Sunday 2nd October 2016

Recession: We Cannot Continue to Lament, Says Obasanjo Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta

As recession continues to bite, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said yesterday that Nigeria could not continue to lament the current economic crisis.

Obasanjo gave this advice

yesterday in Abeokuta at a lecture organised by members of the Youth Fellowship of the Owu Baptist Church as part of the Church's activities to mark the Independence anniversary on theme: 'Nigeria Development for Nigerians by Nigerians'.

The current administration

and the immediate past government had been enmeshed in a blame game for some time. While the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has accused the erstwhile administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of causing the economy to plunge into recession, some members of the

past government said the prevailing crisis was as a result of the wrong steps the present government had taken in managing the economy.

Just last week, President Buhari said he would not stop blaming his predecessors for the current state of the nation.

But Obasanjo recalled he

hinted a recession was imminent two years ago when he saw how recklessly the immediate past administration was spending the country's resources but his advice was ignored.

He, however, said since the country is now confronted with the realities “we cannot

continue lamenting.”

Nevertheless, talking about developing the economy, Obasanjo insisted it must not be left to Nigerians alone but should also include foreign investors.

As some of the recipes for Continued on page 8

348 Boko Haram Suspects, Including 127 Children, Released by Military ...Page 10

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Buhari: I Know Things Are Difficult, But We’re Working Out Lasting Solution

Outlines programmes to revive economy, strengthen Naira, and combat hunger Says Nigeria will be self-sufficient in staple food production by 2019 Warns no group can unlawfully challenge FG successfully Vincent Obia Times are hard for many Nigerians, but this is a temporary situation that the country will soon overcome, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday in a speech to

mark Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary. In the speech broadcast live nationwide, Buhari outlined economic, political, and security measures his government was pursuing to get the country out of the current difficulties.

The federal government

had in July admitted, after initially hesitating, that the country was in recession, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting that key fundamentals, including Gross Domestic Product, inflation, and unemployment were even worse than

the rates projected for the year. The recession has been blamed on a huge fall in the prices of crude oil, which accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the country export.

But Buhari said his government had identified the issues behind the cri-

sis and was implementing appropriate programmes to address them.

“I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real,” he stated, adding, “I know how difficult things are,

and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacContinued on page 8

How Emefiele’s Wife Was Rescued 1 kidnapper killed, 3 arrested, 4 on the run Adibe Emenyonu, Omon-Julius Onabu and Chiemelie Ezeobi Details of how Margaret Emefiele, wife of Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was rescued emerged last night as security sources disclosed that she was recued at Ugoneki, a midway between Benin and Agbor, on Friday night.

Her rescue was sequel to a directive by President Continued on page 8

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TOASTING THE TRIUMPH OF NIGERIA

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, during the 56th Independence Anniversary celebration at the State House, Abuja ...yesterday

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 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 BUHARI: I KNOW THINGS ARE DIFFICULT, BUT WE’RE WORKING OUT LASTING SOLUTION rifices.”

However, the president said, “I believe that this recession will not last.

“Temporary problems should not blind or divert us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation. We have identified the country’s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions.”

The president reiterated his belief that the country’s “problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty.” He said his administration had mapped out measures aimed at beating the menace of the problems.

On security, Buhari said the Boko Haram terrorist sect had been defeated since last December and the group was “only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children.”

The insurgents had occupied vast swathes of territory in the border areas of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, in the North-east. But they have been largely driven out, making for the return of normal life in some of the areas. “Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to our armed forces, the police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups, the local traditional leaders. security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility,” the president stated.

He bemoaned the activities of resurgent militant groups in the Niger Delta, who have been launching attacks on the oil infrastructure in the region.

The attacks have dealt a devastating blow to the country’s oil production, forcing it down from two million barrels per day to about one million barrels currently.

According to him, “Besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings. This

Administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.

“A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. This Administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom.

“What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced?”

The president disclosed that his government had “continued to dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to bring lasting peace.” But he warned, “No group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the federal government and succeed.

“Our administration is fully sympathetic to the plight of the good people of Niger Delta and we are in touch with the state governments and leaderships of the region. It is known that the cleanup of the Ogoniland has started.

Infrastructural projects financed by the federal government and post-amnesty programme financing will continue.”

He said the administration remained committed to the fight against corruption, stressing, “Fighting corruption is key, not only to restoring the moral health of the nation, but also to freeing our enormous resources for urgent socio-economic development.”

Buhari restated his call on the judiciary to aid the war on corruption.

“In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the

UNITING FOR FATHERLAND

fight against corruption.”

On the economy, the president said the government would repair the four national refineries to produce most of the fuel needed in the country and reduce the huge financial expenditure on imported fuel.

Agriculture is a key component of the government’s economic revival strategy, the president said, explaining that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria had been “mobilised to encourage local production of rice, maize, sorghum, millet and soya beans.”

“Our target is to achieve domestic self-sufficiency in these staples by 2018.”

He added, “The country should be self-sufficient in basic staples by 2019.”

The president announced a plan to revamp the river basin authorities across the country. “Government is introducing Water Resources Bill encompassing the National Water Resources Policy and National Irrigation and Drainage Policy to improve management of water and irrigation development in the country.

We are reviving all the 12 River Basin Authorities,” he said. “The intention is eventually to fully commercialise them to better support crop production, aqua-culture and accelerated rural development.”

The river basin authorities are the Anambra – Imo, Benin – Owena, Chad Basin, Cross River, Hadejia – Jama’are, Lower Benue, Lower Niger, Niger Delta, Ogun – Osun, Sokoto – Rima, Upper Benue, and Upper Niger.

The president said, “This administration is committed to the revival of Lake Chad and improvement of the hydrology and ecology of the basin. This will tune in with efforts to rehabilitate the 30 million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad basin countries.”

Besides agriculture, the president said another crucial aspect of his eco-

nomic revival strategy was the provision of the critical infrastructure of power, roads, and housing to, among other benefits, create wealth and employment as well as reduce poverty.

On power, Buhari said the government was investing in alternative power sources. It is also engaging stakeholders in the Niger Delta to try to discourage the attacks on the oil and gas facilities, which have severely affected gas supply to the national power plants and caused disruptions in electricity supply, he said.

“Government is going ahead with projects utilising alternate technologies such as hydro, wind, and solar to contribute to our energy mix. In this respect, the Mambilla Hydro project, after many years of delay is taking off this year. Contract negotiations are nearing completion with Chinese firms for technical and financial commitments,” he stated.

“The project is to be jointly financed by Nigeria and the Chinese-ExportImport Bank. In addition, 14 solar power projects have had their power purchase agreements concluded. Hence the plan to produce 1, 200 megawatts of solar electricity for the country would be realised on schedule.”

The president said N720.5 billion had so far been released for capital projects this budget year by the federal government. He said the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had received N197.5 billion, explaining that work has resumed on Calabar – Itu Road, Lokoja – Benin Road, Benin – Shagamu Express way, Lagos – Ibadan Dual carriageway, Onitsha – Enugu Expressway, Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual carriageway, Hadejia – Nguru Road, Kano – Katsina Road, Kano – Maiduguri Road, Azare – Potiskum Road, Azare – Sharuri Road, Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Birnin Gwari Road, and Oju/Lokoja – Oweto Bridge over River

L-R: National Women Leader of All Progressives Congress, Ramatu Tijani Aliyu; Senator Ali Ndume; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Na'Abba; former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, and former Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the 56th Independence Anniversary at the Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja.

SUNDAY AGHAEZE

Benue.

“On railways, we have provided our counterpart funding to China for the building of our standard gauge Lagos -Kano railway. Meanwhile, General Electric is investing two point two billion USD in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line.

The Lagos-Calabar railway will also be on stream soon,” Buhari said.

On housing, he said

the government would deliver 2,838 housing units, uniformly spread across the 36 states and FCT, within the next six months. The houses, which will be wholly built with local materials, aims to also help to resuscitate the building materials manufacturing sector, he said.

“The programmes I have outlined will revive the economy, restore the value of the naira and drive hunger from our land,” Buhari stated.

RECESSION: WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO LAMENT, SAYS OBASANJO development, he mentioned peace and security, education, food, sanitation, shelter and transportation.

He said that all those interested in assisting the country in its developmental efforts must also be encouraged to help it.

Obasanjo noted that Nigeria at 56 years as a nation was not where it ought to be, saying there was hope that Nigeria would surmount its challenges.

According to him, "Our development is impaired, it is not what it ought to be but we must get it right. We must all accept responsibility, we must stop passing the bulk."

The former president,, however, lamented that one of the major things threatening the peace of the country was the high level of unemployment.

"Unemployment is a major problem in the country today and if we don't take care, it will consume all of us, in fact, the rising unemployment is a time bomb."

He recalled that as soon as he completed his secondary school education from the famous Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, he was offered job by five different establishments, including the United Africa Company (UAC) and Moore Plantation, Ibadan but said the situation

was different today.

He then recalled how business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, told him that six PHD holders were among applicants who applied to him to employ them as truck drivers due to the bad unemployment situation.

According to him, the high rate of unemployment was responsible for youth restiveness in the country, warning that the situation should be tackled with all the "seriousness" it deserves before it gets out of hand.

The former president, therefore, suggested that "there is no other way we can develop except, engaging in agriculture business, it is the only business that can generate the number of employment we need."

"That is why we have to take it (Agriculture business) as a key of our development else the many educated Nigerians who have no job are like time bomb, sooner than later, it will explode."

While answering question from the student, Obasanjo challenged the church to pay attention to both the spiritual as well as the physical well being of their congregations, insisting that as at present the church's attention was focused only on the spiritual aspect of their congregations.

HOW EMEFIELE’S WIFE WAS RESCUED Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies, an order that was carried out within 24 hours. A rescue team comprising operatives of the Department of State Security Service, Police and the military was deployed to track down her kidnappers and secure her release.

The operation that led to her rescue from the snare of her abductors claimed the life of one of her kidnappers while three others were arrested.

The remaining four members of the eight-man gang that kidnapped her are currently on the run.

Though a N1.5billion ransom was said to have been demanded by her kidnappers, security sources said no ransom was paid and she had now been reunited with her family in Lagos.

The CBN governor’s wife was kidnapped on Thursday along Benin-Agbor road. THISDAY gathered that at the time of her abduction, she was being driven in an SUV with her police orderly and a back up vehicle with three mobile policemen.

Security sources said

investigations were on to unravel why none of the policemen attached to her “did practically nothing”, when the gunmen struck.

“The three mobile policemen did practically nothing even though each of them had about 10 rounds of ammunition in their guns”, the source said.

The CBN governor has however praised security agencies for their gallantry in bringing his wife back home within 24 hours in compliance with the directive of President Buhari.

In a statement issued yesterday by CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, Emefiele thanked God for the life of his wife and also expressed his gratitude to the Delta and Edo State Governments, friends and well wishers who, through their actions, prayers and goodwill, helped to bring the harrowing experience to a joyful end.

He reaffirmed his resolve to continue to serve the nation diligently and with all his heart without any fear of intimidation.

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

THE MESSAGE FROM THE PARALYMPICS Theperformanceofthecountry’scontingentintheRioParalympicsisfurtherproofthatthereisabilityindisability

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he outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the recent Paralympics in Rio, Brazil, has reinforced the old mantra that there is ability in disability. The contingent won eight gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals to place 17th on the global medal table and the best African team at the multi-sport event for athletes with disability.

Indeed, two of the athletes, Paul Kehinde and Josephine Orji, shone very brightly. Kehinde won two gold medals and twice broke the men’s 65 kg world record in the powerlifting event while Orji shattered the world record with a lift of 154kg in the +86kg powerlifting event. Instructively, the display of guts, determination and patriotism by the paralympians was in sharp contrast to the pedestrian and dismal show by Nigeria at the Olympic Games, also in Rio last month, where The paraplegics national expectations were have historically not matched by podium emerged as the presence. The team came country’s unsung home with a solitary bronze medal won in football. sporting heroes and heroines with But the paralympics was different. a reputation for Despite reports of poor inspiring Nigeria preparations by the team with face saving before they left for Rio, performances in addition to allegation of criminal neglect by the in major Ministry of Sports, which international failed to remit the athletes’ sporting camping allowance for 23 competitions days, they still performed well. At the end, it was a triumph against adversity and a thing of pride to see the athletes excel, in spite of limited funding and lack of access to modern training facilities.

Instructively, the paraplegics have historically emerged as the country’s unsung sporting heroes and heroines with a reputation for inspiring Nigeria with face saving performances in major international sporting competitions. For instance, they lifted Nigeria to 8th position on the medal table at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, when the country won 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals. In addition, their gallantry at the All Africa Games is well documented as they have traditionally provided a pool of medals in their events, ensuring that Nigeria’s status as the continent’s sporting powerhouse is

Letters to the Editor

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assured.

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S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITOR VINCENT OBIA 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

t is in the light of this that the gesture of the House of Representatives to reward the contingent to the tune of N18 million is noteworthy and should be acknowledged. Each lawmaker in the lower chamber is contributing N50,000 towards the bumper gift package for the athletes. It is a commendable gesture even as we consider it a huge shame that the presidency has not deemed it fit to honour these Nigerians who, despite all odds, have made us proud.

However, beyond the tokenism of materials gifts, the authorities should use this to look at the issue of how we treat people with disabilities in our country. From transportation which allows movement and interactions, through health, recreations and even educational services which can make them compete effectively, people with one disability or another are most often discriminated against and deprived of their rights. Everywhere and every day, obstacles are thrown on their paths. Cosmos Okoli, an enterprising man who has proved that there is ability in disability once said: “We have had cases where some principals and head teachers refused disabled candidates admission not on the basis of incompetence but for their disabilities.”

To worsen the situation, many are regarded by their families as a source of shame and treated as objects of charity. Many end up in the streets as beggars while others turn to drugs and other socially unacceptable behaviour to generate income. Yet, Nigeria is a signatory to many international conventions that support equal opportunities for all their citizens. The United Nations defines equalisation of opportunities as “the process through which the general system of society, such as the physical and cultural environment, housing and transportation, social and health services, educational and work opportunities, cultural and social life, including sports and recreational facilities are made accessible to all.”

The government, as a matter of policy, must create the right environment for social, economic and political integration of the physically challenged in our society.

Attempts must also be made to open up educational and employment opportunities so that they can compete and embrace life with more confidence. The physically challenged in our midst must be empowered to help themselves and their families and contribute their bits to the growth and development of the society. Just as the Paralympics team has done.

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.

IS CLIMATE CHANGE ALL ABOUT LAKE CHAD?

or us in the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), the most ambitious and indeed landmark attribute of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent trip to the United Nation was his acceptance to append his signature to the Paris Agreement on mitigation mechanisms against the surging phenomenon of climate change, known as Paris Treaty on climate change.

Hopefully, the National Assembly of Nigeria in line with Section 12 (1) of the constitution will domesticate this revolutionary piece of global legislation meant to save our planet.

Section 12 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) affirmed as follows: “No Treaty between the Federation and any other Country SHALL have the force of law except to the extent to which any such

treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly”.

At the signing of this landmark anti- climate change treaty in New York the Nigerian National Assembly was conspicuously absent even by symbolic association which would have heralded a much more people-oriented domestication of this treaty.

Now that President Buhari has signed the Paris Treaty, let it be transmitted to the National Assembly as quickly as possible for legislative action.

The entire gamut of the climate change treaty can be summed up as a global effort to adopt the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/1 which would hopefully transform our world, keep humanity focused on achieving the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Significantly, unlike other

international treaties such as the Rome Treaty/Statute which brought into being the International Criminal Court which till date has not secured the support of such World’s power like the United States of America, this particular Climate Change Prevention Treaty has seen such giant strides like the endorsements of the United States of America, Japan and China amongst other notorious polluters of the World’s environment.

A document obtained by this writer from the United Nations clearly spells out that the entire global legal frameworks against this phenomenon means that the participation in an effective and appropriate response is imperative with a view to accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. For us, the main reason for expecting much from this treaty is the voluntary acceptance by the developed countries to provide

heavy funding assistance up to $100 billion USD per annum for mitigating the effects of climate change amongst less developed nations such as Nigeria.

The largest producers of Co2 emissions Worldwide in 2015, based on their share of global Co2 emissions are China, 28.03%; U.S, 15.9%; India, 5.81%; Russian Federation, 4.79%; Japan, 3.84%; Germany, 2.23%; Korea, 1.78%; Canada,1.67%; Iran, 1.63%; Brazil, 1.41% and Indonesia, 1.32%.

These notorious polluters of the World under this biding treaty will not only adopt proactive measures to reduce their green gas emissions but will pay heavy compensations to the poor nations including Nigeria and what could come to Nigeria is significantly high in value.

Article 2 of the Paris Agreement is strategic for the purpose of our analysis vis-à-vis the urgent need for President Muhammadu Buhari

to be reminded that the North-east of Nigeria is not just the only part of Nigeria that suffers from the consequences of climate change such as desertification.

There is the growing tendency within the Presidency to think that climate change begins and ends with the shrinking Lake Chad Basin because in recent international meetings both in Paris and at the 71st UN General Assembly, President Buhari and his team focused so much on the Lake Chad Basin even when other segments of Nigeria suffer from erosions, flash floods and such other devastating environmental challenges.

The South East, South-West, South-South and North-West, not forgetting the Middle Belt, are also affected.

––Emmanuel Onwubiko, Head of Human rights Writers association of Nigeria

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

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

Turkey Failed Coup: We Were Treated Like Criminals, Deported Nigerian Student Reveals Anayo Okolie

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE L-R: Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Navy Commander Obi Egbuchulam, and Commissioner of Police Francis Odesanya, during the release of pigeons to mark Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt…yesterday

Nigeria@56: Govs, Others Preach Unity, Predict Brighter Future • As Atiku, PDP, NLC urge peace, caution

By Our Correspondents

Despite the gloomy picture of the Nigerian economy which is in recession with its attendant hardship on businesses and the citizenry, governors of various Nigerian states were united in predicting a glorious future as the country marked her 56th independence anniversary yesterday.

Also, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday urged a speedy return of peace to the troubled North-east region; the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned the federal government against taking any rash decisions concerning the governance process, while the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) urged the present administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to put their house in order and deliver democratic gains to the people.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who spoke through his Deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule at the Independence Parade held at the Police College Ground in Ikeja said the fact that the nation has remained united despite visible challenges in the last 56 years of sovereignty was a lot to be thankful for.

He said the never-say-die spirit of resilience, resourceful-

ness and determination that Nigerians display to succeed in all spheres of human endeavour was well recognised and acknowledged all over the globe, adding that the nation has great potentials to rank among the most prosperous countries in the world. In Kaduna State, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed confidence that Nigeria can overcome its present challenges like it had always done in the past.

He said, “We mark this day in difficult economic circumstances, but we can overcome these as we did in previous moments of hardship.”

In the same vein, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said the economic challenges facing the country at the moment would not be permanent as the policies and plans put together by the current administration are targeted at her revival.

The governor gave the assurance in his address at the country’s 56th Independence Anniversary held at the Heroes Square in Owerri, stressing “this is not the period or time to discuss the country’s failures but a time to discuss what must be done to move the nation forward.

We are passing through trials at the moment. But let me remind all of us that great nations of the world once passed through this stage before getting to their point

of greatness. Nigeria will not be an exemption.”

Speaking at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State said Nigerians have weathered a lot of storm and experiences and have come out stronger and will continue to come out strong.

He added: “We will use our diversity which is indeed our strength; it is a testament to our resilience that we are still standing as a nation.”

Advising Nigerians to remain steadfast, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State advised Nigerians not to despair at the gloomy economic situation in the country but to checkmate their desire for consumption of foreign goods in order not to deplete the country’s foreign reserve. He insisted that a stable economy where justice prevails makes governance easy and enables the citizens to co-exist in peace.

Addressing thousands of people at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja, Kogi State while marking the 56th independence anniversary, Governor Yahaya Bello said despite experiencing turbulence, Nigeria remains indivisible as a result of the resilience of her citizens.

According to him, “These past 56 years have been very challenging, but there have also been

years in which the Nigerian spirit has proved indomitable.”

In a broadcast to the people of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said “notwithstanding the current economic challenges facing us as a nation, we have sufficient cause to celebrate”, noting that his administration was committed to delivering on its promises and advancing the frontiers of development in all sectors of the state’s economy.

In an independence celebration message at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State expressed fears that the nation is sinking irreversibly down the abyss, stressing that only a united front will salvage the country and set it on the path of growth.

The governor expressed regret that either by commission or omission the federal government has dragged the country into its worst economic crisis where Nigerians find it difficult to feed.

Anambra State Governor, Chef Willie Obiano, on his part, called on Nigerians to think of what they can do for Nigeria, rather than what the country can do for them. Obiano while addressing the people of the state on the occasion of the Independence Day celebration at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square said heeding that call is the only way to make Nigeria great again.

348 Boko Haram Suspects, Including 127 Children, Released by Military Michael Olugbode

The Nigerian Army as part of the celebration of Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary yesterday released 348 suspected Boko Haram members.

The detainees comprising 114 male, 107 female and 127 children, were handed over by the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Victor Ezegwu to

the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima at a parade marking the Independence Day at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

Ezegwu revealed that the suspects were arrested at various camps and havens of the insurgents in Borno State, North-east Nigeria.

He said they have been investigated and found to be innocent of involvement in insurgency. He equally revealed that out of the 127 children

released 115 were within the age bracket 5-10 years, while 12 of them fall within the range of 11 years and above.

He said some suspects who were also investigated are however going to be prosecuted for civil crime and have been handed to the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

He disclosed that in this class are six foreigners who illegally entered Nigeria. They include four Cameroonians, a

Chadian and a Jamaican and would be separately handed to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for deportation.

Ezegwu revealed that yesterday’s release was the fifth by the 7 Division since his assumption as the GOC of the command, and the move was in line with the military high command to ensure that due regard is given to the issue of fairness and justice in the conduct of operations against terrorists.

One of the Nigerian students deported by Turkish government after being detained for 11 hours in Istanbul, Rukkaya Usman, yesterday said they (students) were treated like criminals before the Turkish authorities repatriated them back to Nigeria.

Usmanisafinalyearstudentof Political Science and International Relations at Meliksah University, located at Kayseri. Meliksah University was among the schools shut down in the wake of the July 15th failed coup in Turkey.

The Turkish authorities had said the affected schools were terrorist schools because they have links with Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, whom the Turkish government had accused of being the mastermind of the coup in Turkey. Narrating her ordeal in a telephone call from THISDAY, Usmansaid:“IgottoTurkeyonthe26 ofSeptemberatabout8amandthe

Immigration didn’t allow me to pass; they were asking, ‘where are you from?, where are you schooling?, and then, they took me to a room and asked me to wait. My passport and resident permit were with them.”

According to her, “They came back after few minutes with a paper and were asking me if I had money with me, they checked saw money and counted it, we were about eight of us. Before then, they said they are sending me back to my country and I asked they why, and they said when I go back to my country that I should visit the Turkish Embassy that they will answer all my questions.

“They gave me a paper to sign, I refused to sign because I don’t know what they wrote on the paper, they locked us inside a room, we were not allowed to go out, we were not allowed to see anyone, and we were just inside the room, just like criminals. The place is just like a prison.”

Ondo: Oke Dumps APC, Declares for AD James Sowole in Akure

The second runner-up in the September 3 All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial primary election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke yesterday defected from the party to the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Oke’s declaration came against the backdrop of his dissatisfaction with the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC which submitted the name of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) as the candidate of the party despite the complaints of Oke and two other aggrieved aspirants of the party.

The former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples’ Demo-

cratic Party (PDP) joined the APC few days after the 2015 Presidential election was lost by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. He came third in the APC primary won

by Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, while Dr. Olusegun Abraham came second in an election that tore the party apart. Oke’s declaration has laid to rest speculations that he was planning to dump APC for another party to realise his governorship ambition.

Speaking with supporters across the 18 local government areas in the state in his residence, Oke stated that his defection was necessitated by the injustice perpetrated by some leaders of the party over the primary election of the party.

18 Killed in Ogun Auto Crash

An eighteen-seater commercial bus yesterday plunged into a river along Idiroko Road, about a kilometre from Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State, killing 16 of its passengers and leaving two survivors. The white painted bus, according to witnesses, was said to be conveying passengers from Sango area to Owode-Idiroko in Ogun State before the incident. One of the survivors was a woman and her little daughter who were rescued by divers. Another victim simply identified as Taofeek was also seen at the scene of the accident with bruises on his face. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed that 16 people died in the accident.

FGC Warri ‘86 Set Reunion

The 1986 set of the Federal Government College, Warri, one of the pioneer unity schools in Nigeria, is celebrating 30 years of their passing out from the school with a series of events scheduled to hold between October 6th and 8th in Warri, Delta State and Lagos.

According to a statement released by Mr. Chidozie Bede - Nwokoye on behalf of the group, the reunion is starting with a Visitation, Career Talk and Project Presentation at the Old School, in Warri on Friday, October 7 and a dinner at Virgo Hall, All Seasons Plaza, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday, October 8. Members of the set, many of whom are currently working and residing overseas, are expected to sport all-white attires or white shirt on blue jeans for the Lagos programme.

‘AIU Only Group Recognised by Anambra Govt’

Amorka Improvement Union (AIU) is the only body recognised by Anambra State Government, the traditional ruler, HRH Igwe K.O. Obiriolemgbe has disclosed. A statement signed and made available to THISDAY by his Personal Adviser, Mr. Hyacinth Okolie, Obiriolemgbe said any group or persons parading or presenting any document with name Amorka Development Union (ADU) are impersonating and want the arms of government to track them. According to him, “for the records, Amorka Improvement Union (AIU) is the only recognised group piloting the affairs of Amorka Community.” Obiriolembe, who recently celebrated 15 years on the throne called on every indigenes of the community to join hands in promoting the communities. He also advised the leadership of Amorka Improvement Union of Lagos branch and others, to overlook those distracting them from doing their job.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2016

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

NEWS Poverty, Trade Imbalance Led to Failure of AGOA, Says FG • US tasks Nigeria on inclusive growth Paul Obi in Abuja with agency report

The federal government said the prevalence of poverty and trade imbalance between United States and

Nigeria led to the failure of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a situation that has rendered the agreement and act moribund.

Minister of Labour and

Economic Recovery Policy’ll Bring Hope for Nigeria, Says ICAN Abimbola Akosile

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has renewed its support for the various economic policies of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying there is hope for Nigeria.

President of ICAN, Deacon Titus Soetan, who led a delegation of the institute’s executives to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the current initiatives of the Minister were capable of taking the nation out of its current economic woes.

The Minister, in her welcome address said, “As professionals, we are taught to be prudent and to be transparent and also to have a lot of accountability and

that, in itself, means we have to deal with things which many people will be evading, but we are not going to evade the truth because we know if we do we are only postponing the evil day.”

“We are working with a mission. That mission is driven by the realisation that this economy has to grow. And to achieve the desired growth, we have to invest and spend our money wisely.

To attain our goal, we have to do two things. First is to increase the revenue that is available and secondly, redirect expenditure from wasteful things and from corruption into actually growing the economy. This is why we are implementing initiatives that address these impediments and improve control.”

Kano Declares Tuesday Public Holiday for Islamic New Year Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Kano state government has declared Tuesday, October 4 as a public holiday to mark the beginning of the new Islamic calendar 1438 A.H. The Islamic New Year is on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the lunar Islamic calendar.

The state government had on Friday organised a prayer session attheGovernmentHouseMosque inKano,tousherinthenewIslamic year,whichcoincidedwithactivities marking the nation’s 56th anniversarycelebration.

In the same vein, the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, accompanied by top government officials, visited some hospitals in the state capital to show sympathy with the sick and to prayer for their speedy recuperation, in line with Islamic etiquette.

Governor Ganduje urges Muslims to use the period of the holiday, especially the blessed days of the 9th and 10th of the month of Muharram to ease the socio- economic challenges facing the country and to strengthen our leaders to steer it to greater heights.

Africa Top 100 CEOs to Meet Filmmakers Founder/CEO of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Ms. Chioma Ude recently joined several African leaders and influencers at an interactive session with the Chairman of Institut Choiseul, Dr. Pascal Lorot, who was on a three-day visit to Lagos.

Institut Choiseul is a Francebased influential independent think tank, chaired by Dr. Lorot, a founding President of the Institut.

Choiseul’s partnership with AFRIFF is in tandem with the latter’s expanding frontiers through series of developmental agenda in partnerships with

institutes like Ford Foundation, Relativity Media, British Council, Access Bank, Canon and Africa Magic among others.

Interacting with entrepreneurs at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lorot disclosed that his visit was a prelude to the unveiling of 100 African CEOs on November 19, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, harping on the enormous business acumen that exists among Nigerians outside of governments’ support.

The 100 Africans are selected and ranked by Institut Choiseul as people who will play a major role in the Africa’s economic development in the near future.

Nigeria Showcases National Unity with NAFEST

The 29th National Festival of Arts and Culture will commence Sunday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. The festival first began in 1970 and is held to unify the country after the bloody Nigerian civil war. It will end on October 9.

Some of the activities planned for the festival include, indigenous poetry performance (children participation), drama, arts and crafts competition, essay writing as well as drawing and painting competitions.

Other events include indigenous cuisines and traditional wrestling (junior category), the book fair, the cultural market and the colloquium components.

Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige stated this yesterday at an AGOA Ministerial roundtable forum taking place at the Department of Labour Building, Washington D.C, United States.

AGOA was first initiated by former US President, Bill Clinton’s administration to promote trade between the US and African countries.

Speaking on the theme, ‘‘Trade and Worker Rights: Inclusive Economic Growth in Africa Through Trade’ on the day one of the roundtable, Ngige said: “The capacity of Nigeria to tackle anti-labour practices

such as child labour, cheap labour and human trafficking was being hampered by dwindling resources, which the stoppage of the import of the Nigerian crude by the US has accentuated”, adding that, “poverty at the low income levels make the fight against anti-labour practices at the base difficult.”

He urged the US to assist African countries in the entire agricultural value food chain of production, processing and preservation as well as give increased educational assistance to farmers.

Alumni Association Organises Health Programme for FGGC Sagamu Students Oladipupo Awojobi

The United States of Americabased alumni association of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Sagamu, Ogun State has concluded plans to sponsor a breast cancer awareness workshop for students of the school between JSS3 and SSS3.

According to a statement signed by the President of the association, Abimbola Art-Alade on behalf of the Board of Directors and made available to the press, the programme is slated for October 15.

She revealed in the statement that other workshops in the pipeline include Diabetes Awareness; Physical Activity; Dental Hygiene;

Skin and hair health; Nutrition; Reproductive Health Awareness amongst others.

“We plan on working in partnership with numerous organisations and individuals who are very supportive of initiatives like this. These are people who believe in the benefit from the knowledge gained through this workshop and subsequent ones and its potential to reach more than one girl/woman,” the statement read.

She added that the board of directors of FGGC Sagamu Alumni USA has been working on developing and implementing a Health and Wellness Programme in order to augment existing health and wellness education within the school curriculum.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2016

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OCTOBER 2, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION

Why Presidential Debates Matter

Debateshelpinrevealingtothepublicwhatacandidatestandsforthroughwhathesaysandhowhesaysit,arguesDavidDimas

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ast Monday’s 90-minute, one-on-one record breaking debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump has, in a fundamental sense, provided a sense of direction to the pile of undecided voters in America. They went to bed knowing who they may likely vote for as president come Tuesday, November 8, 2016. What we witnessed on stage that night at Hofstra University in New York was not just a debate between two presidential candidates. It was a modern day American political battle between “The Party of liberals” and “The Party of family values” for perennial advantages in the struggle for the Oval office.

As nothing is perfect in human affairs, the American system is not without its flaws. I believe their democracy is more functional than perfect. But it takes one thing serious: holds its leaders and pubic office holders accountable.

In their campaigns, contestants have to strongly establish that they would be a responsible arbitrating buffer between the citizens and the state. Pundits who endorsed poorly performing office holders who are seeking reelection are called to answer why they surrendered their integrity and fooled people with their partisan appraisals.

On another note, the debate is a reminder of the interesting social and political culture in Nigeria.

We, Nigerians, created our constitution and laws, and established rules and regulations guiding its operational processes, and its relationships to citizens and institutions. But then, our democratic process, since independence, has not engaged this operational process effectually. Instead it has, over the years, been plagued by an abysmal level of egoism in an eristic game of perversion.

Truth is our democratic process is, without a doubt, a mirror of our culture and a product of our institutions. It is as a system that has become unresponsive to the cry of the citizens while catering for the ruling class of the country.

For instance, employment is based on who you know rather than what you know. Political positions are largely occupied and controlled by the ruling class with money bags and what Fela,

the late Afrobeat king, calls “arrangee masters”. In electioneering times citizens are manipulated instead of won over in interactive forums such as debates and Town Hall meetings. Young people confusedly join braying campaign crowds into acting out scripts handed out to them by their sponsors in a ricochet manner, as against being more idealistic in their choices and less loyal to acrimonious traditions like their coequals in politics of active citizenry in established democracies.

With such emphasis on money and power, it is of no surprise that politics, in Nigeria, is seen by a considerable size of the population as ‘the’ trajectory that shortens the road to wealth.

In any case, it is important to realise that if power becomes institutionalised or routinised by a few in a democratic society, the sinews of citizenship participation either gradually diminishes, simply exists in theory or basically becomes extinct.

Making promises is, generally, an established hallmark in politics. But as repeatedly noted, politicians in Nigeria perceptively over promise but completely under deliver because there is no immediate penalty for doing so. Debates are a good place for the public to hear from such public servants about why they failed. Yet

Huge campaign rallies, posters, expensive advertising and social media strategies are okay. Nevertheless, they should not be enough reasons to vote for an office seeker. Questions about an individual’s knowledge on economic policies should play recurring roles in peoples’ choices. Voters and viewers should be able to fact-check claims and be given a window to what the ‘leader’ can do to help navigate the economy in the right direction

many never take the stage.

In the first place, it is unfair for any public office seeking person to ignore an organised debate or town hall meeting. In the words of Pope Francis,” Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: ‘Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path?’ If you don’t ask those questions, your governance will not be good”. Debates are organised so candidates can reveal to the public what they stand for through what they say and how they say it.

Huge campaign rallies, posters, expensive advertising and social media strategies are okay. Nevertheless, they should not be enough reasons to vote for an office seeker. In fact, questions about an individual’s knowledge on economic policies should play recurring roles in peoples’ choices. Voters and viewers should be able to fact-check claims and be given a window to what the “leader” can do to help navigate the economy in the right direction and create more opportunities for growth amongst other pressing issues.

However, some Nigerians careless who get elected while others would rather see the economy crumble and the country thrown into turmoil under an unqualified candidate rather than take the chance that it may succeed under a more qualified person simply because of difference in tribe or religion.

As we struggle with the thorny challenge of restructuring our economy, we may not bother now about elections. But we should reflect on the repeated abuse of our democratic institutions by a privileged few, especially as it concerns the future of our democracy.

In conclusion, I encourage ethical Nigerians not to give up on building common ground in the pursuit for a generation with political clairvoyance in order to engender a people-based and people-focused system free from vestiges of a shoddy political venture, from which we have had to vote out.

–Dimas, an author, blogger and inspirational speaker, wrote from Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A

There’s Blood on The Dance Floor

Seyi Olu Awofeso laments the expanding scale and scope of suffering in the land

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Dear President Buhari:

ne reason why the joys of electing you as president abruptly stopped is because there’s now blood on the dance floor. You alone have to decide if to call off the party or mop the dance floor; but either way, you’ll need spatial awareness of why bleeding occurred to spoil the party.

You stoked price vectors to let the inflation genie out of the bottle and then burnt up Nigerians’ cash assets with 68% naira devaluation starting in the last week of May, after increasing electricity tariff by 45% in March and after increasing pump price of petrol by 67% few weeks earlier, to send all things up in the air - with nothing settled as yet; not even Nigeria itself; which badly convulsed in feverish price hikes, country-wide, after reeling for long from rocket-propelled grenades fired by hundreds of militias doubly armed with improvised explosives now rampaging all across Nigeria.

As news of Nigeria’s mounting horrors spread, London’s Evening Standard reported it on September 7: “Western firms can be forgiven for shying away from investing in Buhari’s Nigeria,” with reasons ranging from untrammeled treasury thefts to your having no clearly seen honest resolve to fight corruption. A slew of foreign investors may as well be closing its files on Nigeria. They are reportedly put off by the way things are going awry.

Schools crumble in Nigeria without books as hospitals lay bare without imported medicines - all of which can’t be bought at the current pricey exchange rate of N480 to a dollar versus the much lower April exchange rate of N260 to one dollar. Workers are being laid off in thousands and the casualties near 4.5 million Nigerians sacked under your 15-month perplexing regime, according to anecdotal evidence.

Those spared mass sackings are pitchforked to half salary - in defiance of anything contracts law say on the sanctity of existing agreements in an increasingly anomic Nigeria – where, besides routine beheading on the streets from neighborhood spats, the Court of Appeal in Lagos division then declared few weeks ago that wearing the Muslim Hijab head-cover is superior, as Islamic Law, and overrides any other law that a state government may enact as ‘school uniform rule’.

A false bottom for this rather zany declarative order was quickly constructed judicially and called ‘fundamental human rights’…in a country contradictorily self-described in its 1999 Constitution as ‘secular’. In just under 16 months Nigeria now looks eerily strange - like a horror film - to those looking in from outside.

Less worrying is the false bottom than the dire implication of the Court of Appeal’s jurisprudence. “For if Islamic Law now overrides legal regulations issued by a state government or by a

legislative state assembly, what will Islamic Law not override in Nigeria in consequence of that case law precedent?”

But to be sure, Nigeria was not as much a puzzle or hardscrabble place as this; or at all flailing in pains all about when you took office on May 29 last year and pledged to deliver a praline country from inside the bitterest cusp of past thefts by government officials. Nigeria was contrarily a fragile and less horrific and much less hopeless place. So, what happened to CHANGE, President Buhari?

That’s the crux. No two broom-wavers on your APC side of the Nigeria’s party politics divide ever understood what CHANGE means from get-go. In retrospect, it would seem like mere slogan just thrown in to replace absent thought-process inside the party. It could even be worse. For after you won the election on that abstract sloganeering you alone now have the writ to decide what CHANGE means for a whole nation, since your party members were just carried away by the sound of that word and mindlessly ran to town with it.

The winds can only assist a bird which already has a direction, the old wit says. Without clarity of thought on the gritty specifics of CHANGE - which should encapsulate a theory of state in ideological terms – the winds cannot assist the APC’s bird’s flight to anywhere.

That’s why Nigeria looks more driftless; like flotsam and jetsam on the high seas, just being blown away with sea currents, and without volition or direction, in negation of the purpose and meaning of ‘government’.

Today, if it is systems-analysed for structural functionality, Nigeria is closer to a failed state. Indeed, Nigeria is today precariously placed 14th from the bottom of the INDEX OF THE WORLD’s FAILED STATES. The question will then recur: ‘Whatever happened to CHANGE’?

It is neither obvious nor felt. That’s why many foreign investors hiss at the cheapened Nigerian currency from your devaluation and still resist rushing in to buy up the country’s assets for peanuts. They simply don’t see a plan of what will happen next to their imported capital should they gamble on Nigeria.

A foreign investor wishing to set up a manufacturing business in Nigeria will need advanced calculators for starters.

His imported dollars will firstly be converted by the bank at 320 to a dollar. The investor will then confront a new price structure on the streets where his converted dollars in naira will then have to chase mostly imported inputs at the rate of N450 to a dollar.

That’s besides a different set of existential crises of non-available electricity supply and no water running since April 3 from the taps in Nigeria’s commercial capital city of Lagos to do any basic manufacturing or even flush a toilet.

Since July 1 when Nigeria was driven by your trial-by-error

government into economic recession; after two consecutive quarters of negative results from Nigeria’s import/export trade - on the back of high inflation from your price vector devaluation - with petrol pump price hike added, now made worse by slackened effective demand as a result of massive retrenchment of workers, and yet; made worse still by recent increase in bank lending rate to over 20% - in a theoretical fight against inflation – investors don’t see these reflexive and reactive actions as tantamount to a policy on how to exit an economic recession.

Truth is, without an intelligent exit plan disclosed in clear details to the public, it is par for the course Nigeria would spend several years badly mired in this economic recession with worse consequences for political stability of Nigeria.

It is in that vortex your approval rating dropped to 32% today, according to the GAIN POLL, because a beclouded leadership usually won’t inspire. That’s why Nigeria also fades away from the horizon of the international community which is too busy to do a mind-reading or worry over another country’s leadership which has no direction after 15 months in office.

The word out there in several European capitals is not that you are concealing your actual plans and dissembling on it; no, but that you have no plans, other than sitting on your hands and waiting for Indian and Chinese economies to rebounce and need to import more crude oil from Nigeria. The sarcasm was cutting when I firstly heard it in a decent circle in Brussels and it resonates the same way still.

Mr. President, getting one’s country into a recession is terribly bad. That’s exactly what cost President George H.W Bush his job, especially when Bush’s approval rating plummeted to the depths where yours is stuck today. Getting into a deepening recession with a blank head and without any intellectual plan on a means of escape, is worse. You cannot be the lightning rod of a whole nation, and its sole hope of CHANGE, and still be its sole repository of knowledge on how to exit from crushing economic recession. You can’t be all of those things at the same time, Mr. President, and claim to be running a sensible or modern government.

