criminals across the state is being fought on all fronts. Wike has stated that nobody will be spared, irrespective of his or her political inclination.

In this struggle to rebuild security in all the communities of Rivers State, there will be no respect for the dropping of the names of prominent political parties in the state. That is why the governor condemned the plot to politicise crime in the state through the use of higher connections to release murder suspects as well as kidnap and cult kingpins from detention facilities. He explained that such actions indicated that some persons were interested in destabilising the security of the state for unpatriotic reasons.

Addressing the leaders of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday, Wike said those plotting against the state will fail, as he will confront them with the people’s mandate.

He said those working against the interest of Rivers State in the name of politics must remember that the state is critical to the development of the country. The governor noted that he will always work for the unity and progress of the country as a patriot, despite the distractions.

He said, “There is a grand conspiracy against Rivers State. But I don’t know in whose interest. I believe in the unity of this country, therefore, I will continue to work for its development and security.”

Wike added that deliberate steps

had been taken to undermine the security of the state, alleging that the headquarters of the security agencies intervene to release deadly suspects arrested by operatives on ground.

The governor has also improved the dispensation of justice in the state by improving the working condition of the state’s judicial officers and ensuring their independence. Only recently, he supplied 57 Honda cars to magistrates working across the state and started the process for the construction of Judges Quarters in the Government Reserved Area of the state capital.

The state Ministry of Justice has been equipped to work with security agencies to prosecute suspected criminals in the state.

The governor ’s investments in the improvement of security across Rivers State are targeted at creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. This in turn will consolidate the economic growth being witnessed in the state with the attendant benefits of employment and improved standard of living for the people of the state.

Already, the state is reaping the benefits of the administration’s investments in the security of lives and property.

Speaking on Tuesday in Port Harcourt while commissioning the multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Gardens Estate, Wike said credible investors were already taking advantage of the prospects of the state. He said the return on investment in the state was about the highest in the country, despite a few challenges being experienced.

According to him, “Investors are already aware of the benefits of investing in Rivers State; hence they are coming in their numbers. This housing estate is one of the recent investments that have added value to the state.

“I am particularly impressed because the promoters of this project were groomed in this state. They returned because they have confidence in what we are doing in terms of creating an enabling climate for businesses to thrive.”

––Nwakaudu, special assistant to the Rivers State governor on electronic media, writes from Port Harcourt.

55

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

How Senate Rules Evolve and are Reviewed Abu Quassim

S

ince the issue of how Senate Standing Orders can be changed has been subject of both on-going civil and criminal litigations which are now threatening the freedom of the presiding officers and the independence of the institution itself, it is pertinent that one addresses the question of how does the Senate generate its rules and how does it amend it?

Starting from June 1999, when the 4th Senate was inaugurated, the convention has been established that the bureaucracy, that is the Clerk of the Senate and his staff prepare the Standing Order with which the Senate will be inaugurated. The Rules contained in the Standing Order may or may not be adapted from the one used by the previous Senate, and also with or without some changes. That is why the Senate rule book provides for the process of amending the rules so that after the Senate has been properly convened and inaugurated, members can use the provision to put the rules in the shape that represent their interests. The current Standing Order in use has the provision for amendment in Order 110 (1-5).

It should also be noted that the Standing Order used by a previous Senate is deemed dead with the Senate that adopted and used it. That is why all the Standing Orders, except the one first used to inaugurate the 4th Senate have the label ‘as amended’. After a Senate is dissolved at the end of the tenure by the presiding officer, the rule book dies with it. On the day of inauguration of a new Senate, the first thing that is done is for the Clerk of the National Assembly to read the Proclamation Order by the President of the Republic.

The reading of the President’s Proclamation Order breath live into an hitherto dead Senate and brings it alive.

Then the Clerk will make a roll call of the Senators present and confirm the writs of election as well as declaration of assets and liabilities of Senators-elect in alphabetical order. After this, the Clerk will call for nomination of candidates for the office of Senate President. Each nomination made by a Senator-elect must be seconded by another Senator-elect. The Senator-elect so nominated must indicate his acceptance of the nomination. After the

Saraki close of nominations, it is either the sole candidate is led to the elevated chair of the Senate President by his nominators to be sworn -in as it happened in the case of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki or where there are two candidates, the senators-elect go on to vote for the candidates so nominated.

In Saraki’s case he was the sole nominee.

So, whatever provision guiding election was not activated on June 9, 2015. The oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership are then administered on the Senate Presidentelect by the clerk of the National Assembly.

Having been sworn in, the new helmsman returns his acknowledgement to the Senate for the honour conferred on him. He then goes ahead to sit in the chair. The mace which hitherto had been laid on the lower bracket is then laid on the upper bracket of the Table.

The same procedure is applied in the election of the Deputy Senate President.

We have to note that up to this point, the electors are Senators-elect. It is the newly elected Senate President who will then administer oaths of Membership and Allegiance on the Senators-elect after which they become Senators.

The implication of the above procedure is that no Senator can before or at the first sitting influence the procedure or the rules

to be used. The Senators as at that time are inchoate. They are still Senators-elect with no role, influence or power to effect changes or their will on the Senate. That remains the prerogative of the Clerk of the National Assembly or the Clerk of the Senate. The clerk is also free to use his discretion, since it is known that after the Senators-elect are sworn in on the inaugural day, any Senator who does not like any provision in the Standing Order can initiate or activate the process for amending the said rule. Order 110 mentioned above empowers “any Senator desiring to amend any part of the rules”. It does not talk of a Senstor-elect.

Again, the Senate can adopt the provisional Standing Order presented to it on the first day by the bureaucracy and therefore it remains the Standing Order of the institution. Now, how does the above stated explanation apply to the case of forgery instituted against Saraki, his deputy, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Ben Efeturi?

First, the Standing Order used by the Seventh Senate is deemed dead with that Senate. Also, the copies of the Standing Order distributed to Senators-elect on June 9, 2015 during their inauguration was prepared, and rightly so, by the National Assembly bureaucracy. Since members of the Eight Senate had the opportunity to amend the provisions of the rule book titled ‘Senate Standing Orders 2015 As Amended’ after they have been inaugurated and nobody has initiated the procedure for amendment, then it is deemed that they have adopted, accepted and endorsed what was initially the creation of the bureaucracy.

The issue of forgery can therefore not arise as a man cannot forge his own signature.

Also, forgery can only exist where there is an original and a fake. The present Standing Orders of the Senate has no fake version. Only one version exists. One of the aggrieved Senators who are not happy with the emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively once raised their dislike for certain provisions of the Standing Order now in use on the floor and since the motion was unpopular, it was overruled by the majority. At that point, the Senate only once again confirmed that it has adopted the Standing Order which has now been operational for the past 13 months.

Also, with the procedure stated above, it

is clear that no Senator-elect can influence the content of the standing order. They actually have no say on it. Even, if a Senator-elect could have a say, definitely Saraki who was not a member of the leadership of Seventh Senate did not have the influence or power and reach to direct what should happen. It should also be noted that the said Order 3 (3)(e) (ii) which is said to have provided for secret balloting instead of open show of hand as provided in the Standing Order 2011 was not used in Saraki’s election to the office of Senate President. He emerged unopposed under Order (3) (c) which is consistent in all the previous rules.

