SUNDAY 8th JULY 2018

Adamu Ciroma, an Embodiment of Integrity Abba Kyari

TRIBUTE

I start in this tribute to Mallam Adamu Ciroma in mentioning issues that touched his heart: poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality, the four giant devils afflicting most third world

societies. In Nigeria we can add the most gigantic and most devilish - corruption, because it has prevented our ability to fight the four devils that have made our

country unjust and unequal.

Corruption has become almost a way of life. Fighting it is a national imperative. If he had been in government today, Mallam Adamu would have been in the forefront in the fight against corruption.

Almost every week and at every opportunity, President Buhari laments his inability to hold people to account in a constitutional democracy and recalls with nostalgia his time as military head of state when he got everybody

locked up and declared them guilty until they proved their innocence. At every occasion he publicly acknowledges that only Adamu Ciroma and Bilyaminu Usman were not found wanting by the tribunals.

Mallam Adamu had served as Governor of the Central Bank, as well minister in the ministries of finance, industry, agriculture, at various times from 1979 to 2007. Thus Continued on page 8

Nigeria’s LNG Market Share Threatened as US Grabs 20%… Page 8 Sunday 8 July, 2018 Vol 23. No 8480

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Travails andTriumphs of the Senate President Olawale Olaleye Perhaps, it was President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment on last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling in a

N E W S A N A LYS I S case of false asset declaration involving Senate President Bukola Saraki that best describes the state of the

country’s judiciary and the typical disposition of the average Nigerian.

Buhari had said in a statement, “I have seen many instances, where

individuals and groups seek the destruction of the judicial institution in the foolish thinking of saving their skin instead of going through the painstaking

process of establishing their innocence.

“In the case of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, I have seen him take the tortuous path of using

the judicial process. He persevered, and in the end, the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, says he Continued on page 8

Buhari: Saraki Went Through Tortuous Judicial Process, Vindicated at Last Says judiciary is working Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja reacted to Friday's acquittal of Senate President Bukola Saraki from allegations of false asset declaration by the Supreme Court, saying Saraki persevered, went through tortuous judicial process and was vindicated in the end.

By this development, the president also observed that the country’s judicial system was working despite the many challenges it faces, warning that no one should be allowed to undermine or break it.

Buhari, in a statement by one of his spokesmen, Malam Garba Shehu, said he had witnessed situations, where people attempted to destroy the judiciary in their desperate bid to escape justice.

According to him, Saraki's

pursuit of his case from the lowest to the apex court should be a precedent for others to emulate, even as he recalled how he went through the same judicial process three times after he lost presidential elections.

He said: “I have seen many instances, where individuals and groups seek the destruction of the judicial institution in the foolish thinking of saving their skin, instead of going through the painstaking process of establishing their innocence.

“In the case of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, I have seen him take the tortuous path of using the judicial process. He persevered, and in the end, the highest court of the land, the Supreme Continued on page 8

North-west Governors Pledge to Tackle Armed Banditry... Page 10

LET THERE BE MORE FERTILISER...

L-R: Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Managing Director of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Mr. Manish Mundra, at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the senate president's visit to perform the foundation laying ceremony of Indorama Fertiliser Plant Project Train 2... yesterday julius atoi

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΀˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT

A NEW LIFE BEGINS...

L-R: Groom's brother, Mr. Bukoye Akinjogbin; mother, Iyabode; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; newly wed couple, Adeniyi and Oyindamola; Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and his wife, Bolanle; bride’s father, Mr. Olatunji Bello, and his wife, Prof. Ibiyemi, during the wedding ceremony of their children, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos... yesterday kola olasupo

Nigeria’s LNG Market Share Threatened as US Grabs 20% Chineme Okafor in Abuja By 2023, the United States will account for close to three quarter of all Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export growth and its global market share will jump to 20 per cent, from the current position of four per cent, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said.

IEA made this disclosure in Gas 2018, its latest gas market report.

Effectively putting Nigeria’s aspiration to grow its traded LNG market share to 10 per cent under pressure as recently

disclosed by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, the IEA stated that one of the major changes expected by 2023 would be the US leading growth in gas production and export of LNG. In 2017, the World LNG Report indicated that Nigeria occupied the position of the fourth largest LNG exporter in 2016, while the US occupied the 16th position, but the Managing Director of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Tony Attah, warned at the maiden edition of the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit

(NIPS) in February that delay in taking the final investment decision (FID) in different LNG projects in the country could rob the country of its place in the market.

