Sunday 10th July 2016

PDP Warring Factions Set for Peace, Ekweremadu, Ojougboh Lead Talks Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja There was a ray of hope at the weekend that the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may come to an end soon, as the fueding parties move to have a reconciliatory meeting.

Ahead of the meeting billed

to hold early this week, the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction has mandated one of its key members and former national vice chairman (SouthSouth), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, to lead the peace talks with Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee on its behalf. The Senator

Makarfi Caretaker Committee had earlier set up a peace panel headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu.

Peace eluded the main opposition party since it appointed Sheriff to replace Alhaji Adamu Muazu who resigned his position as national

chairman following the party's defeat at the 2015 presidential poll. The leadership tussle within the party got even worse following the decision by stakeholders to sack the entire National Working Committee of the party, including Sheriff, at its last national convention in Port Harcourt.

Sheriff, the former national secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, and the national auditor, Adewole Adeyanju, rejected their sack and continued to pursue the matter in court, resulting in various court orders that ignited controversy over who is legally in charge of the affairs of the party.

But after six weeks of intense political battle for the soul of PDP, Sheriff and his loyalists appeared set for discussions with the mainstream leadership of the party in a bid to end the crisis.

Ojougboh confirmed to THISContinued on page 8

Nigeria Loses 10,000 b/d to Weekend Attack on Agip Oil Pipeline ...Page 11

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Tributes as First Republic Minister, Ali Monguno, is Laid to Rest Tobi Soniyi in Abuja, Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri, Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Tributes poured in at the weekend for the former Minister of Petroleum and elder statesman, Shettima Ali Monguno, who died Friday night and was laid to rest yesterday.

Monguno died at the age of 90 in Maiduguri, his hometown, in Borno State.

The prayer for the repose of his soul was held at the Shehu of Borno Palace and was led by the Chief Imam of Borno, Imam Laisu Ibrahim Ahmed.

In attendance at the burial were Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, Shehu of Borno and other traditional

rulers from within and outside the state, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, and other prominent citizens.

Also, a federal government delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), graced the occasion.

Members of the delegation included the Minister of Edu-

cation, Malam Adamu Adamu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Leading a host of politicians and public office holders to pay tribute to the First Republic minister was President Muhammadu Buhari.

The others, who gave their

heartfelt eulogy, included the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar and Governor Shettima.

Buhari described the late Monguno as "one of the finest statesmen and political actors Nigeria ever had and

who would always remain fountains of inspiration in life and death."

In a condolence statement issued on his behalf by the federal government delegation led by the NSA, Buhari said the late elder statesman from Borno State ranked among the most respected public figures in Nigeria Continued on page 8

Militants Take Over Two LGAs in Cross River Chairmen, councillors now operate from Calabar

Governor appeals for extension of ‘Operation Delta Safe’ to state

Bassey Inyang in Calabar and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja Armed militias have taken control of two local government areas in Cross River State and displaced virtually every civil authority in the area, THISDAY has learnt.

The militia, generally believed to be members of Bakassi Strike Force, had been operating in the area for some time. But they recently seized control of Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas, displacing both civil and traditional authorities in the councils.

It was reliably gathered that the elected chairmen of the two local governments had fled the area for several month now, while the councillors hold their legislative sittings in Calabar. The secretariats of both local councils have also been deserted by civil servants for fear of being kidnapped or attacked by the militants.

Continued on page 8

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

IN HONOUR OF SHINKAFI

L-R: Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari; Chairman, THISDAY Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during a condolence visit to Sokoto on the death of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi ...yesterday

CHRIS KWAKPOVWE

HIS JOURNEY AS AS A CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER

10.07.2016

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SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT MILITANTS TAKE OVER TWO LGAS IN CROSS RIVER To try to stem the slide into anarchy, the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the activities of “Operation Delta Safe”, a security taskforce protecting oil installations in the Niger Delta, to Cross River State. Ayade said his state should not to be isolated in the battle to keep the Niger Delta safe. He also promised to increase the firepower of the state’s security taskforce, “Operation Skolombo.”

Militancy has gripped Cross River State for the past few months. And militants are being blamed for an increasing wave of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities, especially, in Calabar, the state capital.

But Bakassi and Akpabuyo local government areas, which share maritime boundary with Cameroon, recently became a lawless, anarchic zone in which militants rule. It was discovered that the militants collected rents and levies from people doing business in the council areas, which they termed “protection money”, a situation that has made many people to flee.

The militants are said to have also rendered the state judicial organs and the traditional institutions in Akpabuyo and Bakassi local governments impotent, as the militias now handle matters that should otherwise be handled by the conventional courts, village heads, clan chiefs, and paramount rulers.

A source conversant with the situation, but pleaded not to be named, said, “There is total anarchy there now, and people are actually running to Cameroon now for help. First of all, the lo-

cal government chairmen in both places don’t go to office, and they have not gone to office over the past one and a half years. They have written, complained, begged, and appealed, to no avail.

“The legislatures in those places don’t meet at the local government headquarters.

They hold their meetings in Calabar so as to fulfil the statutory requirements that they hold a certain number of meetings in a session.

“So, effectively, there is no governance in those areas.”

The source said the locals had made a failed bid to contain the armed men.

“The traditional institutions have tried to fight, but they can no longer sustain the fight. They don’t have guns, they don't have money,” the source stated.

“What we have now is that militants have set up a parallel government. They are the ones that resolve land disputes, they are the ones that resolve family disputes, and if husband and wife quarrel they go to militants.

Of course, their methods are crude but effective.

“They rely on jungle justice, they cane people.

Culprits pay fines of goats, drinks, and money.”

Though, as gathered, there are police posts and soldiers stationed in the areas, the security agents appear to be overwhelmed by the militants.

When contacted, the chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Mr. Patrick Ene Okon, refused to speak on the issue. But the chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Mrs. Edisua Usang Iso, admitted that militants were operating in her council area. She, however, denied that the activities of the militants were

affecting the administration of the council. Iso said, though, the council had lost substantial revenue to their activities, the federal government should grant amnesty to them and incorporate them into the federal government’s amnesty programme for Niger Delta militants.

The Bakassi local government chairman, who spoke with THISDAY in Calabar, denied abdicating her duties and deserting the council secretariat, saying she goes to Bakassi whenever it is necessary.

However, confirming the occupation of the Bakassi area on Friday, when he addressed the press on the security situation in the state, Ayade vowed that the militants will be dislodged from the area.

The governor said, “The three kingpins, we have identified their homes, we have the coordinates of their armoury, we have a clear picture of their modus operandi and we are working on a massive attack. I speak as the United States would do. They let you know that they are coming for you and they will come after you.

“We are coming after them. We know all the militants who are now parading and taking full occupation of Bakassi. We would free the people of Bakassi. The people of Bakassi have seen enough pain. Lands taken, oil wells taken, reduced to want in spirit, body and economy, we cannot afford also to create a perilous nightmare for the same people.”

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the Peace Park, Calabar, shortly after a fivehour security council meeting, the governor, accompanied by service commanders

in the state, as well as his security adviser, unveiled a new security agenda aimed at containing the emerging threat in the state. He added, “Cross River is known as the home state of tourism, Calabar is known as the destination for African hospitality.

Anything that will impinge on the integrity, knowledge, wealth and values of the state must be resisted by Cross Riverians and Nigerians.”

He explained that as part of the new strategy, his administration had decided to increase the budgetary provision for security, saying, “We will provide additional 30 vehicles to cover Calabar city centre, increase the firepower of ‘Operation Skolombo,’ expand our security network and introduce Cross River State Homeland Security Service that will provide intelligence report to Operation Skolombo and other security agencies in the state.”

Ayade disclosed that a total of 47 criminals had been arrested in the wake of the recent security threats in the state capital, saying, “None of those arrested are Cross Riverians and that clearly underscores the fact that the culture, integrity, character and honour of the people of the state have not changed.”

On cultism, which the governor said was beginning to resurface, he warned, “We, as an administration, are going to take deliberate steps to ensure that any person who is in any cult and is in government is thrown out.”

Piqued by intractable communal clashes in the state, which have resulted in the wanton destruction of lives and property, Ayade ordered the immediate withdrawal

of the certificates of recognition of traditional rulers in the affected communities.

He hinted that the state would be divided into 18 cells for purposes of security, saying, “Nine entry and nine exit points have also been identified.”

However, the Defence Headquarters at the weekend denied the takeover of any local government area in Cross River State by militants. The Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in response to THISDAY enquiry yesterday, said such development was not true. He vowed that the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, will crush any attempt to temper with the territorial integrity of the country.

Abubakar said, “The information about parallel government is a rumour and a dream of those unpatriotic elements and is not true. The military and other security agencies will not leave any stone unturned in exploiting any necessary measure in ensuring the indivisibility of our nation.”

He assured members of the public of the commitment of the Nigerian armed forces to the safeguarding of "the territorial integrity of Nigeria, no matter what it takes us to achieve in a more professional manner.

“Our military activities will go on in all crisis identified locations and areas in line with our constitutional mandate and our rules of engagement.”

In a related development, Ayade and the service commanders in the state at the weekend embarked on “operation show of force” through major roads and streets of Calabar.

Briefing newsmen shortly

after the exercise, Ayade explained that it was a deliberate measure to let the miscreants know that his team was in control of the security situation.

He said, “We are out here as a show of force to demonstrate that we are in absolute control and we are going to keep Calabar totally safe. We have done a complete surveillance of all the possible routes, all the water areas through which these criminals escape.

“We know who they are, the security and intelligence report has shown clearly the people who are behind all these activities and I can assure the people of Cross River State that Calabar is, indeed, peaceful and they should go about their legitimate businesses peacefully.”

On measures to sustain the exercise, the governor explained, “As a fallout of our security meeting yesterday (Friday) and today, we will make adequate budgetary provision, reduce some of our spending while transferring some of the overheads to guarantee sufficient ammunition as well as other security and logistics support.”

Commenting, the Cross River Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, assured that his men will continue to protect lives and property in the state. “Those who have legal businesses should go about them peacefully, but those who have illegal businesses should run away,” Ozi-Obeh warned.

The state security adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji, expressed the state government's readiness to tackle the security menace, assuring, "In a couple of days, the security challenge being experienced in the state will be a thing of the past.”

Garbai al-Amin al-Kanemi, both of whom described the presidential gesture as a consolation and a source of inspiration. The bereaved family expressed their appreciation for the presidential delegation.

Also, Saraki, who said he was saddened by the death of Monguno, one of the last set of the nation's founding

fathers and elder statesman, described him as a detribalised Nigerian and worthy ambassador.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, noted that the late former minister of Mines and Petroleum in the First Republic would be sorely missed in view of his giant political strides and contributions to the building of the Nigerian nation, starting from his birth place, Monguno, in Borno State to every nook and cranny of the country.

He described Monguno's death as painful, especially coming at a time when the federal government had successfully turned the tide against insurgents in the North-east, recalling that the late politician was a victim of the insurgency when he was abducted by gunmen at a mosque before he was later rescued.

He commiserated with the Monguno family, Governor Shettima, the entire people of Borno State as well as all associates of the late statesman across the country over the unfortunate incident.

According to him, "Elder Monguno was a special breed who contributed immensely to the attainment of the nation's Independence in 1960, became a parliamentarian in the First Republic and thereafter a federal minister.

His disposition towards effective nation building remains unparalleled. He lived for the welfare and security of the common man. His passion about a better and safer society was exceptional. His

steadfastness, commitment to the cause of one Nigeria and optimistic spirit towards national development will continue to inspire us both now and in the future.

"In his quest to mould the country in line with his lofty vision, late Monguno aspired to be President of Nigeria.

Not minding that he did not realise his dream to become President, he continued to play exemplary leadership role as a philanthropist with special bias and support for the education of underprivileged children, especially the girl child.

"No doubt, late Monguno's versatility and experience would have been of immense value to the present resettlement and rehabilitation efforts in his home state of Borno, the entire North-east, as well as tackling the socio-economic challenges confronting the country at this time."

He urged the family of the deceased, the government and people of Borno State, "to be comforted by the fact that Monguno served Allah and mankind diligently" and worked hard to make his country great. He added that the deceased left a worthy legacy of selfless service and a good name.

Saraki prayed, "Almighty Allah should grant the late leader a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus," adding: "May Allah also grant members of his immediate family, the people and government of Borno State, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss."

TRIBUTES AS FIRST REPUBLIC MINISTER, ALI MONGUNO, IS LAID TO REST while in office and while in private retirement life.

The president recalled that in the course of his public service as a parliamentarian and Federal Minister of Air Force and Internal Affairs during the First Republic, the late Monguno "had left behind a legacy of untainted and unblemished career", which should be emulated by Nige-

rian leaders at all levels.

He said: "A man's greatest pride is to leave behind a good name and that the late Monguno had achieved that desire."

Buhari, who said it would take volumes to narrate Monguno's sterling virtues, extended his condolences to the family, the government and the people of Borno State

over the passing of the elder statesman.

The president prayed the Almighty God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.

The federal government delegation was received at the funeral by the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar ibn

PDP WARRING FACTIONS SET FOR PEACE AS EKWEREMADU, OJOUGBO LEAD TALKS DAY on phone on Saturday that there were ongoing efforts on both sides to reconcile their differences.

"I have been delegated to coordinate peace talks on behalf of the Sheriff-led faction to see possible avenues for reconciliation. But I think that there are some fifth columnists on this issue who do not want peaceful reconciliation, even some of them in the parties outside of the PDP do not want to see an end to the dispute.

However, we are working towards reconciliation and will one day surprise everybody," he said.

Ojuogboh had earlier said that what piqued Sheriff was the way and manner he was eased out of office and as a condition for peace, he (Sheriff) insisted he should be allowed to superintend over fresh national convention where a new national chairman would be elected.

Commenting on the search for peace in the party, Secretary of the Markarfi caretaker committee, Senator Ben Obi, said the party acted immediately after the peace meeting bro-

kered by the former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, and mandated the Ekweremadu-led committee to mediate in the conflict.

Senator Obi in a telephone interview with THISDAY on Saturday explained that the peace committee had its members drawn from the Board of Trustees, PDP governors and the National Assembly.

Senator Obi said that Sheriff and his group had rebuffed initial efforts to make peace by not accepting to holding a meeting with the peace committee but instead elected to pursue legal option.

"Sheriff had refused to submit to dialogue and had been avoiding the peace committee. If they are now available, then they can meet with the committee headed by Senator Ekweremadu," he said.

On the demand made by Sheriff that he should be allowed to organise fresh convention, Obi said that such a situation does not arise since there had been a validly-held national convention at which he was removed and the caretaker committee appointed.

Similarly, a source close to Senator Ekweremadu said there had always been consultations by the stakeholders on how to resolve the dispute but what he could not say was whether the deputy senate president had held any formal meeting with Sheriff on the matter.

"There has been consultations between the parties in the dispute to see if there could be peaceful resolution of the matter, the only thing is that I cannot confirm if there has been any formal meeting between the Deputy Senate President and Sheriff," he said.

“I know the deputy senate president has been in touch with all the contending interests and they too have been in constant touch with him. The important thing is that everybody appears willing and indeed ready to close ranks to move the party forward,” the source added.

Before now, the crisis in the PDP seemed to have defied solution and the party was heading for the rocks with the power tussle threatening to undermine the chances of the party to field gubernato-

rial candidates at both the upcoming Edo and Ondo states' governorship elections.

Sheriff had suffered series of set-backs in his attempt to hang on to office. For instance, Justice Husseini Baba of the FCT High Court had dismissed a suit he filed seeking to affirm him as the National Chairman of the PDP. The judge while striking out the case described Sheriff as busy body after majority of the former NWC members that Sheriff joined as Plaintiffs denied in court that they were part of the suit.

Another Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja presided over

by Justice Valentine Ashi also delivered a judgment sacking all national officers of the party including Sheriff who assumed office on the basis of an illegal amendment of Article 46(7) of the party’s Constitution. The latest set-back suffered by Sheriff came last Friday when the same FCT Federal High Court in Apo, struck out his motion seeking to set aside the earlier ruling sacking him as the national chairman of the PDP.

SEE THE CONCLUDING PART ON www.thisdayive.com

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 10, 2016

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JULY 10, 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

THE RETIREMENT OF 21 AIGS

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The sacking of the senior police officers raises plenty of questions

he controversy generated by the sudden retirement, last week, of 21 Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIG) will not go away quickly. According to a statement from the Police Service Commission, the retirement of the officers stemmed from the fact that they were senior to the new acting Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, before his appointment. While this would not be the first time such mass retrenchment was done after the appointment of a junior police officer to the highest rank, we do not think this particular decision or the way it was handled serves the interest of the institution or that of the general public.

Whichever way Indeed, there are one looks at it, this several questions particular police flowing from the retirement was current exercise. Is it untidy. And so not double jeopardy to these police offiwere some of the retire cers simply on account promotions. The that their junior had canvassed criteria been elevated above were a mixture them? Given how much of political has been invested in convenience and the training of these over the years, poor attention to officers how does one explain service record this cynical waste of experienced hands?

Will it encourage other officers to give their best knowing that such efforts would not be enough to sustain them in service? And what is the fairness in truncating the careers of officers without blemish just because a junior officer is given a political appointment? If the reward system is so warped that professionals, including those who put in their best, can lose their means of livelihood anytime, how does that encourage excellence?

More disturbing about the exercise is that charges of favouritism and arbitrariness that could undermine the effectiveness of the police are now coming to light. For instance, despite retiring 21 AIGs on grounds that they

Letters to the Editor

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were senior to the current acting IGP, there is a particular case of an officer who is actually senior to Idris but has been retained while another AIG junior to him was retired. There is also a case of an officer promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) on the basis of representing the geopolitical zone of the country he hails from even when there is an officer senior to him from the same zone.

One of the newly promoted officers has also been publicly indicted over a matter that is now subject of litigation.

I 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

n all, the exercise has raised more questions than answers. Besides, the now regular sacking or retirements of able personnel, who have been extensively trained with public funds, merely because of a need to bring some lower cadre individuals to positions of IGP, continues to rob the nation many of its best, whilst showing us up as a people infatuated with primordial sectionalism and petty sectarian proclivities.

Yet in a milieu where public officials are not sure of a future based on service excellence, it is easy to understand the culture of “get what you can, while you can” and “no be my papa work” which today pervade the entire system. In the main, what this instant termination of appointments in our public service does to the psyche of the nation is that it increases the propensity for self-enrichment and other vices.

Whichever way one looks at it, this particular police retirement was untidy. And so were some of the promotions. The canvassed criteria were a mixture of political convenience and poor attention to service record. Even at that, the excuse that the 21 AIGs were retired for no other crime than being senior to the new IG testifies to an embarrassing procedural laziness that should have no place in a modern society. While an officer like Joseph Mbu who compromised the force and was reckless in the discharge of his duties merited the treatment, majority of others have been sacrificed on the altar of political convenience.

That is not how to build a serious institution.

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.

NIGERIA: A FANTASTICALLY DIVIDED COUNTRY

was one of the fans of the All Progressives Congress choir that gladly sang the “sai Buhari” anthem that promoted the candidature of the former dictator as a born-again democrat during the last presidential election. We sold Buhari to Nigerians as a political messiah that had come to turn things around.

Ikon Allah, as the episcopal anthem of the Catholic Bishop of Lafia reads, Buhari won the fiercely contested election, ending one of the worst kleptomaniac regimes since the return of democracy in 1999.

However, it seemed Buhari won the war but is fast losing the battle because some sections of the country have vowed to toe the line of the proverbial mischievous fellow who sold his goat but refused to let go the rope. And, once again, the old line of the late sage Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo ‘Nigeria is a mere geographical expression’ have become as clear as the tropical

sunshine.

Thanks to David Cameron, Nigerians are “fantastically corrupt”.

It’s no news because we knew this right from our mothers’ wombs. Our own late Chinua Achebe, passed the same verdict decades ago: to keep an average Nigerian from corruption is like keeping a goat from eating yam.

Be it yam as Achebe saw it, kola as Oluogoke captured it in his celebral play “The Incorruptible Judge”, or 10 per cent according to the gospel of Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, corruption is part and parcel of the Nigerian society. The pillar of every fundamental column of our nation is submerged in corruption and not even the bashing of Monseiur Cameron will redeem the situation. My case with the man is that he forgot to reveal a notorious fact about Nigeria. It is also a fantastically divided country.

If one is opportune to step out of the shore of this nation, it is only then that he or she will realise that patriotism

tastes better than burukutu and fura de nunu. ‘Je suis Gabonais’they will gladly tell whoever that cares to listen, but the moment you step into our geopoliticalspace the story changes. You need not take two steps before the rotten signs of primitive division hit you mindlessly on the face. And, I think I have enough reasons to doubt ‘if there was country’ judging from the degree of hatred, intolerance and bad blood that is flying around in the political arena and the social media like a midnight ‘amunzu’.

It is a pity that instead of forging a common front to build a peaceful and prosperous nation, we have allowed tribalism, nepotism and religious bigotry to constitute a cog in the wheel of building our God-given nation to an enviable height as we read every actions and inactions of government with myopic and primitive lenses. Since the sheriff of ‘changi’ won the presidential election, the cracks on the wall seemed to have widened to frightening

dimensions. The toxic of election and electioneering campaigns championed by the rudderless political class have poisoned the minds of Nigerians and the narrative is now: PDP Vs APC, Christian Vs Muslim, North Vs South and nobody seems to be thinking or reacting as a Nigerian.

I am a Catholic from Nsukka and supported a presidential candidate from Daura in Katsina State not because he is a Fulani, Muslim or the standard bearer of the APC. No, I saw him as a better candidate than GEJ who was a Christian and from the south. You may not like my choice but that is life. We all must not be in the same boat.

The fact that I was pro-Buhari during the election have not closed my eyes to some weak points of the APC- led government because in the first place, my driving force for choosing Buhari was not based on primitive sentiments like tribe, ethnicity, religion or region.

I have had my reservations about the

leadership style of Buhari whom I see as a very sectional leader and as an active citizen, I have openly expressed my opinion in various forum of public discourse with decorum.

Truth be told, it is a pity that most of us lack humanity in us and out of unfounded and generational hatred, tribalism and religious bigotry we will never see anything good in Buhari even if he hands over the vault of central bank to us. We must learn to accept the norms and tenets of democracy no matter how bitter it may be as a major ingredient for building a nation.

We went into an election, the minority spoke and the majority carried the day.

The spirit of democracy and sportsmanship demands that after election partisan politics and all the dirty things that came with it be allowed to die because nation building is a collective responsibility.

Martin-Hassan Eze, Kontangora, Niger 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 10, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

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

NGE Frets over State of Economy, Urges Revitalisation, Dialogue • Egbemode now acting president Abimbola Akosile

CLOSING BELL L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market & Institutions, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf; Chief Executive, the Nigerian Stock Exchange,

Mr. Oscar Onyema; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and President, NSE, Mr. Aigboje Aig Imokhuede, as the Speaker rings the closing gong on the floor of the NSE in Lagos...recently

Nigeria Loses 10,000 b/d to Weekend Attack on Agip Oil Pipeline Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Hopes for a quick rebound of Nigeria’s crude oil production to pre-January 2016 levels of 2.2 million barrels per day, suffered another setback at the weekend following the attack on the pipeline operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), and resulting in the loss of 10,000 barrels per day (b/d).

THISDAY checks late yesterday evening in Abuja revealed that the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on Friday claimed they blew up the Nembe 1, 2, and 3 trunk lines which link the Brass and Bonny terminals in Bayelsa State in the early hours of the morning.

Agip sources however told the paper that the attack led to the shut-in of about 10,000b/d with Agip suffering production loss of 4,000b/d equity.

The development follows disclosure on Friday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu that there were possible cracks

in the federal government’s reported dialogue with militants in the Delta, hence, the resumption of hostilities.

Kachikwu who hopes the country will claw back its lost production volumes within July, disclosed that up to 1.9 million barrels were still being produced by Nigeria.

He also explained when he handed over management duties at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to its new Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru that he was going to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to fix the alleged crack and breakdown in the dialogue.

“We are working on it (dialogue with militants) and I need to meet with Mr. President for I just returned and obviously there’s a lot more engagement that is required.

There are gaps that seem to have developed and I need to understand what issues warranted that. But we will work towards closing those gaps,” he had said.

Also in a related development, Baru who took over from Kachikwu has said he would adopt to achieve a 12-point agenda at the NNPC, which will include the creation of an all-inclusive internal advisory council on security.

Baru said in a statement from the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of NNPC, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad that the security council will comprise of representatives from the corporation; International Oil Companies (IOCs); oil workers unions and security operatives in the country and will brainstorm and address host community agitations in oil producing areas.

He said the council would complement existing efforts of the government’s security team.

According to Baru, the NNPC under his watch will equally undertake new business models in its operations; grant autonomy to its strategic business units (SBUs) and autonomous business units

(ABU) as well as provide relevant directions and control that would ensure their growth and profitability.

He noted that he would, while exploring ways of relieving the government from the burden of cash calls obligation, address and defray the agreed cash call arrears of IOCs and restore oil and gas production.

Other areas he disclosed that will take his attention include, increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production through the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC); review of all weak contractual agreements and terminate bad ones as appropriate; as well as repair and restoration of oil and gas pipeline infrastructure in the country.

Baru said he will also set up a robust security system to detect and deter vandalism of oil assets in conjunction with existing security arrangement.

He said the NNPC under him will equally upgrade its commitment to renewable energy and frontier exploration services.

Troops Repel Fresh Boko Haram Attack in Borno State, Kill 16 Insurgents • Suicide bomber kills self, 2 personnel Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian troops at the weekend repelled remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who in their numbers attacked their (troops’) location at Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said the terrorists came with Motorcycles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (MCBIED), anti-aircraft guns, and other weapons.

Usman disclosed that the terrorists attacked at about 5.00pm on Friday and the

exchange of fire lasted for some hours before they were overwhelmed by the troops’ firepower.

He said one of the terrorists’ suicide bombers detonated the explosives strapped on him at a gun truck, killing the driver and the gunner.

He said the truck and the mounted weapon were also damaged beyond repairs.

In addition, he said two soldiers were wounded in action while three others sustained minor injuries.

Usman further stated: “The troops killed seven of the attackers instantly while quite a number escaped with gunshot wounds. During

clearance operations this morning (yesterday), the troops discovered 9 more Boko Haram terrorists dead bodies in the surrounding areas. Therefore the total number of terrorists killed was 16.”

He said the troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine-gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade, ammunitions, and captured two of the terrorists alive.

The Army Spokesman noted that the “bodies of the two fallen heroes and the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to Maiduguri, while reinforcement was sent from Gomboru Ngala.”

In a related development,

he said the troops have also discovered and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along Gomboru-Rann road.

The DAPR stressed that the IEDs might have been planted on Friday to prevent troops’ reinforcement to Rann while the attack lasted.

Usman said the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion has visited the troops and held durbar with them. “He commended them for their doggedness during attack and also urged them not to lower their guards,” he stated.

Despite the incident, he assured that the troops’ morale remains high and they have continued with their clearance operations.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has noted with concern that the economy is largely in a bad shape showing signs of recession, as statistics of unemployment are worsening while the future looks bleak.

The body therefore urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to revitalise the economy in the area of job and wealth creation in order to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

The calls were contained in a communique issued at the 2016 2nd quarterly standing committee meeting of the Guild held on Friday in Abuja. It was jointly signed by the Acting President, Funke Egbemode and the General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga.

The Guild condemned in strong terms the vandalism of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region and called for dialogue by creating avenues to engage the various agitators in order to address their concerns. In the same vein it also urged the agitators to embrace dialogue.

The Guild also noted with

concern the increasing spate of kidnapping across the country and called on the new InspectorGeneral of Police to come up with more proactive measures to curb the menace.

It, however, commended the gallantry of the Nigerian military in its fight against terrorism in the north east and the recovery of territories from the insurgents and urged government to pursue the anti-terrorism fight with more vigour until peace is fully restored to the troubled area.

The Guild expressed concern over the pathetic living condition of IDPs and called on government, corporate organisations, individuals and international agencies to come to their aid.

The Standing Committee elected the Managing Director/Editor in Chief, Telegraph Newspaper, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, as its Acting President after Garba Deen Muhammad voluntarily relinquished his position following his appointment as the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC.

Stop Giving Bailout Funds to States, Korodo Urges FG The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) yesterday advised the Federal Government against the issuance of bailout funds to state governments for the payment of workers’ salaries.

The union’s South-West Chairman, Mr. Tokunbo Korodo, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the disbursement of bailout funds to the states was necessitated by the prevailing economic challenges which resulted in the non-payment of workers’ salaries by many states across the federation.

The agency further reports that in 2015, the state governments received N713.7 billion as bailout funds from the federal government, to defray the backlog of salaries.

Korodo urged the state governments with huge salary arrears to look inwards and find new ways to generate revenue,

without waiting for monthly allocations from the federation account.

He expressed regret that most state governments in the country had too many aides that were a big drain on their resources and advised them to downsize, to save costs.

“Most of the Governors have about 20 Commissioners and over 42 Special Advisers, besides another large number of associates from which they have appointed the heads of various boards and agencies in the state. Governors from the 27 state governments that cannot pay the monthly salaries of their workers should look inwards to find new ways of making money to settle their wage bills”, he added.

Korodo suggested the revitalisation of agriculture as a credible alternative to the current over-dependence of such states on revenues from the federation account. He also advised such governors to block all existing leakages in revenue generation in their states.

Ambode Meets One-day Governor, Winner of Spelling Bee Competition Winner of the 2016 Spelling Bee Competition, Master Olaseinde Olufemi Joshua has narrated how his father, Mr. Olaseinde missed the meeting with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and members of the State Executive Council. Joshua, a student of Shasha Community Senior High School in Alimosho area of Lagos, who spoke at the Lagos House in Ikeja while being hosted as the 16th One-day Governor of the State, said his father would have loved to be present at the event but was unable to attend due to some health challenges.

Besides, Joshua described Governor Ambode as the most labourfriendly Governor in Nigeria.

He said despite the dwindling allocation from the Federal Government, the Governor has remained committed to the prompt payment of workers salary. Responding, Ambode ordered that Joshua’s father be treated at the medical facilities of the State Government. Besides, Joshua was given a laptop, printer and generating set courtesy of the Governor’s Office while other winners of the competition were given tab each.

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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 10, 2016

IN HONOUR OF UMARU SHINKAFI

L-R: Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, with former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), when the latter paid a condolence visit to Sokoto

L-R: Galadiman Kartsina, Justice Mamman Nasir with Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari

L-R: THISDAYChairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, with former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahmud Shinkafi

L-R: Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, with his Kebbi State counterpart, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

Former Defence Minister, Gen Aliyu Muhammad Gusau, and a guest

Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari (extreme right), being received by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and other dignitaries at the airport on her arrival in Sokoto

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 10, 2016

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JULY 10, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Enhancing Africa’s Capacity Building

Though efforts aimed at bridging the manpower gap are growing, there’s still much to do, writes Paul Okolo

A

mong the numerous reasons why Africa remains underdeveloped and burdened with poverty and diseases is the shortage of skilled manpower. By contrast, Asian countries such as China, India, Singapore and Malaysia that were at par with Africa in the 1960s have either since joined the club of developed nations or are nearly there. The continent’s manpower deficit has continued to blight efforts to move it in the right direction away from the era of doom and gloom.

The following research findings will enable us to properly situate Africa vis-a-vis other regions. While Africa has two per cent of doctors worldwide, it bears 24 per cent of the global burden of diseases. Yet more than 10,000 medical graduates born or trained in Africa migrated to the United States as recently as 2011 to practice there. Similarly, there are 35 engineers per million people in Africa compared to 168 per million in Brazil, 2,457 for the European Union and 4,103 for the US. Also, African universities still turn out mostly arts and social science graduates just as during the colonial period. Only 28 per cent of African students are enrolled in the fields of science and technology; it’s clear that most of them are studying for degrees in the humanities and social sciences.

“Skills shortage in terms of numbers and quality on the African continent has reached an alarming point, posing a major concern,” said Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation. This threatens to undermine ambitious plans by the African Union and the United Nations to transform the continent into a land of prosperity in under 50 years from now. To address the deficit, African governments and development partners such as the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme came together in February 1991 to found the ACBF. From its base in Harare, the Foundation has since invested in more than 321 capacity development projects across the continent, produced 73 knowledge products advocating emerging development issues, and committed more than $700 million to capacity development to date.

One of its key areas of intervention is the establishment and funding of think-tanks across the continent. These institutions are immensely useful in conducting independent researches that are relevant to the development aspirations of the countries where they are based. And as a testimony to the quality of assistance they’ve been receiving, 23 think-tanks supported by the Foundation were ranked among the top 65 in sub-Saharan Africa in 2014 by a global think tank index published in January last year.

Another area of intervention by the Foundation is in education and training. Here in Nigeria, for example, it’s been supporting the Centre for Management Development whose main objective is the development of managerial manpower in the country. It has also been making substantial contribution to the West African Institute of Financial and Economic Management which trains the staff of central banks, ministries of finance and economic planning, as well as other public and private sector institutions in macroeconomics, debt and financial sector management. WAIFEM as it’s widely called is a regional centre admitting people from neighbouring West African states. Similarly, ACBF has been helping to nurture Nigeria’s young democracy through its engagement with the National Institute for Legislative Studies in Abuja. The institute ensures that the legislature is well equipped for its role of

Unless we Africans rise up to develop our countries, we’ll continue to depend on foreign experts whose interests may be at variance with Africa’s priorities

making laws and having oversight over the executive arm of government. NILS avails neighbouring West African countries of its training programmes, thereby contributing positively to the democratic development of the region.

Yet another project in Nigeria with the ACBF imprint is the African University of Science and Technology in Abuja. Part of the Nelson Mandela Research Institutes, it is a pan-African centre of excellence established to improve sub-Sahara Africa’s capacity deficit in science and technology. The institution undertakes only graduate studies in science and technology and has its students coming from Nigeria and other African countries. The ACBF gives grants to encourage female students to ensure they complete their studies successfully.

While it can be said that efforts aimed at bridging the manpower gap are going on apace, experts say there’s still much work to do. At a forum in Harare to mark ACBF’s 25th anniversary recently, UNDP’s African Regional Director Abdoulaye Mar Dieye outlined tasks begging to be accomplished. He said there’s need to broaden Africa’s competencies in the areas of budgeting, taking care of the poor and the vulnerable, provision of education, employment for the youth, sustainable agricultural development, clean energy and conflict resolution.

In his opinion, African governments equally require assistance to broaden their tax base, stop illicit financial flows from Africa and facilitate domestic resource mobilisation.

Having identified science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and vocational skills as the continent’s greatest capacity challenge now, the Foundation will be “investing massively” in its forthcoming five-year planning cycle starting from next year, Prof. Nnadozie said. Wise counsel would be for the Foundation to also take measures to discourage African experts now resident on the continent from moving abroad and to entice those in the diaspora to return home. Unless Africans rise up to develop our countries, we’ll continue to depend on foreign experts whose interests may be at variance with Africa’s priorities. After all, it’s the one wearing the shoe who knows where it pinches.

Okolo wrote from Abuja

The Monkey Highway

S

Patrick Dele Cole once again questions the benefits of the Calabar-Obudu six-lane highway

everal weeks ago at the Freedom Park, there was a documentary film shot by Michael Richards on the Drill Monkeys of the Cross River State of Nigeria, in one of the last tropical mountain forest anywhere in the world. It is also where the Drill Monkeys dwell. It is their natural habitat.

Two US citizens had spent the last 20 years building a sanctuary for those monkeys which had been threatened with extinction as man destroys the last original tropical rain forest in the Cameroon Mountains where the monkeys lived. A few weeks earlier CNN had shown a longer film on the same story – basically how necessary it was to keep this environment, especially as forest logging was reducing their chances of survival. Who was doing the logging and why?

Cross River had been fortunate to have two careful governors in Donald Duke and Lyel Imoke. They have tried, with limited resources to bring progress and happiness to his inhabitants. Calabar has enjoyed the reputation of the best organised capital city in Nigeria. It was neat, clean, tarred. The people of Cross River State are infectiously happy, welcoming; the beauty of their ladies and the Cross River cuisine remain legendary.

Donald Duke reinvested the concept of environment tourism: rebuilt the Obudu Ranch Reserve and built a Sky live trolley to go up to the ranch and rehabilitated the airport in Obudu. He was able to redecorate and make beautiful and functional the old dilapidated Calabar Airport.

Within a short time Calabar had required the reputation of a place to go for tourists both within and without Nigeria. International artists graced the justly famous Christmas festivities. In addition a first class modern export free zone TINAPA was built in Calabar. These achievements were as a result of clear planning and forward thinking, based on the belief that the rest of Nigeria would continue a similar growth programme and planning. Tourism on the level conceived by Duke and Imoke cannot be consigned to only one state. Moreover, Cross River had revenues from Bakassi estuary and other oil fields then known to be located in Cross Rivers. But then suddenly the state felt a double whammy, a double jeopardy.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague handed over Bakassi and the environs, hitherto administered by Nigeria, to Cameroon – arguably the most unjust verdict. Moreover, the one clear characteristic of the ICT’s decisions in The Hague was the regularity with which its decisions were ignored. Nothing forced Nigeria to abide by that unjust decision and there was nothing anyone could have done about it, had Nigeria ignored the decision.

While Cross River was reeling from loss of revenue from Bakassi, several oil wells that used to belong to the state were handed over to Akwa Abom by a boundary adjustment commission whose bona fides are, at best, questionable: its decisions were unjust in denuding Cross River of substantial funds which were passed unto Akwa Ibom which was already much too wealthy from its own oil wells.

Nevertheless, Donald Duke and Lyel Imoke, his successor, soldiered on.

All who ventured into Calabar were impressed by its security, tranquility, a quality of life unknown anywhere else in Nigeria. At Christmas all enjoyed the conviviality of the festive season, reminiscent of the carnival atmosphere of St Louis in Louisiana, USA, and Rio, Brazil. All that seemed to have disappeared with the exit of Lyel Imoke and the arrival of the new Governor, Senator Ben Ayade.

In addition to this, the state was part of a massive National Park which contained wilds that were being threatened. Cross River has one of the last virgin tropical forests in the world. The wood in these forests were to be harvested for timber by many countries especially China and some states in the Middle East. There is no doubt that illegal logging had been taking place but at least not on the industrial rate.

Two hundred and sixty four kilometres of a six-lane highway is the dream of any African country. This is the proposal of the new governor who wishes to build this road from Calabar to Obudu. He has also proposed to acquire for public purposes only 10-kilometres on either side of the highway. He intends to acquire 5200 sq km of land for this road i.e.

25% of all the land in Cross River.

The State Government gazette acquiring 25% of the land of Cross River for this to six- lane 264-kilometre road incidentally dispossesses 185 communities in five Local Government Areas of their land and means of livelihood. Most of these people are still unaware that the state government gazette had actually dispossessed them. I am unclear myself how an area designated by law as a National Park could be acquired by the state, a state whose governor ought to know better as he was once a senator and aware of the superiority of federal laws. Not only is the governor disregarding this particular federal law, he is also disregarding another one which calls for an environmental impact assessment on any such (see 1992 Decree on the Environmental Impact Agency) projects. The Ministry of Environment has issued two stop orders to the state government. Both fell on deaf ears. Although on this issue, the effectiveness of the EIA orders is not peculiar. Since the blood cuddling and monumental fight between Dr. Adegoroye and Dr. Aina as to the role, importance and order of precedence in the Environmental Impact Agency, that organisation seemed to have gone comatose as several other regulatory agencies and parastatals of the federal government – e.g. the Federal Character Commission, Public Complaints Commission, Legal Aid Commission, National Planning Commission, even the wrong headed and policy deficient Bureau of Public Enterprises.

The Cross River Government claims that no environmental impact studies have been carried out, that it has received no such order. Or that even if such an order was issued for it to stop the project, the order was defective because it has not seen any studies by the EIA. At this level of sophistry, it is clear that politics has taken over the project.

Perhaps a word or two is necessary about the incredible work the two US citizens from Oregon are doing about saving baboon and

especially the threatened Drill monkeys. These US citizens came to Nigeria to look at the last remaining enclave of the Drill monkeys high up the mountains dividing Cameroons and Nigeria in North East of Cross River. They fell in love with these creatures which were actually living in a forest reserve. They volunteered towns to create sanctuaries for these monkeys in Calabar and North of the state. I believe something in the order of over 500 families have been preserved over the years. It is now time to gradually introduce them back to the wild but, even now, more money is needed to tackle these problems, follow their progress in the wild, record their survival and do more research.

Suddenly the project is starved of funds. To be fair, the state government before Governor Ayade had been most helpful. But since this arrival of the governor, Drill Monkeys no longer compete with the filthy Lucre that was coming from Chinese and other promises to build a deep sea port in Calabar (a pipe dream – till now nothing has been done and nothing will be done) to build this wonderful six-lane road.

Normally such projects attest to the foresight of the governor and the promise which opening up of the interior with such a project can generate. Normally people petition for such roads to bring development to the people. But there is something not quite kosher with this project.

The concept of constituency projects has already sullied the atmosphere as it is feared that members of the State Assembly or their nominees have been given bush clearing contracts. Even if this is not altogether true, why acquire 10 kilometres on either side of the road which will go through the last virgin tropical forest and thus destroy the people’s livelihood and the environment of the baboons and monkeys?

The governor is a very clever man. The deputy governor (like most deputies) a former vice-chancellor, has been thoroughly sidelined. The governor travels a great deal but has so structured his state that when he is out, his younger brother acts for him. (The inevitable match of our politicians all over Nigeria towards dynastic rulership goes on apace in Cross Rivers). On why he has taken over 20 kilometres of land bothering on the highway, he claims that this is to protect the environment!

He does not want villages to sprout, as is usual in Nigeria, all along the highway – that such movement would destroy the livelihood of the people, destroy the ecosystem and the monkeys would suffer and die!

This project has produced a storm of protest to the governor, the federal government, and the president, etc.

Massive land clearing, nevertheless, is moving speedily; 15 contractors with second hand bulldozers are working, farms are being cleared, the people are protesting, no compensation has been paid to the owners of the land who were given six weeks’ notice before their farms were bulldozed. International NGOs are protesting – have collected nearly 200,000 signatures and the people are threatening to go to court.

–– Dr. Cole, OFR, was Nigeria’s ambassador to Brazil

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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 10, 2016

LETTERS

F

HAROLD DEMUREN’S TRANSFORMATION

ormer DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Olusegun Demuren, is a man widely known in the aviation industry, where he has operated for several decades, for his thoroughness and professional sagacity. His impressive record as the top policeman of the country’s airspace during the turbulent period of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, when aircraft were dropping from the skies in an alarming fashion, speaks volumes. Tough-talking Demuren, the septuagenarian owner of Afrijet Airlines, surely knows his onions, as he brought his wealth of experience to bear on the chaotic aviation sector when Obasanjo appointed him the DG of NCAA in December 2005.