That is why it is surprising that with the police report, Statements by those interrogated and other documents not mentioning Saraki’s name or involvement, he is still dragged into the present case by those who want to get him out of office by all means. Those same political opponents believe they can use the opportunity of the trial to throw out the PDP man in an APC controlled Senate, that is Ekweremadu.

Like Saraki, the incumbent Deputy Senate President was a Senator-elect on June 9, 2015 before he was elected. He could not have been in a position to insist that certain rule be adopted. In any case, whatever rule was adopted on June 9, 2015 could not have changed the result as PDP members formed the majority on the floor of the Senate that day. The APC that have majority of the members have a divided house and a good number of its members also chose to embark on a voyage of discovery to the International Conference Centre (ICC) at a time they were supposed to be inside the chambers for their inauguration and election of the Senate Presiding Officers.

The decision to now put Saraki and the others on trial was a simple game by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami who was a lawyer to the aggrieved Senators before he was appointed to his present office to help his clients achieve what they could not do on the floor of the Senate and what may not be possible with their civil suit. That is why the issues of conflict of interest, abuse of office, abuse of judicial process, intimidation of the Senate, violation of the principle of Separation of Powers, checks and balances and the rest are relevant in the on-going suit.

––Quassim writes from Abuja

$3.1bn Refund to LGAs: A Pat on the Back for Judiciary Idowu Ajibade

T

he recent judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordering a refund of $3.1billion to the 774 local councils is indeed a cheery news. The Local Government, a third layer that constitutes the federating units is almost a forgotten level of government. It is the closest to the people and the layer that people can directly relate with. There is no doubting the fact that the local government system in Nigeria remain an unfortunate orphan of some sort. Even though, it draws its funding directly from the federation account as a matter of right, such allocations oftentimes, end up in the hands of the State Government.as “bailout” to assuage their financial burden.

President Muhammadu Buhari minced no word in announcing his sympathy for state governors. He observed that many have gone completely insolvent, with only few managing to pay workers salary. The State governors wield enormous powers that compel federal patronage. But no so for the Councils, many of who are slave to the official funding that accrue to them, even in the face of a more severe insolvency. The

federal government has taken another move for a second bailout for the State government. It is regrettable that Local Government Councils are not in reckoning in the arrangement.

It is therefore a cheery development that the Councils are to receive a refund of monies illegally deducted from them as ordered by the federal high court 7, Abuja last Monday. The court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay the sum of $3.2billion wrongfully deducted from the accounts of the 774 Local Government Councils in the country. Specifically, the court ordered the immediate payment of “$3.1billion or its Naira equivalent” back to the Local Councils’ coffer.

Presiding judge, Justice AFA Ademola who delivered the ruling told the CBN after listening to the arguments of both sides, to go ahead to enforce the earlier judgement which directed a refund to the council. Lead Counsel to the Council, Mr. Joe Okay Agi (SAN) had prayed the court to garnishee the sum of $3.1billion in the hand of CBN and be paid to the Councils.

Counsel to CBN, Ahmed Raji (SAN) had earlier told the court that the apex bank was in custody of over $26billion belonging to the Federal Government.

The order was an enforcement of earlier judgement of December 10, 2013

in which the court faulted the deduction from Councils account by the federal government to service loans owed to the London Club and Paris Club. The plaintiffs had also secured a federal government fiat to execute the judgement since similar refunds were made to some states.

It would be recalled that judgment was given in favour of the Councils in the suit ( No FHC/ABJ/129/2013), filed on 11 June 2013, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In the suit, Aba North Local Government, some other local councils (applicants) and Linas International Limited (creditor) sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, Ministry of Finance and Accountant-General of the Federation over the illegal deductions, totaling $3.2billion, made by the Federal Government from the statutory allocations due to the councils in respect of the 1992 London Club Debt buy-back and the 2006 London Club Debit exit championed by Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala.

The plaintiffs were challenging a decision taken by the Federal Government in 1992, when the action was based on the 1999 Constitution, which did not become operational until seven years after the decision. The suit also challenged the fact that the decision of the Federal Govern-

ment was taken 21 years earlier.

The judgement was not appealed three years on. In fact, the federal government has shown willingness to comply with the order. But then, there is a concern that the money, when released may end up as another booty to the State government. Such is the dilemma of the third tier of government in Nigeria. Of course, the State also owe some responsibilities to the Councils. The State and Local Government joint account system provides a cover for the State to assume the father-son role in the arrangement.

Some will argue and rightly so, that there is nothing wrong with the State maintaining influence on the Councils since the state governor practically determines who occupy what seat at the various Councils.

That being so, the governors needn’t go to the federal for another bailout, especially, considering the controversies that greeted the first. The amount, $3.1billion runs into over a trillion Naira in value. The state government should waste no time to demand for timely payment of the sum rather than going cap in hand to the federal. But then, how it would be spent is certainly going to be of interest to all.

-Ajibade writes from Abuja

56

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 3, 2016

TRIBUTE/RELIGION

Niki Tobi: Exit of a Legal Luminary Tobi Soniyi

F

or those who were within the inner circle, the death of Niki Tobi, a retired justice of the Supreme Court did not come as a surprise. The erudite jurist had been battling to stay alive.

Nevertheless, his death on Thursday June 16, 2016 brought to an end a historic and memorable journey which began on July 14, 1940 in a riverine community of Esanma in what is now Delta State. Tobi was not born into a family of affluence, but with sheer determination he worked himself up to become not only a professor but a justice of the highest court, the Supreme Court. A no-mean achievement for someone whose parents could hardly afford to pay his school fees. He had to skip secondary school because his parents could not afford the fees. But against all odds, Tobi succeeded.

A self made man, he made his way through Teachers’ Training College, Bomadi and became a teacher in 1957 and rose to become a headmaster. For some, being a headmaster would have been enough but not Tobi. He later secured admission into the University of Lagos where he earned both his first degree and a master degree in law. After completing his first degree in 1969, he attended the one year programme at the Nigerian law School and was called to the Bar in 1970.

Between 1971 and 1976 he worked as a lawyer at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Department of Customs and Excise. However, his love for teaching would take him to University of Maiduguri where he was appointed as Lecturer Grade 1 in Law at the University of Maiduguri. He rose through the ladder to become the Dean, Faculty of Law at the university and also acted as Vice Chancellor of the university.

He had a brief stint at the University of Calabar.

Having seen it all at the ivory tower, one would have expected him to end it there but not for this village boy. He was not done yet. In 1985, he was appointed a judge of the Rivers State High Court.

Tobi was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1990. In 2002, he was promoted to the Supreme Court where he served until he retired in July 2010.

Tobi did not only possess the ability to understand complex facts, he was a gifted writer. Anyone who read his judgment would be forgiven for mistaking it for a novel. Within the ten years he served as a judge, he delivered many landmark judgments.

One of such memorable judgments was the case of INAKOJU VS. ADELEKE (2007) 4 NWLR (Pt 1025) 423 otherwise known as Ladoja’s case.

Before his judgment, impeachment of President or Vice President, Governors or their Deputies could not be a subject of litigation in any court in Nigeria because of the ouster clauses contained in sections 143 (10) and S. 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution.

In departing from the earlier position, Niki Tobi,

Tobi JSC at page 600 states: “A legislature is not a secret organization or a secret cult or fraternity where things are done in utmost secrecy in the recess of a hotel. On the contrary, a legislature is a public institution, built mostly on public property to the glare and visibility of the public. As a democratic institution, operating in a democracy, the actions and inactions of a House of Assembly are subject to public judgment and public opinion.”