The point of living in a big country is to draw from the intellectual strength in the country. Not all persons are looking for money. There are Nigerians who prefer honour to money and will feel more fulfilled to rise to the occasion and answer a patriotic call to help push Nigeria gingerly back from the precipice of the abyss. But that cannot even happen if your government is insular and will not reply letters on policy matters, as your Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, is wont.

Best of luck to you Mr President on the intentional but dire choices you make for yourself.

––Awofeso, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

LETTERS

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THE NORTH AND QUEST FOR FEDERALISM

nce upon a time, before the era of coups and counter -coups in pre-oil Nigeria, there were four financially independent regions, namely: Northern Region, Western Region, Mid-Western Region, and Eastern Region. They all maximised their unique comparative advantages for the development of their respective societies and for the overall development of the national economy. It was a situation of “live and let live”.

The North occupying 70% of Nigeria’s land mass, with its huge solid mineral deposits, growing mining industry, rich arable land and a blossoming agro-industrial economy, was Nigeria’s most thriving region. It was in fact Nigeria’s wealthiest region by GDP and the region with the brightest prospects for further accelerated economic growth.

The Northern region was also blessed with good leaders such as: Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Joseph S. Tarka, Mallam Aminu Kano, amongst others. These leaders were men who were driven and motivated by love and compassion for their people.

They understood the people’s needs and worked tirelessly to develop programmes and policies specifically tailored to meet and cater to those needs.

Dambazzau, Minister of Internal Affairs However, today, the once thriving North is now the poster child of under-development, illiteracy, poverty, and sectarian crises, with inter-ethnic and ethno-religious riots now assuming the status of a bi-annual cultural event in most of the 19 states that constituted the old Northern region. The North is a region that more than most other sections of Nigeria bears the shameful scars of poverty and under-development.

So what has changed?

Military rule did! That’s what changed. After the invasion of the political arena by Nigeria’s erstwhile military adventurers

and in the aftermath of the Nigerian civil war, a new extractive and exclusive political order was created (one that exists till today), and this new political order gave birth to a rent-seeking economy, one solely dependent on the oil in the Niger-Delta, a resource which was considered

by Nigeria’s new leaders nay rulers as “the spoils of war”.

The entrance of these new operators witnessed the abandoning of Nigeria’s hitherto traditional agriculture-based economy, and this was the beginning of the destruction of the Northern region’s predominantly agro-industrial economy.

The consequences of that arrest 50 years ago continue to haunt the North and indeed the entire country.

According to the Vice- President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, whilst speaking at the Northern Re-awakening Summit in 2015, stated that the 19 states of the North have the highest levels of poverty in Nigeria, with the region also having the highest infant mortality rate in the country, the highest number of unemployed people and the lowest rate of child enrolment in schools, with Lagos State producing more West African Examination Council (WAEC) candidates than the entire NorthEast and North-West geo-political zones combined.

How can the situation be remedied?

To remedy the situation Nigeria’s political system needs to be liberalised, to empower the states in the North to restart their agro-industry and march to economic development through the harnessing and development of their comparative advantages for the well-being of their people and the betterment of the Nigerian economy.

It is generally known that the political systems in any society determine its economic institutions and by implication the prosperity or lack thereof of the members of society. North Korea is a vivid and extreme contem-

DOGARA, ABUBAKAR AND THE BAUCHI PEOPLE

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he main reason for this reaction to what Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed wrote in “Dogara, Abubakar and the Bauchi People” (THISDAY, September 6, 2016, P.14) was the unwholesome attempt to insult the intelligence of Nigerians in the name of making a case for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara. If truly Dogara “has reconciled with those who worked against him” in the speakership contest as Mohammed would want the world to believe, how come the same man (Dogara), led a team of federal lawmakers and a minister from Bauchi State to tell lies against Gov. Mohammed Abubakar in the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari?

If truly Dogara has reconciled with Abubakar, why did he not personally seek clarifications from the governor on the allegations that he (Abubakar) misappropriated and embezzled bailout funds extended to Bauchi State for the payment of the arrears of salaries and allowances of its workers? Is reporting Abubakar to the President of Nigeria and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the best way to relate with a friend or someone an aggrieved person has reconciled with? If truth be told, Dogara is still seething with disguised rage and anger that Abubakar did not support his speakership ambition and may have decided to take advantage of the warm and cordial relationship he has with President Buhari to deal with Gov. Abubakar. Any other narrative woven around the matter is simply a tale told to

idiots.

In spite of whatever may be said to the contrary, Gov. Abubakar did not commit any crime by electing to support the position of the APC and President Buhari on the speakership of the House of Representatives.

He showed during the contest for the speakership position of the House of Representatives that he is a loyal party man who can go to any length to defend or work for the realisation of a party position on issues of national importance.

If anything, Abubakar should be commended for showing uncommon courage and profound wisdom in supporting a party position that was against the personal interest of his kinsman from the same senatorial zone of his state. It is difficult these days to find principled politicians like Abubakar in the Nigerian society.

It therefore sounds funny and ludicrous the claim by Mohammed that the people of Bauchi State have abandoned Gov. Abubakar. Pray; if truly the people of Bauchi State have problems with their governor, how come they have not mobilised their representatives in the State House of Assembly to impeach him? If truly Abubakar have problems with the people of Bauchi State, how come they have not publicly indicated their disapproval with his policies and programmes? How can Mohammed, if he wanted to be objective while addressing the matter between Abubakar and Dogara, advance the falsehood that the selfish interests of about 20 politicians from Bauchi State who are operating at the federal level of governance supersedes

those of the majority citizens who are happy with their governor?

It is not enough for Mohammed to reel out unfounded allegations against the governor of Bauchi State without any intention of substantiating them.

When he writes, for instance, that “the governor is incurring the wrath of the people for sabotaging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi in making his key appointments”, what is his proof? A dutiful writer out to project the truth would have cited at least one critical example of inimical appointment against the APC to buttress his position after making such absurd and outlandish claims against Abubakar.

Perhaps, without knowing and intending it, Mohammed revealed in his intervention that the issue in contention in Bauchi is about appointments and not even the matter of the misappropriation of bailout funds. If so, why mask their real intentions with the nebulous charge of the misappropriation and embezzlement of the bailout funds extended by Buhari to Bauchi State for the payment of the arrears of salaries of her workers?

From all indication, it is like Abubakar must be faulted no matter what he does to address the problems inhibiting progress in Bauchi State. Mr. Mohammed suggests that one of Abubakar’s anti-peoples policies and actions is that he “sanctioned an unending salaries verification exercise for all public service staff to remove ‘ghost workers’, an exercise which governor Abubakar himself admitted in a BBC

Hausa interview that is a failure”. So, in the confused and shallow thinking of Mohammed, the governor ought to have continued wasting the public funds of Bauch State on ‘ghost workers’ just to satisfy the sadistic antics of Mohammed and his paymasters. No wonder when Abubakar did the most commonsensical thing in the circumstance by authorising a new round of verification exercise after probably redressing the inhibiting factors that led to the failure of the previous one, he was accused by the Mohammeds of this world of embarking on “an unending salaries verification exercise … that denied” some pensioners “their salaries and entitlements”.

Talk of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

In any case, quite contrary to the submissions of Mohammed, Gov. Abubakar had shown leadership in this matter the moment he appointed commissioners and other key officials of his government from all the political tendencies in the Bauchi State chapter of the APC. Similarly, Abubakar showed leadership when he decided to visit President Buhari to state his own side of the story rather than encouraging his aides to throw tantrums at Dogara and his group for their provocations.

In this wise, it is left to Dogara and his fellow camp-travellers at Abuja to reciprocate the kind gesture of Abubakar which has found solace in the disposition to carry all stakeholders along in the arduous task of confronting the challenges of development in Bauchi State.

Dr. Thomas Adegoke, Lugbe, Abuja

porary example of faulty politics and the resultant dysfunctional economy and the infliction of poverty on human beings.

Nigeria and the region formerly known as Northern Nigeria is in particular danger of becoming another negative example, if urgent and necessary steps are not taken to re-work our politics and national economic framework and for Nigeria to get its economy right, it must get its politics right, and just as former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar recently stated: “The truth is that Nigeria as presently constituted is unsustainable... our current structure and the practices they have encouraged have been a major impediment to the economic and political development of the country...and at the risk of reproach, it has not served my part of the country, the North, well.”

The raw truth is that Nigeria’s current political and economic structure has not served any part of the country well. It has only served the vested interests of a predatory band of men and women, who consider Nigeria and its resources as their patrimony, and are thus passionately opposed to the idea of federalism, a system which would dislodge their fangs from our resources.

It is pertinent to note that the legacy of federalism in Nigeria was economic development, and shared prosperity, with Nigeria being touted as Africa’s potential first super-power. But the enduring legacy of a unitary system of government has been poverty, mis-governance, corruption, sectarian crises, bitter and violent inter-ethnic and inter-religious contests for the control of the government at the centre - the controller and dispenser of goodies, under the stifling unitary system Nigeria

currently practices.

The greatest argument advanced against the adoption of federalism by these vested interests and their minions has been that all Nigeria needs to transit from poverty and obscurity, to prosperity and prominence is simply “good leadership”. It is humbly and respectfully submitted that such thinking is reductionist and mischievous in nature, and fails to underscore the FACT that “good leadership” is a product of a just and inclusive political-economic system, that gives the common man the power to determine his political and economic destiny, without seeking permission from bureaucrats far away in Abuja.

The “good leadership” Nigeria experienced in its early post -independence years occurred BECAUSE of the healthy political systems and institutions that existed and NOT in spite of it and whilst appreciative of the need for patriotic leadership, it is submitted that Nigerians cannot continue to depend solely on the good will and good intentions of a fallible man or woman if we are sincerely desirous of growth and development.

To move Nigeria forward economically and otherwise then we must re-adopt and practice a political-economic system that re-awakens Nigeria’s sleeping economic giant - Northern Nigeria, and that system is federalism. Nigeria cannot expect to experience sustainable economic growth and development whilst practising a system that stifles and inhibits, a system that incentivises and rewards indolence and laziness; a system that scorns hard work and enterprise and incapacitates a large and very crucial section of its country.

––Ugochukwu Amasike, Lagos

NIGERIA AT 56: RECONCILING FOR THE FUTURE

T

oday, Nigeria is in poor health and the severity of its condition is instantly recognisable. Over the last 56 years, Nigeria has repeatedly shown shaky signs of outfitted vulnerability and governance paralysis particularly on the myopic choice of national leadership and the evident lack of strategic thinking in repositioning the country for national prosperity and progress.

The interminable symptoms regrettably have ranged from the failure of successive governments to foresee and respond to the core issues of federalism and its relationship with cooperative and competitive resource endowments and factual autonomy.

Nigeria’s episodic democracy has become disorderly and persistently entrenched in existential falsehood and currently at a monumental political and economic crossroads.

But while these symptoms and realities are worrying their consequence is fearful. Are these merely the elite leadership spasms and malignancies that inevitably affect any nation in its uncharted evolution process? Otherwise, could they be evidence of a politi-

cal betrayal with the potential to cripple Nigeria’s long-term search for a true nation and economic prosperity?

Sadly, 56 years after the reverberating ideals of political freedom and the dream for a true nationalism leave most Nigerian sounding sober and sometimes down – right pessimistic about the meaning of self-government. It is leaving behind not only a lack of feeling of national pride but also one of indifference, disappointment and economic recession.

Interestingly, the triumph of independence appeared to many at the time a delightful symbol that Nigeria and her people were destined for greatness.

The nationalists, despite their genuine patriotism, were of necessity self- conscious, and they could never find roots in their new Nigerian sensibilities. Most of the nationalists had grown in maturity as regional political emperors and had cultivated ethnic mode of thought and behaviour.

–Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje, Founder, Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, Lagos.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 2, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

Nigeria at 56 as Foundation for the Making of a New, United and Greater Nigeria

W

hen Psalm 90:12 says that God should ‘teach us to number our days that we may get our heart of wisdom,’ (English Standard Version), has Nigeria or have Nigerians not been taught how to number their days? If they have been so taught, have they acquired any heart of wisdom?

Is the yearly celebration of October 1 not an expression of numbering our days? If the purpose of numbering our days on earth is to help in the area of how to plan for the last day on earth, does it really affect Nigeria, especially in terms of whether or not Nigeria’s last day on earth (day of dismantlement or disintegration or last day of national unity, etc)? Can there be a last day for Nigeria?

My first hypothesis, I have argued in the past, is that Nigeria’s greatest problem is that Nigerians are yet to know what their main problem is all about. And if they do, they have consciously neglected it to their own detriment. A second hypothesis is that political governance in Nigeria, particularly from the end of the war of national unity in 1970, has not been predicated on any heart of wisdom. This is largely because of lack of national strategic interest. The lack of national strategic interest, in itself, is traceable to lack of ‘Nigerianness’ on the minds of Nigerians. The concept of ‘Nigeria’ does not mean much for those elected to administer the country as a united and virile nation. Nigerian leaders have the best policy papers, the best original development strategies, they are toyed with on the altar of ethnic chauvinism, political chicanery and dishonesty of purpose.

Another hypothesis is that the proponents of indivisibility of Nigeria are wrong in their belief that the 1999 Constitution as amended is a de jure foundation and dynamics of national unity.

True, but de facto, at the domestic level, it is frequently argued that the same Constitution is a military imposition and not people’s constitution. It is further argued that no matter how the Constitution is amended, reviewed, modified or revised in all their ramifications, it still remains a military constitution. Consequently, the people of Nigeria want to be allowed to determine the type of political system they want. Many have argued against the high costs of running the presidential system of government, and therefore are asking for a parliamentary system. Some others have suggested the restructuring of Nigeria on the basis of the current six geo-political zones.

Whatever is the case, it is important to note that Nigerians do have the capacity to have a heart of wisdom but, more often than not, they have opted to apply their heart of wisdom to the promotion of dishonesty. Consequently, in seeking redress, the main challenge is far from econometric or macroeconomic suggestions.

It cannot be about recommendations from the Breton Woods institutions. The question to address is why is there dishonestyinduced politics in Nigeria? Why is there increased militancy in Nigeria? Why is the call for restructuring becoming a do-or-die matter as at today?

Psalm 90: 17 further says that ‘let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes establish the work of our hands.’ If God is to establish or judge the work of Nigeria and Nigerians, what type of sanctions will God give?

Nigeria at 56 is lucky. Nigerians are specially chosen people of God. They are specially protected against all well known challenges that have ordinarily disintegrated other peoples of the world. In spite of the serious iniquities of Nigeria and its people, God has ignored their sins. One main reason is that God said he will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy and bless. He even asked: who can be against anyone he chooses to protect? No one! This is the case of Nigeria which, as predicted, was to disintegrate in 2014 or 2015.

But if Nigeria has not disintegrated, does it really mean that Nigeria can still not break up? This question is necessary because God is only interested in sinners that repent. In fact, Hebrew 10:26 has it that. ‘for if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.’

The truth being talked about here is that of Jesus Christ as saviour of humanity. But the truth in the context of political governance in Nigeria is that of wickedness, dishonesty. It is about appointing governing councils which do not govern but seek to make money and undermine the progress of the institutions they are meant to guide. It is about sanctioning those who complain against people who engaged in acts of serious misconduct as defined in the Public Service Regulations. It is also about robbing Peter to pay Paul, or collecting financial deposits in 1994 from the public on the basis

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Buhari

that depositors would be allocated houses that would not be built or provided as at 2016. It is about fraudulent application of the principle of Federal Character.

As at today, if truth be told for the umpteenth time, it is very risky, it is a serious offence to be patriotic. It can be considered a crime to be honest, because telling the truth in Nigeria does not often attract government interest and attention. The best Government does is simply to allow truth tellers to continue to make noise, even though the same government has declared total war on corruption.

Whenever I share my experience with people, I am told no one can fight for Nigeria. If you cannot beat them you can join them.

If you do not want to join them, you should simply sit down and look. This logic should not be so but this is what obtains in practice as distinct from what is put in black and white. For those of us that have only one nationality, and who strongly believe that better days are still coming in a united, viral, strong and great Nigeria, the 56th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence should simply be taken as a special opportunity to re-think on how to nurse, how to re-nourish, how to re-feed and how to re-grow, as well as how to re-structure the current Nigeria into a greater Nigeria that will be a major source of sweet inspirations for the whole world, and particularly for future generations in Nigeria.

Some Neglected Truths

There are pointers to international conspiracy against Nigeria which are hardly talked about. At the external level, they are essentially about the predicted or wanted dismantlement of Nigeria.

Government should quickly direct its research institutions to carry out research enquiries into ‘Nigeria in the foreign policy of all the major powers of the world,’ and particularly, in those of the competing Big-5 of the African Union (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, South Africa and Nigeria), which can be used as instruments of hostility against Nigeria.

Such a special study will help in understanding the strategic calculations of relevant partners vis-a-vis Nigeria. The objective of foreign assistance may not be restricted to ensuring solidarity and dependency, it is actually an element of political control. Thus, if Government does not pay good attention to the nature of development aid it is seeking, it can end up being counter-productive.

Indeed, many Nigerians aid and abet anti-Nigerian sentiments ignorantly, especially by way of non-security consciousness.

They can easily give accommodation in their houses to enemies of Nigeria, and by so doing threatening national security. Consequently One good way of addressing both the issues of militancy

As at today, if truth be told for the umpteenth time, it is very risky, it is a serious offence to be patriotic. It can be considered a crime to be honest, because telling the truth in Nigeria does not often attract government interest and attention. The best Government does is simply to allow truth tellers to continue to make noise, even though the same government has declared total war on corruption

and fostering national unity is to make promotion of national security consciousness a major component part of the War Against Indiscipline.

Besides, if Nigeria remains united the conspiracy is still to prevent her from being the de facto leader of Africa. This factor is even the first rationale for seeking to dismember her. This explains in part why international development policies are made difficult and also why they adversely affect national policies and why Nigeria has little or no control over it. One first approach is to give more emphasis on the domestic over the international.

In this regard, Government should review the consideration of October 1 as National Day. At best, let October 1 be referred to as Independence day and January 12, 1970 or June 12, 1993 be meaningfully considered as the starting point of Nigeria’s National Day. This will, to a great extent, help to foster national unity which has been largely eroded and currently lacking. More importantly it will help to de-emphasize the colonial mentality and dependency to which many Nigerians unhappily refer.

At the domestic level, the conspiracy is to use the pretext of the Chibok Girls, alleged human rights abuse, bad governance, ease of doing business and governance to undermine Government.

Without jot of doubt, Nigeria’s main problem is not about bad governance per se, but the use of dishonesty as foundation for political governance in Nigeria. For instance, how do we explain the fact that corruption and indiscipline was recognised in 1987

by Professor J.S. Cookey as being the bane of the Nigerian society since 1967 and since then the problem has not been nipped in the bud?

Secondly, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) should be directed to provide an updated list of Government’s policy commitments from January 12, 1970 for policy review. The main purpose will be to determine the extent to which policy pronouncements have been executed. As noted above, it is very fraudulent on the part of Government to consciously take money from low and medium income earners for the purposes of building houses for them but which will not be provided and the deposits of which will not be refunded. In this regard, as there are other sources of anger which have been serving as anti-Nigeria sentiments, Government should give priority to the resolution of these outstanding problems with the ultimate objective of ensuring fairness and justice, garnering more support for Government’s development agenda, and fostering a new spirit of patriotism.

Thirdly, it has become imperative to establish a National Coordinating Research Village in the Federal Capital Territory. The village should be exclusively reserved for research and development and designed to translate all university dissertations into actionable policies. In this village, all scholars going on sabbatical leave should be encouraged to go there and research on any national question of his or her choice. If a research project cannot be completed within a given sabbatical period, successor scholars in the same area, should be required to continue where the predecessor has stopped.

It should be a Research and Development Village (RDV) for all existing disciplines known to mankind.

All records of doctoral dissertations in Nigerian universities since 1960 should be made available there. Every candidate for doctoral research must be given a clearance certificate by the RDV, certifying that the proposed subject title had not been worked upon by any other scholar before. The purpose of the clearance will prevent duplication of efforts, ensure originality of research focus, enable value-addition to existing knowledge, as well as provide a foundation for sustainable knowledge-driven Nigerian society, as well as economic growth and development.

Fourthly, the methodological framework for the old War Against Indiscipline should be completely reviewed. In this regard, the WAI should be institutionalised so that it can be sustained beyond the administration of PMB. Government can recruit, at least, two million unemployed Nigerians to be WAI inspectors in all the 774 Local Government Areas. Their main preoccupation will be to go for any engagement in acts of misbehaviour and ensure prompt sanction. Behavioural attitude, considered as an ailment, does not have cure except by change or replacement. An establishment of an efficient WAI Commission, for instance, cannot but go a long way in moulding a new character, and therefore changing and replacing the old manners.

Fifthly, and most significantly, the containment of deepening threats to national unity can be effectively addressed by holding a plebiscite or asking the National Assembly to make a joint pronouncement on the matter. The choice of National Assembly may not be a good option because of the little trust that the general public has for the National Assembly. In the eyes of the general public, the elected representatives represent their own selfish interests and not those of their constituencies. In fact, the public perception of the legislators is not in any way helped by the trial of the Senate President, allegation and politics of budget padding, and US ambassador’s allegations of indecent behaviour against some legislators.

Consequently, the ideal option is the organisation of a referendum. In other words, Government should fix a date for a referendum to be held in 2018. The basic plebiscite question should be on whether or not to restructure the country. If the majority favours restructuring, the next question will be to address the modality of the restructuring.

(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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

BUSINESS QUICK TAKES Crude Oil

Despite the decision of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut crude oil production by 200,000-700,000 barrels per day to achieve price recovery, oil prices again fell after the gains recorded on Wednesday.

OPEC agreed last Wednesday to implement modest oil output cuts in the first such deal since 2008, with the group’s leader Saudi Arabia softening its stance on arch-rival, Iran, amid mounting pressure from low oil prices.

Concerns have also been raised over how much sway the cartel now has over a market still brimming with crude from around the world.

The group reached an understanding at a meeting Wednesday in Algeria that there was a need to scale back production.

However, analysts also argued that the scope of the reduction— between 200,000 and 700,000 barrels a day—was inadequate to arrest the supply growth and bring balance back to the supply-demand dynamics.

Freight Duties

NNPC head office, Abuja

Oil Majors to Defy Slower Growth in H2, Say Analysts Kunle Aderinokun

FBN Capital, an investment banking and research arm of FBN Holdings Plc, have predicted that, for the major oil marketing firms, the expected sluggish growth in the industry in the second half of the year would not hurt their performance.

Analysts at FBN Capital, which released their Nigerian Oil & Gas update for September 2016, titled Capitalising on market dislocations noted that they expected slower top-line growth and a contraction in gross margin, down to normalised levels, in H2, more so for Q4, following the floating of the naira in June.

They, however, added that, “the impact of slower growth in Q4 is likely to be negligible to overall growth given that H2 2015 was a difficult period for the sector.”

As such, the analysts forecast, “an average sales and EPS growth of 44 per cent year-on-year and 165 per cent year-on-year respectively in 2016E.” The FBN Capital analysts pointed out that, there had been significantly improved fundamentals. According to them, “Nigerian major oil

ENERGY

marketers have recorded significant gains in 2016, a year in which other sectors continue to struggle. Mobil Oil Nigeria (Mobil) and Total Nigeria (Total) posted average sales and EPS growth of 44 per cent y/y and 161 per cent y/y respectively in H1 2016.”

The analysts attributed the primary driver behind the sales growth to “market share gains due to comparatively better access to FX for product importation compared with independent marketers.”

“Furthermore, the repricing of gasoline in May supported growth in Q2. The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) raised the FX assumption in its pricing template by more than 40 per cent to N285/US$ to better reflect market realties. This led to a q/q improvement in gross margin for both names during the quarter, thanks to relatively cheap inventory,” they added.

The analysts explained that, “in addition to top-line growth, the government’s decision to adopt a price modulation policy, thereby discontinuing the petroleum

subsidy regime, improved balance sheet efficiency for both firms.”

For instance, they pointed out, “Total delivered the stronger growth of the two, with sales up 30 per cent y/y while EPS grew by 271 per cent year-on-year. Mobil’s top-line and EPS grew by 58 per cent y/y and 52 per cent y/y respectively.”

Industry-wide, FBN Capital said the sector outperformed the broader market.

They explained that, “To an extent, increasing M&A activities this year contributed to the improved visibility the sector currently enjoys”, however, expressing the They expected slower top-line growth and a contraction in gross margin, down to normalised levels, in H2, more so for Q4, following the floating of the naira in June

belief that, “The extent of the strong positive earnings surprises recorded in H1 by both Total and Mobil is the principal driver behind the significant improvement in investor sentiment.”

“Year-to-date, Total’s share price has doubled (+104 per cent), outperforming both oil & gas peers and the NSE

ASI by 74 per cent and 105 per cent, respectively.

In addition to the strong EPS growth delivered, the market’s reaction was also boosted by a surprise N3.00 interim dividend in Q2, which implied a dividend yield of 2 per cent at the date of the announcement. The stock is up 65 per cent since the Q2 2016 results were published. Total typically declares interim dividends in Q3. Mobil shares are also up, by 12 per cent year-todate,” they added.

However, FBN Capital downgraded Total to ‘Underperform’. “Given the magnitude of the recent rally in Total shares we have downgraded our rating on Total from ‘Neutral’ to ‘Underperform’,” they said.

But they added: “Our recommendation on Mobil is Neutral. Although we still expect Total to deliver strong results in H2 2016 on the back of market share gains, we find the market disproportionately pricing in these gains while neglecting similar benefits for Mobil. An average dividend yield of 8.9 per cent in 2016E for our coverage universe is quite attractive. Our price target for both stocks are unchanged. At current levels, we see a downside of -27 per cent for Total.”

The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo , has lamented the inability of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to release the 10 per cent levies on freights collection to NEPC as stipulated by law.

He said the delay constituted a major handicap to providing export incentives to proposed beneficiaries.

He also disclosed that the country’s oil export earnings had dropped by 40 per cent, largely due to the country’s inability to improve on the quality and standard of it s primary export products .

He said most of the country’s export products were currently in non-processed level, making it difficult to generate the much needed foreign exchange as the country looks to diversify its revenue base from oil.

According to him, a total of about N300 million is currently being owed the council by NIMASA. In his paper delivery titled: “ Towards Efficient Institutional Arrangements for Non-oil Export Finance in Nigeria”, Awolowo said the non-oil sector holds enormous foreign exchange potentials for the country but had not been fully exploited despite being endowed with solid minerals and agriculture.

Illegal Mining

The House of Representatives last Thursday in Abuja said illegal mining of solid minerals had deprived the country of about 500,000 jobs.

Illegal mining of solid minerals had deprived the country of 500, 000 jobs, the House of Representatives has stated following a unanimous adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Solomon Maren (PDP-Plateau).

Maren stressed the need to curb the activities of illegal miners in the country adding that the mining and solid mineral sector was a multi-billion naira sector that was being undermined by the activities of illegal miners.

He said: “These illegal miners are reducing Nigeria’s stake in solid minerals and other raw materials and also depriving the country of about 500,000 jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.”

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

OPEC Exempts Nigeria from Planned Output Cuts

Nigeria, like two other member countries of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), will enjoy an exemption in production cut as the cartel tries to steady oil prices slump in November, writes Chineme Okafor

Oil worker monitoring a flow line

A

fter about a reported 48 hours of consultation amongst its members in Algiers, capital of Algeria, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) last Wednesday agreed to effectively cut their oil production volumes to 32.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) from around 33.24mbpd, thus shaving off about 0.74mbpd.

News of the production cut by the oil cartel came to the oil industry as a landmark deal, one which will see output levels for each member country determined in November 2016, but will also exclude three of its members – Nigeria, Iran and Libya from participating in the output cuts due to their peculiar production challenges.

Reportedly coming for the first time in about eight years, the deal according to AFP, was largely successful on the back of Saudi Arabia softening its stance on its arch-rival Iran as well as on the mounting pressure from low oil prices.

While the group would reduce their output to 32.5mbpd, and determine how much each country will produce at the next formal meeting, it also hopes to extend an invitation to non-OPEC countries such as Russia, to join in the output cuts, at least to buoy its desire to see some improvements in prices.

Deal Gives Nigeria a Rare Opportunity Coming at a time Nigeria is faced

with the steady disruptions of production from her oil fields, the OPEC deal has provided Nigeria an uncommon opportunity she perhaps did not look out for.

The deal, according to reports, which were further confirmed by the country’s ministry of petroleum resources, will exempt Nigeria from participating in the output cuts. It will perhaps allow her produce at levels previously allowed to her for the simple reasons that she has had significant drop in her production from February 2016 when militants in the Niger Delta took to destroying oil facilities in the region.

From a 2016 budget production benchmark of 2.2mbpd, the country’s production slipped to about 1.6mbpd and then 1.75mbpd as recently disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

Kachikwu had said that so far the ceasefire negotiated by the government with the Niger Delta militants has enabled production from oil fields in the region to come up to 1.75mbpd. He added that this was however expected to rise to 1.8mbpd by October and then 2mbpd by December 2016. The OPEC deal could be a sweetener to this plan and expectation.

In a statement acknowledging its delight with the deal, the ministry predicted the success of the deal to the loosely tied role Nigeria and some others played in refocusing OPEC to work harmoniously to identify the needs and challenges that are peculiar to it and surmounting them.

It explained that one of the key

challenges was the low price of oil in the international market and how it had largely affected the economies of its member countries.

The statement noted that Kachikwu led the request for the exemption of Nigeria from the production cut, adding that the concession was given considering the recent challenges the country has been through.

Due to vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure, Nigeria has been unable to produce oil optimally in recent past. Iran, which just had its economic sanctions lifted earlier in the year, and Libya, which is politically unstable had also seen their production levels impacted.

“This deal will obviously enhance the prospects for the energy industry with the impacts already being felt as oil price jumped more than five per cent in New York after the agreement was reached.

“A steady increase in oil prices, which is one of the advantages that the deal will produce would most likely contribute positively to the revival of the economies of member countries presently undergoing challenges which Nigeria is a part of,” said the ministry in its valuation of the benefits of the deal to Nigeria.

Oil market reacts But while details of the production cut deal are still being worked out by OPEC members, oil prices jumped more than five per cent after the meeting in Algeria.

It, however, soon reclined again on Thursday when Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell by 0.8 per cent to $48.85 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate

futures were trading down 0.5 per cent at $46.85 a barrel.

Reports indicated that many market watchers said they wanted to see the details of the deal before a sensible judgement on its impacts could be made.

“We don’t know yet who is going to produce what. I want to hear from the mouth of the Iranian oil minister that he is not going to go back to pre-sanction levels.

“For the Saudis, it just goes against the conventional wisdom of what they’ve been saying,” the AFP quoted Jeff Quigley, the director of energy markets at Houston-based Stratas Advisors to have said.

It also quoted Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih, to have stated that Nigeria, Iran, and Libya would be allowed to produce “at maximum levels that make sense.”

Al-Falih’s reported assertions represent what market experts describe as a strategy shift for Saudi Arabia which had said it would reduce output to ease a global glut only if every other OPEC and non-OPEC producer followed suit.

According to the report, Iran had also argued that it should be exempted from such limits as its production recovers after the lifting of EU sanctions earlier this year.

Analysts also argued that the scope of the reduction, which is between 200,000 and 700,000 barrels a day was inadequate to arrest the supply growth and rebalance the supply-demand dynamics.

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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 • OCTOBER 2 , 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Aligning Fiscal Strategies for Economic Recovery

The recently-concluded National Economic Council on Finance and Development may have lived up to its billing in terms of idea generation and highlighting need for shared vision and alignment of purpose between the federal and state governments, reports Olaseni Durojaiye

A

s handlers of the nation’s economy, experts and operators continue to explore ways of navigating the economy out of the current recession continues, the recently concluded National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) 2016 conference has been viewed as yet another initiative in the right direction. The nod of approval, among other arguments, is based on the need for both the federal government and the states to be fully aligned on both fiscal and monetary policy directives adopted by the federal government to navigate the current economic challenges.

The conference, which was hosted by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had as its theme “Enhancing Revenue Generation and Obtaining Best Value for Money in Expenditure”, and drew participants from diverse group.

Among the attendees were Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Comptroller-General of Customs, Commissioner for Finance and Budget of the 36 states of the federation, Colonel Hameed Ali ((Rtd); and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler.

Business leaders drawn from the private sector included Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Mr. Segun Agbaje, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives, Bismark Rewane and a former Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Bode Agusto. Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who was also an august visitor at the two day conference, shared his experience running the country with participants while Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, declared the conference open.

Choice of Theme

The choice of the theme was instructive and observers insisted underscored government’s determination to diversify the economy and explore other sectors with huge revenue earning potential. Besides, getting the buy-in of various state governments also sit well with observers given that it is important that government at the states are carried along and made aware of where and how they could key into the federal government’s revenue generation vision and fiscal discipline if the country must get out of the current recession very quickly. This is even more so as sharing same vision will benefit the various state governments particularly as regards internal revenue generations from both taxes and solid mineral, which many maintained abound in almost all the states of the federation.

Adeosun noted that much in her opening remarks when she stated that,“An important outcome of the engagement being policy alignment and consistency towards achieving fiscal sustainability.”

Setting the tone of deliberations at the conference, Adeosun had stated that,“Our diverse oil and gas sectors, solid minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, information technology and entertainment sectors are united by their common need for world class infrastructure. Until we fix our infrastructure our businesses will be hamstrung by high costs and will be unable to compete.

“We are working to act as an enabler by investing decisively in power, roads, housing, transportation, airport infrastructure and education. To date we have released and fully cash backed over N700 billion and we are preparing another tranche in November. These investments are reviving long abandoned projects across

Adeosun

Fayemi

Obasanjo

the nation and directly and indirectly creating employment and wealth building opportunity.

“For this economy to move in our chosen direction of growth and job creation it is critical that every tier of government, every agency of government are synchronised towards our collective aims. Maximising revenue on the one hand but making sure that we obtain best value in expenditure on the other hand.

“The Fiscal Sustainability Plan, which was designed to reposition state finances by ensuring widened revenue focus and cost control as well as improved transparency and accountability, is a partnership commitment to jointly improve public financial management. The FSP is now entering its first phase of monitoring and as we have done in the past we shall not shy away from taking tough decisions if we see states not meeting their commitments,” she stated.

the conference, up till 1960, Jos was the sixth largest producer of tin in the world. Similarly, Enugu, Enugu state became known as “Coal City”due to robust mining activities introduced under British rule.

Speaking at the occasion, Fayemi noted that, “The facilitation of this gathering of stakeholders to discuss the place of non-oil sectors as a sustainable alternative in enhancing revenue generation, demonstrates the commitment of the organisers to contributing to the building of cohesion between governments across all levels, academia, and industry towards sustainable economic growth.

Speaking further, Fayemi disclosed that the ministry had put in place some institutional reforms to remove bottlenecks to doing business in the sector and ensure a win-win situation for all stakeholders as a way to reactivate economic activities in the sector.

“To thrive as a mining economy, Nigeria needs to clear up certain misconceptions as well as rebuild certain critical institutional relationships.

For example, to ensure harmony in mining, the administration believes that it is important that we find a new mechanism to manage the relationship between the states and federal government. Mining is on the exclusive list. That does not mean we cannot work together to solve problems for investors and communities …

“We realise that in order to give you (state governments) good reason to work with us, we need to create avenues for a greater degree of financial participation and revenue sharing.

It is therefore my pleasure to announce to this august audience that state governments are now beneficiaries of thirteen per cent (13%) derivation from mining revenue. This is a significant shift, that signposts our commitment to facilitating a win-win situation for all stakeholders,”he explained.

rowing at low cost, received the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former president supported the approaches during his keynote address at the conference and canvassed privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a transparent manner adding that the country could re-purchase the assets when it regains its economic balance.

The call by the former president further increases the number of supporters of the move to trade off certain per cent of some high yielding oil asset to finance economic recovery even as the government explained it planned to re-acquire any asset traded off when the economy bounces back.

Speaking at the conference, he stated that“we are spending more than what we can earn.

We must borrow as quickly as possible, let us meet who can borrow us with a reasonable interest.”

“We started NNPC about the same time Norway started ... and look at where we are.

I said it this morning, two institutions that we’ve not tampered with badly or not tampered with at all in the last six years, was NLNG. The second one was pension fund which is going to about six trillion which has captured only 7 million people out of over 20 million wage earners, if we can even double that, you imagine what that can be.

“I see no reason why 49 per cent of NNPC cannot be privatised, don’t give it out to cabals, friends, relations, kiths and kins, let it go public so that even my driver can buy 10 per cent of NNPC and there should be limit to the share any individual or any corporate organisation can buy, there is nothing wrong in that.

“The NNPC will then be run as NLNG was run. The NLNG, they are doing wonderfully well and NNPC was doing very well until we started running it not the way it should be run and if it can be run this way in the past, who says it can be run that same way in future, we must prevent re-occurrence,”he concluded.

Alternative Revenue Source

Even before the conference organisers chose the theme for the conference, many observers and analysts alike had long identified the country’s mining sector as replete with huge revenue earning potential and this has historical proof. The sector also generated earnings and contributed about four – five per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product between 1960 and 1970.

The maritime sector is viewed as another very viable sector and this explained why Alli and Fayemi were brought in to share government’s vision with participants, especially commissioners for finance and budget of the states. There is also a consensus of opinion among various stakeholders that the tax receipts of the country could also be improved given proven cases of tax evasion that is believed to be rampant among businesses operating in the country.

Nigeria boasts of a very rich mining history that was globally renowned, from as far back as 1902. Jos, Plateau State became a centre of tin mining long before independence.

According to Fayemi, in his presentation at

Obasanjo’s Recipe

Interestingly, two of the current administration’s approaches to getting out of the economic recession: proposed sale of oil assets and bor-

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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 • OCTOBER 2 , 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Ending Discos’ Ineptitude in Metering Consumers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has opted to bring the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) which allows electricity consumer self-finance their meter acquisition and installation to a closure. Chineme Okafor takes a look at the scheme’s overall execution and why the NERC wants it closed

Electric meters

O

n Tuesday, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) disclosed to THISDAY that it had written to the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria, to formally wind down the alternative meter financing scheme it initiated in 2013, by November 1, 2016.

Dubbed the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI), the scheme which allows electricity consumer to self-finance their electricity meter acquisition and installation given that the Discos have been unable to promptly deploy meters to their homes and offices, would now seize to exist from November 1.

From November 2013 when the scheme was initiated, to June 2016 when it was evaluated, the regulator said only about 500,000 meters were deployed by the 11 Discos within their networks, with less than 35 per cent of that directly done by the Discos.

This by implication meant that electricity consumers may have paid to the Discos for their meters but largely didn’t get them installed. A development the regulator frowned at during its audit of the scheme.

Why CAPMI will be Closed NERC’s acting chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah told THISDAY in Abuja that the directive to the Discos to close down the CAPMI scheme was based on the pronouncement of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, that the Discos had done very badly with meter deployment even after collecting

monies from consumers.

Akah stated that the Discos were saddled with the job of providing meters to their customers, and that CAPMI was a stop-gap measure to improve their metering capacity.

“It should be recalled that the CAPMI initiative, which was instituted in 2013 was designed to assist the Discos in providing alternative financing options for reducing the very dire metering gap that was estimated to be above 50 per cent (courtesy report submitted by the a metering committee headed by Late Barr. Bamidele Aturu) in 2012.

“The commission then invited stakeholders including all the Discos, meter service providers, local meter manufacturers and other importers of metering instruments to assist in articulating a scheme that would assist in reducing the suffering of customers from estimated billing.

“The Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation was then articulated to incorporate a framework for easy procurement by Discos based on a bid document that reduced the time lag and focused mainly on ability to supply and install the meters within 45 days from when a customer paid the stipulated fee,” he said.

He explained that while the scheme will be formally closed by November 1, the commission expects that Discos would meter all the customers who ha so far paid for meters under the CAPMI scheme and not collect any form of payments for meters between now and when the programme will end.

He further said on the decision to close down CAPMI: “A number of audits carried out by the commission revealed

that most electricity customers were not being metered even after making payments beyond the agreed 45 days.

“Some Discos were merely selling meters to their customers in the disguise of implementing the CAPMI. Some Discos were reprimanded for their non-compliance to the CAPMI order, yet there was minimal improvement in meter deployment.”

NERC’s Investigations on CAPMI, metering NERC had earlier in the year set up an investigative taskforce to keenly look into claims by the Discos that they installed sizeable amount of electricity meters for their customers since they took over operations in November 2013.

Then, the regulator said that if it discovered that the Discos manipulated data submitted to it on meter installation, it would be treated as criminal acts.

Akah also presented a metering status of the sector, saying that out of the 6,159,775 electricity customers accounts in the sector, barely 52 per cent metering level has been achieved, of which 3,206,599 were metered customers, and over 47 per cent or 2,953,176 are unmetered.

He said the Discos as at March 2016, collectively metered 403,255 customers from when they took over operations on November 1, 2013, and that 38 per cent of this figure or 151,724 were actually financed by the Discos, while the balance of over 60 per cent or 251, 531 were financed by the customers through the CAPMI. The regulator said it would still hold Discos responsible for metering their consumers, and that it remained their duty to ensure that it happens.