When a livid Obasanjo, at a tense parley in Lagos, tonguelashed stakeholders in the aviation sector for alleged greed and complacency - following the fatal crashes of Bellview Airlines Flight 210, which killed all the 117 people on board on October 22, 2005; and the Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145, which led to the deaths of 105 of the 108 passengers, including 61 young and promising students of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, on December 10, 2005 - all the stakeholders knew it was time

C

Demuren

for a massive surgical operation in the sector. And Demuren, as the quintessential aeronautical surgeon, did not disappoint.

Up until the time he was ill-advisedly eased out by the federal government on March 11, 2013, it was clear to all and sundry, especially players in the aviation sector, that a no-nonsense, non-querulous professional, who does not suffer fools gladly, had passed through the industry, restoring sanity and whipping all to line through his strategic short, medium and long term plans anchored on safety, security and (consumer) satisfaction in

that order of priority. Demuren, expectedly, carved a niche for himself in NCAA. However, while there at the aviation regulatory agency, the defunct Soviet Union-trained aviator was so engrossed in his job that he simply forgot the saying of one of America’s greatest presidents, Thomas Jefferson, that “It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself to resist invasions of it in the case of others; or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.”

I am sure that in his wildest imagination, the Ijebu-born

Demuren would not have thought that massive privatisation of the country’s airports, other than the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), as is being proposed by the present administration, would be a state policy so soon. Why do I say this? Why, because Demuren’s actions and deeds while at NCAA never portrayed him as an aviation policymaker desirous of seeing a private sector-driven airport management. In fact, his body language was interpretatively to put a kibosh on the PublicPrivate Participation (PPP) mantra in the aviation industry.

For instance, as a keen supporter of PPP in aviation - because I believe it is the surest way to bring the desired development to the sector ¬¬¬¬¬- I never heard the former NCAA DG support loudly, or play any significant reconciliatory role between the few, mischievously demonised private sector players in the industry and the government, while he was at the helm, as he has been doing in recent times.

Perhaps the “born-again” Demuren has just realised that private sector participation is a sine qua non for the ultimate development of the aviation sector. Indeed, this new thinking is timely, that is if it is really genuine and devoid of hidden conditionality.

There was no any other

BIAFRA: BEFORE THE COCK CROWS

all it the curse of Ham, and you may be right. Call it the black man’s plague and you are still not far from the truth. But anywhere you see the man of colour whether in Europe, in the Caribbean, America, Asia or even in the African continent, one striking feature is the apparent lack of unity.

The only thing the black man agrees upon is to agree on nothing.

Since 1876 when the Scramble for Africa was started by King Leopold of Belgium, one of the pathologies which made the partitioning of Africa so easy was the disunity that existed and still exists among the blacks.

This is the reason why slave trade flourished in black African nations as we became easy pickings for the colonial masters who capitalised fully on our penchant for disunity to further disunite us.

At the beginning of Apartheid government in South Africa, five million whites suppressed and subjugated 28 million blacks because of the inability of the South African people to come together in the spirit of unity. It will be recalled that the Xhosas and Zulu people of South Africa have been fighting for close to 200 years prior to this time.

Our beloved nation, Nigeria is over 100 years old as a federation, dating back to January 1, 1914 when the Northern and Southern protectorates were merged together, yet there remains a big chasm in our ranks. The 2015 elections was an eye-opener when politicians campaigned across tribal lines and even Nigerians voted ditto. In Lagos, in

particular, a certain political party sufficiently used the ethnic card to curry votes from Igbos who reside in Lagos.

It is not unusual to hear Africans lay the blame of African nations at the doorstep of supposed colonial masters who had left the shores of Africa for God knows when. It is only when we want to speak with both sides of the cheek and are ignorant of history that we would wholly lay the blame of our disunity on the colonial masters that ‘divided’ us.

The truth of the matter, however, is that the colonial masters merely capitalised on our disunity to entrench their hegemony.

In Rwanda, for instance, the Hutus and Tutsis have shared common distrust and dislike for one another ever before the first white man stepped on the soil of Kigali. How does one explain the massacre of 1.2 million people in 90 days without the help of a nuclear weapon or hydrogen bomb? So bad was the Rwanda genocide (not war) that the Hutus also killed fellow Hutus who abode the Tutsis ‘cockroaches’.

It was called “Operation Cut the Tall Trees” and it involved neighbours against neighbours, brothers against brothers, even husbands against wives.

In Nigeria, today, over three decades after the end of the civil war, the ghost of Biafra is coming back to haunt us like the walking dead. It is looking like a thriller night. The arrowhead of the renewed Biafra agitation this time around is not a Sandhursttrained Colonel from a rich aristocratic background like Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. It is a UK emigrant named Nnamdi

Kalu who is popularly referred to as ‘Director’ by his followers.

He founded the media-savvy organisation known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The organisation is affiliated with an active diplomatic arm (Biafra Diplomatic Mission Worldwide), online TV (Biafra Television) and radio (Radio Biafra) stations, an online newspaper (Biafra Times), and active social media outlets (including a Facebook page with 223,000 Likes).

In February Kanu opened an “Embassy” of the Republic of Biafra in Spain; IPOB claims to have members in more than 80 countries. Kanu was arrested by operatives of the State Security Services in Lagos in October 2015, and has been in detention since then even after a Federal Court ruling deemed the activist’s detention unlawful.

Since then, IPOB has regularly held street protests, calling for his release. Several people have been reported killed in clashes with the police and military.

At this point, it is crucial to ask some pertinent questions. Is it true that the average Hausa man hates the average Igbo man and vice versa? Is it true that an Igbo man can never become the president of Nigeria given the political hegemony of the North?

Is it true that if an Ebele had won the re-election bid in 2015 and not a Muhammadu, the Ghost of Biafra will be sleeping quietly in its grave? Will going our separate ways, ala the Brexit path, do us much good? Has it helped the USSR or Yugoslavia?

Who really stands to benefit from the fall out of the Biafran agitation? Is it the poor woman

plying her wares in Aba or Onitsha market or the young Ikechuckwu in Nekede (or Oko) trying to hustle and survive against all odds?

In all honesty, I sincerely believe that our major problem in this country is not really our multi-ethnic composition. The major problem as I see it is the greed and inordinate ambition of the ruling class. The typical Hausa man basically has no qualms about who becomes the president or not. Likewise the average Yoruba or Igbo man. All the masses care about is where their daily bread would come from. The ruling elite merely play the ethnic card to capitalise on the emotional stress of the masses and turn them against each other.

That brings us to the whole issue of pro- Biafra agitation. Just like it has always been the case in agitations for states creation, the renewed call for a Biafra Republic is by and large an elitist strategy that is aimed at, once again, using the masses to further their interests. It is only unfortunate that the masses are always used as cannon fodders whenever the elite are involved in their characteristic bitter struggle for resource control. The Niger –Delta crisis is a typical example.

The elite in the region come up with all sorts of strategies to oil their interests. But what has been in it for the masses in the region in spite of the several billions of naira voted for the various governments in the region since 1999?

––Jedy Omisore, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

way the former NCAA DG revealed his new garb other than his recent advice to the federal government to resolve all issues associated with the concession of MMA2 with its concessionaire, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), if it is actually serious about its determination to allow the private sector play a major role in its airport transformation agenda.

While speaking on the topic, “Integrating Aviation in Economic National Planning,” at a two-day International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Abuja, Demuren, in a manner suggestive of a metamorphosed apostle of PPP, said it is pertinent for the federal government to involve private investors in its plans to drive the development of the aviation sector. According to him, for investors to embrace the sector, the current crisis over the PPP specifically involving BASL should be appropriately addressed, warning that without amicable resolution of this, private investors would be skeptical to come into the sector. In his words, “There is the need for PPP in aviation in Nigeria as it is obvious that government cannot do it all. But with the experience of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) Lagos, government has not shown good faith.

Such crisis in the MMA2 PPP must be resolved, or else investors would not invest their resources in the sector.”

Although confusing and

rather opaque, this is a piece of good advice from one of the people who should know.

However, methinks this kind of advice, coming many years after Demuren was eased out of his job is a little bit suspect, and may be weight less at the end of the day. In fact, there is the need to confirm the verity of this newfound love for the managers of MMA2. For while he was in charge at the agency, and as a keen observer of events in the industry, the Demuren I knew then never gave an independent thought about, or had a kind word for Bi-Courtney and MMA2. As the then czar of the aviation industry, some nice words for the concessionaire of MMA2 would have carried more weight, if the aeronautical engineer had spoken his mind to the government at the time, as he has just done now. The then Minister of Aviation would have listened to him and possibly taken his advice more seriously. The minister and even the former president would have respected him the more, if he had earlier offered this kind of homily on how to resolve the issues with Bi-Courtney.

However, it is rather late than never, for it is gladdening to know that all the thoroughly whipped private investors in the aviation sector, whose concessions have been deliberately frustrated, now have a new convert in Dr. Demuren.

––Kayode Adewunmi, Lagos

OBIANO AND THE ZIK BRAND

T

he importance of the leadership question is underlined by the continued institution of prizes to honour outstanding leadership all over the world. From the Nobel Peace Prize to the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in Leadership in Africa, we find reputable platforms dedicated to the nurturing of this multi sectoral discipline. These recognition laurels consequently become facilities both for inspiring and reinforcing high standards in leadership.

According to Salim Ahmed Salim, former OAU Secretary Genenral and Chairman, award committee, Mo Ibrahim Prize on leadership, the ‘contribution of executive leadership is many ways, far greater in Africa. The continent’s problems are after all, so much more severe and complex…. They also lack the institutional support on which their counterparts elsewhere can rely.’[THISDAY, June 21, 2016] With the return of democracy in 1999, the Zik Prize for Leadership has emerged as a leading national platform for recognition of inspiring performance in public office. This has happened for two principal reasons.

The late Azikiwe’s reputation has rubbed off on the award. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was not just Nigeria’s first Senate President and President of the Republic. He was the acclaimed Zik of Africa listed in every encyclopaedia of note. In Penguin’s classic Dictionary of Politics, there is a slot on Zikism. Viewed as one

of Nigeria’s greatest statesmen, Azikiwe is regarded for his inclusive national politics. There is presumed in this ‘philosophy’ an overriding concern for the stability of the country; which constructive engagement saw to the historic NPC/NCNC coalition and the NPP/NPN accord.

On the foundation of Zik’s legacy, the prize has been bolstered under the administration of the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre. The PPRAC stands out for its continental composition and distinguished leadership.

Professor Jibril Aminu took over the chairmanship of the body a few years ago from Professor Anya O. Anya. The Zik Prize then is not another prize.

It is no longer news that the 2015 edition of the medal will be invested on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on July 10, 2016. The element of surprise for some analysts is in the seeming inappropriateness of selecting someone who has been in office for just two years! Should we quarrel with or applaud the whiz kid who completes a 24-month doctoral study in 12 months?

It is not surprising that Willie Obiano presently holds the attention of the discerning public.

Willie Nwokoye makes the brilliant point that Obiano has ‘raised the bar of governance in Anambra State.’ And I should add, with seeming ease.

Ifeanyi Afuba, Nimo, Anambra State

16

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 10, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

Edited by Demola Ojo e-mail: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

The Killings that Put America on Edge

E

Demola Ojo with agency reports

vents over the past week have putAmerica in turmoil. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday witnessed killings in different parts of the country, eliciting outrage, shock and horror. It all started with the killing of twoAfricanAmerican men,Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, in separate incidents.

Sterling was fatally shot Tuesday by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after officers responded to a 911 call about a man with a gun. Cellphone video of the incident shows officers restraining Sterling on the ground before firing at him.

Sterling, a 37-year-old father of five, was shot in the chest and back by a Louisiana police officer outside a convenience store. Residents of Baton Rouge started protesting that night, and by Wednesday morning, the U.S. Justice Department had announced that it would conduct a civil rights investigation of Sterling’s death.

On Wednesday, Castile was fatally shot after police in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis and St. Paul, stopped him for a broken taillight on his vehicle. His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, was in the car with him and said Castile had informed police officers that he was legally carrying a weapon and was reaching for his wallet. Reynolds posted a video on Facebook of the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

According to Reynolds, the officer unleashed four to five shots, striking her boyfriend in the arm. “Stay with me,” she says to Castile. “Stay with me... We got pulled over for a busted taillight in the back.” The officer can be heard saying, “I told him not to reach for it. I told him to get his hand out.”

Reynolds, maintaining her composure, immediately corrects the patrolman, noting his directive to Castile to produce a driver’s license and vehicle registration. Growing in distress, but ever mindful of her duty to fully capture the incident, she later says, “Police shot him for no apparent reason... No reason at all.”

The recording continues as Reynolds and her daughter leave the car and are placed in the back of a squad car. About 200 people gathered outside the Minnesota Governor’s Residence in St. Paul on Thursday, protesting the fatal shooting. Thousands more have been reacting to these shootings on social media, with everything from grief to rage to fear.

Police said both men were armed at the time they were killed.

Revenge: Cops Killed

by Army Veteran

As the news of the Sterling and Castile’s deaths was still being digested, another shooting incident came up. This time though, it was the police on the receiving end. Five police officers were killed and seven others wounded in an ambush. It was the deadliest single incident for U.S. law enforcement since September 11, 2001. Two civilians were also hurt, the Dallas mayor’s office said.

The deadly gunfire erupted in Dallas after videos showing the twoAfrican-American men shot by the police in Louisiana and Minnesota spurred protests and debate over police use of force across the country.

The ambush started with gunshots that killed five officers and sent screaming crowds scrambling for cover. It ended when a Dallas police bomb squad robot killed a gunman after negotiations failed.

As officials condemned the attack, details emerged about the man who died after a lengthy standoff with police in a parking garage. Investigators identified the dead attacker as Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, of Mesquite, Texas, a military veteran who’d served in Afghanistan.

Johnson told police negotiators that he was upset about recent police shootings, that he wanted to kill white people -- especially white officers -- and that he acted alone. Investigators determined Johnson was “the lone shooter in this incident,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said, confirming what federal officials had told CNN. “This was a mobile shooter who had written manifestos on how to shoot and move, shoot and move, and that’s what he did,” Rawlings said at a news conference. “As we’ve started to unravel this fishing knot, we’ve come to realize this shooting came from one building at different levels.”

Rawlings said investigators’ initial confusion about the number of shooters was partly because about 20 protesters wearing protective vests and carrying rifles

Alton Sterling (left) and Philando Castile were killed by police in seperate incidents last week scattered when the shooting started.

Dallas police Chief David Brown provided more details during a prayer rally Friday. “Through our investigation of some of the suspects, it’s revealed to us that this was a well-planned, well-thought-out, evil tragedy,” he said.

“We saw no other option but to use our bomb robot and place a device on its extension for it to detonate where the suspect was,” Brown said.

“Other options would have exposed our officers to grave danger. The suspect is deceased as a result of detonating the bomb.”

Johnson had no criminal record or known terror ties, a law enforcement official said.

He served in the U.S.Army Reserve from March 2009 toApril 2015, training as a carpentry and masonry specialist, according to Pentagon records.

Johnson was deployed for about seven months in Afghanistan, from late 2013, and received an honorable discharge. Johnson had at least two weapons with him -- a rifle and a handgun.

Witnesses said protesters were marching peacefully in downtown Dallas when the gunfire started Thursday night.

The Rev. Jeff Hood, one of the protest organizers, said he saw two officers go down, then watched a sergeant running toward the gunfire.

“I ran the opposite direction. I was concerned about the 700 or 800 people behind me,” he said. “I was screaming, ‘Run! Run!Active shooter! Run!’And I was trying to get folks out as fast as I could.”

Crowds ran into a parking garage, witnesses said, and spilled out after word spread a sniper was nearby. “Everyone was screaming, people were running,” said witness Clarissa Myles. “I saw at least probably 30 shots go off.”

The five slain officers were identified on Friday.

Dallas Police Officers LorneAhrens, a 14-year veteran of the department, and Michael Smith, a 27-year veteran, were both killed, as well as Michael Krol Patrick Zamarripa and DART Police officer Brent Thompson.

Police have said at least 10 officers were shot by a sniper and one officer was shot in a shootout at the parking garage. It’s not clear where the 12th officer was shot.

Afew of the wounded officers remain hospitalized, police said. Brown called for the community to support them. “We don’t feel much support most days. Let’s not make today most days,” Brown said.

“Please, we need your support to be able to protect you from men like these, who carried out this tragic, tragic event.”

Related Shootings

While the Dallas shooting hugged the headlines, there were other “revenge” shootings; separate incidents of black men shooting at white police officers and citizens across the country.

Aman accused of shooting indiscriminately at passing cars and police on a Tennessee highway on Thursday morning told investigators he was angry about police violence againstAfrican-Americans.

One woman died and three others, including one police officer, were injured in the rampage.

Dallas Police chief, Brown, mourning the five officers killed in a revenge attack by a sniper The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that initial conversations with the suspect, 37-year-old Lakeem Keon Scott, revealed he was troubled by several incidents across the US. Scott, who is black, was wounded in the shootout with police. He remains hospitalised and has not yet been charged.All those shot were white, police confirmed.

In another incident, a gunman in a passing vehicle opened fire on a police officer on patrol in Georgia in the early hours of Friday morning. He is expected to be charged with aggravated assault against the officer, authorities said.Asuspect was apprehended after a short car chase and was in custody.

The shooting happened in Roswell, a city just north ofAtlanta, only hours after the Dallas sniper attack and officers were already on edge, said local Detective Zachary Frommer.

In a separate incident in Georgia, a man phoned 911 to report a break-in, then ambushed and shot the officer who came to investigate. Stephen Paul Beck called the emergency services, saying that his car had been broken into on Friday morning. Officer Randall Hancock went to investigate and police say Beck shot at him as soon as he got out of his car.

He was hit twice in his protective vest and once underneath the vest in his abdomen in the shooting which took place in Valdosta, just north of the Georgia-Florida state line.

US Not Divided, Obama Says

However,American President Barack Obama yesterday rejected any notion that the past week’s stunning violence signals a return to racial brutality of a dark past, saying that as painful as the killings of police and black men were, “America is not as divided as some have suggested.”

Obama appealed toAmericans not to be overwhelmed by fear of a return to 1960s-style chaos and to understand the progress that has been made

in racial relations since that time.

“You’re not seeing riots and you’re not seeing police going after people who are protesting peacefully,” he said. “You’ve seen almost uniformly peaceful protests and you’ve seen, uniformly, police handling those protests with professionalism.”

Obama spoke at the conclusion of a NATO summit in Warsaw before leaving for Spain, part of a farewell trip to Europe he was cutting short by one day because of the developments at home.

The comments marked the third time in as many days that Obama has spoken, from a distance, about the incidents of the week.

Obama said the Dallas shooter, a blackArmy veteran who was later killed by police, was a “demented individual” who does not represent blackAmericans any more than a white man accused of killing blacks at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, represents whites.

In his news conference before departing Poland, Obama said that while “there is sorrow, there is anger, there is confusion” in the U.S., “there’s unity in recognizing that this is not how we want our communities to operate. This is not who we want to be asAmericans and that serves as the basis for us being able to move forward in a constructive and positive way.”

The president said he planned to convene a White House meeting in coming days with police officers, community and civil rights activists and others to talk about next steps. He said the “empathy and understanding” thatAmericans have shown in responding to the events of the past few days, including Dallas police officers even as they came under attack, had given him hope.

But Obama, who has angered his political opponents after every deadly mass shooting by calling for tighter gun laws, made clear that he will continue to speak out about the need for such measures, which the Republican-controlled Congress has refused to go along with. He said the U.S. is unique among advanced countries in the scale of violence it experiences.

The president spoke sympathetically of police officers in gun-filled communities who have “very little margin of error” when deciding how to engage with people on the street who may well be armed, whether they mean harm or not. “Police have a really difficult time in communities where they know guns are everywhere,” he said.

“If you care about the safety of our police officers, then you can’t set aside the gun issue and pretend it’s irrelevant.” wCiting laws allowing the carrying of guns in Texas, he said that even some of the Dallas protesters who staged a peaceful rally before the sniper attack were armed. He also cited the presence of an apparently legally owned gun in the car where Castile was shot dead.

Obama also tried to calm public anxiety about personal safety, saying violent crime is actually down in the U.S. “So as tough, as hard, as depressing as the loss of life was this week, we’ve got a foundation to build on,” he said. “We just have to have confidence that we can build on those better angles of our nature.”

17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 10, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

PMB and Non-negotiability of Nigeria’s National Unity: Beyond the Manu Militari Approach

O

n Wednesday, July 6, 2016, when the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Muhammed Bello and some FCT residents went to pay Sallah homage to PMB in the Villa, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), for the umpteenth time, told all Nigerians, particularly the MASSOB (Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra), IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta and NDA (Niger Delta Avengers) militants and other proponents of divisibility of Nigeria that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. He recalled the Gowonian slogan of the need to keep Nigeria One being a task that must be done. As reported, PMB said ‘Go On With One Nigeria (GOWON) is very apt now as keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done… So, please pass this on to the militants – that One Nigeria is not for negotiation and they had better accept it.’

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also gave a strong backing to PMB’s non-negotiability stand on Nigeria’s unity. The ACF has it that ‘the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable as stated in the President’s Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians during Sallah. And that is why we asked our Niger Delta brothers to stop blowing up oil installations in the region. Destruction can never be a solution to their grievances.’(The Punch, July 8, 2016, p.12).

Additionally, in support of PMB’s statement, Alhaji Maimala Buni, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, has said that ‘for too long, Nigerians have been manipulated through primordial sentiments by the poor and the weak leadership at the expense of unity, development and improved welfare of the citizenry. This administration, under PMB, will always promote national unity and ensure the protection of lives and property of every citizen in every part of the country’ (ibid, p.9).

Without doubt, PMB’s statement is patriotic, commendable, and expected of any good leader of Nigeria, especially that he cannot aspire to preside over the dismantlement of Nigeria, after having sworn to an oath to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria when he took over power on May 29, 2015. He should therefore be allowed to speak in tough terms. However, the opponents of non-negotiability also have powerful arguments. The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the Ohaneze Ndigbo have argued that Nigeria’s unity is quite negotiable. Yinka Odumakin, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, said continuing ‘to insist that the country’s unity is not negotiable is aping that bird which buries its head in the sand and believes, because it is seeing nobody, it has become invincible too.’

The Ohaneze socio-cultural group president, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that the Ohaneze Ndigbo ‘believe that Nigeria’s unity is negotiable. The principles and structures at the moment, the structure that is in place are not in favour of everybody. Those that it is favouring are the ones who want the status quo to be maintained, but those it has not favoured, like the Igbo, are open to a negotiation of the country’s unity… We are not calling for secession, but a periodical review of the terms of the country’s unity is necessary for peaceful coexistence, otherwise agitations for separation would continue to grow’ (The Punch, July 7, 2016, p.7).

More important, Mr. Uchenna Madu, the MASSOB leader, also noted that ‘as every revolutionary struggle has its own methodology, the current Biafran struggle for actualization and restoration will continue to unfold’ (The Sun, July 8, 2016, p.10). But what will the revolutionary methodology be unfolding? Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, says ‘we cannot continue to allow a centralization policy which makes the constituent units of this nation resentful.

They say monkey dey work, baboon dey chop. And the idea of centralizing revenues, allocation systems, whereby you dole out, the thing is insulting and it is what I call anti-healthy rivalry. It is against the incentives to make states viable.’

Corruption as Bane of National Unity

For various critical reasons, the dynamics of disintegration are increasing daily in Nigeria. This is partly but largely due to the neglect of why there are agitations: Are the agitations and destruction of oil pipelines a resultant from the quest for separation from Nigeria or from grievances about the polity? This column strongly believes that the first and ultimate objective of militancy is not about dismemberment of Nigeria, but a protest against non-attention to well known grievances of the militants. The grievances are basically ascribable to perceived unfairness and injustice. PMB may therefore not be able to quickly contain them unless he addresses them immediately.

One truth that everyone is trying to run away from in Nigeria is corruption at all levels of the Nigerian society. Corruption is simply another word for dishonesty. Politics in Nigeria is dishonest in manner and orientation. The calls for negotiations on the terms of national unity are dishonesty-driven. The opposition to negotiations or to calls for restructuring is also dishonest. The greater part of the dishonesty is located at the level of the elite. It is precisely the problem of dishonesty that largely informs the agitation for restructuring of the country. Hostility against the Government of Nigeria is largely driven by perceptions of elite corruption without impunity.

I have always been asking some questions to which no one has interest: why should the Federal Government collect money in 1994 from depositors for semi-detached houses and yet as at 2016, no houses have been built for allocation? Why has the Federal Government been unable to refund the monies deposited in the absence of any allocation of houses? New housing schemes are being planned

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Buhari but those planned in 1994 have been thrown into the dustbin of history. I am one of the depositors. Thousands of Nigerian depositors are very aggrieved. It is the factor of grievance that PMB, as a recognized honest broker, should first seek to address because the polity does not want honesty of purpose. It is against hard work and patriotism. It is largely ethnic chauvinism-driven. It does not want creative ideas.

My experience as a former Director General has taught me some lessons. If a political system discourages patriotism, the alternative to it can only be to work against the system. For PMB to succeed in his efforts to build a new Nigeria in which all toga of irrationalities will be thrown away, there will be need to first accept that there is nothing that is not negotiable on earth. Anegotiation may fail or succeed but cannot be prevented. In fact, non-negotiation can win in the battle field but cannot suppress the people’s determination. Nobody can be forced into any union. In all unions known in history, there is always provision for modalities for withdrawal. It is ideal to strengthen Nigeria as it is but it should not be presented as a manu military affair.

Nigeria should learn from the experiences of others.

Learning from the International Experiences

First, polemological studies have clearly shown that the use of terror or assault against diplomatic agents in international relations is essentially because they are internationally protected. Their persons are not to be violated in whatever manner and for whatever purposes. However, criminals and terrorists decide to violate their persons contrary to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in order to attract international attention to their complaints.

In the same logic, it is because the proponents of negotiability of Nigeria’s unity would have been pushed to the wall by outright use of force or by manu militari that they would want to undermine the alleged non-negotiability of Nigeria by adoption of a counter force.

In this case, it will be a case of order and counter order amounting to an encounter and disorder which the Government may not be in the position to manage well. Explained differently, the declared policy of no negotiation on the unity of Nigeria does not only mean that there is no readiness for talks on how to disunite Nigeria. PMB’s declaration can also mean no negotiation on how to sustain the unity of Nigeria. Which is which?

Secondly, the Constitution of Nigeria on which the proponents of non-negotiability of Nigeria’s unity are largely predicated is at best controversial. It is generally argued that the Constitution is militarily imposed. Even though the Constitution is the organic law of the land, the truth is that the Constitutional provision on national unity has always been enforced more in a manu militari fashion than on the basis of constitutional objectivity of purpose. In fact, when people resort to armed struggle, it is not mainly because they are aggrieved but because they have been pushed to the wall and therefore, making the use of force a desideratum. In fact, when there is an outbreak of war or insurrection, the Constitution is generally set aside. Thus, there is little or no respect for any constitutional provisions. Even when the Constitution is respected, the political will of the people is always difficult to suppress. Brexit is quite relevant here.

The UK government decided to accede to the European Community Treaty on January 1, 1973. Many citizens were opposed to it but they were in the minority by then. However, the opposition continued to grow in number to the extent that a referendum on whether to remain or leave the European Community was held on June 6, 1975.

The ‘remain voters’ won but the defeat of the ‘leave voters’ did not put an end to the struggle against UK’s membership of the European Community. The intensity of the struggle again led to the fixing of another date in 2004 for a second referendum which was eventually held on June 23rd, 2016. All public opinion polls clearly point to the defeat of the ‘leave voters.’ But contrary to the polls, majority of the British people voted to withdraw their membership of the European Union.

Thirdly, the principle of self-determination which initially was adopted to assist dependent territories to gain independence or selfgoverning status is now increasingly being applied, but forcefully, to regional groupings within existing sovereign states. For instance, the Constitution and all the rules of law meant nothing when the people of Eritrea decided to go to war with Ethiopia for the purposes of independence. The same is true of South Sudan whose struggle for self-identity began as far back as 1956. No one wanted separation in Yugoslavia but the country has been split. In small Senegal, the Casamance Province is seeking self-determination. The Dakarois authorities have known no good sleep as a result. In fact, as united as the United States is as at today, agitation for separation in the country is still an issue but no one ever contemplates rigid approach in the quest for enduring solutions. The separatists in Italy have also not been subdued with the use of force by Government.

Fourthly, and perhaps more importantly, what do we mean by ‘non-negotiable’? What value has been placed on Nigeria’s unity?

Has Nigeria really been united since the time of independence in 1960? The political crises in the immediate post-independence era led to war in 1967. The war ended in 1970 with the surrender of secessionist Biafra. The unity that existed from October 1960 to January 1970 was, at best, a forced unity. In an attempt to sustain this forced unity, adoption of statism was adopted to replace regionalisation.

Gowon began with the carving out of 12 states out of the four existing regions of Nigeria on 27th May, 1967. This was followed up by the Mohammed-Obasanjo regime which created additional seven states, thus making it a 19-state structure on February 3, 1976. The number of states increased to 30 under General Ibrahim Babangida (2 states on 23rd September 1987 and 9 states on 27th August, 1991), and eventually to 36 states under General Sani on October 1, 1996.

This was still unity by state creation and manu militari.

Fifthly, if the Bakassi peninsula and its people was ‘negotiated away to Cameroon under the pretext of an International Court of Justice ruling and so-called Green Tree Agreement, there cannot be any big deal anymore with the argument of non-negotiability of national unity. The loss of the Bakassi Peninsula negates the constitutional provision of territorial integrity of Nigeria. It is already a precedent to which there could be references in the future.

Sixthly, and perhaps most significantly, the main rationale for the militancy in the Niger Delta is crude oil which is not inexhaustible. Sooner or later crude oil will be no more. In this situation, other regions of the country where other new resources are likely to be exploited cannot but also begin to ask for the control of their own resources. Thus, there will not be an end to the agitation. So, there is the need to negotiate on all issues pertaining to national unity.

Beyond the Manu Militari Approach

Since 1970, no conscious efforts have been made to remove the belligerent factors in the management of issues in national unity.

All Nigerian leaders since 1970 have adopted a manu militari approach in maintaining national unity. For instance, the issues to be negotiated or not to be negotiated are consciously set aside

by Government in the wrong belief that national unity cannot be negotiated. Consequently, many Nigerians came up with calls for restructuring of Nigeria. This is the main problem underlying the debate on negotiability or non-negotiability of Nigeria’s unity.

What has been made clear in the debate is that the nonnegotiability school of thought hides under the argument of non-constitutionality and self-created fear that it would lead to outright secession. The school of negotiability posits that the issue is not about secession but about the need to address the overcentralisation of government policy in Abuja, especially in terms of revenues generation and allocation. They are specifically asking for engagement in the practice of true federalism. For instance, governors are the chief security officers of their states but the various Commissioners of Police take direct instructions from the IGP in Abuja. This should not be so.

Since the ultimate objective of both schools of thought is not to break up Nigeria, the challenge for government is to still negotiate on what constitutes the main grievances to be addressed.

Proponents and opponents of negotiability of Nigeria’s unity have valid arguments. PMB should fix a long date for national plebiscite to determine the suitability of negotiation and extent of acceptability of restructuring of the country. Before the date, strenuous efforts should be made to enlighten the generality of the Nigerian people on what the proponents of secession do currently have and enjoy compared with others, and begin to provide more for their needs.

Corruption, as noted earlier, is dishonesty. Imposition of any policy on the people without allowing for public pronouncement on it is an act of corruption which PMB must also fight.

Any use of force to suppress agitations for negotiations on terms of peaceful co-existence can only serve as catalyst in breaking up Nigeria. PMB should therefore not allow the break-up of Nigeria as a result of strategic policy miscalculation under his administration.

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TUESDAY JULY 2016T THHI SI SDD AY SUNDAY JULY 10,5,2016 AY

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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 10, 2016

BUSINESS

Editor Festus Akanbi Email festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

QUICK TAKES Oil Price

Global oil benchmark, Brent crude, fell by five per cent to a two-month low on Thursday after the United States government reported a weekly crude drawwithinanalysts’forecasts,disappointingmarketbullswhohadexpected larger declines.

Brent,againstwhichhalfoftheworld’s oil is priced, was down by $2.35 to $46.45perbarrelasof7:35pmNigerian time. The session low was $46.27, the lowest since May 11, according to Reuters.

USWestTexasIntermediatecrudefell by$2.28to$45.15perbarrel.Itearlier hit a two-month low at $44.87.

TheEnergyInformationAdministration, the statistical arm of the US Energy Department,saidcrudestockpilesfell by2.2millionbarrelsfortheweekended July 1, drawing for a seventh week in a row.

But the EIA’s figure came in just below the decline of 2.3 million barrels forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll, but farlessthanthe6.7million-barreldraw reportedbytradegroup,theAmerican PetroleumInstitute,lateonWednesday.

“Expectationswerehighforthisreport, and they were dashed,” said a partner at NewYorkenergy hedgefund,Again Capital, John Kilduff.

Domestic Airfares

NNPC Towers, Abuja

It’s a Turnaround for NNPC As state oil company makes first profit in 15 years

Kunle Aderinokun

For an institution that has recorded losses of N35 billion in 15 years, it was a positive turnaround for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as it declared an operating profit of N273.74 million for the month of May. This came at a time the Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who was the immediate past group managing director of NNPC, held sway at the state oil company, where he spent about 11 months and instituted far-reaching reforms. And, it also coincided with his account of stewardship and handover to the new GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru.

According to NNPC’s monthly financial and operations management report, the N273.74 million operating profit the corporation reported for May 2016 is an historical feat when compared with an operating loss of N19.43 billion in April and was attributed to improved cost efficiency at the corporate headquarters of NNPC and performance by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

Similarly, NNPC reported a significant reduction in its operational deficit by N201 billion to N66 billion in the first four months of this year ending in April 30, from N267 billion in 2015.

The corporation’s financial report also disclosed that despite increase in restructuring costs at the corporate headquarters, it reported a reduction by N5 billion in total group spending to N127 billion in April this year.

Kachikwu, while giving accounts of his stewardship weekend in

ENERGY Abuja when handed over the reins of the NNPC GMD office to Baru, enthused that he had so far changed such ugly narratives about the NNPC and turned it into a profit-making entity.

He stated that despite renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta and seeming cracks in the federal government’s reported dialogue with militants in the region, the country’s daily crude oil production capacity was still at 1.9 million barrels.

He gave assurances that he would appraise the government’s dialogue with the militants, and try to plug possible gaps in the process.

Kachikwu listed some of his achievements in the 11 months he was in the saddle to include cutting its operational losses; deregulating the country’s downstream petroleum sector; initiating a creative means of meeting the corporation’s Joint Venture (JV) contributions; as well as meeting its statutory payments to the federation account, amongst others.

He also noted Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption has dropped by 30 per cent following his efforts to sanitise the downstream operations of NNPC and the country.

According to him, “11 months ago, when the president asked me to take over the mantle of leadership of the NNPC, there was indeed an urgency of now, morale was low, things were haywire, there were lots of issues of transparency on the table. The profit index was very poor and the belief of Nigerians in the functionality and reliability of the NNPC was quite frankly at

a questionable level.

“And the president felt the best way to start my career in the public service under him was first to go to NNPC as outsider and try and bring in certain new structures to help the place change its direction and focus.

“Looking back now, I think one must be very grateful to the president not just for the opportunity but for the foresight because I had my own doubts whether I could actually do that given the fact that I was an outsider and this is a very huge institution with over 30-40 years of experience which I was not built into.”

“But he was persistent on that and looking back at what we have accomplished, I well understand now why he is the very wise president I have so far changed such ugly narratives about the NNPC and thus turned it into a profitmaking entity

of the nation and I thank him very much for the opportunity that he has given me.”

The minister further explained: “In the 11 months, let us just rethink some of the things we have achieved. First, we managed after very great difficulties to restructure the NNPC. It is a very massive restructuring that has been able to set out various parameters of the business as profit focused entities of their own. That was a major massive work.

“We have been able to cut

operational cost by 30 per cent and save a massive amount of money for the group.

“We undertook deregulation at the time nobody thought was possible and if there is anything we leave for the industry, it must be the legacy of that deregulation.

Today, our fuel consumption has gone down by about 30 per cent.

We have no queues in the filling stations, we have about one and half months of self-sufficiency. We have strategic reserves that we are putting together.

A further look at the NNPC accounts revealed that for April the group operating deficit was N19.4billion, compared with N18.9billion in March. This was attributed to improved cost efficiency at the corporation’s corporate headquarters and performance by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the supplier of last resort.

The report showed that the group’s operating revenue for the months of April and May 2016 were N95.51 billion and N142.53 billion respectively, representing 30.36 per cent and 45.32 per cent respectively of the monthly budget.

Similarly, operating expenditure for the same periods were N121.86 billion and N142.26 billion respectively, which also represents 45.62 per cent and 52.63 per cent of the budget for the months respectively.

Analysts at FBNQuest, an investment banking arm of FBN Holdings, in their assessment of the financial account, however, stated that despite the positive outing, “the corporation’s progress had been slowed by pipeline sabotage, slide in the oil price and the costs of its reorganisation.”

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)hasdirecteddomesticairlinesto increasethefarespayableonairtickets to ensure safe and efficient services to air travelers.

Specifically, the NCAA, which is the regulatory body for aviation in Nigeria, urged the airlines to make sure that airfares are in tandem with cost of operation, factoring in the high pricesofaviationfuel,chargesandother expensesincurredbyprovidingservice to passengers.

Atopofficialoftheagency,whowould not want to be quoted in this report, explained that the NCAA authorised the hike in airfares to prevent airlines fromcompromisingsafetyoftravellers.

Theregulatorybody,thesource,added, has warned that airlines that charge faresthatdonotreflectthecurrentreality would be sanctioned because such airlines would be unable to effectively carry out routinemaintenanceoftheir aircraftandwouldthereforebetempted to cut corners and endanger the lives of air passengers.

Economic Team

Presidencyaddressedthenon-inclusion of the private sector in the federal government’sEconomicManagement Team headed byVice-President Yemi Osinbajo, as was the case in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, stating thatthedecisionwastakentoprevent conflicts of interest.

The vice-president’s spokesman, Mr. LaoluAkande,whospokewithjournalists in Abuja yesterday, said it was the government’sresponsibilitytomanage the economy.

“We have to understand that the attitudeofthispresidencyisthatitconsiders the management of the economy as a government responsibility.

“It is not something that this governmentbelievesshouldbedonebybringing in some private interests into the economic team to take decisions that they will be directly involved in.

“So our stand is that the management oftheeconomyisagovernmentresponsibility,” he explained.

Hehoweverpointedoutthattheprivate sector was not totally excluded from makingsuggestionstogovernment,as membersoftheorganisedprivatesectorsuch,astheManufacturersAssociationofNigeria(MAN)andtheNigerian EconomicSummitGroup(NESG),were being engaged by government.

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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 10, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEY

With CBN-appointed Management, New Lease of Life for Skye Bank The recent takeover of Skye Bank PLC by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed the operator’s failure to meet the mandatory requirement but the new management appointed for the bank is expected to ensure standard level of adequacy, writes Obinna Chima

F

ollowing the regulatory intervention at Skye Bank Plc last week which saw the resignation of the former chairman, board and management of the bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appointed a new chairman who as a result of his antecedents in the financial sector can be described as a turnaround expert.

Also appointed was a new managing director for the bank as well as the reconstitution of its board. These new board and management team are expected to help reshape the bank, which had been hit by liquidity crisis.

While Alhaji M. K. Ahmad has been appointed the new chairman, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru is the new CEO of the bank. Other members of the reconstituted board are Bayo Sanni, Idris Yakubu, Markie Idowu and Abimbola Izu, all of whom were executive directors of the bank few months before the intervention by the CBN. Ahmad ...the New Chairman Muhammad K. Ahmad has about 35-year distinguished experience leading and working in various public sector organizations and financial services institutions in Nigeria. He was the pioneer Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Pension Commission and oversaw the establishment and growth of the pension industry in Nigeria, which currently boasts of over N5 trillion in assets and a major contributor to Nigeria’s gross domestic product. He is currently the Chairman of the Interim Management Board, International Energy Assurance and is the founder of Jewel Development Foundation, a graduate assistant platform; and Certium Consulting, a strategy advisory and business applications company.

A pioneer staff of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Ahmad rose to become a director in the corporation. He has served on the boards of various corporate and not-for-profit organisations as well as presidential committees. Ahmad chairs the Technical Committee that produced the North-east Transformation Strategy (NESTS), a medium term Regional Development Strategy, for the sustainable socio-economic transformation and reconstruction of the region and currently supervises its implementation.

The new Skye Bank chairman was a director on the Board of FBN Holdings PLC, where he brought his rich experience in the financial services industry to bear on the institution.

Ahmad strongly promotes building institutions based on the highest corporate governance and ethical standards and would bring his extensive experience to bear on his role on the board of Skye Bank PLC as Chairman. He has a Masters Diploma in Innovation and Strategy from University of Oxford and has also attended courses and programmes in various first-rate business and management schools, including Harvard Business School, IMD and INSEAD. A co-author of the book, “The Extent and Effectiveness of Bank Supervision in Nigeria”, Ahmad is married with children.

Abiru..the New CEO Abiru is a seasoned accountant and banker and was until recently an Executive Director in First Bank. He was also the Lagos State Commissioner of Finance from 2011 to 2013. Abiru is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Programme) and Lagos Business School (Senior Management Programme). He holds a B.Sc (Economics) from Lagos State University and is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Honorary Senior Member of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Tokunbo has had a distinguished career in banking spanning about 26 years, of which his early 10 years were spent in the formative years of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Thereafter, he spent about 14 years with the First Bank of Nigeria Limited, where he functioned as Executive Director, Corporate Banking between 2013 and 2016.

Equally, during his banking career, he was at various times between 2013-16 a Non – Executive Director in the following companies: Airtel Mobile Networks Limited; FBN Capital Limited (now FBN Merchant Bank Limited); and FBN Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

Tokunbo was the Honorable Commissioner of Finance for Lagos State Government (2011-2013), during the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola. He is happily married to Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, the Managing Director of Home & You Limited, a truly indigenous furniture manufacturing company, and they are blessed with children.

Reasons for CBN’s Action The central bank had explained that it took the decision to intervene in the bank following the persistent failure of Skye Bank to meet minimum thresholds in critical prudential and adequacy ratios, which culminated in the bank’s permanent presence at the CBN lending window, its huge non-performing loans (NPLs) profile as well as its

Ahmad low liquidity ratio, the central bank in a proactive move effected a change in the board and management of the bank.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the banking sector regulator took what he described as a proactive step in order to save the health of the bank from further deteriorating.

To correct the anomalies in the bank, he said, the CBN had several meetings with the management and board of Skye bank as part of its strategy of close engagement whenever a bank’s financial or governance situation poses potential threats to the overall stability of the financial system.

However, Emefiele said despite the expectation of relevant regulators, market watchers, financial analysts and interested stakeholders that Skye Bank should be doing much better than it is right now, what they saw was the opposite in reality.