According to him, it is not every misconduct that attracts impeachment. The judgment had the effect of stopping states Houses of Assembly from recklessly embarking on impeachments.

Tobi, JSC also stated at page 588 thus: “It is not a lawful or legitimate exercise of the constitutional function in Section 188 for a House of Assembly to remove a Governor or a Deputy Governor to achieve a political purpose or one of organized vendetta clearly outside gross misconduct under the Section. Section 188 cannot be invoked merely because the House does not like the face or look of the Governor or Deputy Governor in a particular moment or the Governor or Deputy Governor refused to respond with a generous smile to the legislature qua House on a parliamentary or courtesy visit to the holder of the office.”

He was a prolific writer and had over 14 major law books to his credit and also contributed to over 25 other books. He wrote numerous papers and legal essays in addition to various law journal articles.

Notable among his works include Criminal Procedure and Evidence in Nigeria, Land Law in Nigeria, The Brief System in Nigerian Courts, Understanding the 1989 Constitution Better: The Citizens Companion, Sources of Nigerian Law, The Exercise of Legislative Powers in Nigeria among others.

At various times, he was chairman of the Constitutional Debate Coordinating Committee of Nigeria, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Civil Disturbances in Jos and Environs and the Chairman of the National Political Reform Conference.

He was also a recipient of many awards including the national merit award of Commander of the Order of Niger.

One of those who worked with him at the Supreme Court is the present Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed. Although away on religious duty in Saudi Arabia, the CJN said he received the news of Niki Tobi’s death with a deep sense of shock.

He said: “The deceased Justice indelibly contributed to the development of jurisprudence in Nigeria and will be greatly remembered for his assiduousness in reviewing the draft 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria under the Military administration of General Abdulsalam Abubakar.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Joe KyariGadzama, who appeared before Niki Tobi at various courts, described the late jurist as one of the best and brightest jurists this country had ever known.

He said: “He was a jurist of the finest refinement, a noble soul whose lucid and erudite judgments helped in shaping our legal architecture and jurisprudence.”

Gadzama recalled with nostalgia “how the deceased judicial icon, as the pioneer Dean of Law, University of Maiduguri taught us the rudiments of law at the earliest part of our law degree programme.”

He said that because of Justice Tobi’s unparalleled devotion to his craft and to his students including Gadzama and his classmates as well as his contributions to the development of the law and society, he, in appreciation and to honor Tobi even while the late justice was still alive, named the moot court in his J-K Gadzama Court as ‘Justice Niki Tobi Moot Court.’.

In a comment on a book on Justice Niki Tobi, Mr. Yusuf Alli, SAN said: “The judgments of his Lordship, either leading or contribution, in the Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court are the best testimonial to his Lordship’s deep, profound, didactic and gargantuan intellectual prowess.”

Niki Tobi was a teacher, an administrator, a jurist, a writer, a devoted Christian who defiled all obstacles to rise to the pinnacle of the judiciary. He possessed all the attributes and qualities that are in limited supply in today’s Nigeria. Any young man desperate to succeed today where opportunities are limited would be advised to study the life of Niki Tobi. Adieu.

Divine Help Man is not created in isolation but to live with each other to get comfort, warmth, and encouragement.

Every great visionary who have accomplished their goals in life knows that it is absolutely impossible to achieve such great and burning vision without human help. They surely know what to do and how to go about it however because they need to do multiple task they surely need men of like minds who see what they see and can run with it as they would have run. This assistance either paid for or free is known as human help. Great Companies that have lived beyond the founder have existed by virtue of human help and expertise. However, there is another dimension to help known as divine help, which far goes beyond what human beings can achieve or attain.

Divine help is a supernatural intervention in the affairs of men to discharge obligation. Divine help is the invocation of invisible forces to assist or aid human programme and agenda. It is the engagement of heavenly spiritual forces to influence positively the result of natural duties and obligations. It is the force that amplifies or accelerates human efforts to produce more than the usual. It is what makes a star of a dullard. When it appears to men it turns labour to favour. Divine help is the help of God. I checked through the scripture and observed that there was no great man in the Word who became great without divine help. Abraham’s servant wanted a wife for his master’s son, Isaac, in a land he had no history or knowledge of family ties. In Gen 24, he got to the

Dominion Voice

by Pastor Lanre Ajanaku

lanre.ajanaku@yahoo.com www.dominionvoice.com land and requested for divine help in picking the right bride for Isaac, lo and behold he got it right. Are you trusting God for a life partner, please ask for divine help, He will lead you to the right person.

2 Chron. 26:1-8 and 15 reveals the story of a young teenager who ruled as King, Uzziah by name. This young boy sought the Lord and as long as he sought God for help the Lord prospered him in all his ways. Verse 15 revealed he was marvelously helped

by God. When a young teenager is marvelously helped by God he gets far reaching result than any adult can have in life.

At times divine help come to us via classified, intelligent information as in the case of the King of Israel and the Syrians. 2 Kings 6:8-12 narrates the story of the Syrian king who observed that all his war strategies were being revealed to the King of Israel. He cried out that there was a saboteur within his cabinet, but one of his men was quick to point out that the King of Israel was receiving divine help through the prophet of God – Elisha - who revealed what the king said in his bedroom. Interesting!

Enough of gloaming in the dark. Beloved, ask for classified direction and information. Stop wait life by wasting time on

unprofitable ventures, ask for divine help.

David could not have made it through life without this help. He said in Ps 40:13; ‘….oh Lord make haste to help me.’ The Lord God of Israel will help you. You will not walk alone in Jesus mighty name. He said further in Ps 121:1-2 ‘…. I will lift up my eyes to the hill from whence come my help?’ (NKJV) He answered: my help comes from the Lord. David ran to the hills for safety several times when Saul sought to kill him. However, he did not make the mistake of thinking his help was in the hill. He was quick to point out that his help is from the Lord. That uncle, daddy, politician or whoever, is not your help, they are just channels used for this season. God is your help, focus on Him now and always.

Jehoshaphat received help to win against forces stronger, bigger, greater and more numerically than him by the power of divine help from God. 2 Chron. 26. You also can win the battles of life if only you ask for divine help.

To access this help, you must be born again. You must have the DNA of God by Him inputting His cells into you. You must be a worshipper of God, just like Jehoshaphat. Thirdly for must be broken and prayerful. Don’t just believe that without asking in the place of prayer, you can automatically have it. For you to stand tall in life, you must have the habit of bending your kneels in prayers. Lastly, you must be a giver. 2 sam24:24-25. You need to be a giver to access unlimited divine help. It is available to you, access it. Shalom.

57

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 3, 2016

GAVEL TO GAVEL

Buhari

Edited by Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

Saraki

The Deepening Senate-Executive Face-off The face-off between the Senate and the presidency deepened last week as the legislature and executive engaged in counter-attacks. Omololu Ogunmade writes

T

his last week in the Senate was full of episodes. It began with criticism of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Senate over moves by the federal government to arraign Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of Senate Standing Orders 2015.

The Genesis The Senate Standing Orders 2015 was alleged to havebeenforgedbySarakiandsomeprincipalofficers of the seventh Senate in alleged connivance with the management of the National Assembly ahead of June 9, 2015 elections of Senate’s presiding officers.

The document was allegedly forged with the intention to change the Order for the election of presiding officers of the chamber from hitherto open ballot system to secret balloting. The alleged forgery was said to have been spurred by complaints from some senators that going by the Order on voting, they would be unable to vote for their choices of presiding officers because of party leaders who would monitor the election to know who voted for whom.