Metering, an Exclusive Responsibility of Discos Akah stated that the Discos would have to take up their responsibilities and provide meters to their customers irrespective of the closure of CAPMI. He explained that the task was part of the performance level agreement they signed with the country through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) during the privatisation process.

“Given the fact that metering is the exclusive responsibility of Discos, the commission issued a number of directives and instituted various compliance and enforcement groups to persuade Discos to improve the meter roll out from both their performance agreement and CAPMI. “Some Discos neglected their primary obligation to provide electricity meters to their customers at no extra cost to them since it is part of the tariff being paid, but relied only on CAPMI. All these efforts proved ineffective in improving meter deployment.

“Between November 2013 and June 2016 only about 500,000 meters were deployed by the 11 Discos with Discos directly adding less than 35 per cent into the network. This is far below expected metering target,” he stated.

According to him: “This led to the pronouncement by the Minister of Power that given the suboptimal performance of Discos in deploying meters even after collecting funds from customers, that the CAPMI scheme should be reviewed and eventually wound down.

“It is in this regards therefore that the commission issued the directive that the CAPMI Programme should wind down in an orderly manner and cease to exist as from the 1st of November 2016.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2 , 2016

21

BUSINESS/MONEY

August CPI Rekindles Hopes of Downward Streak in Inflation

There are growing expectations that the inflationary trend, which had been on the rise within the past eight months could begin to assume a downward trajectory from this month as the harvest season commences, reports James Emejo

I

n August the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation increased to 17.6 per cent from 17.1 per cent in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The 0.5 per cent rise was attributed to higher prices across the board - mainly housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel, education and transportation services.

According to the NBS, the Food Index rose by 16.4 per cent (year- on-year) in August, up by 0.6 per cent points from 15.8 per cent recorded in July.

Core inflation was recorded at 17.2 per cent from 16.9 per cent in the previous month.

Although all the major food groups contributed to the increase in the food sub-index, the pace of increase was however, slowed by fruits, potatoes, yam and other tubers as well as oils and fats, which reported slower increases during the month.

In addition, imported foods as reflected by the imported food sub-index increased by 0.2 per cent from July to 20.7 per cent in August.

Also, urban and rural prices continued to rise in the month of August. The urban index increased by 19.3 per cent (year-on-year) in August from 18.9 per cent recorded in July, while the rural index increased by 16.1 per cent in August from 15.5 per cent in July.

On a month-on-month basis, both urban and rural index increased at a slower pace, as urban index rose by 0.9 per cent in August from 1.4 per cent in July, while the rural index rose by 1.09 per cent from 1.12 per cent in July, the NBS noted.

Furthermore, energy prices as well other imported items including vehicle spare parts continued to be key contributors to movements in the core index.

The problem of rising inflation had been a major source of concern for monetary authorities particularly at a period of stagflation where production output had been on the decline while prices of commodities spiraled.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been using all monetary policy instruments to try to tame inflation in order to stabilise the naira against the US dollar. Yet, inflation remained in double digit for several months.

Rising prices of food items in particular has inflicted pains on the ordinary Nigerians, leading to tales of hunger across the country as additional cash is required to buy basic needs.

However, experts who spoke to THISDAY predicted moderation or even gradual drop in inflation owing to some variables including the fact the country is approaching the harvest season whereby prices of farm produce are expected to slow the rate of increase in the headline index.

First, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele was optimistic that inflation should moderate going forward, as a result of its continued policy tightening stance and the harvest season.

Speaking during the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, he said: “The data available to the Committee and forecasts of key variables suggest that the outlook for inflation in the medium term appears benign. First, month-on-month inflation has since

Textile traders at the Balogun markert, Lagos

May 2016 turned the curve; second, harvests have started to kick-in for most agricultural produce and should contribute to dampening consumer prices in the months ahead; and third, the current stance of monetary policy is expected to continue to help lock-in expectations of inflation, which has

However, the silver lining is that we are now entering the harvesting period which may just moderate food inflation and headline inflation.

In addition, injection of funds to the economy by the FG may also help to cushion the inflation effect going forward

started to improve with the gradual return of stability in the foreign exchange market.

“In this light, the MPC believes that as inflows improve, the naira exchange rate should further stabilise. Overall, the major pressure points remain the challenges in the oil sector (production and prices), output contraction, and other financial system vulnerabilities as well as foreign exchange shortage.”

Also, Associate Professor of Finance and Head, Banking & Finance, Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, expressed the optimism that the rate of increase in the headline index would likely decline.

“Since the start of 2016 when the Consumer Price Index path turned northwards, the key drivers of the inflationary pressure have remained the same notably high cost of fuel, electricity, housing, transport and the pass on effect of high exchange rate on food prices.

“These factors have not disappeared as we speak. So, I see a further spike in inflation rate in the month of September from the 17.6 per cent recorded in August and the July figure of 17.1 per cent. Like the preceding two months, the rate of change is likely to be on the decline due to the moderating effect of the harvest season on the food index,” he noted.

In the same vein, Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Limited, Mr. Femi Ademola, said prices are much likely to moderate in the coming months.

He said: “With regards to inflation, the combination of the effects exchange rate challenges, structural challenges and the tight monetary environment would likely see prices going further.

“However, the silver lining is that we are now entering the harvesting period which may just moderate food inflation and headline inflation. In addition, injection of funds to the economy by the FG may also help to cushion the inflation effect going forward.”

To an economist and former acting Managing Director of Unity Bank, Mr. Muhammed Rislanudenn, an effective fiscal stimulus and trade policies coupled with monetary policy instrument will drive down inflation.

According to him, “Headline inflation for August 2016 spiked upwards to 17.6 per cent or 50 basis points over 17.1 per cent recorded in July 2016 according to data released by Nigeria National board of statistics. The increase in the general price level cut across all measures of inflation with core inflation rising to 17.2 per cent in August from 16.9 per cent recorded in July 2016 while food inflation rose to 16.4 per cent from 15.8 per cent over the same period.

It is important to note that the pace of rise in inflation figures has gone down, now increasing at a decreasing rate thus confirming the fact that it is largely cost push rather than demand pull inflation.

“That has also shown that attempt to attack inflation via monetary policy instruments like monetary tightening

by Central Bank has been and will continue to be an exercise in futility.

With stagflation and recession, loosening monetary policy by reducing monetary policy rate, would have been a better option to be taken by monetary policy committee. This can be complemented by effective fiscal stimulus and trade policies that seek to reduce rather than increase taxes at least until we get out of recession.”

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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 • OCTOBER 2 , 2016

BUSINESS/LABOUR

A textile factory

Recession Takes Toll on Productivity

As economic recession takes toll on the Nigerian economy, dwindled level of job creation seems to have affected the level of the nation’s productivity, Paul Obi writes

I

n its recent report on the performance of jobs and productivity, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted that about 4.2 million jobs have been lost since 2015. In the same vein, the NBS rolled out indices on labour productivity between first quarter (Q1) 2015 and second quarter (Q2) 2016.

Though, the economic recession remains a poor economic credential of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the staggering productivity has also not helped matters. The crisis of productivity is not just about the appalling indicators of the economy, the monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appears to be having a telling effect on the performance of the manufacturing sector. This has had a ripple effect on the nation’s productivity as well.

The NBS, which began its rating in Q1 2015 and measures the relationship between nominal GDP and the total hours worked in the period, said, “Chart shows productivity peaking in the period under review in Q3 2015, declining for two quarters and then recovering by 5.3 per cent quarter on quarter in Q2 2016.

“The improvement was the consequence of nominal GDP rising by 5.7 per cent over the quarter and hours worked by just 0.3 per cent. (The labour force expanded by 1.8 per cent over the period and the unemployment rate from 12.1 per cent to 13.3 per cent),” the report stressed.

But analysts at FBN Capital held that some constraints might not have been taken into account in the computation of the nation’s current productivity ratio.

They argued that “because these have

become regular constraints, a person is likely to remain “working” in Nigeria and the employer to continue paying his/her salary. In other jurisdictions and under similar constraints, we suspect that the position would generally be axed.

The roadmap to improved productivity is that which builds synergy among the fiscal, monetary and industrial policies and put manufacturers at the driving seat. The present disconnect cannot birth a resounding productivity in the midst of a tsunamic economic recession

“This is very much vanilla analysis of productivity. It measures only one input and makes no distinction between sectors of the economy. Indeed, we have to allow for some “wiggle room” in the calculation of hours worked in the informal sector. The ultimate goal on the horizon is a measure of multi-factor productivity to include capital and labour inputs. That said, the NBS should be applauded for making the first steps in that direction,” they maintained.

Also, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) argued that the indexes surrounding productivity ratio could not be taken in isolation of the overall performance of the economy. The union added that the devaluation of the naira, the forex quagmire and the lack of a clear-cut economic stimulus plan to boost the ailing economy have automatically precipitated the crisis bedevilling Nigeria’s productivity ratio.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, contended that “many of them (manufacturing companies) have closed. They cannot afford the cost of raw materials because of the difficulty in accessing foreign exchange (forex) and the pressure from the free fall of the naira,” he said.

Wabba stated that the ultimate goal to soar up the nation’s productivity and revive the sinking economy is by assisting manufacturers to source raw materials within affordable cost. He maintained that there was an urgency to ensure that forex is redirected to funnel manufacturers’ business pursuit with regards to production and other components that will improve productivity.

“Government can also establish modular refineries to ensure money

used for the importation of petroleum products would be saved and used to develop the economy by providing the infrastructure required to drive productive economic activities to create jobs for the people,” Wabba stated.

That said, the productivity ratio might have picked up in the Q2 of 2016, it basically cannot be a pointer to cheer about. At the moment, the Nigerian economy is bleeding profusely, waiting for a probable resuscitation. For productivity to thrive continually, the fiscal and monetary policies must be sharp and effective. That is one area the government has failed woefully. And has been unable to chart a workable course that will usher in green shoots and better productivity indicators.

The roadmap to improved productivity is that which builds synergy among the fiscal, monetary and industrial policies and put manufacturers at the driving seat. The present disconnect cannot birth a resounding productivity in the midst of a tsunamic economic recession. To say the least, any hope of a better productivity ratio will just be mere cosmetic show and window dressing.

And as President of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups (CCSG) recently posited, “we believe that monetary, fiscal and industrial policies should be viewed correctly as macro-economic policies.

There is need for genuine synergy and a discard of self-serving tendencies and inept blame games among those that should provide solutions.”

Therefore, the way to get the nation’s productivity right, should also begin with securing the fiscal and monetary policies on the right track as well.

23

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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 • OCTOBER 2 , 2016

BUSINESS/INTERVIEW

Olagunju: To Exit Recession, Nigeria Should Scale up Investment to Boost Production

During the maiden visit of the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who met with key government officials and chief executives of the Nigeria’s development finance institutions, THISDAY had an encounter with the acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Waheed Olagunju, who spoke on strategies to exit the prevailing economic situation, the essence of the nation’s premier development finance institutions - which metamorphosed from the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank in 2001- its achievement and future plans. The interview was conducted by Kunle Aderinokun

J

ust a few days back, the African Development Bank President was in the country, where he had consultations with some officials of the government. What is your assessment of the meeting? Also, we understand that there were some takeaways, in terms of interventions for the country’s development, especially the one given to BOI. Can you let us into this?

Essentially, as one of the founding members of the Africa Development Bank (AFDB) which established in 1964. We are also one of the largest shareholders and AfDB’s mandate is to support the economic development of the continent through member nations.

It does not comprise Africa states only, we have also our development partners from Europe, Asia and America and they contribute to the financial resources which they make available to African countries for development.

They deal with government and also private sector. Specifically, the Bank of Industry (BoI) was given a line of $100 million for on-lending to the real sector in Nigeria, mainly export-based Small Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs). It will be the second line of credit to the institution; the first line of credit was to NIDB which was the precursor institution of the BoI in 1989. The BoI operations are in line with the ADB’s High 5s initiatives.

Light up Africa is one of them, feed Africa, industrialising Africa, integrate Africa and improve the living standards of Africa. These are the envisaged development impacts of the ADB’s initiatives.

We lend heavily to the manufacturing industry in Nigeria. We have a partnership with the United Nations Development (UNDP) under which we are supporting solar power product in Nigeria.

Our interactions with AfDB is such that they are going to be supporting BoI and the country more in order to fulfil their mandate on the continent. The consultations went quite well with the public and private sectors and development partners. This visit is coming at the time when the country needs development partners. The economic is in recession and we need all the support we can get from our development partners to get the economic back on track.

Going forward how do you intend to implement the fund that you have been given by the AfDB? Like I said, it is a $100 million line of credit meant to support export-based SMEs. The whole essence is to help in diversification of the economy. We have depended on oil for several decades; we are a mono-economy. We have been trying to diversify into agriculture and solid minerals. When we are going to export, we are talking about adding value to our natural resource endowments.

Since independence, we have been exporting crude resources. This does not fetch really much in terms of the value and in

Olagunju

terms of trade. But when you add value, and process, you command more prices.

The terms are better when the considerable value addition. We will be using the money to support MSMEs where we will helping them to prepare machinery which will be used in processing agricultural produce into finished product or input for other industries.

Also for solid mineral beneficiation and at the same time for the oil and gas sector.

The whole essence is for them to have dollar cash flow, to enable them repay the loan in hard currency because the lines of credit are dollar dominated.

Apart from your normal operations, now that the country is in recession, what are the deliberate strategies, which BOI has in helping Nigeria get out of the quagmire?

One of the ways of getting out of recession is to increase investment to boost production and development. Jobs will be created especially, if it’s commodity-based industrialisation.

Any project that can be viably promoted in the recessionary period means the project must have constantly de-risked.

The project promoters are operating against under worst case scenarios. If they are able to survive now, their chances of sustainability becomes higher. Economics move in cycles, we are now in the U-shape; we can only afford to go up.

Companies that are able to do well when the economy is in crisis can do better when the economy improves. We are working very, very hardwork to support entrepreneurs with viable proposals at this time, especially rehabilitation of ailing industries because brown fields are easier to turn around and their development impacts manifest quicker than green fields.

It takes about 18months to feel the developmental impacts of a green field.

For a brown field (an existing company) that needs to be rehabilitated, it takes a shorter time. Therefore they are less risky to support. We are trying to be more flexible to enable us support entrepreneurs more at this particular point in time.

We have been in this environment for quite some time. The Bank of Industry owns its origin to ICON, which was established in1959. Later, it was reconstructed into Nigeria Industrial Development Bank in

1964 and into Bank of Industry in 2001.

We have been operating as BoI for the past 15 years precisely on the 5th October. In this market, we know the industry, the terrain and understand the market, this is why we are able to operate efficiently and effectively.

Today, we are the biggest and most successful DFI in Nigeria. We are rated internationally by Fitch, A+; Moody’s, BA3; and A+ by Agusto & Co. We operate in line with global best practices.

A very solid foundation was laid for BoI when it was established in 2001. The pioneer management did a lot in restructuring the erstwhile NIDB into BoI. The AfDB also supported that process because knowing we cannot continue to depend on our shareholders for funding. The reason we had always wanted to be a self-financing institution, so at the inception of BoI in 2001, 2002, and 2003, under the leadership Amb. Zakari Ibrahim, who was the chairman of the Board and Dr. Larry Osa-Afiana, who was the managing director, we approached the AfDB for a line of credit. Chief Ogunjobi, who was Vice-President of Operations at that time, sent a team to look at the BoI. They felt the stages were then we could not be given a line of credit. Instead of abandoning us, they said they will help strength and restructure BoI. So they went round regional members of the ADB and they got the Swedish government to commit $300,000 in grants, for the restructuring of BoI. At that time, it was a tight facility; they got a Swedish firm known as Swedish Development Advisers. It was headed by a man called Leonard Cunnington, who used to work with the International Finance Corporation and in his days in IFC he also did some works in Nigeria. Also his company was given that job to restructure.

They began the work in November, 2004 and they finished it in July.

It was a six-volume report, which covered operations, corporate governance, legal and administration. It laid a very solid foundation for BoI’s take off because it was a diagnosis study and they came up with far-reaching recommendations which Dr. Osa-Afiana began to implement immediately the report was submitted. When Ms Evelyn Oputu was appointed, she also continued in implementing the report. In fact her first trip abroad was to visit the AfDB in February in 2006.

At that trip, I was with her, because I was in charge of Strategy and so I linked with the Swedish advisers who came from Stockholm. We met in Tunis, AfDB office and we continued implementing the report of the Swedish advisers, so that laid a very solid foundation for BoI and it was AfDB that assisted in that respect. So we have to give them the credit for the support.

It was under Chief Ogunjobi that we achieved all these feats. We also pledged to operate under global best practices by undertaking studies of development initia-

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

BUSINESS/INTERVIEW Olagunju: To Exit Recession, Nigeria Should Scale up Investment to Boost Production

Cont’d from Pg. 24

tives across the globe. In the US, we visited the SBA, in the United Kingdom, we visited their equivalent as well.

We also visited Asia countries such Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh where we studied the operations of some institutions there including Grameen Bank. We visited international Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa. We also sent two of our staff on attachment to the various DFIs and business partners in 2006 and 2007.

The business partners we met them during that studies that conducted by the development advisers.

Those two staff who went on attachment were the ones leading the bank’s SMEs and Large Enterprise Operations.

So regarding the issue of Global best practices, we kept in touch and in tune with development partners around the world in order to know the latest trends in development financing. We are still in touch with the BNGS of Brazil, and KfW in Germany.

So we have our ten years Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IDC of South Africa which signed in 2006 and hope to renew in 2016. It covers capacity building and technical support. When we organised the mining conference last year, there was somebody that came from the IDC of South Africa- the head of the mining department in South Africa, because they are very strong in that area- who was one of the resource persons that came.

Those are the successful factors working with our foreign and domestic development partners- UNIDO, UNDP. And then, locally, we have a target of working with all the 36 State Governments. Presently, we have entered relationship with 20 and we will continue to engage the remaining 16.

You were talking about brownfields. Granted, we are in recession, as a DFI, which is reputable for development in Nigeria, you also focus on greenfields, I’ll like to know what your interventions have been across board in different sectors to date and even in states?

The Kaduna State Governor was there when we launched the YES Programme in March 2016 at the Hilton in Abuja, we invited all the governors and he attended. We have a state variant of the YES which is the KADSTEP (Kaduna State Entrepreneurship Programme). There are different components, we ask youths to submit business ideas online.

They are evaluated by the BDSP- Business Development Service Providers -that we appointed.

When they review them, there is also classroom section.

After the classroom section they prepare their business plans, and those that are potentially viable, we will support their plans. At the end of the classroom section, they will apply for loans and we process. The third batch of KADSTEP that is what we are on. At the national level, we are also second batch of the YES programme.

The first batch that applied in March, submitted business ideas, they were evaluated, those that scaled the first hurdle, went for the ten weeks online programmes. These people within the ages 30-35 in the greenfield and brownfield categories. Those that went through the online training sessions are now going the classroom sessions.

There are 2,500 undergoing the classroom session now in 20 locations in the six geo political zones. It’s a five-day programme, so we are expecting that when they finish they will turn in their application. We are expecting that we will be able to process about 10,000 in one year.

We are looking at 2,500 per quarter and we believe that 150,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created. In the second year, we will increase that amount from 10,000 to 20,000. This enables the number of potential jobs in excess of 300,000 jobs will be created. So these are some of the initiatives we are embarking now that are aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the country.

We have developed about forty clusters in line with our commodity-based industrialisation strategy. We are saying that we should promote projects that will add value to our natural resources endowment. We are highly endowed in agriculture, same thing for solid minerals and of course, we know of petroleum. The multiplier effect per unit of investment and developmental impact in the agriculture sector is higher than in other sectors.

Therefore, we are paying attention to the agricultural sector, that was why we entered into an MoU with NIRSAL, under which we will guarantee up to 75 per cent exposure in the agricultural value chain, where necessary primary production, value addition, processing, packaging and those who render services to them along the value chain including transporters (those who move raw materials from the farm to the processors and the finished products) from the producers to distributors along the distribution chain; those that will impact the process positively, we will support them as well and jobs will be created along the line.

In terms of solid minerals, 44 of them have been identified in commercial quantities. We are working with a lot of professional bodies and industry groups and we are acquiring competence and skills in this area. At the moment, four of our staff are in IDC in South Africa. They are acquiring trainings in IDC. IDC have been able to support many mining projects and it is the oldest DFI in the world. It was established in1940, it predates the Bretton Woods institutions. Therefore that is an area we hope to play an actively as well. There are a lot of potentials.

If you consider all our natural resources endowment, if

Olagunju

we are to add value to them, we will not have enough manpower to do so.

That is why I’m saying unemployment in Nigeria is artificial, it is only those who insist on white collar jobs that are unemployed but anybody who wants to engage in production. And if they need enablement, that is why we (BoI, SMEDAN and others) are here. The BoI appointed 200 SME consultants across the country to partner and we are engaging enterprise development centres of the tertiary institutions in the country because almost all the universities and polytechnics have entrepreneurship development centres.

We are supporting and working with them, so that we can identify potentials entrepreneurs in the 36 states of the federation because there was a study conducted by the Raw Material Development Council (RMDC) the body was headed by Prof. Bamiro, the former Vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan. They were able to document the raw materials available in all the 774 local government across the country. Most people are not aware so it is part of our efforts to enlighten Nigerians on the areas they have comparative advantages. There are some agricultural produce that just grow they don’t need fertilisers and every local government can support viable SMEs. We know that there are a challenge which is why we are discussing with UNIDO and other development partners.

We are talking about getting light and equipment that can be powered by solar power to address the infrastructure challenges we have for now, while steps are been taken in the medium and long-term to increase the available of public power supply in the country. That is why we are deepening our collaboration with UNDP and even AfDB, because Light up Africa is one of High 5s of AfDB and they have assured us a lot of support in this area. We are encouraging the formation of industrial hub, because when industries are localised in location where business and structure are provided.

It reduces start-up cost, operating experiences, promote synergy, sharing of knowledge and skills, the output of work can be input for the others. When they are localised, it makes credit administration easier. Financial institutions can relate to many of them at the same time. Even the service providers can also relate to them in helping them to build their capacities rather than when they are scattered in different in locations. It is more expensive and a logistics nightmare covering so many MSMEs in many locations and there are a lot of them.

Therefore we are encouraging the establishment of industrial parks especially by state government and also asking our development partners to help in this regard.

Having industrial parks and special economic zones where the basic infrastructure will be provided is the way to go for now. That will make them more efficient and more competitive.

For 15years of the BoI existence, what have been the challenges and looking forward, the prospects?

I’m an incurable optimistic when it comes to Nigeria progress. There are not many countries in the world more endowed than Nigeria. From our geographical locations, we are not landlocked, we take things for granted because we have access to the sea, which means that you can import and export. Secondly, we are highly endowed in terms of natural resources. We don’t have natural disasters we can farm all year round.

The huge population is an advantage. Huge population can be productive and an access. If it is productive, it is an asset, if it is unproductive, it becomes a liability. But the idea is to get more Nigerians productive, so that when they are productive, the potentials of a huge market will be more realisable because huge population translates to huge market. They have to be fed and given their basic needs. All these areas, where we have gaps they are opportunities for potential investors.

The housing deficit is put at 17 million, there are also transportation challenges and these are opportunities for investors who are going to take long term positions in Nigeria. So there are a lot of gaps to be filled. Anybody who get his or her business model right in Nigeria will make money.

According to UNCTAD, we are rated number four in the world in terms of return on investment with about 35 per cent. How many countries in the world that you have 10 per cent return on investment? That was why in the first half of this decade, we attracted a lot of FDIs. Nigeria ranked No.1 in Africa in terms of attracting FDIs and more foreign investors are willing to come to Nigeria because the market is quite vibrant. So these are opportunities for BOI to finance. These are deal flows and we are trying to ring fence SMEs around large corporate, to build SMEs in their supply chains. When they are linked up it helps to overcome the challenges we have in our environment as.

For instance, we could organise domiciliation of payment through their large corporates that they are hooked with.

They could provide some pre-guarantees for those SMEs. For instance those who produce cassava flour can supply cassava to flour mill industries. While those who produce cotton can supply the textile industry. The value chain is so extensive, vertical and horizontal. From here you can export to the US, duty free under AGOA and the export time and the distance is shorter between Lagos and the US compared to the countries like Kenya, who are in East Africa.

So, we are at an advantage. That was why Andrew Young, the US former ambassador to the United Nations, said at one time that Nigeria is the only country in the world, which can replicate the American miracle.

26

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

AXAMansardInsurancePLC:Investment incomeandprofitoninvestmentcontracts greatlydriveprofitability

M

ansard Insurance Plc. is a member of the AXA Group, the worldwide leader in insurance and asset management with 157,000 employees serving 102 million clients in 56 countries. The company was incorporated in 1989 as a private limited liability company and is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM).

The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/ investment management services, medical insurance solutions and pension fund administration through its three subsidiaries Mansard Investments Limited, Mansard Health Limited and Penman Pensions limited.

The company was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009 and has Market Capitalization in excess of N31 billion thereby remaining the biggest insurance company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The company released its half year results, for the year period ended June 30th 2016, an impressive performance in both top-line and bottom-line earnings.

INCREASE IN GROSS PREMIUM DRIVES NET UNDERWRITING INCOME For the half year period ended June 2016, AXA Mansard reported an increase of 25.07% in gross premium written to N13.22 billion from N10.57 billion in the corresponding period of 2015, despite stiff competition in the Nigerian insurance sector with regards to the sales of various insurance packages and products. The significant growth in gross premium was driven by an increase of 16.34% in gross premium income to N9.64 billion in June 2016 from N8.29 billion in June 2015. However, reinsurance expenses also grew by 18.43% to N4.17 billion from N3.52 billion over the period.

Despite the increase in reinsurance expenses, the strong growth in gross premium income resulted in a growth of 14.80% in net premium income to N5.48 billion from N4.77 year on year.

Furthermore, the company’s fee and commission income on insurance contracts decreased moderately by 9.51% to N468m in June 2016 from N517 in June 2015; however, net underwriting income for the period ended June 2016 grew by a significant 12.42% to N5.95 billion from N5.29 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

THE MACRO-ECONOMIC HEADWINDS OF 2016 SAW INFLATION RISE TO 16.48%, MPR AT 14%.

NEVERTHELESS, AXA MANSARD INSURANCE PLC DELIVERED AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE DESPITE HARSH AND UNSTABLE BUSINESS TERRAIN

INCREASE IN UNDERWRITING EXPENSES WANES UNDERWRITING PROFIT The company’s gross claims expenses increased massively by 48.98% to N5.44 billion in June 2016 from N3.65 in June 2015 while claims expenses recovered from insurers also increased massively by 110.14% to N1.79 billion from N851m over the period.

Expectedly, net claims expenses also increased by 30.38% to N3.65 billion in the period ended June 2016 from N2.80 in the corresponding period of 2015. On the other hand, underwriting expenses increased by 5.00% to N965m from N919m over the period.

However, due to the significant rise in claims expenses and claims expenses recoverable, net underwriting expenses grew by 19.79% to N4.60 billion in June 2016 from N3.84 billion in June 2015.

However, due to the higher expenses, the company’s underwriting profit decreased slightly to N1.35 billion in June 2016 from N1.45 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2015; reflecting a change of 7.07%.

INCREASED EXPENSES FAIL TO IMPEDE SURGE IN EARNINGS Finance cost for the period ended June 2016 rose slightly by 2.02% to N209m from N204m recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. However, other operating expenses increased by 10.27% to N987m from N895m over the period; despite the increase in operating expenses, profit before taxes increased substantially by 107.88% to N2.44 billion in June 2016 from N1.17 in June 2015. Furthermore, income tax expense for the period ended June 2016

rose to N176m from N99m in June 2015; net income also followed suit with a massive increase of 110.81% to N2.26 billion from N1.07 billion over the period.

Thus, the company’s net Income margin rose to 17.13% in June 2016 from 10.16% in June 2015 while pretax margins also rose to 18.46% from 11.11% over the period. The company’s return on assets (ROA) grew slightly to 3.80% from 2.10% while its return on equity (ROE) also followed suit to increase to 10.71% from 5.47%.

STRONG ASSET QUALITY The company’s balance sheet shows positive changes in total assets, net assets and total liabilities, as at June 2016, when compared to the corresponding period of 2015. Total assets grew by 16.49% to N59.65 billion in June 2016 from N51.21 billion in December 2015. The key drivers of the company’s total assets were a 245.45% increase in trade receivables to N2.37 billion from N686m, 78.63% increase in Reinsurance assets to N9.03 billion from N5.06 billion and a 41.72% rise in deferred acquisition cost to N820m from N578m in December 2015.

On the other hand, the company’s total liabilities shows a growth of 21.92% to N38.51 billion in the period ended June 2016 from N31.59 billion in December 2015. The key drivers of the increase in liabilities were an increase of 44.02% in insurance liabilities to N18.60 billion from N12.92 billion, and a 66.78% rise in trade payables to N2.74 billion from N1.64 billion during the year under review. Expectedly, the company’s net assets grew by 5.95% to N18.45 billion from N17.41 billion during the period under review.

BUY RECOMMENDATION The macro-economic headwinds of 2016 saw inflation rise to 16.48%, MPR at 14%. Nevertheless, Axa Mansard Insurance Plc delivered an impressive performance despite harsh and unstable business terrain.

The potential of the insurance sector in Nigeria remain relatively huge.

We believe that the Company’s management put in place an admirable structure in terms of compliance, customer acquisition, retention and capacity building to take advantage of the identified opportunities in the sector and towards delivery of efficient performance which strengthens earnings, income generation capacity and growth in liquidity base. This creates an opportunity where the company can deliver high level of product innovation, operational excellence and

Valuation Metrics 30-Sept-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

2.38

Current Price (N)

2.05

Market Cap (N'm)

21,420

Outstanding Shares (m)

10,500

Rolling EPS (N)

0.27

Rolling PE Ratio

7.51

Forward EPS (N)

0.45

Forward PE

4.52 Source: NSE Data, BGL Research

Half year June 2016 unaudited Results Turnover (N'm)

13,218

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,440

Profit After Tax (N'm)

2,263

Pre-tax Margin (%)

18.46 Source: BGL Research

2015 Full Year Audited Results Turnover (N’m)

16,574

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,023

Profit After Tax (N'm)

1,662

Pre-tax Margin (%)

12.21

Source: Company Data 2014 AC, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Assur Africa Holdings Ltd

76.48

Public Float

23.52 Source: Company Data, BGL Research

create an opportunity for expansion, into other markets would boost performance significantly beyond current results.

Based on our review of the company’s financials, we revise our projected gross earnings and Net earnings to N19.22 billion and N2.85 billion respectively for financial year end 2016. This leads to a forward EPS of 0.45. Using a relative Price to Earnings Valuation (PE) and (NAV) Net Assets Valuation method, we arrive at a 6-month target price of N2.38. Since this represents an upside potential of 15.92% on the current price, we therefore place a BUY recommendation on AXA Mansard Insurance Plc shares.

27

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

UBA PLC – Business environment disrupts performance and efficient costs management

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, one of Africa’s leading banks, recently released its financial results for the half-year ended, June 2016, showing that gross earnings has flattened with the corresponding figure of June 2015 after dropping by 10.19% in the first quarter 2016 compared to first quarter 2015. Despite the tough operating environment and uncertainties, the bank maintained a relatively strong performance when compared with peers, driven by strong fee-based earnings from credit-related transactions, e-banking, improved market share in the e-Banking space and the consolidation of the competitiveness of its African subsidiaries.

TOP-LINE EARNINGS REMAINS RELATIVELY FLAT DESPITE DECLINE IN INTEREST INCOME For the half-year ended, June 2016 UBA Plc gross earnings was relatively flat, though the figure was lower by 0.10% to N165.58 billion from N165.74 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. Gross earnings was driven by an increase of 21.67% in fees and commission income. The bank also consolidated on its large network base towards maintaining interest income which however declined by 6.57% to N107.42 billion from N114.97 billion over the period reviewed.

Interest income contribution to gross earnings stood at 64.87% despite the direct effect of CBN’s continuous regulatory liquidity pull in the banking sector.

Also, interest expense declined by 14.42% to N43.29 billion in June 2016 from N50.58 billion in June 2015 due to the reduced cost of deposit mobilisation from customers. Hence, net interest income reduced by 0.40% to N64.13 billion from N64.39 billion over the period.

Net fees and commission income delivered double digit growth at 17.78% to N30.84 billion in the half-year 2016 compared to N26.18 billion in the corresponding period in the 2015. This was due to increased income generated from banking through the e-channel and the commencement of a COT regime on every received deposit earlier in the year. The Bank was able to grow income from electronic banking significantly by 183.79% to N18.09 billion from N6.74 billion

DESPITE THE REGULATORY INITIATIVES IN THE BANKING SECTOR WHICH THREATEN THE BANK’S INCOME GENERATING CAPACITY, WE BELIEVE THE STRONG LIQUIDITY POSITION OF THE BANK AND POTENTIAL PROFITABILITY FROM INCREASED FOCUS ON LENDING WOULD HELP CUSHION THE EFFECT OF THESE CHALLENGES

in the prior year’s corresponding period. E-banking contributed 48.96% of fees and commission recorded during the period.

MODERATE DECLINE IN EXPENSES LEADS TO SLIGHTLY IMPROVED PROFITABILITY The bank recorded an operating income of N109.38 billion in the halfyear ended, June 2016; representing a negligible rise of 0.55% from the N108.78 billion in 2015. Similarly, total operating expenses decreased by a diffident figure of 0.90% to N69.11 billion from N69.73 billion in June 2015 as expenses remain fairly stable through the period.

Notably, an increase of 7.79% was recorded in net trading income to N19.64 billion from N18.22 billion over the period as a result of increased fair value gains from derivatives.

Hence, profit before tax increased by 3.13% to N40.27 billion in June 2016 from N39.05 billion in June 2015. Taxation expenses for the period increased by 8.54% to N7.65 billion from N7.05 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

Consequently, profit after tax increased by a moderate figure of 1.94% to N32.62 billion in the half-year 2016 from N32.00 billion reported a year ago.

STRONG ASSETS QUALITY The bank’s total assets increased by 19.52% to N3.29 trillion as at June 2016 from N2.75 trillion as at financial year ended, December 2015. Further analysis reveals that the increase in total assets was due to significant growths of 64.42%, 24.51%, 8.22% and 12.51% in loans and advances to Banks, loans and advances to customers, cash and bank balances and investment securities amongst others.

The bank grew its liabilities by 19.09% to N2.88 trillion from N2.42 trillion recorded as at December 2015. . Further analysis also reveals that the increase in total liabilities was due to significant growths of 15.87% in customers’ deposit to N2.41 trillion from N2.09 trillion as full year 2015 and 19.60% in borrowings to N155.36 billion from N129.86 billion during the period under review.

The Bank’s strong liquidity position stood at 45% which remain well above the regulatory requirement of 35% for systematically Important Banks (SIBs) while the capital adequacy ratio stood at 18.5% which also remain well above the regulatory requirement of 15%.

However, despite inflationary pressure and naira devaluation, the company’s cost-to-income ratio dropped slightly to 63% from 64% in the corresponding period and nonperforming loan ration rose to 2.4% from 1.7%.

Nevertheless, return on average equity (ROAE) stood at 18% while return on average assets (ROAA) at 2% as at half year ended, March 2016 WE MAINTAIN OUR BUY RECOMMENDATION Despite the regulatory initiatives in the banking sector which threaten the Bank’s income generating capacity, we believe the strong liquidity position of the Bank and potential profitability from increased focus on lending would help cushion the effect of these challenges.

We expect the bank to sustain the upward trend in gross earning and deliver appreciable profits for the year ended December 20156 as seen in half year performance.

Considering the aforementioned, we therefore revised our projected gross earnings and net income

Valuation Metrics 29-Sept-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

6.41

Current Price (N)

4.20

Market Cap (N'm)

138,522

Outstanding Shares (m)

32,981

Rolling EPS (N)

1.66

Rolling PE Ratio

2.53x

Forward EPS (N)

1.94

Forward PE

2.41 Source: NSE Data, BGL Research

Q2 June 2016 Unaudited Results Turnover (N’m)

165,580

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

40,270 32,621 24.32%

Source: Company’s Data 2016, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Turnover (N'm)

314,430

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

68,454

Profit After Tax (N'm)

59,654

Pre-tax Margin (%)

21.74%

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Stanbic Nominees

11%

UBA Staff Shares Inv. Trust Scheme

6.2%

Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CON

5.7%

Public Float

77.1%

Outstanding Shares (m)

32,981.39

Source: Company Data 2016, BGL Research

figures N314.67 billion and N60.28 billion for December 2016, leading to a forward EPS of N1.74. Using a simple industry average PE Ratio of 5.07x, we arrive at a 6-month target price of N6.41 for UBA Plc. Since this represents an upside of 52.52% on the current share price, we therefore retain our BUY recommendation on UBA Plc.

28

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • october 2, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Skye Shelter Fund Recommends N7.15 Dividend, Closes Register October 6 Goddy Egene Skye Shelter Fund is to close its register on October 6, 2016 for shareholders who to benefit from the N7.15 dividend recommended for the year ended December 31, 2015. According to a notification through the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the dividend will be paid on October 20, 2016.

The Skye Shelter Fund is a closed-end Real Estate Investment Trust Scheme (REITS) managed

by SKS Capital Limited. The fund pools resources together from various classes of investors interested in exploring investment opportunities in the real estate sector.

Such investors include pension fund administrators, investment managers, endowment funds, insurance companies, international investors, and savvy individual investors interested in the stability and returns associated with real estate investing.

The Skye Shelter Fund is dedicated

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

to the development and/or acquisition of high quality stock of properties (residential estates, commercial properties and other investment properties) in select locations across Nigeria.

Specifically, it invests 75 per cent directly in real estate which may include: residential apartments, shopping malls, office blocks, hotels, warehouses and industrial property.

The fund invests 25 per cent in real estate related investments which may include: mortgages, real estate

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 29-Sep-2016, unless otherwise stated.

backed securities, real estate related equities. This portion includes a 10 per cent allocation to cash for liquidity purposes.

The Skye Shelter Fund is one of the mutual funds that investors are always advised to take advantage of in this volatile market situation.

Financial analysts and market operators have said that managed funds are one major vehicle to make investment and enjoy many benefits.

One of those benefits is the

management of investment risk. The best way of managing risk in investment is to spread it by diversifying the portfolio.

Investment in mutual funds gets instant diversification to achieve market-wide coverage and no matter its size. Since a mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, money market securities and other asset class held in a pool but then sliced into units sold to individual investors, any unit of the fund receives the diversification benefit

of this large collection of different types of securities in the portfolio.

Also, investing through mutual funds, gives an investor access to professional skills employed to invest and manage the funds.

Many investors do not have the skills to analyse the prospects for individual companies and make a good choice present the best investment options. But a mutual fund appoints and pays a professional fund manager to do this job for its investors.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Afrinvest Equity Fund 125.43 Nigeria International Debt Fund 215.85 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.68 AIICO CAPITAL LTD Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price AIICO Money Market Fund ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name ARM Aggressive Growth Fund ARM Discovery Fund ARM Ethical Fund ARM Money Market Fund AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name AXA Mansard Equity Market Fund AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Nigeria Global Investment Fund Paramount Equity Fund Women's Investment Fund FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name FBN Fixed Income Fund FBN Heritage Fund FBN Money Market Fund FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Equity Fund Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Growth Fund

100.00

aaml@afrinvest.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 125.98 12.23% 216.59 7.82% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.69 10.18% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

14.42%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.97 295.76 22.90

Offer Price 13.37 304.68 23.60

Yield / T-Rtn 6.47% 5.82% 3.89%

1.00

1.00

11.52%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 100.99

Offer Price 101.63

Yield / T-Rtn 1.31%

1.00 1.00 11.60% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.09 9.49

Offer Price 2.14 9.73

Yield / T-Rtn 2.67% -3.71%

82.49

84.60

1.70%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,102.79 115.10 100.00 $104.96 $104.89 112.87

Offer Price 1,103.87 115.62 100.00 $105.67 $105.61

Yield / T-Rtn 1.91% 5.84% 10.03% 5.32% 5.25%

114.40

13.64%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.94 2.49

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.96 4.40% 2.49 7.24% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,245.03

Offer Price 2,273.47

Coral Income Fund 2,028.52 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price

Yield / T-Rtn 3.24%

2,028.52 7.25% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

11.11%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.64

1.66

0.72%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.00 1.02 12.63% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 980.90 980.90 -1.91% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.09 10.18 3.13% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.97% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.02 1.04 -2.88% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 107.56 108.57 5.71% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.21 1.21 7.41% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 1,817.56 1,828.54 8.24% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 150.27 150.27 2.17% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.81 0.82 8.67% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 178.65 178.65 5.28% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 137.88 139.58 1.89% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.21% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,878.81 7,984.00 9.62% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.17 1.18 9.95% United Capital Bond Fund 1.26 1.26 17.04% United Capital Equity Fund 0.77 0.79 3.48% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.04 10.22 5.09% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.57 11.69 0.93% Zenith Income Fund 16.42 16.42 2.40%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.43 121.92

2.69% 5.24%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.16 80.47

9.26 81.99

-4.36% -3.31%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.78 7.43 12.82 18.20 -

2.82 7.51 12.96 18.40 -

20.17% 16.17% 2.30% -5.23% -

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

ADESEGUN ONIRU

AN UNUSUAL PRINCE

02.10.2016

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OctOber 2, 2016

COVER

ADESEGUN ONIRU

AN UNUSUAL PRINCE Being born with a silver spoon doesn’t come any better when nature connives with providence to provide a comfortable bed of roses. For Prince Adesegun Oniru, the unusual challenge has been his willingness to step out of luxury and experience normalcy. Nseobong Okon-Ekong reports

F

or the better part of his formative years, Prince Adesegun Abiodun Oniru lived away from his parents. First, he was in a boarding school in Abeokuta; then at the impressionable age of 12 years, he was taken to another school in America. He would be away from Nigeria for 14 years. However, he came home frequently on holidays. Every summer and Christmas, he was back in Nigeria. During these times, it was fun for him to traverse his community; attending functions. Perhaps, a combination of nostalgia and homesickness which he could not address at the time, have gotten the better of him, firing his nationalistic ambitions. From being suppressed, his love for Nigeria came to the fore in an impressive surge bearing fruitful activities.