Therefore, he pointed out that given the aforementioned issues and the fact that Skye bank is a domestic Systematically Important Bank (SIB) with significant interconnectedness, the CBN would be failing in its duties if it does not take immediate action to nip the steadily declining health of the bank in the bud and correct the situation.

Furthermore, Emefiele said in view of the long grace period allowed the bank to correct the situation, the central bank came to the conclusion that, although the existing board had done its best to steer the ship, it was clear that they would be unable to bring the bank out of its present precarious situation.

“Fortunately, and in the overall interest of the bank, the chairman and some board members have decided to resign their appointments from the bank. Consequently, by virtue of the powers vested in the Governor of the CBN, we have decided to reconstitute the board and management of the bank, and appoint new members with the sole responsibility of ensuring the speedy restoration of the health of the bank.

“To this effect, the chairman of the board, all other non-executive directors, the independent director, the managing director, the deputy managing director and two longest serving executive directors have voluntarily resigned their appointments with immediate effect. In their place, we have selected industry experts and people of high integrity whom we believe can turn the bank around.

Continuing, the CBN governor pointed out that the medium-term vision of the CBN, which was unveiled in June 2014, indicated that the bank would proactively manage potential threats to financial stability, maintain zero tolerance on practices that undermine the health of financial institutions, and create a strong governance regime that is conducive for financial intermediation, innovative finance and inclusiveness.

Therefore, he said it was in furtherance of these commitments that the CBN made the changes, just as he assured the incoming board and management of the CBN’s unflinching support during this transition period. “It is important to reiterate the fact that Skye Bank is not in distress and remains a healthy bank in the system. The CBN hereby assures depositors, shareholders and all relevant stakeholders that there is no reason for concern or panic as we seek their continued

Abiru cooperation at this time. It is our expectation that the shareholders and remaining executive directors will work seamlessly with the new team to ensure that the fortunes of the bank are restored in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Emefiele further emphasised that, “The three most important issues in every bank are its NPL, its capital adequacy and its liquidity. What we have seen since late 2013 to 2014 is that this adequacy ratio at this bank (Skye) has been weakening and we thought it is not right for us to allow this to continue to weaken to the point where it gets to an irrecoverable situation.

“It has nothing to do with being distressed and it is important that we take it that what we are trying to say is that we do not want the ratio of this bank to worsen to a point where depositors funds get into risks. The board themselves have come to the realisation that they have tried their best and that it is about time for them to bow out so a new team can come in and run the bank to improve the position of the bank.”

He further stated that the strategic health of the banking industry remains strong, saying that when there is need to inform the general public about the strategic health of any bank, the central bank would not fail in its responsibility as a regulator.

“No doubt, as a result of global shocks, there are weakening of certain ratios, but those ratios have not weakened to a point where we would say the banking industry is distressed. We would like to appeal to all depositors to be calm. There is no need to leave an impression that any bank is distressed. No deposit is at risk.

“The CBN conducts its stress-testing of banks. We do not wait to be called to begin to talk about stress testing a bank. Stress testing is a process that is on-going in CBN,” he added.

Assurance from New Board and Management Shortly after assumption of duty, Abiru, affirmed the CBN’s statement that the bank remained healthy and strong. He said the bank’s fundamentals remained strong and virile, assuring customers and other stakeholders of the safety of their funds and investments. The new Skye Bank boss said his team would leverage the bank’s reputable information technology platform to make it not just a frontline retail and commercial bank, but an industry leader.

Abiru, who outlined his vision for the bank, said his team would harness the expertise and skills set of the bank’s employees and the reconstituted board to take the bank to newer and higher heights.

Also, the new board assured shareholders of the bank that the new board and management team will work to increase investors’ returns on their investment. The board assured the investors that the bank would uphold sound banking practices as a way of delivering value to both the customers and shareholders as they form the core support base of the bank. In addition, the bank promised to adopt a policy of close engagement with the shareholders and other stakeholders as a path to growth and development as well as ensure that the fortunes of the bank are improved.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 10, 2016

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BUSINESS/ENERGY

Suspected Niger Delta militants

Renewed Bombing of Oil Assets May Erase Production Gains

The decision of belligerent group, the Niger Delta Avengers, to resume bombing of oil installations in the Delta notwithstanding reported dialogue with the government suggests that Nigeria’s oil production could once again plummet, writes Chineme Okafor

T

he Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), responsible for the relentless attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta, has resumed their disruptive attacks in the Delta, indicating possibilities of another cycle of dip in Nigeria’s crude oil production stock.

For the second time in a space of two days after it resumed bombing of oil facilities, the group last Monday night reportedly breached two manifolds operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration and production subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), at Batan community in Warri South-west Local Government Area of Delta State.

This was after it had in the wee hours of Sunday morning allegedly blew five oil facilities, including two more trunk lines belonging to the NNPC in the area and oil well 10 operated by Chevron at Mararaba community in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

As expected, industry experts have expressed views that the renewed destruction of facilities by the group will likely impact oil production and revenue accruable to the country. The development is however coming on the heels of reported dialogue between militants and the federal government.

Backed and led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the dialogue was called up to halt the activities

of the groups considering its impact on Nigeria’s oil production. Both parties had reportedly disclosed their decision to ceasefire for 30 days to allow for the dialogue.

It offered 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, hence, their anger and rebellion.

Apart from that, it also offered the country an opportunity to claw back production volumes it had lost from past disruptions.

But the group in their resumption of hostilities, warned that the dialogue committee constituted by the government should not be seen as a diversionary ploy.

They explained that weeks after Buhari announced the composition of the committee, nothing concrete had happened with the dialogue.

This was however contrary to what Kachikwu said recently in China where he went to sign off new investment potentials in the sector for the country. He had told Bloomberg that dialogue with the militants was going on fine.

“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,” Kachikwu stated.

Possible Impact Days before the recent bombing was carried out by the militants, NNPC had indicated that the country’s production volume, which was down to about 1.3 million barrels per day at the height of the disruptions, was beginning to come up.

The corporation stated at that time that production was averaging 1.9 million barrels and could hit 2.2 million by the second week of July, some weeks before the August prediction of Kachikwu, for production to

come back up to that level.

But with the recent development, even though no official status of production level has been reported, the possibility of a production dip is palpable especially from past experience of the impact of such attacks.

The group’s activities have also, in the past, resulted in lesser gas available for power production by gas power plants.

This then suggests that the nation’s gradual ramping of power generation may again be cut back.

Since February, the Avengers had religiously carried out attacks on oil installations at least on a weekly basis. If their operational mode is to be considered, their resumption of bombing of oil installations would not be a good omen for Nigeria.

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 was 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.

Also, their disruptive tendencies have the potential to impact oil prices if allowed to fester, and cut Nigeria’s contribution to global oil supply.

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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 10, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

The Tasks Before Baru

Ejiofor Alike reports that the sudden disengagement of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, as the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the most trying moment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry may further fuel the crisis of confidence between the oil-producing Niger Delta and the federal government, thus imposing enormous tasks on the new boss of the state-run company, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari recently exercised his executive power to ‘hire and fire’ when he relieved the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, of his position as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), exactly 11 months after his appointment.

Kachikwu who assumed the NNPC topmost position on August 4, 2015, was later named minister in November 2015, thus assuming dual roles.

With his executive and discretionary power to ‘hire and fire,’ the removal of Kachikwu as the GMD and the approval of the composition of the board of the NNPC

by President Buhari was expected as it was also in line with Section 1(2) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act of 1997, as amended.

Also contrary to insinuations in some quarters, Kachikwu’s new role is not a demotion but the correction of an obvious aberration in line with the NNPC Act. However, what was unexpected was the timing of the action – coming at a time when there was a serious crisis of confidence between the federal government and the oil-producing Niger Delta over allocation of resources derived from the region.

This crisis had led to renewed militancy in the Niger Delta, which curbed Nigeria’s oil production to a 20-year low.

At the peak of the present crisis, Kachikwu had used his dual position to pacify the militants and negotiate a peace deal, which led to partial recovery of oil production.

While most of the other stakeholders, including officials of government were beating war drums, the minister used his positions to initiate dialogue, which paid off tremendously.

In his bid to pacify the oil-producing region and woo the agitators to embrace dialogue, as well as have confidence in President Buhari’s administration, Kachikwu had, at a recent Townhall Meeting of Ministers and other stakeholders in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, openly disagreed with the Minister of Transport, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, on the establishment of a Nigerian Maritime University, proposed for Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area in Delta State.

The removal of Kachikwu, who is one of ‘their own’ at a very critical time may not only truncate the peace efforts but could also fuel the allegation of marginalisation of the region, which the militants have effectively used to justify their renewed attacks on oil facilities.

Also, the lopsided composition of the nine-man board of the NNPC, comprising six members of northern extraction and one person each to represent the South-west, South-east and South-south geopolitical zones did not help government’s case.

Northerners dominated the new NNPC board and no preferential treatment was given to the oil-producing region, which is the ‘goose that lays the golden egg’.

The new board is composed of the following: Chairman – Kachikwu; Group Managing Director – Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Mahmoud Isa Dutse; the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari; and a former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Thomas M.A John.

Baru

Others include; a former Executive Director of Mobil Oil Plc and foremost industrialist and boardroom guru, Dr. Pius O. Akinyelure; a former Chairman/CEO of the NigeriaSao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority (JDA), Dr. Tajuddeen Umar; Mallam Mohammed Lawal; and Mallam Yusuf Lawal.

With the renewed mistrust between the federal government and the Niger Delta region over the new appointments, it is not clear if the militants and other stakeholders from the region would trust Baru, who is not one of their own to lead the negotiations in the peace talks.

To rebuild this trust, Baru has enormous tasks ahead to restore the confidence of the agitators and the entire people of the Niger Delta in Buhari’s administration.

Apart from hampering the peace deals with the militants, Baru’s appointment also has the potential to affect the ongoing reforms in the NNPC, which was initiated

by Kachikwu.

With a First Class (Honours) degree and Doctor of Philosophy also in Mechanical Engineering, from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as his decades of wealth of experience in both the upstream and downstream sectors of oil and gas industry, where he had worked, Baru’s competence to head the NNPC is not in doubt.

What is in doubt is his ability to continue to implement the raft of measures initiated

by Kachikwu to reform the once corruptionridden corporation by enthroning a regime of transparency and accountability. Just last

week, it was announced that NNPC finally turned the corner, reporting an operating profit of N273.74 million for the month of May and reversing the losses of N35 billion made over the last 15 years President Buhari had demonstrated his political will to sanitise the corporation and the entire oil and gas industry by appointing Kachikwu, an outsider, as the boss of the corporation.

Apart from his undisputed competence to head the NNPC, having worked as the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of ExxonMobil (Africa), the appointment of Kachikwu, an outsider that would not be swayed by internal sentiments in wielding the big stick to clean the rot in the NNPC, was one of President Buhari’s wisest decision.

Immediately on assumption of office, Kachikwu had initiated a reform targeted at personnel restructuring to enhance transparency and competitiveness of Nigeria’s operating environment.

As a cost-cutting measure, he did also not waste time to commence the restructuring of the corporation in a sweeping move that affected senior executives and Baru’s former colleagues.

He also ordered a forensic audit of the NNPC, and pledged to split the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) into three portfolio companies that would manage the refineries, pipelines and supply of petroleum products.

In line with the recommendations of President Buhari’s Transition Committee, Kachikwu also cancelled contracts with oil

traders and called for fresh tender for oil lifting contracts, saving the NNPC $150 million monthly.

Also in an unprecedented move to restore public confidence in the then corruptionridden NNPC, Kachikwu further opened up the books of the state-run oil company to public scrutiny with the publication of the monthly financial and operational report of the corporation, thus enthroning a new regime of transparency.

With the strong support of President Buhari, Kachikwu took bold steps, which he would not have taken if he was a staff of the NNPC before his appointment.

As an establishment man and a member of NNPC family, Baru will require more than ordinary courage and political will to sustain the reforms initiated by the minister.

One of the challenges facing the oil and gas sector, which Baru has to contend with, is the issue of dwindling investment and inadequate funding.

Due to the challenges in the operating environment – long contracting cycle and lack of clarity of terms, investors have scaled down their investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in recent years While the international oil companies (IOCs) are looking for opportunities elsewhere, citing the unpredictability of Nigeria’s operating environment as a result of the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the NNPC has been bogged down by lack of funding to meet its cash call obligations in the joint ventures with the IOCs. As the boss of the state-run oil firm, Baru is expected to pursue the various funding options explored by Kachikwu.

The pictures of the country’s refining capacity are also very gloomy with the poor state of the refineries. Kachikwu has since initiated measures to make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products and Baru should implement these initiatives.

Crude oil stealing is also a major challenge in the oil and gas sector and has also impacted negatively government’s revenue due to the huge loss in production.

The non-passage of PIB, eight years after it was first submitted to the National Assembly had created uncertainty in Nigeria’s operating environment.

Without the clarity of terms, the IOCs said they were unable to invest because the operating environment was unpredictable.

Kachikwu had split the PIB into several volumes to ease the passage and Baru should pursue the initiative to a conclusion.

Baru should also pursue the issue of reducing the long contracting cycle to ease doing business the sector.

As Nigeria is experiencing dwindling fortunes in the export of oil and gas, it is believed that domestic gas holds the key to fuel the country’s growth.

With the falling prices of crude oil and gas, coupled with over 70 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects awaiting Final Investment Decision (FID) globally in 2015, LNG projects to export gas should not be the only option.

Despite Nigeria’s abundant gas resources, the absence of sustained investments in the sector in recent years had also affected the federal government’s Gas Master Plan, designed to attract $30 billion investment in the sector.

Baru should resurrect the gas master plan to boost investment in the sector.

Kachikwu had developed a template to tackle these challenges and it is expected that the new NNPC boss should sustain the tempo of the reforms.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 10, 2016

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BUSINESS/LABOUR

Addressing Nigeria’s 60m Unemployment Deficit

As Nigeria gallops through rising cost of goods and services, high cost of living and doing business, amidst a growing threat of militant activities in the Niger Delta, which disrupt oil production, there is a growing army of at least 60 million unemployed Nigerians. In this piece, Funke Olaode examines solutions being proffered by UK-based African-in-Chief of Africa Secretariat, Ben Oguntala, to mitigate the rising unemployment in the country

T

he Olooni of Eti-Oni and Chairman of Africa Secretariat in the United Kingdom, Oba Dokun Thompson, in an address at a London event, Celebrating Africa, noted that, “for the past 300 years or more, Africa has been defined by several different perceptions others have and not by those she has of herself. One of the greatest challenges of Africa is how to properly craft out an identity and define herself in the context of the contemporary and modern world we have found ourselves in today.”

His statement certainly applies to Nigeria today in view of two key challenges that are preventing Nigeria, and Africa as a whole in addressing unemployment and trade development.

In the first instance, experts have noted that African governments are not taking its “demand to supply” seriously and that they expect investors to take all the risk. These governments thus avoid any situation that will make them take part in complex development projects.

According to the United Kingdom-based Africa Secretariat, “every time demand goes to supply, the value of the product is significantly diminished and this is the model that China is using that has worked quite well in its favour.

Every time you hear of a foreign company purchasing a land in Africa, it is predominantly based on this principle.”

Another predicament and argument put forward by the organisation is that African governments are often too lazy when it comes to working on complex projects. It alleged the governments often leave the development and complex requirements to international suppliers to solve. Incidentally, the complex areas are where the real money or value in a project is.

Therefore, if these complex projects are left in the hands of international outfits to resolve, they are always likely to get the benefit of such projects at the expense of host African nations.

Examples of these already abound in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria –and perhaps other nations on the continent. Complex projects have continued to spring on the continent to the delight of many Africans but the international investors still holds the aces by withholding the intellect or knowledge key to the success of the projects. In the long run, the knowledge capital needed to truly develop.

The consequence of these scenarios is that “we keep seeing developments that don’t impact employment and which ends up like a tiny drop in a mighty ocean,” the Africa Secretariat noted.

Consequent upon this, the UK-based outfit stated that African countries like Nigeria will not be able to centrally address unemployment. The reason, it said, is simple: if Nigerian government centralises the resolution, it will be overwhelmed with the response and as a result shut down the process even before it has begun. Therefore, government after government keeps trying the same approach and repeatedly fails over and over again.

Consider the story of Dr. Akin Oguntala who used to wake his son, Ben Oguntala (African-in-Chief of Africa Secretariat), from slumber and would pull up one of Nigerian newspapers’ headline that would say something like, “300, 000 passed JAMB but only 30,000 spaces available.” His message to his son was that 270, 000 were doomed regardless of how smart they were. This was back in the 80s.

Today, just a few years after, the number has skyrocketed.

L-R: Chairman of Africa Secretariat in the United Kingdom, Oba Dokun Thompson, and African-in-Chief and Founder of AfricaSecretariat.com, Ben Oguntala

For Africa Secretariat, the strategy to redefine and decentralise the process and the problem are simple and may be considered as ambitious by some.

Amongst Nigeria’s 60 million unemployed, at least one million of them have access to raw materials in rural areas. According to an estimate, each raw material is capable of creating 10 jobs.

Following on this, in a 12-month period, there will 10 million jobs above the United Kingdom’s minimum wage of £10 per hour would have been created in Nigeria. That, the Africa Secretariat noted, would have caused a significant dent on the figure of unemployed people like never before. Furthermore, it will also inject over £100 million into Nigeria’s economy per hour.

“I am sure you will agree with me, without a single government funding, we would have created an economy that addresses our issues and challenges and most importantly, allows ordinary Nigerians to create a £10 per hour job for themselves,” Oguntala stated.

Speaking further, the Africa Secretariat boss noted, “There are overwhelming statistics about unemployment in Nigeria, according to a newspaper report, an estimated 60 million Nigerians are unemployed, with the World Bank Data in 2010 stating that 46 per cent of the nation’s population are living in poverty which is usually caused by unemployment in the country.”

Poverty is deep in the country with a growing population of 168.8 million in 2012 (according to the World Bank Data).

“This means the true figure is not 60 million but rather 77.6 million. Any government that says it can address it is simply lying. It is logistically impossible,” the UK-based employment expert claimed.

How international suppliers exploit Nigeria When foreign governments and firms want to exploit Africa, Oguntala explains that they

first “visit the country, visit the piece of land they want, carry out a survey, determine the land is going to benefit their need and then call the minister’s office to request a meeting.”

As they are foreigners in Nigeria or any other African country, they always get the meeting arranged more often than not.

Oguntala further explained what happened at such meetings.

“They arrive at the meeting with £5 million and request to buy the land and you can imagine the outcome. They get the land; they drive the Africans off the land and eventually pay the land owner to work on his own land with no financial benefit other than a meagre salary. This model is ‘demand going to supply’, as you can see from my example; the African government did not carry out an independent survey of the land or get a second opinion. There was no consultation with the landowners mainly because the price offered has blindfolded them. We would never know if the land was worth £500 million.

I am sure you will agree with me, without a single government funding, we would have created an economy that addresses our issues and challenges and most importantly, allows ordinary Nigerians to create a £10 per hour job for themselves

“In our model, ‘supply will be going to demand’, meaning the raw materials manufacturers would be the ones showcasing their products to the demand side and the value of the raw materials is viewed from an international demand perspective. This path is one key reasons Africa is failing to create employment or initiate trade,” he said.

Raw Materials Development Competition Africa Secretariat in collaboration with African Natural Rulers has commissioned a N1 million Raw Materials Development competition as part of the Redefining Africa initiative.

The aim of the competition is to identify 20 raw materials development ideas and projects that are capable of generating the highest level of employment and highest level of development for the communities they come from.

The competition requires certain criteria for people to qualify for it. Oguntala pointed out that each project has to start by self-generating capital through the sale of raw materials to the international suppliers and have a plan for using the capital generated from the sale to create the end product locally in Africa.

Another step to be taken is that anyone entering for the competition needs to identify five raw materials in his rural community and identify an international supplier or market that will be interested in the five raw materials and how the raw materials can benefit them.

“He also has to define how many of the raw materials can be supplied to the supplier, state how many employment opportunities will be created from his plan and how; he should also state how many community development initiatives will be started by the plan.

Another vital aspect is for any interested person to identify how he plans to start processing the raw materials locally and to identify how he can produce the end product locally,” Oguntala stated.

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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 10, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEY

As Investible Pension Fund Idles Away…

The disclosure that a huge chunk of pension fund meant for investment in infrastructure is currently unutilised despite the deficit in infrastructure development, has prompted another round of discussion bordering on funding for the sector. In this report, Olaseni Durojaiye examines some of the issues surrounding the debate

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he issues around Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit will continue to generate topical discussion make and headline for a long time until it is seen to have been significantly bridged, chiefly because it has been said that it holds the key to unlocking the economic and entrepreneurial potentials of Nigerians.

Infrastructure being broad, stakeholders have identified physical infrastructure including road construction, power, health insurance, education and ICT among others as some of the areas that is in need of critical intervention by government. A few rating agencies and investment experts have aligned with this thought even as they canvassed for improved funding from both government and the private sector.

In its 2016 report on Nigeria titled “Unlocking Nigeria’s potentials, The Path to Well-being,”Boston Consulting Group identified five sectors in need of critical and urgent attention from government. The report stated in the executive summary section that, “to understand where Nigeria stands today and where it must go, we used the Boston Consulting Group’s Sustainable Economic Development Assessment (SEDA), a powerful diagnostic tool designed to provide government leaders with a perspective on the well-being of citizens, including how effective their countries convert wealth, as measured by income levels, into well-being.

“Our analysis reveals that the Nigerian government must address significant deficits in five areas: Governance, civil society, infrastructure, education and Health. Disciplined action in those areas are will set the country on a path to inclusive growth, prosperity and meaningful gains in the well-being of its people.”The report stated.

Other investment experts have echoed similar opinions at different occasions. Managing Director of Renaissance Capital Nigeria, Temitope Popoola, alongside other management team of the leading investment firm also identified infrastructure, particularly health insurance and financial technology as areas in need of funding if the noticeable infrastructure deficit must be bridged.

According to THISDAY findings, the country’s infrastructure deficit stands at about N23 trillion.

The size of the figure, juxtaposed with the limited resources available to government especially with the dwindling oil revenue all led to why analysts contended that infrastructure funding in the country could not be left solely to budgetary allocation if the wide gap must be bridged.

Popoola underscored that much when he noted in an interview with THISDAY that,“government actually contributes a small portion output in Nigeria. Government’s impact on the economy is probably just 10 per cent; the private sector is what drives both the GDP, growth and the economy.”

The infrastructure challenge is not lost on government, particularly at the Federal level. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has reiterated so, times without number. He has also severally identified limited resources as the biggest challenge facing the determination of the current administration to bridge the infrastructure challenge facing the country.

According to a research analysts based in Lagos, Rotimi Oyelere, “The resources available to government is grossly inadequate to address the challenge of infrastructure deficit which is about N23 trillion; due to competing demands, there is then the need for government look beyond budgetary allocation for funding infrastructure in the country,” he stated.

Speaking further, Oyelere noted that,“pension fund asset due to its long-term nature is suitable for investment in infrastructure. But there is need to put certain framework in place; as it is now, government is jumping the gun with the call for pension fund to be invested in infrastructure funding.

Investing Pension Funds Infrastructure The need to channel pension fund assets into

The Lagos Mono Rail Blue line ... could benefit from pension fund investment

funding infrastructure by way of investment bond and other investment instrument is not new to public discourse. The debate however, gained more traction in the aftermath of the speech of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing at the Nigerian Pension Industry Implementation Roadmap Retreat in January.

In the speech, Fashola drew example from South Africa and how the country’s pension industry was a big player in Nigeria investment space and while it’s local counterpart lagged abysmally behind.

To demonstrate that investments in infrastructure provision is workable in the country, he recalled the Lekki-Epe Expressway project and how Lagos State government got the road to the state that it is today through a concession arrangement with Lekki Concession Company and, tasked operators in the Nigerian pension industry to invest more in government’s quest to bridge infrastructure deficit in the country.

The debate again returned to the front burner of public discourse following disclosure by the Director General of Nigerian Pension Commission, (PENCOM), Mrs. Chinelo Amazu-Anohu, that about N1.159 trillion of pension fund assets available for investment in infrastructure is currently lying idle. According to her, only N1.36 billion of the total N1.16 trillion has so far been invested in the infrastructure.

Amazu-Anohu, who made the disclosure during a public hearing on the need to invest pension fund in infrastructure in the country, which was organised by the House of Representative Committee on pension added while enabling regulations allowed for investment of pension fund assets in infrastructure through infrastructure bonds, the commission had yet to find viable instruments through which to channel the funds.

According to her,“The investment regulations allow for investment in infrastructure through infrastructure bonds and infrastructure funds.

However, despite the availability of about N1.16 trillion for infrastructure financing, only N1.36billion had been taken as of December 31, 2015, leaving about N1.159tillion untapped. This is largely due to the non-availability of investment instruments that qualify for pension investment as stipulated in the investment regulations issued by the commission.”

However, THISDAY findings have revealed some

Our analysis reveals that the Nigerian government must address significant deficits in five areas: Governance, civil society, infrastructure, education and health. Disciplined action in those areas will set the country on a path to inclusive growth, prosperity and meaningful gains in the well-being of its people

of the reasons why the pension fund administrators may be shying away from investing in infrastructure in the country. Investment professionals and pension fund administrators who spoke to this newspaper listed lack of clear-cut regulatory framework that safeguards such investments, absence of fiscal discipline especially in the states, even as some respondents reasoned that government could take a cue from the Lagos state government in fashioning out a workable regulatory framework that ensures that investments will be repaid with profits.

Challenges of Investing in Infrastructure While the call for the funds to be invested in infrastructure persists, the seeming reluctance by PenCom to invest in the sector may be justified, just as Amazu-Anohu stated before the house committee.

According to Oyelere, the absence of proper regulatory framework is deterrence.“Regulation

is poor, implementation is weak; government is jumping the gun asking for the funds to be invested in infrastructure. Government needs to come up with a road map to state where exactly they want the funds to be invested in. Infrastructure is very broad, is it in physical infrastructure like road construction, Housing, ICT or health insurance, even education. There is need for a clear cut policy and transparency.

“We also need to consider the viability of infrastructure to payback the investment with interest. If it is road construction there must be pricing via tolls, these and needs to be articulated by government. The Lagos State model can be copied and improved on where need be; the state has demonstrated that if the service is provided people will pay for it. But government must first articulate the necessary framework and safety nets.

We have seen how states raised development bonds for infrastructure development in the past through the capital markets. May be there is need to re-evaluate what was achieved with the borrowings because some of the states still lack critical infrastructure,” Oyelere stated.

Managing Director of Pal Pensions, Dave Uduanu, raised the same concern and reiterated the need for security of investments arguing that being people’s contribution, the interests of contributors must be safeguarded.

Uduanu explained in an interview that“Pension funds are long-term funds. So ideally in more developed countries, pension funds invest up to 10 per cent and in some instances like in the U.S., in Latin America, it is up to five per cent and in Canada, it is up to 20 per cent in infrastructure.

One would expect that in Nigeria, that should be the case. However, in Nigeria, infrastructure as an asset class is very new, as it is not well developed. The bulk of infrastructure has been built by the government and is done through appropriations from the budget. So our initial stance is that pension fund ideally should invest in infrastructure. However we are quick to caution that such an investment should be secured; it should be well structured and investment should be through an instrument or through intermediaries who are experts in infrastructure investing.

“So my stand is that yes, pension fund should seek to invest in infrastructure in a safe and secure way,” he added.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 10, 2016

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Examining the Delay in Accessing N90bn Loan Facility by States James Emejo in Abuja

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arely three weeks ago, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, unveiled plans by the federal government to facilitate a N90 billon loan to the 36 states of the federation to enable them meet their financial obligations to workers and contractors.

The gesture followed the predicament of some state governments that had been unable to pay salaries to workers for several months as oil revenues from the monthly federation account allocation continued to decline drastically.

The intervention, which the minister was quick to rule out as bailout but rather a loan which must be repaid came with stringent conditions attached to it.

The credit facility was made possible following the disposition of state governors to bend to the federal government’s demand that they all implement a comprehensive 22-point Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) which was targeted at ensuring transparency, and cutting wasteful spending of public resources as observed in past administrations, where resources were deployed for personal satisfaction amid rising poverty and discontent among the people.

The states will still receive their monthly share of the federation account notwithstanding the proposed loan advancement to them.

On June 16, it was disclosed that only five states had met the stringent loan conditions.

Speaking while briefing State House correspondents at the completion of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, had disclosed that five states had met the criteria for accessing the loans at a single-digit interest rate of nine per cent while Lagos State had shown it’s not interested in the facility.

However, on June 27, Adeosun reportedly dismissed claims that any Nigerian state had met the 22 conditions to access the Federal Government’s N90 billion budget support fund.

She said: “When I keep reading that some states have complied, I think there is a misunderstanding. No state could have complied,” she said Monday on national

Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor Abdullahi Yari

Adeosun

Television.” According to her, “It is going to take about 18 months for all these reforms to get through but when they are concluded, we expect to have much more leaner, much more efficient and much more transparent state governments which I think will be good for the whole nation.”

The apparent confusion on states which had met the terms may have stemmed from the fact that the governor could have mistaken the submission of loan proposal documents by the five states in question to the Ministry of Finance for satisfying the loan conditions.

Nevertheless, a source within the ministry of finance told THISDAY that it was premature to say whether a state had met all requirements or otherwise, given that there are timelines to each of the conditions spelt out in the fiscal sustainability plan.

However, it would have been executed except for the states’ sordid financial positions and even some of them would have by now accessed the loans, if the requirement were not so stringent.

Economist and former acting Unity Bank Managing Director, Mr. Muhammed Rislanudenn, told THISDAY in an interview that it would require a lot of adjustment to states’ fiscal strategy to be able to meet the laid down conditions.

He said: “To me before granting the so called bail out to states we ought to ask: what they have done with huge funds accrued to them over the years from Federation account ? We all know the fiscal strategy of most states, which is largely tilted towards heavy reliance on federally collected revenue largely from oil sales to finance their annual budgets, has to be spurious and extremely unrealistic.

No Profits for Discos Mobolorunduro Hammed

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t is almost customary in Nigeria nowadays to lay the blame for poor electricity supply at the doorstep of power distribution companies called discos . The reason for this is not farfetched . Discos are the point of contact between the Nigerian electricity consumer and the power industry . The discos bring the bills and they charge with the meters and where meters are not available they charge with estimates . This too has become another source of rancor and hostility with consumers , who c ry foul that the estimates are bloated and padded like the national budget .

The truth however lurks in the sickening fact that most Nigerians do not want to pay anything for electricity they consume if they can get away with it because they feel that it is part of the National cake to be taken for free .Which is a very bitter experience for the discos who have invested heavily when they bought the distributive channels and infrastructure of the Nigerian power sector at privatization time .

The general view of the Nigerian public fuelled, wrongly unfortunately by the trade unions which should be fighting for the rights of workers in the distributive establishment and structures the discos inherited at privatization , is that the discos are out to make profit and are going to sack workers to achieve that profit motive by all means . The unions also see the increase in tariffs announced by the discos as part of this profit motive of the discos which they say is at the expense of the Nigerian electricity consumer .

However new facts and data are emerging from the media in the electricity industry and the public at large , that show that the discos have been given a raw deal by the unions on the profit motive ascribed to them . This is borne by the revelation in the print media that shows that discos get a mere 24% of the collections of the industry while the power generating companies get a huge chunk of 57% of the overall collections . Yet it is the discos that the unions in the power industry are touting as heartless profit seekers out by all means to milk the Nigerian consumer dry on the

new tariffs . Which is not only false but wickedly so .

The truth however is prevailing on the fact that the discos have been quite patriotic and have been running at a loss and may need a huge FGN financial rescue and bail out if they are not to go under . Since the discos have no powers to raise tariffs on their own they have been toing the line of new tariffs approved by the sole electricity regulatory authority in Nigeria – the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission [ NERC] . Unfortunately the authority of NERC has been forcibly taken over by the Nigerian Senate which reversed the new tariffs early this year and has been taken to court by the NERC which has categorically stated that it is the legitimate and sole authority on tariffs in Nigeria .

Actually the plight of the Nigerian discos is pathetic in terms of the profit motive accusation and the wrong impression created for the corporate image of the discos . Surely the discos like any well run business are expected to make profit but after a certain period in spite of the huge investment they made when they bought the power delivery

“Each of the states have the potentials of independent economic growth with or without oil but over the years, most of them became lazy because they can get easy hand-out monthly from Abuja. Now the amount to share from federation account has gone down drastically due, in large part, to reduced oil export earnings as well as lack of any fiscal buffer in savings to fall back on.”

He said: “Conditions set for states for bail out are not unrealistic or impossible to comply but some states find it difficult to easily comply because it requires a lot of changes to their fiscal strategy as well as how they manage their resources. Bailout will not end until states begin to seriously craft internal capacity for harnessing their full economic potentials for growth and optimising on same to enhance internally generated revenue.”

assets of the PHCN and NEPA , when these were sold at privatization by the Bureau of Public Enterprises - BPE . In addition the electricity tariffs approved for the discos

by NERC are cost reflective in accord with global best practices and standards . Poor electricity supply and generation ,coupled with lack of gas nation wide for the gas fired turbines and vandalisation of pipelines have meant that the discos have no power to deliver . While it is crystal clear that the discos have scant or indeed no power to deliver because the gencos have not been able to generate needed power for the industry and the gencos get the bulk of the profit generated , it is a great wonder and a real shame that the public is being misled by those who wrongly blame the discos for poor electricity supply when they can only deliver electricity generated and transmitted to them . Such injustice must stop in the interest of fair play in the generation , transmission and delivery of needed power to make life comfortable for Nigerians and drive our comatose industries into profitability .

–Hammed, an analyst, writes from Ekiti

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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 10, 2016

BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

The Economy and You: Tales of the Unexpected

Anya Anya

A Introduction

cursory glance at the Nigerian print media as well as the social media paints a gloomy picture of the state of both the Nigerian society and economy.

Apart from the insurgency in the North East and the upsurge in attacks on oil/gas installations in Niger Delta by the militants there is an explosive increase in such social maladies as mindless murders, kidnapping, rape, arson and the marauding Fulani herdsmen in the South and North Central geopolitical zones. It is as if Nigeria is on the verge of an undeclared war. These social maladies have been there over the last several years admittedly at a much lower intensity but now it is as if it has now reached an inexplicable crescendo. It is therefore not surprising that the economy is in dire straits. Naturally we are forced to ask why and particularly why at this point in time?

The State of the Economy: 2014 vs 2016: If we cast our minds back as recently as 2014, there was literally an upbeat tone to discussions on the state of the Nigerian economy.

The GDP calculations had been rebased, conferring on us the status of the largest economy in Africa ahead of South Africa and Egypt.

On the international scene, Nigeria had consistently posted a GDP p.a. rate of over 7% for the previous 3-5 years and although this had dropped, it was still impressive at more than 6%. What is more Nigeria was touted as one of the preferred destinations for Direct Foreign investment (DFI) and was regarded as one of the emerging markets that was poised to break through to sustainable high growth rate. Corruption was mentioned as a problem but the outlook was nevertheless positive.

Unemployment especially of the youth was unacceptably high but not as high as the current situation indicates. So the question is why the economy seems to have unraveled and regressed in less than one year of the new administration? The reason is simple although not so obvious even to the unprepared economist.

The fundamental driver of economic activities is human behaviour.

The economic data that we use to gauge the state of the economy are mere aggregations of patterns of human economic behaviour.

When the patterns of behaviour indicates a positive feedback the individual responds in an optimistic frame of mind. This is so because human behaviour responds to incentives, rewards and sanctions. Responses to each of these different stimuli produce different outcomes that will be summed up as economic trends in one direction or another. Hence when the narrative on the Nigerian economy suddenly tended to emphasize elements of unsavoury news, the new situation bred a new climate of uncertainty, fear and doubt. This incipient environment of uncertainty and fear was amplified and garnished with a dose of well-honed propaganda, often propagated with flourish. The harvest is what we have seen in the cautious approach to normal life which we find in the market place. It is not for nothing, that the “feel good” attitude is a necessary companion to good economic environments. This is not to say that the negative and unacceptable behaviour that have been exposed in the recent past can ever be acceptable. What is critical is how we do handle the situation. The natural human tendency is to expect the necessary ameliorative programme that is rational, fair, just and reformist. When our response stops at denunciation alone shorn of these other actions that will rebuild and inform in a manner consistent with a hopeful future, the alternative is confusion in the social psyche – the harbinger of a problematic economy. Even in the direst of situations, the citizenry expect a plan of action beyond the trading of blames. Economies operate through signals and the responses to those signals. Hence we need a new repertoire of signals to deal with the new climate of uncertainty, fear and doubt.

To tackle the current problems we need to know where we are coming from and how the current problems emerged. So we need not only a short term view of our own problems and their solutions but also a long term view of the strategies that are needed to take us to the more desirable destination of our hopes.

Where we are coming from It has been said that the welfare of the citizenry is the primary goal of governance. In the pursuit of that end, our founding fathers opted for a federal system of governance in recognition of the plural nature of our society. Then came the military intervention and interregnum. This imposed on us a more centralized government without accountability to civil society and which often lacked transparency.

What is more the checks and balances which the legislature confers on the system was abrogated. Thus the governance system imposed by the military lacked moral legitimacy and thus bred institutional instability. Not surprisingly, the command structure of the military imitated in governance led to the privatization of the state with patrimonial incentives and bureaucratic management. Clientilism usurped the moral and political legitimacy where political and personal loyalties are rewarded more than merit. Hard work did not count anymore as the basis for rewards in the system.

This situation understandably transformed the environment and dynamics for development in a society that promoted social justice, equity and fairness. What is more it constrained the development of institutions and organizations that promoted these values. Against

President Muhammadu Buhari

this background, the reward system and income distribution became distorted thus, undermining the harnessing of individual initiative, the basis of entrepreneurship, and the driver of wealth creation.

Over time this was reflected in the poor state of infrastructure and the low levels of productivity. Expectedly, this situation promoted dependence on low value added products as the major items of international trade especially in the emergent situation of lack of education and constraints on science and technology. This encouraged the emergence of a dominant public sector which created the impetus for political instability that provided the incentive for capital flight.

To provide a new environment to tackle this situation we need to recalibrate the point of balance between the government and the market. In doing this we must recognize that political factors often affect the economic performance of firms in emerging markets.

Consequently the politics that shapes the economic behaviour of the political leaders significantly impacts economic growth and the environment in which economic enterprises operate in. The danger is particularly important since it is recognised that; “When there is a disconnect between the state and civil society, the state can be privatised by those who have power, reward is often a function of how close you are to those in power. So much is invested in developing access to those who make decisions that a profitable agency for opening access develops. Policies that provide rent-seeking opportunities emerge to open more avenues to those who have access…”

Current Situation and current Policies It can be argued that there is an emerging national consensus as indicated by the policies of the new government that there is a national objective to build a thriving free market economy. A basic challenge of market economics is how to calibrate accurately the balance between supply and demand of goods and services within an economy. While the supply side economics emphasizes the constraint imposed on the economy by the willingness of individuals to work and to save, the demand side of the equation harps on the constraints imposed by the demands on the economy which enforces on firms the imperative not to produce if there are not people to buy their goods.

The balance is struck by the government’s ability to deregulate or to regulate. When done in an appropriate way, regulation serves to restrain conflicts of interest and abusive practices so that investors can be confident that the market provides a level playing field for competition, and that those who are expected to be acting in their interest actually do so. Hence there is the need in a functional market economy, that there must be laws and regulations that guarantee fair competition, to protect the environment and to make sure that consumers and investors were not cheated. It has been argued, however, that deregulation would be of benefit to consumers and society at large. But a basic law of economics also suggests that competition drives profits down, perhaps to zero. It may well be that the argument is not regulation versus deregulation but a reformed framework of regulation that strikes the right balance for the economy between growth and the social demands like education and health.

This framework should include an appropriate mix of incentives,

rewards and sanctions that will conduce towards optimum incentive for diversification of the economy with emphasis on education and Science, Engineering, and Technology (S.E.T). But this is necessarily a long term objective and not the quick fix.

Attention had been drawn to the speed with which the economic indices regressed as between 2014 and 2016. We have also noted that since economics is rooted in observing and understanding human behaviour, signals, incentives, rewards and sanctions are part of the tool kit in the management of the economy especially one in which there was pent up desire for change. The expectation was for dramatic and decisive action on a few targeted areas as signals to the inauguration of the new era of change popularised by the change mantra. When this did not happen, there was a loss of momentum generating an atmosphere of indecisiveness.

This was sign posted by the fact that it took close to six months to put the cabinet in place. It took an unconscionably long time along with the associated controversies to get the 2016 budget in place. Along with these came the several avoidable gaffes from the supreme leader as well as the controversies on appointments that did not appear to have followed in a clear, and decisive manner or to have followed the stipulations of the federal character principles of the constitution or to have adhered to any clear definition of merit, excellence or experience.

Apart from the epic and monumental onslaught on the dragon of corruption whose legitimacy cannot be questioned although the methodologies in its pursuit have been severally questioned as to fairness, justice and decorum. Razzmatazz, drama, and the associated propaganda blitz that has developed in the handling of politically exposed persons has raised issues of methodology and political motives. Despite these, it is a necessary programme of social and moral redemption. Nevertheless there are three areas of policy thrust of this administration that are of great economic moment.

These are in the areas of deficit budgeting, inflation management and unemployment.

The reliance on deficit budgeting is particularly worrisome because it raises the concern that share prices and investments may actually fall as the deficits will drive medium and long term interest up.

This is to be expected since the basic law of supply and demand suggests that increased government borrowing will drive up rates and higher interest should lead to lower share prices. What is more increased deficits will in the long term lead to lower incomes and not the expected higher growth especially as government will crowd out the private sector in accessing funds. So it is a risky gambit.

There should also be concern in the area of the management of inflation rates. In the last five years or more the inflation rate has tended to lie in the realm of the single digit. But no more. Over the last year this inflation rate has climbed inexorably north with the latest figure at 13.8%. What is worrying is whether there is a credible strategy to control it particularly at this time when the growth of the economy has been constrained. With regards to unemployment it does not appear as if our policy makers have given thought to the development of a comprehensive programme to deal with it. What efforts that are discernible would seem to be mainly of the populist kind. We need a more comprehensive approach particularly since the problem is critical in the youth cohort of the population which normally would form the productive base of the economy. Indeed, it has been suggested that the upsurge in crimes of violence such as armed robbery and kidnapping have arisen from this factor of youth unemployment.

Managing Uncertainty and the issue of legitimacy It should be noted that legitimacy or acceptance rooted in the conventions of a community or nation is not necessarily an attribute that is acquired by a government once it is set up. It has to be earned.

Whenever a sizeable proportion of the population feel excluded or issues of social justice arise, the matter of legitimacy of the governing authority obtrudes. For example, whenever the reward system is not merit-based and does not appear to reward hard work the result is increased uncertainty with the system. The fact of uncertainty in complex transactions tends to lead to pressure for constraints to behaviour. So rules are not always motivated by considerations for human welfare but devised in the interest of private well-being and this often provides opportunity for rent seeking. It should also be noted that; “economic decline which robs off badly especially on those that are beginning to prosper triggers off a constituency which for self-interest desires rules and institutions that constrain behaviour in a way that affects the common well-being positively”.