The forgery was therefore allegedly done to hide the identities of senators during the elections.

Against this background, Saraki, Ekweremadu, immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and incumbent Deputy Clerk, Benedict Efeturi, were charged to court for alleged forgery by the federal government. Before the charge, the Nigeria Police had in a letter addressed to the ClerkoftheNationalAssembly,invitedEkweremadu, former Senate President David Mark, former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Rules and Business Committee Chairman, Ita Enang, and the committee’s immediate Clerk, Dr. Nma Ogozy, along with Maikasuwa and Efeturi for interrogation.

The letter of invitation for interrogation by the police had excluded Saraki but when the matter was eventually charged to court, Mark, Ndoma-Egba, Enang an insurgency to fund campaigns of PDP. Members of the PDP were the sole and iniquitous beneficiaries of this diversion.

“Seeking to recover diverted public funds is neither

dictatorial nor against the rule of law. In all the actions, programmes and policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-ledAPC federal government, no PDP member has been unjustly arrested or imprisoned on mere allegations. On the contrary, we are daily regaled with news of millions and billions of naira of public funds traced to accounts of individuals some of whom have accepted to return such diverted public funds.

“As law abiding and patriotic citizens, we cherish the rule of law and the separation of powers among th Theface-offbetweentheexecutiveandtheNational Assembly over the prosecution of Senate President Bukola Saraki for alleged forgery of Senate rules and false declaration of assets attained a dangerous dimension last week as both arms of government apparently drew the battle line.

AlsobeingtriedforallegedforgeryisDeputySenate President, Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Benedict Efeturi.

Events during the week took turns for the worst as both arms threw diplomacy to the wind and spared no thought in expressing their preparedness to fight with little or no consideration about its dire consequences for governance.

Both institutions metaphorically rolled up their sleeves, which has been viewed as a dangerous trend that can culminate in a shutdown of government activities and with tendencies to derail the current democratic experiment.

The Bone of Contention On its part, the Senate believes that since its inauguration on June 9, 2015, the presidency has not given it any breathing space but has been hell bent on changing its leadership following the elections of Saraki and Ekweremadu against the wish of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senators also believe that they have done everything humanly possible to placate and pacify the presidency by expeditiously treating all the requests of President Muhammadu Buhari without any reciprocal gesture.

Instead of receiving complimentary expressions,

the parliament feels the presidency has continuously shown its disdain for the chamber and nothing will satisfyitunlessitthrowsoutthechamber’sleadership.

But the president has continuously denied his involvement in the travails of Senate leaders, submitting that the law is only taking its right course against the accused persons. For instance, the executive had said the move to prosecute Saraki, Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi over alleged forgery was spurred by the recommendations of the Nigeria Police which investigated the saga.

From the ongoing trial of Saraki at the CCT to the recently instituted case of forgery against him and Ekweremadu at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Jabi, Abuja, the Senate claims it is one battle too many.

What however, looks so worrisome to many is that both arms appear not to consider what will be the adverse effects of their power struggle on the socio-economic lives of the citizenry which have already been hampered by a myriad of woes bedeviling the nation.

Events have shown that most Nigerians currently live from hand to mouth with insinuations that the executive lacks the will to provide solution to their problems while a further stand-off between the executive and the National Assembly is expected to aggravate their plights.

For example, some notable Nigerians have said it will be counter-productive if the Senate chooses to deploy the powers at its disposal to turn down the requests of the executive. Thus, if budgets are not speedily considered or executive bills are thrown out or confirmation of constitutional appointments delayed, the aftermath is expected to be bad governance while anarchy may prevail.

Wisdom from the United States InDecember2015,theUnitedStatesinchedtowards a shutdown of government activities over a sharp disagreementbetweentheexecutiveandtheCongress on a $1.1 trillion spending bill meant to fund federal agencies in 2016.

The congress was unhappy with the bill while funds for smooth running of the government was expiring. However, the congress, realising the dire

consequences of such trend on governance, quickly voted to extend government funding till December 22, 2015 to give the congress ample time to consider the bill that was described as “massive bill.”

The congress decision was deliberately taken to avert imminent shutdown. For instance, leaders of the congress quickly moved to douse tension as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, assured the country that there would be no government shutdown as he announced the House resolve to vote on a long-term agreement. Indeed, the congress voted same week before both the Senate and the House adjourned sittings for holidays.

At the time, both the democrats and republicans had vehemently disagreed over proposed policy riders on issues ranging from the environment to the Syrian refugee crisis. But in the interest of the people of United States and the commitment to good governance, both arms and political parties opted to close ranks and compromise.

As Ryan explained later, crisis was averted because commonsensewasallowedtoprevail.“Wedidn’twin everything we wanted. Democrats got some things they wanted. So, that’s the nature of compromises in divided government. But all told, we’ll make sure that we keep government funded and that we advance some of our priorities and, namely, that’s to create jobs,” Ryan explained.

Chronicles of Fights During the Week FollowingthearraignmentofSaraki,Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi, on Monday, Saraki in an unusual manner personally signed a statement where he accused those behind his arraignment as enemies who wanted to desecrate the Senate and subvert democracy through their “nefarious agenda.”

Saraki did not mince words to say he would not surrenderleadershiptosuchpersonsbutwouldrather fight to the end even if that would lead him to jail.

That expression showed that the battle line was already drawn as Saraki proceeded further to declare that the government of Buhari had already been hijacked by a cabal in pursuit of their perceived selfish objectives.

He said: “However, what has become clear is that there is now a government within the government

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GAVEL TO GAVEL/INTERVIEW

Tejuosho: Giving Back to Constituents

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Olaseni Durojaiye

he early birds who defied the downpour that Monday morning met the empowerment items neatly arranged under six different canopies.

The canopies bore the names of all the six local government areas that constitute Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State – Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ewekoro, Odeda, ObafemiOwode and Ifo Local Government areas of Ogun State.

A close watch revealed transformers, generators, grinding machines, sewing machines, hair dryers, barbing clippers, deep freezers, motorcycles, all brand new.

Six Corolla cars, freshly painted in all green and yellow stripes, the colours of taxi cabs in the state glistened even under the rain.

They were all meant to economically empower residents of the six local government mentioned above. It would be safe to conclude that the beneficiaries are all members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the political party of the host, Senator Lanre Tejuosho.

The occasion was the Ogun Central Empowerment initiative and launch of ‘Community Meets Opportunity’.

Inside the hall was a beehive of activities.

While the organisers confer with beneficiaries at one end of the high table, the special guests, seated at the high table engaged in some tete-a-tete of interest to them. They include the Chairman of Ogun Central Senatorial District of the All Progressive Party (APC), Chief Kunle Adeshina, Chief Dayo Abatan, Olalekan Adegun, Chief Mrs. M.S. Oke, Alhaji Amosun, Tajudeen Lemboye, Baale Adejinmi Bello, Senatorial Women Leader Alhaja Toyosi Mitros and Senatorial Secretary, Farouk Akintunde among other.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Tetunde Onanuga, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Afolabi Afuape; Executive Chairmen of Odeda Local Government, Wale Oanaolapo; member, Ogun State House of Assembly representing Ifo II Constituency, Ganiu Oyediji, Prince Kayode Tejuosho, among many others.