Integrating himself into the Lagos society was not such a difficult task since he came home regularly on holidays. “I had friends that we grew up together and also went to school abroad, so we kept in touch. I’m a fast leaner and a true Lagos boy. I needed to be smart otherwise they will pull a fast one on me.”

Oniru is really thankful to his father, for helping him to have a good mix of wholesome development; giving him a good education which makes him appreciate the value of applying his intellect to hard work. So he does not walk around with a chip on his shoulder, feeling like King Kong. “I am a regular person.

I have friends. I mix freely with people. I do not go out a lot at night. I go to parties when it is a function organized by friends and family members. I have a lounge. It is called Timeless Lounge at Oniru. My friends come there and we have drinks and talk. My father, the Oba of Oniru is my role model. I watch what he does closely so that I can be a better person should it

Oniru

be my destiny to become the king one day.”

As expected of royalty, Oniru is not afraid of losses. One apparent area that he demonstrated courage is with financial investment. “I believe going into properties is a big risk. You don’t know the end product. As we speak, the property market is really slow. That is the chance we take but when the boom comes everybody will have a smile on his face. On the more physical side of things, I once took a course in bungee jumping and skydiving and you can imagine if you dive off a plane and the parachute doesn’t open I don’t think there is a more crucial risk you can take with your life but I have done it and I was very young when I did it. I can’t try it now. I have been attacked before at night and I have been shot at. It is an experience that God may permit you to go through, but don’t let that deter you from enjoying yourself and going out. I am not really a night crawler. I have a bar I go to most evenings to relax and have a drink or two with my friends and the only reason I opened the bar is for my friends and I to have somewhere to socialize. It is just as simple as that. It is called Timeless in Oniru Estate. It is a short let apartment but within the apartments we have some recreational facilities like swimming pool, gym, and bar. It is for people that reside there because it is a short let apartment and all the recreational facilities that are there are for the people but on Wednesday night and Friday night, I open the place up to the public, people come there to socialize before they go to night clubs. It is between The Palms Shopping Mall and the Forte Oil.” Given the vast prime land owned by his family, Oniru could have decided not to let his finger do any work if he chose to. His response was instructive. “If you don’t work, you will go

brain dead and that is my belief because you will just remain static, you won’t do anything and a few things will happen to you. You will start getting fat and slow in life because you are not active anymore, your brain will not really function as it should. A prince should have some kind of occupation to keep himself active.

Those days when prince, princesses and royalty remain in the palace and all they do is just rule and control the kingdom are the things of the past. You are now in the age of technology. By just staying in the palace, not working, having kids and marrying many wives, you are not going to achieve anything by doing that. You need to engage yourself and your brain on a daily basis.”

Happily married to one wife, Oniru said he would not consider entering into another marriage even if he were to become the king (after the fashion of some kings). “Take Oba Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland for example, he has got only one wife and he is ruling in a fantastic manner in Abeokuta.”

A while ago, there was unwholesome talk in town that the Palace of the Oniru was relocated from Bishop Oluwole in Victoria Island to its present location inside Oniru Estate because the Mermaid (Mammy Water) rejected every sacrifice to appease her and said she would wreck it for obstructing her passage. Dismissing it as balderdash, the Prince narrated a brief history of his family. ‘Oniru chieftaincy land previously started from the Cathedral Church at CMS all the way to the boundary with the Ojomu family in Ajeran.

It is not a secret. Various governments from the colonial days to military government kept taking Oniru land until we were pushed to the limit, then the Oniru family went to court.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was our lawyer and

GIVEN THE VAST PRIME LAND OWNED

BY HIS FAMILY, ONIRU COULD HAVE DECIDED NOT TO LET HIS FINGER DO ANY WORK IF HE CHOSE TO. HIS RESPONSE WAS INSTRUCTIVE. “IF YOU DON’T WORK,YOU WILL GO BRAIN DEAD AND THAT IS MY BELIEF BECAUSE YOU WILL JUST REMAIN STATIC,YOU WON’T DO ANYTHING AND A FEW THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.YOU WILL START GETTING FAT AND SLOW IN LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ACTIVE ANYMORE,YOUR BRAIN WILL NOT REALLY FUNCTION AS IT SHOULD. A PRINCE SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF OCCUPATION TO KEEP HIMSELF ACTIVE. THOSE DAYS WHEN PRINCE, PRINCESSES AND ROYALTY REMAIN IN THE PALACE AND ALL THEY DO IS JUST RULE AND CONTROL THE KINGDOM ARE THE THINGS OF THE PAST

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OctOber 2, 2016

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COVER when he got back for the family an area that was called Maroko back then. Maroko had always belonged to the Oniru family. Everyone that lived in Maroko only had 25 years lease from the family but when the 25 years expired, they did not renew and they were there illegally until we took action and cleared the place in the regime of Raji Rasaki. The palace was moved from Bishop Oluwole to where we are today called Maroko that now became Oniru Estate because it was only proper that the King should live among his people. The reigning king, my father is still the Oba of Iruland and the environs which covers Victoria Island all the way to the boundary of Lekki. There is an area called the Iru settlement. If you know where Oniru palace is today, all those in those houses are Oniru family members. My father constructed all those houses for them and as they grow financially, a whole lot of them are now raising their properties up. There are 200 bungalows. It is the resettlement of Oniru family land. Oniru family members run into thousands but there are three ruling houses so he built it for every ruling house and it was divided by each ruling house as they wish.”

Across Lagos and possibly all over Nigeria, there is a prevailing notion that the price of landed property in the Oniru and Victoria Island are too high. But the Prince of Oniru does not agree. “If you want the best you have to pay for the best. If you look at Lagos and its infrastructures, particularly on the Island, It takes a lot of money to put what we have in place. If you invest in infrastructure you will have to recoup the money in some way. A prime example is the Eko Atlantic City, the kind of money that has gone into claiming the land form the Atlantic Ocean, the kind of money that went into infrastructure, there is no way you can give that land away. You have to recoup your money and the only way to do it is to sell it at a cost that is reasonable to you. Living on the Island is not for everybody. People who have worked hard in life and that can afford it will live on the Island.”

Oniru followed in his father’s professional footsteps as a Civil Engineer. The older Oniru is now the King of Iru, exercising traditional authority over much of what is Victoria Island and Lekki. He rejects the notion that he might have been influenced to embark on this course of study so he could take advantage of the prime estate which is his by inheritance. Instead he painted a picture of a child in awe of his father.

“After my A-levels, I knew I wanted to go to the university, I knew my Mathematics, Physics and my other science subjects were very good but I did not know what I would be studying in the university. Looking back, I thought, my father is a Civil Engineer, why don’t I just try that out and see if it works out? If it works out fine, if not I will do something else but thank God it worked out. I became a Civil Engineer. Right now, I am at the top of my Institution. I am a fellow of Civil Engineering.”

A one-time member of the Lagos State cabinet, he is able to look back and declare with benefit of hindsight and clarity of thoughts that owing to his background, he had always loved Nigeria. He missed the country so much and was eager to return home as soon as he completed his studies. Willing to serve at any level, he got integrated into the system as Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterfront and Tourism Development Corporation which was then split into two eventually in 2007 and it became a full-fledged Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development and then another Ministry called Ministry of Tourism.

Coming from a prominent family of land

Oniru with his Made-in-Nigeria team

owners in prime areas of Lagos State and combined with his study of Civil Engineering, he is properly positioned as a property developer. “I now practice my own trade as a Civil Engineer and property developer.”

It was while looking after the tourism side back in 2002/2003, that he saw a lot of potentials in Nigeria that had been not tapped into. This sparked in him the urge to make a difference. The interlude in government served a very useful purpose. He posited himself like a sponge, soaking everything he could for use in the future as an entrepreneur in the private sector. That was when the idea of a Made-inNigeria project first hit him.

Working for the Lagos State government gave him all the exposure he needed for a day like this. For many years, he kept the fire burning and turning the broil, waiting for it to cook properly. Now, he is ready to present the public with the first serve, after working quietly for many years, putting it to reality. Having convinced himself that Lagos was a good case study for the entire country, his thinking is to further the perceived achievements of former Lagos governors, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, SAN. Incidentally, some of the officials in the government at the centre in Abuja are friends and acquaintances he was privileged to serve with in Lagos. The Made-inNigeria project has been received with a warm heart all the way in Abuja.

To many, the idea of a Made-in-Nigeria fair sounds unwieldy and he is frequently asked to streamline what it is he wants to do.

Unperturbed by such thoughts, he is nonetheless determined to press home with the name until it becomes a household. “That is the name of the product: Made-In-Nigeria. Within that, we are concentrating on five key sectors, this year.

We are looking at Power and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing, Sports and Entertainment. Next time we may need to revisit some of these sectors. It is a full picture, we have fashion shows for three of the days, we have different sections that we are going to look at during the one-week schedule, entertainment, exhibition and part of the exhibition. There will be people showcasing what they produced in Nigeria because if we get it right, and we get the buy-in from our own people, there is no reason why we can’t get people abroad to take on what it is that we are selling to ourselves so we can sell it to the world. You have to change the way you are and nothing changes unless you make a change. This is me making my own change to move my nation forward.”

Incidentally, the Made-in-Nigeria concert with huge headline artistes appears to be better known or publicised than the other aspects of the fair. Oniru said “it happens that the last day of our festival is October 1 and what better way is there for us to celebrate our own than to bring together five solid made-in-Nigeria artistes. The artistes who are coming to perform are world class famous in their own right. They are truly known and a force to be reckoned with. They are celebrating Nigeria’s Independence Day with us.

Today, Oniru looks back at his service years in the executive council of the Lagos State Government with pride and easily points to his biggest achievement. “My proudest achievement whilst in government was the combating of the erosion problem at the Bar Beach. To make Victoria Island safe because if we didn’t do the shoreline protection from the Atlantic, today you may not be sitting where you are now because the ocean was gradually taking over our land and I thank God that I was part of the team that stopped that erosion problem.”

Oniru

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

32

ON THE COUCH

PAUL UDUK (EX-BANKER)

My Wife Makes My Life Comfortable Interviewed by Funke Olaode Can you give us a glimpse into your background?

I am the CEO of a company called Vision and Talent International. It is a management consulting company that operates in seven dimensions: I am an author, speaker, coach, motivational speaker, and trainer, consultant and information marketer. I am from Akwa Ibom State which I grew up and had my early education I had my first degree in Russia and got my MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I became a chartered banker from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of London. I had a banking background and was in the system for 25 years before retiring in 2011.

am also an author of a book titled “Customer Service” that is sold all over the world. I also have a platform where we interview people, a book writing forum where we teach senior executives how to write their books.

We also have a forum where we bring founders, CEO and business executives to talk about business. It has been a rewarding experience for me exploring my God given talents.

If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, what would you score yourself?

I will score myself 10/10 because I am a contented man. When my doctor takes my blood pressure they always say it looks like that of a baby.

It is because I have enjoyed both my career and marital life. I have a beautiful wife who is a lawyer who makes life stable and comfortable for me. All my children have gone through school and they have left home. My daughter who is based in Atlanta in the USA wedded last year and just gave birth to an adorable baby girl.

What were your parents doing when you were born?

My mother was a full time housewife. She was also a tailor on the side to support the family.

My father was a teacher and I have been using him as a role model. My father was an unknown soldier who was in charge of the warehouse of all the support materials brought to the Eastern part of Nigeria during the Civil War of the 60s. He was the headmaster of the school where all the relief materials from donors such as Red Cross were stored.

How would describe your experience under his tutelage?

I am very proud to have been raised by an upright father who would not spare the rod. He advised us to follow the straight and narrow path. I was in the banking industry for 25 years and I never visited the police station for one day. I started with the Bank of Agriculture and later Diamond Bank where I was the Head of Analysis.

What took you to Russia?

I got a scholarship to study in Russia in 1975. I read Agronomy and specialized in Genetics. It was my first time outside the country and I was about 17 years old at that time.

It was a beautiful experience for me.

I missed home. It was an extremely cold environment but I had to adapt.

I was there for five years, came back to Nigeria and spent 18 years of my professional life in the North where I worked in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi States and part of Niger State. I worked with the poorest peasant farmers in the Northern Nigeria while I was with Bank of Agriculture before coming to Lagos.I enjoyed my days in the banking industry. It is a noble profession guided by trust and integrity because professionalism is key. If you needed any referenceyou had to go back to a banker.

What is it like to become your own boss?

It is a good feeling. Sometimes you see the handwriting on the wall that it is better to leave when the ovation is loudest. I retired from Diamond Bank to float a consulting outfit.

What is the company all about?

I currently consult for some of the biggest companies in Nigeria. I am a motivational speaker. I organize retreats. I facilitate retreat and I

If you could change the hand of the clocks, are there things you would do differently?

I wished I had joined Toastmasters Club earlier. I joined the club in 2008 and became the president in 2010/2011. Toastmasters changed my whole perspective about life.

You know the organization is about communication and leadership that gives you self-esteem and confidence.

I have travelled round the world to attend Toastmasters conventions. It is an amazing experience for me.

What is your philosophy of life?

Love thy neighbour as yourself; trust and integrity and continuous personal development. Make sure every day you are better than the way you were yesterday. An unexamined life is not worth living.

What lesson has life taught you?

Do not pursue success but service.

When you serve people success will definitely follow.

EVENT

A

Kings College Class 91 Gives Back

s teenagers, they were determined. These big dreams took shape about 1986 at their Alma mater, Kings College, Lagos which provided comfortable haven for them to excel.

Those teenagers of yester years are currently making waves in different fields in Nigeria and abroad. Having done well for themselves in their endeavours, there is this urge to give back. As the silver jubilee of the graduation from Kings College approached, the former class mates like Yemi Akindoju, Lanre Kuye, Destiny Amana, Yemi Andu, Chukuka Chukuma, Omotayo Okusanya just to mention a few ruminated on how they could give back to the school that moulded and groomed them to who

they are today.

They approached the Principal to know the urgent needs of the school.

A long list was provided and the stakeholders consulted on various project and identified some including refurbishing of toilets and bathrooms.

They also decided to take on the problem of lack of water which had plaqued the school, way back from their student days. They unanimously agreed on water project because they believe ‘water is life’.

Within a few weeks, 80 members of the set raised N8 million for the project. With the money in the kitty, last June, the set the ball rolling. One of their own; now an engineer, Yemi Akindoju headed the project execution as the set embarked on upgrading

and overhauling of the existing water systems with new plants, supply of new treatment plant, supply of a new aeration tank, a new overhead 20,000 litre steel tank, overhaul of existing steel support, and repainting, provision of shed for the water treatment plant, connection to the facilities to deliver clean water, overhaul of the electrical panel room and the new panel kept inside and maintenance of the system for at least one year.Within three months, water was back to the junior arm of the college situated in Igbosere on Lagos Island.

The project tagged water boreholes upgrade project was commissioned on Saturday, September 17 in honour and memory of their departed classmates: Folarin Adedeji, Andrew Bingel, Sambo

Martins and Umaru Nasko shortly before resumption of 2016/17 academic session in the presence of their old principal, Mr. Agul who commended the set whom he tagged “Boys who came together with a passion.’

In a brief chat with THISDAY, a member of the set, Destiny Amana praised his classmates for their commitment and dedication to a noble cause. According to him, the passion lies in the fact that they wanted to give back. Amana said this is not the first time the set would be embarking on intervention projects. “In 2006, we changed the all the black boards, supplied and stationery. A decade after, we wanted to do something substantial and that is why we came up with the idea of water project,” he said.

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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 • OctOber 2, 2016

entertainment

with nseObOng OkOn-ekOng 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

What Tee A’s 20th Anniversary Means For Nigerian Comedy Nseobong Okon-Ekong

T

imes have changed, causing many scenarios to turn a full cycle. It doesn’t look out of place today, in 2016, to see people introduce themselves as stand-up comedians, musicians, or actors.

Not a lot of parents would scold their kids if they suggested studying Creative Arts in the university.

But in 1996, when Babatunde Adewale or Tee-A as he is better known started, it was rare to find young undergraduates cracking ribs for a living.

There was Ali Baba the UNIBEN graduate who moved to Lagos to do stand-up comedy full time. There had been John Chukwu and Bisi Olatilo and their contemporaries who worked as broadcasters and masters of ceremonies, with a bit of stand up as part of their act.

There was however no stand-up comedy industry. There were no engagement opportunities, no training avenues, and definitely no local role models, apart from Ali Baba who was himself just navigating the space.

You couldn’t really look your parents in the face and say you want to make people laugh, for a living.

But that’s what Tee A did as a budding undergraduate of Linguistics in the University of Lagos. Using a campus club, Theatre 51, as a local hub, weekly magazine Encomium as a networking platform, and Ali Baba’s brain, mind and contacts as an enterprise, he spent his years in UNILAG writing comedy skits, mastering performance etiquette, chasing gigs, building a fan base, and actually making money.

Working under the tutelage of Ali Baba, Tee A learnt something fast: comedy business is serious business. He defined his own fashion style, carved his own niche as a corporate and events MC, built his own products, starting with Live ‘N naked, and the now global Tymeout with Tee A brand.

In July 2000 he hosted the first solo concert by a Nigerian comedian, Tee-A ‘Live N’ Naked’, at The MUSON Centre, in Lagos.

‘Everyone thought it was a big deal, and a major risk. But I was sure this is what I

JULIET IBRAHIM, OYE AKIDEINDE MEETTHE MEDIA – Ferdinand Ekechukwu 360Nobs co-founder, Oye Akideinde and Ghanaian / Nigerian movie star, Juliet Ibrahim were the spotlight at the September edition of Meets Media, a monthly meeting and networking forum for practitioners in the media industry. The platform recognizes media personalities of outstanding qualities and creative persons demonstrating entrepreneurial aptitude and drive to build successful enterprise.

The event was held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. It was an evening that saw Oye Akideinde, who also is the GM Operations at Tecno Mobile, celebrated as the media personality of the month for building the 360nobs, a technology driven marketing and entertainment services firm, which he, alongside his team, has transformed into one of Africa’s biggest lifestyle & entertainment website.

Accompanied by a colleague and co-founder, Tonia Soares, the 360nobs head honcho made mention of his partner Noble Igwe, and spoke about the success.

For the delectable Juliet Ibrahim, she used the occasion to launch her makeup line “Shades

by Juliet Ibrahim”. Her self-inspired range of beauty kit has eyelashes, lipsticks and lip-gloss showcased on her Moda Cosmetics brand. The actress who is not new in the industry interestingly spoke about her looks and beauty regimen which induced her venturing into beauty care products. Her experience dates back since 2003, having been in the business owning a beauty parlor. The career and business woman explained her products are generic and can be used by the office and the party lady.

The slow start but quite interactive session

wanted. After co-hosting Lagbaja’s Motherlan’ monthly gig for such a long time, along with hosting the biggest awards and parties, I knew it was time for us to begin doing our own shows’, he says, that sold-out event opened a new market for the ladies and gentlemen walking the narrow path of comedy.

Since then he has produced and hosted his own TV shows, promoted concerts in England and served as chief executive officer of his own organization, First Class Entertainment, a multimedia services and TV production company.

Since then, he has seen other stand up comedians rise under his own tutelage and that of his friend, supporter and mentor, Ali Baba. He has created celebrated TV characters, like Madam Princess, the semi-literate cantankerous interviewer on Tymeout with Tee A as well as the bombastic grammarian character of Professor Abbey.

His mimicry of top celebrities on the segment of the show also contributed into making the Tymeout with TeeA variety show brand a household name in Nigeria.

Since then, he has consistently hosted at least 100 events every year, at least within the past 10 years; he has equally produced over 15,000 hours of television, and blessed his industry with original materials too numerous to count.

Just like his mentor Ali Baba, he’s working on his first ever book, which he has appropriately titled, ‘The Life of an MC’.

This book will tell the story of his life, as well as the story of modern stand-up comedy and masters of ceremonies in Nigeria.

For now, he’s hosting friends, partners, clients and family members to a dinner concert at Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos, with performances from pop giant D’Banj, gifted singer Wande Coal, and tribute performances from industry greats like Ali Baba, Basketmouth, Basorge Tariah Jnr and many other colleagues.

‘It’s a major personal celebration for me, but to be honest, I see it as an opportunity to celebrate the success of stand-up comedy in Nigeria, and the acceptance of our genre as a form of credible art within the creative community, he says. ‘It’s my 20th anniversary, but I would have been on the streets today, if the society did not buy what I had to sell. had comedy, music, personality profile, and chats that enabled Juliet to also speak about her humanitarian project, reality show and search for ‘TPA’ – The Perfect Assistant.

ISALE EKO INTRODUCES OLD, MODERN REALM ON STAGE Having tasted success last May Day at the MUSON Centre with his debut stage production, ‘Loud Whispers’ which had Ali Baba as the lead character, Joseph Edgar is teaming up with the usual suspects, Olisa Adibua as co-executive producer and versatile director, William Benson for another play set in 14th century Lagos.

Inspired by Ayo Bhadmus but written and directed by versatile director William Benson, Isale Eko is set in 14th century Lagos where the struggle for power between two very prominent and powerful ruling houses sets the stage for an epic battle for control. Throwing up quite a few surprises, Isale Eko will be a major theatre outing for respected award-winning journalist and editor of THISDAY Glitterati, Nseobong Okon-Ekong who is on the crew as producer.

Focusing in part on the control of the very profitable trade in slave on the back of the abolition of the inhuman trade by the British, the story gets interesting with the admixture of deep feelings between the prince of one of the warring royal houses with a slave girl from the Benin kingdom who inadvertently happens to be the Oba’s favourite daughter. This brings the legendary might of the Benin kingdom into the equation leading to unexpected consequences and a defining climax.

This production is uniquely styled to accommodate the gravel voiced renditions of Brymo fresh from his latest hit track, ‘Alajo Shomolu’ who would lace the sequences with his unique showmanship leading the audience through a journey of pedantic proportions. It

Tee A

will boldly weave modern day ballads into an ancient story, carefully taking the audience into a deliberate confusing realm of the old and the new.

Already confirmed to star in this extravaganza is the legendary Abiola Atanda better known as Madam Kofo, the effervescent Yemi Shodimu and Patrick Doyle. Discussions have reached advanced stage with other highly talented cast including RMD, Femi Jacobs, Adesua Etomi, Kayla Oniwo, Gideon Okeke who will be backed by a massive supporting cast of 100 hundred actors, dancers and musicians.

The producers have revealed that this would be the first time that auditions would be made on social media as other cast members would be expected to go on their social media handles to record themselves and send in their shots from where they will be invited for the physical auditions. This according to them is designed to increase the level of engagement and interaction between the public and the production.

Lagos remains a very strategic part of Nigeria and as it celebrates its 50th next year, Isale Eko will celebrate Lagos, throw up its cultures and tradition, celebrate its diversity and further position it as the most important outpost in Nigeria.

Isale Eko promises to redefine the theatre experience while showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Lagos and its people.

HOW OLAYINKA BECAME MTV BASE VJ – Ikenna Bede In an evening of electrifying suspense, Olayinka Oladiran emerged winner of the MTV Base VJ search. She takes the baton from Ehiz Okoeguale , popularly known as ‘Dadaboy Ehiz ’who won the competition in 2013. Popularly known as K’Ola, the 23 year-old clinched the coveted ticket amidst the thousands of

hopefuls who took to the online platforms and the audition stage in Lagos, Enugu and Abuja to wow, amuse, annoy and shock the judges.

She slugged it out with the other three finalists: 23 year-old Tomiwa Olorunfemi (aka Flirtitude), 21 year-old Tochukwu Onwubiko, and 19 year-old twins, Grace and Glory Danbaki.

At the Truffles Restaurant and Bar, Ikeja GRA, Lagos where the grand finale held, teeming youths and VIP guests charged the atmosphere with an exhilarating anticipation as they engaged in side talks, discussing the likelihood of their favourites to be picked as winner.

Moments after an exuberant exhibition by top media personalities like Olisa Adibua and celebrities like Vector Tha Viper, Ikechukwu and Niniola on the red carpet, the four finalists arrived, all brilliantly dressed to depict their individual eclectic personalities. The audience was once again thrilled by their engaging personality whilst introducing themselves.

Shortly, live telecast on the MTV Base channel, showcased a montage detailing the audition’s long trek on the large screen at the venue; featuring the efforts made by the contestants; from the good, unprepared and outright bad.

“And the winner of the MTV Base VJ search 2016 is…” said Ehiz in a suspense-filled voice.

The tension in the gathering became palpable that one could almost hear their pounding heartbeats and whispers of prayers. The contestants seemed to suffer similar fate as they held their sweaty hands, waiting for the host to call out the winner. But the dreadlocked host was in no hurry. When he finally did, he nearly screamed his lungs out. “K’Ola!” Instantaneously, a glittery spray of confetti filled the air, the crowd was in a frenzy and K’Ola lost for words. Like a magnet with charged field, K’Ola attracted the entire audience with her glimmering one strap gown,

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ENTERTAINMENT which seemed apt for the momentous evening.

Progressing into the after party, the entire event felt surreal, like a palatial celebration.

Wine flowed and everyone was thrown into a state of nirvana, one that would last into the rest of the night.

An enthusiastic K’Ola recalled her decision to enter the competition.

“Before I heard about the competition, I have decided back when I was in US that I am going to move back to Nigeria and I am going to take the entertainment industry by storm.

Despite not having a job and the current state of the Nigerian economy, I still believed that I could achieve my dreams. When I heard about the MTV VJ search competition – it was a no brainer – I knew that very second I was going for it; that is what I did and now I am the new MTV VJ. I had the occasional ‘who are you?’

‘Where do you think you come from?’ ‘Is it because of your borrowed accent?’ It was a lot but over time, people came to respect me for the talent I possessed.”

K’Ola continued by acknowledging the evergreen support from her family and friends, who always believed and encouraged her to pursue her dreams amidst all odds.

Most guesses had gone for Tochukwu. He was the last titan left in the midst of amazons and bears near-striking resemblance to Ehiz. It was an easy guess, but by the end of the night didn’t pan out as imagined. The energetic, dreadlock rocking finalist expressed his disappointments at not winning amidst his unique unsuccessful Enugu tryouts to triumphant lead on social media which catapulted him to the top four: “I honestly thought that I was going to win the competition after all I had been through and also for the fact that I was the only male standing in the finals, that experience was good and I am happy I have a contract on the MTV Base brand.”

Speaking of Ehiz, the hyperactive host expressed content working with the network, “It has been a wonderful experience here at MTV Base, all doors have been opened for me, thus helping me be the best that I can be for myself.” he continues “MTV base is a youthcentered brand; empowering young individuals towards expressing their art form, the new VJ is in for a good time here.”

The night grew wilder as it aged, but the Danbaki twins were in no way slowing down either. As a duo, they coordinated perfectly on the dance floor, dishing out serious dance moves and simultaneously posing for the paparazzi for quick camera snaps. “It is an amazing experience, we had met a lot of people who had influence us positively, so many people came to this competition and we are blessed to be in the top 4. MTV Base has been a great platform, we plan on having our own show and expanding our brand.” They spoke in a coordinated synergy During the press conference prior to the revelation of the MTV Base VJ search winner, all top 4 finalist expressed how fond they had grown about each and frequently called themselves friends. It was easy to believe as each showered great support towards the winner K’Ola, to affirm this, Tomiwa said: “K’Ola won the competition and I am very happy for her. Amongst every other contestant, K’Ola was the only person I think could have won the competition; she is that good, she is my friend with an amazing personality.”

Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, commented, “Congratulations to K’Ola, who really has shown the rare combination of qualities we look for in an MTV Base VJ. We are so excited to welcome K’Ola to our MTV Base and VIMN Africa family and look forward to seeing her on screen on MTV Base in the coming weeks.

The finalists were so strong and amazing this year that we plan on contracting all of them to represent the brand as VJs” K’Ola walks home with a whooping sum of N20 million stretched over a two year contract period with the network while the other three runner-up were awarded individually with a contract on the MTV Base platform.

She also joins Ehiz, on MTV Base’s in-house talent roster, where she will start off presenting ‘Word on the Street” and “Newsish” on MTV Base and an opportunity to travel around the world with the MTV Base team on a wide range of glittering entertainment events such as the MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016, the MTV EMAs, BET Awards, BET Experience Africa, and many other events in the Viacom portfolio.

RED CARD FOR KUNLE AFOD, YEWANDE ADEKOYA Yoruba Video Film Producers/Marketers Association of Nigeria (YOVIFPMAN) has placed an indefinite ban on two leading actors, Kunle Afodunrin (AFOD) and Yewande Adekoya.

The duo have been indefinitely suspended from featuring in any movies to be released by its members henceforth over alleged unethical practices detrimental to the well-being and corporate existence of the Yoruba films marketers’ association.

Abia Welcomes BON Awards The Best of Nollywood Awards, Nigeria’s preeminent homegrown reward system for the movie industry, will this year hold in Abia State, December 10th. While accepting the hosting rights from the BON Awards organizing committee and a sprinkling of actors including Walter Anga, Yomi Fash Lanso, Rex Nosa and Tayo Sobola, the governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, expressed his delight that Abia State was considered worthy to host an event of the magnitude, renown and reverence of the BON Awards.

Weighing in on the global acceptance and importance of Nollywood, Dr Ikpeazu said Nigeria used to receive a lot of flaks from the outside world but, “In the last couple of years, we now receive considerable buffer from Nollywood. Nollywood has given us a new level of respect across the world. Therefore, when I was approached to host the awards, I thought that while this might not be the best of times financially for us as a state, it avails us a platform to bring the industry back home, show our various tourism and economic potential and join you to celebrate an industry which contribution to the GDP of Nigeria is invaluable.”

Continuing, he said, “For us in Abia State, Nollywood has contributed immensely to the well-being of our people because one of the marketing and distribution pivots of the industry, Pound Road, is here in Aba, the SME capital of Africa. Just like Idumota in Lagos and

Iweka Road, Onitsha, Pound Road contributes more than 50percent to Nollywood. So, prior to now, I always thought about how to further get involved with the industry which is why we are working on a film village and are glad to host the Best of Nollywood Awards 2016. ” Dr Ikpeazu promised that the state would join forces with the organizing team to produce a world class event that would surpass all other editions and create the high watermark by which awards ceremonies in Nigeria and beyond would be measured.

The executive producer, Seun Oloketuyi, thanked the governor for agreeing to host the event, saying, “The Best of Nollywood Awards was created in 2009 as a veritable premium platform to honour the enterprise and ingenuity of stars and stakeholders of the Nigerian movie industry otherwise known as Nollywood. I am happy to say that we are now the longest running homegrown movie awards ceremony. We designed BON as a travelling awards ceremony and in the intervening years, has been hosted by the Ogun State government under Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Delta State government (Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan), the Rivers State government (Hon. Rotimi Amaechi) and the Ondo State government (Dr. Olusegun Mimiko).” Oloketuyi assured the governor that there’s no better ceremony to officially launch the new ultramodern international events centre being constructed by the state than the BON Awards.

Gov. Ikpeazu and Tayo Sobola With this ban, Yovifpman members are directed to sell any existing film that featured the actors within the next two months. The members also unanimously resolved on the following: That all members should not feature them in their movies again; They should not in any way be used on posters or any other films promotional materials; Any new films directed by them or that they feature in shall not be sold by any of our members; all members that currently have their films are directed to release the jobs within the next two months into the market, while adhering strictly to the second point of not in anyway showcasing them.

“We have also noted with dismay the emergence of stakeholders who we acknowledged as practitioners in the industry but are operating in areas where they are not assigned. Now all manners of people are taking the advantage of this technology enhance window of distribution to load all manner of films on the internet either censored or uncensored, either legally acquired or not. This we have determined not to stand by and watch.”

Lamenting the adverse effect of piracy in the industry, the President of the Association, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Abdullahi said the association has done so much to fight the scourge of piracy that is impoverishing marketers and distributors and the actors at large without support from the government.

KAKADU SET FOR AFRICA DAY CELEBRATIONS On the heels of three years of successful performances in Nigeria and Davos, Switzerland, the award-winning “Kakadu the Musical” will berth at the Nelson Mandela Theatre, Johannesburg as part of the Africa Day Celebrations between June 7 and June 18. This

was announced recently by Claire Pacariz, the Executive Producer, Jo’burg City Theatres.

“Kakadu is a highly creative, original production which has been internationally acclaimed as the first ever musical from Nigeria and that is why we are interested in bringing it to South Africa for the 2017 Africa Day celebrations. Africa Day as you know is the annual commemoration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 23, 1963, when on that day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia”, she said.

Kakadu, the Musical is based on several pivotal events that happened in Nigeria between 1965 and 1974, the watershed years immediately following independence from British colonial rule, leading to the Biafran War and the aftermath of that war. It is written and produced by one of the leading lawyers in Nigeria, Uche Nwokedi, SAN. Musical direction and orchestration is by Benneth Ogbeiwi and the artistic and technical direction is by Kanayo Omo. With a strong plot, captivating storyline, spectacular dance and a blend of the AngloAmerican soul and pop music of the 50s and 60s that influenced musical expressions in Africa, as well as highlife music, Afrobeat and traditional Nigerian folk music, Kakadu is the most wonderfully eclectic musical ever performed anywhere.

“It is quite significant to the ethos of Kakadu that we have been invited to a theatre named after Nelson Mandela, a champion of liberties,” said the playwright-producer, Uche Nwokedi.

JONATHAN BUTLER, MI CASA, A’RESE SET FOR ‘A NIGHT ATTHE KAZBAH’ Come October 22 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the second edition of the Smooth 98.1FM promoted concert of contem-

porary African and Nigerian music with the broad theme, ‘A Night at The Kazbah’ returns with promises of a bigger and better impression.

‘A Night at the Kazbah’ is more than just music, it is a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry.

Last year, ‘A Night At The Kazbah’ was a huge success as it raised the bar and reshaped live music on the Lagos scene with a pioneering blend of AfroSoul and AfroJazz which featured Ruby Gyang, Bez, Kunle Ayo & Brymo. This year’s concert boasts of a bigger line-up and will be headlined by South African singer song writer and guitarist Jonathan Butler supported by soulful house trio Mi CASA and The Voice Nigeria reality TV winner, A’rese.

FUNMI HOLDER ADDRESSES COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN IN ‘THE GRUDGE’ The movie ‘The Grudge’ which will hit cinemas on October 28, tackles the issue of miscommunication in marriages. Starring Iretiola Doyle, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ijeoma Aniebo, Odunlade Adekola, Jaiye Kuti, Ijeoma Aniebo, and Funmi Holder, the romantic drama tells the story of a couple struggling with communication barriers.

Iretiola Doyle plays the role of a cold-blooded wife who founding out that her supposed supportive friend (Funmi Holder) slept with her husband, took calculating measures to retaliate. Because of her husband’s infidelity, she seized any sexual relationship with him and became more unapproachable each passing day while still on good terms with her friend. Until she killed her friend through poisoning was she able to be passionate with her husband again.

Directed by Yemi Morafa, the multi-layered film also addresses the issue of working class mothers and their parenting style. Ijeoma Aniebo and Odunlade Adekola lit up the screen with their humorous characters while addressing domestic violence in marriages.

Expressing enthusiasm at the press screening, Holder said it was a dream come true for her.

“It’s my first production. I have had this project for over a year. I started developing it like mid-last year. It took us four months to write the script. We just had about a week before we enter location.”

Speaking on the choice of cast and inspiration behind the story, Holder said she deliberately wrote the characters for the actor.

Having worked with Doyle on Tinsel, she had no qualms bringing her on the project. RMD on the other hand liked the theme of the film.

“I actually got inspired by a particular story I heard of a woman who found out that her fiance cheated on her with her best friend and still went ahead to marry him. And I have been hearing similar stories of things like that, keeping grudges. You don’t like what someone is doing but instead of discussing it. We need to discuss in marriages and other relationships. I think it’s better if we discuss it.

You don’t know if you talk to someone about it, you may actually be shocked by what you find out. It may not be as bad as you thought.

Instead of letting it grow inside. “ WHY NIGERIANS LOVE BIG DADDY Big Daddy, the 2011 short film on rape, by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Chris Ihidero, has now been seen over 500,000 times on video sharing website YouTube, according to data released today by digital agency ID Africa.

In almost four years since being released to widespread acclaim, the film has received multiple nominations and wins from local and international awards, including the AMAA Awards and the AMVCAs. It has also screened several times in Lagos and Abuja.

On YouTube, the world’s leading digital video platform, Big Daddy has been viewed 510,000 times, with viewers spending cumulatively over 1.2 million minutes watching the film. The United States accounts for 32% of the total audience, India 15%, Saudi Arabia 7%, United Kingdom 6% and Nigeria 3%.

Ihidero says he’s impressed with the impact recorded so far by the project, even though ‘we still have a long way to go with regards to rape and sexual abuse in our society’.

Big Daddy tells the story of a vulnerable young girl who, under the very eyes of her own parents, is repeatedly violated by her uncle, leading to devastating consequences.

Ihidero has since moved on, to produce the globally renowned HIV TV series Shuga in 2015, to found the world’s most respected website on Nollywood and related entertainment TNS, and the annual pro bono creative workshop StoryStory. He is also the Head Writer for DSTV’s HUSH, currently running on Africa Magic.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Niall Horan

ANOTHER MEMBER OF ONE DIRECTION GOES SOLO Niall Horan is the latest member of the boy band to go a different direction with the release of his latest single ‘This Town’ recently.

Members of the band started disbanding last year with the exit of Zayn Malik.

Liam Payne followed next and now Horan also walked away, leaving only Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles.

His exit dashed any hope of the band’s reunion.

Released by Capitol Records, the guitar ballad was written by Horan with the help of Jamie Scott, Mike Needle and Daniel Bryer and produced by Greg Kurstin

Robin Williams

ROBIN WILLIAMS’ ‘MRS DOUBTFIRE’ HOUSE UP FOR SALE The 3,300-square-foot property where the late Golden Globe winner played a favourite character in the 1993 film is now up for sale.

In ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, Robin Williams played the role of a husband who is going through a bitter divorce. Eager to spend more time with his children, he disguised himself as a female housekeeper.

Following Williams death in 2014, the house became a shrine to the actor as fans thronged there to relive sweet memories of the late actor.

Yolanda Adams

The current owner, a doctor Douglas Ousterhoud, bought the home in 1997 for $1.395m.

Located in the Pacific Heights neighbourhood of San Francisco, the four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms is on sale for $4.45m.

FRANCE, ITALY RACE FOR OSCARS NOMINATION As the film world awaits the Academy Awards nominations, two European countries are already slugging it out in the Best Foreign Language category.

Known for dominating this particular category, the two countries are making no exception in the upcoming awards.

Their entries for the 2017 Oscars showed bold films that transcend race.

For France, ‘Elle’ a troubling psychological film is their best option.

Produced by Paul Verhoeven, the film revolves round a hard-driving professional woman who is brutally raped by a masked man and the search for her assailant. France has a history of the highest nominated country in the Oscars category with 12 wins.

Meanwhile, Italy settles Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea” (“Fuocoammare”).

Like France, the country has an impressive record of 14 wins in the Oscars.

Other top contenders include Germany’s ‘Toni Erdmann’, Iran’s ‘The Salesman’, Spain’s ‘Julieta’, Chile’s ‘Neruda’, Mexico’s ‘Desierto’ and Israel’s ‘Sand Storm’.

The Academy Awards will announce the official nomination list for Best Foreign Language Film early October.

JOHNNY DEPP TO STAR IN FOX NEW MOVIE Murder on the Orient Express, the new Fox remake of the 1974 mystery movie is already boasting of a stellar cast. Johnny Depp was recently added alongside Daisy Ridley and Michelle Pfeiffer to the cast. Depp played Rachett, an American tycoon whose murder on the titular train is the central plot.

Production of the movie begins in London in November.

Johnny Depp

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART LAY OFF WORKERS About 1.5 percent of the Met’s workforce was laid off recently as part of its financial restructuring process.

The action follows the ballooning deficit

the museum has been experiencing in recent times. Last year, its revenue declined by $1 million. The museum is currently trying to raise $600 million for an additional wing for the modern and contemporary art.

“These are difficult decisions. We’re disappointed to be losing good colleagues but we’re making very good progress on the process we put in motion. Our goal was to meet the budget objectives that we have without in any way diminishing the core mission of the museum.” Met’s president and chief operating officer, Daniel H. Weiss told New York Times.