The challenge of managing pervasive uncertainty is not about what areas of the economy to avoid or actively pursue but about the values that drive decision making. For example lopsided income distribution which can arise from differential access to power has implications not only for social justice but also for wealth creation.

Income inequities frustrate the emergence of a middle class who are the purveyors of wealth creation and hence development. What is more an economic system’s ability to create wealth and spur economic growth comes largely from the private sector whose response to competitive pressure is to develop sustainable competitive advantage over rivals.

- Professor O. Anya is former chief executive officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (See Concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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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 10, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

ZENITH BANK PLC: Reduction in non-interest income impacts topline and bottom-line earnings

Z

enith Bank Plc (Zenith Bank) in its recently released first quarter results for the period ended March 31th 2016, showed a slight drop in profitability due to 12% decline in gross earnings. Nevertheless, despite continuing tough operating environment Zenith Bank has been able to reduce its operational expenses.

The Bank for the full year 2015 maintained its regular dividend payment, and has paid investors in the first quarter a total dividend payment of N56.51 billion (on the basis of N1.80 per share) for every 50 kobo share, which is higher than N1.75 per share paid consecutively in the previous two year.

The Bank offers its clients a wide range of corporate, investment, business and personal banking products and solutions. The Bank is one of the biggest and most profitable banks in Nigeria. The bank was established in May 1990 and started operations in July same year as a commercial bank. It became a public limited company on June 17, 2004 and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on October 21, 2004.

NON-INTERESTINCOME IMPACTS NEGATIVELY ON TOP-LINE EARNINGS Gross earnings for first quarter 2016 declined by 12.25% to N99.44 billion from N113.32 billion in the corresponding period of 2015; compelled primarily by a 52% decrease in non-interest income to N15.26 billion from N31.94 billion over the same period. The decline in non-interest income was driven by trading income, commission on turnover, other income and credit related fees which recorded decline of 134.91%, 100%, 83.98% and 31% respectively.

Interest income grew marginally by 3.38% to N84.18 billion in the first quarter of 2016 from N81.42 billion in the first quarter of 2015, spurred mainly by a substantial 75% growth in interest from government bonds while growth in loans and advances rose modestly by 1%.

Also, interest expense expectedly decreased by a striking 32.92% to N26.02 billion from N38.79 billion over the same period. A breakdown of the components of interest expenses shows that the decrease was triggered by a decline of 47% in interest expense on time deposits to N16.51 billion from N31.30 billion and 43% decline in interest expense on

SIMILARLY, WITH REINFORCED COMMITMENT TOWARDS AN INCREASED AND EFFECTIVELY MANAGED INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT INNOVATIONS, CUSTOMERS’ BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, SOLUTION AND SATISFACTION WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED; HENCE WILL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN ZENITH BANK’S NON-INTEREST INCOME

billion from N27.68 billion in the corresponding period.

Furthermore, the bank also recorded a borderline rise of 1.84% in income tax to N5.55 billion in first quarter ended, March 2016 from N5.45 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

current account.

Expectedly, net interest income rose significantly by 36.42% to N58.16 billion from N42.63 billion recorded at the end of first quarter 2015.

The significant growth in interest expense was driven by a continued high interest rate environment due to the contractionary monetary policy in operation at the period.

BANKS PERFORMANCE FAILS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY RATIOS For the first quarter ended, March 2016, Zenith Bank grew its total assets slightly by 1.37% to N3.99 trillion from N3.94 trillion recorded as at March 2016. The growth in total assets can be attributed to significant increase in property and equipment, assets pledged as collateral and treasury bills by 25.08%, 39.1% and 24.82% respectively. The growth in loans and advances reflects the Bank risk nature as it appeared to have reacted appropriately to the current operating environment through a more cautious outlook on risk involved in each financial intermediation activities as it aims at reducing its non-performing advances which has risen to 2.2% from 1.7% year on year; with general commerce leading on loans and advances and also having the highest rate of non-performing loan.

On the other hand, total liabilities decline by 1.19% to N3.37 trillion as at March 2016 from N3.41 trillion as at 2015. The decrease resulted from a 4.42% in total customer deposits to N2.56 trillion from N2.68 trillion at the end of first quarter 2015.

Nevertheless, return on average equity (ROAE) currently stands at 4.63% while return on average assets (ROAA) at 0.67% as at first quarter ended, March 2016.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF EXPENSES FORESTALLS FURTHER DECLINE OF EARNINGS Zenith Bank’s pre-tax profit grew by 3.04% to N32.12 billion in March 2016 from N33.13 billion in March 2015. This erosion of gains from the Bank’s earnings largely due to the decline in non-line interest income was limited by the management ability to effectively cut expenses as records showed that total operating expenses maintained a steady figure as it recorded a modest drop of 1.49 over the three-month period to N38.77 billion from N39.35 billion in March 2015; on the back of 13% decline in other expenses.

Net income also decreased by a marginal 4.00% to N26.57

BUY RECOMMENDATION MAINTAINED Despite the macro-economic headwind in most African countries and Nigeria CBN’s monetary tightening policies, which results into high cost of funds within the financial system, the Bank will be able to outperform general expectation if it operates an efficient liquidity and cost cutting strategy as it maintains a low NPL ratio. Similarly, with reinforced commitment towards an increased and effectively managed investment in technology and product innovations, customers’ business activities, solution and satisfaction will be significantly enhanced; hence will result in

Valuation Metrics 8-July-16 Rating

BUY

Target Price (N)

17.12

Current Price (N)

15.12

Market Cap (N'm)

474,715

Outstanding Shares (m)

31,396

Rolling EPS (N)

3.33

Rolling PE Ratio

4.54x

Forward EPS

3.93

Forward PE

3.85x Source: BGL Research

Unaudited First Quarter Results Gross Earnings (N'm) Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

99,435 32,121 26,573 32.30

Source: Company Data 2016, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'm) Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

432,535 125,616 105,663 24.43

Source: Annual Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Jim Ovia, CON

9.38%

Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Limited/C011 - MAIN

7.38%

Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Limited/C002 - TRAD

7.24%

Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Limited/C001 - TRAD

5.75%

Free Float

70.25% Source: Annual Report 2015, BGL Research

significant growth in Zenith Bank’s non-interest income.

While we believe Zenith Bank will enhance its profitability in the coming months, we revise our 2016 financial year end projection after considering current and historical result to N477.73 billion for gross earnings and net income of N123.45 billion; leading to a forward earnings per share (EPS) of N3.93. However, using the current PE multiple and net assets valuation, we arrive at a 6-month target price of N17.12 and therefore recommend a BUY.

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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 10, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC: Earnings dampened by tough operating business environment

N

igerian Breweries (NB) Plc, the largest brewing company in Nigeria by market capitalization and operational scale, is a renowned name in the consumer goods segment.The brewer has a robust brand portfolio which includes names such as: Maltina, Star Lager Beer, Gulder Lager Beer and Heineken Lager Beer.The company has eight operational breweries across Nigeria, and ultramodern malting plants in Aba and Kaduna.

The company recently released its first quarter result for the period ended March 2016 showing a marginal rise in performance as sales increases during the festive Easter period. Nevertheless, a number of operational bumps were also noted due to inherent macro-economic factors.

The company’s management has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has recommended a total dividend payment of N28.54 billion (on the basis of N3.60 per share) for every 50 kobo share, which is lower than the N4.70 per share paid last year.

ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY INTHE COUNTRYWEAKENS NB GROWTH POTENTIALS The brewing company in its released unaudited first quarter result for March 2016 showed a modest growth of 10.92% in revenue to N77.55 billion from N69.92 billion in March 2015, while net income grew by a marginal figure of 3.49% to N10.45 billion from N10.10 billion in corresponding year of 2015.The performance of the brewing company can be attributed to a better business environment than first quarter 2015 which witnessed a more difficult operating environment due to instability caused by the general elections which impacted purchasing power and businesses.

Moreover, the importance of the Nigerian beer market cannot be overemphasised in the company’s operations, as sales in Nigeria continue to account for more than 97% of total revenue.

Furthermore ,the company’s cost of sales grew by 11.85% to N40.27 billion in March 2016 from N36.01 billion in March 2015 due to increase in cost of raw materials, especially sorghum which the company uses in the production of beer. Cost of sales remained stable at 51% as it consumes more than half of the company’s total revenue.

The company’s gross profit increased by 9.92% to N37.28 billion from N33.92 billion year on year, while its gross profit margin decreased to 48.07% as at first quarter 2016 from 48.51% as at first quarter 2015.

RECENT REPORT SHOWS THAT AFRICA, ESPECIALLY NIGERIA HAS THE FASTEST GROWING BEER MARKET FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. NIGERIA BREWERIES WITH ITS RECENT MERGER WITH CONSOLIDATION BREWERIES IS IN A BETTER POSITION TO BENEFIT FROM SUCH GROWTH AS IT CONTROLS THE LARGEST MARKET SHARE IN NIGERIA. THUS, THERE IS A POSITIVE OUTLOOK IN TOP-LINE AND BOTTOMLINE EARNING FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR

SIGNIFICANTINCREASE IN FINANCIAL CHARGES AND OPERATING EXPENSES IMPEDES STRONG GROWTH IN NETINCOME Operationally, Nigerian Breweries Plc recorded a modest rise of 9.93% in operating profit to N17.99 billion March 2016 from N16.37 billion in March 2015.

The company was able to grow its operating profit in spite of 9.92% rise in total expenses to N19.43 billion from N17.68 billion recorded in March 2015.The reason for the spike in total operating expenses was due to cost associated with distribution and marketing expenses which rose by 22.28% to N5.83 billion from N4.76 billion in March 2015. Other expenses are: advertising expenses and depreciation which grew by 7.27% and 4.21% respectively.

The company also recorded a significant drop of 44.42% in finance income to N59.38m in March 2016 from N106.83m reported in March 2015. It can be assumed that the reduction was due to fall limited

or no sale of obsolete assets, which may generate income; and the unfavourable movements in foreign exchange rate.

Furthermore, the company incurred financial charges to N3.05 billion from N2.04 billion year on year, reflecting a change of 49.58% driven mainly by increased interest expense on net pension liability. Despite the current challenging operating environment leading to consumer down-trading, rising inflation, increased cost of financing, higher foreign exchange cost and increasing input cost amongst other, the company was able to grow its pre-tax earnings modestly by 3.94% to N15.01 billion from N14.44 billion during the period under review while its net income grew by 3.49% to N10.45 billion from N10.10 billion year-on-year.

Valuation Metrics 8-July-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

139.14

Current Price (N)

130.00

Market Cap (N'm)

1,030,783

Outstanding Shares (m) Rolling EPS

4.84

Rolling PE Ratio

26.84x

Forward EPS

4.86

Forward PE

26.77x

Q1 March 2016 Unaudited Results Turnover (N'm)

77,554

ASSETQUALITY The company’s key performance metrics remains strong though there slight negative change in profit margins as reported. Current ratio rose to 50.38% from 41.03% as at December 2015. Return on average equity (ROAE) currently stands 5.89% and return on average asset at 2.89%.

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

GEAREDTO BENEFITFROMTHE MERGER WITH CONSOLIDATED BREWERIES The Nigerian brewing space is currently controlled by two major players accounting for about 90% of the market, while other fringe players control the remaining share. Nigerian Breweries is the biggest player in the sector with a total installed capacity of 15.4mhl. Guinness Nigeria Plc is the second biggest player with 5.5mhl installed brewing capacity.

Other players are International Breweries Plc, Champion Breweries Plc and Jos Breweries Plc which among themselves control a limited of market share.

Profit After Tax (N'm)

WE MAINTAIN OUR BUY RECOMMENDATION The performance of Nigeria Breweries Plc in the first quarter of 2016 was better compared to the corresponding quarter of 2015 despite prevailing operational challenges. No doubt the Company has structured its activities to adapt to the continuous operating challenges such as: poor condition of transport infrastructure, insecurity, high and increasing input costs, and unreliable power supply.This is in addition to the observed contraction in household consumption expenditure during the first quarter of the year as a result of persistent hike in prices of goods and restrictive economic activities in the country around. Recent report shows that Africa, especially Nigeria has the fastest growing beer market for the next five years. Nigeria Breweries with its recent merger with Consolidation Breweries is

7,929

15,007

Profit After Tax (N'm)

10,454

Pre-tax Margin (%)

19.35 Source: Company Data 2016, BGL Research

Audited Full Year 2015 Results Turnover (N'm)

293,906

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

54,514 38,056 18.55 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Heineken Brouwerijen B.V. Distilled Trading Intl B.V.

35.99% 15.61%

Stanbic Nominees Nig Ltd

12.88%

Public Float

35.52% Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

in a better position to benefit from such growth as it controls the largest market share in Nigeria.Thus, there is a positive outlook in top-line and bottom-line earning for the current financial year.

Based on historical year-ended financial performance and in conjunction with the findings of our analysis of the current operating landscape, we make a projection of full-year ended December 2016 revenue to N315.17 billion and a net income of N38.50 billion, leading to a forward earning per share of N4.86. Using the PE (Price to Earnings) method of valuation, we arrived at an average 9-month target price of N139.14. Since the target price represents an upside potential of 7.03% on the current stock price of N130.00, we maintain our BUYrecommendation on Nigerian Breweries 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 10, 2016

BUSINESS/ MEDIA

When Fuji Music Becomes a Connecting Tool

With the intellectual dimension introduced to the experiential platform –Fuji T’o Bam, promoters of Goldberg Lager Beer, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries, are set to deepen their relationship with the patrons of the beer brand in the South-west of Nigeria. Raheem Akingbolu reports

S

avvy brand builders are always eager to come out with strategies that can connect consumers and rub on the bottom lines of their businesses. Few years ago, Nigeria Breweries initiated what was tagged ‘Fuji T’o Bam’ as a platform to further connect with the patrons of the brand. As a talent hunt initiative, Fuji T’o Bam, was designed to groom budding artists, who were looking platform to launch out.

Now in its fourth edition, the platform has thus thrown up some new breed of Fuji musicians, who are now set to explore the entertainment industry.

Two things are important about the platform: culture and music. A quick look at the profile of most successful local and global brands reveals that at one time or the other, they have used music to appeal to consumers. Now, considering the importance of culture to consumer behaviour, the decision of Nigerian Breweries to look inward and settle for a genre of music that is well-rooted among the Yoruba’s in the South-west of Nigeria is strategic as it will help the brand to fuel an emotional and cultural connection between the brand and the people.

As a unifying factor, culture and music have been used extensively by promoters of businesses and great brands to appeal to the hearts of targeted consumers. With the general belief that Fuji is the only Nigerian music brand that is devoid of foreign contamination, one can imagine how far the marriage between Goldberg and Fuji will drive the brand. And now that intellectual angle has been introduced into the conversation, it is obvious that Nigerian Breweries is not just out

The late Ayinde

to use the platform to sell but also ready to give back by redefining the music.

At the maiden edition of the Fuji Roundtable, participants didn’t only admit that Fuji is the only Nigerian music brand that is devoid of foreign contamination, they argued that the genre of music was a unifying factor for Yorubas living in the western part of Nigeria and beyond. As

a result, they agreed that the music deserves due attention and concerted efforts towards taking it to the next level. In plain language, speakers at the event, including a Fuji analyst, Olawale Obadeyi, a marketing communications practitioner, Akeem Adenekan, a popular Hip Hop musician, Abolore Adigun, (9ice), Chairman, National Project Committee of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria; Sikiru Ayinde Agboola (a.k.a SK Sensation) and other members spoke on the challenges facing the Fuji industry. Some of the speakers at the event pointed out that Fuji music was already losing its glamour and fame to image problem. The platform also threw up issues like wanton bitter rivalry among Fuji Musicians, hooliganism and other problems common in the realm of the music.

However, while the guest speakers at the event, Obadeyi, Adenekan and SK Sensation argued that issues raised were prevalent in the entire music industry, 9ice and a few others maintained that Fuji Music required reorientation to further position the industry and make it appealing to the younger generation.

In his keynote address, Obadeyi, traced the origin of this genre of music to the period when Were, the local brand of music was in vogue among the Muslim faithful. He acknowledged that the music has grown astronomically over the years featuring different artistes who have contributed in different dimensions to its development. The analyst also traced the origin of this genre of music to Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister but argued that a lot of innovations have since been infused into it. Aside the late music icon, others, who were linked with its origin are; Baba Ralia , Saka Layigbade, Captain

Muniru, Kawu Aminu, Basiru Abinuwaye and Gani Agboluaje. Others are; Muniru Maiyegun (Baba Wasiu ) who was from the Isale Eko end, Ajadi Ganiyu, who represented the Oluwole area, Kasali Alani (Jolly L’awa) from Ita Alaga, Wester Layeye and Dauda Epo Akara from Ibadan.

He said the innovations brought into Fuji by those artistes have deepened ties across boundaries in the region. “Each Fuji artiste, evidently, is pushing the limits of creativity. The horizon of Fuji music has been astoundingly widened,” he stated.

Obadeyi noted that Goldberg had appropriated Fuji music as a veritable platform through which cultural values could be used to validate the essence of Yorubas living in the region and beyond.

Sikiru Agboola, who corroborated him, advised Fuji musicians and other stakeholders in the country to take the music to the next level. According to him, it is the only surviving genre of music that has its origin in Nigeria and deserves concerted efforts from stakeholders to proffer possible ways through which it could be developed.

Observers have described the decision of Nigerian Breweries as a right step in a right direction, especially now when the Federal Government is driving local content. Speaking at the event, the Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Agu, said the importance of music to any country cannot be over-emphasised. According to him, the role of music in nation building is monumental as it fuels the mind and the creativity of listeners.

As an activation platform that tends to touch on the emotions of millions of Fuji followers, the initiative may be a death knell for rival brands like Trophy and 33 Lager Beer in the South West.

Ramadan: How Arabel Thrilled Lagosians with Inspirational Billboards

E

ight years after Arabel Nigeria Limited, the leading Islamic material store in Nigerian instituted a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative that entails giving the commercial city of Lagos an Islamic feel during Ramadan, the company unveiled a set of billboards to commemorate this year’s fasting season. The billboards, which were strategically located in Lagos, came with inspirational messages and aesthetic illustration that appealed to all Nigerians, regardless of religion and region.

Unlike the previous years, the company only explored two platforms this year as a result of what its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Abiola Andu, ascribed to the current economic downturn in the country.

“We couldn’t do elaborate thing in the area of Lagos beautification during this year’s Ramadan season because of the economic situation in the country; people are going through downturn economically. However, because of the promise we have made that during Ramadan, Lagosians would feel Ramadan, we still went ahead but it was not as elaborated as those of previous years.

We erected billboards that carried the messages we have always desired to send across to Nigerians.

But before now, we would do billboards, did lampposts and we branded buses but we are restricting it to billboard this year. However, we still posted inspirational messages and in fact, we started in some part of Ikorodu and Epe but we later covered the whole city.

Speaking further, Andu said the feedbacks from the previous interventions had always been fantastic because before Arabel ventured into the area, no company or individual in Nigeria was celebrating Ramadan the way it did.

“Before Arabel came in to fill the gap, Ramadan was a personal thing in Nigeria but we introduced

a corporate angle into it. We started celebrating with Nigerians and we make the residents of the commercial city of Lagos to feel the importance of the Ramadan period. So, year after year, people always look forward to the period and our initiatives, especially the inspirational messages, with which we greet our customers and people of Lagos. The beauty of it is that Arabel is not only preaching Islam, but preaching peace too. It is always inspirational and it touches everybody, regardless of religion. It has always been well appreciated,” Reacting to the beautification of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA 2), which was handled by her company, Andu said it was an exclusive decision of the management of the airport to give it an Islamic feel and not Arabel idea.

According to her, at a point, people started realising the need to key into the season and acknowledge the importance of friends and patrons during the season, adding that the management of MMA2 simply followed the trend and decided to beautify their domain and give it Islamic touch during

Ramadan. She further stated that the airport only approached Arabel to give the environment an Islamic touch. A decision Andu felt must have been informed by her company’s pedigree and antecedent in that regard.

The rest as the saying goes becomes history because for the first time, one can now see the ticketing point, departure lounge and other places at MMA 2 wearing Islamic toga.

The Arabel boss, who stated that the city beautification during Ramadan season was her company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, pointed out that an individual, who believed in her vision supported the initiative for 7 years.

“It is our own CSR at Arabel and we have made up our mind that come what may, we will be doing this every year to celebrate the season with Arabel customers. As much as God gives us the strength we will continue to do it. It has already been institutionalised in what we do in Arabel.

Before, a well-meaning Nigerian who shared the vision and passionate about what we were doing had always helped us but we don’t have that

again. At this point, I want to pray that Allah will continue to reward this individual, who silently helped us for years without blowing the trumpet.

It was a selfless service that was done to contribute his quota to the service of God and humanity during Ramadan. Again, we have been able to sustain it because the person actually put in place a good structure for us to be able to sustain it and the structure has been very helpful. The person actually believed in the dream and did it for eight years,” On sustainability, Andu said she was committed to the project and will make sure it doesn’t die a premature death as it will always be a platform to celebrate with customers. She however didn’t rule out the possibility of partnering a corporate organisation in future if any company comes forward to identify with Arabel.

“Of course, we will welcome any corporate organisation that extends its hand to support us; it is just that we have not explored that avenue before.

If we get corporate partnership and endorsement, then the project will be bigger and it will come with fresh innovation.

Reacting to her decision to throw her weight behind the project during this economic recession when many companies are cutting down their budgets, Andu simply said it was the smartest thing to do. She referred to what she was taught in the Business School a long time ago that the best time to make money for some people is when there is a recession. She said she support the school of thought because there will be a lot of opportunities that people will not see.

“For me, I know that this time around not many people are advertising or investing in CSR so if I slow down, our patrons may be totally detached from what we are doing. Again, I know that not many organisations are craving for attention at this period and the little we do will go a long way in achieving our objectives.

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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 10, 2016

TRAVEL

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

What Brexit Means for Travellers Stories by Demola Ojo

I

n a historic and, for many, shocking vote, Britain has decided to leave the European Union. In a nationwide referendum, Britain’s “Leave” camp won a stunning 52 percent of the vote, setting the nation on the path to separation from the 28-member European Union. While the effects will be wide-ranging and may take months or even years to fully appear, here are some guesses on how it will affect travellers, from air fares to the value of the pound.

Air fares may go up Budget, no-frills carriers like EasyJet have helped make travel to the UK from various parts of Europe seamless—and cheaper than ever. Now that the UK has decided to exit, it will likely mean new air service agreements have to be negotiated. That means fares could increase.

Currently, the ‘Open Skies’ agreement allows for more airlines, more routes, and lower fares between EU member states. The single aviation area gives airlines freedom to fly across Europe and since its introduction passengers have seen fares fall by around 40 per cent and routes increase by 180 per cent. Once Britain no longer belongs, those benefits could disappear. Note however that this effect will be felt when travelling between European destinations and should not affect direct flights between Lagos and London.

Service could go down According to a report by the Association of British Travel Agents, some 70 percent of jobs in London’s travel and tourism sector are dependent on migrants. Given that one of the tenets of “Leave” supporters was reforming immigration policies and curbing the number of arrivals to the UK, it’s possible that an eventual downturn in immigration could lead to short-staffing in the travel and tourism industries. An estimated 63,000 jobs

Big Ben, London could be lost.

The pound could take a pounding The US dollar to British pound has long been less than equal. But as soon as the vote’s outcome was declared last week, the pound began a steep decline against major worldwide currencies, as well as the naira.

While this will mean a rise in the cost of travel for UK residents, it should make travel to the UK cheaper.

Fewer international visitors London is one of the world’s most

popular cities, and outside of the capital, everything from tiny, picturesque towns to the magnificent Scottish Highlands draw tourists from around the world. But according to travel-deals publisher Travelzoo, enthusiasm for travel to the UK may decrease in the wake of the Brexit: One-third of travellers from Germany, Italy, and Spain—and a quarter from France—said they would be less inclined to travel to the UK. In the event of a “Leave” vote; 10 percent of travellers from Canada and 12 percent from the US said the same.

More access for Commonwealth citizens?

Brexit should not deter Nigerian travellers as citizens of the country did not enjoy the special immigration privileges open to other EU countries. However, analysts say that while UK immigration controls are bound to be tighter, members of Commonwealth states may have easier access to the UK in future.

This should be good news for Nigerians.

So while the effects for travellers will be determined by where they’re from, the outlook for the UK is not so good; it’s estimated that Brexit could cost the UK tourism industry as much as £4.1 billion ($5.9 billion) annually in international tourist spending alone.

Ethiopian Airlines Prioritises Ayade Wins West Africa Tourism Man of the Year Lagos, Dubai for New Airbus A350

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L

agos and Dubai are the first stations to receive Ethiopian Airlines brand new baby, the Airbus A350 after Ethiopian Airlines last week became the first airline in Africa to take delivery of the ultra-modern airplane. This is another milestone for the airline after it became the first airline to bring the Boeing B787 Dreamliner to Africa and to Lagos.

Ethiopian has ordered 14 of the spanking new aircraft. The other 13 will arrive in due time but starting from this month, the A350 will be flying the Lagos and Dubai routes.

“The fact that we are ushering in another first to Africa in a span of four years is an affirmation of our continuing pioneering role in African aviation. It is also a testimony of our commitment to give our passengers the very best travel experience, with the latest industry products and services. On behalf of all my colleagues at the Ethiopian family, I am delighted to see Ethiopian to continue making Africa first in aviation technology,”said Group CEO of Ethiopian, said Ato Tewolde Gebremariam.

The A350 XWB was built for passengers comfort and well-being as foremost priorities. Wider seats in

Airbus A350 XWB both Business and Economy classes, the lowest twin engine noise level, advanced air conditioning technology and full LED mood lighting enhance passenger comfort while reducing fatigue after a long flight.

All seats of the A350 XWB are fitted with the latest high-definition touchscreen personal monitors and a higher selection of movies, television series and audio channels.

Inflight Wi-Fi connection will be made available on the aircraft in the future. Passengers with smart devices can connect to the world while others can use the smart individual touch screens on their seats when the internet service goes operational.

The A350 XWB’s innovative technology also improves performance in operation. Its revolutionary airframe and simplified systems have optimized fuel burn, maintenance

overnor Ben Ayade of Cross River has won the Balafon Award for Tourism Man of the Year for Nigeria and West Africa. It was a four-man race between him, the Minister of Tourism for Ghana, The Minister of Tourism for the Gambia and Obinna Ekezie the MD of Wakanow. This was based on the results released on Tuesday by the Award committee.

The Balafon Award committee made up of travel professionals and Journalists from Nigeria and Ghana approved the results for the best performers in travel and tourism for West Africa. The committee had earlier met and shortlisted nominees for the

Ayade different award categories.

The shortlisted nominees were then exposed to public votes on Atqnews website and Facebook page. The online voting was done using Survey Monkey software.

Atqnews Facebook page has

23000 followers and the newsletter has a weekly global audience of over a hundred thousand people.

Winners will be presented with award certificates at the Accra Weizo tourism event taking place in Ghana on July 15.

Governor Ayade did not only sustain the world-renowned Carnival Calabar in his first year in office, he also succeeded in raising the bar with new innovations. Cross River prides itself as having created the first authentic international carnival in Africa with participation from Africa and other parts of the world.

Governor Ayade introduced the first bikers’ parade, the first green carnival and delivered the largest crowd seen at the carnival for years.

Delta Tourism Expo 2016 Postponed

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he Delta State Tourism Board (DSTB) has announced the postponement of the forthcoming Delta Tourism Expo 2016, which was billed to begin on Tuesday. The General Manager of the board, Ms Josephine Anyameluhor, said the postponement was due to logistic issues, assuring that once the issues

have been resolved that a new date would communicated to the public.

The theme of the three days expo is Fascinating Delta: Rich tourism, Great people. It was slated to hold at the Asaba Convention Centre. According to Anyameluhor, it is designed to promote and market the different tourism offerings of the state to the world with travel and tourism trade operators, buyers and suppliers and others in

allied businesses expected to attend. It is expected to feature the Delta Food Court, parading massive display of local cuisine, ranging from appetizers, spices, main course, and desserts to beverages and cooking competition.

There is also a cultural carnival in the works, a fashion show, a musical concert, an arts, craft and souvenir tourism seminar, tours and an award/ gala night.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

CHRIS KWAKPOVWE

HIS JOURNEY AS AS A CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER

10.07.2016

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 10, 2016

COVER

Dr. Chris

PHOTOS: Akinwunmi Ibrahim

CHRIS KWAKPOVWE

HIS JOURNEY AS A CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER Chris Kwakpovwe, a pharmacist-turned-clergy, has gained international fame for his best seller, Our Daily Manna - a faith devotional accessed daily by millions of people across the world. However, he circumvented some of the most precarious dilemma; an avalanche of troubles and tribulations including a suicide attempt, to raise his head in victory. Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha were in the congregation when the Bishop celebrated one of his sons, Ufuomatoma, who graduated with a First Class Honours in Management with Computer Studies. The proud father relived moments from his past trials

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here is a reason Chris Kwakpovwe celebrates life at every opportunity. For one who almost lost his life, through his own deliberate calculation, you can appreciate why he rejoices every time. If you have been to hell and back, like Kwakpovwe’s near tragic hop from one seeming insurmountable challenge to another, you will make merry for the chance to see each new day in good health and relatively free from the raging storms of life. Not that he should have had any business with the kind of crushing poverty that assailed him. With a degree

in Pharmacy from the University of Ife, it was a settled issue that he would walk on easy streets for life. That is if Providence had not moderated his reckoning.

His course in life was altered when he yielded to an apparent and pressing call to work in the Lord’s Vineyard. Try as he did to resist becoming a full-time clergy, the Divine Hand ensured he would look in no other direction. For Kwakpovwe, it was not enough to be a regular Christian. He was being persuaded to move up to a higher responsibility – that is assuming leadership.

As soon as he tucked his licence as a pharmacy into the recesses of

his wardrobe and stepped forward to answer the divine call, all hell was let loose. The heavens opened and instead of raining blessings of abundance of wealth on him, as he must have reasonably expected, it was a blinding torrent of anxiety and scarcity, particularly, of money - that means of exchange which the Bible says answers all things.

Surely, he was not going to let off and watch his family suffer.

Many times he considered going back to renew his licence, but the same voice that called him into the ministry warned that he must never practice as a pharmacist again.

For eight years, he lived a precarious life of humiliating

lack. Kwakpovwe struggled with poverty and privation. He was assailed by worries and fears for his destiny. His life was totally upside down. Try as he did to circumvent his precarious dilemma, he only plunged deeper into affliction.

Trials surrounded him like the walls of Jericho. Kwakpovwe faced an avalanche of troubles and tribulations.

“I went through a lot of battles. I couldn’t send my children to school or even afford our daily meal. At a stage, we couldn’t buy fish. I will go to the market and tell them to give me bones, the kind that is kept for dogs. My wife will cut the bones

Cont’d on pg.57

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Chris Kwakpovwe and wife, Ejiro

into pieces. It will serve as meat.

It got to a point where I couldn’t afford the bone. I had to ask my children’s best friend Eric to help us catch a fish in the river. We lived near the river in Akpoyi, Ketu area.

I was very popular there. Eric will go across the river, catch the fish in the morning and that will be our meal for the day.

“By this time, we couldn’t afford cooking gas. We had to use firewood. Eric was so helpful this period. His father is an Ijaw man.

They lived close to the river near our area. Eric will go to the bush, cut the trees down, it will take four days to dry, we used it as firewood.

Eric started schooling and we had to resort to sawdust.”

One day, he resolved to end it all. He made sure everybody had left home, then he went to purchase the rope with which he was going to hang himself. The suicide note simply explained that he had given life his best shot, but could not take it anymore. As he put the loop around his neck, he heard that voice clearly again. This time, he was told that all he went through were instructive to help cope with the task ahead. Many may argue that he did not really mean to kill himself, otherwise he could not have been persuaded to back-off the suicide mission, but even in that moment of despair when his selfesteem had sank into its lowest ebb, he was alert enough to recognise that unmistakable voice that had moderated his life, even if, as far as he could, towards calamity.

The voice carried such calmness, authority and assurance. It did

HE BORROWED THE MONEY WITH WHICH HE PUBLISHED THE FIRST COPY. IT WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME HE EVER BORROWED MONEY. FROM THAT HUMBLE BEGINNING, MILLIONS OF COPIES OF OUR DAILY MANNA ROLL OFF THE PRESS EVERY QUARTER, TO REACH MILLIONS OF FAMILIES ALL OVER THE WORLD EVERY DAY. AT THE LAST COUNT, KWAKPOVWE IS CREDITED WITH WRITING 70 BOOKS! OUR DAILY MANNA’ WAS THE FIRST WIDELY CIRCULATED DEVOTIONAL IN THE COUNTRY BY A NIGERIAN

not negotiate with him. It simply reminded him of the consequences of his action and the benefits of returning to his drudgery.

He had to choose between life and death. He chose life by obeying the voice and discontinued his suicide mission.

“I was about to hang myself when I heard a voice telling me ‘after all you have been through all these years, it’s not unto death but unto destiny fulfillment of millions.’ I didn’t know what it meant. He said ‘you shall write from passion from a burden for the fame. I have passed you through all these so that you help others who are passing through.’ I didn’t understand. I am a pharmacist, not a pastor, a writer or historian. I don’t write. But the voice insisted: ‘you will write from a burden. I will help you.”

Although he can’t put his finger on how and when the turnaround in his life happened, he situates it around the period of his attempt at suicide. Again, it was that inimitable voice that told him to write. “I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I was not a writer. I had never written before.

I was a pharmacist.” He heard the phrase, ‘Daily Manna’. His wife, Ejiro, added the possessive pronoun ‘Our’ and thus was born the first acclaimed Christian Daily Devotional out of Nigeria - born out of the most heart-rending arduousness. Kwakpovwe poured his anguish and the urgency with which he needed divine intervention into the pages, which began as a four-pager. He borrowed

the money with which he published the first copy. It was the first and only time he ever borrowed money.

From that humble beginning, millions of copies of Our Daily Manna roll off the press every quarter, to reach millions of families all over the world every day. At the last count, Kwakpovwe is credited with writing 70 books!

‘Our Daily Manna’ was the first widely circulated devotional in the country by a Nigerian. Kwakpovwe started publishing ODM as a pamphlet. A good family friend ‘the Ojos’ gave him the first capital N22,500 to publish it. Till date, the Ojos are boldly written in ODM as a gratitude for their help in those dark moments.

The book is now sold in copious copies across and beyond the continent and published quarterly. It is translated in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Yoruba. Plans are already underway to publish Ibo and Hausa versions.

Today, Chris Kwakpovwe goes by the respected title of Bishop having sailed through the storms of life and emerged an inspiration to many in the Christendom. His gruesome experience is worth retelling any time, any day. Not many would have survived the tumble from grace to grass but his case was peculiar.

He trudged on and with time, his breakthrough came. By this time, he had started his ministry, Chapel of Liberty, at Ojota. It metamorphosed to Liberty Army.

To be sure, Kwakpovwe has always been a diligent Christian. Initially

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Kwakpovwe... with family

raised as a catholic, he however had an unforgettable personal encounter with the Supreme one under the Scripture Union on February 3, 1976. The famous prophet Benson Idahosa mentored him. He also passed through the mentorship of W.F Kumuyi of Deeper Life and Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor. He was a member of Assemblies of God, Christ Chapel, and Chapel of Praise.

As he remained steadfast to the calling of God, his destiny began to unfold. Rapidly his tidings spread.

From north, east, west, south and across the pond, many besieged the Man of God for miracles. Through ODM and the second book ‘War against Haman’, testimonies came in torrents from grateful hearts.

Those who couldn’t hear, read his book and the penetrating power of God opened their eardrums.

The veil of death was torn by just a touch of the imprint of his hand in his book ‘War against Haman’.

Wonderfully made babies leapt out from the wombs of barren women.

Monies rained on despairing businesses like Manna from heaven.

Explaining the miraculous power of the ODM, he said “People say there is so much power in ODM. Yes, because sometimes, I write in anger and hunger because that’s what you will do if you are lonely.”

The arduous task of writing the publication still rests heavily on his shoulders. For 16 years, he has been writing non-stop. He employed different techniques to write.

Sometimes he is on his knees, other times he sits. His decision to take up the writing mantle upon himself is not deliberate. He is yet to find someone who truly understands the vision of the book.

It’s still a season of thanksgiving

ALTHOUGH HE CAN’T PUT HIS FINGER ON HOW AND WHEN THE TURN-AROUND IN HIS LIFE HAPPENED, HE SITUATES IT AROUND THE PERIOD OF HIS ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. AGAIN, IT WAS THAT INIMITABLE VOICE THAT TOLD HIM TO WRITE. “I DIDN’T KNOW HOW I WAS GOING TO DO IT. I WAS NOT A WRITER. I HAD NEVER WRITTEN BEFORE. I WAS A PHARMACIST.” HE HEARD THE PHRASE, ‘DAILY MANNA’. HIS WIFE, EJIRO, ADDED THE POSSESSIVE PRONOUN ‘OUR’ AND THUS WAS BORN THE FIRST ACCLAIMED CHRISTIAN DAILY DEVOTIONAL OUT OF NIGERIA - BORN OUT OF THE MOST HEART-RENDING ARDUOUSNESS

for the Man of God. Recently, there was a testimony of another breakthrough from his dark era as his second son Ufuomatoma graduated with First Class Honours in Management with Computer Studies. A beaming and proud Kwakpovwe relived moments from his past trials with his congregation.

To him, his son’s academic success was more of a divine orchestration than academic prowess.

In bits, he told the enraptured audience how he sent his children to the village to stay with his mother because he couldn’t afford their tuition fees in Lagos. The next time he would see his beloved son he was dressed only in singlet with a bucket of water balanced on his head. “Is this my son?” he told the congregation animatedly.

He would later narrate the whole ordeal to these reporters in the confines of his posh office, under the watchful gaze of his protocol officers and media team.

“I couldn’t cope with Lagos school fees. Though I had small income but it was not enough. I got fed up and decided to send my children to the village to continue their education. I turned down requests from my friends to borrow money. I can never borrow money. Toma was already in Primary Six when they left. They spent seven years in the village.

Then he went to University of Port Harcourt to study Pharmacy.

It was during his first year that my act of benevolence nearly cost him his life. I had donated some pharmaceutical books to the faculty and the next thing, kidnappers were after him.

“He escaped through the toilet and returned to Lagos the following day by road transport. Due to this challenge, he lost a year before

we finally sent him to a school affiliated to Kwame Nkrumah University in Ghana. I didn’t plan to send him out of the country for his first degree, perhaps second degree. I believe if that incident hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have returned home with such a result,” he said proudly.

One cannot overlook the look of pride in his eyes as they danced to the pulpit for thanksgiving. “My son made me proud. I trained all my children in such a way they cannot envy each other, because they cannot be the same.”

Interestingly, Toma sings with an acapella group ‘Jesus Reigns’ and their performance gained applause from the congregation.

Kwakpovwe was quick to point out that he is still confronted by challenges; from robbery to betrayal by friends. Perhaps, one of the challenges that have kept him in the spotlight for long was that of his marriage. It was speculated that his ex-wife Dolapo accused him of adultery with his present wife. Although, he tried to deflect the question like a skilled pugilist, he nevertheless out of humility, dropped some hints that shed light on what exactly transpired.

“I don’t talk about it but I think it’s a marital misconception. It was a very bitter experience. The summary is that I am above that now. God has taken me through it.

I married properly and that is my wife. My joy is that I went through all my battle with my wife.”

He may be a clergyman in the city of Lagos but in his Urhobo homestead in Ughelli, Delta State, he is greatly admired for his contribution. He built a town hall for the community and also provided computers for training the youths.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

David Bowie’s First Major Film to Mark 40th Anniversary with UK Re-release Vanessa Obioha

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lans are underway to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1976 classic sci-fi film ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’, with a re-release in the UK. The film, which marked the sporadic acting debut of the late iconic singer David Bowie, will be in a 4K restoration film by the time it hits the cinemas on September 9.

Created by Nicolas Roeg, Bowie played the enigmatic role of a humanoid alien, Thomas Jerome Newton who comes to earth to bring water to his drought stricken world.

Since its original release on DVD in 1998, the classic has undergone various re-releases in different formats. For its September release, StudioCanal has been working on a 4K restoration since late last year. Distributed by Park Circus, the restored film will also be available on DVD and Blu-ray on October 10, as well as released in US and Germany.

The Wilsons

WOODY ALLEN PENS DOWN JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE FOR NEXT MOVIE

After signing controversial pop singer, Miley Cyrus for his first-ever TV production, celebrity Hollywood film-maker, Woody Allen signed pop sensation Justin Timberlake for his next movie.

Although the movie is shrouded in secrecy, it parades some of on-screen bigweights like Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, and Jim Belushi. Shooting is expected to kick off this fall in New York. The film is the first of a kind for Justin Timberlake who has never worked with the filmmaker before. He will be playing a supporting role alongside Juno Temple.

MEET THE WILSONS

In a very private wedding in England, ‘I bet’ crooner Ciara said ‘I do’ to Seahawks Quarterback, Russell Wilson. The duo started dating in April 2015 and took a solemn oath to abstain from sex till their wedding night. They got engaged in March while on vacation in Seychelles.

Their marital union was witnessed by 100 guests at the Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, UK. Ciara opted for a fairytale look, dressed in a Roberto Cavalli custom-made lace gown with a long train while Wilson looked stunning in Gorgio Armani’s Made-to-Measure Ensemble.

Her bridesmaids which included Kelly Rowland also sported long black dresses specifically designed for each of them by Michael Costello.

The newly-weds who barred guests from using phones at the ceremony posted their first wedding picture on Instagram on Wednesday night. They couldn’t stop gushing about their steamy love-making the following day on Snapchat. The 30 year-old singer was formerly engaged to Rapper, Future. They both have a son Future Zahir.

KHALEESI’S JEWELLERY NOW FOR SALE

‘Game of Thrones’ Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen, also known as Khaleesi, stunning jewellery are now available for sale. The HBO TV series costume designer Michele Clapton teamed up with Yunus Ascott & Eliza Higginbottom to launch MEY Designs, a collection of jewellery that includes Khaleesi’s cool hardware.

In partnership with HBO Global Licensing, the brand boasts of 20-piece collection of rings, cuffs, neck sculptures, earrings

Iron Man

David Bowie and pendants both worn on and inspired by the hardware from the show. The solid silver pieces range in price from $95 for stackable rings to $2,730 for the iconic Daenerys Drogon Neck Sculpture worn in seasons five and six.

“The pieces reflect (Daenerys’) character - bold, rebellious, beautiful,” said Clapton, who added that some pieces were more subtly influenced by the Mother of Dragons. “There are everyday pieces inspired by (the show) for adding a hint of Khaleesi rebellion to every day.”