On the floor of the hall, party loyalists dressed in different uniformed attires mingle, while a seven-man local, itinerant band dished out popular tunes at the slightest opportunity that presented itself.

The host was ubiquitous, moving from one end of the high table to the other and down the podium where some party executives at the local government level sat awaiting the commencement proper.

In his welcome address, he stated: “On

Tejuosho

the 28th of March, 2015, the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District elected me as the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

“As a way of identifying with you, the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District and to show my profound gratitude to God, I have today returned to you my teeming supporters, many of whom toiled night and day for my success at the March 2015 polls. It is our collective success that is being celebrated today and I have come to render an account of my stewardship, so far, as the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District.

“As many of you are aware, I was made the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health. I am humbled by the confidence reposed in me by the leadership of the Senate to carry that responsibility and have so far tried within my ability and help from God and the support of my colleagues to carry out the duties as demanded by that office,” he stated.

As the even progressed different groups and members drawn from the local government areas displayed different theatrics in a bid to outdo one another in a clear show of appreciation. One of them came decked in a uniformed attire complete with cap on which was inscribed Eni A Fe De – The Preferred One Is Here. Intermittently, they belted different tunes from the traditional drums that were delicately balanced on their shoulders waxed praise poetry directed at their patron. Their performance drove the

The Deepening Senate-Executive Face-off of President Buhari who has seized the apparatus of executive powers to pursue their nefarious agenda.

This latest onslaught on the legislature represents a clear and present danger to the democracy Nigerians fought hard to win and preserve. The suit filed on behalf of the federal government suggests that perhaps some forces in the Federal Republic have not fully embraced the fact that the Senate’s rules and procedures govern how the legislative body adjudicates and resolves its own disputes.”

This expression shocked the presidency because it portrayed Buhari to be weak and not in control of his government. Hence, in a swift reaction, the presidency fired a salvo as he compared Saraki with someone only waking up from “a troubled sleep.”

Buhari’s Special Adviser, Media, Femi Adesina, did not mince words to state that Saraki was crying wolf where was there was none. Adesina also accused Saraki of making the allegation all in a bid to cover up his shortcomings.

He said: “But as it stands, the allegation is not even worth the paper on which it was written, as anybody can wake from a troubled sleep and say anything. The Attorney General of the Federation is the Chief Law Officer of the country. It is within his constitutionalpowerstodeterminewhohasinfringed upon the law and who has not. Pretending to carry an imaginary cross is mere obfuscation, if indeed, a criminal act has been committed. But we leave the courts to judge.”

The hot exchange from the heads of the two arms of government spoke volume of what to expect in no distant time as the result of the animosity has already begun to play out. Already, the Senate has kept in the cooler the list of Buhari’s ambassadorial nominees as well as the request for confirmation

hall to frenzy as chants of Eni A Fe De rented the air. The senator, who is also the crown prince of Oke-Ona, couldn’t help but jumped up to display some dance steps.

“That’s royal tune,” a middle-aged man, who was a guest, seated beside this reporter volunteered, “as a Crown Prince of Egba Oke-Ona, he knows culture, he knows such songs and beats are accompanied with royal dance steps; he should dance to it.”

A local football club also turned up. And they also caught the Senator’s attention with their football juggling skills. Enthralled by their display, Senator Tejuosho and Afuape came down from the podium and joined in.

As they juggled and passed the ball between them the hall erupted in applause and urged them on.

“The people love him; they seek every opportunity to show him love and appreciation for what he has been doing for them. This is beyond the usual theatrics and pretensions that you often get in politics; Senator Tejuosho is on ground and in touch with the grassroots and the people adore him for that,” his Special Assistant on Constituency Matters told THISDAY. In her address, Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, commended the senator for staying in touch with his constituency and described empowerment initiative as a demonstration of love for the people of Ogun State in general and Ogun Central zone in particular. She also enjoined other elected representatives to emulate Senator Tejuosho and cultivate the culture of giving back to the society through similar gesture.

“I commend our host, Senator Lanre Tejuosho for this laudable initiative. It takes someone who is caring and has the love of the people to come up with such a commendable empowerment initiative. The Governor would have personally grace this occasion but he had to attend another very important state function, but to underscore the importance that he attached to this event, he has asked myself and the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Afolabi Afuape, to stand in for him.

“Permit me to use this opportunity to call on other elective representatives of the people to emulate Senator Tejuosho. Let us not forget our people and where we come from because we will always go back there and to them.

The communities that benefitted from the six transformer were Obantoko Ward, Odeda Local Government; Itesiwaju Community, Abeokuta South Local Government; Elega Community, Abeokuta North Local Government; Yewande Community, Ifo Local Government; Opeyeta Community, Ewekoro Local Government and Boluwa-

duro Community, Obafemi/Owode Local Government of the state.

Besides the transformers, six party loyalists also received painted taxis cab. 369 were also distributed among party members, while another 129 grinding machines were also distributed to women as a means to empower them economically. 80 hairstylists in the zone also got 40 hair dryers and 40 barbing clippers; 21 members of the Okada riders association in the zone received one Motorcycle each while 20 deep freezers were also distributed among petty traders.

Speaking in an interview with THISDAY, Senator Tejuosho explained that, “distributing empowerment items is one of the ways through which we extend the dividends of democracy to members of my constituency.

Last Friday, we launched an Information Technology Centre where job aspirants could come in a register online for the teaching job that the federal government launched recently. If people are qualified and don’t have money for time at the cyber café the opportunity will elude them. So we thought of putting up the facility as a first step in that direction. There are other empowerment projects that we plan to embark on through the Community meets Opportunity Initiative.

“We owe it to our people. It is part of our call and response slogan in APC. When we say APC, our party members reply continuity, when we say dividends of democracy; they will say continuity. So, this is just a continuation of dividends of democracy that we have promised our people. As we get any opportunity to do more, we will continue to do it. If we get it every month, we’ll do it every month. The idea is that as we progress, everybody will be progressing together with us. So, the prayer is that everything we do, we must always make sure that we remember where we are coming from and remember the people that we left at home and make sure that we are all happy at the same time. By God’s grace, we’ll continue to expand what we are doing and make sure that everybody in Ogun Central at least has no reason to have poverty, has no reason not to have something economically empowering to do. That’s one of the reasons why they vote for us, why we are there for them and we will continue

by God’s grace to do more,” Senator told THISDAY in an interview.

According to Benjamin Disreali, politician, writer and two-time British Prime Minister, “The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own.” If indeed this is true, the event was a very successful one as the beneficiaries had been shown how to be economically engaged, which is the first step to being shown their individual riches.

Cont’d from Pg. 57

of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and adjourned plenary for three weeks.

As if the earlier exchange was not enough, the presidency again hit Saraki and Ekweremadu on Wednesday, asking them to either face their trial or toe a honourable path by resigning like a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, who was accused of forgery.

In a statement, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, lampooned the senators for dragging the Senate into their trials as he countered the claim from the chamber that the presidency was trying the Senate, saying it is individuals that are being tried and not the Senate.

“What he (Salisu Buhari) did was to resign honourably. The matter did not even go to court.

In that particular case, it was never orchestrated as a matter for the National Assembly. The individual involved did not drag the entire legislature into the matter,” he said.

The war of words continued as the Senate swiftly reactedtotheallegation,reiteratingthatthepresidency was desperate to forcefully change the leadership of the Senate. While calling the bluff of the presidency, Chairman,SenateCommitteeonMediaandPublicity, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the more it attempted to force out Senate leadership, the more it would fail.