The 34 employees affected do not include curators or conservators.

NEW YORK CITY CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN IN FILM AND THEATRE A new initiative to support women in the film and theatre industry was recently announced by the city’s Mayor office. The five part-initiative is geared to promote equality for women who work onscreen (film and television), onstage and behind the screen.

A $5 million fund will be raised to achieve this goal. The fund will be shared among female film and theatermakers, administered over five years, to help them complete projects that are by, for, or about women.

The commissioner of the office’s Media and Entertainment Julie Menin said that the office took the duty to promote women in the industry because women are not getting much prominence like the men.

In addition to the fund, there will also be a a writing contest, in which two winners will make a pilot for NYC Life, the city’s local TV channel.

As well as sponsored sessions for female directors to hone their pitches and connect them to financiers.

Yolanda Adams, Kelly Clarkson, Chance the Rapper Billed for White House’s Christmas Tree Lighting Concert The artistes will be joining Barack Obama and his family to light the Christmas tree to usher in the holiday season.

It will be the first time Chance whose father worked for Obama when he was an Illinois state governor will be performing at the White House.

“It began with the WORD”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

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EVENT

Gospel Singers Light Up Spirit Life Conference Vanesa Obioha

B

eyond expectations, the 2016 Spirit Life Conference was a memorable one for many who attended. The five-day programme was incredibly empowering with provocative words of wisdom, knowledge and revelation from great men of God as well as musical celebration from renowned gospel artistes.

At the Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos were it held, hundreds of true worshippers filled the auditorium to witness the word and musical ministrations.

Nathaniel Bassey, Micah Stampley raised the roof with their melodies from the very first day of the conference. Performing hit tracks like ‘Onise Iyanu’, ‘Imela’ and ‘Hallelujah’ the incredible duo set the atmosphere of healing and worship for the conference.

Eno Michael and Sammie Okposo were not left out in the jubilation. Sampling their own unique beats they evoked soulful worship and even got the congregation to their feet with their eclectic beats.

Tagged ‘From Glory To Glory’, this year’s event was an amazing reminder that there is hope for a better future both for the church and the nation.

Dr. Abel Damina who many described as a radical but dangerously rooted teacher of the scriptures kicked off the programme with a powerful sermon. His teachings penetrated the soul of the congregation and they were able to understand the different relationships and covenants that were cut with the people of God in the Old Testament and New Testament.

“There is a level of the glory in the Old Testament (which is a relationship built on man’s abilities) and a higher level of glory in the New Testament (a relationship built on grace and what God can do)”.

Evidently, this revelation filled the congregation with understanding as they nodded in unison.

Also speaking at the event was Dr. Jamal Bryant from the United States. He exposed the incredible reality that Africa will soon be the focal point of global development. Amidst rounds of prophetic declarations, he gave the congregation a reason to hope against all hopes and believe that the glory of our nation will soon be manifested to the world.

Another unforgettable speaker at the conference was Dr Jasmin Sculark. She created an electrifying ambience with her ministration that many called her an an unstoppable powerhouse. Gracing the podium on the second day, her teaching on the painful sacrifices for a greater good stirred a lot of deep resolve in the heart of the congregation.

If Sculark was unstoppable, Bishop Tudor Bismark proved to be unapologetic in his sermon where he established God’s desire for His children

Paul Adefarasin

to have not just good gifts, but perfect gifts.

He reminded the Christians of how gifted they truly were, and how well these gifts can make room for them before mighty kings.

He listed out these gifts to include gifts of salvation, the Holy Spirit, ministry, health and wealth and the gift of leadership and power. Any form of confoundment was easily unclouded by his amazing and skillful delivery of God’s word and the Holy Spirit that the congregation readily grasped his teachings.

The host, Pastor Paul Adefarasin rounded off the conference on Sunday with a thunderous sermon straight from the oracle of heaven. His sermon, titled ‘Living in Glory’, was beautifully tailored for such a time as this. He shared great insights on how blessed we are though our circumstances may say otherwise. He further encouraged the congregation not to lose heart but to make declarations of goodness and blessings as kings that they truly are. For they have been given dominion over everything in the earth and should represent the glory of God in this present time.

Saving the best for last, the church choir, Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir gave a superb rendition of gospel songs with their heavenly voices, raising the volume of worship in the gathering. Not a few left the church without a commendable note on their performance.

Nathaniel Bassey

Abel Damina

Budding Entrepreneur Programme Kicks Off Twenty young entrepreneurs from different parts of Nigeria are presently in Lagos for the second edition of the Budding Entrepreneur Program of the Young Business Leaders of Nigeria.

The participants were chosen from a pool of 30,000 applicants through a rigorous selection process. In the next six weeks, they will be groomed in management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills to improve their businesses. They will also pay site visits and interact with CEOs of top companies. The aim is to give them an insight into the business world as well provide a robust network for their businesses. At the end of the

programme, the selected applicants will be granted the opportunity to make a pitch to a panel of investors who are likely to fund their businesses.

Similarly, another 20 participants are enrolled in the Employability MasterClass which is aimed at bridging the gap between education and the working world. This is strictly for fresh graduates who have at least volunteered for a community work. They are trained in work skills and ethics that make them employable.

The project coordinator, Oye Jolaoso threw more light on the program. “We try to instill community service in them

because all of this is a waste if they are not able to positively impact the community around them. Our yardstick to measure their progress is basically finding out where they are now from when they joined us. And after the programme, we still communicate with them. Two of our participants from last year were chosen for the Mandela/Washington this year.”

BEP is an initiative of Temitayo Etomi, an alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Since its inception last year, the program has been able to bridge the gap between the unemployed and employed. The programme is supported by the US Consulate.

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

BEING CONSCIOUS ABOUT LIFE… PAGE 64

02.10.2016

PATORANKING

TRANSCENDING THE DAVIDO EFFECT EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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PATORANKING: TRANSCE THE DAVIDO EFFECT Patoranking means business and his efforts will ensure that his fans won’t be seeing his back any time soon, says Toni Kan

Patoranking

P

atoranking is a beneficiary of something I like to call the “Davido Effect”.

The “Davido Effect” is at once a shot in the arm and a kiss of death for the nascent career of a musical artiste.

Let me explain; Davido, literally an unknown releases the single “Back When” and manages to snag Naeto C to spit some verses. On the strength of that single, Davido becomes a bona fide musical star, booking huge venues, getting hot collabos, snagging endorsements and making the tabloids and gossip blogs.

And all this while Davido had no album, no EP, no body of work to define his career, to solidify his fame or cachet.

That career progression has now been replicated over and over from Yemi Alade with Johnny to Patoranking with Alubarika; Koker with Kolewerk to Adekunle Gold with Orente, and Reekado Banks with Katapot.

An artiste of whatever stripe – music, literature, art, movies, is often defined by a body of work, that which the French call an oeuvre, through which critics can trace a trajectory of development, influences, sublimity or genius.

The Nigerian music scene continues to defy this tried and tested rule by producing superstars standing and falling on the shaky foundation of one single. Think Sean Tizzle, think YC, think Lil Kesh.

Patoranking seemed fated to that same outcome even though he followed up on

“Alubarika” with other hits like “Girlie O”, “My Woman My Everything”, “Daniella Whine” and “Make Am”.

But there was always that question mark, that creeping doubt; can he stand on his own two feet with a full album that would hit the mark, please listeners and cement his reputation? To answer that question, Patoranking had to produce an album and so was born God Over Everything (GOE).

The reference to God may seem fortuitous but while the album was percolating, Patoranking was made judge on a reality TV show that was broadcast across Africa a fact that guaranteed him instant recognition across the continent. Not bad PR for an album launch.

The album opens with Mama Patoranking going spiritual with a prayer. The first song “Patoranking” is an average ode to self from Patoranking. “This is my album,” he seems to say as he then proceeds to call his own name after almost every beat.

“GOE” would have been better served as J.O.E., Jah Over Everything since Patoranking, even though I am not sure he makes the case himself, has been styled as Nigeria’s biggest surviving dancehall artiste especially with what seems like an abdication

by Baba Dee and General Pype.

The eponymous track “GOE” is a praise song but if I were God I would choose “Writing on the Wall”, which is a better constructed paean to the Creator. The opening verse alone is much more than the sum of the parts of GOE and I suspect it would give the Almighty Father more pleasure than the hastily cobbled together “GOE” which I suspect was recorded just for the album title. “GOE” is like Cain’s sacrifice while ‘Writing on the Wall’ is more of Abel’s,

a sweet smelling savour.

Listen to the opening verse and see why: “God is my saviour and my strength Your blessings so long me don’t know the length Even when they say me parents can’t pay rent Me still a thank him hundred percent.”

The album picks up from no “Cheating Zone” which is a song taken straight from the Gregory Isaacs (or Blacckky) play book. Shut your eyes and cock your ears a certain way and you could be listening to “Night Nurse”.

This is Patoranking at his very best.

He is playful, seductive, youthful and shows off his reggae chops. The lady is saying stop, but what you hear is ‘stop it, I like it’.

“On my way to work, me saw this pretty girl Me was scared to talk cos she’s a city girl Me wanna get close, me wanna know ya You got a cute nose, hope nobody told ya…

She say there he goes, Mr. Player She say where you from, smooth talker…

Excuse me, bad boy that look like Makavelli Are you the boy wey me a see inna me tellie…

She say no no no no no no

I got a man waiting at home no no no no no no This ain’t no cheating zone.

The reference to Gregory Isaac is intentional and helps in situating Patoranking’s debut as an experimental album from a man who had released five monster hit singles and was not completely sure whether to stick strictly to dancehall, or reggae or highlife or fuji or even RnB. What we end up with on our plate is a debut album that is like a mop of influences. Almost every song reminds you of something before it.

“Money” is the thumping and obligatory rags to riches story and we have heard it many times before: Wizkid with Ojuelegba, Timaya with Plantain Boy, Davido with Back When and now, Patoranking with Money. He and Phyno tear it up in a song that most dudes hustling for some paper will make their ring tones.

“I remember when owu dey blow me No body hear my story, nobody want to know me Nobody want my glory Na im I first give dem Alubarika, now dem dey find me for America All my land na in kilometres, dem wan to know my speedometer From nobody eh to somebody eh Go tell Daddy eh, go tell mummy eh Nobody fit stop God hand…

Say the boy don be man, money dey find me, eh” Patoranking goes from Alubarika to America

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ENDING

Patoranking while Phyno cooks beats as if he is in the chemistry lab.

“Killing Me” is on some massive highlife ish while ‘This Kind Luv’ (ft Wizkid) takes us on an intense afrobeat moment. Listen to that seemingly errant horn and you get the picture and while I don’t speak Yoruba, I know Wizkid is fronting as usual when he says “I get money lapo”. Brilliant song that elevates Sarz, the producer, to a class all his own.

Sarkodie shows why he is hotter than fire. He kills the song on “No Kissing Baby” switching as he does from English to Twi to Pidgin. This is a certified club banger.

“Mama Aboyo” doesn’t grab you from first listen but then it grows on you. Olamide and Patoranking travel back into time to Galala territory. No one knows for sure what Aboyo has done but having skipped town, Olamide seeks out his mother. “Mama Aboyo, if you see Aboyo, make you warn Aboyo.”

There is, as always, in Olamide’s street ditties, an air of playful menace.

“Daniella Whine” is pure Dancehall and Patoranking’s collabo with Elephant Man and Konshense is a beauty. But dude, it’s Wind not Whine o.

I am shocked to say this but my best song on G.O.E. is the Fuji-inspired Ayinde, featuring the king himself, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, Kwam 1. The song is mature, sedate, well arranged and cleanly produced. Shut your car does, put on the AC and turn the volume as high as it will go. Then relax as you experience an intense aural massage helmed by Major Bangz.

GOE gets high marks for standing up to scrutiny. The jury is still out on whether Patoranking is a dancehall hall artiste or whether what he speaks is patois, but what is abundantly clear from his debut album is that dude is not just a fine face, he is serious about this business and will be here for a while longer.

-Toni Kan is the author ofThe Carnivorous City published by Cassava Republic.

The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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OCTOBER 2, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

BEING CONSCIOUS ABOUT LIFE

Olusegun Adeniyi

W

hen I was contacted by Mrs. Funmi Oyetunji a few weeks ago that I would be the reviewer of the book being presented today, I knew it was a command.

And because of her, I had to cancel THISDAY editorial board meeting which ordinarily should be holding at about now in Abuja. But having read the book, I believe it is worthwhile being here today even as the author must be commended for this enriching collection appropriately titled “A Conscious Life”.

There are aspects of this book that are motivational while a bit of it is biographical yet it is also about lifestyle as it covers human interest issues from love and marriage to friendship and parenting as well as education and professional career. At the end, the author inspires us to make wise choices as we navigate through life.

For the young, this book is a tool to help keep them on the right track as the author offers real life perspectives on issues they have to contend with on a daily basis. And for the old, it is a good companion to remind them not only of what might have been but also of what remains undone. If you have ever looked at the achievements of others thinking you would never be able to accomplish such goals, what this book teaches is that you are capable of achieving whatever you set your mind on. But, as the author also reminds us, success does not come easy as there is always a price to pay.

‘A Conscious Life’ contains eleven chapters and each one was carefully written to present fresh insight about the choices we make from childhood to adulthood with rich anecdotes drawn from personal examples, not only of the author but that of others. However, the Question that would easily come to any introspective reader is: what are the mistakes I have made and what can I do to ensure those mistakes do not repeat themselves either in my life or that of my children?

Interestingly, on my way from the airport this morning, someone sent me a Whatsapp message that contains a profound quote which reads: “Life is the most difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy others not realizing that everyone has a different question paper.”

In ‘A Conscious Life’, the author makes that very clear with many of the time-tested wisdom nuggets which include cultivating your own brand; setting deadlines, having roadmaps, charting your own path, taking responsibility for your decisions and actions, mining your potentials, setting goals, drawing your purse strings, seeking opportunities, learning beyond the classroom, diversifying your portfolios, maintaining your individuality etc.

The message being conveyed by the author, and she does it rather brilliantly, is that there is no hope in living unconsciously.

And to be conscious is to be alert at all times even while being sensitive to our environment. That is one take-away from the book that is useful for us all.

Another lesson that comes out very strongly in “A Conscious Life” is the primacy of education to whatever we want to become in life. Here are a few nuggets from the perspective of the author though not exactly in her words: Education is the only pathway to success. Education is the bedrock for a fulfilled life or more appropriately, a conscious life. Even when one can argue that these assumptions are overstated; afterall, we have stark illiterates who are successful in life, the fact also remains that those are exceptions. In any case, what the author is saying is not different from the immortal words of Henry Ford that someone who stops learning is old, whether the age of such a person is 20 or 80 whereas anyone who keeps learning stays young, essentially because that is the only way to broaden our horizon. And education, as the author argues, goes, or at least should go, beyond the classroom.

In “A Conscious Life”, an interesting distinction made by the author is one between the need for work and the need for financial compensation. The emphasis here is on building a career which perhaps then explains why she admonishes that the decision about work and financial independence should be taken with care. Time, space, thinking process and working with others are some of the things that would have to be managed to excel.

It is from making career plans that the author leads readers into financial security and wealth creation. She enjoins readers to consider life as a project with every individual as the project manager. And at every step of the way, a project manager is required to take concrete steps towards achieving the overall objective which in this case is a fulfilling life. Drawing from her own experience as banker, the author outlines some helpful tips in that direction.

In “A Conscious Life”, the author places emphasis on the importance of family and friends. In this age and time, the need to build true friendships is indeed worth every sacrifice anyone can make, she argues. Sometimes, it is better to do things together with other people than to do them alone. This is where friendship and family comes in. It demonstrates how you can live a conscious life through bonding with the right people. The author therefore enjoins to prioritize family and friendship.

Reading through this book, it is easy to come to the conclusion that it is a tough call trying to live a conscious life. But really, it is not. The key is simple: You have to be very conscious of the

choices you make, the people you network with, the places you go, the kind of business you get into and the relationships you cultivate at every level. And in dealing with an aspect which is important to most people, that is marriage, the author identifies critical success factors, especially within the context of the Nigerian experience.

The book also contains prescriptions on parenting. The author emphasized the need for parents to model in themselves what they would like to see in their children. Some, if not most, of the ideas may not be new but they serve as important reminders on what parents must do to retain the trust of their children. It´s true that fulfillment is relative to every person because we have different dreams, ambitions, desires and circumstances, but if we imbibe some of the advice in the book, we will surely find fulfillment at the end of our journey.

‘When Life Happens’ is an important chapter in the book, and as the author explains, it is that moment when things seem to be crumbling down and you have to keep telling yourself that you cannot afford to accept defeat or failure. Here the author tells the story of how she was unfairly dealt a blow by the company she was working for and how she battled the odds to get justice after nine years. It is a story many people can easily relate to but the lesson there is that life will always throw at us at different epochs some difficult challenges. These curveballs may stress us out way more than they should but when we overcome, we learn the most about ourselves and we become stronger.

Reading this book has reinforced in me the importance of constantly evaluating myself and every action I had taken in the past, which are influencing the present. The author reminds us that success is tied to the ability to create that balance in our lives that will ultimately lead us to our desired goal of progress in our life, business, relationship, family and environment. That is the central thesis of this book where in the final chapter, the author talks about placing premium on our health as part of the conscious life choices.

Sound body and mind are key ingredients to whatever we aspire to be, she reminds us.

In all, ‘A Conscious Life’ offers simple guides to help readers who seek contentment in life. These are practical tips that we can all implement in our own life. But there is a question I will like to put to the author: Does early success in life necessarily invite future failure? The question arises from an anecdote in the first chapter of the book that does not sit well with me, especially given the interpretation given by the author. If I do not get any answer to my question, I take consolation in the fact that we can always learn something through the perspective of others, even if we do not agree with the premises on which they arrived at their conclusions.

However, that mild misgiving still does not take away from the fact that this book carries a profound message on how we should consciously review and reflect on our day to day interactions so that we would not only impact our immediate environment but generations.

For those who have ever wondered how other people succeeded where they failed, this book captures the key principles on how we can get the best out of life. If you are tired of living the way you are currently living, this book will give you new ideas that you have been longing for.

While I therefore commend the efforts of the author who, many may not know, happens to be my auntie-in-law, this is a book I will gladly recommend for those who seek a more fulfilling life.

––Text of the review of the book,‘A Conscious Life’, written by Mrs Funmi Oyetunji, at the public presentation in Lagos, on September 21

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2016

65

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

On Buhari and the Niger Delta Crisis President Muhammadu Buhari should adopt a holistic approach to the Niger Delta crisis and try to learn from past mistakes to arrest the growing restiveness in the region, writes Vincent Obia

I

t is now a year and four months since President Muhammadu Buhari promised in his inaugural speech to continue the Niger Delta amnesty programme and take other steps to address the region’s multifarious oil-induced problems. But the issues in the region have not only lingered, but they have also continued to expand, perhaps, in ways Buhari might not have envisaged when at his inauguration on May 29 last year he stated, “The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the government intends to invest heavily in the projects and programmes currently in place.

“I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the state and federal government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians.

I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people.”

The period since after that speech has seen unimaginable increase in militancy in the Niger Delta, with a whole slew of nascent militant groups claiming to make demands on behalf of the region.

In response, the military launched a crackdown on militant activities in August, code-named, “Operation Crocodile Smile.” And in a seeming tit-for-tat, the militants launched “Operation Crocodile Tears.”

While the unpleasant turn of events in the Niger Delta may be to the shocked dismay of Buhari, many who know the region are unsurprised at the situation. His first steps in the region tended to indicate that he had learned nothing from the mistakes of past leaders who failed to pursue a holistic solution to the Niger Delta problem, but conveniently picked and chose measures they thought could be a stand-alone. The result is the deterioration the region has seen.

Buhari’s inauguration came at a time when there was suspicion in some quarters that he might re-enact what seemed like a pattern of deliberate expropriation and repression in the Niger Delta set by most past leaders of the country, who are not from the region, especially, the military rulers. Being a former military Head of State, it was suspected that Buhari would adopt the coercive strategy in dealing with issues in the region.

He did not do that. But he also did not prevent the circumstances that could push him to the military option.

This tactic is anchored on physical and psychological warfare against the people to sufficiently subdue and keep them at bay to allow unfettered flow of oil and gas from the bowels of the delta. It had ensured an illusory sense of peace in the region and also produced a graduation from civil protests to armed struggle, with countless consequences for the country.

At the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, then President Olusegun Obasanjo introduced some measures and pushed through legislations to try to appease the Niger Delta people. The late President Umaru YarÁdua, who succeeded Obasanjo, had no illusions about the effectiveness of force in quelling the rising agitation for economic justice and equitable distribution of the region’s resources. Yar’Adua declared the Niger Delta amnesty project on June 25, 2009 as a five-year programme of “Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Rehabilitation or Reintegration” for armed agitators who accepted the offer of amnesty. The disarmament and demobilisation phases of the programme, which are mainly security-based, have been largely achieved. But the federal government has seemed

The committee also broadly recommended completion of the East-West road from Calabar to Lagos; building and improvement of critical infrastructure in the Niger Delta to support economic development and create employment for the people; making the oil companies operating in the region to have insurance bonds against environmental pollution; and massive improvement in health and educational infrastructure.

The report recommended the review and abolition of laws deemed to be inimical to the wellbeing of the people, such as the Mineral Act, the Petroleum Act, the Oil Pipeline Act, Land Use Act, Associated Gas Re-injection Act, Oil Terminal Dues Act, and the Land (Title Vesting) Act. To facilitate proper implementation of the of the recommended measures, the Mitee committee proposed the establishment ezeibe.aguwa@thisdaylive.com 08093842953 of some mechanisms and institutions, including National Minorities Commission; a to renege on the processes that underlie achievement of the Multi-Stakeholder Niger Delta Policy and Project Compliance reintegration phase, which is development-based and geared Monitoring Committee; a Special Niger Delta Infrastructural towards sustainable peace.

Intervention Fund; a Niger Delta Futures Trust Fund; and In May last year, Buhari promised to further the peace and Community Trust Fund for Oil Producing Communities. development efforts and pay more attention to the problems of Despite the robust body of suggestions for lasting developthe Niger Delta. But he continued the mistakes of his predecesment and stability in the Niger Delta, the Yar’Adua governsors, who seemed to be engrossed in the security aspects of ment picked the amnesty programme and concentrated on the the amnesty programme to the detriment of the development security aspect, which involved disarmament and demobilisacomponent. Thus, the problems in the Niger Delta continued tion of the armed fighters. This pattern has not changed. to expand and ricochet around the same old stories of poverty, There seems to be a tendency on the part of the federal govinjustice, environmental degradation, insecurity, and restiveernment to equate peace with uninterrupted exploitation of oil. ness.

The Yar’Adua government’s amnesty programme, for instance, Yar’Adua had started the mistake in 2009, when he picked the was preceded by a massive reduction in oil output from the amnesty programme as a stand-alone from an integrated proNiger Delta due to disruptions caused by militant attacks on the gramme of sustainable peace and development recommended oil infrastructure. Nigeria’s daily oil production had fallen from by a committee he commissioned. The Yar’Adua government about two million barrels per day to about 500, 000 barrels. had on September 8, 2008 inaugurated the Niger Delta TechniCurrently, resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta has reduced cal Committee headed by Ogoni-born lawyer and activist, Mr. daily crude oil production to about one million barrels per day, Ledum Mitee, “To collate, review and distil the various reports, from about two million barrels. And in response, the federal suggestions and recommendations on the Niger Delta from the government proposed the now suspended two-day stakeholdWillinks Commission Report (1958) to the present and give a ers summit on Niger Delta, scheduled to hold on September 26 summary of the recommendations necessary for government and September 27. The suspension followed a rejection of the action; To appraise the summary recommendations and present venue and framework by many Niger Delta leaders. a detailed short, medium and long term suggestion to the In the search for lasting peace in the Niger Delta, Buhari needs challenges in the Niger Delta; To make and present to governto change this propensity to use oil production as a measure ment any other recommendations that will help the federal of peace, which has proved illusory and dangerous overtime. government achieve sustainable development, peace, human There must be a sincere effort to invest in human and infraand environmental security in the Niger Delta Region.” structural development in the Niger Delta. Besides, an inclusive The Mitee committee submitted its report in November 2008. security strategy that extensively involves the communities is It outlined what has been widely adjudged as the most comprewhat would guarantee the security that the government craves. hensive agenda for sustainable peace and development in the The federal government should ensure equitable land ownerNiger Delta. The recommendations included the establishment ship rights, as well as community participation and ownership of a disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration instituof oil production activities. tions and processes, with the granting of amnesty to militants For now, certainly, Nigeria does not need another conference ready to drop armed struggle and accept the offer of amnesty. It on the Niger Delta. What the country needs is political will on suggested an increment of the derivation revenue accruing to the part of the president to implement the holistic solutions that oil producing states to 25 per cent, from the current 13 per cent. have been generously captured in existing reports on the region.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

The Unresolved National Question

Buhari

T

he national question in Nigeria has been defined as the extent to which the citizens think Nigeria, instead of their ethnicities or localities. The rate is, undoubtedly, low, with successive governments not deeming it fit to look seriously into the cause.

Beyond sloganeering, the Nigerian state must rise to assure peoples of the over 300 ethnic groups in the country that it is in the best position to guarantee them political, economic, and social security. The

federal government must demonstrate capacity for equity. This is the only way to permanently calm the growing separatist voices angrily raising the national question.

There is no better time to ponder the national question than now, when the country is marking its 56th anniversary amid hardship and sundry frustrating conditions that have got some wondering if the country was not better under colonialism.

– Vincent Obia

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

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CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

As Tension Between Tinubu and Odigie -Oyegun Bubbles to the Surface Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes on the faceoff between the APC national leader and the party’s national chairman

A

fter months of unease in the relationship between the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief John OdigieOyegun, and the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, there was a flare-up of tension between both men last week. Tinubu publicly accused Odigie-Oyegun of bad leadership and asked him to resign.

Lingering Crisis

Before the latest crisis, the party had witnessed a lingering internal feud which tended to polarise it into three factions.

Though these factions have not been drawn into open confrontation, they have remained steadfast in their opposition to each other as far events in the party are concerned.

The conflict started with the selection of the leadership of the National Assembly. The emergence of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu and Speaker of the House Representatives Yakubu Dogara had first pitted the party’s leadership against Tinubu, who felt that the OdigieOyegun-led National Working Committee did not do enough to assert its authority and ensure that candidates anointed by it emerged victorious at the National Assembly. Later, the party leadership also got knocks from the Presidency, and a group loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Saraki distanced itself from the party’s positions. Since then, there has been no love lost between the national chairman and Tinubu, who is believed to have influenced his emergence.

‘Off-gear’

Odigie-Oyegun once admitted that the crisis had caught the party napping. In an interview with journalists at the party’s national secretariat earlier in the year, he said, “The system went out off-gear with the very first election that was made. So the planning of the party was thrown out of sync. So you have to walk back and resolve it as best as possible in the circumstances.

In human affairs there is no perfection.”

From then on, things continued to deteriorate, with the APC continually receiving bashing from aggrieved members over alleged inability to resolve the crisis in the National Assembly as well other places where there has been intra-party wrangling.

One of the victims of the seeming indiscretion was the deputy national publicity secretary, Mr. Timi Frank, who despite the departure of the immediate past APC national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is now information minister, was prevented from acting in that capacity. Little wonder, Tinubu’s call for Odigie-Oyegun’s resignation got the backing of the estranged deputy national publicity secretary, when he described it as a vindication of his earlier position that the Odigie-Oyegun leadership had fallen short of expectations.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Frank said based on the weighty allegations made by the former Lagos State governor, he was “urging the party leadership to immediately convene an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee to look into the crisis generated by the conduct of Ondo State governorship primary, among other nagging issues.”

Replacement

With such a turbulent situation, Odigie-Oyegun knew he was only marking time and might be the target any time changes were to be made in the party’s leadership. But somehow, his leadership appears to be surviving against all odds, probably due to the fact that the power brokers could not settle for a suitable replacement.

At a stage, the governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole, was being canvassed as Odigie-Oyegun’s possible replacement. But even that choice is now coming under great scrutiny, as some of the leaders are said to be uncomfortable with the unpredictable nature of Oshiomhole and are considering other options.

Added to this is the fact that the APC-led federal government is witnessing dwindling popularity across the country due to the worsening economic conditions of Nigerians. The party leaders, therefore, see anything that would further create crisis among them as not good at the moment, hence their decision to shelve the proposed emergency convention. All these factors have combined to give Odigie-Oyegun a breather and may further keep him going at least for now until the party is ready to hold its national conference.

While it is in the interest of the ruling party to exercise caution in order not to allow the implosion that happened in the erstwhile ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, to befall it, some of the leaders have also cautioned the party leadership to take proactive steps to nip the crisis in the bud. The Kastina State governor, Aminu Masari, during a meeting of the APC governors’ forum in Abuja recently, charged the party’s NWC led by Odigie-Oyegun to be more proactive and to do the right thing at the right time in resolving the crisis facing the party.

Odigie-Oyegun

Ondo Primary

Tinubu’s outburst last week followed an alleged mishandling of the disagreements arising from the Ondo State governorship primary by the NWC. It all began when the governor of Jigawa State, Muhammadu Abubakar, submitted the report of the committee for the Ondo primary election to the national leadership of the APC. In the report, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was indicated as having won the governorship primary, defeating among other contestants, Mr. Segun Abraham, the preferred candidate of Tinubu. However, following their disapproval of the outcome of the primary election, three of the governorship aspirants, Abraham, Olusola Oke, and Senator Ajayi Borofice, petitioned the APC appeal panel headed by Mrs. Helen Benaga, alleging irregularities in the delegates list used for the primary.

After a week-long sitting, the appeal committee came out with a verdict to annul the primary election. But the committee’s decision remained a secret until it was submitted to the leadership of the party. The report, said to have been endorsed by two out of the three members of the appeal committee, recommended the cancellation of the primary election and holding of a fresh one. Those who were at the meeting to receive the report of the appeal panel were Odigie-Oyegun and the two deputy national chairmen for South and North, Mr. Segun Oni and Senator Shuiabu Lawal, respectively.

Others were the national secretary, Mai Mala Buni, national auditor, Chief George Moghalu, national treasurer, Mohammed Gwagwarwa, national organising secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, deputy national secretary, Hon. Oji Ngofa, and all the national vice chairmen of the party.

The recommendation of the appeal committee generated heated a debate among members of the party’s NWC, to the extent that deliberations on the matter dragged on for three days. The NWC became divided, with one group supporting the cancellation while the other argued against it and wanted the report of the appeal committee dropped. The matter became more controversial when the report of the appeal committee leaked to the public and the affected aspirants on learning about it became even more agitated. It was at this stage that Odigie-Oyegun summoned an NWC meeting to take a decisive action on the way forward.

There were contradictory narratives from those who claimed to be privy to the discussions at the meeting. While some said the NWC voted to uphold the appeal panel report others said the majority position was to reject the report. The APC leadership later said it rejected the appeal panel’s report. In a statement issued by the Buni, APC said it took the decision to uphold the election of Akeredolu and to set aside appeal committee’s recommendations due contradictions contained the report and also because the primary election was time barred.

The statement said, “For the records, the party’s National Working Committee decision to reject the 2016 Ondo State APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee Report was taken on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in executive session after careful and exhaustive deliberation. The minutes and rejection

Tinubu was confirmed by the NWC on Thursday, September 22, 2016.”

The party said the issue of fresh primaries did not arise, as the NWC had already rejected the appeal committee’s report in view of some flaws.

According to the statement, “In any case, the election was time barred. By the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, all governorship primaries and issues relating to it ended on September 19, 2016. Also, voting on the issue did not arise in view of the NWC’s rejection of the appeal committee’s report. The NWC in its four-point resolution rejected the appeal committee’s recommendation on the grounds that the report was fundamentally and fatally flawed.

The NWC observed that the appeal committee contradicted itself when it admitted that the Primary Election Committee substantially complied with the rules guiding the process but still proceeded to recommend the nullification of the primary election.

“The NWC in its four-point resolution faulted the failure of the appeal committee to invite the national secretariat to authenticate or otherwise the source of the disputed delegates list as the custodian. Also, the appeal committee did not invite the chairman or members of the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Committee to clarify on the allegation of manipulation on the accreditation process. It rather relied on unsubstantiated evidence(s) to recommend the nullification of the primary.

“The NWC equally observed a serious contradiction in the appeal committee’s report in respect of the number of the accredited delegates. Whereas the Primary Election Committee’s report indicated that 2,774 delegates were accredited, the appeal committee’s report erroneously recorded it as those who voted in the election, thereby creating a false impression of over voting in the exercise. The actual total number of votes cast was 2,754, according to Primary Election Committee’s report.”

Tinubu’s Demand

Angered by the perceived NWC conspiracy, Tinubu said on Tuesday that Odigie-Oyegun should quit as national chairman of the ruling party. He alleged that the national chairman conspired with some members of the party “to sabotage justice and democracy in Ondo State,” in a statement by his media office, noting that Odigie-Oyegun “has dealt a heavy blow to the very party he professes to lead.”

In the statement, Tinubu said the APC, a party born as a result of the quest for democratic good governance, “is under critical threat by those who managed to be in the party.” To rescue the party, the statement said Odigie-Oyegun “must go.

He has shown that he and democratic fair play cannot exist in the same party at the same time. If Tinubu is to choose between Oyegun and progress towards a better Nigeria, the choice has already been made. For those who care about the party, who care about Nigeria and its chance for a better tomorrow, now is the time to stand against this brewing evil before it grows to encompass all we have built and all we hold dear.”

Regarding the Ondo State primary, Tinubu said the delegates’

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 2, 2016

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH/REPORT

Taraba: APC, PDP at War over Call for Governor Ishaku’s Resignation Wole Ayodele, in Jalingo, looks at the war of attrition between PDP and APC in Taraba State

T

he ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Taraba State is currently at war with the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress over the latter’s call for the resignation of the state governor, Darius Ishaku. The chairman of APC in the state, Alhaji Hassan Ardo, had called on Ishaku to vacate office over allegations of failure to pay workers’ salaries and the reduction of the tenure of local government chairmen from three years to two years.

Ardo, who made the call while fielding questions from newsmen in Jalingo, equally accused the governor of lacking focus and pursuing programmes that had no direct bearing on the people of the state. He added that the decision of the House of Assembly to reduce the tenure of local government chairmen in the state at the prompting of the governor would aggravate the myriad problems facing the state.

The APC chairman alleged that over 12,000 workers in the state had been languishing in poverty since the present administration came on board last year, stating, “If he want to solve the problem of the state, let him pay teachers, local government workers and as well address the problems of pensions.”

Describing the reduction in the tenure of local government chairmen as counterproductive, Ardo maintained that two years was not sufficient for any elected local government chairman to record any appreciable achievement, adding that the decision is not only selfish but against the tenets of democracy.

Denial

But addressing pressmen at the PDP secretariat in Jalingo on Thursday, the state chairman of PDP, Hon. Victor Bala Kona, lambasted the APC chairman for peddling deliberate falsehood in a bid to malign the state governor in the eyes of the people of the state and Nigerians, in general.

Kona, who was represented at the press briefing by the state publicity secretary of PDP, Alhaji Inuwa Bakari, accused Ardo of misrepresentation of facts to gain cheap political relevance in view of alleged imminent extinction staring his party in the face in Taraba State. He stressed that it was either Ardo was ignorant of developments in the state or swimming in a pool of self-delusion.

According to PDP, “It is very unfortunate that the APC chairman can make the kind of comments attributed to him calling on the governor to resign from office based on unfounded allegations that cannot stand the test of reality.

It is on record that Taraba State, under the able leadership of Darius Ishaku, is one of the few states in Nigeria today that is not owing salaries of workers, despite the present economic condition facing the country. With his comments, the APC chairman has exposed himself as being on a mission to deliberately portray the governor in bad light in the eyes of well weaning Nigerians.

“He has, however, failed in this plot because civil servants in Taraba State and the entire people of the state appreciate the governor’s efforts in ensuring that they get their salaries on a monthly basis. It has become very clear that

Justification

Ishaku

the APC chairman is swimming in a pool of self-delusion and would have wished that Taraba State is unable to pay salaries like most APC states across the country.”

The PDP chairman, however, confirmed that some local government workers had not been paid for three months due to an on-going verification exercise to identify and flush out ghost workers on the pay roll, which he noted cannot be completed within one month. He appealed to the genuine workers affected by the exercise to remain calm, saying they will definitely collect all their entitlements.

He revealed that the verification exercise was currently yielding results considering the numbers of ghost workers that had been identified and expunged from the government payroll while millions of naira was already being saved on a monthly basis by the state government.

Also condemning the call by the APC chairman, former Commissioner of Information in the state, Hon. Emmanuel Bello, said it was laughable that a party renowned for bringing untold hardship to Nigerians would have the effrontery to talk about suffering in a state, saying if there is anyone who ought to resign, it should be the leader of the party at the centre.

According to Bello, “It is laughable that a government that is associated with introducing suffering afresh into the Nigerian landscape, a party associated with starvation and recession, it is strange that the party can even talk about suffering in a state. Where is the hunger and suffering coming from? Is it not from the top? If anyone ought to resign for bringing hardship, it is the leader of the party at the centre whose funny policies have led the entire nation to poverty.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney-general of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Yusufu Akirikwen, said the House of Assembly acted lawfully by reducing the tenure of local council chairmen from three to two years.

Akirikwen was also reacting to the APC chairman’s criticism of the Assembly’s action in reducing the tenure of elected chairmen as well as his allegation that the Assembly took the action based on the directive of Ishaku. The commissioner said the allegations was highly misplaced and a calculated attempt to incite the people of the state against the government. He alleged that the tenure of local government chairmen in the state had been two years before it was later reviewed to three, stressing that there is nothing wrong in reviewing the tenure again for effectiveness.

Debunking the assertion of the APC chairman that the Assembly’s action was against the tenets of democracy and designed to inflict more pain on the people of the state, Akirikwen stated that the Assembly’s action was constitutional and within the purview of its mandate. He maintained that due process was adhered to in the exercise, saying the condemnation of the exercise by the APC chairman is an indication of his ignorance of the law and legislative processes.

According to Akirikwen, “I was so surprised to hear the APC chairman in the state describing the decision of the state House of Assembly to reduce the tenure of local government council chairmen from three to two years as unconstitutional. I want to draw his attention to section 7of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which gives power to state assemblies to make laws on tenure of local councils in their states.”

Akirikwen explained that there were many states of the federation currently operating two-year tenure for local government councils based on the laws made by their various Houses of Assembly. He maintained that it was the exclusive responsibility of the state House of Assembly to legislate and determine the tenure of local government councils.

On the call to the governor to vacate office by the APC chairman, Akirikwen stated that Ishaku deserved commendation rather than condemnation for paying civil servants’ salaries regularly in the face of the economic recession in the country. He said Ishaku was already doing everything possible to diversify the state’s economy in order to foster development, contrary to the APC’s allegation that his government lacked focus.

Calling on the people of the state to shun such politically motivated criticism of the current administration in the state, Akirikwen enjoined them to continue to support Ishaku’s rescue mission, which according to him is already yielding positive and visible results in every sector of the economy particularly, in industrialisation, road construction, health care delivery, rural electrification and provision of potable water, which according to him, would take the state to greater heights.

The APC allegation may be borne out of the politics of attrition. But many believe it can also serve to check any excesses on the part of the PDP government.

• ‘As Tension BeTween TinuBu And odigie-oyegun BuBBles To The surfAce’ • Continued from Pg. 68 list was altered by someone in a strategic position to so do. He said names of over 150 valid delegates were excised to make room for an equal number of impostors, insisting that it is not a clerical error.

The statement said, “The alteration was wilfully executed that the primary would be directed toward a chosen end that bore nothing in common with the will of most state party members. A cunning few had tried to deceive the many into believing they were outnumbered. A conspiracy to steal the Ondo primary had been uncovered. Fortunately, the grand deception afoot had been unable to cover its tracks fast enough.

Truth began to cry for justice. Several candidates filed petitions contesting the result.”

The statement explained how the party established an investigative board to review the evidence, stating, “In a two to one decision, the panel found the delegate roster had suffered tampering. The panel recommended that a new primary should be held using the valid delegate list. This recommendation was tabled before the National Working Committee. After many hours of deliberations spanning several days, a final vote was held by the NWC. Beforehand, NWC members agreed that the decision of the majority would become the stance of the party.

Such is the way of democracy. The NWC voted six against five to cancel the fraudulent results and hold an honest primary. For a moment, it seemed the party would restore its integrity by giv-

ing democracy a chance. However, those who sought to scam an entire state would not let the vote of 11 people spoil their enterprise. After the NWC’s vote, a noticeably agitated Oyegun proposed the NWC engage in prayer before concluding the meeting. Adhering to this chairman’s request, NWC members began to pray. Seeing that the others had taken his bait, Oyegun used the prayerful interlude to secretly excuse himself from the meeting.”

Tinubu who exonerated the chairman of the primary election committee and Jigawa governor, Badaru Abubakar, accused Odigie-Oyegun of contravening the NWC decision and violating all rules of fundamental decency. He further Odigie-Oyegun of trying to safeguard the fraud done in Ondo by perpetrating a greater fraud. Tinubu said the national chairman arrogated to himself the power to submit the name of Akeredolu to INEC as the candidate of the party.