NEW FEMALE IRON MAN SPARKS CONTROVERSY

As more comics embrace more female characters and minorities for their Superhero archetype, Marvel has also taken the bold step to cast a 15-year old girl as the New Invincible Iron Man. Named Riri Williams, the new character is a black female teenager who impressed Tony Stark with her homemade Iron Man Suit at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The creator and writer, Brian Michael Bendis revealed in an interview with TIME magazine that Tony already riddled with the sorrow of losing a best friend, a collapsed business and revelation of his true biological parents, deemed the

black teenage science genius worthy to take up his superhero role.

He also revealed that the character was inspired by the story of a young black woman who faced random street violence and made it to college. At the time, he was working on a TV show in Chicago.

Riri is the latest attempt by the comics company to diversify its iconic heroes.

Bendis had previously introduced black Miles Morales as Spider-Man, PakistaniAmerican Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel and Jane Foster as female Thor. This diversity, expectedly stirred a controversial debate on racism among fans.

The argument majorly centres on the lack of female creators in the industry while strong-opinionated critics like Mildred Louis, an illustrator in Boston blatantly rejected the idea that a black character should be the work of a white writer.

Bendis however said, “I don’t think people even realise how racist they sound.

I’m not saying if you criticise you’re a racist, but if someone writes, ‘Why do we need Riri Williams we already have Miles?’ that’s a weird thing to say. They’re individuals just like Captain America and Cyclops are individuals. All I can do is state my case for the character, and maybe they’ll realise over time that that’s not the

most progressive thinking.”

SEXUAL HARASSMENT ROCKS FOX NEWS NETWORK

Fox News ‘Real Story’ host and former Miss America, Gretchen Carlson has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the network’s Chairman and CEO, Roger Ailes. She claimed she was fired for rejecting Ailes sexual advances.

Married to a sports agent and former professional baseball player, Casey Close, Carlson said the CEO denied her of fair compensation, desirable assignments and other career-enhancing opportunities in retaliation for her complaint of harassment and discrimination. Her appointment with the network was eventually terminated on June 23.

Her suit also fingers Carlson ‘Fox & Friends’ Co-host, Steve Doocy whom she said created a hostile work environment by treating her in a sexist and condescending way in 2009. When she complained to Ailes about this treatment, he merely shrugged it off and asked her to learn how to get along with the boys.

The hostess who joined the Network in 2005 seeks a trial by jury and compensatory damages, including lost wages and damage to her career path.

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Beyonce: Her Kind of Lemonade (Track-by-Track Review) Ikenna Bede

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ollowing the release of her eponymous album ‘Beyonce’ in 2013, Beyonce Knowles, the queen in her cryptic persona took the world unawares (again) by releasing her sixth album titled ‘Lemonade’ on Saturday, April 23, exclusively on Tidal streaming services, moments after the visual album made its debut on HBO networks.

It is a twelve-track album with collaborative efforts from The Weeknd, James Blake and Jack White of The White Stripes. The album addresses issues about infidelity, family and social injustice against the black race. Here is a review of each track.

Pray You Catch Me

The opener can be likened to a mash up of ‘Pretty Hurts’ and ‘Heaven’. A low tempo track with breathy harmonies, bass guitar riffs, scintillating strings smoothly laced with piano keys. It’s a wishful and mildly confrontational track, one in which she hopes to catch her lover whispering sweet nothings to another, and also hoping she gets caught listening to them.

Beyonce pours her emotion into this track - a sad, dark reflecting emotion of remorse and resentment, yet with a wish to get back to how things were formerly. It closes with her questioning, ‘what are you doing my love?’

Hold Up

This is definitely a ‘Killer track.’

Hold Up is a low-tempo reggae track, reminiscent of a breezy sunny tropical beach. The element of this track has a feel of easiness, although the track basically is about Beyonce addressing her lover, educating him on how no one could love him and ultimately asking him to hold up and realise how good a lover and woman she is. ‘Hold up’ samples Andy Williams’ Can’t Get Used to Losing You; it also samples excerpts from Beyonce’s ‘Countdown’ at the bridge section.

Don’t Hurt Yourself ft Jack White

Beyonce’s big ego comes to play on this reggae meets rock ‘n’ roll track. Filled with braggadocio, she constantly and fiercely reminds her man about who she is, letting him understand that whatever he does to her, he does to himself, and constantly threatens to leave him.

With drums, bass guitars, electric guitars and screams, Beyonce takes her alter ego (Sasha Fierce) to a whole new level. ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’ is a stronger version of her 2011 track ‘I Care,’ both addressing infidelity issues. It would be a favourite track for her upcoming world tour.

Sorry

Beyonce found a way to reinvent her old track ‘Irreplaceable’, with middle fingers and waving goodbyes. She shows no regrets breaking up with her lover and rejects any form of apologies from him; in fact she takes advantage and hangs out with her girls. This track explores elements of trap music while it manages to keep it danceable and can be likened to a mid-tempo version of ‘Flawless’.

6 inches ft The Weeknd

No, she is not making reference to what you think. The track talks about a

Beyonce

female figure, a strong female figure with a femme fatal persona. She oozes with confidence, works hard and ultimately slays in her six inch heels. This track sees minimalist effort by The Weeknd. The track also explores trap elements.

Daddy Lessons

This is an absolutely brilliant track. It explores the southern music culture of New Orleans Jazz and Texas Country music. Flavoured with harmonious hand claps, horns and acoustic guitar, the track delivers a southern homely feel. Song lyrics are in a story form, detailing her relationship with him and basically how she was trained by him; a song every father ought to be proud of. The music style is similar to Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’.

Love Drought

The track has a cosmic feel to it, sang by an extraterrestrial being from a science fiction movie. It stands as one of the album’s low points. A rather cold version of Beyonce’s ‘Mine’.

Sandcastle

Beyonce’s performance of this track is raw, emitting pain and anger. Piano laden, gospel tinged; the track talks about a failed relationship and its woes. On this track Beyonce delivers vocally in acappella.

Forward ft James Blake

At 1:19 minutes, Beyonce keeps her fans wanting more. Characteristic of sandcastle, it’s pretty much an interlude for a track.

Freedom ft Kendrick Lamar

This track exudes power and strength, a perfect anthem for the Black Lives Matters movement. Its presentation sets Beyonce as a legend (living, of course). It is one track you will definitely put on replay as its marching bands and vibrant chorus are unmatched at any level.

The track samples Kaleidoscope’s ‘Let Me Try,’ it also samples excerpts from Jay Z’s grandmother’s speech on her 90th

Beyonce

anniversary celebration, quoting ‘she was served lemons but she made lemonade.’

The statement is said to have inspired the title of the album.

All Night

Reminiscent of Dawn Penn’s ‘You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)’, Beyonce delivers a mid-tempo reggae tinged track, and can also be likened to works by the reggae group, Magic! On this track Beyonce serenades her lover, promising to love him all night long. In spite of his pride, she believes that true love conquers all. It is basically kiss and make up track.

Beyonce also does some sweet melody on this one.

Formation

A pro-black, pro-female track, met with criticism and praise alike. Formation serves as the closing album track. It

explores Louisiana bounce music style and featured bounce queen/cross dresser Big Freedia. The track highlights topics as police brutality, homosexuality and pride to her black roots. Formation was released as a free track and failed to chart well on most music chart, but its cultural influence cannot be overlooked.

Overview

This album shows how Beyonce has grown as an artist, perfecting her art, exploring and experimenting with different music genres. On another note; it’s worth noting how she revisited the reggae genre, which seems to form the crux of the album, although not as a singular genre, but with mixed influences.

On this album, she tends to abandon her rhythm and blues root just a little bit.

She has proven yet again that she is not a singles artist, but a grounded album artist.

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The Sarah Aigbotsua Pet Story

he first move in pet ownership which is purchase is where issues start from in many cases; the guide here is: Do not purchase a pet from an unlicensed or unknown outfit; it causes more harm than good, chief being that the purchaser will definitely not have useful knowledge of the pet’s state and the seller will most likely vanish into thin air. A very high percentage of pets purchased this way either die away or infect the owner with some kind of ailment.

Furthermore pets are a good security detail but this is largely dependent on training received which in turn is dependent on the trainer(s). It should also be noted that there are different kinds/levels of training programmes/ processes for different breeds of pets; credible research and sources have revealed that only Pet Planet Nigeria have these comprehensive and affordable training schemes that have yielded the wanted results over time.

To be stated clearly; pets should be seen beyond being just animals as they are actually just a different set of special beings that should be treated with diligence, care and professionalism each according to its breed/maximum ability as is done in Pet Planet.

Another very important part of pets’ existence that is often poorly carried out is feeding; we say the way to one’s heart is his stomach, so it is with pets. Now pets are unlike humans in many aspects including food so they require proper feeding guides/officers that take care of gauging food size, nutritional benefits, water and supplements to make sure that the pet stays in the best mental frame.

A major consequence of improper feeding is the triggering of hormones that lead to an attack; first comes a build-up of anger and as the irregular/wrong combination of food persists the rage increases; a lot of animals see in blackand-white (which is why it takes time for

Jindu Elueze, better known as ‘half man half dog’

some to recognise people) and when they get to that level of food-induced rage it becomes pretty difficult to recognise anybody at all including its owner, the result in many cases is quite disastrous.

Pets’ feeding and nutrition is one of the fortes at Pet Planet Nigeria as the organisation is recognised and respected in the West African sub-region when it comes to standard feeding and edibles for any kind of pet.

We cannot address the issue of pets without talking about very regular checkup and treatment of ailments. After careful checks and study we found out that many pets (including some owned by notable figures) that have visited Pet

Planet Nigeria have been living with one (minor) ailment or another and have displayed warning signs that went unnoticed usually because of the busy schedule of pet owners or absence of pet knowledge for others.

Because of the size of some of these pets and their inability to relate to us humans in a way we can easily understand we usually cannot tell that a pet is sick until very significant weight is lost and the pet retract completely; at this time it’s usually too late for treatment as such the pet gives up in a matter of days.

We also do not want to take away the fact that an absence of credible/

trustworthy pet handlers in Nigeria has seen us lose a number of pets that would have made the world more fun; but that’s why Pet Planet is here.

Essentially a lot of things matter when dealing with pets and the resultant behaviour is often dependent on the good treatment or otherwise given to them.

We urge you to contact a reputable organisation like ours duly registered in Nigeria and South Africa for purchase, training, consultancy and everything else in between as long as it has to do with pets; we guarantee utmost professionalism for desired results, our clientele which cuts across different cadres of life) can speak for us.

ENCOUNTER

Gospel According to Johnson Suleman Funke Olaode

society.

At his church’s recent 12th Holy Ghost Convention, there were manifestation of healing on every side and special miracles.

This is a continuation of the ongoing Raw Power miracle, prophetic and healing world crusades which also took him to the American city of Philadelphia.

A very busy man, he strikes a good balance between the ministry and his family by creating time for his family.

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he General Overseer of the popular Auchi, Edo State-based Omega Fire Ministries International (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman is one of the leading Christian clerics who does not mind firing direct salvos at the leadership of the country.

He has been particularly critical of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. In the days leading to the 2015 presidential election and after the election was lost and won, he clearly showed his support for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Suleman, whose ministry has 49 branches spread across Africa and Europe, insists that men of God should dabble into the affairs of a country in a bid to participate in the process that will guarantee peace, social and economic progress. Preachers, he said, should not only be concerned about preaching sermons but also to generate ideas for transformation and national growth within the ambit of God’s commandments.

As a popular figure in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Suleman

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

Suleman

who would rather not be dragged into its crisis, particularly the leadership tussle that almost tore it apart before the last election, but he agrees that reforming CAN is a good idea.

Fondly called ‘God’s Oracle’ by his followers, Suleman believes that things should be done with the spirit of excellence.

Suleman is known for encouraging Christian leaders to push for positive change in the

STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe

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IMAGES

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n Saturday May 21, 2016 the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Prof.

Adebiyi Gregory Daramola, gave out his daughter Tolulope in marriage to Abiodun Bodunrin at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Akure Ondo State.

Bride’s Father Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Grooms Mother, Mrs. Bodunrin, Bride, Tolulope, Groom, Abiodun, Bride’s mother, Mrs. Daramola and Groom’s Father , Mr. Adewale Bodunrin

R-L: Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi – Deji of Akure Kingdom and Afenifere Leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti with the Parents of the bride and groom

L-R: His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji , The Owa Ooye of Okemesi and Oba Adebayo Adewole – The Owa Ajero of ijero-Ekiti

L-R: Bishop Felix Adejumo, Presiding Bishop, Agape Christian Assembly, Mr. Dare Babarinsa, a founding editor of TELL, Architect Jide Adejuyigbe, Commissioner for Education , Ondo State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adenibuyan Falowo – The Olubule of Ibulesoro and Ambassador (Rev.) Luyi Rotimi – The Olujigba of Ijigba

L-R: Former Governor of Lagos and Ogun States, Brigadier General Raji Alagbe Rasaki; former Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Brigadier Jones Arogbofa and Alhaji Shehu Fadairo

R-L: Her Excellency Mrs. Kemi Mimiko – Wife of Ondo State Governor and Her Excellency Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori – Deputy Governor, Osun State

L-R: Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, VC Adekunle Ajasin University. Akungba -Akoko, Professor Olatunde Arayela , Deputy Vice Chancellor , Academic , FUTA and Professor Michael Faborode, Secretary General, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

L-R: CEO Foresythe Media Limited, Mr. Gbayode Somuyiwa, Mrs Yinka Ayodele, Vice Chancellor FUTA, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Mrs Yemi Orhewereh and Mrs Oluyemisi Somuyiwa.

L-R: Chief Michael Adeojo, Founder Elizade University Ilara Mokin who presided over the reception

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

SOUNDING OUT STAN IYKE PAGE 67

10.07.2016

BUKKY AJAYI GONE WITH THE GIFT

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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BUKKYAJAYI:GONEW If the life and times of Zainab Bukola Ajayi were a full-length movie, it would have a soulful soundtrack and end with deserved closing credits as well as wishes for a rewind. Yinka Olatunbosun, with the support of her colleagues in the movie industry, writes a tribute in honour of one of Nigeria’s most respected thespians who died at 82

I

f anyone had told you that this week, you’d be reading another post-humous tribute after Elechi Amadi’s, you would have been terribly offended. But when the eventuality that befalls all comes, the “show must go on’’. Nigerians mourn the death of Zainab Bukola Ajayi who died and was laid to rest last Wednesday at Atan Cemetary, Yaba, Lagos in line with Islamic rites. At her demise, it became obvious that more rewards should have followed her contribution to the industry where she remained active till death despite her battle with arthritis.

Archives revealed that she was born in 1934 in Nigeria. As a young girl, she would go to the cinemas with her father. Once, she had told him that she wished to be an actress but her father never found out because he died before she veered into acting as a profession.

But she made some money from cutting cardboards stories for her friends at half a penny each.

With the backing of a federal government scholarship, she completed her higher education in UK. In 1965, she left England for Nigeria and began her career, first as a presentation assistant under the watchful eyes of Dr. Christopher Kolade. She later worked as a presenter and broadcaster for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) the following year.

She presented a couple of children’s programmes and ‘Nigerian’s Sketches’, a cultural orientation programme which had late Diran Ajijedidun as producer.

She was transferred to Port Harcourt and later returned to Lagos. She started her acting career as soon as she got to Lagos.

She was part of the cast of the vintage television series, “Village Headmaster” in the 70s before she went to feature in “Checkmate”, a popular television series in the late 80s and early 90s which is one of the longest running soaps in Nigeria.

During her acting career, she featured in several films and soaps including “Critical Assignment”, “Diamond Ring”, “Witches Angels” among others. A few months ago, her contribution to the Nigerian film industry was recognized after she and Sadiq Daba were awarded the Industry Merit Award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. It was reported as one of the most emotional moments in the history of the awards.

Ajayi was one of the most enjoyable screen actresses for a number of reasons.

One reason is that her act is always natural and believable. Another reason is that she was flexible with trends. She would do a peace sign, dance to hip hop and totally internalize any role that she had been assigned to do whether major or minor.

This reporter sought out her colleagues who, inspite of their busy schedule, responded with kind remarks in acknowledgement of the artistic integrity of this phenomenal thespian.

Seasoned actor and singer, Segun Arinze, who worked with her in “Checkmate” and several movies thought we all should be thankful that she lived well.

“Mama Buki Ajayi was a great woman.

She showed love to everybody around her. You could feel that love. Everything she did counted. She had a very strong

Ajayi at the 2016 AMVCA aura,’’ he said, in a telephone conversation. He also reflected on how she in turn responded to the love shown to her by her colleagues in her last days and what could be inferred from her tears upon receiving the AMVCA honour.

“God knows she was passing a message to us. I have worked with her on several occasions and she used to call me ‘Oju yobo’.

You can never miss her enough. She was such a good woman. She would be sorely missed. We bless God for her. Her son is in the industry and we pray he excels in his career,’’ he said.

Another veteran actor, Alex Osifo who was also on location with Arinze described the late broadcaster as a wonderful and amiable person.

“She is a highly personable person and not just because of her contribution to the industry. A big vacuum has been created by her demise, I used to call her Lady Buki. When you talk about acting, nobody can beat her standard, I mean somebody about her age.

“I was dazed when I received the news. But we thank God for everything. Frankly, she lived a very glorious life. And she died honourably though painfully. That sounds like a paradox.

But that is true,’’ he said.

For the actor, Erelu Asa, Ajayi was a role model, a source of inspiration and an embodiment of humility.

“Thank God she left the stage when the ovation is loudest. Adieu worthy

Thespian,’’ Erelu said.

The movie producer, Felix Duker who worked with Buki Ajayi in the awardwinning movie, “Not My Will’’ described as “thespian-amazon’’ and one of the finest actors on the continent.

“She was a fantastic actress. My only regret is that my documentary interview with her which never took place due to my procrastinations at keeping those appointments. We take solace in that she lived a glorious life. May her soul rest in peace,’’ Duker stated in an electronic message.

For Aremo Tope Babayemi, the Coordinator, National Council for Arts and Culture, South-West, Ajayi left a legacy that should be emulated by younger thespians.

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WITHTHEGIFT

TELEVISION

L-R: Mr. Anthony Akaeze, Assistant Editor, Tell Magazine and 2015 Golden Pen Reporter of the Year; Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate A7airs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc; and Mr. Canice Opara, Copy Editor, Business World Newspaper and Winner, 2014 Golden Pen Report of the Year, at the press briefing, recently

NB’S GOLDEN PEN AWARDS BECKONS Yinka Olatunbosun

I

Ibinabo Fiberesima, Buki Ajayi, Ngozi Nwosu & Segun Arinze “Buki Ajayi, to me, is a female version of that great and renowned British actor, Sir Lawrence Oliver who never retired from his professional calling until the very last.

She was a quintessential actor who played her roles with verve and panache. I had the pleasure and privilege of interacting with her during the second National Film Festival of which I was Festival Director. I join others today to celebrate the glorious exit of a great artist. May her beautiful soul rest in perfect peace,’’ he said.

Another time-tested actor, director and broadcaster, Tunde Adeyemo recalled Ajayi’s superlative acting skills while paying tribute to the popular actor in a near-poetic tone.

“She was a highly erudite personality. Her warmheartedness and sense of humility transcended common celebrity traits. Most importantly, she distinguished herself as a core professional in the execution of her artistic endeavour. Even in her early 70s, her sense of mastery of lines was intriguing.

“We will all miss such an amiable friend and mother.

Well, we are on a short but tiring journey. Our vision is blurred by the euphoria of wanton desires. The more we lust, the less we comprehend the real purpose of life.

Hence, we become roses on our own dark alleys; golden crops only on the high seas, and then we vanish within a twinkle of our own thought. May her gentle soul find a blissful stay in the bosom of the most high,’’ Adeyemo said.

Efforts to reach Ajayi’s very close associate, Yemi Solade almost went down the drain. But he promptly called back some hours later and was just pouring his heart with such emotion that was quite infectious and unstoppable. One of the earliest memories of Solade working with Ajayi was in the movie produced by Tunde Kelani, titled, “Thunderbolt’’ where she played the role of Solade’s aunt who rescued him from a festish trap planned by his lover. Solade had maintained a very close relationship in real life with this artist whom he described as a mother.

“You’d never see her sad. She was always cheerful. As old as she was, some of us had her as a friend. We would tease her, tickle her. We did “Thunderbolt” together in 2000. Aunty Buki was more than just an actor. She was a symbol of humility. She was tolerant and patient, very understanding and above all she was almost perfect professionally.

“We knew that she was aging but she was very youthful in temperament. She is gone but we can only console ourselves with the idea that actors don’t die. I’m telling you, if you turn on the television and see her in a movie or a series, her work will make you smile. She has immortalized herself through her works,’’ he said.

Solade, who graduated from the Department of

Ajayi

Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, must have measured Ajayi’s artistry against the Stanislavki-inspired principles of acting as he looked back on a former colleague that he’d described as a matriarch of the screen.

“She was the mother I never had. Sometimes I would call her and talk to her. We were quite close. She worked till her last breath. You’d never find any other person like that. She ended an era of the most disciplined and most focused actors. I don’t know how old you were when she acted in the “Village Headmaster’’. It was when the series was shot in black and white format.

“Our relationship was beyond professional. It was a son-mother relationship. I used to give her a ride home back then. I wished I was more helpful to her. It is rare to find someone whom you’d have such a close relationship in this industry. Age was not a barrier at all. The only person that came close was Toun Oni. I had the two of them as my mothers. But we give glory to God and I will continue to be proud of my association with them, both personally and professionally,’’ said Solade who acted alongside Ajayi in Tade Ogidan’s celebrated movie, “Madam Dearest”.

n furtherance to its support of arts and literary excellence in Nigeria, the Nigerian Breweries has opened another window of opportunity this year for writers and photojournalists in the media with the fresh call on them to enter their works published in 2015 for the 8th edition of the prestigious Golden Pen Awards.

The winners will be announced at a glamorous ceremony slated for Friday, October 28.

The award was instituted in 2008 on the heels of successful projects such as The Creative Writing Workshop and The National Arts Competition.

Asides those, Nigerian Breweries had backed talent hunts and reality shows such as Star Music Trek, The Maltina Dance All, The Gulder Ultimate Search and Amstel Malta ShowTime.

To promote professionalism and objective reportage in Nigeria, the award was instituted to reward journalists, both in the print and electronic media.

The good news for photojournalists for this edition of the award is that the prize money had been raised to be at par with that of the winner of the Report of the year.

For those who wish to participate, the central theme for the award this year is “Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development’’. At a press conference held at the Nigerian Breweries office, Orile Iganmu, the corporate affairs adviser, NB, Mr. Kufre Ekanem commended past winners of the awards and encouraged journalists to add some class to the profession by improving on personal appearance and decorum. He recalled the past beneficiaries of the awards and how they have projected the ethics of journalism through their winning entries.

“The 2014 edition was the beginning of the expanded platform that draws attention to critical development areas by rewarding journalists who excel in reporting themed areas. In that year and also in 2015, we rewarded journalists such as The Nation’s Seun Akioye, The New Telegraph’s Hussain Sulaiman, Tell Magazine’s Anthony Akaeze and The New Telegraph’s Godwin Irekhe, top winners in the Reporter of the Year and Photojournalist of the Year categories of the award in 2014 and 2015 respectively, for their works that draw attention to Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development. We also celebrated THISDAY’s Raheem Akingbolu and Canice Opara of BusinessWorld who won the prize of the Golden Pen Nigerian Breweries Report of the Year in 2014 and 2015 respectively as well as eight other winners who were runners up in the Reporter and Photojournalists of the year categories,’’ he said.

Meanwhile the deadline for the submission of entries is August 19. An independent jury will analyse the received entries for their originality, news value, use of resources, credibility and factuality. Other areas of interest would include info-graphics, layout/ headline, clarity and social responsibility.

The winner of the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the year will smile to the bank with the sum of N1m, while the sum of N500,000 goes to the winner of the Report of the year. The Golden Pen photojournalist of the year gets N500,000 while the first runner-up and second-runner up in the reporter of the year category get N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. In addition, the first runner-up and second runner-up in the photojournalist of the year category will win N250,000 and N200,000 respectively.

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ARTS & REVIEW\\STAGELIGHTS

MARCH OF THE WOMEN IN HEAR WORD Yinka Olatunbosun

W

ith glittering garments, shimmering stilettos, whiff of exotic perfumes and red carpet paparazzi, distinguished Abuja residents led by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo received the intense drama, “Hear Word” as it made its way recently to the nation’s capital which is fast gaining grounds as the next highpowered cultural city after Lagos. Inside the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the lights shone brilliantly bringing home the artistic truth about women in a society that conveniently places men above them.

This Abuja performance of Hear Word!

Naija Woman Talk True, sponsored by Etisalat capped a three-continent tour, that saw the crew and cast take their craft to select institutions and countries in Europe and the USA. That arguably is a wise economical initiative that works well in the face of naira flotation. For theatre artists, floating advocacy on the platform of a stage production is also key to empowering the woman and the girl child since they constitute the vulnerable in the society.

To that end, faces from Nollywood with convincing characterisations helped to propagate this women empowerment theme in the drama. For instance, Joke Silva, a lead character, portrayed the character of a semi-educated who she was able to work her way up her line of trade through a combined dint of hard-work, commitment, focus and resilience. She took the responsibility to create a secure future for herself and thus gaining some degree of independence from her husband. Her husband’s kinsmen, oblivious to her personal drive to be financial independent, had come to take possession of her husband’s property upon his demise. They could not eventually do so after having to accept, though in a hard way, that their brother’s widow was a self-sufficient woman who had

Elvina Ibru, Cast Member, Hear Word; Ifeoma Fafunwa, Director, Hear Word; Myma Belo-Osagie; Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria; Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, actress and cast member, Hear Word; Deborah Willsher, Wife of the CEO, Etisalat Nigeria and Ufuoma McDermott, cast member, Hear Word at the premier of the Hear Word stage play series in Abuja empowered herself through industry. Her triumph would remain a didactic reference for many other women whose struggles for identity, self-sufficiency, empowerment and empowerment are mirrored in full or part by the play.

Hear Word! , a collection of 10 stories of real life accounts treats issues of inequality, discrimination, abuse and violence, and other social, cultural, traditional, economic and political manifestations as well as other societal practices that inhibit the Nigerian woman from reaching her full potentials and becoming a meaningful contributor to the development of the society at large.

The play inadvertently celebrates the beauty of the African woman, especially the

one from within. The Abuja performance which Mrs. Osinbajo described as “a story of transformation that has gone beyond expectation’’ offered an insight into the world of possibilities for women who are not treated as the weaker sex, but accorded respect, fairness and given the room for self-fulfillment.

It is no gainsaying that the success story of Hear Word! is way beyond its artistic value. It mirrors the commitment of the Etisalat brand to empower people across board, from providing innovative telecommunication services to building capacities.

The Director, Brand and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, conveyed as much while evaluating the play against

the company’s vision of creating and supporting platforms that empower people to discover themselves and reach their full potentials.

“We are an innovative and expressive company and are delighted with the Hear Word! team and the progress made so far with this initiative. We share in the everyday experiences of our customers, and seek for appropriate channels to create desirable experiences for them. We believe in providing people the opportunities to express themselves, be it in innovation, music, sports, literature, photography, theatre arts, education, entrepreneurship and any other way we can contribute to the development of the society,” he said.

man is a self-narrative of a professor, trapped in a world of confusion and insanity. The world sees him as a lunatic and the feeling his mutual with him, albeit inversely. He sees the world, full of insane people and guinea pigs for his experiments. Through his protracted monologues, the audience could infer that he had disappeared from the academic environment for over 20 years without any traces of his whereabouts- a complete mystery to the university. Two researchers found him where he had been working on recycling scraps. The researchers, sympathetic to his course, moved him to a new environment where he can present the outcome of his two decades of research. The performance drew upon the strength of the actor to arouse and sustain the audience’s excitement while avoiding anti-climax. It was also audience-participatory and only a spoiler would resist the invitation to step forward and participate.

The Berlin-based Monster Truck collaborated with The Footprints of David in “Sorry’’ which had many gnawing at visual torment of repetitive routines.

It was a delicate one which could be misinterpreted as a racial identity piece.

A seven-year old Nigerian child laid on centre-stage, looking lifeless. A middleaged man, Caucasian, watched for a long time before deciding to pick his body up. As soon as he did, the child attacked his neck like a vulture, falling him face down. The child rose again and collapsed

on the floor. The man recovered from the attack and came for the child once more. The child attacked him in the same manner he had done before and this cycle continued. The performance could be read as a portrayal of the futility of life and man’s determination to survive.

Before this show was yet another esoteric drama that explored the theory of dualism. Using total theatre as the medium of expression, the playwright and director, Joshua Alabi who recently participated in a two-month residency for Children and Youth Theatre in South Africa, demonstrated strong directorial skills in the play, “Punctuation’’. Relying on hues and lights to relay the message, the play is a metaphor for those ideologies that create repeated and regular interruptions or divisions. One of these is one’s religious orientation. The play, by this writer’s judgment, was a risky though brilliant artistic effort in its portraiture of Islamic devotees especially in a period that is very sacred to Muslims across the world.

But the theatre remains a safe haven for the discourse of sensitive topics and that would be Alabi’s untouchable defense. The Lagos_live festival is the last event to be spearheaded by MarcAndre Schmachtel who completed his tenure as the Director of the German Cultural Centre in June with the hope that the embers of art stay aglow in Nigeria.

Call it Wild and Free Yinka Olatunbosun They called it “Lagos _Live Festival’’.

We saw it all and name it “wild and free’’.

There had never been such assemblage of youths for the love of the arts in Lagos like it was last weekend in close-knit multiple venues, especially where the performances, for the most parts, were very unconventional yet contemporary. The last time Goethe Institut organised this festival was in 2012. Hence, it was heartwarming to see throngs of youthful audience, mill around for sound art exhibitions, dance, stage play, performance art and quite appreciatively too.

The Old Printing Press Building on Broad Street had its doors flung open to accommodate young people who were intrigued by the new dynamics in art forms. One attention-grabber was the projector that showcased images which conveyed deeper meanings than what meets the eye. After soaking in the recorded masquerade procession in Lagos, Segun Adefila, a theatre artistturned-masquerade appeared from the flanks in his full Egungun costume with a stage prop no one was expecting, namely, “a POS machine.’’ Such innovative thinking could have only come from the present generation of artists who explore modern technology to express indigenous ideas and cultural ethos.

Lagos masquerades are known to solicit for funds as they parade the streets and

market places. But in the enclosure of the once-abandoned building, there was no running away from the financially intelligent masquerader who was armed with an electronic device to obtain money from his bewildered audience.

Then Busayo Olowu took to the floor with his shredded raffia costume to execute the performance art titled, “Becoming’’, produced by The QDance Center. His twists and turns and the unspoken emotions captured the audience, holding them spell-bound for about an hour. Like other contemporary dancers such as Sunday Akpan, Taiwo Ojudun and the choreographer of the dance performance, Qudus Onikeku, Olowu gave a visual meaning to philosophical elements of the piece. Using the padded floor as his creative space, his bouts of energetic acrobatics and mystical spasms were such a thrill. As the synopsis revealed, Becoming is “neither the origin of things nor the last things; it is aware of a future to head into and a past to fall back on; it is the home of doubt and indecision of suspension, of disbelief, of make-belief, of playfulness, of the unpredictable and irony.’’

At Freedom Park, a mobile laboratory theatre performance was staged

by Yacoub Adeleke to set the mood for the bigger collaborative show at the main stage. It was a spontaneous performance titled, “The Junkyard Professor’’. A one-man play, The Junk-

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ARTS & REVIEW\\MUSIC

SOUNDING OUTSTAN IYKE

Stan Iyke

Yinka Olatunbosun

T

his reporter’s gaze settled on the grey hat of the singersongwriter, Stanley Ikechukwu, otherwise known as Stan Iyke as he stood quietly along the corridors of the Goethe-Institut, Lagos where the announcement of the just concluded Lagos_Live festival was made. He’s one artist who had recently become more visible than before since he did a collaboration with Tiwa Savage in the hit song, “My Darling’’.

Stan Iyke walked down the hall and history to reveal some aspects of his life that had been instrumental to his music career.

His first song-writing experience was at the age of seven and ever since, it has been a friend that sticks through the time.

“Music has always haunted me so I focused on it. For ten years now, I have actively performed as a musician. My grandfather was a fantastic songwriter.

He was part of the palace chiefs in his days. He would be singing his songs while tapping the palm tree. For those times that I stayed with him in the village on his request I observed that,’’ he recalled.

This young artist from Imo state thinks music is very powerful, sometimes moving him to cry. But he has chosen to make people smile with his compositions which, for the most part, belong to the afro-soul genre. For him, doing music for commercial profit alone just won’t work.

And to put it like Koker, “Kolewerk’’.

“I tried to sing and sound like others but

it wasn’t easy for me. I had to focus on what I liked which is afro soul. I do have dance tracks. I call it afro tropical music,’’ he revealed.

Stan Iyke would have been doing ward rounds and sitting at his desk listening to patients as a medical doctor if he had completed his study of medicine at the University of Lagos. But the urge to pursue music ran deep in his veins like an intravenous medication. He wasn’t going to let his parents, friends or the society at large determine his identity. He left the school of medicine.

“You know there is a society called College drop outs. Bill Gates is our president.

I will surely go back to school. I only dropped out to pursue my music career.

I am the first son so it was quite tough starting off. We have had some friends and family members who dabbled into music and were not successful. I think that was where my parents were looking at. They were afraid that the same fate would befall me. I had to let them realise that we have different lots in life. But they are my biggest supporters now. Sometimes, my dad follows me to the studio.

I have never been afraid of whether I would be successful in music or not,’’ he said.

The first time he stepped into a studio, he was nervous and of course, very excited. Good enough, he had experienced hands on deck to work him through.

“After a while, I had to convert the nervous energy into rocket fuel. In the studio, you have to get it right. That is why some artists do several takes before settling for one during recording. If you

have watched Michael Jackson during a studio session, then you’d see that he would do several takes. You just have to give your best shot,’’ he advised.

Still, there are many artists in Nigeria who have lost their popularity with fans because of their poor performances on stage. But outside the Nigerian shores, there are big artists whose performances are not exceptional but have remained very successful in music. For instance, Jay-Z and Rihanna are remarkable artists but they can’t compete with Eminem and Pink, respectively on stage. Stan Iyke blames the emphasis on stage performances on the way the Nigerian music industry is structured.

“Judging by the way the industry is now where cd sales are very poor, most artists get their income from live performances.

So, it is important to get the act right. If you are not good on stage, you won’t get called to shows. I had always believed that my stage performances must be fire although it was a learning process for me. I had to read books on stage performances and I went on the internet to download some books on it.

I watch live performances of great artists. I never had a performance coach. But when I perform, I always go with very smart friends of mine who are very observant.

I ask them to give me feedback after my performances,’’ he revealed.

Collaborations are also commonplace in the music scene. Recently, the news about Wizkid’s collaboration with French Montana and Chris Brown made the rounds. He had previously worked with Drake and Sarkodie in the remixes of his award-winning song, “Ojuelegba’’. For

Stan Iyke, there are certain factors to consider before embarking on a collaborative song.

“I believe in professionalism and artistry. I also believe in originality and uniqueness. But then, there has to be a blend between originality and commerciality. If you are too original, it might be only you and your family that will enjoy your music. If you are too original and not commercial, you won’t stand the test of time. I look out for that. For now, she is the only one I have worked with.

I often concentrate on my solo effort.

Tiwa is exceptional. She wrote her verse in just 15 minutes. When she came to the studio, I thought I needed to assist her with the writing but she wrote her song and it was superb. I really loved working with her. I am an old school kind of guy.

The ol’ school is the best school. I listen to a lot of Bob Marley and Fela as well as Mighty Sparrow. I love Wyclef Jean,’’ he said.

The singer learned to play the guitar from his uncle who introduced him to the chords. Later, he started meeting friends who could play. However, he soon discovered that some would stop teaching him as soon as they realized that he is good at song-writing. He decided not to tell the new guitar tutors anything about his career plans.

He also admires Slash, the lead guitarist for the rock group, Guns N’Roses who had featured on some of Michael Jackson’s live and recorded performances. He called him “a principality’’..

Stan Iyke performed alongside the rapper, PelumiBaba and Sunday Isreal

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• THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

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Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

Towards a Greater Role for Traditional Rulers The hosting of a dinner for the country’s traditional rulers by President Muhammadu Buhari during the Ramadan was symbolic of their unforgettable role in present-day Nigeria. The president should move for a more formal recognition of this role in line with the mood of the country. Vincent Obia writes

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari hosted a dinner for traditional rulers from across the country penultimate Wednesday in Abuja. The banquet, where the president broke his fast with the traditional rulers in the last days of the Ramadan, was a symbolic gesture of recognition for their role in the quest for a better Nigeria. But Buhari needs to further this recognition by pushing for a more active statutory role for the custodians of the time-honoured communal values, which the citizens need to be exposed to in high doses today.

Nigeria is in dire need of reorientation and return to the social mores of yore that generally guaranteed stability and communal harmony. Under the current social and political circumstances, a more active reengagement of the traditional institutions, the custodians of traditional values, is essential in the effort to reorient people away from the decadent social climate threatening the very fabric of society. The country needs to return to the lofty ideals that accorded respect to hard work, honesty, and achievement, and ensured political and economic progress.

Naturally, though, Nigerians have always appreciated the role of their traditional rulers and institutions.

All over the country, whenever there is a problem, the natural rulers’ palaces are usually the first port of call for those wishing to know what went wrong. Government and private citizens alike recognise the place of the traditional institutions in the attempt to solve societal problems.

The recent security problems in the country have seemed to further galvanise Nigerians into a greater appreciation of the role of traditional rulers. The emphasis on community policing, which seems to increase in tempo with every new Inspector General of Police, all point to a rising appreciation of the place of traditional institutions in the search for peace and order.

But Nigeria needs to pep up the latent role of the traditional rulers by adding more vigorous statutory enablement to their powers. The problem of disappearing values cannot be solved by merely verbalising the problem and the role of traditional institutions.

Government must move to more actively engage these natural rulers of the people. There should be more effective and regular channels of communication between government at the various levels and the traditional institutions.

Traditional rulers in the country used to have a robust constitutional role. Under the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, the Council of Chiefs was established for them in the regions and some of the traditional rulers even rose to become regional governors. In the 1979 Constitution, traditional rulers were represented in the National Council of State. But the role of traditional rulers was virtually expunged in the 1999 Constitution, an indication of the declining status of the traditional institutions in the scheme of things.

The declining prestige of traditional rulers has manifested in the continuous rejection of a constitutional role for them by the politicians, who tend to see the

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

ezeibe.aguwa@thisdaylive.com natural rulers as rivals. Such was the case during the inconclusive constitution amendment process by the seventh National Assembly. Despite overwhelming agreement on the crucial role of traditional rulers in the maintenance of peace and unity in society, there seems to be an equally overwhelming sense of fear about the implication of strengthening their role statutorily, particularly, among the politicians. Many politicians appear to be comfortable with traditional rulers being no more than mere appendages deriving their powers just from their subjects, rather than from the constitution of the country or the laws of the respective states.

But the prevailing social and political conditions in the country dictate that the hands of the traditional rulers should be strengthened to do more of what they know how to do best: preserving the mores that guarantee orderliness and progress. They need a more proactive statutory backing to acquit themselves effectively in such role.

Without attempting to further diminish Nigeria’s already eroded federal system, there should be provisions in the constitution that would enable traditional

On Nigeria and the Non-negotiability Debate

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Buhari

rulers exert greater leverage over their communities and domains. The states of the federation should make laws that empower traditional rulers and institutions to play a more active role in the maintenance of law and order.

There have been a few attempts to make traditional rulers relevant at the state and federal levels. The states have their council of traditional rulers, in addition to the existence of the ministries of local government and chieftaincy affairs. Traditional rulers have also been given ceremonial functions as heads of governmental and non-governmental institutions, such as Chancellors of universities and other institutions of learning.

There is also the seemingly unwritten practice in many states of devoting five per cent of local government allocations to the upkeep of the traditional institutions.

But there is need to move beyond these ritualistic acts of recognition. The traditional rulers should be made more active in the protection of not only the values of their people, but also the lives and property of persons within their domains.

espite more than 100 years of nationhood and over half a century of independence, the issue of Nigeria’s unity has, regrettably, remained a minefield for many of the nationalities. President Muhammadu Buhari seemed to touch the old mines last week when he reiterated the refrain that Nigeria’s unity was not negotiable. Buhari made the remark while addressing guests who visited him at the presidential villa for the Sallah celebration.

The Ijaw Youth Council disagreed with the president, describing his statement as another “old fashioned approach to the resolution of national problems.” IYC said it was in the country’s interest to negotiate a future that would guarantee justice and independent development to the component parts.

The apex South-west socio-political organisation, Afenifere,

and the South-east umbrella group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, also faulted Buhari’s comments on Nigeria’s unity. Afenifere said the president’s views represented a misreading of the country’s mood, while Ohanaeze Ndigbo believed there should be a “review of the terms of the country’s unity”, because the union had not favoured all the constituent parts.

Expectedly, it was the pan-northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, which backed Buhari’s declaration on Nigeria’s unity, in a defence of one of their own.

The people’s verdict cannot be rigged: no part of Nigeria is fiercely agitating secession from the union, what everyone wants is justice.

There is still a lot of suturing to do, and Buhari needs a strong thread of justice to sew up the divisions tearing Nigerians apart.

– Vincent Obia

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PDP versus Sheriff: An Opposition Party Meets a Real Nemesis Onyebuchi Ezigbo, in Abuja, examines the role of erstwhile PDP national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, in the party’s current leadership crisis

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there seems to be no progress being made in that direction, at least for now.

he Peoples Democratic Party has gone through many intra-party crises and survived them. The party has also witnessed the most excruciating political experience in the country’s history following the loss of the 2015 presidential election to an opposition party. Yet, it was able to pull itself together. But what is happening to the PDP currently is difficult to explain. Political observers are beginning to wonder how PDP can prove, “A house divided against itself can still stand and not fall.”

The party is at present under threat of losing the whole essence of being a political party, that is providing a platform for members to aspire and win elective offices in the country. The current leadership imbroglio has put the party in a precarious state and may deny its candidates the right to participate in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

Legal Fireworks

Circle of Agitation

What is most worrisome is the role being played by the ousted national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the former national secretary, and former national auditor in the whole saga. The trio have taken up issues against the Senator Ahmed Makaffi-led national caretaker committee appointed by the PDP at its national convention in Port Harcourt. The committee was formed after the dissolution of the National Working Committee, which Sheriff led.

Sheriff and his group had gone to a court in Lagos to secure an order restraining the party from conducting elections to the offices of national chairman, national secretary and national auditor at the last national convention held in Port Harcourt. In a similar vein, the mainstream PDP stakeholders had also gone to a court in Port Harcourt to obtain an order restraining Sheriff from parading himself as the national chairman. The matter got to a point where Sheriff could no longer hold back his comeback bid. He led his loyalists to storm the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja to declare himself chairman, thus, sparking a week-long orgy of protests and counter protests by his supporters and pro-Makarfi groups.

It took the intervention of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to bring calm to the place by shutting it down temporarily.