Notwithstanding, the IEA explained in the Gas 2018 report, obtained by THISDAY that strong demand growth from China, greater industrial demand, and rising supplies from the United States, would transform global natural gas markets over the next five years. He added that global gas demand would grow at an average rate of 1.6 per cent per year, reaching just over 4,100

billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023, up from 3,740bcm in 2017.

“In the next five years, global gas markets are being re-shaped by three major structural shifts.

“China is set to become the world’s largest gas importer within two-to-three years, US production and exports will rise dramatically strongly and industry is replacing power generation as the leading growth sector,” said IEA’s Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol.

According to IEA, Chinese gas demand is projected to grow by 60 per cent between 2017 and 2023, underpinned by

policies aimed at reducing local air pollution by switching from coal to gas.

It added that China alone would account for 37 per cent of the growth in global demand in the next five years to become the largest natural gas importer by 2019, overtaking Japan which is reportedly one of the destinations for Nigeria’s LNG. The IEA also predicted strong growth in gas use in other parts of Asia, including in South and Southeast Asia, driven by strong economic growth and efforts to improve air quality.

It explained the US, Australia,

and Russia were poised to increase the global liquefaction capacity by 30 per cent by 2023, clearly indicating Nigeria was not in consideration in this regards, despite Baru’s recent assurances at the World Gas Conference (WGC) in Washington DC that the country had put in credible measures to capture 10 per cent of LNG market share for itself.

“For end-use sectors, industry will become the largest contributor to the increase in global gas demand to 2023, taking the lead from power generation, which had historically held this role."

Lagos. His encounters with late General Hassan and General Gowon were well documented and need no recounting. He was confident and independent.

In journalism he and Mamman Daura made the ‘New Nigerian’ the Al Ahram of Nigeria. It was fearless, authoritative and often set the national agenda in a compelling

and reasoned way that even those who did not agree with it, respected the quality of its reasoning.

The paper set the national agenda on major issues to the extent that policy-makers took their cue from its opinion comment, usually set in single, nine-inch column. These days, opinions are expressed in whole

pages. It was at once northern and national but spared neither.

As a junior reporter in their time this testimony was a lived experience.

He was rare embodiment of integrity, fearlessness and frankness, a privilege for all who knew him. His type of high tradition is fast fading and our society is the poorer for it.

spurred a Court of Appeal ruling on December 12, 2017, which ordered a retrial of the case, but on three-count charge.

Saraki too challenged ruling by approaching the apex court, which on Friday, discharged him of all the false asset declaration charges.

Justice Centus Chima Nweze, in his judgment, set aside the

decision of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), which had earlier upheld the no case submission of Saraki’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN. The Supreme Court held that the prosecution failed to call material witnesses to support its case against the Senate President and agreed that all

those, who had knowledge of facts, were not called to testify in the matter.

In addition, the court held that those, who tendered documentary evidence against Saraki during the trial were not makers of the document and as such, their evidence on the documents was hearsay and lacked probative value.

The news of his acquittal did not, however, come as a shock to the critical few, because a religious monitoring of the case had shown that, ultimately, it might end a no case submission and the reason was not farfetched. After the initial two years of the naming and shaming proceedings, with its attendant media blitz, the government and its many witnesses still had nothing to substantiate their allegations. Then the law, without any form of interference, stamped its feet. That, of course, reflected the submission by the CCT, which acquitted Saraki.

Unfortunately, the sparkly mood that greeted the news of the acquittal was not going to tarry for long, as the presidency immediately kicked and this, naturally, paved the way for a Court of Appeal ruling on December 12, 2017, which ordered a retrial of the case, albeit on three-count charge.

Saraki challenged this and approached the apex court.

The case eventually came to a

denouement last Friday, after the Supreme Court discharged him of the false asset declaration charges.

In its judgement delivered by Justice Centus Chima Nweze, the apex court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the decision of the CCT, which had earlier upheld the no case submission of Saraki’s counsel, Agabi. The Supreme Court held that the prosecution failed to call material witnesses to support its case against the senate president and agreed that all those, who had knowledge of facts, were not called to testify in the matter. In addition, the court held that those, who tendered documentary evidence against Saraki during the trial, were not makers of the document and as such, their evidence on the documents was hearsay and lacked probative value.