“The Senate as an institution, and indeed the National Assembly, has spoken about their understanding of the present assault on their independence by the executive.’ We maintain that this trial is a design by the executive to criminalise the internal affairs of the Senate to create a distraction for the leadership of the Senate, force a leadership change and cow the legislators.

“Those behind this plot find this trial more expedient and important than finding tangible solutions to the multifarious socio-economic problems bedeviling the country. However, we are sure they will fail in this attempt. We only hope they will allow the judiciary to truly and creditably perform its duties and give independent verdict on the case,” he said.

That the relationship between the executive and the Senate had completely broken down further played up on Thursday, when the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN), shunned the invitation to appear before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters over the ongoing trial of Senate’s presiding officers on alleged forgery of Senate Standing Orders. That marked the second timetheAGFwouldshunthecommitteeinoneweek.

Instead of appearing before the committee, Malami sent Okoi Obono-Obla, the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution to represent him. ObonoObla did not hesitate to express presidency’s that the committee not only lacked the jurisdiction to summon the AGF but also that he did not have confidence in it.

“The AGF is out of the country. The position of the AGF is that this committee has no jurisdiction on this matter,” he said.

His submission struck the committee which hurriedly stopped him from making further comments.

The committee then fired back: “You are not theAGF. We invited the AGF. Since you are not the AGF, we cannot hear you. As far as we are concerned, you are not the AGF. The person we invited is the AGF. Since he’s not here, take it that he didn’t respond to our invitation.”

It, therefore, walked out Obono-Obla from the

committee room. The committee and its chairman, David Umaru, perceived the action of the AGF, by ignoring their invitation twice and choosing to send “a mere” special assistant to represent him was a deliberate attempt to disparage it and drag the institution in the mud. Hence, the committee promised to report its experience in the hands of the AGF back to the Senate which gave it the assignment for further action.

Nevertheless, this war of attrition, as some have noted, needs to be fought with caution as both arms of government need each other to survive. If the distrust and suspicion are not quickly nipped in the board, it will gradually result in communication breakdown and protracted power struggle with the masses becoming the victims.

Presindential Liaison Officer Wades in The Senior Special Assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, has however apologized for the remarks made by Okoi Obono-Obla, a special assistant to the president on prosecution,whichexplicitlyquestionedtheauthority of the Nigerian Senate to summon the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation.

“I apologise for his comments. From what I heard, he was not complimentary to the senate,” he said, adding, “We didn’t need to cause more trouble between the presidency and the Senate.”

Enang also explained why Malami did not appear before the Senate. “I am a presidential liaison officer and I apologize for the inability of the AttorneyGeneral to appear before the Senate when he was invited.

“He received a letter of invitation after he had already planned an official trip,” Mr. Enang said.

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Euro 2016: France Set to End Iceland’s Fairytale

T

he last quarter final of Euro 2016 takes place this evening as the hosts, France, and England’s conquerors, Iceland, clash today for the right to play Germany in the semi finals.

Interestingly, Iceland still remain unbeaten at this summer’s championships and are playing without any pressure or expectation. The same can’t be said for the hosts as anything but a win today would be a disaster, although they’ve already shown they have what it takes to recover from a setback.

France were 1-0 down to the Republic of Ireland last time out but two second half goals from Antoine Griezmann turned the game on its head and allowed them to go on and secure a place in the quarter finals.

However they will be without N’Golo Kante, who is suspended. The Leicester City midfielder has continued his fine Premier League form with his country, but a second yellow card of the tournament against the Republic of Ireland in the last-16 means he misses out in Paris.

Les Bleus had gone behind against Martin O’Neil’s men and had to fight back for a 2-1 victory, and Patrice Evra has warned against the same situation happening against a dangerous Iceland side.

“We keep scaring ourselves, we’re crazy,” the 35-year-old said. “If we keep doing that, we might not go through. We need to stop reacting and start acting.

People go on about long throws and all that but Iceland are not just that.

France midfielder Dmitri Payet (left) congratulates teammate Antoine Griezemann after scoring one of his three goals at Euro 2016

They’re a good team who can play good football and they did not get to this stage by accident,” he said.

Despite Iceland’s historic result against England, joint coach Heimir Hallgrimsson believes their best game is still to come, and that all the pressure

sits firmly with their opponents.

“I think you can agree with me that we have been playing better and better throughout the competition, and I think you can agree with me that our best game is still to come.

“There is a big difference in the

pressure on Iceland and on France.

France cannot lose the game, it would be horrible for the French nation. But the Icelandic people would be happy if we get a good performance against France. But we are realistic. You dream big. We can play the best game of our

lives and still lose against France.”

Kante will be joined on the sidelines

by Adil Rami, who is also suspended for the clash, while exciting youngster Kingsley Coman is a doubt. The France forward was substituted late on against the Republic of Ireland after picking up an injury, and will be assessed ahead of today’s game.

Iceland head to Paris with a clean bill of health after captain and long-throw specialist Aron Gunnarsson returned to training on Friday.

The Cardiff City midfielder - whose throw-ins have created two goals for Iceland including one in their win over England - sat out of Thursday’s training with a back problem.

The last two encounters between France and Iceland have produced 10 goals, both finishing 3-2 to the French.

France are unbeaten in their last 16 major tournament games played on home soil, winning 14 and drawing two. Their last defeat dates back to July 1960 in the inaugural European Championships against Czechoslovakia (0-2).

The two goals France have conceded at Euro 2016 have been from the penalty spot (v Romania and Republic of Ireland). They have conceded fewer shots on target than any other team at this year’s European Championships (3 in 4 games).

France have attempted 44 more shots than Iceland at Euro 2016 but have scored the same number of goals (6).

Iceland are one of two teams, alongside Wales, to have scored in all of their games at Euro 2016.

Germany Beat Italy on Penalties to Reach Semis Jonas Hector fired Germany into the semifinals of Euro 2016 at Italy’s expense after an epic round of 18 penalty kicks that saw players from both sides produce stunning misses in Bordeaux yesterday.

World Cup holders Germany won the shoot-out 6-5 after a tense match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, and their reward is a semifinal with the winner today’s last quarterfinal between hosts France and Iceland.

Joachim Loew’s side had appeared to be heading for the win in regulation time after Mesut Ozil pounced to give them a 65th-minute lead. But Italy clawed themselves back into the game when Leonardo Bonucci levelled from the penalty spot 12 minutes from the end of normal time after a Jerome Boateng handball.

After no goals were scored in extra time, Ozil, Thomas Mueller and Bastian Schweinsteiger all failed from the spot for Germany, usually so reliable from 12 yards. But after Simone Zaza and Graziano Pelle missed for Italy and

Bonucci was denied by Manuel Neuer, Matteo Darmian’s failure to convert the Azzurri’s ninth kick allowed Hector to become Germany’s hero.

The game had been billed as the pick of the quarterfinals, but large spells of the game in Bordeaux were uneventful.

Germany talisman Schweinsteiger again started the game on the bench but was introduced after quarter of an hour to replace Sami Khedira, who came off with a groin injury.

Schweinsteiger found the net just before the half-hour mark but his effort was disallowed for a foul on Mattia De Sciglio. With a semifinal against either hosts France or Iceland up for grabs, a cautious approach from both sides was to be expected.