But the fight still raged on even outside the party’s secretariat. Sheriff and his allies are still putting everything in their arsenal in the struggle to retain the leadership of the opposition party. At the same time, Makarfi and his committee are trying to consolidate their hold on the party by aligning with its key organs, the PDP governors forum, Board of Trustees, and the National Assembly Caucus.

Battle Shifts to Edo

The next stage of the conflict has shifted to Edo State where PDP is expected to produce a candidate for the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for September 10. Just as the team appointed by the Makarfi-led caretaker committee to organise the ad hoc congresses and governorship primary for Edo State were concluding its assignment, Sheriff threw a bombshell, issuing a statement declaring it illegal and writing the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In the primary election organised by the Makarfi team, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was returned as the PDP flag-bearer for the Edo State governorship election.

But Sheriff and his group declared the governorship primaries in Edo State as illegal

Sheriff and a contraption of an illegal caretaker committee. He called on PDP members nationwide, especially in Edo State, to disregard the primary election. In a letter addressed to the chairman of INEC, signed

by Sheriff and the ousted national secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the group urged INEC not to give legitimacy to what happened in Edo and said the party was going to conduct a proper primary in the state.

Sheriff scheduled another congress for Edo State to run from June 23-June29. Quoting sections of the PDP constitution, Sheriff said he was acting following the resignation of five members of the NWC and in accordance with the provisions of sections 39(2), 42 (2), 43 (2), 44 (2) and 47 (6) of the 2012 PDP constitution, as amended. According to Sheriff, the newly appointed officers are Mr. Okey Nnadozie (Acting National Organising Secretary), Mr. Alonge-Niyi Dennis (Acting National Youth Leader), Mrs. Hannatu Ullam (Acting National Women Leader) and Barrister Bashir Maidugu (Acting National Legal Adviser).

However, the PDP national caretaker committee described as an unnecessary distraction the decision of the Sheriff team to organise another governorship primaries for Edo State, Secretary of the committee, Senator Ben Obi, said the PDP governorship primaries in Edo State had met all the requirements needed for their exercise, including having representation by INEC. Obi said PDP members and Nigerians generally who watched the primary election beamed live on television could attest to the transparent nature of the process.

Regarding the issue of legitimacy, Obi said the PDP caretaker committee enjoyed the support and loyalty of all the organs of the party, including all the state chapters of the party. He added that there was no way Sheriff could carry out his threat and conduct congresses and primary election in Edo State without dealing with the state branches of the party, which, incidentally, took part in the conduct of governorship primary.

According to Obi, “I think you all saw how peaceful our governorship primaries in Edo State were and how the INEC people were handed over the results. You also saw

the INEC staff clearly displaying the results.

I want to say that the leadership of the PDP is not distracted by the mucky water politics.

We have decided to remain focused, being a political party with a lot of experience. Not when all the organs of the party are working with you and then you want to succumb to unnecessary distraction.

“Let Sheriff go and conduct his own congresses and primaries. At least to do that he must dealt with the leadership of the party in Edo State. You must also produce your own candidate. Edo State has a party structure that is not factionalised. He knows these facts.”

The Makarfi-led PDP appeared unruffled by the threat made by Sheriff to hold a parallel primary election in Edo State. The party on Wednesday issued a statement congratulating its flag-bearer for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, Ize-Iyamu, describing the primary election as free, fair and credible.

In a statement signed by a member of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party described the exercise as “victory for those who cherish freedom of choice depicting the democratic culture of the PDP. It is indeed a triumph of a popular candidate and victory for democracy.

“The outcome of the election in Edo State, which is one of the best elections so far in Nigeria, has proved to the opposition in the state that the PDP is a one united house built on the principle of delivering power to the people and the sustenance of our democracy at all levels, irrespective of our various differences.

“The leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Senator Ahmed Makarfi has commended the electoral committee led by governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, and all the leaders and members of the party in Edo State, especially, the delegates and other aspirants that participated in the poll and assured them of the support of the national headquarters to bring positive change to the people of the state through the forthcoming election.” Although both parties in the PDP crisis had pledged during a meeting with the Inspector General of Police to make peace,

Sheriff has suffered a series of setbacks in his attempt to hang on to power. For instance, Justice Husseini Baba of the FCT High Court had dismissed a suit he filled seeking to affirm him as the national chairman of PDP. The judge while striking out the case described Sheriff as busy body after majority of the former NWC members that Sheriff joined as plaintiffs denied him in court, saying they are not part to the suit.

Another Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, presided over by Justice Valentine Ashi also delivered a judgement sacking all national officers of the party, including Sheriff, who assumed office on the basis of the amendment of Article 46 (7) of the party’s constitution, which has been declared illegal.

But Sheriff received favourable rulings from an Abuja Federal High Court and a Federal High Court in Lagos, all courts of coordinate jurisdiction. He has rejected the other rulings of the courts, insisting that there is no room for a caretaker committee and that he still remains the valid national chairman of the party.

However, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, in its judgement last week, not only upheld the validity of the convention in Port Harcourt but also stated that the national caretaker committee headed by SMakarfi was the authentic national leadership of the PDP.

Resolution

The faceoff between the Makarfi leadership and Sheriff’s group may hurt PDP seriously at the polls in Edo and Ondo states if they are not amicably resolved in time.

One of the Sheriff’s staunches supporters and former South-south national vice chairman of PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, said they were ready to end the dispute if the party allowed Sheriff to hold a fresh convention.

He said Sheriff was not insisting on holding on to the chairmanship position, but felt he should not be disgraced out of office the way it was done at the national convention in Port Harcourt.

Makarfi has asked Sheriff and other aggrieved members to embrace dialogue as a means of addressing their grievances.

He said there was no winner or loser in the matter.

“I am indeed happy with the judgement on the one hand, but also sad that it had to come to this. For me there should be no winner or loser on this matter. I am still calling on Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his followers to join us so that we accommodate one another and indeed all other groups in a just, fair and equitable matter with a view to moving the party forward,” Makarfi said after the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, ruling.

Similarly, while speaking to journalists on Wednesday against the background of the court ruling in Abuja, which nullified the appointment of Sheriff as the national of PDP, Obi said the party expected more positive judicial pronouncements in the weeks ahead.

According to him, the committee believes that rebuilding the party needs every useful hand and will welcome those aggrieved members’ decision to submit to dialogue and cooperate with the Makarfi- led committee in chatting the way forward for the party.

With the seemingly reconciliatory tones from both sides, it is very likely that the combatants in the current PDP crisis may soon approach the dialogue table in the coming weeks to possibly put an end to their dispute.

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L-R: Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I; Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; former Ogun State governor and chairman of the occasion, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; keynote speaker, Dr. Doyin Abiola; author, Cascade of Change: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; and former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, during the book presentation ... recently

Lagos: The Strategic Change Context Recently, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, launched a book, Cascade of Change: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts. Political actors of diverse backgrounds used the event to examine the change agenda of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration in his first one year. Gboyega Akinsanmi, who covered the book launch, reports

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good number of political actors and accomplished journalists converged on the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, on June 23.

The gathering was at the instance of the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde. And the reason was to unveil Ayorinde’s new book, Cascade of Change: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts.

The turnout was huge and impressive. The event brought together actors from the worlds of politics and journalism. The state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Ekiti State governor, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, among others, featured prominently.

From the journalism world also, there were Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adeshina, Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers Group, Mr. Eniola Bello, General Manager of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Managing Director of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, and former Managing Director of Concord Newspapers Group, Dr. Doyin Abiola. They all came to honour one of their own.

The book presentation turned to be a forum for assessing the change the All Progressive Congress promised Nigerians. This time, the emphasis was not on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, even though he was effectively represented at the unveiling of the 558-page book, a compendium of articles written by Ayorinde in the last decade.

Discussants liberally assessed the Ambode administration. There was a consensus that if Nigeria “must be free from the shackles of socio-economic crisis, all actors – political and economic – must reckon with Lagos.” This, thus, signals the possibility of a new Nigeria with much to learn from Lagos.

Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, said change does not come easy. What informed Utomi’s remark was the myriad of social challenges, which he said, erupted just after Ambode took up the mantle of leadership.

In the first three months, there was a sudden relapse of social order that compounded traffic situation, security challenge, and environmental problems.

Amid the challenges, at a meeting with the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Utomi confessed that he had to express his fears about the relapse of social order in the state. He asked Osinbajo: “Are you sure people have not made mistakes in Lagos?” But according to him, “The vice president simply assured me that Ambode was already responding to those challenges.”

Apparently, the conversation formed the thesis around which Ayorinde structured his campaign for change in the last decade. For Ayorinde, what Lagos needs is continuity and not change of political party, citing the remarkable records of Ambode’s predecessors. But Ayorinde did not have the same view about the federal government, which he argued, needed a fresh air from an ideologically oriented political party.

That explained what actually drove the campaign for change in the 2015 general election.

In his foreword to the book, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ascribed it “to prevailing conditions that made Nigeria cascade from setback to setback with each mistake more harmful than the one before it.”

He cited the heinous records of corruption, terrorism and economic collapse.

Tinubu said change “became the rallying point; a single word turned into a political weapon that would bring down a political party that claimed to be the largest on the continent, which fancied the idea of ruling Nigeria for 60 years.” But what does that portend for Nigeria?

Discussants held a common view that the change had decimated the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgents, confronted corruption head-on and started finding the sustainable

path to economic recovery. That was Ayorinde’s argument for change, a position he liberally canvassed in his new book.

Contextually, however, Lagos was the focal point. In her presentation, Abiola acknowledged how successive governments had engendered change in Lagos State. She also acknowledged the ground work the Tinubu leadership had been able to establish for continuity.

Asiwaju “could be what he could be,” Abiola stated, “But if Asiwaju does not have competent people around him, nothing much will be achieved. I had never met Ambode. I never had any discussion with him. But from what he has been doing so far, it is clear that he was prepared for the job. Ambode has been moving from step to step.”

Perhaps, it was Utomi who tried to put what had changed in proper perspective. He said, Ambode “is endowed with the ability of audacious imagination.” He said the ability was manifested in the Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of Fourth Mainland Bridge. He also cited the initiatives of SmartCity Lagos, Light up Lagos and neighbourhood renewal, among others.

Osoba, who chaired the book presentation, marvelled at Ambode’s approach to governance.

Osoba’s perception is understandable for two reasons. First, Ambode silently embarked on massive transformation of the state at a turbulent time, when most states of the federation could not even meet basic obligations like payment of salaries.

Second, Ambode is trying to create an economically robust Lagos when federal allocations have dropped substantially. Beyond the conception of Fourth Mainland Bridge and Oshodi Transport Interchange, among others, Osoba said it was difficult to really fathom Ambode’s courage to construct a dual carriageway Epe-Ijebu Road, clear Falomo Roundabout, and initiate many other infrastructure projects.

Director-general of DAWN Commission, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, explained Ambode’s records of performance on three grounds. First, based on

his interaction with him, Famakinwa described Ambode as someone with strategic orientation about governance. Second, he said Ambode was able to put together a team of good hands, which he said, was a testament to his performance. Lastly, Famakinwa ascribed Ambode’s record to practical orientation, which in his argument, had helped him “consider his roles as the governor of Lagos State very seriously. On these grounds, Lagos is a developmental state.

We all need to work together to really make Lagos a developmental state.”

Ambode actually had a turbulent beginning, which most discussants admitted was a defining moment for the nascent administration. Just after assumption of office, the social order relapsed almost completely, with increasingly frustrating gridlock, return of wastes to the streets, and mounting security challenges. It was indeed Ambode’s most challenging period.

But the governor responded with critical decisions, which in Abiola’s presentation, were products of creative minds. Under six months, the state recorded over 65 per cent decline in crime rate. Under three months, too, Ambode’s reform programme saved the state N3 billion per month. Around the same timeframe, gridlocks in critical traffic flashpoints quickly disappeared.

Ambode unveiled his next plan of action, which he said, was “to build on the foundation to move Lagos State to the next level. In the first year, we have laid the foundation to make Lagos globally competitive. In the future, we will build on it to move Lagos to the next level, a level of first class infrastructure, services, economic growth and opportunities for all.”

Even though the gathering was designed to unveil Ayorinde’s book, it turned out to be a forum for governance assessment, which Ambode confessed, he did not prepare for. The consensus was that, as Abiola put it, under successive governments, Lagos State “has been showing what it is to govern with efficiency. If we are going to make it as a country, we must reckon with Lagos State.”

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Once Jolly Good Friends, But Now...

Demola Ojo

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our days ago, amid the negative press trailing her use of personal e-mail servers to conduct official business, presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States, Hilary Clinton, took the battle – and the attention – to her Republican counterpart

Donald Trump.

In what is surely a sign of what to expect – increased mudslinging and personal attacks thrown at each other by both candidates - Clinton attacked Trump’s business record in Atlantic City, New Jersey, using the backdrop of one of Trump’s former casinos to criticize his business practices.

“Donald Trump says he’s qualified to be President because of his business record. Three weeks ago, he said, and I quote, ‘I’m going to do for the country what I did for my business.’”

But Clinton believes Trump’s business record is nothing to brag about. “In fact, it’s shameful.

And every single voter in America needs to know about it – so we don’t let him do to our country what he did to his businesses,” the former Secretary of State said.

According to Clinton, Trump’s businesses in Atlantic City did not only perform poorly, they hurt the economy of the city as a whole.

“He intentionally ran up huge amounts of debt on his companies – hundreds of millions of dollars. He borrowed at high interest rates – even after promising regulators that he wouldn’t. What came next? He defaulted on those loans. Didn’t pay them back. And at the end, he bankrupted his companies – not once, not twice, but four times,” the former American first lady informed her audience.

“And here’s an important thing about how Donald Trump operates. He doesn’t default and go bankrupt as a last resort. He does it over and over again on purpose – even though he knows he will leave others empty-handed while he keeps the plane, the helicopter, the penthouse… He makes over-the-top promises, and says if people trust him, put their faith in him – he’ll deliver for them. He’ll make them wildly successful. Then everything falls apart, people get hurt and Donald gets paid,” the former first lady asserted.

It was a robust response to Trump who, barely two weeks before last Wednesday’s attacks, delivered an address in New York promising Americans to replicating his “success in business” on a national level.

“I have built an amazing business that I love and I get to work side-by-side with my children every day… We think big, and then we make it happen. I love what I do, and I am grateful beyond words to the nation that has allowed me to do it. So when people ask me why I am running, I quickly answer: I am running to give back to this country which has been so good to me,” the billionaire businessman explained.

Of course he also threw barbs at Hilary Clinton.

“When I see the crumbling roads and bridges, or the dilapidated airports, or the factories moving overseas to Mexico, or to other countries, I know these problems can all be fixed, but not by Hillary Clinton – only by me. We can’t solve any of these problems by relying on the politicians who created them,” said Trump. Then he went all out at his opponent, describing her as a world class liar. He gave examples: “Just look at her pathetic email and server statements, or her phony landing in Bosnia where she said she was under attack but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers, a total self-serving lie.

“Here is my promise to the American voter: If I am elected President, I will end the special interest monopoly in Washington, DC. The other candidate in this race has spent her entire life making money for special interests – and taking money from special interests.

“Hillary Clinton has perfected the politics of personal profit and theft. She ran the State Department like her own personal hedge fund – doing favors for oppressive regimes, and many others, in exchange for cash. Then, when she left, she made $21.6 million giving speeches to Wall Street banks and other special interests – in less than two years – secret speeches that she does not want to reveal to the public,” said the media mogul.

Trump’s attacks are not limited to Hilary however. He has her husband, Former President

L-R: Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Melania Trump...at the Trumps’ wedding in 2005

Bill Clinton, in his crosshairs.

“Together, she (Hilary) and Bill made $153 million giving speeches to lobbyists, CEOs, and foreign governments in the years since 2001. They totally own her, and that will never change. The choice in this election is a choice between taking our government back from the special interests, or surrendering our last scrap of independence to their total and complete control.”

Trump continued, “I have visited the cities and towns across America and seen the devastation caused by the trade policies of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton supported Bill Clinton’s disastrous NAFTA, just like she supported China’s entrance into the World Trade Organization.

“We’ve lost nearly one-third of our manufacturing jobs since these two Hillary-backed agreements were signed. Our trade deficit with China soared 40% during Hillary Clinton’s time as Secretary of State -- a disgraceful performance for which she should not be congratulated, but rather scorned.

“Then she let China steal hundreds of billions of dollars in our intellectual property – a crime which is continuing to this day. Hillary Clinton gave China millions of our best jobs, and effectively let China completely rebuild itself. In return, Hillary Clinton got rich!”

To be fair, the above statements by both candidates are issue-based, and probably some of the most civil you’ll hear from them. There have been worse personal attacks thrown at each other so far this year and it is expected to degenerate as the election draws closer. The attacks might just get more personal. After all, these two seem to know each other so well.

It Wasn’t Always Like This

A few weeks ago, as it became clearer Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton would be representing their respective parties in the contest for president, pictures showing the Trumps and Clintons laughing together went viral on the internet.

Hillary Clinton was one of the 450 guests (she had a front row seat to boot) at the exclusive wedding ceremony of Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, his third (and current) wife in Palm Beach, Florida. At the reception that followed, Bill Clinton joined his wife, the former first lady who was then serving Trump’s home state of New York in the Senate.

Trump now says Clinton had “no choice” but to attend his wedding because he donated money to her campaign. But his record of praising both Clintons is voluminous, and seems to go far beyond an attempt to further his business interests.

He seemed to genuinely like them. And the feeling – on the face of it – was mutual.

There are many instances where both camps (Trump and the Clintons) have said nice things about each other in the past. Because they were

friends. Trump has over the years defended his pal, Bill Clinton.

There was the September 1999 interview with the New York Times in which Trump remarked that Clinton would have gone down in history as a great president if not for the Lewinsky scandal.

Clinton, Trump believed, would have found a more forgiving public if he’d had an affair with a really beautiful woman of sophistication.

“Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe were on a different level. Now Clinton can’t get into golf clubs in Westchester. A former president begging to get in a golf club. It’s unthinkable,” he said.

Trump later boasted that he welcomed the former president to a newly built Trump National Golf Club, a five-minute drive from the Clinton’s New York home. Meanwhile, Clinton has admitted the billionaire was “uncommonly nice to Hillary and me.” Clinton still maintains a locker at Trump’s golf club.

“I like him. And I love playing golf with him,” Clinton said in a May 2012 interview with CNN. The complements weren’t just between the two men. Trump had nice words for Hillary too.

In October 2013 Larry King asked Trump if he thought the former secretary of state would run for the White House a second time, pointing out that she is a “fellow New Yorker.”

“Yeah, and I know her very well. They’re members of my club, and I like both of them very much, and he was with you one time and he said he likes me,” Trump said, adding, “and I do like him.” A year before, Trump told Fox News that Clinton had done a great job as secretary of state.

“Hillary Clinton I think is a terrific woman,” he said. “I am biased because I have known her for years. I live in New York. She lives in New York. I really like her and her husband both a lot. I think she really works hard. And I think, again, she’s given an agenda, it is not all of her, but I think she really works hard and I think she does a good job.

I like her.”

Well, they seem not to like each other so much anymore.

Singing a New Tune

Now, Donald Trump has switched from defending Bill Clinton’s past transgression to using the same instances in attacks against “Crooked Hillary,” whom he has called an “unbelievably, nasty, mean enabler” of her husband’s affairs.

Trump now classifies Bill Clinton as a victimizer.

“Hillary’s married to a man who was the worst abuser of women in the history of politics. She’s married to a man who hurt many women,” Trump said at a May 7 rally in Washington. “She’s married to a man who got impeached for lying.”

Back to his New York speech two weeks ago, he said, “No Secretary of State has been more wrong, more often, and in more places than

Hillary Clinton. Her decisions spread death, destruction and terrorism everywhere she touched.

Among the victims is our late Ambassador, Chris Stevens. He was left helpless to die as Hillary Clinton soundly slept in her bed -- that’s right, when the phone rang at 3 o’clock in the morning, she was sleeping.

“Ambassador Stevens and his staff in Libya made hundreds of requests for security. Hillary Clinton’s State Department refused them all. She started the war that put him in Libya, denied him the security he asked for, then left him there to die. To cover her tracks, Hillary lied about a video being the cause of his death,” Trump claimed.

Trump has also accused Hillary Clinton of corruption, citing instances from the book Clinton Cash. “Hillary Clinton may be the most corrupt person ever to seek the presidency,” he said.

“To cover-up her corrupt dealings, Hillary Clinton illegally stashed her State Department emails on a private server. Her server was easily hacked by foreign governments – perhaps even by her financial backers in Communist China – putting all of America in danger.

“Then there are the 33,000 emails she deleted.

While we may not know what is in those deleted emails, our enemies probably do. So they probably now have a blackmail file over someone who wants to be President of the United States.

“This fact alone disqualifies her from the Presidency. We can’t hand over our government to someone whose deepest, darkest secrets may be in the hands of our enemies,” Trump said.

Nothing Personal...

Recently, Donald Trump was asked to account for his change in tone. He explained that it was his “obligation” to get along with everyone as a businessman.

“I got along with everybody. I got along with the Clintons, I got along with the Republicans, the Democrats, the liberals, the conservatives. That was my obligation. As a businessman, I had to get along with everybody, and I’ll get along and do that as president,” he continued, remarking, “when I needed approvals, when I needed something from Washington, I always got what I wanted, and that’s because I was able to get along with everybody.”

So don’t be surprised Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton will get along sometime in the future. They might end up as chummy friends again. Remember, Obama and Hilary went at each other during the Democratic nomination race in 2008. Look at them now.

The politician in Clinton might probably see her contest with Trump through the prism of ‘No permanent friends, only permanent interests.’ The businessman in Trump probably sees it as fair game. Nothing personal, just business.

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Ugwu: Owners of Cows in Custody of Herdsmen Shouldn’t Use their Business to Cause Crisis HRH Igwe Emmanuel Oluchukwu Ugwu is the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike community, representative of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council in the committee on inter-community peace between natives and herdsmen in the state, and director, African Affairs, Association of World Peace Volunteer Advocates. In this interview with Christopher Isiguzo and Patrick EgwuinEnugu,Ugwuspeaksonthesolutiontothebloodyclashes betweenherdsmenandindigenouscommunities,whichintensifiedinrecenttimesinmanypartsofthecountry.Excerpts:

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hat is behind the incessant bloody conflicts between herdsmen and native communities in the country?

What I believe is that every clan, tribe, has their own tribal landmark.

The same way in business, we know the Igbo people with their own business landmark and we know that the Fulani have their own landmark and likewise the Kanuri, Gwari, etc. But the problem we have now all over the country is about the cattle rearers, the herdsmen and this has become a perturbing issue that has created disunity in relationships and even torn the country apart. As a traditional ruler, I have Fulani people in my community and they have lived with us for more than 20 years and we don’t have any quarrel or issue with them. But at the same time, the issue of destroying people’s property has always been there and when that is done, we invite them and the moment we are able to get the people who did such damage, they will be made to pay. But I know that what brought up the present situation is the killings of innocent citizens by those behind the damages and people are now more irritated because of the situation and the Boko Haram issue in the North. So at times, you begin to ask if it is an extension of the insecurity in the North that is trying to come to the South-east and South-south through cattle rearing. But one thing I want people to understand is that it is not an issue we should handle without a sense of reasoning, of oneness of the nation.

People should go to the root of who the owners of the cows are.

What are these seemingly hidden owners?

I was happy to see in the news when the presidency was inviting cattle owners. I keep saying it; this is not supposed to be a national issue but a personal issue because the cattle owners are mere individuals and personal business. Because of the killings of innocent citizens in the country, it is now made to be a national issue because it’s all about life that one did not create and they want to take what they did not create. So we know that there are people who are the real owners of the cows and they are not the rearers. The owners of the cows are the big shots in this country: governors, generals, traditional rulers, top politicians, and business men.

It is not even the poor people that they are accusing that are the owners of these cows. If you look at them, you will see that they are even suffering. If you interact with these herdsmen, you will find out that they are suffering because they are more of bush people and reason alike. You know that the only difference between man and animal is that God deprived animals of language for communicating with man.

When some people who are privileged to be humans, with the voice of communication, are always in the bush and communicating with animals, the animals hear their language and they hear that of the animals. So who are they? They are more of those animals too. When you begin to look at them and attack them as though they reason the same way like you. Of course, they think of how to save themselves. They have a way of forming a defence to protect their own lives.

The owners of these cows are in their various kingdoms enjoying themselves, whereas there are people who are in the bush suffering. The moment they lose one, two or three cows, they will report to the owners of the cows, you wouldn’t know them. In protection of what they have, they will come in counter attack.

So what is the way forward?

There are so many Igbo people I know that have these cows and Fulani people are the ones rearing the cows for them. They don’t even know their masters. The person they know is the middleman who says, “We have a cow, we want you to rear for somebody, this is the mode of payment or after five years take 10 per cent, depending on the proceeds you have gotten, and another person will take over.” I wouldn’t want people to understand this problem as a Fulani problem. Let us look at it holistically and see that it is a private business and those owners of the businesses should know that their business is now hampering the businesses of other people. You cannot have 1, 000 cows and use them to destroy my 1, 000 hectares of farmland. When your own is flourishing, my own is dwindling, going down, it cannot work because it will aggravate a lot of issues. The owners of this business should be able to understand that their business is causing problems in the country and private business cannot be allowed to destroy our nation or the relationships

Ugwu

between people in the country.

hands, the problem will be solved.

What should be the role of the traditional rulers and government, including the local, state and federal governments, in the effort to resolve the conflicts between herdsmen and host communities?

When you talk about communities, you talk about the traditional rulers and rural dwellers. If the traditional rulers can be given a space, the opportunity to carry out their duties as the chief security officers of their communities, this problem will stop. It is just that we don’t curb crime, when something happens in Nigeria we go after crime committers when they have committed the crime already. It takes more intelligence to be able to curb crime but Nigeria depends on when crime has been committed before they take action.

What we need now is more intelligence gathering and I have written a proposal on Security Clearance Diversion Form, which will reveal who and who is living in your place. Now it is happening to us in Nigeria. At times, these things will even start with internal problems in the community. Somebody had once confronted me that he heard traditional rulers collect cows from the Fulani people and that’s why they are coming to kill people. Can anyone exchange life for cows? It’s not possible. At times those who are angry even go after the traditional rulers because they see Fulani people coming to my palace. You will now think they have given him money, so let’s go and chase them away. Many things are happening that I don’t want to go into now until our committee begins to work, then we will be able to bring out ideas that will save various communities. But the issue on the ground is that the communities and traditional rulers’ roles is “operation know your neighbour is very important”. Now in Enugu State, the governor has set up a committee with an order that cows should not be reared in the night again because most of the Fulani herdsmen said that those damaging people’s crops come from outside the state in the night. If that is true, then a joint committee has been set up. The Shuarabs, Metiallah and the Fulani people are coming together to be able to curb crime in the society before it erupts. It is commendable that the governor of Enugu State has initiated this professionally.

If traditional rulers are allowed to take their place on board, without bias, without people trying to take laws into their

Do you support the idea of creating grazing reserves across the country for the herdsmen?

I don’t know why the federal government should wade into a project that does not belong to them. For whom are they establishing the grazing reserves? Is it for Nigerian agriculture? If Nigerians are the owners of those cows as a country farm and you want to get a grazing reserve because of the general interest, then they have every power to acquire lands. That’s why I said that the owners of the cows are notable people. All I know is that notable individuals are the owners of the business. I am not even against getting a grazing reserve, but if Alhaji Adamu has 1, 000 cows and approaches me as the Igwe of Ibagwa and says, “I want to have 1, 000 hectares of land where I will be able to graze or farm.” I will enter into an MoU with Adamu. It is a business and not a government business. But if I say, “Adamu, I don’t want, I don’t have such land,” then it is not supposed to be a national issue to the federal government. People who are the owners of the business should go and negotiate their business but if government is now the one negotiating for them, then they are the one financing the project.

What is your take on the issue of neighbourhood watch in different communities?

The neighbourhood watch is community policing; using those who know the crime committers to curb the crime.

When the governor called us on that, we were all happy that for the first time a governor is thinking in this direction. The beauty of community policing is that it is according to the law of the federation. It’s a welcome idea. For instance, in my own place when this problem started I called the Fulani men and told them the danger now because of the killings.

They said, please, we will remain peaceful. We had to change pattern by setting up a committee, which involves the youths of the Fulani people. We have a committee whose duty is to visit the Fulani whenever their people damage anything and bring those who damaged those things. So the neighbourhood issue is excellent. What you need to do is to build a bridge of trust, and not approach matter in a way that it will disrupt the peace of the country.

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Shinkafi: Exit of a Top Intelligence Expert and Seasoned Politician Omololu Ogunmade writes on the life and times of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a former presidential aspirant and ex-head of the nation’s intelligence agency, who died last week in London

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is death last Wednesday, shattered the serene festive atmosphere of Shinkafi village in Zamfara State. Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a notable Nigerian politician and security expert, gave up the ghost at Harefield Hospital, Middlesex in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2016 after a protracted illness. He was 79.

Shinkafi, one of the finest Nigerian politicians of the Northern extraction, served Nigeria in various capacities as a top ranking police officer; Federal Commissioner for Internal Affairs and later as Director General of the then National Security Organisation (NSO) before his voyage into politics.

Well-educated, Shinkafi obtained a degree in Law at the University of Lagos and was called to the bar in 1974.

He was a major player in the truncated Third Republic midwifed by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Before Babangida banned over 40 political parties which emerged at the commencement of the transition towards the Third Republic, Shinkafi was one of the promoters of the Nigerian National Congress (NNC) in 1989.

Following the decision of Babangida’s regime to register only two political parties - Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC), Shinkafi’s NNC dissolved into NRC where he became a major political force and a leading presidential aspirant.

Shinkafi’s political movement during the 1992 presidential campaign began to advance with the creation of a choice ‘92 campaign group, a platform he used to champion his presidential ambition. With the campaign group, he had planned to have a canvasser in every ward of the federation. His major competitor in the keenly contested race was Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

However, his bright presidential ambition suffered a major setback following the decision of Babangida to annul the presidential primaries of both the SDP and NRC and simultaneously banning all politicians who had participated in the 1992 primaries.

Following the annulment of the primaries and the banning of 1992 presidential aspirants, new primaries were slated to be conducted with Option A4 electoral system which was approved by Babangida. Shinkafi then opted to throw his weight behind a Kano-born politician, Bashir Tofa, who eventually emerged as NRC presidential candidate at the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The leadership of NRC had at the time witnessed a change of baton from its pioneer chairman, Chief Tom Ikimi, to Hamed Kusamotu who led the party to June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by SDP candidate, Chief MKO Abiola, but was annulled by Babangida for flimsy reasons.

Until his passage, Shinkafi as the ex-Director-General of NSO, was celebrated as a skilful intelligence officer who foresaw the December 31, 1983 military coup d’etat led by incumbent Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) and the late Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon. The coup truncated the Second Republic and returned Nigeria to military rule which lasted for 14 years.

A former military administration headed by General Olusegun Obasanjo had handed over to Alhaji Aliyu Usman Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) on October 1, 1979. Shagari shortly after taking the oath of office appointed Shinkafi as the Director General of NSO, the nation’s secret intelligence outfit that is currently known as the Department of State Security (DSS).

Shinkafi had prior to the appointment, served as the Federal Commissioner for Internal Affairs in the military administration of Obasanjo from 1975 to 1979.

In August, 1979 Shagari was re-elected and was consequently sworn in for a second term in office on October 1, 1983. But following Shagari’s declaration as the winner of the August 1983 presidential election by the then Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) chaired by Chief Michael Ani, opposition parties and some notable members of NPN such as Chief MKO Abiola cried wolf as a result of irregularities which accompanied the election.

Abiola who had prior to the election aspired for presidency on the platform of NPN did not mince words to say that what NPN achieved at the 1983 general election “was not victory but conquest.” The condemnations which accompanied the outcome of the poll threatened the political landscape and unsettled the polity.

It was against this background that Shinkafi vehement-

Shinkafi

ly warned Shagari of a coup plot by senior military officers notably Buhari but Shagari undermined the warning of Shinkafi which eventually came into effect on December 31, 1983 when the military struck again and ended four years of civil rule. The aborted civil rule had returned in 1979 after 13 years of military interregnum which began with the January 15, 1966 coup which truncated the First Republic.

Shinkafi looked so sure about his warning on the planned coup, that out of frustration caused by Shagari’s failure to act on his intelligence, he resigned his appoint-

Shinkafi, one of the finest Nigerian politicians of the Northern extraction, served Nigeria in various capacities as a top ranking police officer; Federal Commissioner for Internal Affairs and later as Director General of the then National Security Organisation (NSO) before his voyage into politics

ment as the DG of NSO, claiming that he needed to attend to his “health.” Shinkafi was replaced by Mohammed Rafindadi, a career diplomat.

There were reports that Shinkafi was forced to make the information about the coup public following persistent allegations by the then Minister of Transport, Umaru Dikko, that Shinkafi “conspired” with the coup plotters to oust Shagari.

But Shinkafi was later vindicated by Shagari himself when he admitted in his book, “Beckoned to Serve,” that he was duly informed that some military officers were planning to overthrow his government.

It is also on record that the NSO under the headship of Shinkafi, made public an “intelligence report” which led to the deportation of Hon. Abdurrahman Shugaba Darman, the then Majority Leader in Borno State House of Assembly on the platform of Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP) to Chad on January 24, 1980. The “intelligence” described Darman, a vocal critic of Shagari’s government, as a “prohibited alien.” Darman was deported on the ground that he was not a Nigerian because his father was from Chad. But his mother was a Nigerian.

Darman however, filed a suit in court which he won up to the Supreme Court in view of a provision of the 1979 Constitution that someone could also be a Nigerian citizen by birth if one of his parents is a Nigerian.

Shinkafi was a strategic politician. He did not allow the ban imposed on him by Babangida in 1992 to drown his political aspiration as he soon relaunched his political ambition upon the commencement of Nigeria’s next transition to civil government in 1998.

Thus, Shinkafi was one of the founding fathers of All Peoples Party (APP) in 1998. Following the pact formed by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) with APP towards the February 1999 presidential election, Shinkafi emerged as running mate to Chief Olu Falae who was the presidential

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Why Daramola Engages His Community

Nseobong Okon-Ekong engages Bimbo Daramola, a former federal legislator who has come with a novel welfare scheme he presents as a spell-binder to the teeming population of restless Nigerian youths

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ongressman Bimbo Daramola, a former member House of Representatives, (2011-2015), represented Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, Ekiti State. I choose to answer Congressman. He is possibly the first Nigerian legislator from the House of Representatives in Nigeria to answer to that title; and not the common place Honourable for clear reasons.

The reasons include 1. Winning an election does not make you a honourable man, an armed robber getting the dynamics right can safely defeat an innocent man, it’s worse today when the shape of the political environment is determined largely not because of the content of your character, or depth of sensitivity for the plight of your constituents or any other noble cause but by deliberate exploitation of the vulnerable or direct rape of the highly vulnerable either economically or social status or greed.

Secondly Honourable is a term used under the parliamentary system as it is in the United Kingdom and not the presidential system of democratic rule such as we have in the United States of America which of course we fashioned it after.

But let me not veer into my political views because your interview is basically life after the parliament.

I am the fourth child in an all-male five children home, of my Parents Chief F. A Daramola and Mrs. Joan Taiwo Daramola (late); both educationists. Let me not bore you with primary school story, but I went to the great Christ’s School Ado Ekiti and proceeded to have a first degree in Geology from the then Ondo State University now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, that was in 1989; subsequently got a Master’s Degree in Business administration from University of Ilorin.

I did NYSC in Kaduna at a firm called Water Surveys Nigeria Ltd, and four months into youth service I got a permanent job as a geologist in the same organisation for siting the most productive borehole by UNDP standard in Birnin Gwari (a geologist’s nightmare with regard to siting successful borehole at the time, Northern part of Kaduna State).

I had my stint as a banker at Savannah Bank Plc, and later resigned to undertake private business, I am not one so cut out for contracting for so many reasons so I rather follow my God given ideas. The Nigerian Students and Youth Corps Members a.k.a Naija Green Card is the most recent of such.

Done a few others such as designing the Commonwealth Head of Government 2004 logo, produced and co-directed the first of its kind documentary of President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR titled From Prison to

Daramola

Presidency, Published for the first time ever the JAMB approved Questions & Answers (1994-2003) with CD-ROM. I met the then General Olusegun Obasanjo in the quest of pitching an idea that will help his presidential campaign in 1999. And I got co-opted into presidential campaigns and that was the beginning of my active political trajectory with my traverse through the bid for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2007, a bid that failed because of unprecedented scale of rigging, and subsequently I ran again in 2011 and I won. My tenure ended in June 2015.

The Nigerian Students and Youth Corps Discount Card also known as the Naija Green Card being the affectionate street lingo for ease of recall and recognition is a social safety net and if you like a social protection plan as could so be described in the fitting matrix of palliatives scheme for the citizenry as being undertaken by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

This initiative is a response to the graphic situation of the plight of the young population as represented in part by this identifiable and verifiable category in this broad youth demography.

When I was in the House of Representatives I devoted a lot of attention to issues that border on the young people who qualify as the successor generation.

I am strongly inclined to the fact that anybody that is from age 45 is like a dry fish that cannot be bent so chances are that age 45 and above may not be able to do much in terms of paradigm shift of a new Nigeria, consequently I believe attention should be given to these young Nigerians within the

impressionable ages, and so if we must berth a new Nigeria conscious investment must be made into the process of grooming the emerging successor generation.

I believe every young Nigerian must be given a fighting chance to become whoever they want to be, but the reality today is that there is no systemic structure tailor fit to enable these young Nigerians to aim for the best. The odds seem stacked against them.

God forbid Nigeria breeding a successor generation that is laden with hate, delusional and disillusioned, we will all bear the consequences which definitely will not be palatable.

It is in this nation about three decades ago when education is greatly subsidised, where students are two or at the most four in a room compared to sixteen in a room today, back in time the students used to get served good food in good measures, laundry done for them, scholarships, grants, sponsorships and all forms of support structures in favour of the then young Nigerians.

Today’s picture is the opposite of the above, now the picture is that 27 state governments cannot pay salaries, unemployment, spiraling inflation, shrinking value of the Naira, dwindling income stream, parents and guardians now keep their jobs when they have taken pay cuts or negotiated wages etc.

This is the gory picture today, unfortunately not the fault of the incumbent administration but that does not obliterate the fact that this is the sight to behold and what estimated millions of young Nigerians are exposed to. The undeniable fact is that these young Nigerians are the ones who are at the receiving end, the worst hit. Whatever shrinks or dwindles or takes away the income stream of their parents or guardians eventually ripples to them, that is why school drop-out rate is on the rise, these young Nigerians are devising street ingenuity to survive on campuses.

For example now we hear different combinations such as 001 meaning no breakfast, no lunch and only dinner, or 010 meaning no breakfast, only lunch and no dinner or 100 i.e. breakfast, no lunch and no dinner, and in some cases 000 which is no breakfast, no lunch, no dinner, so how do we raise competitive children from a baking room that has this picture? Do we expect that parents and Guardian who have not been paid for 7 months will be able to give enough to the kids on campus? To feed? Buy books? Clothing? e.t.c that is the picture today.

So we have the option to rise up to this challenge in a manner that recognises this challenges but proffer ways to meet them half way and show that we really do care, if we play the ostrich we will be caught in the

web of the consequences of this unfortunate scenario. So I chose to do something to bring succour.

To do nothing will be inexcusable, for instance is it conscionable to have those who have modest income stream pay the same amount for a product or service and a student or youth corps member pays the same amount for that service even when we realise that those who even have some form of income stream barely could keep their heads above water.

So the questions these are the questions and the realities I am faced with more seriously after my exit from the parliament that motivated me to try to do my little bit by ensuring that these vulnerable people have options, opportunities and alternatives and leave them to make their critical decisions and they can bear the consequences of their choices, it will not be that nothing was done holistically. That is the picture that led to Nigerian Students and Youth Corpers Discount Card a.k.a Naija Green Card.

In specific terms I and my team in distilling the above generic essence wants to achieve three things, 1. Make life more meaningful and qualitative to these young Nigerians by ensuring that for the first time ever we have an integrated and systemic discount culture in Nigeria that is driven by welfarist instincts.

Today individual businesses have different categories of discounts and loyalty packages for specific products and services, but from now we will have this integrated, systemic platform that will warehouse thousands of such disparate entities either already offering or we get them to offer the vulnerable demography starting out with the students and the youth corps members.

In the face of the steady impact, we have been approached to undertake Federal Civil Servants Discount Platform and Military Discount Platform. We are delighted that the Nigerian Students and Youth Corp Discount Card in only 6months has proved to be a succour that led the other two entities to approach us to undertake a similar platform. But we will need to consult our huge partner’s base before we take these other two on.

Secondly this Naija Green Card platform is not to promote consumerism alone rather it has the inherent opportunities of helping the young students and youth corps members to acquire skill and entrepreneurial training; thereby also earn income to supplement their income from parents and guardians. Lastly it is also to promote education and knowledge through the Academic Village portal, which is like Lecturers Beyond Borders. On this platform students particularly can connect with lecturers outside of their direct institutions and share in their knowledge.

• Shinkafi: Exit of a Top Intelligence Expert and Seasoned Politician • Continued from Pg. 76 candidate in the AD-APP alliance. But Falae lost to Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Born in Shinkafi village in the present day Zamfara State in 1937, although his father, Ali Bisije, was said to have hailed from Gashua in Yobe State, he preferred to identify with Shinkafi as his hometown.

He attended Sokoto Middle School, and later Barewa College, Zaria, before joining the Nigeria Police in 1953.

He rose through the rank to become a Commissioner of Police in old Oyo State. While in service, he proceeded to the University of Lagos to study Law and obtained LLB in 1973. He thereafter proceeded to the Nigeria Law School and was called to the bar in 1974. He held a notable chieftaincy title, Marafan Sokoto.

Eulogies

Since his passage, encomiums and eulogies have continued to pour in for the late police officer turned politician. Prominent among them came from President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, described Shinkafi as an expert whose contributions to the development of the

security architecture of Nigeria remained indelible He recalled his roles as the former Federal Commissioner for Internal Affairs and the head of the NSO and other notable activities leading to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country.

Buhari called on family members, friends and associates of the deceased to take solace in the fact that he played the roles assigned to him diligently, conscientiously and patriotically as he enjoined them to emulate the good virtues that he left behind. He prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

In the same vein, Senate President Bukola Saraki lamented the passage of Shinkafi, saying he died at the time his experience, frank disposition, wise counsel and political sagacity were most needed by a nation faced with several challenges.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Marafan Sokoto, as an accomplished public servant being a top ranking policeman, a leading political light who contributed so much to the political programmes that led to the birth of the present republic, a professional who did well as a legal practitioner and a former Minister of Internal

Affairs and head of the nation’s former secret service, then known as NSO. “The Marafan Sokoto was a consummate politician who had large followership across the country. He was a bridge builder. He was revered by his supporters and opponents.