The fact of the case is that everything about Saraki’s trial had been mismanaged from inception and was therefore deemed flawed ab initio by

many observers. From the timing, which came nearly 15 years after the alleged offence was committed, to the mercurial nature of the charges, there were clear hints about the way it eventually ended.

It was three years of incalculable distraction and time-wasting for both the major players and a critical institution in the nation’s democratic evolution.

The mere thought that it took about 15 years before the authorities could spot that Saraki had committed an infraction is considered disappointing by many. This is in addition to the fact that the trial was set in motion immediately he emerged President of the Senate against the wish of the establishment.

The outrage of undertaking a trial for nearly three years without being able to provide evidence to seal the fate of the accused is a burden Saraki’s accusers would have to bear for a long time to come as the price of their legal misadventure.

ADAMU CIROMA, AN EMBODIMENT OF INTEGRITY Mallam Adamu stands out as a paragon and personification of integrity, not as the opinion of his legion of admirers including myself - but by the man who approached fighting corruption with messianic zeal: President Buhari.

Adamu Ciroma didn’t fear death, in fact he was

welcoming it. A few years back, after he had been in a car accident that kept in hospital for several months, I had gone to greet him and he said to me: ‘Abba, ban san abinda zanyi in mutuba, nayi rashin Lafiya, nayi accident amma har yanzu ban mutuba – I did not know how to die. I was in bad shape, I was in danger,

but still I did not die.” He also feared no man.

He was brutally frank and told undecorated truth to Power, as a civil servant in the all- powerful Premier’s office in Kaduna, editor of the ‘New Nigerian; during military regimes both to the military governors in the north and military head of state in

BUHARI: SARAKI WENT THROUGH TORTUOUS JUDICIAL PROCESS, VINDICATED AT LAST Court, says he is not guilty as charged.

“This is what I have done in the three elections in which I was cheated out, before God made it possible for me to come here the fourth time I ran for the office.”

The president however added that the Senate President’s journey from the lowest to the

highest court of the land should serve as an important example for other Nigerians to emulate.

Saraki was first dragged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on September 18, 2015, exactly three months after he emerged Senate President, he did not however appear until September 22 of the same year and pleaded not guilty to the

corruption charges.

However, two years after the trail commences, the CCT on June 14, 2017, discharged and acquitted Saraki of all the 18-count charge. But the presidency immediately kicked, describing it as outrageous and a travesty of justice.

The development was however believed to have

TRAVAILS AND TRIUMPHS OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT is not guilty as charged.

“This is what I have done in the three elections in which I was cheated out, before God made it possible for me to come here the fourth time I ran for the office.”

Three years of back-and-forth allegations in court between a sitting President of the Senate and the state was not a pleasant sight to behold. Apart from the toll on the collective image of the country, it literally sets out to undo what ordinarily could have been the gains of the current democratic experience, especially given the strongly rooted assumption that the charges were trumped up to teach him some lessons for being a deviant.

Saraki’s trial was suspect ab initio. This, understandably, was because it was not until he won his election as President of the Senate against all odds that “it was discovered that he had a case to answer.” And for someone who was said to have played a critical role in the election of

Buhari, the trial marked the start of the many misfortunes that currently beset the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

With a timeline that grossly depicted a tough legal battle, Saraki, though somewhat confident, knew justice might not come easy. He was dragged to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on September 18, 2015, three months after he emerged Senate President, but he did not appear. This immediately compelled the prosecution counsel, Muslim Hassan, on September 18, 2015, to ask the tribunal to order his arrest for failing to appear before it, arguing that Saraki has no power to halt a trial of the CCT. Saraki’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), however, argued that his client did not appear because the composition of the CCT at the time was illegal and consequently rendered the trial ultra vires – that is, of no legal effect. Eventually, Saraki appeared before the tribunal on September 22, 2015 and pleaded

not guilty to the corruption charges.

On April 24, 2016, Saraki filed a motion to stop the CCT trial, but it was dismissed by the tribunal. On April 28, 2016, Saraki was re-arraigned on an amended 16-count charge. And

by May 11, 2016, a witness, who testified against Saraki, told the tribunal that property declared by the senate president did not exist. That, of course, fired up sentiments that further drew attention to the trial.