Response

Surprisingly, Odigie-Oyegun chose to remain calm, at least for now. In an interview with newsmen in Benin City, he said he would not be drawn into a war of words with Tinubu.

“Asiwaju is a well-respected leader of the APC and as such I cannot be heard speaking evil against him,” the national chairman said, adding that he would consult properly with other leaders of the party before making any definite

statement, and, “you know we have a crucial election here in Edo, which is my priority right now.”

The crisis arising from the Ondo State governorship primary is gradually drawing out other APC leaders from hiding. Those who before now had chosen to keep a distance or remain aloof are speaking out against the shortcomings in the leadership of the party.

Abubakar said it was wrong for the party to have set aside a resolution it had reached to resolve the crisis in the party in Ondo State. According to the former vice president, “It was wrong for the APC to have set aside a resolution it had reached aimed at resolving the crisis in our party in Ondo State. It is a recipe for acrimony and division.”

Atiku noted that pretending a problem did not exist would not make that problem go away, and therefore, advised the leadership of the party to do a soul searching and address the problem. He urged the party leadership to be guided by the respect for the rules, fairness, equity, neutrality and respect for democratic consensus.

The dust raised by the handling of the Ondo State governorship primary may just be the tonic needed for all those agitated in one way or the other about the activities in the party to raise their voices and begin to sort things out. In the days ahead, certainly, it would not be business as usual for the APC.

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62 Candles for Mimiko Ahmad Raji

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overnor Olusegun Otaibayomi Mimiko is 62 years old tomorrow, (Monday, 3 October 2016). Language deconstructionists would no doubt agree with our matching of Mimiko’s names (Olusegun Otaibayomi or “ God given victory to shame ill will”) with his persona, struggles and life achievements.

The Ondo governor is not your typical sissy of a public officer. In other words, he is a veteran of many wars, victor in uncountable fracas and survivor of many titanic political skirmishes. Whenever he fought his battles, not a few of his loyalists would think that it was all over for him. It was at the point when he was given up for dead that an invisible hand would come to his rescue and he would rise to send a jab, cross, hook and upper cut to the solar plexus of his enemy who would land on the canvass, panting like a beached whale. A man whose philosophy of altruism comes from a pure heart cannot but enjoy the intervention of God. Thus, an opponent underrates Mimiko, whose seemingly fragile physique and harmless mien, arbor a steely core, at his own peril.

When Dr. Olusegun Mimiko competed in the gubernatorial elections on April 14, 2007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo threatened to set the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission loose on him. A politician who has skeleton in his wardrobe would have run away like a scared hound with its tail between its hind quarters. With nose thumping determination, he contested against the incumbent Olusegun Agagu but was rigged out. Not a man to say die, Mimiko contested this decision at the election tribunal. When the verdict was given at last, Agagu lost office on February 23, 2009. He was replaced by Mimiko as governor.

And in the October 20, 2012 election, Mimiko contested on the platform of the Labour Party against Rotimi Akeredolu of Action Congress of Nigeria (supported by many party bigwigs from outside the state); the candidate of the PDP, Olusola Alexander Oke; and the candidate of the CPC, Olusoji Ehinlanwo. Mimiko won and became governor for a second term. The medical doctor turned politician is not called Iroko, king of trees in the forest, for the fun of it! However, he, on Thursday October 2, 2014, officially decamped to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the Labour Party.

The good thing is that Mimiko’s life struggles are not just ends in themselves but means of providing service, comfort and happiness for the greatest number. Suffice it to state that he is a socialist to the core operating though within a political party comprising legions of conservative elements. This leftist orientation has a long ancestry. In other words, selflessness runs in Mimiko’s blood. His great grandfather, Chief Akinmeji was the famous Runsawe of Ondo; his grandfather, Pa Famimikomi was also successful, brave and kind man.

His son, Atiku Bamidele Mimiko, the governor’s father, also inherited the virtues. No wonder Olusegun Mimiko the son, adopted the progressive ideas and sharpened them at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in the 1970s. On campus, he was a member of the Pan-African and Socialist Student Organisation, the “Wantu Wazuri” and the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Young Socialist Movement. No wonder the welfarism philosophy he gathered from his leftist orientation blossomed when he became a medical doctor and later as governor.

First, when he established his MONA MEDICLINIC in Ondo town in 1985, his charges were so low that he sustained that institution on shoe string. It is safe to say that Mimiko is service, sympathy and empathy walking on two legs! And he has demonstrated this in the last eight years of governing Ondo State.

True. Since 2007, Mimiko has used the instrumentality of government to help the poor.

In the area of health, the Abiye programme is one of the cardinal programmes of Mimiko who conceived it so that pregnancy would no longer be like signing one’s own death warrant. Through it, government provides free and qualitative healthcare for pregnant women and children of zero to five years of age. According to the government: The programme was designed to take care of four major factors predisposing pregnant women to death, namely; delay in seeking care when complications arise; delay in reaching care when decisions are made; delay in accessing care on arrival at healthcare facilities; and delay in referring care from where it is initiated to where it can be completed.

To ensure its effectiveness, the Mimiko government assigns Health Rangers to pregnant women for proper monitoring from conception to birth; provides mobile phones for the women for them to contact their Healthcare Providers.

Moreover, government provided (and still does) four-wheel and tricycle ambulances; renovated existing basic health centres, constructed new ones and provides drugs and other consumables. It was for these reasons that the World Bank officially listed Ondo State Abiye programme on its website as, according to a writer, “one of the success stories coming out of Africa.”

Mimiko did not stop at that. There is the Mother and Child Hospital, Akure, the Medical Village, Ondo, comprising the

Mimiko

Trauma Centre, Kidney Care Centre, Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre and Mother and Child Hospital. People come from outside the state to avail themselves of the opportunities provided at the centres.

Dr Mimiko has made a statement in the area of education that everybody irrespective of social or economic status has a right to quality education with his Mega School initiative. It is not only the monstrous structures that are mind-boggling; the standard of teaching is also high, there is quality control while the service is literally free. It is not for nothing that even the well-to-do in the society have been withdrawing their children from the so-called high profile private schools and putting them in public schools. With about 54 of the Mega Schools already built across the state and more in the pipeline, every community is soon to have one.

What is more, the Mimiko administration provided 100 buses for student to ride to and fro their schools free and also established a specialized medical university (Ondo State University of Medical Sciences), first in Nigeria and the second in Africa.

True to his promise, Mimiko has been able to make the state an event destination through its much sought after International Cultural and Event Centre, christened ‘The Dome’, and sited on a large expanse of about 34,000 hectares of land in Akure.

A product of great thinking, the initiative is as a result of the drive to reposition the state for core investments and tourism attraction.

A three in one dome with a 6,000 capacity hall, a gallery for art, and a discothèque, It is the first of its type in the country.

The Dome, Mimiko had projected, will put Ondo State among the states in the country that can hold any international conference without hassles about the venue, a projection which has come to pass.

With complimentary facilities in the Dome are proposed nearby Africa Village and a five-star hotel.

The Mimiko Cocoa Revolution has also gone a long way to project his belief in economy diversification. The Oda Cocoa Plantation symbolises Mimiko’s on-going silent revolution in the State. This should surprise no one going by the background of the state as a top cocoa producing one. The revolution is premised on the bid by the administration to retain Ondo State in the number one spot in cocoa production in the country.

Farmers get high-yielding cocoa seedlings from the plantation to increase their produce. On top of this is the value-addition initiative that will put cocoa farmers in the state in the position to process their produce into chocolate and cocoa butter.

To this end, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a United States concern, SPAGnVOLA Chocolatie LLC, on the establishment of Cocoa Academy where farmers will be trained on the value added initiative. It is also on record that Cocoa from Ondo won a silver medal at the Chocolate Academy award in the United Kingdom.

The partnership is aimed at enhancing the wealth of farmers

by transforming them from mere producers of cocoa beans to manufacturers of end - product. The Mimiko administration is equally boosting cassava production across Ondo State and has put in place the machinery for high scale production of rice in Ogbese area of the state in order to put food on the table of the people while also empowering farmers.

Mimiko introduced also the Kaadi Igbe Ayo, smartcard technology that helps government to have the database of all residents of the state. Through it, citizens have access to all the good things of life, “it facilitates the systematic development of databases for efficient security and surveillance purposes, the categorisation of citizens for employment, taxation and financial palliatives, the use/management of public facilities (public transport, subsidized consumer products, even fertilizer).”

Mimiko has also achieved a lot in the realm of industrialisation. The Guardian, on 31 August, published a report on how the Federal Government commended Ondo State, ranking it as one of the fastest growing economies in Nigeria. That was by way of a statement by the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed during a courtesy visit to Mimiko in Akure after an Environmental Impact Assessment of the Ilaje Free Trade Zone in the Southern Senatorial District of the state. It is on record actually that southern part of Ondo State harbours the longest coast line in the West African sub-region.

The minister had mentioned at the visit that the target of the project is to match the achievements of the present federal administration towards diversifying the economy.

Head of the Technical Review Panel, Engr. Funso Makanjuola, according to the report, explained that the project if completed in time would place the Mimiko-led administration in an enviable pedestal. Makanjuola added that “the Ilaje Free Trade Zone would catalyze infrastructural development of Ugbo, Ilaje, the state and Nigeria at large.” Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who expressed delight on the visit, said the Free Trade Zone would provide immense possibilities for infrastructural development. As the report had it, Mimiko stated that the projected Deep Sea Mining Port in that axis would be the first in Nigeria that will add value to agriculture and solid minerals exploration. In fact, the state has licence for the deep sea port now.

This is a great advantage to the state as it will be easy to export its natural resources. The state has the second largest Bitumen deposit in the world (second to that of Venezuela).

Ondo State has availability of crude at Ese Odo and Ilaje.

Agricultural produce will also benefit from the sea port. The state has one of the largest cassava processing plants in the country. They are located in both Ikoya and Okitipupa areas of the state. Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc will also benefit.

Industrialisation of a state will be a huge joke without power supply and the Mimiko government is aware of that. According to a 20 March 2016 Thisdayonline report, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a generation licence to Ondo state government and its partners, Kingline Development Company, a South Korean firm, to generate 550 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the state’s Independent Power Project (IPP) plant. The statement was signed by the Business Development Director and Head of Nigeria operations of Kingline, Mr. Akinnola Fola. He noted that the NERC license was signed in Abuja and that the promoters of the IPP were excited with the development.

Mimiko, after coming into office also embarked upon an urban renewal programme in all the three senatorial zones.

In Akure, he upgraded the road from Fiwasaye through Oba Adesida, Oyemekun down to Ilesha-Benin Expressway.

There is the dualization of Arakale road in the city; dualization of Mobil junction in Akure through Oba Ile to Airport.

Also the Fiwasaye-Oba Ile Adesida-Oyemekun down to Ilesha-Benin Expressway, axis has about thirteen mini car parks and a central car park behind Akure Central Mosque named Democracy Park. It can accommodate 2,000 vehicles at a time. There are two special roundabouts constructed in the state capital: the fountain roundabout at Alagbaka and the new roundabout at the Fiwasaye end of the road. The event centre, called the Dome, is another defining feature of Akure, not to talk of the enabling environment created by government that attracted an entity like Shoprite.

In Ondo town, some major roads were awarded for dualization: Itanla junction through Ademulegun road to Ife Garage round about; roads from Akure garage through Yaba to Idi-Ishin and form Idi-Ishin through Surulere to Ife garage roundabout. Others are: dualization of Owo township road, reconstruction of Ikare-Ugbe-Iboropa-Ise road, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Ikare-Arigidi-Ibaram- Ikaram-Ajowa road. There is the Ikare-Ajowa road which connects about seven Communities in Akoko area.

In the southern Senatorial District, government reconstructed and rehabilitated Ilu-titun to Omotoso road; Irele township road; Okitipupa roads; Ajagba-Iyasan road and others.

As he marks 62 years on earth, Mimiko’s life is like a hidden treasure which is beginning to unveil gradually as he still has a lot to offer his immediate community, state, the nation and the world at large even as his life and selflessness remain a benchmark for people who will occupy public office. Here is wishing the Ondo State Governor happy birthday.

–Hon. Kayode Akinmade is the Commissioner for Information in Ondo state

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Nduka Eze: A Life Dedicated to Selfless Public Service

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Kingsley Azuh

he problem with the African society is that we do not examine our past to plan for the future. The society is rotten today because we do not take retrospective look at the lives of our hero’s past. We look and judge individuals by the wealth they have acquired, without asking to know how they got them. In so doing we neglect and forget those who helped to shape the society for good.

There is no gainsaying the fact that what the nation needs today are men and women that are prepared to offer unconditional service to their father land, individuals who seek hard work, integrity and perseverance as means to an end and who are ready not only to shun evil but fight it.

It is the attitude to life that we exhibit that guide the youths in their approach to life. The youths are the leaders of tomorrow, they are the pillars that hold the future of this country and whatever orientation they are given will surely determine the kind of leadership that they will offer to the country in the near future. If they received bad orientation, the future of the country becomes bleak and dreary, but when they are properly brought up through the implantation of legacies that endure, the future becomes bright for the country.

Those who have the interest of this country at heart should begin to lay emphasis on the things that build a nation and not on things that tend to destroy it. The youths should be taught the invaluable benefits of hard work and integrity.

The get – rich quick syndrome that is plaguing the society should be discouraged while those who made it through hard work and service to their fatherland should be celebrated and book of honour opened for them.

There is the urgent need for the society to start recognising hard work as a means to an end so that the youth can see the dignity in labour and change their get rich quick attitude. To achieve this, leaders of today must lead by example; they must do things that are worthy and noble, they must emphasise hard work, integrity and perseverance in their daily activities and actions, and they must be bold enough to condemn what is condemnable, no matter whose ox is gored.

We, in the Truth newspaper, have taken it upon ourselves to keep searching for our heroes who left indelible marks on the sands of time, and portray them to the younger generations of our youths as role models.

In this edition, we bring to you Nduka Eze, a man who left indelible marks on the sands of time. He has been immortalised with a statue that stands gallantly at the busy Umuaji area in the heart of Asaba, the Delta State capital.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the early history of Nigeria’s nationalist struggle and quest for independence would be incomplete without the contribution of the likes of Nduka Eze who gave everything to see the end of colonial administration in Nigeria.

He started his public life as a trade unionist in UAC (represented by Unamag ) and NNFL union and this formed the basis for the emergence of the first Nigerian Labour Congress formed by Michael Imoudu, F.O Coker and Nduka Eze. This platform became a vehicle for radical nationalist expression with a link to the NCNC, which was the political wing for the struggle. In due course, in concert with Kola Balogun, Ajuluchukwu, Abiodun Aloba and other radical intellectuals, they formed the Zikist Movement to set a different course and tone that suggested they were impatient with the gradual and accommodating approach of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe towards the colonial administration.

It was on the platform of this movement that he made some of the seminal statements of early post World War II Nigerian radicalism that heralded the struggle for Nigerian independence. One of the iconic speeches was, “A Discourse on Violence and Pacifism as Instruments of Struggle for freedom,” and the importance of the ideas addressed in this speech was later echoed by Frantz Fanon’s famous work, “The Wretched of the Earth.”

Nduka Eze’s paper addressed the liberating role of violence in national struggle and led to several arrests and court appearances for sedition and treason against him. The colonial administration had a difficult job suppressing his intellectual fire and ability to impress

has endured till today and forms the present basis for the Asagba of Asaba’s cabinet. Not the least of his achievements during this period was the establishment of the Asaba General Hospital, known today as the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

His youthful effort with others resulted in the independence the country enjoys today, but unlike a few others, his career was unique because with all the responsibility given to him early in his life he led a life devoid of corruption and greed. As soon as Nigeria gained her independence he felt the time had come to do something about his education and in 1960 left the country to the UK for further studies. He attended and acquired his law degree from the London School of Economics and was in due course admitted as a Barrister in the Inner Temple, UK and in Nigeria.

As events unfolded in Nigeria in the 60s, leading to the crisis that precipitated the Nigeria/Biafra civil war, he found his heart once again at home and seeing the house he contributed so much to being dismantled he felt obliged to return home.

The crisis that led to the war was such that anyone with nationalist leanings and love of the country was going to have a difficult time with conflict of loyalties.

He had fought for Nigeria as a unit and was keen to see it continue but the reality of the times and the Nduka Eze events inevitably presented uncomfortable choices. his fellow Nigerians with the urgency of their quest for He was invited by the Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to assist Biafra and he accepted self-determination and dignity. This work was shortly to do the best he could to bridge some understanding followed by yet another incendiary publication titled, between both sides. In times of war realities on the “UAC – An Octopus and How it treats its African ground requires clarity of loyalties and in due course Staff,” which was a powerful critique of the operations he fell out with Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Biafra and was and labour practices of the colonial capitalist giant associated with British colonial conquest and exploitation. held under house arrest for some time.

Matters improved subsequently and he served Biafra He also published a paper titled, “The Working Class until the end of the war, trying to create some underMovement and the New Awakening.” All these intellectual efforts were remarkable for a young man whose standing between Biafra and the Eastern European bloc formal education at the time in question was below the where he had considerable friendships and influence, O-Level grade, as he was unable to continue his educa- having been a socialist. At the end of the war he was arrested by the Nigerian government and had the tion beyond Class 3 due to lack of support and funds. distinct misfortune of serving terms of imprisonment These radical activities awakened thoughts and in Nigeria for his role in Biafra. Nduka Eze therefore provoked a feeling of pride and self-belief within the qualified from this experience as one who spoke truth populace and in due course assisted in rallying a huge following when he called out the first successful nation- to power and regarded Truth as his only refuge. He had an uneasy time with the military regime and was al strike in 1945. In partnership with Michael Imoudu, they produced a comprehensive set of demands for the constantly harassed and arrested for his public posture and complaints about military governance. His law treatment of Nigerian workers titled, “Memorandum practice at the cessation of the war (Nduka Eze, Umeh of Demand.” This was a set of requirements sent to Ezeoke & Co) involved legal representations of several the colonial administration that included standards for people who lost their property under the controversial improved wages, better working conditions, increased Abandoned Property legislation promulgated during educational opportunities for Nigerian workers, etc. It was significant as probably one of the earliest Nigerian the war. His role in standing for the victims did not bring welcome attentions in his direction from the formulations of a minimum wage package. federal government, which was not keen on interfering Nduka Eze was therefore a major force in the proor questioning the moral and ethical basis of the gressive emergence of Nigerian radicalism as a distinct legislation. political and intellectual current with its own visions Following the lifting of the ban on party political of a liberated country. In this connection, we mention activities in 1979 he joined others to form the Nigerian the sterling contributions of forgotten heroes like HRM Osita Agwuna (late Igwe of Enugwu Ukwu & Umunri Peoples Party and was jointly with Omo Omoruiyi its first national secretary general. He could not abide ), Mokwugo Okoye, S.G. Ikoku, Raji Abdallah, and Zik’s entry into the NPP and left with Alhaji Waziri others whose selfless contributions remain unacknowlIbrahim to form the GNPP, becoming its national edged in our annals. secretary general. His outing during this period left a Nduka-Eze’s role and exertions in radical unionist sour taste as he considered that politics had become a agitation prepared him for a life in nationalist politics dirty game played mainly for selfish interests and he and in his early 20s found himself on the crest of a seemed uncomfortable in the atmosphere then prevailnational political career in the wings of the great titans ing. of the age – Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Nduka Eze passed on in 1983 at the age of 58 years Awolowo. Nduka Eze was a conviction politician and in what seemed to many at the time as a long life spent found the limitations of party politics and its comproin the thick of national affairs. This was so because he mises most uncongenial. He was therefore never quite came to national prominence at the age of 18 years at peace with party discipline as his God was never and remained a relevant player and reference point man but the Truth. In keeping with this creed he fell out with the Great Zik and in due course found a home on national issues and controversies for a considerable time. in the Action Group. It was he who brought Chief In reviewing a life spent under the glare of public Awolowo and yhe Action Group to the Ibo part of the events one necessarily looks to strains and currents that Mid-west region while Anthony Enahoro held forth gave meaning and definition to it. The greatest legacy in the Benin Province. Within a short time he became suggested by his life is the lesson that the importance the chairman of Asaba province, which extended of a person is derived not by longevity of the life from Asaba to Agbor – a feat he accomplished in his or the amount of wealth acquired or high office of 20s. His desire to improve the lot of his people saw programmes being availed the Western Region, like free state attained but by the nature of sacrifice made for education being introduced within Asaba province and the benefit of others and the selfless and courageous dedication to the improvement of society achieved. many benefited from educational scholarships within By this measure Nduka Eze stands tall as a titan the country and abroad. One of such beneficiaries was of his time. Perhaps, one day the country will ask Chief (Dr) Phillip onianwa – the late Akwue of Asaba the right question of what constitutes greatness and who became the first Nigerian nuclear physicist and was celebrated by the press upon his triumphant return the sort of people to honour and remember as good to the country in the late 1960s. He also introduced the examples for others to emulate. He has eight children, Olinzele Chieftaincy Title system in Asaba to assist with four of whom, like him, are lawyers.

––Azuh writes from Asaba the governance of Asaba town council and this system

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Ojo Maduekwe: A Dissent FO Offia

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had hoped somehow, I would never have to write this tribute, any tribute for its emotions sake, although, no one really knew who would make the inevitable journey home first between Ojo and I, being age mates.

But the prompting from Dr Sam Amadi, and so enthusiastically supported

by Professor Tunde Adeniran, clearly suggested not only that the tribute itself but also its title, was a duty, not a choice. They know we were close. They must reason that in a lifelong friendship that had survived countless, unrelenting argumentations, there must be some lesson to be learnt, on an occasion as this, if the man and the moment are to be meshed in perfect historic symmetry. Amadi himself had witnessed many such arguments.

It is as if I had known Chief Uma Ojo Maduekwe, CFR, or Ojo, as everybody called him, all my life. Actually, we met in our absence or, should we say, by proxy. We had known each other so well before we physically met.

As a columnist, in 1963, I had severely criticised the school principal in the college newspaper, “The Howad Star”, and that indiscretion or youthful exuberance effectively ensured that I would not be doing the Higher School course in the famous Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar. So off I went to the less famous Hussey College, Warri, for Higher School in 1964; that year Ojo entered Hope Waddell for his Higher School. He had gone there from Ihie High School, Mbawsi. In the course of two years, he would have heard so much of me at Hope Waddell that when eventually we met at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, in 1966, to read law, my fame or should we say, notoriety, had preceded me. It was as if we had known one another all our lives and the friendship stuck like glue!

He was extremely likeable, but especially well-spoken and I was highly impressed by his powerful expressions in striking imageries and phraseologies. He had a way with words, with that rare ability to paint pictures in word-concepts.

Time spent with Ojo in a conversation was quality time and he argued his viewpoints brilliantly.

On some occasions, early campus diners would meet us on the same spot, usually the lobby, of the campus dining hall, where they had seen us just after the previous meal still arguing. That was the gripping power of his oratory. The exquisite attention he gave to the use of the spoken English language was exhilarating, and it was always a great pleasure basking in the fragrance of his language. The ornaments he dressed his oral deliveries, added to the deep analysis and the range of subjects he could effortlessly discuss, showed that he was well read. Every single word spoken by Ojo was so appropriate to the occasion that you literarily drank from the ever fresh well of his seemingly inexhaustible word power. He could speak! In admiration, I would sometime later in the course of our friendship, convince him to start an “Orators” Club in the campus where he became our president and teacher.

Good speakers rarely are good writers and conversely good writers rarely speak well; but in Ojo was embodied at once the beautiful arts of good speaking and good writing, a rarity. Not for him those phrases that are mere regurgitation of worn clichés. In the middle of hot exchanges, I would sometimes accuse him of deliberately mesmerising me with his oratorical feats to gain advantage in the argument. I had no idea then that he could also write as well, until we left school, when he wrote for respected newspapers.

He was born into a manse, and had educated parents. His father was a pastor, his mother, a pioneer teacher certificate holder. His mother held the first teachers’ certificate in the highly literate Ohafia community. His childhood haunt was his father’s library in the manse and probably, his weekly activities were restricted mainly between his father’s library, by his own account, and the Sunday School, apart from the normal schooling.

So he had all the time, while growing up, devouring knowledge voraciously from the library.

As young men then, we dreamt dreams for our country and spent long hours debating the state of affairs in Nigeria and like most undergraduates we believed we had answers to national problems and engaged ourselves in endless disputations on the best solutions. We were quite confident that we will make the desired difference

which had eluded our predecessors for so long and looked forward eagerly to active participation in the running of the national affairs to fulfil these objectives. Ojo and myself belonged to that small group of friends continuously interrogating the raison d’être of the state.

We believed Nigeria’s critical issues could be resolved only by changes in our political and sociological priorities and practices which militated against the systematic, reflective and creative thinking effort needed to found a classical nationhood, and that whether we liked it or not our fates were in the hands of our leaders. It was therefore profoundly disturbing that there still appeared to be a fundamental lack within the nation’s leadership of the collective thinking process needed to enable us deal successfully with our complex difficulties. Given the poor performances of our leaders then who preyed upon the weaknesses of an apathetic citizenry, and the steady decline of the quality of life and ethics in the country, it was therefore virtually necessary to persuade ourselves to bring about an improved society built on cultural, economic and technological strength, for a more rewarding future than the one we then foresaw for ourselves in the future.

This was the broad template on which we forged our visions and dreams for the future of the country, in those young days.

At the outbreak of the civil war, I enlisted quite early into the Biafran Army, and for a long time we did not see each other during the war. We celebrated our brief meeting when I attended a Battalion Commanders’ Course at the Biafran School of Infantry, Orlu, where Ojo was then serving as a Staff Officer. The celebration was well deserved after such long absence, at a time life spans were counted in minutes.

At the cessation of hostilities, we resumed studies at the University and on graduation proceeded to the law school where we stayed back in Lagos in search of employment after call to the Nigerian Bar. We ended up in different insurance companies, as management trainees, but we later followed our real passions which was obviously, private legal practice. While he took up pupillage with Kehinde Sofola Chambers, at Tinubu Square, I did the same with Onyeabo Obi Chambers, Western House Lagos.

When in 1982, I was campaigning for the National Republican Convention (NRC) ticket for the Abia North Senatorial seat, I visited Ojo in his office where I urged him to join me in politics so we can realise those lofty ideas we had espoused at school. Although he demurred at first, but when I pointed out to him that Ohafia, his constituency, with 32 professors at the time (whose names I reeled out on my fingertips) deserved a better representation in the House of Representatives at the time, than by a half-educated steer, he capitulated. I was happy he finally agreed to take the plunge into politics. I knew he could provide the type and quality of leadership we needed.

Once he had made up his mind, there was no looking back. He immediately made preparations for his elections and within the shortest time and resources available to him, which included pledging his Volvo car to raise campaign funds.

Although I did not myself make it to the Senate, I was pleased Ojo did to the House of Representatives, for it was all towards the same objective.

Unfortunately, his first burst into public life in his election into the four-year life span of the National Assembly was abrogated after three months by the Buhari coup of 1983, bringing Ojo’s splendid performance to a seeming end.

But in 1988, he gallantly rose from the wreck of that disappointment to be elected to the Constituent Assembly, where we were both members, constituted to draft a new constitution for the country in preparation for the return to civil rule, which the military abrogated yet again. However in 1999, when constitutional democracy was finally installed in Nigeria, under the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, happily Ojo was appointed into that government.

Having spent the past decade expounding the theoretical tenets of politics and good governance, I saw Ojo’s ministerial appointment, first to Culture, then to Transport, and later to Foreign Affairs, and as the President’s Legal and Constitutional Adviser, as golden opportunities to demonstrate in practice that those dreams and aspirations we had espoused over the years, were realisable.

I believed that as an Honourable Minister of the

Maduekwe Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, had the rare responsibility and privilege to carry aloft the banner of our expectations and it was my duty to give every support to his efforts that go into making a sweet reality out of our lofty dreams. The technique would be to create a household of ideas and honestly put them at his convenient disposal for the successful discharge of his duties; to constantly keep him on his toes; to help him avoid the dangerous pitfalls often strewn on the way of public office holders. This was to avoid the temptation of being sucked so deeply into the loop of government as to progressively grow complacent towards the general good, settle for easy comfort and thereby sacrificing originally positive intentions and objectives for selfishness.

I recall that one of the Roman Emperors kept an aide whose duty was to remind him every morning that he is not a god. I had a great stake in his success, a stake. If he succeeded our class succeeded, if he failed our class failed. We are the class of the so-called post-World War II baby boom years, and we had fought long and hard for better days.

I appointed myself the unofficial, unsolicited leader of opposition.

I, his friend, knew I would likely be the first victim of those ideas but they were ideas I was prepared to make sacrifices to secure success for all and bring to fruition and as they say, a king should not flinch from hurting his friends, if it is in the general interest.

So it was that I laboured to hold him to account to our dreams. We were often locked in brutal intellectual combats for hours, often to the utter dismay of those who were in a hurry to settle more mundane matters. My aim always attempting to subject every fibre or strand of political or governance proposition that come to my knowledge to deep empirical interrogations, the intensity of the arguments often reaching boiling points, verbally pummelling each other; the wife, who though long accustomed to such tempestuous sessions, was sometimes obliged to dispatch a scout to confirm matters had not deteriorated out of hand.

I am constant in my belief that every great leader owed his success or triumph, not to sycophants, but to his objective critics, more so if the critic was also a true friend who truly wishes him well and is anxious to coax him back to reality when necessary and help sift or refine his ideas. Any perceived tinge of misplaced idealism, in my opinion, immediately formed a platform for my fierce dissent.

Though we often sailed so close to the wind, when positions hardened, the volcano of disagreements or argumentations, ever so loud and noisy, never reached eruption temperatures. They say democracy is noisy!

Thanks to Ojo’s libertarian disposition. He was a true liberal free from the dreadful constraints of extremists. He had the propensity, even at the

height of his political career, calmly to absorb stinging criticisms like a prize fighter; a rare attribute of true greatness, a rarer quality found only in true democrats. He never flinched, neither were there ever any savage sneers nor did he seek to impose his views on others even when he had privileged knowledge from his high offices that could give him the temporary advantage. His insatiable love for brilliant ideas precluded the foreclosure of any robust interrogation of even his own ideas.

Although, my foray into partisan politics came to an end with the Constituent Assembly in 1990, surveying the political landscape then, and coming to certain conclusions which I duly communicated to him at the time, I made my escape from the murky morass of Nigerian politics back into private legal practice. I admire his tenacity and determination to carry on against all odds.

He was a renaissance man.

When news broke, one early morning, that Ojo labelled the Igbo quest for the Presidency, IDIOTIC, I abandoned all the day’s schedules and rushed to his house where I met a small crowd wearing mournful looks. “Why”, I exclaimed, my two arms flung forward, immediately I sighted him.

A few moments later he calmed all agitations with his explanation that what he had said was for the Igbos to clamour for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction. Maybe the brusqueness of the remarks rather than the logic drove people, particularly the Igbo, up the wall.

Chief Ojo was a man of great talent and innovative gains. He believed that politics and by extension governance should moderate opulence and poverty and banish ignorance, plunder and theft. He preferred transparency over wealth, becoming the poster-boy of the anti-corruption war, long before the recent summons for change, thereby demonstrating the prescience of leaders who live before their time.

Though he did not put his ideas into any ideological pigeon-hole, nor belong to any known school in the classical or formal sense, he invented the “Mekaria” precept which means “to do more” or “to excel in public service”, the real essence of it all manifested in his laudable endeavours and sterling performances in each of the ministries assigned to him – Culture (Promotion of Black Culture especially Brazil);Transport-(Bicycle Culture); Foreign Affairs-(Citizen Diplomacy). At the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat, as its ideologue, he laboriously tried to make the party’s notorious fluid principles a little more viscous.

Fare Thee Well, Friend! Your Excellency, Chief Uma Ojo Maduekwe, CFR, the Ugwumba of Ohafia, May God keep you till Resurrection Day. ––OFFIA, Okwuruoha Ndigbo, writes from Abuja.

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

CICERO/FOR THE RECORD

At the 71st Session of United Nations General Assembly Muhammadu Buhari

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s you are aware, my delegate and I arrived in New York on Saturday, 17th, September and successfully concluded scheduled activities during the High-Level Segment of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, 23rd September. This is my second visit to the United Nations Headquarters since I took office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May, 2015.

While in New York, I participated in a series of meetings and side-events. I had bilateral meetings with some World Leaders and attended major events including the “Welcoming Reception” hosted by the Secretary-General and Mrs. Ban Soontaek, and the Secretary-General’s Official Luncheon on Tuesday, 20th September.

Of special note was my address to the World Leaders at the General Debate on Tuesday 20th which was the principal assignment of the visit. In that speech, I sent a clear and direct message to world leaders on a number of important issues notably: (i) I highlighted the need for the international community to work together to liberate humanity from poverty, save our planet from the devastation of climate change and rid the world of terrorism for a more peaceful and prosperous future; (ii) Turning to our problems at home, I mentioned that the plight of Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) arising from Boko Haram terrorism is of particular concern to us. For this reason, we have taken concrete steps to address their humanitarian needs and to ensure that necessary conditions are established to enable the voluntary return of the displaced persons to their homes in safety and dignity; (iii) I acknowledged that Nigeria as a developing country has been adversely affected by the global economic downturn.

However, we are undeterred and have embarked on a wide range of reforms in our efforts to diversify our economy and shift emphasis to mining, agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure development and the creation of the enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment; (iv) To that effect, I noted that our strategic objective is to stimulate the economy, restore growth and accelerate recovery by taking measures to reduce the cost of governance and increase expenditure on infrastructure and ensure environmental best practices; (v) I emphasized that fighting corruption remains of prime importance to our administration and that our efforts in fighting corruption are yielding positive results including significant stolen assets recoveries; (vi) In this connection, I noted that speedy and unconditional return of stolen public assets should be the focus of the anti-corruption conference to be hosted by the US and UK in Washington next year; (vii) On the subject of Climate Change, I told my audience that we are determined to implement the strategies in our Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), which will foster low carbon economy and sustainable growth in building a climate resilient society; (viii) Again on the subject of the environment, I informed world leaders that in furtherance of our commitment to environmental sustainability, Nigeria had launched the clean-up of Ogoni land in the Niger Delta, based on the 2011 Environmental Assessment of the area

Buhari addressing United Nations Assembly

by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP); (ix) I acknowledged the importance of youth in national development and underlined our commitment to harness the potential of the increasing youth bulge and that we must take advantage of the numbers and creative energy of young people who are in the majority. Further to this, I called for the establishment of a specialized UN agency for youth development at the international level, to achieve this strategic objective; (x) On the Isreali-Palestinian issue, I reiterated Nigeria’s position in support of the Two-State solution with Palestinian rights to statehood in conformity with numerous Security Council Resolutions; and (xi) Finally, I called on Member-states of the United Nations to redouble their efforts for the reform of the organization.

I reiterated Nigeria’s call for the reform of the UN Security council to reflect equitable and fair representation and greater transparency, legitimacy and inclusiveness in its decision making. I stressed that Africa should be adequately represented in the reformed Council in the permanent member category and added that Nigeria stands ready to serve Africa and the world on a reformed Council to advance international peace and security.

Other meetings and events where I participated and addressed World Leaders at different fora included the following: • High-Level Plenary on addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants on Monday 19th; • African Union Peace and Security Council Meeting on Monday 19th which dealt with the situation in the South Sudan; • Meeting hosted by Mrs Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on the threat of Modern Slavery (Trafficking in People) on Monday 19th;

• SDG Moment: to mark the 1st Anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, on Tuesday 20th; • The US-Africa Business Forum on Wednesday 21st, during which there was a Spotlight on Nigeria which afforded me an opportunity to speak on “Nigeria’s Economic Reforms for Growth.” I tried to attract American investors to Nigeria; • My participation at a High Level meeting to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, on Thursday 22nd reflects the administration’s commitment to ensure that every Nigerian is afforded opportunity to develop his/her abilities and be enabled to contribute to the development of our country, Nigeria.

In continuation of our drive to diversify the economy, create a safe and peaceful environment for development to thrive in Nigeria, I met with the following notable World Leaders: HE Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General; HE Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa; HE Mr. Macky Sall, President of Senegal; HE Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire; HE M. François Holland, President of France; HE Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America; HE Mr. Johann Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation; HE Mr. David Granger, President of the Republic of Guyana; and HE Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso; In all those meetings I advanced Nigeria’s case and called for international cooperation.

The US-Africa Business Forum organized on the margins of the General Assembly was timely. I addressed the meeting, which had in attendance a significant group of important CEOs. Discussions focused on how they can collaborate with us to diversify our economy, which will in turn drive development, job

creation and general business development in Nigeria.

In continuation of my effort to attract Diaspora skills back home, I also met with a group of Nigerian Professionals living in US who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of specialization ranging from health, aeronautical engineering, customs, law enforcement, economics, business, law, education to politics. I extended an invitation to them to join us in our effort to develop our country.

They in turn expressed genuine desire to contribute positively to the growth and development of our country.

Another issue that is very important to me and our country as well as our region is the importance of drawing international attention to the adverse effects of Climate Change in Nigeria and in our region. As you will recall, last year 12th December, 2015, I joined other World Leaders to conclude what is now called the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. On Thursday 22 September, I signed that Agreement at the United Nations Headquarters. Soon after the signing ceremony, we had an important meeting to discuss the issue of Environmental Sustainability. In Nigeria, this is a serious issue and my administration is making very genuine efforts to address the negative effects of climate change in order to build a clean and sustainable environment for our people and the future generation. The “Ogoniland Clean Up” which I launched and the effort to recharge the shrinking Lake Chad were subject of discussion at the meeting.

Yesterday, as part of my last major activity in this 71st Session, I participated in an event which the Secretary-General of the United Nations organized on the “Humanitarian Crisis in the Lake Chad Basin – A Turning Point.” President Idriss Déby of Chad and President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger also participated in the event. As countries of the Lake Chad Basin area, we examined strategies to increase regional and international attention as well as mobilize support in response to The Lake Chad Basin crisis.

No single country and surely not the four most affected countries, can muster the tremendous financial resources required to turn around the very dire situation of the Lake Chad Region. The millions of people whose daily livelihood have been placed in jeopardy are depending on us to find succor for them.

I am happy to note at the sessions, some countries notably the United Kingdom and USA pledge additional support in the tune of US $391 million humanitarian aid for the Lake Chad region.

All in all, it was a very successful and useful session, and I would like to thank the relevant US authorities who by their efficient coordination of security and administrative arrangements during our stay in New York contributed to its success. The men and women of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrated that we still have capable officers in our Foreign and Civil Service. Thank you for your tireless efforts in projecting a positive image of our country, even in difficult times.

To you in the media, who went through elaborate security checks and clearance procedures to follow my activities and hectic schedule in order to keep all our people at home well informed of my meetings and engagements here in New York, you also deserve my appreciation.

Our next interaction will be in Abuja.

Thank you one and all.

- Being the statement by President Buhari at the end of his visit to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

CICERO/INTERVIEW

Olabode: We Should Face Reality, Stop Celebrating Failure Pa Adesakin Olabode, 82, is an environmentalist, community leader, and essayist. An author with a number of books to hiscredit,OlabodewasamemberofthefirstBoardofDirectorsofNewTownsDevelopmentAuthority,LagosState.In this interview with Anayo Okolie, Olabode talks about Nigeria’s journey so far and regrets that the country has missed the road to success. He says the country is in dire need of respectable leaders to put it back on track. Excerpts:

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s someone who witnessed independence in 1960, how would you compare your feelings on October 1, 1960 and how you feel today?

They are put apart. It’s just like when you want to compare somebody that is dead to someone that is alive but asleep. 1960, we had very bright hope that this country will be great, great big dreams. But along the line, things started to degenerate and have gone down.

Today, Nigerians are celebrating, I am sorry, they are celebrating failure, it’s very unfortunate when we think of what we saw, what Nigeria was in the 1960s or pre-1960s.

We gained what we call independence. For instance, when we moved to this place (his house in Gbagada, Lagos) in the 70s, power supply was regular, very regular, security was good, even schooling in Lagos here then, there was school far away in Obalende area, people will go from here, there was free school bus. But now, things are not just there.

So, when you look at what we have seen with our eyes, it is always said, good is not good when better is expected and that better can be achieved with a little bit of extra efforts, when we know that the good we are looking for can be attained or accomplished, that extra effort that we need to put into it to get it has been put there. Look my dear friend; it’s because you do not know what had happened that you are comparing 1960 the dreams we had then with what we have now. For instance, when Awolowo campaigned last, he said if he won the election and became the president he would turn this country around. He said he would mechanise agriculture, which means the whole administration would have been turned around today. Nothing is there today, nothing is working for us and we say we are celebrating, what are we celebrating?

The question is, is there anything to really celebrate? The answer is simple, sincere and true capital NO. We should learn to be sincere, take stock of our life and stop celebrating failure: bad roads, no electricity power always, living in blackness and darkness. Tell me, my young compatriot, where are the reasons for cheers, to roll out drums for celebration? Honestly, we cannot be mourning and celebrating, it’s nothing but water mark of hypocrisy. Let us make our today count by the decisions we make and manage most effectively and proficiently.

Our leaders are not facing the reality of the situation.

We don’t have true Nigerians, and some people are glad to say Nigeria is not negotiable.