A man who will always say the truth at every point. He helped in mentoring many political office holders now occupying top positions in government at various levels. He was also a man who embodied the tradition of his people and that is why he held the important title of Marafa in the Sultan’s council.

“With his diverse and extensive experience in the area of security, his advice would have been useful in tackling the different security issues confronting our country at this point. Incidentally, Alhaji Shinkafi was not a man who shied away from contributing to issues of national development.

“His absence will be sorely missed by all and sundry.

I pray that Almighty Allah grant him a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus. May Allah also grant members of his immediate family, his political family, the people and government of Zamfara and Sokoto States the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Saraki stated.

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PERSPECTIVE

Buhari and a Template for Real Change Femi Mimiko

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closed my more recent intervention on the Nigerian situation in the media a little above one year ago on the note that the omens were bad. It doesn’t require expertise of any kind to know that the situation today is much more challenging than it was then, and arguably more than it had ever been in the history of the country. The economic stress that a preponderance of Nigerians are going through today is much more than we had seen in several years. The country is much more divided now than at any other time in its recent history. Desires for secession, always conveyed in hushed tones since the end of the Civil War, are now proclaimed from the rooftops, with all manners of makeshift currency designs circulating on the Internet. Human lives have suddenly come so cheaply in the hands of marauding gangs operating with impunity across the land.

Most of the state governments are locked up in a salary logjam that is nothing if not a clarion call on us to rethink the future of our State and society. The attendant desperation on the part of folks across the country that are owed salaries for months is unspeakable. A good percentage of the population believe, either correctly or otherwise, that it has been left out by the incumbent government – essentially by the nature of the latter’s rhetoric or posturing, but also, in not a few instances, by its acts and policies. The huge political capital with which President Mohammadu Buhari (PMB) breezed into office about a year ago is greatly eroded. Its most advertised program of corruption-fight is greatly diminished by what increasingly has become a circus show, seen by many as a veritable platform for vendetta.

Ever factitious, the political elite, including those in the ruling coalition, are either at each other’s throat or seething with anger and angling for an opportunity to do each other in. In the context of the ‘fantastically corrupt’ faux pas of David Cameron, I do not really know if the global profile of Nigeria is any better than what it had been. If anything, the country’s characterization in more scholarly narratives as a fragile state is now settled.

The unraveling of such a state, at any time, does not come as a surprise to anybody.

Most importantly, the youth of the country that should ordinarily be its most important resource base, is completely disoriented and knocked down. The mediocrity that most of them spew on social media platforms is a roaring testimonial to the disaster that lies ahead for the nation if some focused intervention to improve on their overall capacity for critical thinking and great visioning is not quickly undertaken.

Yet, all is not lost. On a professional trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, several years ago, I was awed by how great hotels lined up the Waikiki beach, and the attendant swinging tourist economy that goes with all of that. l also noticed that there is nothing in the natural landscape of Waikiki that we could not get from our own countless beaches, emblematizing the fact that what basic raw ingredients we need to build a modern economy of happy and motivated people exist here in abundance. There is nothing that is required to turn around the hand of Nigeria’s clock that is not readily available within Nigeria. What we lack, evidently, is the will and right attitude to get things done. The big question is, where do we go from here? I propose that if we agree to take at least three critical steps, Nigeria would witness a turnaround that could make it the basis of pride forall Nigerians, all Africans and indeed, the African Diaspora too. It would rapidly become a reference as to how a uniquely dynamic, but largely misgoverned people could pull back from the precipice, and give a new meaning to national development possibilities.

I opt to be charitable that warts and all, if this government is willing to move as appropriate, it could call up the requisite elements to make it the driver of this change process. I talk here of real change, not change

Buhari in the context of what was latched onto to win election in 2015, the type that we are also now seeing in motion in the Brexit disaster that an inattentive electorate has carelessly imposed on the global political economy. It is apposite to understand the dynamics playing out here for proper context vis a vis the first critical step that Nigeria must take.

If the truth must be told, and without any attempt to diminish the main contradictions underpinning such sub-national agitations as are currently wracking the country, the President has not done enough to bring the country together after the very divisive 2015 election. I pointed this out before. There was an appropriate route to take after his victory and the graceful manner in which his predecessor conceded defeat. It was for Mr. President to put a lid on all politicking, call to order his key aides adept at permanent campaign, rally the entire nation, and set at the task of national integration. That would not have stopped him from prosecuting those who committed infractions under the previous regimes. Extant voyage of campaign-after-election is quite distracting. So also damaging of national unity is what I call the ‘Buhari Doctrine of Justifiable Exclusion.’ This is the Doctrine under which the President, rather curiously, tried to provide a philosophical basis in his 95% vs. 5% electorate rule, for putting together a kitchen cabinet that is as non-inclusive as they come. This has created a strong basis for alienation, particularly of the Igbo that were completely left out, providing the trigger factor for the resurgence of Biafra. Significantly, rather than abate, this trend would seem to have been entrenched.

Nigerians are doing the counting.

The President has a duty to manage these intense divisive forces very carefully. This, certainly not by any precipitate deployment of force as some hawkish elements with doubtful national commitment would seem to be canvassing. The fact that the military is still bogged down in the northeast should advise a more pacific approach to handling of the newly emergent flashpoints across the landscape. So, the first critical step is for the Federal Government to rebrand into a truly national and wholly inclusive enterprise.

The second critical step must be based on the realization that it is impossible both in theory and praxis, to make a highly heterogeneous polity like Nigeria function effectively on the basis of a unitary constitution the type that we have. I am persuaded, after more than 30 years of focused intellectual engagement on this issue, that for as long as we employ this highly suffocating constitutional arrangement, for so long would the country continue to ramble. It does not matter for how long we manage to keep Nigeria together in its present spatial definition, the truth is that the present structure has no capacity to engender or promote development. It does not make for genuine national unity. It cannot be the basis of a renascent Nigeria. It is arrant shortsightedness on the part of our past governments to have either assumed these fundamental realities away, or moved too slowly in the

direction of the imperative. Whosoever is of the view that all we need is to be a little more patient for the situation to get better, should take a look at Haiti, independent since the dawn of the 19th century, still yet, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. If we do not summon the courage to do the needful, my hunch, informed by deep introspection, is that in a hundred years time, Nigerians would still be faced with the same challenges we whine over today! For nations, longevity does not necessarily translate to development.

The implication of all these is that we must restructure to grow.

Now, I was a delegate to the National Conference in 2014, and I feel proud of the work we did there, which work is not in any way diminished by the attempts of several people today, including most recently the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to pooh-pooh the whole idea. The intensity of engagement at that Conference, and the profundity of its Report, certainly would not support the type of assessment I understand the SGF made. Let us accept without conceding that the SGF’s (and I assume, his government’s) narrative on the nature of the Conference is correct, I do not believe that detracts from the quality of its Report. At any event, nothing suggests that the 2014 Confab Report alone must be the blueprint for the type of restructuring of governance structure the nation needs. If it chooses, the present government could assemble its own team, but not just of people with the right type of education and exposure, but also the appropriate vision, to do for it its own restructuring manual. If what the team comes up with is inclusive and far-reaching enough, with reasonable timelines, Government itself would find out that it could have used the Confab Report, given its thoroughness, breadth and depth.

The important thing is that the business of restructuring be done with, in the remaining three years of the Buhari government. I am certain that such demonstration of selflessness contingent upon restructuring Nigeria along the lines of the National Confab Report would cast PMB in the image of President F. W. de Klerk of South Africa. Realizing that apartheid was going to shipwreck his country, de Klerk refused to be carried away by the allure of office. He retooled South Africa to snatch victory for a nation that was already in the throes of a calamitous crash. He got the Nobel Peace Prize for his heroic effort.

I was stunned when Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s latest intervention on the restructuring debate was met with strident attacks from his party and the presidency.

Such haste at throwing away what objectively is the only way out of permanent crisis and economic non-performance for our nation is rather unfortunate. It was clearly ill-advised.

I recall that at the National Confab in 2014, Atiku got a paper circulated that pushed the argument for restructuring so persuasively and became a useful compass for several delegates. Inviting such a person to preside over a committee to advise Mr. President on the direction of restructuring that the nation needs, I do not think would be a completely bad idea. The point to remember in all of these is that the prevailing structure does not admit of stability and development. It has to be done away with, if not sooner, certainly later. The hope is that further delay would not be at great cost to the nation.

The third leg of my recommended template is on the fight against corruption. It is trite that corruption has to be fought. Yet, I do not believe that war on corruption should substitute for governance. The government still has to put in place an holistic and comprehensive economic policy constructed on a clear philosophy, that people can relate to, away from what increasingly looks like management on ad-hoc basis. Or what does one make of the President’s own continuing strident criticism of currency devaluation that his government just approved? Governance and corruption-fight are not mutually exclusive.

There must be a demonstrated commitment to, and capacity for multi-tasking - the art of constructively doing several things at the

same time – otherwise the war on corruption would seem to be the only page the President is capable of opening in a book of encyclopedic proportions.

What is more, government must demonstrate that it understands that at best, corruption is a symptom of some deeper social malaise that itself must be confronted. The goal is to emplace enduring structures that would constrict the room for corruption. If you leave the root of a problem and manage only the symptom, no matter how vigorously you try to do this, not much is going to be achieved at the end of the day, as the history of Nigeria itself has demonstrated. To the extent that the current war on corruption does not seem to factor in what lessons of history there are to learn, it is ahistorical. Once upon a time, when President Buhari was military Head of State, a similar war was unleashed on corruption. That war did not end corruption in Nigeria, otherwise there would not have been a basis for the current war. The implication of this is that more enduring methods of prosecuting the war on corruption have to be evolved beyond the dramatization we have seen thus far. This is by putting in place enduring structures and institutions against corruptive tendencies and opportunities for rent-seeking, an example of which is the concept of Bank Verification Number (BVN).

May I also add that much as stealing of public funds is condemnable, I see the tendency to look at corruption only in this narrow sense as reductionist. I belong to the school of thought that suggests that there are more sublime but no less damaging dimensions of corruption that must be tracked. Perpetrators of such must also be called to account. As it is now, what should ordinarily have been a veritable platform for mobilizing all Nigerians behind this Presidency is being made to look increasingly like a war directed only at opposition elements. The virulent media trial and ‘conviction’ of supposedly corrupt elements, and from a section of the political class, is a stain on the war on corruption. Same for the tendency to marginalize the rule of law in the process.

Government knows what to do to correct this impression, if indeed it is a wrong one.

I had penned this treatise conscious of the penchant that is abroad in political circles today at casting aspersion on perspectives that do not seem to go down well with many political practitioners. The advocacy here would also certainly not ingratiate those who are incapable of big dreams for the fatherland.

I am, however, persuaded that if Mr. President peruses this and gives it a thought, gets some of his trusted aides with broader outlook and courage of their conviction to think through them, and subsequently agrees to work on them, we may be on the path to a new beginning. This would be consistent with his party’s change mantra, and ultimately cast PMB historically as a president who demonstrated courage to take his country by a new route when that on which it had walked seemed headed to nowhere. I do not have any doubt in my mind whatsoever that this is the only platform on which PMB would make himself a permanent fixture of Nigeria’s history, not by extant war on corruption, which by the very way it is being conducted is bound to come to grief soon after his tenure.

To conclude, I take lessons from the story of the Titanic and its most awesome rendition in that classic motion picture of the same name.

Therein, the proud captain of the world’s most compelling ship when it was asked of him the possibility of his monstrous machine ever sinking, thundered, ‘Never!’ Similar to the late Obafemi Awolowo’s metaphor of the ship and the rock, rendered years ago, I can feel it that Nigeria is racing on, like the Titanic, headed for the iceberg. It requires of the President to stand up and be Nigeria’s own de-Klerk whose ingenuity and courage delivered a ‘Rainbow Nation’ of great promise from the pangs of death that apartheid represented. Mr. President, the time to act is now!

––Professor Mimiko, mni, is currently an African and African-American Studies Associate at Harvard University, Cambridge, USA.

77

JULY 10, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Amosun and Ogun Public Service Rotimi Durojaiye

W

hile speaking at the Year 2016 Public Service Day held on June 23, 2016, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State reaffirmed the important roles public servants have played in the execution of major well-thought programmes embarked upon by his administration.

In his words, “the Ogun State Civil Service has remained as an indispensable partner to the current administration in the State resulting in the monumental success so far recorded in the area of socio-economic development.”

The governor noted that the success or failure of any government largely depended on its relationship with the workforce, admitting that though the economy of the nation was not buoyant; his government would not relent in providing better welfare package for the workers.

Amosun, therefore, urged civil servants in the State to desist from acts that could sabotage the efforts of the government and assured that his administration would continue to create conducive environment for development.

The Governor equally promised that his administration would intensify on training and re-training of workers, as he charged all public servants to play their parts by supporting the government in its rebuilding mission.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Head of Service, Elder Olusola Adeyemi, thanked the state government for giving workers the opportunity to celebrate one another, appraise their past efforts and look to the future with hope.

He said the occasion was an avenue to appraise the achievements of the civil/public service, through the years.

It was also an opportunity of finding new approaches towards improving the efficiency, effectiveness and professionalism of the service.

The guest lecturer, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo, said in his speech, that for the public service to act as an agent of positive change, discipline must be strictly enforced, service delivery must be accorded priority, corruption must be eliminated, and accountability must be sustained.

Okuboyejo, Emeritus Permanent Secretary, legal practitioner and Chairman, Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Ogun State, noted that the public service must imbibe new and modern management techniques that will enhance service delivery and optimum utilization of resources.

In his paper: “The Public Service – An Agent of Positive Change”, the guest lecturer noted that in order to achieve the public service of our dream and make it more purpose-driven, development-oriented, merit-based, customerfriendly and pro-active agent of change and in tandem with the aspirations and philosophy of the present political dispensation, the remuneration package in the various public services should be enhanced to reflect the cost of living and inflationary trends.

Okuboyejo was also of the opinion that the service should be de-politicized, and civil servants who wish to opt for partisan politics should be made to resign or retire from the service.

“In view of the prevailing harsh economic circumstances whereby many state governments are unable to meet their salary obligations, it is expedient for public servants to start thinking out of the box, by coming up with viable proposals on how to curb

leakages/wastages as well as propose measures on how to enhance internal revenue generation capacities of their respective employers. Public servants must continue to display excellent work ethics by avoiding counterproductive activities, and by ensuring that they put in a full day’s job for a full day’s pay”, he counselled.

Governor Amosun has been giving tremendous support and inspiration to the entire Ogun State public service since his assumption of the mantle of governance of the state in May 2011.

In spite of all odds, the Ogun State public service has continued to soar higher, thereby occupying a pre-eminent position, among the comity of public services in Nigeria.

This is a feat that has been boosted by the enabling environment fostered by Governor Amosun.

The welfare of the workers - public servants – has been paramount to Amosun’s government. To demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of the workers, Ogun was one of the first states to implement the new minimum wage across board in Nigeria.

The state had set the base as N18, 250 which is more than the national minimum wage. It also ensures timely payment of workers’ salaries. Indeed, Ogun is one of the few states that have survived the biting economic challenge occasioned by the dwindling allocation from the Federal Government which has made it impossible for many of the states of the Federation to pay their workers’ salary.

On its part, Ogun has been paying salaries as and when due.

The Amosun’s government has been appreciating the invaluable contributions of its workforce, who have been the reliable, dependable and ever-supportive landlords in the past five years.

No doubt, they are the tower of the strength of the government, and together they shall continue to lift Ogun State to its enviable heights among the comity of States in Nigeria, and indeed, the entire world.

Recently, the Ogun State Government commissioned a total of 160 units of 2 and 3 bedroom detached and semidetached bungalows and storey-building as part of efforts at providing affordable housing for its workforce.

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari while commissioning the phase 1 of the Estate, named after the first Head of Service in the State, Chief Adedotun Adedeji Kayode Degun (AAK Degun MITROS Estate) located in Laderin, Abeokuta, lauded the state government for its commitment at making life comfortable for the workers.

Mrs Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, while unveiling the plaque, commended the vision of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in providing standard housing units for the state’s civil servants, while also urging the state workers to continue in supporting the mission to rebuild the state.

She added that the construction of the edifice estate was a remarkable achievement for the present administration in the housing sector, noting that the initiative would have great impact on the socio-economic development of the state and the country at large.

Governor Amosun on his part, said that the workers’ estate would reduce the hardship civil of servants in having home of their own, adding that the gesture would avail them the opportunity to access decent homes at affordable cost.

He added that the project was part of his mandate on Home Ownership which seeks to deliver fully serviced homes to hundred families within its workforce.

The governance of a state is not a sole responsibility of the elected

Amosun representatives. It is quite evidential that these elected officials play major roles to enhance development since policies emanates and seek approval from them.

Behind the scene are the various civil servants in the public institutions.

Nation building is the process of using state power to develop the state.

Good governance which results in development of a state depends on the actions and inactions of the public servants.

A Public servant is someone who works in public institution. More specifically a civil servant is someone who works at the administrative organ of government who is charged with the responsibility of implementing government policies.

The public service institution plays a very vital role in the governance and the development of the people in the state.

The health, safety, education and the general well-being of the citizens is done by these many service providers.

The roles they play are very significant that they cannot be removed from office when there is change in government, unlike the elected officials who have tenure of office and can be removed from office anytime. The continuity and permanence of civil servants is very relevant and hence the need to always remain politically neutral.

Loyalty is very significant for the civil service to ensure good governance and development. Total loyalty is very essential for the achievement of purpose for every government. Remaining loyal to any political party and not being partisan will ensure implementation of good and sound policies.

Neutrality of civil servants promotes objectivity and solid advice to any political party that wins power. The structure of the civil service include various professional and technical expertise who advice government on where, when and how to implement particular policies.

Partisan civil service will not give accurate and logistics for a party he/ she or belongs to hence the need for all civil service institutions and workers to remain neutral so that they can give out their best to any political party in power and the country at large.

A major significant of neutrality of civil servant is, there is going to be a reduction of interference in the promotion and dismissal etc. of public servants.

Nigeria over the years suffers from political interference in the public

service especially during promotion of individuals to higher office.

Promotion should be based on qualification, experience, innovativeness and not bearing of party cards. If such appointments turn partisan it means people capable of holding key public positions will not get the opportunity.

Civil servants remaining neutral will reduce the tension and irregularities especially when a new government will have to choose persons to occupy top hierarchy in the service.

There will be no share of blame if a government fails to deliver well.

Remaining politically neutral means civil/public servants give out their best equally to any party in power the elected official will then be responsible to the electorate for their success or failure. Political neutrality enhances effective job performance in the outcome in the civil service. It promotes fairness and even distribution and competence on the part of civil servants in the performance of their duties.

The neutrality of civil servants in the dispensation of their duties is very paramount in the development of every state. Civil servants have a longer tenure of office as compared to the elected officials. Workers must do well to serve any government without fear intimidation and favour.

Government come and go but the public/civil service always remain because of the role it plays in improving livelihood of the people.

As noted by Okuboyejo, “to be able to perform their roles effectively, public/civil servants are expected to carry out faithfully, the policies and decisions of the government in power, observe silence and be discrete as to what takes place in the office, and must resist illegitimate political demands and pressures”.

Governor Amosun has tackled the economy of Ogun State with a singleminded dedication and abundant courage. The restructuring of the economy is not something that can be accomplished in five short years even if it does not require eternity to do it. But on balance, even the most unfair critics cannot deny he has tried.

-Durojaiye, a former Editor of Daily Independent Newspaper, Lagos, is Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Amosun.

78

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 10, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Time to Separate AGF from Minister of Justice Raymond Odunla

“The president himself spoke about putting square pegs in square holes. From the performances of the ministers, I have not seen the evidence of that as at now. Sadly, they are people who have always taken decisions, which are clearly contrary to national interest. I give you one example: the Attorney-General of the Federation” - Junaid Mohammed (Sun Newspaper, March 20, 2016)

W

hile one may not buy the above assessment by Dr. Junaid Mohammed, an unapologetic Buhari supporter, radical politician, and Second Republic Member of the House of Representatives, wholesale events in the polity since Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) assumed the exalted position of the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, are certainly worrisome.

From the brazen disobedience to court orders, endless detentions by the anti-graft and security agencies using the long-obsolete and illegal holden charge, to the flagrant disregard for resolutions by the National Assembly, as well as the shady events that culminated in the emergence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the Governor of Kogi State, coupled with the capture of the Kogi State House of Assembly by a group of five, one can say unequivocally that Malami’s tenure has so far been most inglorious and unprofessional.

The final straw that seems to be breaking Malami’s back is the leadership crisis that has preoccupied the 8th Senate since its inauguration. One would have expected the ruling party to move on to tackle the myriads of challenges facing the nation or mobiise its supporters in the Senate to impeach Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ekweremadu if it feels so compelled about it.

Unfortunately, rather than doing that, the APC government has been behaving like the unwise man who doesn’t mind burning down his entire house because of a provocative rat. The Senate Unity Forum, believed to be working with the APC leadership and the executive arm, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, alleging forgery of the Senate Standing Order, 2015. They also instituted a civil suit seeking to nullify the emergence of Saraki

Malami, AGF and Ekweremadu, on the basis of the alleged forgery.

However, Senator Gilbert Nnaji (PDP, Enugu East), who is also a member of Senate Like Minds (a group of APC and PDP Senators canvassing independence of the Senate) went to the Federal High Court, Abuja, as an individual, to challenge the powers of the police to pry into the internal affairs of the Senate.

In the course of the trial, he also filed an application seeking to restrain the police from continuing with the investigation pending the determination of the case. But Justice Gabriel Kolawole did not grant it, on the premise that he wants the Police to have its day in court. He, however, ordered parties involved in the suit not to do anything to undermine the pending case, adding that the court reserved the powers to nullify the police report even if the security agency went ahead with the investigation and report.

Interestingly, Abubakar Malami was, before his appointment as the AGF, the legal counsel of Senator Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna) and Secretary of the Senate Unity Forum, who applied to be joined in the suit as a defendant.

Hunkuyi, is the author of the Petition that led the Police into investigating the matter in the first instance.

The above explanation is vital in understanding the suppressed anger of Justice Kolawole over the decision of the Attorney-General to file criminal case against the duo of Ekweremadu and Saraki, relying on the same police inves-

tigation and report, which is a bone of legal contention, as it were.

In the words of the Honourable Justice, “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”.

He reasoned that assuming the AGF was not in the know of such pending fundamental case challenging the police report and investigation, the AGF was duty bound to invoke the provisions of Section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the AGF to discontinue such criminal proceedings against Saraki and Ekweremadu since, in his view, the said “criminal charge in the long run, constitutes an ‘abuse of legal process’”.

Now the clinchers: “The converse situation, which the drafters of the constitution, perhaps never envisaged appears to have occurred in this case as the 2nd defendant (AGF) who is required, by section 174(3) of the constitution, to ‘discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered 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 proceedings in a matter in which he had, as a private legal practitioner, acted for one of the ‘interested’ Senators who had petitioned the 1st defendant (Police) on 30/6/15”.

“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 1st defendant’s Counsel, been scheduled for 6/7/16 for hearing”.

“It is the event of the steps taken by the defendants (IGP and AGF) in utter defiance of this pending suit, that in my view, unobtrusively betrayed the possible genuineness of the defendants’ intention and of the 2nd 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”.

While I will not hold brief for Abubakar Malami, I would still like to state that our real problem is putting trust in “good men” rather than in strong institution and laws. Thomas Jefferson once admonished Americans that “In matters of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution”.

It is for the avoidance of the ugly situations such as we have in hand that the 1999 Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill remains one of the greatest efforts made by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The Fourth Alteration Bill, among other highly critical amendments, divorced the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and that of States from the Office of the Minister/ Commissioners of Justice. This was borne out of the need to insulate the very important office of the AGF, described by Section 150 of the Constitution as “the Chief Law Officer of the Federation”, from political impediments and interferences.

As could be seen in Section 174 of the Constitution, by simply entering a nolle proseque, the Attorney-General of the Federation can discontinue any case, just as he/ can also be used to press charges that are more of political persecution as the Saraki/Ekweremadu’s case clearly show. A political appointee is not only answerable to his appointer, a politician is also naturally inclined to play politics.

Thus, the 7th National Assembly amended Section 150 to provide for the establishment of the Office of Minister of Justice separate from Office of the AGF. It inserted new Sections 174A-174H to outline the qualifications of an AGF and guarantee the independence of the Office of the AGF through financial autonomy and security of tenure. The same was applied to the States in Section 211 of the Constitution.

Unfortunately, it was not signed as the presidency resorted to self-preservation. Today, we are back to Square One. Now that the constitution amendment exercise is on the move again, one can only call on the National Assembly to reintroduce this separation to safeguard our democracy. Failure to do that would amount to endorsing the continued politicisation of justice and abandoning the nation’s democracy to the whims and caprices of politically appointed AGFs, who may unfortunately be mere ‘charge and bail lawyers’. Apologies, Dr. Junaid Mohammed.

––Odunla writes from Lagos.

Developmentalism and Nigeria’s Governance Don Adinuba

L

ike hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, I supported erstwhile Central Bank governor Chukwuma Soludo, an outstanding economist and practical man of ideas, in his quest to become the Anambra State governor in 2010 because of his grand vision to create an African version of Dubai and Taiwan.

Soludo’s vision represented a remarkable deviation in Nigerian politics which has for decades been preoccupied with divisive issues, rather than development.

The world will not take Africa seriously until we begin to develop. Mohammed Al Maktoum, the modernizing ruler of Dubai, in his book entitled Flashes of Thought, notes: “our region and its peoples are in dire need of a successful model in the (African) world—one that gives hope and proves that focusing on growth is better than focusing on wars; that launching projects is far more useful than launching rockets”. Unlike many Africans who follow the Kwame Nkrumah maxim “seek you first the political kingdom and every other thing will be added unto you”, a parody of a scriptural passage, Al Maktoum subscribes to the primacy of economic development. “We believe that a state with economic power also reaps the benefits of political power”, he writes.

One public officer whose decoration next Sunday in Lagos with the annual Zik Leadership Prize will be well received across the country is Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State because he is a practitioner of what social

scientists now call developmentalism. Obiano has demonstrated that any serious government in Nigeria can achieve a lot even with less resource, especially in these economically perilous times when some 28 out of 36 states in the country have become virtually bankrupt, unable to pay staff salaries and meet basic contractual obligations.

In Anambra which receives a fraction of what oil-bearing states get monthly from the federation account, the government is taking on new ambitious projects and programmes with far-reaching impacts.

Some $3.2 billion has been invested in agriculture in the last two years, with the state expected in the next three years to become Nigeria’s foremost rice producer. Anambra has since last December been exporting bitter leaf and ugu vegetables to Europe which has stringent standards for food imports. Franca Awhefeda, a Nigerian research student in international management at Roehampton University in London, has just published a racy article on how Anambra State is now used as an example by academics in the United Kingdom that Africans can practice.

Just In Time (JIT), a management concept developed in the 1970s by leading Japanese corporations like Toyota which practically abolishes inventories because of the almost 100% efficiency in the use of time and resources.

Just last week the government announced a new development initiative which will see each of the 177 communities in the state have a new project worth N20m, with the communities deciding the projects themselves. Anambra is still building roads and bridges across the state, despite the economic downturn in the country, so it is no surprise that states like neighbouring Kogi have

been sending delegations there to understudy its efficient and effective resource management.

While it is tempting to ascribe the performance to the governor’s background in accounting, auditing and banking, it is more compelling to trace it to Obiano’s embrace of developmentalism; after all, there are state governments headed by accomplished accountants and bankers with a backlog of workers’ salaries. Developmentalism explains Obiano’s choice of technocrats who used to work at the World Bank, IMF and leading commercial banks to be not just on the cabinet but in key institutions like the state investment agency.

This governance style may not have earned plaudits from professional politicians but it has served the public well. Developmentalism, closely associated with the rapid development of Southeast Asia, is generally defined as a policy committed to the socioeconomic transformation of a society so that its members can have radically improved living standards within a short period.

There is little politicking which is the bane of poor societies. Sacrilege is committed daily in the name of politics in underdeveloped nations, as we have seen in the management of $15b security funds under President Goodluck Jonathan which was unconscionably shared to a handful of politicians.

Professional politicians who have no capacity for policy or public service keep the nation in a permanent campaign mode, so that they will be relevant and make a fortune for themselves. I have seen well meaning top public officers derail because professional politicians convinced them to start campaigning for a second term while less than one year in office.

Babatunde Fashola was a huge success as Lagos State governor because he was not

obsessed with raw politics. How many times did anyone see him talk about “Yoruba this” or “Muslim that”? He got involved in politicking only during the campaign period.

It is a mark of vacuity in our national politics that even ethnic and sectional organisations like Afenifere, Ohaneze and Arewa People’s Congress which claim that their raison d’etre is the well being of their peoples have no development agendas which address the challenges of hunger, poverty and ignorance among their peoples. None has a blueprint for job creation, security, agricultural production, industrial growth and quality education in their respective regions.

One, therefore, notes with gladness that more Nigerians are turning to developmentalism. At a lecture last March 17 to mark the inauguration of the Centre for Financial Journalism in Lagos, Akpan Hogan Ekpo, an economics professor and director general of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, recommended, though rather tangentially, the developmental state ideology to the President Buhari administration, citing the example of Ethiopia which is fast becoming a model in development for African nations. An article on Ethiopia’s development model by two foreign doctoral candidates at the University of Cambridge which was posted on Nigerian online platforms last week happily received enthusiastic reviews. Developmentalists in public office like Obiano and Fashola have shown that for Nigeria it is still morning yet on creation day.

––Adinuba is head of Discovery Public Affairs Consulting.

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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 10, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Garlands for Okowa at 57

T

Charles Aniagwu

he story of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State is the story of courage and resilience.

He is a man of great faith, enviable impacts and of flawless reputation. As senator in the seventh National Assembly, he was ranked among the best senators for sponsoring 10 bills, including the National Health Bill, a feat many acknowledged as ingenious, legendary and laudable despite his short stint in the red chamber. His steady progress did not just start today, as those who know would not easily forget how he rode on the back of humility, through his professional and political career, to his present status as governor of Delta State.

Born on July 8, 1959 at Owa-Alero in the present Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, Okowa had his early education at Iroro Primary School, OwaAlero, and later attended the famous Edo College, Benin City. He graduated with Okowa the second best result in the Higher School growing political profile. He rose through Certificate Examination in the then Bendel the ranks from local government secretary, to State in 1976. Thereafter, he proceeded to the council chairman, commissioner in different University of Ibadan to study Medicine and ministries, Secretary to the State Government, Surgery. before being elected to represent the people Okowa graduated in 1981 with MBBS, at of Delta North senatorial district in the Senate the record age of 22. Upon his completion in 2011. of the National Youth Service Corps in 1982, Today as executive governor of Delta State, he worked briefly with the defunct Bendel Okowa has made positive impressions on State Hospitals Management Board as a the minds of Deltans in just one year in Medical Officer before venturing into private office. With his approach to leadership, core practice as Director, Victory Medical Centre, progressives have come to believe that our Igbanke, in 1986. He later expanded his democracy is truly yielding desired results. outfit with another branch at Boji-Boji, Owa. Here is a man who, on many instances, has He endeared himself to his people through demonstrated his love for Delta State and his humanitarian disposition, as he often Nigeria above pecuniary interests and enjoins rendered free services to the very poor in others to embrace same. Looking back the those locations. past 57 years, his family and indeed his Okowa has displayed high craftsmanassociates and admirers do have cause to ship in his work and the evidence of his be grateful to the Almighty God for having constructive leadership manifests in his

granted him a life of great accomplishments and abiding fulfilment.

Ekwueme (one who does what he says he will do) is his traditional title and for him, nobility of birth in a predominantly peasant milieu was more of a challenge than the comfort it provided. In fact, it was this outlook that has become the fulcrum on which his life and leadership style revolves. In Delta today, the citizens are rightly rich in expectations from the Okowa administration. This, in all honesty, is not unfounded because of his pedigree and passion for service.

There is an element of freshness about Okowa even at 57 – freshness of spirit, freshness of ideas, freshness of vision and mission for him as a person, as a leader and for the state he has superintended in the last one year. He is unarguably running a dazzling race of his life as a politician, an administrator and a leader. Despite the numerous successes he has made of of his endeavours, he exudes a seeming urgency to reach the finish line in his chase to get the citizens of the state to the Promised Land.

A year ago, Okowa set the stone rolling by building on his predecessor’s developmental framework. Methodically, he set about adding to the foundation, the necessary ingredients for Delta State to attain its potential through his policy plank – the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda – geared towards bringing prosperity to all Deltans.

As an astute politician and lawmaker per excellence, Okowa sees plenty, even in the face of paucity. It is his rare determination to make the most out of nothing that has been driving all that is needed to ensure Delta State grows in leaps and bounds and eventually raise the bar by setting standards for others. That in marking his one year in office, Okowa spent a whole month in commissioning several landmark projects

across the three senatorial districts of the state has become a template and a reference point for many states today.

Through consensus-building, thorny political issues have become free of tumult, acrimony and bad blood. This was made possible by Okowa’s calm persona. By entrenching the core values of selflessness and integrity, he has effectively earned the confidence and trust of his friends and foes alike. He has redefined the concept of leadership and effective governance by effectively reorienting the mind-set of the political class to see politics as a call to service.

As he clocks 57 years, his track-record in politics and in the leadership of Delta State sure sets him apart as a selfless and passionate leader who burns to put his state on the world development map. He detests waste because he is confronted daily with the lack that dots the socio-economic landscape. That is why in the anniversary of his birthday last year, he requested that friends and well-wishers should not place goodwill advertorials in the media. He rather urged them to convert such resources to assisting the needy. As he marks yet another birthday, his wish is that Deltans should pray for him and the state in order that what he has lined up in his wish-list for the state would come to fruition.

Out of my personal convictions, I write to express my warm felicitations to him on the occasion of his 57th birthday. As he deservedly celebrates this glorious day, it is my prayer that the Almighty God, who has richly prospered him and ordered every of his steps these past years, will continue to bless him with good health and fulfilment in the many more years of worthy service for his people.

Congratulations to His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, at 57.

––Aniagwu is Governor Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary.

rate with thousands of assault weapons in their street than Afghanistan. Whereas, the founding fathers believed that civil rights belong to individuals and not groups, the principle of equal rights embodied in the constitution defined our goal as equality of opportunity which rejects distinctions of legal status and privilege defined by religion, ethnicity or gender. And instead of putting the criminals among us in chain and let them learn that everyone in our country is the same in the eyes of the law, the federal government continues to pretend without allowing the system to work, even with a visible law enforcement presence and enough prison space to hold the unscrupulous lunatics. But as a public affairs scholar, I am at least marginally qualified to send a message to our lawmakers who are ideologues, who are unmoved by facts or history, who are blinded by the propaganda of tribal division and whose ears are sealed shut and let them understand that there is only one thing that will teach them.

There is only one thing that will open their mind. And that is when the next group of schoolgirls abducted by terrorists are their children. And for Buhari with whom I share many ideals, such as the urgent need for youth employment, smaller government and fiscal discipline, but who mistakenly presumes that the constitution allows the Fulani herdsmen to travel to any part of Nigeria with AK47 without restraining them, well, Abraham Lincoln opens his heart to an old comrade, Joshua Speed, in one of his most politically and historically significant letters on August 24, 1855 as follows: “Dear speed, you know what a poor correspondent I am. Ever since I received your very agreeable letter of the 22nd of May, I have been intending to write you an answer to it. You suggest

that in political actions, you and I would defer. I suppose we would, not quite as much, however, as you may think. You know I dislike slavery and you fully admit the abstract wrong of it. So far, there is no cause of difference. But you say that sooner than yield your legal right to the slaves, especially at the bidding of those who are not themselves interested, you would see the union dissolved. I am not aware that anyone is bidding you yield that right; very certainly, I am not.

I leave that matter entirely to yourself.

I also acknowledge your right and my obligation under the constitution in regard to your slaves. But I confess I hate to see the poor creatures hunted down and caught and carried back to their strips and unrequited toil; but I bite my lips and keep quiet.

“In 1841, you and I had together a tedious low - water trip on a steamboat from Louisville to St. Louis. You may remember as I will do, that from Louisville to the mouth of the Ohio, there were on board ten or a dozen slaves shackled together with irons. That sight was a continued torment to me, and I see something like it every time I touch the Ohio or any other slave boarder.

It is not fair for you to assume that I have no interest in a thing which has, and continually exercises, the power of making me miserable. You ought rather to appreciate how much the Great body of the Northern people do crucify their feelings in order to maintain their loyalty to the Constitution and the Union.

Certainly, I do oppose the extension of slavery because my judgment and feeling so prompt me; and I am under no obligation to the contrary. If you and I must differ, differ we must. Your friend, Abraham Lincoln.”

–– Adeyeye is proprietor, Crown Heights College, Ibadan

Bullets Don’t Discriminate

Gbadebo Adeyeye

I

do not want to be controversial again. I have written about controversial topics many times and I don’t want to do it anymore. In fact, I don’t want to write things that will put me in the North or South political spectrum. Instead, I just want to write things that people like and will read. But the point is that evil triumphs only when good men do nothing. That is why I am asking for permission to be controversial one more time; particularly, about the recent spate of attack in some parts of the country by herdsmen at the time when I strongly believe that all Nigerian citizens should pay very close attention to their neighbour’s welfare. At the time when I think that everyone in our society should reach out beyond tribalism and religious fanaticism to help the oppressed, the trapped and the sick. And at this age of reason when all men and women are expected to insist on security for and from the larger society; and when people should remember the past and love without end; when everyone in our country should make charity personal, pay a fair wage to their workers, share food with widows and orphans, listen patiently to the young and honour the old. When all Nigerians, Christians and Muslims, should turn their backs to religious hate, tribal division, and jointly insist that all our school children be treated with respect, no matter their gender, tribe or religion.

The hard truth today is that bullets don’t discriminate. That is why the recent alarming influx of madmen into our communities is a serious threat to the peace, life and property of innocent Nigerians, majority of who are not immune or made safer by virtue of their economic or family status. And our recent

history of horrific mass shootings across the nation should instruct any rationally minded political leader at this time that the lax crime control laws and easy availability of illegal firearms in the land today have neither economically nor politically helped us to prosper. Instead, our progress in degeneracy continues to be very rapid.

As a nation, for example, we began by declaring that “all men are created equal”. Unfortunately, later, we practically read it as “all men are created equal, except religious and ethnic lunatics in our midst”. And when it comes to this, of course, many of us prefer emigrating to some countries where nobody makes no pretence of loving liberty. But before that time, President Muhammadu Buhari must quickly be reminded that apart from government itself, other dangerous enemies of our economic and socio political advancement in Nigeria are those politicians who promote violence for profit, and who propose we raise the flag of surrender in the war against religious and ethnic violence.

Again, government itself is to blame. For more than three decades now, rather than focusing on education, youth employment and security of the citizens, our leaders give every indication of being interested in just power. Since 1999, when PDP came into power, for example, the rate of violent crime in Nigeria has increased tremendously. In the blood - spattered northern part of the country alone, hundreds of innocent citizens (mostly Christians) have been brutally murdered in serious crimes; while hundreds more went unreported.

Thanks to our failed criminal justice system.

In Kano and Kaduna, the number one cause of death is murder. Two third of those who died in Jos and Maiduguri within the last 15 years were victims of homicide; and to our national shame, Niger Delta has the highest kidnapping

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 10, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Powers of EFCC to Proceed against the President, Governors Ola Animashaun

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here is a current controversy raging as to whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has powers under the Act establishing it to freeze the personal bank accounts of a president or a sitting governor of a state and their deputies. The controversy was generated by the EFCC proceeding against the governor of Ekiti State by freezing his personal account on the ground that the account contained proceeds of criminal acts.

I will attempt a dispassionate exploration and discussion of all the relevant laws, the major ones being the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2004.

Section 308 of the Constitution contains what is now generally known as the immunity clause and is applicable to the President, the Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors. It provides that – 308(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section – (a) No civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office; (b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and (c) no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies shall be applied for or issued.

The scope of section 308 has been the subject of interpretation in many cases, the locus classicus being the case of FAWEHINMI v. IGP (2002) 8 SCM 77. In that case the Supreme Court held that although a governor enjoys immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor can be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity. The findings of such investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor. It was however made clear by the Supreme Court that a sitting governor cannot be arrested.

According to the Supreme Court at page 96, per Uwaifo JSC – “The court below, while recognising that the functionaries protected under section of the 1999 Constitution could not be arrested, imprisoned or prosecuted, observed that that section was not intended to completely shield them from investigation of analleged crime. The views were expressed that (1) the police could conduct their investigation up to a point that would not amount to a breach of section 308;

(2) the investigation would need to be discreet and could be overt or covert; and (3) when the investigation is concluded as far as it is possible to go, and the allegation or the commission of a crime appears supported, the police must remember that they cannot proceed further to the stage of arrest. I have no doubt in my mind that the court below correctly understood and stated the effect of section 308 of the Constitution on police duty to investigate the allegation or commission of crime by persons protected there under.”

It is clear from the decision of the Supreme Court in FAWEHINMI v. IGP that a sitting governor can be investigated by the Police, the ICPC and the EFCC. We are however concerned with the EFCC. The EFCC is a creation of an Act of the National Assembly and as such can only operate within the ambit of the Act. Section 6 of the EFCC Act gives the Commission enormous discretionary powers.

Section 6, provides as follows: 6 (1) The Commission shall have power to – (a) cause investigation to be conducted as to whether any person has committed an offence under this Act; and (b) with a view to ascertaining whether any person has been in offences under this Act or in the proceeds of any such offences, cause investigation to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the Commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his sources of income.

It is thus very clear from the above provision and the decision in FAWEHINMI v. IGP that the EFCC can investigate a sitting governor. Can the EFCC, on the current state of the laws proceed beyond investigation against those mentioned in section 308 of the Constitution? Sections 19 to 25 of the Act deal with forfeiture after conviction in certain cases and as such are not applicable in this case. Sections 26 to 33 under part V of the Act deal with forfeiture of assets of person ARRESTED for offences under the Act. Section 26 provides that: Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such illegal act and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order by the court.

Section 33(1) of the Act is very relevant to this controversy. The EFCC purportedly froze the bank account of the governor of Ekiti State by virtue of the provision of this section. The section provides that: Notwithstanding anything contained in any other enactment or law, where any person is ARRESTED (emphasis added) under this Act, the chairman of the Commission may, if he is satisfied that the money in the account of an

ARRESTED person is made through the commission of an offence under this Act, may apply to the Federal High Court ex parte for power to issue an order as specified in Form B of the Schedule to this Act, addressed to the manager of the bank or any person in control of the financial institution where the account is or believed by him to be or the head office of the bank or other financial institution to freeze the account.

It is clear from the provision above that for the EFCC to freeze the account of any person under the Act, such a person must have been investigated and a prima facie case established against him to warrant his arrest.

Upon his arrest, probably in order to preserve evidence, the EFCC would now apply for an interim order from the court to freeze the arrested person’s bank account. In applying for such an interim order, the EFCC would have to lay a basis justifying why the court should make the order by stating the particulars of the owner of the account and the fact that such a person has been arrested as a result of EFCC’s investigation.