Indeed, Germany coach Joachim Loew sprung a surprise by moving away from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation in favour of a 3-5-2 to replicate the Italian set-up, dropping the previously excellent Julian Draxler as a result.

The World Cup holders went on to

Hector celebrates after scoring the winning penalty for Germany yesterday

dominate possession throughout but Gianluigi Buffon was untroubled by a Mario Gomez toe-poke while the veteran goalkeeper also easily saved from a Mueller shot late in the first half. Italy responded in kind, Emanuele Giaccherini seeing his cutback go all the way to Stefano Sturaro, whose his low drive had power but was deflected out for a corner.

Germany moved up a gear immediately after the restart, Gomez smartly laying the ball off for Mueller to hit a left-foot drive that was turned behind by the backtrackingAlessandro Florenzi at the far post.

The Germans were beginning to control proceedings and the opener arrived soon after. Gomez pounced on some slack defending by Florenzi before finding Hector in space to the left of the penalty box. The full-back’s attempted cutback came off Bonucci but fell to Ozil, who fired past Buffon from close range to give Germany a 65th-minute lead.

Germany’s confidence was now soaring and Ozil found Gomez in space with a great chip, but the striker’s outrageous flick was superbly saved by Buffon and the offside flag came up anyway. Italy looked down, but they were not out.

An unmarked Pelle got his left foot to Florenzi’s low cross but fired off target, and minutes later the Azzurri pulled level after the ball came off the arm of Boateng in the area. Hungarian referee Victor Kassai immediately pointed to the spot and Bonucci stepped up to beat Neuer low to the goalkeeper’s left to spark wild celebrations. It was the first goal Neuer had conceded at the tournament after four successive clean sheets.

There was a minor scare for the Germans with three minutes left when Eder found De Sciglio on the left and the AC Milan midfielder saw his powerful drive ripple the side-netting.

Djokovic

Wimbledon: Djokovic Stunned

by Querrey in Third Round Novak Djokovic was stunned by Sam Querrey in the third round at Wimbledon as he lost 6-7 4-6 6-3 3-6 to the American. The world No 1 fought back to take the third set having started the day two sets down yesterday.

But Querrey, the No 28 seed, battled to a fourth-set tie-break, in a match that was interrupted by rain on Court No 1, and clinched it 7-5.

“I’m ecstatic, it’s the biggest tournament in the world,” Querrey said. “I played the break points really well, came up with a big serve, got a couple of losing errors in the tie-break.”

On how he felt overnight, he added: “He came out and got the first four games, then we had another rain delay and I was able to regroup. “He is on the way to being the greatest ever, so I knew

he would be mentally tough. I am just going to be happy with this and look forward to the next round a bit.”

Djokovic, who confirmed afterwards he would not play in the Davis Cup quarter-final against Britain this month, was gracious in defeat, congratulating his opponent and saying: “Congratulations to Sam. He played a terrific match.

He serves very well. I think that part of his game was brutal today.

He just overpowered me. I had my chances. I just wasn’t feeling the ball as well as I wished.”

It leaves Andy Murray, the British No 1 and No 2 seed, the favourite for the trophy with Djokovic failing in his attempt to win the Golden Slam (all four majors and the Olympic title) this year. Querrey will face France’s Nicolas Mahut in the fourth round.

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EVENT

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hief(Mrs.)FolashadeOgunbiyiwas installed as Iyalode of Remo during her 70th birthday. The thanksgiving servicewasheldatSt.John’sAnglican Church, Ijoku, Sagamu in Ogun State and reception at JM Royal Haven, GRA, Sagamu.

Here are some personalities at the occasion.

Photos: Dan Ukana

L-R: Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, The Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Michael Sonariwo, and the new Iyalode of Remo, Chief Mrs. Folasade Ogunbiyi

L-R: Son of the celebrant, Mr. Tokunbo Ogunbiyi, Chief Biodun Sobanjo, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, celebrant/the new Iyalode of Remo, Chief Mrs. Folasade Ogunbiyi, her husband Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Lady Maiden Ibru, Professor Wole Soyinka, and his wife, Folake Soyinka

Mrs. Folake Soyinka and her husband, Professor Wole Soyinka

L-R: Otunba Solomon Onafowokan and Sir Kessington Adebutu

L-R: Wife of the Minister of Mineral Resources, Erelu Bisi; her husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke

L-R: Princess Dotun Oyegunle, Mrs. Omotolani Akinkoye and Mrs. Bola Adetula

L-R: Aare Kola Oyefeso, Asiwaju Femi Somolu and Otunba Gbenga Daniel

L-R: Olorogun Sunny Kuku and Chief Bukola Okunowo

L-R: Mrs. Abosede Osunkeye and her husband, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 3, 2016

EVENT

L-R: Sir Steve Omojafor and Mr.Toyin Sokoya

L-R: The Elepe of Epe Sagamu,Oba Adewale Osiberu, and the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Michael Sonariwo

L-R: Olori Akarigbo of Remo, Abosede Sonariwo and Olori Elepe of Epe Sagamu, Olubukola Osiberu

L-R: Mr. Tony Chiejina and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye

L-R: Chief Olusegun Osoba and his wife, Mrs. Derin Osoba

L-R: Mrs. Doyin Abiola, Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Princess Kemi Awofuyebi

L-R: Chief Mrs. Remi Odulana, Lady Maiden Ibru, and Chief Mrs. Funmi Adeyi

L-R: Mrs. Iyabo Ogunshola and her husband, Chief. Ajibola Ogunshola

L-R: Mrs. Funke Osibodu and her husband, Mr. Victor Osibodu

L-R: Dr. Charles Diji Akinola and Professor Ibidapo Obe

L-R: Mr. Leke Dina and Biodun Sobanjo

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SUNDAY JULY 3, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 3, 2016

63

Sunday July 3, 2016

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

MISSILE

United States to FG

“As you fight Boko Haram and secure and rebuild the North-east, and as you strive for harmony in the Niger Delta and across the land, we will continue to help in every appropriate way. Indeed, let us all redouble our efforts on the humanitarian front in the North-east” – The outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, recently expressing strong reservations about the humanitarian crisis in the North-east triggered by the on-going war against Boko Haram

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Four Can We Have a Decent Conversation? And Other Things...

C

hief Ojo Maduekwe, former minister of foreign affairs, left a lasting impression on me the first time I met him in flesh. It was at the airport in Cape Town, South Africa, sometime in 2008, I think. I was coming from the World Economic Forum on Africa.

As soon as I saw him, I looked away — for fear receiving a tongue lash, or something of a higher grade. I had been very critical of him in my articles. Not on his performance in public office, but his perceived “opportunistic” politics.

I believed he would have no other option than to descend on me the day he would see me. So it was safe, I presumed, to keep my distance.

Malam Danladi Bako, my ever warm, ever lively journalism uncle, was also at the airport.

He was apparently at the Cape Town event.

As soon as he saw me, he grabbed my hand, towed me to Maduekwe, and calmly introduced me to him. He was wearing his characteristic smile. Instead of giving me a punch on the nose, Maduekwe gave me a pat on the back.

I was more than shocked.

“Simon! I love your articles,” he said, and I waited for the killer “but…”

“You know what I call you? I call you my teacher. I find your articles very educative. I don’t miss them. Please keep it up,” he said again, without the dreaded “but...”

He gave me his mobile number and said I should keep in touch. I could not believe it.