Which Nigeria is not negotiable?

could have been able to pull their resources together, but unfortunately, they have not been able to work together. Therefore, they have missed the mark of success because coming together is just a beginning.

Have they been able to come back to say, where did we miss it? I wrote to Mr. President, about 16 pages. I told him that I was writing this paper to him to ensure that his government did not fail because if the government fails, it would be a shame and it will bring us backward. That’s what we are experiencing today.

Having worked with people, how many politicians of the like of Jakande do we have in the country today? He still lives in the midst of the people he was living with before he was governor. When he became governor, he was living in that Ilupeju residence. Till today if you go there now you will still meet Jakande in that house. How many of our politicians are doing that? If the president says he is fighting corruption, there is no future in the past. What are they doing today? If the present government is leaving today or tomorrow, will they say their hands are clean? If you must go to equity, you must go with clean hands. They are talking about what the people did when they were in government, what are they doing today as a party? Where is the hope?

Olabode

At what point do you think Nigeria began to derail in terms of political and economic development?

Unfortunately, Nigeria would have been a great country if not because of parochialism. Ojuku described late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the best president Nigeria never had. Unfortunately, the one who would have delivered this country was our colonial master who made sure that Chief Awolowo never became president because they knew that if Chief Awolowo should rule this nation, this country would become very great. But they made sure it never happened.

We had things that could develop this nation. After Awolowo had come back from the prison, where they put him because they didn’t want him to be in charge, he told us when the oil thing was going on, that Nigeria should be very careful. He said with the money we had from the oil, let’s diversify, let’s be wise. He gave some reasons; he said many countries that had no oil will have the oil, that the one we had, we do not know when it will dry up, and that the money we were making from it, let us diversify with it. Let us go to agriculture, let’s do other things. He said that there was no country called OPEC, that we cannot determine the price, that the price could be determined and tomorrow, it would be against us. So, to prevent the oil boom from becoming oil doom, we should diversify and go back to agriculture, mechanise it, do a lot of things.

They were castigating him. What are we experiencing today? Then the military came at the best of the time, that was when the money was coming in but, unfortunately, it was badly managed and the real civil servants then became easy tools in the hands of politicians. It started gradually from that level and the fear has never gone down.

The army contributed very seriously and that is why the best of military administration is worse than the worst of a civilian administration. They don’t know anything

about politics, that is why they created states, just to please a segment of this nation. That is why things are going wrong because they are ruling this country on sentiment.

With the level of insecurity today, don’t you think Nigeria needs state police?

The issue of state police could be good if it’s going to be well utilised but that is not the answer. We have created a lot of problems for ourselves and after the problem we are trying to proffer solution.

Why are there agitations here and there?

Our leaders are not facing the reality of the situation. We don’t have true Nigerians, and some people are glad to say Nigeria is not negotiable. Which Nigeria is not negotiable?

Before 1900, there was nothing like Nigeria and people are coming back to say it’s not negotiable, what is not negotiable? When somebody said if this election is not won by me, this country will not be governable and unfortunately, he didn’t win the election and virtually rendered the country ungovernable.

Are you surprised today? If it is a coincidence, it’s a bad one. The militants came and said they are Avengers, what are they avenging? Because someone from the North won the election, they now say they are avenging because they said when someone from the South was ruling the country was almost not governable. Where are we going from here? What are we celebrating? The truth is not there, we have all sinned and nobody is saying God forgive us.

What can be done to return Nigeria to the path of peace and progress?

Unfortunately, today we don’t have respectable leaders that can command respect.

For instance, one would have been happy if the present APC were working together as a party, but they are not. When you look at the conglomeration, bringing together of influential people from different parties and these are people that say they are the best in the country, you put them together. They

How do you think the Niger Delta issue should be handled?

It can be handled better; we are not handling it now because you don’t force people. If somebody has a dream and has a hope, you can only just say you are killing that person because after killing that person, the hope, the dream, will still be living on.

Unfortunately, most of the problems in the oil area today have been the result of accumulative deficiency in the running of the state all along. That area has never been developed and it’s not like some percentage are being given to them. They are not happy because their brother was not returned. I do not care who is ruling this nation, provided that this nation is taken to a very good level.

The handlers are not doing well, the money they give to them because of this; politicians are looking at their own personalities, not the development of the area. If they were developing the area all along, building roads, schools hospitals, it wouldn’t have gotten to this. Unfortunately, what have been given to them, have been destroyed. They are not helping the nation, they are not helping themselves.

What are some of the features of leadership in the good old days that are missing in governance today?

Today we don’t have people that are responsive. For instance, I will let you know that Alhaji Jakande, when he was ruling this state, he made a very good provision and he carried people along. He was a workaholic.

The president was saying that his speech writer plagiarised Obama’s speech. If he had talked very well, he would not have spoken out. Who is the speech writer? He’s unknown and you that is known, after you have done this thing, you said you did not know. It shows the type of nation we are in now and the type of leadership. A leader’s sin is a leading sin, a leader’s deficiency is a leading deficiency and that is why today, our reading culture is down. Our leaders are not reading. So if our children are not reading, would they have any moral courage to talk to them?

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OCTOBER 2, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Yet Another Promise Kept by Ambode Niyi Anibaba

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uring the 2015 electioneering campaign, one of the promises made by the then governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, which was visibly embedded in the party’s manifesto, was his plan to embark on massive road construction across the state.

Explaining how he intended to embark on such projects, the Governor said that two roads would be constructed in each local government every year. Much as it drew cheers from party supporters, many had also wondered if it was just a mere campaign gimmick from a candidate in desperate need of votes.

But it didn’t take too long after his swearing-in that residents began to see that they were not being not taken for a ride.

The Governor indeed wasted no time in matching words with actions. After few weeks on the saddle, Ambode initiated a monthly meeting with the then Executive Secretaries and continued same when the Sole Administrators, who were sworn-in in June this year to take leadership of all the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA).

During one of the meetings, the Governor intimated the council chiefs of his intention to commence the reconstruction of two roads in each of the 57 councils between January and June 2016.

To motivate them to work, the Governor urged the Executive Secretaries to go back to their communities and liaise with them on the two roads which would be rehabilitated.

While charging the then council bosses to judiciously ensure that the projects were of international standard and that only the best contractors were engaged to ensure that the prescribed standard was met on all the roads, Ambode said the decision to embark on road rehabilitation was in line with the reforms at the local government level. Hence, the execution of the project was left solely in the care of the local governments, with the State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and Ministry of Works and Infrastructure playing supervisory roles.

The project, the first in the history of the state, drew commendations from various stakeholders, including some die hard critics of the Governor. Not only were the council bosses mandated to select inner roads, they were also given instructions to begin with roads that were in terrible condition, with the Governor charging them to ensure that the project was delivered within the stipulated time.

Therefore, the period of September 17 to 24, 2016, according to observers, is seen as a significant milestone in the State and the administration of Governor Ambode.

Several communities across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) were agog with activities.

For most of these communities, it was a historic moment they had long being waiting for. The newly constructed 114 inner city roads, two from each of the 57 councils, were set for official inauguration.

In his usual characteristic style depicting his government of inclusion, Governor Ambode mandated several representatives, ranging from members of the State Executive Council, federal and state lawmakers, traditional rulers, political leaders, religious leaders, to inaugurate the roads.

Speaking during the inauguration of Jimoh Street, one of the roads at Ikorodu in Ikorodu North LCDA, Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, urged contractors handling the 114 road projects in the state to speed up work or be sanctioned.

But he also had kind words for DC-Engineering Ltd., the contractor who worked on Jimoh Street for being the first to complete the road within the stipulated six months.

According to the Governor, “We have chosen to inaugurate the road here to appreciate the diligence and seriousness of the contractor for being the first to complete the project within the stipulated six months. I congratulate the contractor for this exemplary feat while I urge others to emulate the good example or face sanction”.

“At a time the national economy is facing challenges, our administration injected N19 billion to the economy of our state, stimulated employment and engaged the business sector. As we hand over this roads to the communities, I urge residents to guard jealously the infrastructure provided by the government,’’ the Governor added.

In Epe, the Governor, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowoshe, and a party chieftain, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki, commissioned about 610meters road in Ajijolaiya Street, Papa Epe and another 620meters road in Adegoke Atowa Street, Epe. While urging community leaders, youths and residents of the State to take ownership of the roads, the governor in his address, said the completion of the roads was a glorious dawn of community development accelerated through inclusive governance and a historic leap of faith for his administration and the citizens.

The governor, who said residents must guard the infrastructure provided by government for them jealously, also assured them that more projects would follow those already completed in the nooks and crannies of the State.

In Lagos Island, two roads - 320metres Agarawu Street and Sanusi Olusi Street were commissioned by Governor Ambode, who was represented by House of Representatives member, Lagos Island Federal Constituency, Mr. Yakub Balogun and Deputy

Ambode Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Wasiu Eshinlokun with the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu also in attendance.

In Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Governor Ambode also commissioned Molade and Temidire roads.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Toyin Suarau at the commissioning of Temidire Street road, the Governor said the 114 roads provided jobs directly to 5,000 construction professionals and artisans and indirectly to over 50, 000 dependents.

Also at the commissioning of Molade Street road, being the second road project in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, the Ojora of Ojora Land, Oba Abdul-Fatai Oluyinka Aremu Aromire, who represented the governor said road projects are vital to the development of any community; adding that motorable roads make business strive and engender development.

In Ojokoro LCDA, the governor who was represented by Mr. Rotimi Agunsoye, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commissioned Bioyin and Ademola Abiola streets.

One of the residents in Yaba LCDA, Alhaja Ramotalai Balogun whose street, Erejuwa was one of the roads commissioned, said the governor has won the hearts of residents of the area with the gestures.

“I can’t recollect the number of times we have appealed to the state government on the terrible condition of this road especially when it rains. Today, I am happy that I am alive to witness its transformation. Governor Ambode has not only won my hearts but that of many appreciative residents here. I enjoin him to keep up the good works,” she said.

At the commissioning of Seriki Kemberi Road and Alhaji Rasak Street in Iba LCDA, Ambode warned residents to resist the temptation to convert any of the 114 newly constructed Local Government roads to venue for commercial purposes or parking lot for abandoned vehicles.

Likewise, at the commissioning of Ojediran Shopitan and Taiwo Molajo streets both in Ikorodu West LCDA, Governor Akinwumi Ambode said illegal breaking of roads, usage as automobile workshop, as well as refuse dump, must stop henceforth on the new roads.

At the handover of Borno Way, Ebute-Meta in Lagos Mainland LGA, the Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Mr. Tunji Bello, cautioned against arbitrary cutting of roads and vandalism.

He said the government will not take vandalism of public infrastructure lightly, tasking community leaders in the areas where the new roads were built to take custody of the roads.

Sole Administrator of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Mr. Samuel Ajayi at inauguration of Osunba Street and Balogun Olanrewaju Road, revealed that Governor Ambode had directed the 57 councils to submit 288 additional roads (four from each council) for construction consideration from 2017.

Ajayi confirmed the receipt of a directive from Governor Ambode to submit four new roads for construction, a development he described as unprecedented in the history of Lagos.

Governor Ambode at the commissioning of Federal Low Cost Bypass in Ikorodu North LCDA assured that at least 456 inner city roads would have been commissioned before the end of his administration in 2019.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Community Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri, the Governor said that another set of 114 roads were being identified and would be delivered next year.

Adding his voice, Special Adviser on Education, Obafela bankOlemoh, at the inauguration of Aborishade Road, Lawanson and Martins Street in Mushin Local Government confirmed that the next set of 114 roads would commence before the end of the year.

He said in another one year, projects that will impact the community and new sets of roads, two in each local government and local council development area will emerge.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa who represented Governor Ambode, alongside House of Representatives member, Taofeek Adaranijo at the commissioning of Ogundele and Fashola Streets at Orile-Agege LCDA, pleaded for more support for the present administration and the All Progressive Congress (APC) to be able to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Sole Administrator of Orile-Agege LCDA, Mr. Olufemi Agboola, said the roads are major link roads, which would ease traffic gridlock, reduce travel time, especially the 0.61 kilometres Ogundele road to connect Oja Oba on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

When questions were raised about the choice of local contractors to carry out the projects, Governor Ambode was quick to justify the decision. According to him, indigenous contractors were engaged for the project not only to boost employment but also encourage the local construction industry to grow.

Governor Ambode, who spoke in Oshodi-Isolo at the inauguration of Kalejaiye Street, through the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Ganiyu Johnson assured residents that any mistake committed by the indigenous contractors in the course of the project would be addressed, adding that the construction of the inner roads was in response to the yearning of the people.

He said: “We have to encourage our indigenous contractors because whether we like it or not, that is one of the ways to generate employment and when we engage them, there will be money in circulation.

“We are challenging them to do their best and as government we don’t want to shy away from mistakes. If they (indigenous contractors) make mistakes, we also try to correct and encourage them. We are learning, it is a learning process and with time, I believe they will get there.”

At the commissioning of Ogunyinka Street, also in Oshodi LG, Governor Ambode who was represented by the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo however urged indigenous contractors to justify the confidence reposed in them.

In Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, where Awoyejo Buraimoh and Akinola Aiyetoro streets were inaugurated, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Seye Oladejo and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Tunde Braimoh, said Nigeria can overcome the current recession if more local contractors are engaged for developmental projects to grow the economy just as the State Government did in the execution of the 114 roads.

Speaking at the commissioning of Balogun Oyero and Adebimpe roads in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Ambode said that the level of work done by the 89 indigenous contractors in the construction of the 114 roads was a direct and indirect way of creating jobs to residents.

In Ikeja Local Government, Governor Ambode who inaugurated Onilekere Street, where he was represented by Iyaloja- General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, said Lagosians should expect nothing but a better and safer Lagos in the next three years.

During the commissioning of the road in Olu Akerele Street, also in Ikeja LG, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji also lauded Governor Ambode’s administration for taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

At the inauguration of the 500meters Bolaji Banwo Street in Coker Aguda LCDA, Governor Ambode unveiled plans to link inner roads in the State to the Lagos Smart City Project, while it also intends to complement the project with strategic security management driven by technology.

Represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi at the commissioning of 500meters Bolaji Banwo Street in Coker Aguda LCDA, the Governor said security remains one of the cardinal objectives of his administration, and that technology will play a key role in securing residents.

“We have come up with an initiative which is an ongoing project and it is called the Smart City Project. In the area of security, we are going to be deploying CCTV Cameras to ensure that when you are sleeping, you have a guaranty that you are being watched.

“The present administration is interested in making sure that this city is safe and technology is one of the areas we are looking at by deploying CCTV Cameras which will be linked to our Command and Control Centre in Alausa. We are going to have an eye over Lagos and this is because of the importance this government is paying to security of lives and property,” he said.

With the the inauguration of the 114 roads, residents are already gearing up for the next phase. Already, the various councils have started compiling list of roads expected to get a facelift next year, while community leaders are lobbying with the hope that the contractor’s bull dozer would be making the next stop at their community.

––Anibaba is a public affairs analyst.

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PERSPECTIVE

Tobacco Industry Super Powers, Monopoly and Government Patronage: A Compromise of Public Health Akomas Brent

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ny organisation, agency or government in the world today that has not taken its turn to condemn corruption in Nigeria is one that has not found a way to take advantage or get around it. And you will most certainly not find the world’s major players in the tobacco industry in this category.

The overbearing power and influence of these principalities who reign over the Nigerian tobacco industry have ravaged any semblances of resistance by industry regulators and policy makers who wait eagerly to be compromised to the detriment of the Nigerian public.

Bearing a striking resemblance to the small and light duty weapons manufacturers in the United States, the leading tobacco manufacturers and marketers in Nigeria exert significant influence over the politics, policies, regulations and control of the tobacco industry. In the case of Nigeria, the monopoly in the tobacco industry is almost one exerted by foreign companies who appear to have little or no stake in our public health system.

There is no deficit of treaties, conventions and legislations in Nigeria for the regulation and control of the tobacco industry; rather there is a severe deficit of systemic and individual integrity which betray their capacity to enforce compliance.

To underscore our negative disposition, there are indications that the National Tobacco Control Committee recently inaugurated by Minister of Health to implement the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) has been infiltrated and deflated by Nigeria’s tobacco industry giants who insist on breaking every barrier to deliver death to our people and along the way stamping out every local competitor in a bid to perpetuate and satisfy their monopolistic tendencies.

Some of the regulatory and enforcement tools available include: * FCTC: The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an international treaty

negotiated under the auspices of the WHO, which Nigeria signed as a party in June 2004.

This document sets forth a guideline for tobacco control within the domain of a party and protocol for intervention and enforcement. * The National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB): This Bill has been passed by the National Assembly since 2009. The contents of this bill, if implemented conscientiously, will protect the health of Nigerians from tobacco related diseases, safeguard innocent adolescents from unwitting initiation into tobacco addiction, and streamline regulations and enforcement of applicable laws and conventions, among others. * The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): The Standards Organisation of Nigeria is an instrument of government for protecting the public from harmful products and unsafe business practices. It is another evidence that we have the tools to adequately implement the mandate of the FCT, NTCB and all other tobacco control regulations but we remain deeply compromised in our responsibility to give effect to our laws. * The Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS): There is also the Nigerian Industrial Standards agency whose mandate includes quality control, sampling and testing of all products imported, distributed, manufactured for local sale or marketed in Nigeria. The NIS through its Technical Committee on Standards for Tobacco and Tobacco Products has replaced its 2014 specifications with a new 2016 edition (NIS463) in response to escalating consumption of cigarettes, increasing illicit trade in tobacco products and to increase pressure on manufacturers and marketers to provide adequate information to the public on the associated risks and hazards of smoking. All that sounds good, if it can be matched with action.

African governments have shown leadership and commitment in efforts to control HIV, Polio, Ebola, etc. They must be similarly resolved to eliminate cigarette associated diseases from the continent.

The manufacture, distribution and marketing of tobacco and tobacco products must be recognised and treated as a health epidemic concern. According to one NGO, Safety Net for

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole Children (SNC), certain provisions in the 2016 review document by the Technical Committee on Standards for Tobacco and Tobacco products may well be a ploy to retain the patronage of kid-smokers.

The NGO points at item 4.7 of the review document which states as follows: “Flavouring substances, excluding Menthol, with potential to initiate or appeal to children, such as strawberry, banana, apple, among others should not be used in the manufacturing of cigarette”. Conveniently, it was forgotten that Menthol itself is a flavour!

This is not surprising considering that cigarettes with Menthol Flavour happen to be top of the line product of the major cigarettes giants in Nigeria. This is why SNC queries the exclusion of Menthol from the list. In the opinion of SNC, “the retention of Menthol and exclusion of other flavours is incapable of discouraging children and young adults from the corruption of tobacco products for the simple reason that they will merely retain their patronage of Menthol cigarette which had been aggressively marketed to them much more than any other flavour.”

Civil societies and non-governmental organisations have contributed in no small measure in

the eradication and control of health epidemics and social vices in our communities. However, non-governmental and community outreach efforts have been limited in success in the campaign against distribution, supply and marketing of tobacco products because it is negotiated as a business rather than as a health concern.

We are, therefore, advocating a shift in paradigm which focuses exclusively on the consumption of tobacco products as a health epidemic issue.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which is the basis of our National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), in its contemplation considers the tobacco industry and those working in its interest as diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive from public health and those working in its interest.

Since government in Nigeria presumably works in the interest of public health, we find government’s patronage of the Nigerian tobacco industry a condemnable contradiction.

We, therefore, urge the government to: - Terminate all partnerships with any operator in the tobacco industry.

- Terminate any grant-in-aid to any operator in the tobacco industry.

- Withdraw all incentives to operators in the tobacco industry.

- Discontinue any patronage to or from any operator in the tobacco industry.

- Monitor and implement a fair and equitable regulation.

- Impose extreme sanction on any agency or individual found in compromise.

Black lives and, in fact, all lives matter in America and should matter in Nigeria. When America and other advanced economies became inundated with cases of cigarette related deaths, diseases and rising national health budgets, they evolved decisive policies to check the menace of these merchants of death, forcing them to move shop to Africa and other vulnerable destinations. We have resolved not to make them comfortable in Nigeria because Black Lives Matter.

––Brent, the chairman, Safety Net for Children, writes from Owerri.

Between ‘Change’ Sloganeering and Real Change (1) Ernie Onwumere

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s Nigeria celebrates its 56th Independence Day anniversary, there are bound to be mixed feelings on how well the oil-rich Africa’s most populous black country has fared. Has the country today evolved into a true nation state beyond “a mere geographical expression” as defined by the late legendary Obafemi Awolowo? Is Nigeria’s progress commensurate with its age of independence? Are Nigerians happy and proud of their country today?

Certainly, the assessment of Nigeria’s progress at this point in its history would be predominantly unflattering, considering the current realities of harsh economic recession confronting the citizenry. There is hunger in the land, and there is anger too. Businesses are either struggling to survive or they are dying.

Civil servants and private sector employees are all languishing in their impotence to make ends meet. And hyperinflation bites everyone harder by the day. In short, there is widespread public discontent with the state of our affairs and the government of the day is at the centre of it all.

Nigerians from all walks of life are pointing questioning fingers at the Buhari APC government and demanding to know when the promised change for the better will come.

We are all familiar with the electoral wave of populism that brought the current government to power in 2015, after 16 years of the previous ruling party – PDP. The APC government infectiously warmed its way into the hearts of most PDP-weary Nigerians with the campaign mantra of “Change’. That ‘Change” promise

came in diverse expressions. There would be no more public corruption. Boko Haram would be a thing of the past. Poverty would give way to prosperity. Jobs would replace joblessness.

The Naira would be equal to one Dollar. There would be a new Nigeria of our dreams. And so, some of the Nigerian electorate, also enamoured by the vaunted personality of President Muhammadu Buhari as ‘Mr. Integrity’, voted for the glittering promise of “Change”.

Now, more than a year after the Buhari government took over the reins of governance, the promised change has become a mirage.

Almost all campaign promises by the new government have failed to materialise. As the economy goes into dire recession and the national condition becomes harsh and gloomy, with Nigerians lamenting everywhere, the APC government decided it is time to launch a new national attitude repositioning programme called Change Begins With Me (CBWM). At its launch in Abuja, Buhari challenged Nigerians to embrace CBWM by changing their ways and attitudes from social vices like indiscipline, corruption, and so on, if they want to experience the change promised by the APC government.

Naturally, CBWM launched to nationwide criticism and derision as mere sloganeering with no bearing on their fundamental existence.

Many Nigerians are aghast at not only the wrong timing of the launch of CBWM at a time of unprecedented hunger and economic gloom in the country, but are also miffed by the idea of the government shifting the responsibility of effecting national change to the citizenry. Who promised Nigerians a change for the better in the first place? Is it not this current government? Now, instead of the APC government effecting the change in socio-economic lives of Nigerians as promised, it is asking the people

repositioning reality has happened to other for behavioural change! If there should be a advanced Asian nations like Taiwan and national attitudinal change at all, shouldn’t it South Korea. In all the foregoing countries, start from the top with a responsible leadership their leaders inspired their peoples with real that would inspire the citizenry? The present vision translated into positive action, not government-people disconnect is nothing but mere slogans. But back home in Nigeria, our aggravated confusion and convolutions about national repositioning or attitudinal change the concept of change. campaigns have never gone beyond mere Indeed, the idea of change as an electoral rhetoric with every successive government. promise should go beyond empty sloganeering.

Over the years of our history as an indepenIt should go beyond being a fanciful buzz word dent country, we have had diverse national bandied around for theatrical national reorientareorientation campaigns that have failed to tion. Change as a promise of a newly elected turn Nigeria around for the better. There was government in any society should translate into War Against Indiscipline (WAI) during first transformation of the conditions of the people coming of Buhari. Yes, WAI was a success for the better. It should be all-encompassing to some extent in the aspect of instilling by touching all ramifications of a nation’s life, discipline, order and other virtues in Nigerians, politically, socially, ethically, educationally and but the effect did not last not only because economically. We can draw examples from the then Buhari government was overthrown, advanced democracies of the world. but also because attitudinal change was being For instance, President Barack Obama came whipped into Nigerians by military fiat instead to power in America in 2008 on the campaign of being ingrained in them by acculturation. premise of change too. But the Obama adminNext, we also had MAMSER which istration went beyond the mere promise of change for Americans. He instituted key policies was an acronym for Mass Mobilisation for Self-Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic like affordable healthcare, tagged Obamacare, a national health insurance scheme that guarantees Recovery as an exercise in political orientation in Nigeria undertaken by President Ibrahim accessible quality healthcare for average and Babangida. Some of MAMSER’s key ideas underclass Americans; an auto bailout that were to reorient Nigerians to shun waste helped steer the American economy out of a and vanity, shed all pretences of affluence in recession; and a major foreign policy shift that their lifestyles, propagate the need to eschew made America less war-conflicted and more all vices in public life, including corruption, diplomatic, among other change-driven policies. dishonesty and abhor malpractices, ethnic and Going from North America to Asia, we also religious bigotry. MAMSER failed because the have another inspiring example in Singapore, Babangida government itself acted contrary to where the idea of change became a real-world the ethos of the change it expected Nigerians transformational experience orchestrated by to embrace. the government of visionary Lee Kuan Yew. Today, Singapore has been transformed and ––Onwumere is a brand management repositioned from a Third World country into consultant at Remark Consulting, Lagos. a well-developed First World nation. The same (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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OCTOBER 2, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

GAVEL TO GAVEL

Edited by Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

Abdulmumin Jibrin: The Devastating Culmination of a Turbulent Campaign The high point of the proceedings last week at the House of Representatives was the suspension of the former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation. Damilola Oyedele reports that Abdulmumin Jibrin’s suspension is hardly surprising

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f Abdulmumin Jibrin had escaped the suspension hammer, it would have come as a huge surprise.

Many Nigerians continue to support his cause as a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusader, or #AccidentalActivist, the hash tag with which he now signs off on Twitter, following his revelations about alleged improprieties by the leadership of the House of Representatives regarding the 2016 budget. But for the purpose of clarity, the House did not suspend him for the budget padding allegations he levelled against its principal officers, but for breach of the rights of members, through his blanket statements describing lawmakers as collectively corrupt.

Ethics Committee

On Wednesday, the House adopted the recommendation of its Ethics and Privileges Committee, which had been mandated to look into allegations of breach of the provision of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, and sundry acts of misconduct.

The committee recommended that Jibrin be suspended for 180 legislative sitting days in the first instance.

“Jibrin is required to tender a formal written apology to the House, prior to his future resumption of duties in the House…Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin should be barred from positions of responsibility in the House until the end of the 8th Assembly,” the report read.

The committee headed by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai based its recommendations on certain findings, some of which were that his statements made in the mainstream and social media were broad, sweeping, and without proof, and were therefore injurious, scandalous and denigrating to the House as an institution.

“Those statements taken individually and collectively serve to bring down the image of the generality of members of the House in the estimation of members of the public, thereby subjecting the House to public opprobrium,” the committee said.

The committee also noted that Jibrin failed to appear before it to defend himself in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, which guarantees fair hearing.

“Further, the committee finds that Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin breached the practices, precedents and usages of the House of Representatives in that the House has established procedure for expressing and redressing grievances which he didn’t follow.”

The embattled lawmaker would be out for at least a year, as there are 181 legislative days per annum.

By implication, Jibrin would not be able to enter the National Assembly in his capacity as a lawmaker. His salaries and emoluments and those of his aides would also be stopped with immediate effect, while his office in the lower chamber has already been sealed off.

House of Reps in Session

Jibrin is not taking his suspension lying down. He disclosed that his lawyer was taking appropriate actions against the House.

The lawmaker has stepped up his anti-corruption crusade, particularly, through the social media

Genesis of the Crisis

The crisis started immediately after the removal of Jibrin as appropriation committee chairman, just before the House embarked on its annual summer recess. The Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, had announced that Jibrin had approached him to tender his resignation following issues relating to the handling of the 2016 budget. Dogara, however, noted that a decision had already been reached to remove the lawmaker.

Many political watchers had faulted Dogara, saying he should not have made the announcement in a manner that seemed intended to humiliate his erstwhile ally. Initially, Jibrin had accepted his fate, before making a U-turn and unleashing a tirade of allegations against Dogara and three other principal officers of the House.

In various interviews and press statements using several media platforms, Jibrin told stories of how Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun, Chief Whip Alhassan Doguwa, and Minority Leader Leo Ogor cornered N40 billion out of N100 billion meant for constituency projects. He also alleged that nine chairmen of standing committees made “senseless insertions” into the 2016 budget.

Jibrin made a show of his visits to the anti-corruption agencies and the police to submit petitions against those he mentioned. In several of his statements, he made sweeping comments about the House in its entirety, accusing the body of systemic corruption, money laundering and other vices.

Legislative Tricks

On resumption, tension was high in the House.

Abdulmumin

Many Nigerians wondered how the House would manage the scandal that has smeared it in the eyes of the public.

Moving the motion for the investigation of Jibrin, the chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Emmanuel Orker-Jev, completely stayed away from any issues on the budget padding scandal, concentrating on the blanket statements made against the House as body.

In his motion, Orker-Jev collated some of the blanket statements culled from newspapers and Jibrin’s television appearances, which include “As it stands today, these corrupt elements have infected the House, making the institution a hub of systemic corruption.

I repeat, there is massive individual and systemic corruption in the House of Representatives. And all Nigerians have a responsibility to avail themselves of this rare opportunity to flush out corruption in the House.”

The others are, “It is a known fact that the legislative investigation is used as an event to extort money on organised crimes aided and abetted by Mr. Speaker,”

and “I dare say corruption in the House of Representatives is more than that of the executive and judiciary combined.”

The motion accused Jibrin of breach of privileges of the House of Representatives. breach of privileges of members of the House, breach of the practices, precedents and usages of the House of Representatives, and sundry acts of misconduct against the members and institution of the House and the National Assembly, breach of the provision of the Legislatives Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act. The spokesperson of the House, Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak, at a briefing recently had said the allegations against the Speaker and the other principal officers were already being looked into by the anti-graft agencies, which were petitioned by Jibrin.

Tension

Jibrin is not taking his suspension lying down. He disclosed that his lawyer, Femi Falana, was taking appropriate actions against the House.

The lawmaker has, however, stepped up his anticorruption crusade, particularly, through the social media. He has also written to the principal officers of the House demanding details of the running costs they received since they joined the National Assembly.

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SUNDAY INTERVIEW Maitama Sule: In Spite of the Ugly Picture, Nigeria Will Still be Great

Sule

PHOTOS: Julius Atoi

Elder Statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, was First Republic Minister of Mines and Power in charge of Oil, Second Republic presidential aspirant on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN. In a Special Independence Interview with THISDAY, Sule went down the memory lane, as he spoke extensively on how Nigeria got to its present situation, recalling various incidents at various stages of the nation’s history. A key player in the government of the First Republic, he gave a comparative analysis of the character traits of political leaders at that time and now. Sule, who became a minister at 29, also revealed details of his last meeting with late former Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa on the night of the coup that aborted the First Republic and how Balewa had planned to address the political crisis that plagued the Western region, among other issues. Tobi Soniyi, Onyebuchi Ezeigbo and Adedayo Akinwale conducted the interview

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an you take us down the memory lane.

At independence in 1960, what were the hopes, aspirations and expectations?

I will go farther than 1960. Talking about Nigeria and independence of Nigeria and what happened afterwards, one would like to appreciate what is going on today. I think it was after the second world war that the big powers agreed amongst themselves to give dependent countries their independence. People like Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Kenyatta, Nyerere, were in London and they met together and they started organising or preparing for the independence of their respective countries. They organised themselves and went back to their respective countries. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe for example while returning to Nigeria stopped in Ghana, he even established a newspaper there, the West Africa Pilot which he brought to Nigeria along with him later. When they came to their respective areas, they organised their political parties, they started their political activities and so on and so forth.

Here in Nigeria, there were some organisations but the most outstanding one was the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon (NCNC) at first, before the Cameroon decided to break away from Nigeria. Herbert Macaulay was the leader of the party and Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe became the Secretary General. Later, Chief Awolowo organised his own party, Action Group, he became the leader of the party. In the North however, there was no organisation, not even social organisation.

However, in 1949, in the month of June, some organisations

started springing up in the North here and there, in Kano, Kano Citizens Association, in Sokoto, Sokoto Youths Discussion Circle, in Bauchi, Bauchi Discussion Circle, in Kaduna, Mutana Arewa Ayawu, in Zaria, Northern Peoples Union. They all started unknown to one another. At a meeting of the Northern Teachers Association in Zaria, it was thought that we should amalgamate all these associations and form one political party. The NPC was born, it was inaugurated in Kaduna in the month of June in 1959. It was not a political party, the interesting thing was that the first leader of that organisation was a christian, he was a Fulani man from Zaria, he was elected by the people in the North to be their leader. It was later when NPC became a political party that he resigned because he was a civil servant, he was a medical officer and Sardauna took over from him.

But before the NPC changed to a political party, some people decided to break away to form a political party, the NEPU was born, the argument was that the NPC was not a political party, the NEPU was a political party and people could belong to both. The NPC and the NEPU were born, in 1952 Sardauna became the leader of the NPC politically. Meanwhile, activities were going on in the South and now such political activities had started in the North, not as vigorously as in the South. Members were elected to Lagos, not on the platform of parties anyway at first. In 1952, Chief Anthony Enahoro moved a motion for the independence of Nigeria, he wanted independence for Nigeria immediately , the northern members amended the motion to read: independence as soon as practicable. Their argument was that they were not ready, there were not enough trained north-

erners that would take over from the British on independence, and they wanted to buy time. There was such a crash program, train people quickly so that when independence came and the British left, there would be some people that would take over at least the administrative aspect. This did not go well with our southern brothers, the northern members were molested, they were stoned, in fact they had to be escorted all the way from Lagos to Kaduna. Later, the southern members decided to send Chief Akintola to go to Kano and give a lecture and explain to the people in the North that their members did not want independence for them, but that lecture was never delivered.

Indeed, it became the source of the beginning of the very first political riot in Nigeria. Later, the British government as well as some of the political leaders in Nigeria agreed to sit down and discuss the procedure, the modalities of independence. It is interesting that when this started all of our political leaders in spite of what had happened, riots and so on, they all agreed to come together, they came together and they started discussing the independence of Nigeria.

Conferences were held in Nigeria and in England. All the political leaders cooperated with one another, all of them had one interest: the interest of Nigeria, all of them wanted independence. The political parties were represented, NCNC, AG, NPC, NEPU and the Middle Belt, United Middle Belt Congress, they were all represented in the conferences, they discussed and they eventually agreed to have independence in October 1960.

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW • ‘HAD COUP NOT BEEN STAGED, BALEWA WOULD HAVE RESOLVED WESTERN REGION CRISIS’ • There was mutual respect, there was understanding, there was accommodation, cooperation, decent leaders who were interested in the country, yes there was problem but because of the interest of the country which they had at heart, they were always ready to bury the hatchet. While this was going on, in 1958, before independence, 1957 or 58, we had the census crisis in the parliament, the census figures were not accepted for about a week there were heated debate and the country was about to go to the dogs, like a miracle, one morning the Prime Minister got up and made a statement not lasting five minutes and that brought an end to one week of heated debate on the census and the census figures were accepted, Nigeria remained one, so, we overcame again in 1958 before independence. After the independence election, no one party had an overall majority that would enable that party form a government alone, of course, the NPC had more seats than either the AG or the NCNC, but the NPC had no overall majority.

Some people started mooting the idea that AG and NCNC should form an alliance and form a government. Some well meaning people pointed out if that happened the northern part of the country represented by NPC would be excluded and that might encourage the North to break away. The NCNC agreed to team up with the NPC to form a national government, a coalition government. It is interesting, of all the political leaders in Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikwe played a more prominent part in trying to achieve independence for Nigeria, because after the death of Herbert Macaulay, he became the leader of the NCNC with his paper and his voice, he even formed the Zik’s movement, a militant organisation, he struggled , and because of the interest of the country, he agreed to team up with the NPC and formed government and agreed also to play a second role in the government: he agreed to be the ceremonial president. First, he became Governor General and when we became a republic, he became ceremonial president. The NPC got the Prime Minister with the executive power. We started that way, although Chief Awolowo did not join the government, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa wanted to form a national government but Chief Awolowo thought that he should remain in opposition in order to give effective and constructive criticism to the government, which he did.

Before independence, during the constitutional conference, something happened which I always like to tell you the younger people. When they went to London for the conference, one morning, Chief Awolowo saw the Sardauna and he greeted him, he used to call him prince, and he said, ‘prince, good morning,’ Sardauna refused to answer. He greeted him again, he didn’t answer. Then, he told Chief Awolowo that your boy, I will not mention name, saw me twice and he did not greet me, Chief Awolowo did not say a word, he just went round saw the particular gentleman, he happened to be on the delegation to the London conference, he held him by the arm, dragged him before Sardauna and told him to kneel down and greet the Sardauna and said ‘next time if you see him and you don’t greet him, I will dismiss you from my party. I’m not running a party of irresponsible people. Imagine, a leader of a party reporting a member of the opposition to the leader and the leader reacted this way, you see how much they respected each other. When we formed the government in 1959, I was appointed a minister, I was about the youngest minister, I was 29, I was the minister of Mines and Power, in charge of oil. Incidentally, I was the first minister of oil, I saw the development of oil in this country, I’m yet to see anything new in the oil industry, the only thing is that neither the prime minister nor myself asked for even kerosene from the oil ministry. After independence, every time when the House was sitting, I would leave my sit first thing in the morning before the House started, go to Chief Awolowo, kneel down and greet him in the presence of all the members and the spectators in the gallery. One morning, the prime minister called me into his office and said I have observed an unholy alliance between you and the Chief, I said sir, you thought me, I am the youngest member of your cabinet and people believe that I’m your favourite, that is why you have appointed me a minister at this tender age, and if I show any disrespect to any elder or leader they will accuse you of encouraging me to do that, but that is not your character, people believe that you are a gentleman. He said God bless you, keep it up.

There was a time I think 1962-63, when Chief K.O. Mbadiwe and Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, the president, fell apart as a result of misunderstanding, KO Mbadiwe was dismissed from the party, he was dropped as a minister and as the leader of the NCNC in the coalition government, but the prime minister created a post in his office, that post never existed, he made Mbadiwe Liaison Officer for Africa, that post never existed, but he explained to some people that such a highly placed person could not be kept idle, we need his experience, but that was

In short, today there is meaninglessness in philosophy, insecurity in polity, chaos in politics, immorality in society, corruption in economy and even lack of creativity in literature, things are falling apart. The norms and values left by our founding fathers have been ignored, they have been thrown overboard, that is why we came into this mess.

Sule not all, the prime minister was trying to buy time, he wanted to reconcile these two gentlemen and he kept going backward and forward between Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and Mbadiwe and he succeeded in reconciling them. Mbadiwe was forgiven, he was readmitted into the party, he was reappointed minister and became the leader of the NCNC in the coalition government again. One might ask why Abubakar? He was not a member of the NCNC, he was not Igbo but he was thinking of Nigeria, not of himself or his party, Nigeria was greater than Abubarkar he thought. Those were the days when those founding fathers of Nigeria, Chief Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Sardauna of Sokoto, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, to a lesser extent Mallam Aminu Kano and J.S. Tarka, great men went into politics to serve but not to be served, to give not to take, they were always ready to accommodate one another, to cooperate with one another in order to move the country forward. They laid sound foundation for Nigeria. Indeed, at that time Nigeria was so great, so great that Nigerians traveling abroad were held in high esteem and the country had a high reputation.

There was an international report in 1962 or 63 which said Nigeria with two other developing countries, India and Brazil, would in fifteen to twenty years join the advanced countries of the world if they continue with that kind of leadership which they had. Today, India has made it, India is a nuclear power, in the field of computer technology, India is in the fore front, India builds ships manufacture planes, weapons of all kinds, India produces doctors than any other country in the world today, India has made it. We talk of tribalism and religious differences, India had it a hundred times as many such differences as Nigeria, yet they were able to make it because of good leadership. Brazil also has joined the advanced countries of the world, they have today about the best agricultural programme, they too build ships and manufacture plane and weapons of all kinds, and incidentally Brazil and Nigeria established their defence industry the same year. So while Brazil has made so much progress we are marking time, it’s a big pity. There was decency in the first republic, the leaders, irrespective of their political differences, or religious differences or cultural differences were always ready to cooperate with one another.

Mudslinging in politics, character assassinations were not the cup of tea of our leaders, they respected one another, that was how Nigeria became great, that was why Nigeria was on the way to becoming one of the leading countries in the world, but we had that leadership cut short, we didn’t go further and later so many things happened. Nigeria, in those days, was a decent country, morally sound, there was little corruption. Nigerians saw themselves as their brothers’ keeper. As I keep saying, even the family, because of the good leadership we had, the family was intact. Today unfortunately, the institution of family has broken down, respect for elders and constituted authority which used to be a cardinal principle of our society is now at its lowest ebb. Honesty has become meaningless, revolt lies in the horizon.

The political parties were represented, NCNC,AG, NPC, NEPU and the Middle Belt, United Middle Belt Congress, they were all represented in the conferences, they discussed and they eventually agreed to have independence in October 1960. There was mutual respect, there was understanding, there was accommodation, cooperation, decent leaders who were interested in the country, yes there was problem but because of the interest of the country which they had at heart, they were always ready to bury the hatchet.