The problem here is that section 308(1)b of the Constitution expressly provides that the functionaries protected thereunder SHALL NOT BE ARRESTED. The power of the EFCC to freeze a bank account is conditional on the suspect being arrested.

The Supreme Court made it clear in FAWEHINMI v. IGP that investigators “cannot proceed further to the stage of arrest” where “allegation or the commission of crime appears supported” by investigation. The act of freezing a bank account is a form of punishment predicated on investigation and arrest. The provisions of the EFCC Act are subject to the provisions of the Constitution, and where there is any conflict, the provisions of the Constitution will prevail. It thus my considered opinion that the EFCC, under the prevailing laws, cannot freeze the bank account of a sitting president or that of a governor. The immunity clause under the Constitution can only bow to election petitions and proceedings mentioned under section 308(2) of the Constitution.

The way forward – it is my view that presidents and governors in Nigeria should only have absolute immunity from civil damages for actions that are within the scope of their official responsibilities, just like in the United States of America. It is equally my view that under the EFCC Act, the chairman of the Commission is vested with too much enormous discretionary powers. As it is presently, the chairman may wake up on the wrong side of his bed, and decide to investigate any person ‘if it appears’ to him that that person is living large. Or conversely, the chairman equally has a discretion not to investigate, even if it is obvious to reasonable persons that a particular individual is living above his means.

Animashaun is a legal practitioner (olanimashaun@ yahoo.co.uk)

Counter-Terror War: Are We Nearing a Donouement?

Emmanuel Onwubiko

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meka Maduabuchi Onyemachukwu (names unreal) was born and bred in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital. During his growing up years Maiduguri was a friendly home for all Nigerians because the majority ethnic tribal people of Kanuri and other indigenous groups are some of the most hospitable Nigerians you can find.

He graduated with distinction from the respected Federal University in Maiduguri known as University of Maiduguri.

Mr. Onyemachukwu incidentally set up computer accessories’ selling outlet in Maiduguri whilst waiting for fortune to smile on him but the opposite of the word fortune occurred when the daredevil armed Islamic Terrorists known as Boko Haram began their indiscriminate bombing campaign in Maiduguri and other North Eastern communities.

The business plaza where Mr. Onyemachukwu’s investments were located was amongst the first to be attacked even as he barely escaped being killed. During the earliest bombing campaigns, the armed Islamists carefully targeted Christians and moderate Moslems before snowballing into indiscriminate mass killings.

This young struggling Nigerian, Onyemachukwu, decided with his entire family members to Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State in South Eastern Nigeria.

For many years, this gentleman who is of Igbo parentage but had imbibed the unique cultural peculiarities of the Kanuris in Borno State found it almost pragmatically impossible to adapt to new life in Anambra State, the original State of his parents.

So early last week, Emeka Maduabuchi Onyemachukwu decided to visit Maiduguri to explore the possibilities of his childhood environment to try to restart his life since most of his friends still stay in Borno State.

Buratai At first when he wanted to embark on this journey, his parents and relations did everything within their control to discourage him, but Emeka decided to take a plunge believing that the emerging newspaper reports of series of military successes by the Nigerian troops may have actually reduced the threats posed to the lives and property of ordinary law abiding citizens by the armed Boko Haram terrorists.

His arrival back to Borno State coincided with the just ended Sallah festivities which marked the end of the year 2016 Ramadan Season for Muslims. Emeka arrived in Maiduguri which in the last four years was almost a war zone to experience peaceful movements of civilians like never before.

He quickly put a call across to his parents to announce to them that he has decided to stay back in Maiduguri to start up similar business with the little savings he could make from his

brief stay back home in Onitsha in addition to the generous assistance his younger brother in the United States gave to him.

This good news of (Chukwu)Emeka which typically represents the meaning of that name in Igbo which means ‘God has done marvelous things for us’ seems to have happened in the North East going by the pragmatic evidence of real military successes spearheaded by the military troops comprising of the three segments of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The information about the heroic decision of Mr. Emeka to return to Maiduguri to restart his private economic pursuit came about the same time that a symbolic event happened which for a long time if sustained would form a part of the good stories around the current President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

This symbolic event was the verifiable information that the road linking Nigeria to Central Africa, and by extension, the North Africa from the North-eastern region, the Maiduguri-MafaDikwa-Gamboru/Ngala road, was few hours back reopened by the Nigerian Army.

The road, a total of 138 kilometers, is not only strategic but of economic importance to the nation. It was closed three years ago by the military at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis, Daily Trust is reporting.

The reopening of the road which closure had almost crippled the commercial prowess of Borno State by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, in conjunction with Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, was part of activities marking the 2016 Army Day celebration in Borno State.

In his remarks, Buratai expressed his pleasure in witnessing the formal reopening of the road, adding that the road remains the life wire of Borno State and by extension, the country.

“The Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala road is one of the strategic road operationally and that is the reason I ensured that it is recovered from the terrorists bearing in mind its economic importance to the state.

“It is time to keep the road busy so that economic activities on it will commence and I charge the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) to ensure that the road is always open to motorists and transporters and avoid breach of security,” Buratai said.

Some photographs from the activities marking the end of fasting by some of the military fighters who are Muslims reminded me of the photos of the illustrious exemplary leadership skills of the Holy Father Pope Francis who since the last three years of his papacy has always mingled with the poor and has led the over two billion global Catholic faithful with the power of personal examples of humility and service.

Apart from these virtues of humility and service showcased by General Buratai which were in abundance at all the events that heralded the reopening of this important international highway in the North East, one other salient achievement is that if properly managed the gains of opening up the road could trigger renewed good governance and truly return Nigeria to the path of globalization and good governance. In the book “Globalization, National Development and the Law” edited by Professors S.A.Guobadia, and Epiphany Azinge (SAN), we were told that: “the global efforts to promote international relations have suffered inexorably from international terrorism”.

There is no gain saying the fact that armed Boko Haram terrorists with their recent affiliation to the Islamic State terror group in Syria and Iraq, has assumed a notorious status as one of the deadliest terror groups worldwide.

2015 Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, found that Boko Haram, the Nigerian jihadist group, was responsible for 6,644 deaths in 2014, compared with 6,073 at the hands of ISIS. -Onwubiko is Head of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria and blogs @ www.emmanuelonwubiko.com.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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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 10, 2016

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Host Nation France Play Ronaldo’s Portugal for European Title • Kick-off 8pm

A

fter one month and 50 games, France and Portugal are the only teams left of the 24 that played across 10 French cities for a tilt at the European title. This evening at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, Paris, France take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 final aiming to win a European Championship on home soil for the second time.

Didier Deschamps’ side have the chance to match the triumph of Euro 1984, when Michel Platini scored a tournament record nine goals on route to lifting the trophy. They face a Portuguese side looking to win their first major tournament, having lost 1-0 to Greece in their only other appearance in a European Championship final, in 2004.

Portugal have lost their last 10 games against France, who in Antoine Griezmann boast the competition’s top scorer with six goals, but midfielder Joao Mario believes they can spring a surprise at the Stade de France. “France are playing at home but they haven’t shown their spectacular football,” he said at a prematch press conference. “We know we always lose to them but this will motivate us.

“The French media are sure of the win (for France.) We have lost a final already but this time we can make it. Probability counts for nothing and all the Portuguese bet on us. There is nothing like playing in a competition like this for our country.”

This will be the fourth meeting between Portugal and France in a major tournament. The French have won the previous three, all in semi-finals at Euro 1984, Euro 2000 and World Cup 2006.

Portugal have played the most games (34) in the history of the European Championships without ever winning the tournament.

Before Portugal, the only previous cases of thirdplaced teams in the group stages reaching the final of a major tournament (World Cup and Euro) was Argentina in the 1990 World Cup and Italy in the same tournament four years later. Neither lifted the trophy.

Portugal are unbeaten in their 13 competitive fixtures under Fernando Santos (winning nine and drawing four). Eight of those nine wins were decided by a single goal.

Portugal have conceded only one goal in their last five knockout games at the European Championships, it was against Poland in this year’s quarter-finals. This will be France’s fifth major tournament final. They have won three of their previous four (Euro 1984 and 2000, World Cup 1998), losing their most recent (World Cup 2006). France are unbeaten in their last 18 major tournament games played on home soil, winning 16 and drawing two. Only Germany and Spain (three) have won more European Championships than France (two).

France are the top scorers at Euro 2016 with 13 goals in six games. They had not netted that many in a major tournament since Euro 2000 (13).

Team News

Pepe has been passed fit for this evening’s match after returning to full training. The Real Madrid defender missed last Wednesday’s semi-final win over Wales with a thigh injury and had been considered a doubt ahead of the Paris showpiece against the hosts.

William Carvalho is expected to return to the starting line-up after missing the semi-final through suspension. France have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions. The host nation named an unchanged team in consecutive games for the first time in their European Championship history in the semi-final, and Deschamps could name the same XI again today.

Ronaldo vs Griezmann

While there are many star players on show today, two are sure to stand out. Cristiano Ronaldo is a three-time World Footballer of the Year and a contender for this year’s award after leading Real Madrid the Champions League title a few weeks before the Euros.

On the French side is Antoine Griezmann, a player who was on the losing side in that final playing for Atletico Madrid but top scorer at this tournament with six goals, with a legitimate claim to be player of the tournament.

Ronaldo has played in more games than any other player at the European Championships (20). None of his three goals and two assists at

Euro 2016 top scorer Antoine Griezmann scores a penalty for France against Germany in the semi-final...last Thursday Euro 2016 have come outside the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Ronaldo has now equalled Platini’s record of nine goals in the European Championships. He has never scored against France (234 minutes of play). Griezmann has scored/assisted more goals than any other player at Euro 2016 (6 goals, 2 assists). He has the opportunity to become the third French player to finish as sole top scorer at a major

tournament after Just Fontaine (World Cup 1958) and Platini (1984).

Meanwhile French manager Didier Deschamps could become the second person to win the European Championships as a player and as a manager after Berti Vogts (unused sub in 1972, winning manager in 1996). Deschamps was the winning captain for France at World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000.

Wimbledon: Murray Plays Bighitting Raonic in Men’s Final Andy Murray will be aiming to win his second Wimbledon title and third Grand Slam crown overall when he takes on Canadian big-hitter Milos Raonic in today’s men’s final. The world No 2 is the first British man to reach 11 Grand Slam finals, eclipsing a record set by Fred

Murray and Raonic during a previous game

Perry, but for the first time he will not have to beat either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic.

His 11th major appearance draws him level with three greats of the game in Stefan Edberg, John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, and his third slam final in a row.

After cruising to a comfortable 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals he will now play first-time finalist Raonic. He will now look to stage a repeat of the 2013 final when, a year after tearfully losing to Federer, Murray defeated Djokovic to end Perry’s 77-year reign as the last home men’s singles champion.

Murray has said he would “love to win it again”, adding: “For British players growing up, this is the biggest competition. To get to play in front of a home crowd in a Grand Slam final is very, very rare.” Much will also be made of the battle going on off the court as well as on it, with Murray back working with Ivan Lendl, the coach who guided him to his two Slam titles, and Raonic now being helped by three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe.

“It’s obviously an opportunity. I put myself in a position to try and win the event again. It’s against someone new that I’m playing against in the final,” said Murray.

But the second seed won’t underestimate Raonic, who reached the final by coming from two sets to one down to defeat seven-time champion Federer.

SerenaWilliams ended her yearlong pursuit of Steffi Graf’s mark for Open-era Grand Slam wins by defeating Angelique Kerber in straight sets in theWimbledon final ...yesterday

Williams Wins Wimbledon, Equals Grand Slam Record World number one Serena Williams yesterday beat German fourth seed Angelique Kerber to win a seventh Wimbledon and 22nd Grand Slam title.

The American, 34, coped with a gusty wind on Centre Court to win 7-5 6-3 and equal Steffi Graf’s Open era record of major titles. Kerber had beaten Williams in the Australian Open final in January but could not produce another shock.

Fourteen years since she first won Wimbledon, Williams claimed the title for a seventh time after dropping just one set all tournament. The world number one banished memories of last year, when she fell two matches short of a historic calendar Grand Slam, and of losing in the Australian and French Open finals this year.

“It’s been incredibly difficult not to think about it,” she said of finally winning number 22. It makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it. This court definitely feels like home,

I have a match later today in the doubles, so I’ll be back out.”

Williams moves alongside German great Graf in the all-time list of Grand Slam singles champions, and just two behind overall leader Margaret Court, the Australian who won 13 of her 24 major titles before tennis turned professional in 1968.

Williams had tried and failed three times to win her 22nd major title but she finally got over the line with a performance that owed as much to nerve as to skill. Kerber, 28, was the outsider but was buoyed by her win over Williams in Melbourne, and the swirling wind added another element of uncertainty to the final.

The German’s serve was under pressure immediately but after she saw off three break points in the second game, Kerber managed to contain Williams for the most part with her relentless hitting from corner to corner.

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NEWSXTRA

UNITED FOR HEALTH FRIENDLY VISIT L-R: Director, Ministry of Health, Dr. Evlyne Ngigi; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in a handshake with former Abia State Governor, Dr. Oji Uzor Kalu, when the latter visited Abubakar at his residence in Minna, Niger State... recently

Amina Shamaki; visiting Programme Director of End fund Organisation, Mrs. Kimberly Kamara, and President, Amen Health and Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. Rita Aimiuwu Oguntoyinbo during Kamara’s working visit to the Ministry in Abuja...recently PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

N’Delta Crisis: Ijaw Youths Blast FG, Urge Buhari to Show Leadership

Dabiri-Erewa Flays Murder of Another Nigerian in Italy

• Bayelsa elders accuse politicians of frustrating peace efforts

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has described as disheartening the killing of yet another Nigerian, Emmanuel Chidi Nnamdi, in Italy.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, AbdurRahman Balogun, the SSA condemned in totality the murder of an asylum seeker, by an Italian football hooligan, when he reacted to racial insults against his partner.

Dabiri-Erewa said the painful killings and gruesome murder of innocent Nigerians by other nationals in their homeland was disturbing and depressing to

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), worldwide yesterday criticised the federal government over its alleged inconsistency in the handling of the ongoing Niger Delta crisis.

The IYC was reacting to comments by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, that the government was not interested in talking to the militants, who have recently vowed to cripple Nigeria’s economy which is largely dependent on oil revenues.

Osinbajo was quoted as saying during an event in Akure, Ondo state, that “the so called avengers are not freedom fighters but fighting for their own economic benefits”. He added, “They are avenging for their private pocket and that is why government is not talking with

them.”

But in a statement by the IYC Spokesman, Eric Omare, yesterday, the group urged Nigeria to be consistent in its bid to resolve the problem of renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region.

“The federal government in the past week has displayed obvious inconsistencies and lack of commitment towards finding a solution to the renewed hostilities.

“It would be recalled that recently President Buhari while meeting with some political and religious leaders pleaded with militants to give peace a chance and in another occasion said that the federal government was in the process of identifying the leaders of the different militant groups with a view to dialogue with them.

“Also, a few days ago, the Commandant General of the Ni-

geria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu told Nigerians that the issue of militancy would soon be a thing of the past as government was already discussing with the militants.

“However, it shows obvious contradiction and lack of commitment for Vice President Osinbajo to state on Friday, July 8, 2016 at Akure that the federal government is not discussing with the militants because they are economic saboteurs and not freedom fighters”, the IYC noted.

It decried the discordant tunes concerning the treatment of the issues thrown up by the crisis, arguing that the federal government was not serious about solving the problems.

“The IYC is constrained to ask; what is the correct position of the federal government on efforts at resolving the current

hostilities in the Niger Delta?

Is the federal government of Nigeria a boat without a captain for different officers of government to take different position on same issue?

“These contradictions clearly show that the federal government lacks any commitment towards resolving the current hostilities in the Niger Delta region”, it said.

The group alleged that the two-week ceasefire that was earlier declared seemed to be a smokescreen to create the impression that government was committed to resolving the issues through dialogue.

“The IYC wishes to state for the umpteenth time that for there to be any meaningful resolution of the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta, President Buhari, like his predecessors must provide leadership.”

Shinkafi: Abdulsalami, Buhari’s Wife, Govs, Others Sympathise with Family Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

Sympathisers have continued to troop to the residence of late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi who died in a London hospital last Wednesday, to pay their respects and condole with his family over his death.

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, were among the dignitaries to visit Sokoto yes-

terday for the condolence.

Speaking when he paid a condolence visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Abdulsalami described the deceased as a committed Nigerian who gave his all for the unity and stability of the nation.

“Marafa contributed a lot for this country and I pray to God to reward him for his endeavours,” he added.

While urging Nigerians

not to despair over the current challenges facing the country, Abdulsalami urged them to be patient and prayerful, as according to him, there is silver linen in the horizon. He also expressed the condolence of former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, who he said could not travel to Sokoto due to unforeseen issues.

Responding, the Sultan commended the two former leaders for identifying with

the people of Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states in their times of need, and prayed to God to reward them accordingly.

Also speaking during a visit to the Sultan palace in Sokoto yesterday, Hajiya Aisha Buhari described the death of the late Shinkafi as a great loss to Nigeria. The wife of the president also prayed God to repose the soul of the deceased and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Abia Crisis: ‘Justice Abang Was Misled,’ Says Oke • Blames PDP party leaders for imbroglio

Paul Obi in Abuja

A chieftain and founding member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Oluwole Oke yesterday said Justice Okon Abang who declared the office of the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu vacant was misled in his judgment, progressing in error; thereby creating the current crisis in the

state.

Oke, a lawyer spoke to journalists at the sidelines of the Lead British International School, Gwarinpa, Abuja graduation ceremony, stressing that the court-induced political crises have become one too many in the polity, ushering in some level of political instability.

According to him, “the issue is this, the various court

judgments we have are all from Courts of equal jurisdiction but I am sure the senior Court would take a position and eventually the Supreme Court would take a position.

Eventually we would have our way.

“It is just like what is happening in Abia State, how can you send a governor packing on contentious issues? It is the

board of State Revenue that has jurisdiction to determine which certificate is forged or somebody is under assessed or over assessed. I think the judiciary should be up and doing.”

Oke further stated that “I think that Court was misled.

Aba’s Court was misled, if it has all the facts, I am sure that judgment wouldn’t have gone that way.

Abimbola Akosile

the people and government of Nigeria.

“This is disheartening, coming barely few days after the stabbing to death in London of another Nigerian teenager, Fola Orebiyi. This is totally unacceptable”, she said.

Even though, the culprit had been arrested by the Italian authorities, a thorough investigation should be carried out on why innocent Nigerians were subject of attacks by their host countries, she added.

Dabiri-Erewa commiserated with the family of Nnamdi, particularly, the fiancée, who witnessed the brutal killing of her lover, and assured them that Nigeria would monitor the dispensation of justice on the matter.

Warri Business Seminar Identifies Money Mistakes of Salary Earners The second edition of Warri Business Seminar took place in Warri on June 18, 2016. It was a success as individuals from different institutions and backgrounds came together and were incubated for several hours by coaches who have distinguished themselves in their various fields with outstanding testimonies.

The topic of this year’s seminar was ‘The 3 Big Mistakes Salary Earners Make That Ruin

Their Future and Make Them Constantly Broke’. The three mistakes identified were: Weak Self-Management, Bad Money Culture and Poor Investment Knowledge. Participants were taught the following: Blueprint of FinancialIntelligence,Fundamentals of Business Startup, Available Smart Investment Options, Ethics in Business, Time and SelfManagementaswellasCustomer Service Awareness.

Diamond Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Service Delivery Despite the harsh operating environment and strict regulatory framework which calls for caution in the financial industry, Diamond Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to quality service delivery, sustenance of strong fundamentals and stable profitability for its shareholders.

In a press release made available to the media, the Bank stated that keeping in view with the 2015 full year results as approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Q1 2016 results submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the strategic roadmap for Q3 and Q4, its rev-

enue yield and profitability will exceed analysts’ expectations and forecast.

In its operations in Q1, Q2 and extending into Q3 2016, the Bank has continued to deploy new technologies and digital applications to drive financial inclusion, convenient banking, enhanced customer friendly services and its overall retail banking strategy that will enable it focus on driving non-interest income and strengthen explored opportunities to grow its market share. These have positioned the Bank for a better future with strong expectation for improved financial performance in the rest of the business year.

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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 10, 2016

High Life

85 with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

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

Fair Weather Friends! How Lobbyists, Favour Seekers Scrambled for Maikantu Baru’s Attention During Sallah Celebrations

I

f he could, Maikanti Kacalla Baru would disappear into thin air, like the early dew under the beams of the morning sun. The new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is currently unsettled by the flurry of attention he is getting as the new substantive boss of the NNPC. Baru, who was recently appointed as NNPC head honcho by President Muhammadu Buhari, suddenly became the bride and heartthrob of major stakeholders, lobbyists and favour seekers in the Nigerian oil industry. So intense is the attention being given Baru that he is secretly wishing he hadn’t been appointed the new NNPC boss. And the reason is not far-fetched: Baru could not rest throughout the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations and public holidays as he was constantly badgered by very annoying phone

Pius Akinyelure

VERY SMART MOVES MR. PRESIDENT! BUHARI APPOINTS BOLA TINUBU’S MAN INTO NNPC BOARD

•IntrIgues as tInubu’s best frIend, PIus akInyelure, makes nnPC lIst

The storm seems over between President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu. Ill-wind has deserted the midst of the two prominent leaders of Nigeria’s ruling party, like evil mist at the searing blaze of celestial light.

Rabble-rousers and career gossips may hold their peace now, Buhari will woo Tinubu.

Finally, Mr. President has decided to curry the favour of the two-time governor of Lagos State and national leader of APC by appointing his

calls. His phone constantly buzzed to his chagrin; hence he could not enjoy a moment’s rest.

But unfortunately for favour seekers, Baru is a very modest man without a chip on his shoulder.

No security, he drives his Toyota car by himself, unlike many top government officials. Until his appointment, Baru was the Group Executive Director, Exploration & Production of the corporation. Despite the pressure being mounted on him even before he commences real work in his new office, the new NNPC boss is expected to cleverly and firmly repel the overtures of his overnight admirers and desperate stakeholders seeking one favour or the other from him. If he intends to maintain a clean record all through his tenure, he will scorn the overtures of the usual elements afflicting the nation’s oil sector with sleaze, so argued pundits. best friend, Pius Akinyelure, as a member of the newly constituted board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Prior to Tinubu’s man, Pius’ appointment on to the board, mischief makers alleged that Tinubu felt betrayed and unhappy with President Buhari who allegedly ignored most of his suggestions and nominations into key public offices in the country. President Buhari allegedly listened to the advice of aides and advisers who needed him to be at loggerheads with Tinubu due to their fear of the APC leader’s rising and very intimidating profile. However, Buhari is reportedly doing a cartwheel and reconsidering mending fences with Tinubu because he believes he would still need the APC boss by the time he vies for a second term in office; thus his recent appointment of Tinubu’s friend, Pius on to the NNPC board. Pius is the only Yoruba man on the newly constituted board; it would be recalled that Pius supported and donated generously to Buhari’s campaign and as a result, he was promised a very juicy portfolio when Buhari becomes President.

When it didn’t happen on time, he lost hope in Buhari’s government and ditched all hopes of enjoying compensation for his contributions to the success of the incumbent president’s electoral campaign. However, when news of his appointment got to him, he was visibly pleased as he had given up

Maikantu Baru

hope on President Buhari. Not with his shabby treatment and betrayal of his friend and political associate, Tinubu.

LOYAL TO THE BONES! WHY FRIENDS OF JIDE OMOKORE ARE FERVENTLY PRAYING FOR HIS RELEASE Their minds fan with the beauty of friendship as fire flames from red hot embers.

Thus they will not stay quiet while their friend is strung up on the altar of vendetta and high powered politics, so argued friends and associates of oil magnate, Jide Omokore.

They intend to stand by him through the fire and storm of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s inquisition of his life and dealings in the oil sector during the immediate past administration of President

Jide Omokore

Goodluck Jonathan. While it is tempting to commend them for their love and loyalty to their embattled friend, it needs be understood that they are not just standing by Omokore for the sake of doing so. It would be recalled that Omokore was instrumental to the entrepreneurial success of many of his friends and associates. He was reportedly generous to both his male and female friends. So generous was he that he impacted every aspect of their lives positively with his astounding wealth.

He rented apartments for some in highbrow areas and paid the bills. He bought houses for others. He also bought cars for many beneficiaries and set them up in business with very large start-up capital.

This earned him the loyalty and love of most of his friends and associates as they lived in awe and appreciation of his unending generosity.

Even silver spoon children from superrich families were very close to him. They include Kola Abiola, Segun Awolowo, Karen Koshoni among others.

They are all praying for the man who they all called “The Leader.”

PRESIDENTIAL DINNER...

JUNIOR ‘TITANS’ NOT ALLOWED! PRESIDENT BUHARI IGNORES PROMINENT MAGNATES, POLITICIANS Few men are worthy to dine with President Muhammadu Buhari. To dine with Buhari, you have to cut the perfect portrait of a deity or industry Cont’d on pg. 86

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HIGHLIFE

Powerhorse! On The Trail of Lagos Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and His Three Wives

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ischief makers are up to their antics again, like the village drunk seeking to pawn off the ancestral shrine to purchase a bottle of beer. They are claiming that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has the deportment of a saint and the agility of a stag. They have labeled him so because the Hon. Speaker has gone ahead to marry a third wife, Idayat, even though Bukola, his second wife, and Fausat, his first wife and mother of his four children, are still very much in the picture. They are basing their claims on alleged marital squabbles and scandals involving the Lagos Speaker and his spouses at the home front.

Friends and loyalists of the Lagos lawmaker, however, substantiate his rebuttal of the malicious rumours claiming they are part of the evil plot of the legislator’s political detractors to malign his good name and unsettle him. A very close source to Obasa revealed that although he recently took a third wife, he married her out of pure love and his love for his first and second wives remains intact god. The Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces would not be seen in company of lesser known gods. Little wonder he chose to dine with a select crew of Nigerian tin gods as he broke his Ramadan fast and took Iftar last Monday.

In the spirit of the recently concluded holy month, the great men and women of commerce were honoured with a privileged invitation to the president’s banquet. Among the few leaders of commerce and industry President Buhari exclusively invited were Dr. Mike Ishola Adenuga, GCON, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group of Companies, Zenith Bank’s chairman, Jim Ovia; the chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola; oil magnate, Folorunsho Alakija and Tony Elumelu. Their interaction with the president gave them the opportunity to discuss about Nigeria’s dwindling economy. It also accorded them the esteemed reputation of the president’s most preferred associates and partners in progress.

This did not go down well with many sections of the country’s rich and famous, particularly lower titans in the country’s business and political circuit. HighLife findings revealed that many of them who were not invited were unhappy about it. They

too. The source claimed that marriage and its obligations do not prevent Obasa from fulfilling his official duties to the coastal city of Lagos and his beloved loyalists and fans among the electorate.

It can also be recalled that few months ago, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, was accused by evil minded individuals as a man without the gift of language.

They claimed Obasa cannot express himself in simple English and that due to his inability to speak English language fluently, he will not be able to manage the affairs of the Lagos State House of Assembly efficiently. On the strength of the rumour, they called to question his claim to be a lawyer.

Despite the unprintable rumours being spread about Obasa, his friends, political associates and other apologists are of the opinion that those spreading malicious and unfounded rumours about the Speaker are simply scared of his rising and intimidating profile on the nation’s political turf. According to them, the future of Lagos is in very safe hands with the likes of Hon. Obasa at the helms of the coastal city’s legislative affairs. felt betrayed and humiliated.

Some of them openly declared that Buhari was partial in his choice. Ask Wale Babalakin, Henry Fajemirokun, Mohammed Indimi, they will confirm this.

GLAMOUR AND CLASS AS SENATOR SOLOMON ADEOLA CELEBRATES CHILDREN IN GRAND STYLE

•Olamide, lil Kesh Thrill lawmaKer’s Kids and Friends aT superb birThday parTy

Family members are like precious jewels to Senator Solomon Adeola. The lawmaker treasures his wife and children as the Arabian jeweler cherishes his rarest

Solomon Adeola

Mudashiru Obasa

collection of coral clasps and gemstones from the Pacific.

This is why he spares no expense in giving his dear family a treat every time the situation calls for it. Recently, Sunday, July 3, to be precise, Senator Adeola hosted the crème of Nigeria’s high society at the River Plate Garden, Central Business District of Abuja, FCT, to the birthday party of his beloved children.

The senator representing Lagos West in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly and his wife Tope, celebrated their children with a birthday party tagged: “The Walk of Fame Birthday Party of the Adeolas.”

They treated their children

and their friends to a special appearance by popular musicians, Olamide and Lil Kesh, who performed their popular hits and took selfies with the children. Among parents that graced the occasion were Hon. Hadijat Bukar-Ibrahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who left early in view of the Muslim fasting; Hon. Babafemi Diya representing Surulere Federal Constituency, Hon. Iduma Igariwey representing Afikpo North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. A Balogun, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Alhaji A. I. Enilolobo, Lagos APC Organising Secretary, Rt. Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, former Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly and over 10 newly appointed Local Government sole administrators from Lagos West and beyond.

FORCE OF BULLIES...NIGERIA AIR FORCE OCCUPIES PRIVATE PROPERTY ILLEGALLY History fades into fable; fact becomes clouded with doubt and controversy; truth falls apart like heaps of sand and integrity fades off like characters written in the dust where might meets with right, particularly in Nigeria’s political and high society circuits. This perhaps explains the alleged impunity and disrespect for rule of law currently being exhibited by

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HIGHLIFE

Heaven Can Wait! Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo’s Love For Expensive Luxury Cars

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he gospel according to “daddy” poses a moral problem in the Nigerian clime. Unlike Jesus Christ’s gospel of minimalism, compassion and sacrifice, the gospel according to the Nigerian pastor or ‘daddy’ advocates an obscene, pocket-friendly version of faith. It enhances the capacity to say the right things without doing them. The ‘daddies’’ brand of faith propagates life without integrity, devotion without humanity and the darkest possible version of prosperity; thus, the impulse for acquisition, pursuit of gain and money, which has nothing to do with spiritualism. Rather it has everything to do with capitalism.

One may say that it has been common to all sorts and conditions of men at all times and in all cultures of the earth. Hence the fascination it presents to several Nigerian pastors. It is an open secret that Nigerian pastors are done waiting for their rewards in heaven. The gospel, according to Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo, is glittering and cool. It is hardly wretched and bleak, like the unpopular brand often marketed and propagated by the ascetics. Thus wherever you see Rev. Fatoyinbo, Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion

Assembly (COZA), you encounter luxury and grace in luscious forms. The popular cleric no doubt subscribes to the maxim that it is up to every individual to make the best or worst of his life. This is why the senior pastor milks life of all the luxury it is worth. That Rev. Fatoyinbo is a much sought-after public speaker is never in doubt, what many people do not know is that, he nurtures an abiding taste in highly expensive automobiles among other luxuries. His exotic preference for top-notch designers and state-of-the-art cars cannot be contested and he lives like a king in his Abuja home, which boasts of the most exquisite and colourful interior and exterior decor.

Recently, he marked his birthday by hosting family members and close friends to an exceptional celebration in the United Arab Emirates. He hosted his guests and well-wishers at the newly commissioned branch of his church in Dubai. There he held a thanksgiving service on his birthday. It was followed by a lavish dinner party at the seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel and an all-white party aboard an executive yacht, with some fireworks display to wrap up the celebration. Checkout his latest Porsche car.

the Nigerian military in civil space. Despite recent scandals involving top brass of the country’s military, the latter have persisted in unforgivable acts of iniquity against civilians that it ought to protect.

As you read, men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), a military segment where some leading officers have been openly tainted in ongoing anti-corruption investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are in the news again for the wrong reason. This time, the bone of contention is the property at No. 13B Reeve Road, Ikoyi, Lagos belonging to BCL which the company duly acquired from the Presidential Implementation Committee of the White Paper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Property.

Still exercising the kind of brigandage associated with military rule, NAF has continued to occupy the property refusing its lawful owner access in outright disregard of a letter by Secretary of the Presidential Implementation Committee part of which reads that, “the Federal Government property known as 13B Reeve Road was never at any time offered to the Nigerian Air Force… the property was never an institutional property for the Nigerian Air Force.”

The property was handed over in 2008 without encumbrances based on a memorandum of understanding

and developmental lease signed between BCL and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, acting on behalf of the Federal Government. The company made a total payment of N176,925,000 (One hundred and seventy-six million nine hundred and twenty-five thousand naira only) in full settlement for the leasehold.

Upon its refusal to vacate the property, BCL instituted suit HC/LC/CS/1769/14 against the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of Air Staff, NAF Investment Limited, Commander 107 NAF Camp, Victoria Island Lagos, Federal Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary, Presidential Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Property through its counsel, Abubakar Sheidu and Co. What continues to be worrisome is the fact that while the NAF, through its officers, Flying Officer Oluwaseun Afolabi and B. R. Ashiru called upon the court to dismiss the case in its entirety, its statement of defence merely denies BCL claims without showing any evidence in support. The NAF has not tendered one document to show that the property ever directly or remotely belonged to it, at any time.

In total disregard for the Federal Government’s right to do as it wished with the property, the NAF has continued to occupy the contested property by using gun-toting men to scare the rightful owners.

Biodun Fatoyinbo

CLASS ACT! TOP POLITICIAN, TONYE PRINCEWILL’S MOVIE, 76 GETS THUNDEROUS OVATION Movies are dreams on screen, the actualised fantasy of the eternal romantic, so argues the cynic stereotype. The latter earnestly contradicts what constitutes the essence of film; pitching wildly and quite methodically, the damning perspective against the nature of movies, disparagers of

Tonye Princewill

the art genre, regard it as a defective vehicle for numbing reality. Nonetheless, the archetypal filmmaker seeks to awaken consciousness to a hidden layer amid the folds

of reality in order to depict it or recapture its fast-fading resonance. This is what top politician and businessman, Prince Tonye Princewill, seeks to achieve by bankrolling ‘76’, a movie. Nigeria’s movie industry also known as Nollywood, in recent times has continued to shift, albeit slowly, from the ridiculous to the sublime. The industry has seen the production of critically acclaimed movies that have continued to wow many Nigerians and foreigners.

Princewill recently broke the bank with the production of multi-award winning movie, ‘76’. Following this trend of production of quality movie, Africa Magic, in collaboration with Adonis Production and Princewill’s Trust, produced 76, a tale of love, trust, faith and family set against the backdrop of war and nation building.

76 is an assemblage of talented Nollywood stars like Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme and many others. The movie is set six years after the Nigerian civil war also known as Biafran War. The movie tells the story of a young officer from the Middle Belt who gets entangled in a romantic relationship and eventually marries a beautiful student from the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.

Their budding romance is threatened by endless military postings, and they face the ultimate test when news of the soldier ’s involvement in a botched coup attempt hits the headlines.

Sunday July 10, 2016

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Price: N400

MISSILE

US Envoy to Nigerians

“I think we have to remember what he inherited. And in my own opinion, we have to be neutral. I think Mr. President and his team has done very well. I think he has put in place some great things. Though I am not an economist, what he has done with the exchange rate and fuel subsidy is great.”

– Outgoing Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, James Enwistle, giving a performance assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration thus far.

OKEYIKECHUKWU EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

The Other Ojo Maduekwe

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where is the ‘official version’ of Chief Ojo Maduekwe and there is “Ojo” in the first name. At the level of national service, he was the ideal person for the Party Secretary in 1999 when the PDP, lacking an ideology or a soul, needed to find its fundament. As a man who strove to do the best, Ojo refused to bow to principles that irked his inmost personal convictions.

His idealistic inclinations were caught in the stampede of debauched leadership and he came out of it partly misunderstood, partly misrepresented and sometimes taken advantage of. But the real Ojo never bowed to the profane!

His greeting when we first met was: “I was expecting someone in his sixties, or at least with slightly unkempt hair and fiery eyes. You look much calmer than your pen!” The second meeting was an ambush choreographed by his Personal Assistant, Osita Chidoka, who found out I was in Abuja on a consultancy project. “What would you say if I asked you to become my Special Assistant? Ojo asked. When I replied that it wouldn’t have crossed my mind, he roared with laughter and said: “I thought as much. Anyway, now it should cross your mind” and gave his reasons. I asked for some time to think about it.

He seemed surprised, so I explained: “I did not come here to look for a job and I don’t know you well, sir. I don’t rush at what people call ‘opportunities’; so I always pray for clarity. A Special Assistant must know and understand his boss, be able to speak frankly with him and for him, be loyal to him and be able to stand in his name and with him at all times based on personal conviction. I have no intention of being loyal to you as your SA if you are an evil man, or if you will one day ask me to go and kill someone”. Ojo laughed like a baby. “Kai kai kai, my friend, you are painfully honest. And you are sitting there and calmly saying all this to my face, imakwa si owum wu Ojo Maduekwe (don’t you know that I am Ojo Maduekwe)”! We agreed to a one month time frame to decide.

Back in Lagos I discussed with my wife, wondering if Ojo was a devious character.

Otherwise, why would he ‘smuggle me away’ to make the offer behind Osita, his aide, who invited me to his house in the first place? Imagine me turning up subsequently in the same office, looking like a cheap and desperate back stabber!

The next morning I called Osita and spoke with some annoyance about what transpired in Abuja. To my consternation, he had a hand in the matter, all the way! Relieved on that point I ended the conversation, still unable to take a position on what was so rudely thrust on me.

I needed to know what drove Ojo’s inner core and, more importantly, what limits he would refuse to cross in pursuit of any personal ambition or goal. I therefore accepted an invitation to his village just before Christmas; and after confirming that

Maduekwe

Osita would also be around. I would see the real man when he is with his family, when he is under pressure, and when nothing external pressed on him.

On the day of my arrival Ojo was summoned to a midnight meeting in one hill top house with a somewhat forbidding aspect. It turned out to be an inquisition.

The gathering wanted to know when Ohafia people would “feel” his position as Minister of Transport? His response was that he was a human being who, apart from being a minster, would one day still

Ojo was like an assistant in an operating theatre, or a surgical ward, carrying out his duties notwithstanding his aversion for the sight of blood. I watched him agonize about how to help his people without reinforcing the impression that patronage was the paradigm for leadership relevance. I listened to him moan about Igbo failure to understand that they would do better under objective rules and fair competition and that it was in their interest to support detribalized leadership paradigms

answer to his creator for his actions. As Nigeria’s Minister of Transport he would not deliberately strengthen the national ills of nepotism and debauchery, when Wards, Local and State Governments have their responsibilities. He said President Obasanjo’s job of building a modern state would be easier, and that Nigeria would be better, if public office holders did not just focus on their families, friends and villages.

There was palpable outrage. Ojo was an idealist, a preacher and an unrepentant cosmopolite. The man needed help. The rest, as they say, is now history.

What is not history is the fact that Ojo Uma Maduekwe, Ike Ohafia, Igbomurudike of Ngwaland and Ada Idaghake Efik Ke Burutu of Calabar Kingdom, will always be the subject of controversy. His politically inappropriate bluntness is well known. As a lawyer, son of a pastor and a politician, Ojo inclined towards order, rule keeping and obedience to authority. His ideal society, leader, or government, must hew and enforce a path of goodness for everyone. His discourse saw “evil” and “illegality” as the same and his ideal leader must midwife a truly modern state, not minding the myopic protestations of those who cannot see the big picture.

In the depth of his heart Ojo wanted Nigeria to experience a visionary, inspired and inspiring leader, or great historical figure, like Bismark of Germany or De Gaul of France.

But he was swindled by those he looked up to, the way the German philosopher, Martin Heidegger, was ‘swindled’ by Hitler and Friedrich Hegel, before him, by Napoleon Bonaparte whom he described as the ‘World Spirit’.

With failed bank tribunals, a much vaunted anti corruption posture and a presumed commitment to a better Nigeria, Sani Abacha looked to Ojo like the much-sought messiah.

When after the two million man match Ojo discovered that the man was not prepared to boldly contest an election but wanted to transmute, he balked and bluntly rejected his earlier assigned role of being the one to nominate Abacha. He said, to the shock of many, that the approach was “unmanly”. This was at great personal risk, which not many people know about to this day. Obasanjo also swindled him, despite protestations to the contrary.

Ojo was like an assistant in an operating theatre, or a surgical ward, carrying out his duties notwithstanding his aversion for the sight of blood. I watched him agonize about how to help his people without reinforcing the impression that patronage was the paradigm for leadership relevance.

I listened to him moan about Igbo failure to understand that they would do better under objective rules and fair competition and that it was in their interest to support detribalized leadership paradigms.

When he organized a N100 million fund raising to build the Kalu Ezera Centre in Ohafia, for development and to nurture future leaders, he did not know that a threat of ostracism would later hung on his neck

for not endorsing the plan of a group to spend the money as they deemed fit. Ojo called their bluff. When I offered to travel to Lagos and intervene at a final meeting convened in Lagos to ratify and formally announce his ostracism, Ojo warned that I would cease to be his SA if I did that.

We disagreed rather noisily and, as I was storming out of his house to travel to Lagos, his wife, Ucha, his best friend, waylaid me downstairs, and whispered “Okey please just do what you have said and don’t mind him”. I did just that. Ojo may keep his SA job, but he did not deserve this and I was not about to have my boss scandalized.

Yes, nobody shoos my masquerade out of the village square!

Rage and uproar greeted my arrival at the meeting in Lagos. Dr. Eleazu took me to another room with some elders. Reminded that the man who flogs his child in the village square, or in the market place, is demeaning his family reputation, and also that a publication ostracizing Ojo would be read to mean that the leaders and elders of Ohafia have not acted wisely, Eleazu looked at me for a while, conferred very briefly with his team and asked me to come and repeat what I said before the larger house and leave. I did. Nothing was heard again about the ostracism again.

But nothing was also seen of me anywhere near the Ministry of Transport, since Ojo had declared me fired. I discountenanced Mrs Maduekwe and Osita’s advise to prepare for an earlier planned US trip; and that Ojo did not mean what he said. It turned out that they were right. I really thank Osita for helping me manage my sanity for a few hours, after an angry Ojo complained bitterly that I had abandoned my job and was deliberately putting our planned US trip in jeopardy. What?

All he said when we met before the trip was: “I just don’t know why I am surrounded by heretics; Ferdinand, yourself and Osita!

I like the robust encounters, but you are all still heretics!” As I was leaving, he said, apparently muttering to himself: “You are lucky they did not lynch you in Lagos for attending a meeting to which you were not invited. Heretic!” Case closed.

I saw in Ojo a man who had the capacity to inspire from a distance and, as Transport Minister, he gave more national lectures than any minister before or after him. In one he accused the clergy of preaching only prosperity and a Christianity without the cross. After saying that some lecturers were apostates masquerading as high priests during the Faculty of Arts Lecture of the University of Lagos, he pledged to help the university set up a Centre for Anti Corruption Studies. The money was made available to the university. It was embezzled.

Ojo lived like a midwife in a hospital where the maternity section had been taken over by undertakers. He kept trying to birth news ideas, while others got involved in the supply of coffins and body bags.

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