It was either he never read my articles that were critical of him or he, being a cultured politician and diplomat, chose to ignore the elephant in the room. Whatever, I was left feeling highly humbled and honoured that a whole Maduekwe — whom I admired despite my disagreement with his politics — would be that generous with compliments. The typical Nigerian response is that “you were paid to criticise me” or “you don’t like me because I’m not Yoruba”. I go through that everyday.

His response went against the grain. We never got to see again, but he had won my respect for life — for his maturity.

Now compare this with an encounter I will never have with Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi. When he was chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), he ran into my chairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, at the Lagos airport. Obaigbena introduced Mr. Kayode Komolafe (then the managing editor and now deputy managing director of THISDAY) to him. In a classic case of mistaken identity, a fuming Gbadamosi began to rain curses in the direction of Komolafe in the wildest language known to humanity. In fact, in Yoruba culture, the contents of those curses, from an elder to a young man, were effectively a sentence of premature death.

Komolafe was confused because he had not written anything about Gbadamosi or PPPRA. He could not close his mouth. Then it dawned on Obaigbena that Gbadamosi must have mistaken Komolafe for Kolawole. So he intervened and said “you must be talking about Simon Kolawole”.

The Ikorodu chief then realised his mistake.

Since then, that was sometime in 2004, I have been carefully avoiding Gbadamosi’s vicinity.

I am not afraid of his curses — the Bible says those who bless me are blessed and those who curse me are cursed; that is automatic. But I’ve

Maduekwe been avoiding him because I’m doing everything humanly possible to avoid an elderly slap. I love my cheeks.

Now what did I even write? In truth, I never attacked the respected playwright and accomplished industrialist. It was in the heat of the debate on deregulation. I was making a regular argument then that the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo should build refineries, lease out the management and privatise them later — since the private sector was refusing to build because of the pump price. The part that irked Gbadamosi, I would guess, was my insinuation of a fuel subsidy scam resulting from a collusion between marketers and government agencies — and government officials. I did not mention names or agencies, but PPPRA was a key player in the subsidy chain.

When Maduekwe died on Wednesday, my mind strayed to his response to my criticisms — compared to Gbadamosi’s. It somehow dawned on me that most Nigerians, inside and outside government, are very passionate about the progress of our country. But we often assume we love Nigeria more than the others.

This creates a tension in our conversation, leading to the exchange of uncomplimentary words. Beneath the surface, though, we really want a better Nigeria, only that our views and methods could be very different. Everybody is entitled to freedom of expression and freedom of association without being molested. That’s the law.

Unfortunately, it is increasingly becoming

As we continue to debate the nationhood of Nigeria and the contentious issues that so easily stoke tension in the land, maybe we should step back a bit and take a deep breath before we open our mouths

difficult to have a decent conversation in Nigeria.

An intellectual like Maduekwe would like to listen to you. He loved the contestation of ideas.

Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu has challenged me to a debate on economic policy over breakfast or lunch a couple of times, and I often laugh it off, knowing he would sting like a bee and knock me out before the first round — he has seen it all! He was finance minister while I was still reading OA Lawal. But you could see his genuine desire to engage. The late Dr. Stanley Macebuh, as adviser to Obasanjo, once spent a day with us at THISDAY in 2003 for an intellectual tussle on the performance of his principal.

But a lot of people cannot stand debate.

When you express a contrary opinion, some phantom group would put up multimillion naira advertorials in the newspapers to announce the astonishing discovery of a sinister plot by some disgruntled elements to destroy their paymaster, as if they just uncovered a plot

by ISIS to bomb the White House. You can attribute this to intellectual laziness, if you will, or intolerance of contrary views, or red herring, or hysteria, or overreaction, or whatever. But the audience stands to benefit better when the conversation is civil and the motive is positive.

We may still not agree, but we don’t need to exchange blows.

Alas, the biggest stage for public debate today is the highly unregulated social media. The anarchy, regrettably, is doing a lot of damage to civilisation. It is rapidly lowering the IQ of millions of Nigerians. The quality of some comments I see on Twitter, Facebook and online responses to articles is scary, not just disgusting. There is a race to the bottom. Who can say the silliest things? Who can type the nastiest insults? Who can inspire the vilest hate?

Who can provoke the bloodiest ethno-religious sentiments? I hope these are not the future leaders of Nigeria. They can talk the country into another civil war. It is terrifying.

Anonymity has helped a lot of cowards build sheds on the internet — to promote and provoke hate and mischief. There is a reason I am not active on social media, apart from sharing articles from websites. There is also a reason I hardly read comments on my articles. I do not get edified most times. Anytime I choose to read anything, I seek three virtues: honest presentation of facts, clear articulation of logic and elegant use of language. I don’t always agree with my favourite writers, but I always get something out of their articles. We cannot all be facing the same direction. That is why there is debate. But if debate is not decent, it loses direction. It achieves little or nothing.

As we continue to debate the nationhood of Nigeria and the contentious issues that so easily stoke tension in the land, maybe we should step back a bit and take a deep breath before we open our mouths. I would humbly propose a three-way test (1) Are my facts honest or sexed-up? (2) What sense do I really want to make? (3) Am I seeking to build or destroy with my choice of words? Nearly everyone has missed it at one time or the other, but if we are sincere enough we can always retrace our steps and repent. And remember: even if people disagree with you, you don’t have to curse them. Maduekwe taught me that. Classy.

ABIA DRAMA I’m obviously not a legal expert, but section 141 (Electoral Act 2010 as amended) says: “An election tribunal or court shall not under any circumstance declare any person a winner at an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all the stages of the said election.” Indeed, section 140 (1) says if the court determines that a candidate who was returned as elected was not validly elected on ANY ground, the election should be nullified altogether.

On what legal basis, then, did Justice Okon Abang declare Mr. Uche Ogah winner of the Abia governorship election? Wonders.

MAMBILLA MESS The federal government is finally (hopefully) reviving the Mambilla hydropower project. When completed, the project alone will generate an additional 3050mw.

Mambilla is a sad, sickening reminder of everything that is wrong with Nigeria.

Conceived decades ago, it has been on the drawing board since then. President Obasanjo finally awarded the construction contract in 2007. However, President Yar’Adua, in his policy reversal ideology, cancelled many of his predecessor’s decisions, including the Kano-Lagos rail contract and the sale of two refineries.

Imagine what might have been since 2007! President Jonathan re-awarded the Mambilla project, but contractual disputes stalled it again. Nigeria!

POLICE CLEAR-OUT In other news, 21 AIGs have been retired.

Their offence? They are senior to the new police IG, Ibrahim Idris. We invested heavily in them and can now safely say their experiences have, prematurely, gone to waste. You see, that is how it works in this uniformed business. The moment a junior is promoted above you, your next step is towards the exit door. Painful as it is, that is how hierarchical discipline works in the forces. In any case, anything above the rank of commissioner of police is political appointment. Let’s just hope Idris is worth this mass sacrifice, if not we would have wasted the careers of 21 officers for nothing. Risky.

REFERENDUM ERRATUM I wrote last week that “there is no portion of the Nigerian laws that allows for a referendum, much less to determine the balkanisation of the country”. That is what happens when you are overdosed on rice, beans and fish stew. And a glorious glass of chilled orange juice. In fact, referendum is constitutionally required in constituencies seeking a new state or council, and where they want to recall a lawmaker.

What I actually meant to write was “there is no portion of the Nigerian laws that allows for a NATIONWIDE referendum, much less to determine the balkanisation of the country”. Clarification.

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