Will you now agree that the military coming into power could also be the reason why Nigeria missed its way?

It is partly true, in the first place there was no justification for the coup as far as I am concerned, but remember on the night of the coup, I went to see the prime minister to discuss something and he told me he was with Mbadiwe and Chief Festus Okotie Eboh, they were discussing the western crisis. Later, I got to know that the prime minister told them that he did not support what was going on in the West, there were broad day light killings, lorry loads of human beings and goods were set on fire and so on. He said he did not accept what was happening.

He said he would make a statement the next day to declare a state of emergency in the West, he would remove Chief Akintola who was then the premier and appoint an administrator, he even drafted the statement he would make and gave that draft to Mbadiwe, that first thing tomorrow morning if you have any suggestions bring them to me and we would rework the speech and I would read it. That night he also telephoned the Sardauna and told him what he intended to do. It was that night that the prime minister was taken away and that statement was the statement he never made, if he had made that statement, if he had declared the state of emergency, if he had appointed an administrator, perhaps, that would have brought an end to the crisis in the West, because with that crisis, law and order almost broke down. Unfortunately, that happened, I think that was the beginning, the coup took place, later there was a counter coup and so on and so forth.

Although, during Gowon’s time he invited some experienced politicians to participate in the government but yet they, the military, were in charge, the civilians were only helping them.

That was the beginning, and later on there was this idea of the new breed, which is unfortunate. The best organisation in the world is the combination of the old and the young, you need the maturity, the wisdom, experience of the old, as well as the dynamism, radicalism, youthful exuberance of the young. No one can do without that, the old and the young complement each other, and if you want to have a good organisation or a good government, you must combine the two. They now have this idea of new breed, all over the world we have a kind of government which is infallible, old people, experienced people, matured people, sufficiently exposed people who are not interested in holding any public office, but they are interested in protecting the interest of their own country and making sure that their children and their great grandchildren who will become future leaders become responsible and respected leaders when it comes to their turn to shoulder the responsibility of leadership.

That was the practice in America, in England, in Germany, they have this similar organisation. Now, we introduced this new breed, nature does not like a vacuum, if you open a bottle of water and you pour out the water, immediately after, air will fill the bottle. Yesterday gave birth to today, today will give birth to tomorrow, the purpose of history is to know the past in order to adjust the present and plan for the future. This new breed policy is not my cup of tea, but it is my belief that new breed without the old breed will breed greed, that is why we are where we are today. You know as I said there was a report that Nigeria would be there in the leadership of the world together with the leading countries, but things are not the same. It is unfortunate that that respect that we used to see among our leaders of different political leanings is no longer there. Character assassination, mudslinging have become the order of the day. We are no longer thinking of merit.

Today our main source of revenue is oil, how did we come by this oil? Papa Ribadu was the first Minister of Defence, was first minister of Mines and Power. When Shell came to Nigeria and wanted to start exploring for oil, the central government had to give it contribution. At that time the central government had no money, it was northern Nigeria’s money kept with the grand council in London that was used to pay Nigeria’s contribution.

The British said that money should be written either as a loan or as an investment so that when oil is found the north can have something. Papa Ribadu and our leaders from the North said, no, we are all brothers, if our money is used to develop any part of Nigeria, so be it. In 1958, Shell invited Papa Ribadu, he was still the minister of Mines and Power, they told him that they had spent so much money and time and they had not found oil, and they were packing out of Nigeria. Papa Ribadu is what I used to call a native intellectual, he saw through them. He said alright, you can leave the country if you like, you have come to look for money, there is no money, but make sure when you are leaving, he said, take everything along with you, shut down your petrol filling stations, you will no longer sell any kerosene, or gasoline or anything to do with oil, good luck to you. They too saw through this and the next day in London, they called Papa Ribadu and said that they were coming back to Nigeria to try again. Perhaps they said this time around we may be lucky.

Shell had already found oil, they were sitting on it, waiting until it suited their time to start exploiting it. When they came back this time, two, three months after, they announced that they had found oil in commercial quantities. A few months later, I became the minister of oil after the 1958 independence elections. Shell was the only company. A decent man, Chief (MO)Feyide, the first petroleum engineer, a man of integrity, a true Nigerian, he said, ‘look minister, we cannot afford to allow one company

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

SUNDAYINTERVIEW • ‘HOW NIGERIA CAN LEAD THE BLACK RACE’’ •

Sule to be exploiting our oil, we must bring in competition in the industry if we want to get the maximum benefit from our oil.’

So, we told Shell to surrender part of their concession so that we might give other oil companies, they refused. They said legally, the concession belonged to them. We now argued that Nigeria gave you concession not to sit on them but to work on them, if you were prepared to work on these concessions at the same time we would be prepared to allow you, to leave them to you, otherwise you have to surrender some of them. Eventually they had to. We invited other oil companies. Mobil came, Texaco came, about six of them. The same Chief Feyide said we were not yet out of the woods, these new oil companies that had come belonged to the same club, they were what we called the six sisters, the same policy, what were we going to do? The same petroleum engineer suggested that we should go to Italy to invite Italian oil company because it was the only company that was not in their group, and that company must give them stiff competition. So we went. I remember the president of Italian oil company, Marte, said ‘look young man, are you not afraid of these powerful oil companies? They will destroy you.’ I said all I want from you is to give us a better offer. He offered to give us higher royalties, they offered to train our oil experts, they also offered if we wanted to be partners, for the Nigerian government, they gave us partnership. Eventually they came, Agip is a subsidiary of Italian oil company, and there was competition.

Again, I thought it was odd for Nigeria producing oil and not having an oil refinery, so, I built the very first oil refinery in Port Harcourt.

Later, we had problem with the Eastern region, they came with an argument that territorial waters contiguous to a region should belong to the region. Perhaps at that time they got to know our oil was in the sea, the first oil that we found was on land, the Oloibiri, but most of our oil as it is today is in the sea.

If the territorial waters contiguous to a region belonged to that region, all the resources, whatever was found in the sea would belong to that region. It was not the practice anywhere in the world, territorial waters belonged to the central government at any rate, the state or the region had no moral right to claim the territorial waters since they have no navy to defend the territorial waters. However, there was such argument. Still they did not agree, I had to appoint a committee comprising members of Eastern Nigeria government and the federal government, they toured around the world and saw what obtained in respect of the territorial waters, which they did, and they came back and they unanimously reported that in all those countries, that territorial waters belonged to the federal authority, or to the central authority. Today, I’m hearing something different.

I started the NNPC, not with that name, we called it National Oil Cooperation (NOC), and the reason was we wanted to get maximum benefit from oil and we have to get oil experts. Oil workers were highly paid all over the world, if we brought them to work in the ministry with the Permanent Secretary, they would not earn more than the permanent secretary and a permanent secretary salary was token fee in the oil company, so we decided to take out that section of the ministry, make it independent, allow them to employ people of the right calibre and give them salary commensurate with their qualification.

That was how NNPC started, it was NOC, later it became NNPC. We got Nigeria into OPEC, and I’m glad to say that this gentleman, the chief petroleum engineer, Chief Feyide,

was the first Nigerian to be Secretary General of the OPEC. The interesting thing is this, I stayed in that ministry for almost seven years from 1959-1966 when the first coup took place, I was in that ministry because even after the second election in 1964, I remained in the same ministry, throughout that period the prime minister did not send to me, his colleague, or friend or relative to get a license to lift oil, or to get a concession for an oil well, not once did he do it.

Now, because of this, the people in the Niger Delta became our friends, the prime minister of the country was a northerner from the NPC party, and so was the minister of mines and powers in charge of oil, a northerner and a member of NPC, yet because they knew that we had only their interest and not our selfish interest, they cooperated with us. Indeed, when they floated a political party which they called the Niger Delta Peoples Congress, they formed an alliance with the NPC, at that time they had two members, Dakpobiri and Wilfred Okilo, they contested election on the platform of that alliance and they always won. Wilfred Okillo became parliament secretary to prime minister, and Chief Dakpobiri became a chief whip in the House of Representatives. We were the best of friends, that was how it all started, and today things are what they are.

Do you think the country still stand a chance?

In spite of these ugly things that are happening around us, I believe by the grace of God they will come to an end. It is not for nothing that God has brought us together, different tribes, different cultures, different political parties and even different climatic conditions, God has a purpose for us, God wants us to come together to understand one another because of the roles that he wants us to play in Africa and in the world. Nigeria is destined to lead Africa and to inspire the blacks all over the world, in order for Nigeria to do this, Nigeria must be united, there must be peace in Nigeria.

Some people are calling for the restructuring of the country, what is your view on this call sir?

The amalgamation of Nigeria, although by the British, was an act of God. As I have said, God has put us together so that we may learn to live together, so that we may give leadership to Africa. I don’t believe Nigeria will disintegrate because of the problems we have. We had similar problems in the past but we were able to overcome. Nigeria had even a civil war, at the end of the civil war nobody thought Nigeria would be the same again, but we are what we are today. That is why I believe that we will be alright, God willing. All these perhaps may be teething problem, we will be alright. Nigeria is big enough to accommodate every country. When we started during the colonial days, about 70 per cent of the Nigerian revenue came from the North; groundnut, cotton, hides and skin, tin, columbite and so on.

Nobody asked for special consideration for the North, it worked and we were together and I believe we can still be together. Nigeria is big enough to accommodate every country, we have oil, in the North too we have oil, I knew it way back in the 60s when I was minister of mines and power. In the North we have gold, diamond, we have uranium and other minerals and of course there is agriculture. In the South we have cocoa, we have palm kernel, all we need is to learn to live together.

People say that two things are standing in our way to unity in this country, tribalism and religious bigotry. Who says that tribalism is to divide us? Go to the United Nations today, you will see in front of the UN headquarters secretariat, you will see a billboard and on the bill board is a verse from the Holy Quran and I believe there is a similar verse in the Holy Bible.

That verse says: ‘O ye people we have created you of a man and woman and divided you into tribes and races so that you may understand one another, no one is greater than the other in the eyes of God except he who is more useful to his fellow man.’

The idea of creating us in different tribes and races is not that we should quarrel or fight one another, it’s to understand one another. All the religions of God are basically the same.

The modes of worship may differ, the objective is the same, worship of one true God and the moral values taught by the religions are the same. The Christians are told peace with their God, peace with their mind, peace with their fellow men, not fellow Christians, they are enjoined to live in peace with everybody.

In Islam after the belief in one God, the most important aspect of our worship is the prayer, at the end of the prayer you say peace be unto you; everybody, the Muslims, the Jews, the Christians, the free thinkers, the pagans. Peace is the teaching of all the religions of God. Love thy neighbour as you love thy self is another teaching of Christianity, thy neighbour has not been qualified, anybody could be that neighbour. Be your brothers’ keeper is a common teaching between Islam and Christianity, and there is no religion of God that says you should coerce, force, pressurise somebody to embrace it.

The Christians say if you go out to them and preach the word of God and they refused to listen, pick up your shoes, dust them and leave them in peace. On the other hand, Islam says there is no compulsion of religion, it is a matter of conviction.

But the important thing is this: the essence of every religion of God is love. The Christians are told that no matter how much you may worship God, even if your worship can move mountain, you will not enter into the kingdom of God, unless you have love in your heart. On the other hand a Muslim says I see myself as a Christian and sometimes as a Jew, in my heart is Islam, but love is my religion, love is my faith. These are the teachings of the religions, if we were to practice these teachings will there be quarrel or fighting among us? Would we be killing ourselves? Are we just theoretical believers of our religions and not practical? If we were practical we would live in peace with one another, if God had wanted he could have made us all Christians, all Muslims, all Jews, pagans, free thinkers. But in His own wisdom He did this and He said He did that so that we might understand one another. In spite of the ugly picture I have painted I still believe we will come out of the wood and that Nigeria will be good, Nigeria by the grace of God will be united.

I stayed in that ministry for almost seven years from 1959-1966 when the first coup took place, I was in that ministry because even after the second election in 1964, I remained in the same ministry, throughout that period the prime minister did not send to me, his colleague, or friend or relative to get a license to lift oil, or to get a concession for an oil well, not once did he do it. Now, because of this, the people in the Niger Delta became our friends, the prime minister of the country was a northerner from the NPC party, and so was the minister of mines and powers in charge of oil, a northerner and a member of NPC, yet because they knew that we had only their interest and not our selfish interest, they cooperated with us. Indeed, when they floated a political party which they called the Niger Delta Peoples Congress, they formed an alliance with the NPC

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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 • OCTOBER 2, 2016

SUNDAYSPORTS Spurs Host City in Clash of Only Unbeaten Teams

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

T

he Premier Leagues only unbeaten teams, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City lock horns in a top-ofthe-table clash at White Hart Lane. City’s flawless record was broken in the thrilling 3-3 Champions League draw at Celtic last Wednesday but there is little doubt their reputation as the Premier League’s team to beat precedes them. \ Tottenham have been used to playing deep-sitting, counterattacking opponents in recent weeks but they know that City will fight to control the ball. An open, high-tempo showdown looms, which will be scrutinised for title pointers.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino could have four first-team players back for today’s crunch match against Manchester City. Eric Dier, Moussa Dembele and Danny Rose will all be assessed as they near returns from hamstring injuries while Moussa Sissoko may also feature after taking a bang on the head last weekend.

Pochettino’s first ever win as a manager came when Espanyol beat Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 2009, and the Argentinian will hope to inflict a first defeat on the Spaniard’s City this season.

Guardiola’s reign in Manchester began

Kelechi Iheanacho may be pivotal for City today with 10 straight wins, a run which was halted by a 3-3 draw with Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday. City’s 100 per cent start in the league sees them

four points clear of second-placed Spurs ahead of the showdown.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane remains out with an ankle injury, meaning summer

signing Vincent Janssen is likely to start again up front. Guardiola has reported no new injury worries for City’s trip to The club are still assessing the extent of the injuries afflicting Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph in order to determine how long they will remain on the sidelines.

The Belgians are receiving treatment for hamstring and groin problems respectively, but it is hoped Delph’s muscle injury will clear up by the end of the international break. Nolito will be suspended, following his red card at Bournemouth.

Spurs have won 22 of their 38 Premier League games against City; should they win this game, they will have beaten them more often than they’ve defeated any other side (currently tied with 22 wins v Everton). Spurs beat City 4-1 in last season’s league fixture at White Hart Lane Guardiola needs a win from this game to break the record for best winning starts to a managerial career in the Premier League (currently tied with Carlo Ancelotti on six).

Sergio Aguero has scored 28 goals in his last 27 Premier League appearances for City. Meanwhile four of Heung-Min Son’s eight Premier League goals have come in his last 229 minutes of action for Spurs.

Success Scores First Premier League GOtv Boxing Night 9: Boxers Goal, Moses Shines for Chelsea Bid for N1.5m Cash Prize Isaac Success scored his first Premier League goal to salvage a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth as compatriot Victor Moses shone in his first Chelsea start in three years. The showings of Success and Victor Moses will certainly be a good omen for Nigeria going into Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.

Success, who has received his first-ever call-up by the Super Eagles, came off the bench to draw hosts Watford level in the 65th minute with a looping header off a free kick.

He had replaced compatriot Odion Ighalo seven minutes earlier.

Victor Moses was outstanding after he was handed his first Chelsea start since the summer of 2013 as ‘The Blues’ won 2-0 at Hull City. He was withdrawn in the 85th minute.

Success

When the first bell rings at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, today, a slice of fans’ attention will be focused on the man who will win the N1.5 million cash prize for the best boxer at the event. This is the second time the sponsors are deviating from the N1million cash prize that normally accompanies the accolade. The first time was last December, when Stanley ‘Edo Boy’ Eribo was chosen as the best boxer.

This time, the cash prize has been reviewed upwards in celebration of the fifth anniversary of GOtv operations in Nigeria and the commemoration of the country’s independence, according to a release.

GOtv Boxing Night 9 is also a deviation from the six-fight format that has marked the event since it debuted in 2014. There will be an additional fight, making for a seven-fight arrangement. In addition, GOtv Boxing Night 9 will provide the stiffest test for the country’s top boxing talents, who have been paired with elite-level opponents from Ghana, one of the superpowers of African boxing.

The Ghanaian challenge, a continuation of the Nigeria/Ghana sporting rivalry, will be mounted by Raphael “Iron King” Kwabena King and Richard “Desert Warrior” Amefu. King will face a stiff test from the quick-punching Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, the national light welterweight champion, while his compatriot slugs it out with the explosive Oto “Joe Boy”, the national lightweight champion.

Fijabi and Oto remain undefeated and have made a habit of stopping most opponents within the distance.

Fijabi’s last two fights ended in the first round. King is also undefeated, winning eight and drawing one of his professional fights. Amefu has lost two from 14, a record that cannot be sniffed at.

Another star billed to fight is Jude “Great Jude” Iloh, the national light heavyweight champion, who goes up against Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu. Iloh remains unbeaten in seven pro fights, five of which he won by Kos. This, however, is a record Masebinu

claims has no relevance. The opponent has only one fight, lost, but believes Iloh will fall.

The cruiserweight division offers the much awaited national title defence by Ekeng “Fighting Policeman” Henshaw, ranked seventh by the African Boxing Union. Coveting his title is Idowu “ID Cabasa” Okusote (also known as Ojuelegba Terror). Okusote’s last fight was won via a knockout. His previous fight, a loss, was against one of the country’s biggest boxers, former Commonwealth champion, Isaac Ekpo, who also trains him.

Okusote believes that the tutelage from the girdled Ekpo puts him at an advantage over Henshaw.

The other light heavyweight clash will feature the Bariga mauler, Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi against Emmanuel “Man Mopol” Igwe. Both boxers are making their pro debut, but are well regarded in the amateur ranks.

Other debutants include Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan, who takes on the slightly more experienced Prince “Lion” Nwoye in a lightweight challenge contest. Nwoye has one pro fight to his name and won.

Also debuting is the pair of Ebube “Coded Man” Edeh, a man from whom much is expected, and Semiu “Jagaban” Olapade. Ede was discovered at the GOtv Boxing NextGen 1 last February and has been under the tutelage of coaches Joe Mensah and Obisia Nwakpa.

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS & FIXTURES Swansea Hull City Sunderland Watford West Ham 12:00pm 2:15pm 2:15pm 4:30pm

1–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1

Man United Tottenham Leicester Burnley

Liverpool Chelsea West Brom AFC Bournemouth Middlesbrough vs vs vs vs

Stoke Man City Southampton Arsenal

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016

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High Life

wiTh LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

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

Retired Gen. TY Danjuma...The Quintessential Father, Husband, Stepfather

•How he dotes over his wife, Daisy’s other children

F

ew men are wrought like Theophillus Y. Danjuma; few fathers to be precise. The retired Army general and billionaire mogul garnishes love with meekness and extends sweet, silky hands of affection to his loved ones.

Danjuma does not discriminate in love and generosity to his children and step-children.

Hence the step-father of Daisy Danjuma’s sons spares no love on the fruits of his ravishing wife’s first marriage.

Two years ago, when Daisy Danjuma’s son, Yuki Omenai, got married to his heartthrob, Omobolanle Moriam Rotimi, Danjuma spared no expenses to throw him a lavish wedding ceremony. Yuki is Senator Daisy Danjuma’s son from her previous wedding to Henry Omenai. Senator Daisy’s husband, the irrepressible and obscenely wealthy Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd) gleefully stepped into the groom’s father’s role. In fact, unless you were told, you would never have known that the immensely wealthy retired general did not sire Yuki because he made available his vast wealth and contacts to make his step son’s journey

Aliko Dangote

DEATH SCARE! WHO WANTS ALIKO DONGOTE DEAD?

•When the World rallied round nigerian magnate

Behind the rumour of Aliko Dangote’s sudden death, a humming bird sang discordant tunes with mischief and human ogres sought to thwart the gracious strokes of fate, in the life of Africa’s richest

into matrimony a worthwhile, classy and beautiful experience. The Danjumas’ eyepopping holiday home in the upper crust area of Marbella was the venue. Though a small gathering, the wedding had in excess the components of an elaborate Nigerian party. The crowd was select and classy.

The ambience was celestial in its gold draperies. The drinks were vintage and in effusive supply. And the music was so good that even the typically taciturn general could not help but hit the dance floor.

Interestingly, last weekend, T.Y Danjuma and his wife celebrated yet another son, Dr. Osagie Omenai’s marital union. Predictably, Danjuma conducted himself admirably to Daisy’s delight and the admiration of his stepchildren.

Meanwhile, a lot of guests could not help asking what has happened to the biological father of the groom, Henry.

Since Daisy abandoned him for greener pastures, not much has been heard about him.

Sadly, apart from losing his wife to a more influential man, Henry seems to have also lost his sons too or, pray, why was he not at his sons’ wedding ceremonies? billionaire. The social space was recently cast in disarray as the Chairman of Dangote Group was pronounced death in what has since been denounced as mischievous plot of the magnate’s faceless enemies.

Family and friends of the renowned businessman suffered a scare in the wake of a malicious rumour of Dangote’s death. No sooner did the rumour hit the air than the social space exploded in panic as various phone lines, blogs and social networking sites caught on the buzz of the heartrending rumour.

But contrary to rumours of his death, Aliko Dangote is alive. Very close sources to the businessman swiftly dispelled the rumour soon after it hit the airwaves, claiming authoritatively that Dangote did not die. It would be recalled that an online magazine, DW-TV3, reported that Aliko Dangote died in Germany.

However, Dangote arrived London, United Kingdom (UK) penultimate Friday night.

He was at Aig Imokhuede’s 50th birthday party in Surrey on Saturday, September 24.

Afterwards, his best friend,

Theophillus Y. Danjuma

Femi Otedola, took him to the Stansted Airport where he flew to South Africa in the company of Sam Nwajoku and Niyi Adebayo. Sources close to Dangote revealed that, he received over 1,000 phone calls from family and friends seeking to confirm that he was hale and hearty. American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, was also on the phone with him for over 30 minutes purportedly to confirm that he was in good health. Thus contrary to the malicious rumour of his death, Dangote did not go where lazy peace hides her drowsy head; he did not for the sport of gossip and sensational media, increase the number of Africa’s illustrious dead.

NOT A COWARD! WHY GOODLUCK JONATHAN IGNORES WIFE’S ONGOING ORDEAL Goodluck Jonathan betrays the agility of a fox and wisdom of a coward in Nigeria’s political wilderness. He knows when to be cunning and when to abscond, in order to live and fight another day.

The former President subtly seeks to outfox his traducers

and keep a wide berth from his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption landmine. This explains his discomforting silence in the wake of his wife, Patience’s mounting travails in the dragnet of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Despite

Goodluck Jonathan

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HIGHLIFE

Inside Aig Imoukhuede’s Mansion in Surrey

•Bliss is in the detail as his guests make ceaseless pilgrimage to the billionaire’s manor

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ig Imouhkuede’s manor in Surrey, United Kingdom is a dream of bliss; a real life pictogram of the fabled Neverland.

Amid its captivating plot, you could be forgiven for getting lost, metaphorically, if you are a first time visitor.

Recurrent callers at the mansion have been known to keel over, in enthrallment with the lavish treat.

Aig’s mansion is a testament of class.

Outside, it is garlanded with carven imageries of arches and flowers, and bunches of knot-grass.

Inside, it is ornamented with panes of quaint decor, embroidered fabric and devices. It’s ambience of splendid dyes and luxury titivate like the damasked wings of the tiger-moth.

Such taste for luxury as displayed by Aig, it is often said, has ruined more poets and caused them to lose their wit, than ever did a taste for the gutters. Yet no poet or grand proponent of the high art could visit his mansion and totally lose it. Rather he or she would

simply descend into the hallowed chambers of eternal muse. Aig’s manor no doubt, inspires the best of lyricism in the established poet and apathetic to art.

Interestingly, penultimate Saturday, he celebrated his 50th birthday in this beautiful mansion. It practically turned out a gathering of who-is-who in Nigeria and several moguls of the business community attended the event. But the mansion held practically all the guests spellbound.

They talked about it all through the event. A visit to the mansion was quite an experience. In Surrey, Aig’s palatial mansion sticks out like a gold crest, amid the houses in the area. The exterior utters elegance without obscenity. Inside, expensive incandescent bulbs brightly illuminate the architectural delight.

Everywhere is spick-andspan and has the halo of an improvised Eden on earth. Pristine and exquisitely burnished with class, his mansion emphasizes without much effort, the sheer tastefulness of the owner.

the controversies trailing his wife and Nigeria’s former first lady, Patience Jonathan, over her alleged complicity in money-laundering and other fraudulent activities during his tenure in the presidency, Jonathan has remained silent.

One would have thought it wise of the former President to issue a statement or comment on the case but he has chosen to keep mum. However, suspicions trail his silence as many regard it as telltale of his desperation to avoid the wrath of the incumbent administration. According to pundits, Jonathan’s silence is borne of a need to prevent further inquiry into the case. …AND ‘FRIENDS OF FIRSTLADY’ (FFLN) GO UNDER Yes, her phones are no

Patience Jonathan

longer buzzing like highpitched alarums. Having realised that, her coterie of friends and political associates have stopped ennobling her as a warrior forged of steel and decades of exposure in a burning furnace. The secret is out: when the going gets tough and the heat intensifies, even a tough-talking Patience Jonathan loses her nerve and exaggerated wits. Indeed, the loquacious and highly controversial former first lady, is not finding it easy; even as you read. But while she stews in boiling waters, her closest friends and associates have deserted her. Friends and political associates of Patience began to avoid her soon after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commenced investigations about her alleged role in some funds lodged by a former presidential aide in Skye Bank. Immediately the EFCC pronounced her as a person of interest in its ongoing anti-corruption campaign and investigations, most of Patience’s friends vanished from her side into thin air.

Many other political associates and acquaintances who flaunted their relationship with her are now denying having anything to do with her. It would be recalled that such career sycophants misled former first lady and wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience. Patience’s praise-singers morphed into a group called Friends of the First Lady of Nigeria (FFLN) and the group comprised of self-acclaimed society women

Aig Imoukhuede

who paraded themselves Dame Patience’s closest circle of friends and associates. The objective of the group was simple: to reap bountifully from the defunct dispensation.

Not a few women in Lagos, particularly from the city’s upper crust, engaged in a tiresome hustle to be part of the group. It is interesting to know that this same group of women formed an impenetrable ring around Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, wife to the late President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua. Today, the fortune hunters have shifted their allegiance from Hajia Turai and Dame Patience and transferred it to Aisha Buhari.

Ask Pelebo Banigo, she would confirm this.

AMBODE’S GROUSE! WHY LAGOS GOVERNOR SACKED TRUSTED AIDES, FOLARIN OGUNSANWO AND FUAD OKI Don’t drown the man who taught you to swim, intones a popular proverb but the import is lost on Folarin Ogunsanwo and Fuad Oki. They have finally revealed to the world, the degenerate part of their hearts.

Governor Akinwumi Ambode suffers no mediocre gladly.

The incumbent Governor of Lagos State, like an excellent surgeon, cuts clinically and without remorse, in frantic bid to rid his administration and the coastal city of the scourge of incompetent staff. Beneath his quiet, unassuming mien, Ambode endures neither ineptitude nor lassitude compassionately. This is why he sacked his trusted aides, Folarin Ogunsanwo and Fuad

Akinwunmi Ambode

Oki, recently. The two former aides of the Lagos governor allegedly disappointed him by their misconduct while in his employ. Therefore, the sack of his two close aides serve as an indication that Governor Ambode gives no room for mediocrity and poor delivery rather he encourages transparency, hard work and excellence, according to sources in his cabinet.

IS DR. TUNDE SOLEYE LOVELORN? When urbane medical doctor and veritable socialite, Dr. Tunde Soleye, was sighted recently, he seemed to have lost his bouncy strides. Apart from pussyfooting, the bearded former husband of ex-beauty queen Nike Oshinowo had

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HIGHLIFE

Royal Headache... Anxiety in Ijebu Royal Circuits as Awujale Picks Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland •The dilemma of choosing among Mike Adenuga, Oba Otudeko, Sunny Kuku, others

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or the towering magnate, the path to honour doesn’t lay out in flat miles, it’s riddled with trials of fortune and intrigues of commerce. Eventually, it’s the imagination with which he perceives industry and the gestures by which he honours it that stands him out from his peer. Armed with this ageless wisdom, notable sons of Ijebu land sought their niche in the world of commerce. And having attained acclaim and global deference in the cutthroat world of industry, they silently seek good graces of their kingdom’s paramount ruler, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu. As you read, illustrious sons of Ijebu are being considered for the kingdom’s highest honour for merchants and a son of the soil. The title: Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land (Leader of Commerce and Industry in Ijebu) is currently in contention and Oba Adetona is no doubt having a hard time deciding who, among his subjects, is worthy of the much coveted honour.

The title, which is one of the biggest titles in Ijebu is bestowed on recipients according to the prerogative of the Awujale. It is usually given to a very successful businessman who is accomplished in his chosen career. In recent history, the two men who have held the title were accomplished men of immense means. The first Ogbeni Oja was late Chief Adeola Odutola, an Ijebu icon who in his lifetime was easily one of the most successful industrialists in Yorubaland. When he died, the Awujale made Otunba Bayo Kuku,

the next Ogbeni Oja. And he again was a very rich and successful businessman. He died a year ago.

Since then, that seat has been vacant. At the moment, we have in contention for the title, Dr Mike Ishola Agbolade Adenuga, GCON, who is considered in several quarters as the most qualified because of his citizenship of humanity and what he has done for Ijebuland, Ogun State, Nigeria and the African continent.

That’s why Adenuga is called the Global Sweetheart! He is one Ijebu man that the Kabiyesi likes so much and his company has been sponsoring the prestigious Ojude Oba Festival of the Ijebu people for so many years now. He is currently a member of the Council of Awujales Otunbas of Ijebuland. He is also a member of Awujales Royal Court.

Awujale has conferred on him the title of Otunba Apesin of Ijebuland.

Then there is the Fototek boss, Chief Adegunwa. Adegunwa is also very rich and close to the Awujale.

He is from Ososa. Could it also be Oba Otudeko? The latter, a successful industrialist, is close to the Awujale as well. Another likely contender for the title is Chief Sonny Kuku. Kuku is currently the Olorogun of Ijebuland. He is an accomplished Medical Doctor and businessman. But while Ijebu’s royal circuit mull over the likely recipient of the esteemed title, not a few people are wondering if the Awujale would risk making the title one family’s birthright by replacing a Kuku with Kuku as the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land. Only time will tell. millions of naira while also forfeiting his London home in a divorce settlement, has told everybody who cared to listen that Nike would return to him because it was not the first time she would work out on the union.

BETWEEN OTUNBA SUBOMI BALOGUN AND PASCAL DOZIE Like the peas in a pod, the stories of Otunba Subomi Balogun and Pascal Dozie read alike. Apart from the divergence in lifestyles, flamboyant Balogun and conservative Dozie have so much in common. While over eighty-year-old Otunba Subomi

Tunde Soleye

a tentative, forlorn look around him. Subdued were the suaveness and confidence that made him a hit among men and women. Sources close to the affable doctor said his present outlook might not be unconnected with his separation from Nike. Despite denials and counter-denials about the state of their union, the couple, who got married in 2007 amid strident opposition from Dr. Soleye’s friends and immediate family, eventually went their separate ways in 2012. But the multimillionaire medical doctor, who was forced by the court to pay his ex-wife

Subomi Balogun

Oba Sikiru Adetona

is the founder of First City Monument Bank, hailed as the first privately-owned bank in Nigeria, Imo State-born Dozie founded Diamond Bank in 1990.

Both are also heavily involved in other lucrative businesses that have helped to establish their imprints in the history and evolution of the Nigerian economy. Both are renowned and reputable boardroom gurus.

Without gainsaying the fact, these men, who understand that leaving footprints in the sands of time are not achieved by sitting down, have singlehandedly built enduring institutions that can outlive their children’s children.

Interestingly also, both are monogamists.

Since his retirement from active business life, the IjebuOde, Ogun State born whiteapparel loving Balogun has watched his first son, Ladi, successfully steer the course of FCMB as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, a position he attained in 2005. An Economics graduate of the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom and MBA holder from the Harvard Business School, USA, Ladi has seen the company through many tempests and has emerged even stronger. Today, FCMB is one of Nigeria’s strong banks.

And Otunba Balogun can jolly well recline on a chaz-lounge in his sprawling Tunwase Court country home with a smile

on his face knowing his baby, FCMB, is in competent hands.

For 75-year-old Dozie who stepped down as MD of Diamond Bank in December 2005, nothing can be more heartwarming than the appointment of his son, Uzoma, as MD/CEO of Diamond Bank.

The Chemistry graduate of University of Reading, England, who once described himself as an accidental banker joined Diamond Bank in 1998 as an Assistant Manager and Head of Diamond Bank’s Oil and Gas Unit. More than anybody else, the older Dozie must see his son’s elevation as a fitting denouement of his illustrious career as a businessman.

Pascal Dozie

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Sunday October 2, 2016

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Buhari to Niger Delta Militants

What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced? ñ President Muhammadu Buhari in his independence day national broadcast

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Left with a Broken Heart

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adness overwhelmed me — that’s if sadness is not a criminal understatement. Sometime in May 2005, I had taken my daughter to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for a Friday clinic. Then I saw an elderly patient being physically carried upstairs by a relative. The elevator was broken and the patient was too frail to climb the stairs.

As he was being clutched like a baby, someone else carried his wheelchair. It was depressing.

How much would it cost to put the lift back in order in a country where public officers and politicians earn and share crazy amounts of money running into billions on a daily basis?

If you want life to humble you, go and spend just two hours at the general hospital nearest to you. If what you experience at the reception alone does not break your heart, then you are no longer a human being. The way ordinary Nigerians are treated, at the very point of their need, is nothing short of dehumanising — assuming that is not another criminal understatement. What is not heartbreaking in the entire experience?

Is it the compound overgrown with weed? Or the torn window nets that invite mosquitoes to come and feast on you? Or the kilometres you or your loved ones trek to buy drugs that, according to the budget, are already at the hospital’s pharmacy?

Should we discuss the state of equipment? What equipment? Forever and ever, we have been told about how our hospitals are being modernised and equipped with the latest machines in the world, with the contracts usually in billions of dollars. Yet most of these hospitals cannot boast that these machines are available or functioning well. I recently wrote about a teaching hospital that had only one functioning dialysis machine, and the authorities were mad at me, saying there were actually two but just that one was faulty.

Yet in the same territory, a private hospital has 16 dialysis machines! Who should be able to afford more machines? Government or individuals?

I have been asking the same question for decades: what does it take for the government to build a well-equipped, world-class hospital?

I mean: what does it take to acquire land, to unite mortar with bricks, to paint, to furnish, to equip and to put qualified humans to run it?

Is it that these things are so expensive Nigeria cannot afford them? Or that the world will come to an end if we try to do the right thing here?

Or there is little or no interest on the part of the powers that be to make life a little bit better for the masses who voted them into office? Or is there something about the Nigerian soil that makes it impossible for government to plant a good hospital?

There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian soil, I insist. I was on a visit, along with a friend, to the Nigerian-Turkish Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja, recently. As you drive into the compound, the first feeling is that this is not part of Nigeria.

You know, just as you board British Airways or Emirates in Lagos or Abuja and you already have a feeling you are no longer in Nigeria. When I saw the facilities at Nizamiye, the neatness, the staff attitude and the general ambience, the first thing I told my friend, Joshua, was: but this is on Nigerian soil, isn’t it? If we can have this kind of hospital in Abuja, not in Istanbul or Ankara, then the Nigerian soil is not resistant

Health Minister, Isaac Adewole to good things.

I later met Dr. Mustafa Ahsen, the medical director, who, on being told I am a journalist, was glad to offer me hot Turkish tea — without knowing that I was boiling inside. He told me the hospital was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014. So it is not as if the government does not know what a good hospital can look like. Every equipment looks new. Some facilities you will never find at several federal medical centres or teaching hospitals are there — MRI and 4D Ultrasound machines. Ahsen said his hospital even does open-heart surgeries. I don’t know anything about medicine, but I know a hospitable medical facility when I see one.

I left Nizamiye with a broken heart — after learning that it took only $20 million to set it up. Only God knows how much we spent on the 2015 general election. The only thing we’ve been told is that the Office of the National Security Adviser shared $2.1 billion for the PDP presidential campaign. Nobody has told us how much APC spent on its own campaign. Neither have we been told what the governors spent on their own elections. We are probably talking of another set of billions of dollars. Yet it took just $20 million to put Nizamiye on Abuja soil.

Imagine how many world-class hospitals we could build in this country if our heads were correctly screwed on our necks.

There are many arguments you can make

I have seen hospitals abroad and often conclude that these are advanced countries, so that should be expected. What breaks my heart is when I see a similar thing being replicated by foreigners on our soil, meaning our problem is not geography or topography. It is not even economic

against my position. You can say that Nizamiye, like Reddington Hospital in Lagos, is a private concern, and people pay heavily to receive medical attention. I didn’t ask how much patients pay at Nizamiye, to be honest, but I understand it is not a business venture in that sense. I understand it is part of the First Surat Group which runs as an NGO and invests all its earnings back into education and healthcare in Nigeria. I would argue that government hospitals used to work very well in this same country even when service was being offered for free or for a token. It was the same Nigerian soil. What went wrong?

I would argue further that if government management of hospitals has deteriorated over the years, it is not enough reason to give up and expose hapless Nigerians to ill-treatment.

What exactly is the problem — or what are the problems? Why is there so much ineptitude?

Why is there so much mindless corruption?

How do drugs that should be at the pharmacy find their way into private chemists owned by hospital personnel? Why are bed spaces never “enough” and patients at times have to bribe nurses to secure one? More painfully, why do hospitals turn away dying patients whose lives could have been saved with emergency attention?

There are many things I will never understand about us. I’ve spent the whole of my adult life asking questions, wondering why what works in nearby Benin Republic does not work here, wondering why politicians feel so comfortable that the lives of Nigerians are being wasted daily in avoidable circumstances, wondering why the healthcare system is contract-focused rather than people-focused. I have asked a million times why democracy is not working for the poor people of Nigeria. Governors and presidents claim to have revived our health sector but they travel abroad to attend to their medical needs. If you can’t eat the soup you made, then something is not connecting.

I am not attempting to suggest that every public hospital in Nigeria is bad. That would be a mindless exaggeration. I am aware of efforts being made to get things running at a few hospitals across the country, both federal and state. But you only need to visit a hospital like Nizamiye to understand my anger and frustration. I have seen hospitals abroad and often conclude that these are advanced countries, so they should be expected to have quality facilities. What breaks my heart is when I see a similar thing being replicated by foreigners on our own soil, meaning our problem is not geography or topography. It is not even economic. Something is just awfully wrong.

So I ask again: who really, really has the interest of ordinary Nigerians at heart? How many Nigerian public servants and politicians can look up to heaven and say — without flinching — that when they sit down to take decisions on how public money should be spent, the only thing on their minds is how Nigeria would be a better country? We say “health is wealth” and make a song out of it, but how many Nigerians have access to quality healthcare? And if politicians can spend billions to win elections, how much does it take to build a world-class hospital?

Nigeria is 56, big deal, but is healthcare better today that it was in 1960 — minus the new technologies? Disheartening.

And Four Other Things...

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As dollar starvation continues to destroy our economy, a debate has broken out over the proposal to divest our stake in some national assets in order to raise the badly needed forex. As things stand, only an urgent massive FX in ow can save Nigeria from imminent collapse. Our options are limited: to take IMF loan, to sell valuables in dollars (not naira) or to get a Father Christmas to bless us with $30 billion. Whatever decision the government takes, however, we must NEVER sell our stake in NLNG Ltd. It is a very successful company with even brighter future, more so with its expanding cooking gas business.

Commonsense.

FAMILY AFFAIR The Nigerian elite have long resolved how to take care of themselves ó no matter their region and religion. The looters of Nigeria have no tribal marks. They are one family.

Injury to one member of the family is injury to all. But deluded Nigerians on social media continue to classify Nigeria along ethno≠ religious lines. As soon as Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin broke ranks with his partners≠ in≠ crime in the house of reps and began to sing, I knew he would be the one to bite the dust. I just knew it. His budget≠ padding allegations should naturally provide an opportunity to cleanse the legislature. Instead, Jibrin has been suspended. And the beat goes on.

Nigeria!

EDO MODEL Finally, INEC has conducted a conclusive election and, irrespective of the litigation that will certainly follow the Edo governorship poll, that is one monkey off the back of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who was appointed chairman last year. Meanwhile, the election was held on a Wednesday, not the traditional Saturday, and it went well.

That is another landmark ó and another monkey off INECís back. One more monkey remains: restriction of movement during voting. Curfew is a military idea which we have accepted as part of our culture, but which doesní t make any sense. Hopefully, we would stop monkeying around and join the civilised world. Someday.

BINDOW LOW Adamawa Governor Jibrilla Bindow is an interesting character. He has threatened to sign the white paper that indicted former governor Murtala Nyako if his supporters doní t stop criticising him. The Justice Umaru Boboi Judicial Panel of Inquiry had investigated and indicted the administration of Nyako (2007≠ 2014). ì I have no intention to expose anybody, but if pushed to the wall, I swear in the name of Allah and Qurían, I will sign that white paper against Nyakoís government which, as I am talking to you, is on my table,î Bindow said.

You get the point? He is not interested in justice for Adamawa people. His interest is to shut up his critics. Wonderful.

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