But on June 7, 2016, Danladi Umar, the now embattled chairman of the CCT, accused Saraki of tactically delaying his trial to avoid “consequences”, a language use that elicited public outcry. But the shock of many observers was that between January 11, 2017 and February 23, 2017, the charges against Saraki had been increased to 18.

All these eventually came to naught, when the CCT discharged and acquitted Saraki of all the 18-count charge on June 14, 2017.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

EKITI STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION It is a test case of the INEC’s preparedness for the 2019 general election

C

ome Saturday, the people of Ekiti State will go to the poll to elect their next governor. The election will not just be a test of credibility for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whose chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, is being accused of bias by the opposition, it will also reveal the level of preparedness of the commission for the 2019 general election. It is therefore in the interest of all the critical stakeholders to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and credible.

If the process leading to the emergence of the candidates of both the All ProThe election has gressives Congress been described (APC) which conas a test of trols the centre and credibility for INEC the Peoples Demoand the current cratic Party (PDP) ruling the state administration. were any guide, We call on the nothing should be commission left to chance in the to ensure that election. First, the APC sophisticated governorship primary arrangements presided over by Governor Tanko Al-Makura meant to of Nasarawa State was guarantee called off effective logistics suddenly following an outbreak for the poll are put of violence despite a dein place ployment of numerous security forces to the venue of the election in Ado Ekiti. It took a repeat exercise for the then Minister of Mines and Steel Development, a former governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to emerge as winner.

The exercise leading to the emergence of the PDP candidate was no less acrimonious. With Governor Ayo Fayose as the campaign manager for his deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka whom he wants as his successor, it was no surprise that the outcome was rejected by some of the aspirants, notably a former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who eventually

Letters to the Editor

dumped the party to team up with the opposition in the state. There are of course other parties in the race but it is safe to bet that the contest will be a straight fight between Fayemi of APC and Olusola of PDP.

M

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS OLAWALE OLALEYE, TOBI SONIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI , PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH, PATRICK EIMIUHI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

eanwhile, there are concerns that powerful forces in both Abuja and Ado Ekiti with interests in the election might compromise the process to influence its outcome. This underscores the reason the election has been described as a test of credibility for INEC and the current administration. We therefore call on the commission to ensure that sophisticated arrangements meant to guarantee effective logistics for the poll are put in place.

It is noteworthy that this election is taking place in one of the smallest states of the country with only 16 local governments.

Therefore, any report of late arrival of electoral materials and non-functionality of electoral devices could be viewed as a mark of failure and incompetence while question marks would be raised about the capacity of INEC to conduct the 2019 general election.

However, we reiterate our usual caution that election is a process and not an event. To that extent, the role of the security agencies before, during and after the exercise is very critical. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that state power is not deployed for partisan purposes. Even when his party has a stake in this election, it is important for him to remember that he is the president of the country and not just a party man. We also urge Governor Fayose to restrain himself from all impulses to self-help or incitement to violence. He should allow the people of Ekiti State to determine who rules them after him in an atmosphere of peace.

We call on the Inspector-General of Police, the Commandant of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps and heads of other security agencies that will be involved in the election to educate and warn their men against compromising their professional responsibilities. They must provide only strict security services meant to enhance the successful conduct of the poll and should eschew any partial acts that could cast doubts on the credibility of the election. At the end of the day, the people of Ekiti State reserve the right to elect the candidate they deem most fit to govern them for the next four years.

May the best candidate win.

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.

Reformed-APC: A Challenge to Buhari?

T

he emergence of Reformed- APC is not strange to Nigeria's political game.

It has happened before and it will happen in the future. That's the beauty of representative democracy.

In fact, opposition within a political party in power especially at the centre and from the National Assembly has been with us since 2003. However, students of politics know that the intense horsetrading and ploys that led to the emergence of R-APC have left the All Progressives Congress (APC) more fractured than united.

Though, no political party can be crisis-free, espe-

cially when in power. As elections approach, internal squabbles and scrabble for ‘who gets what’ are normal in political parties and most common in expensive democracies like Nigeria's.

The Reformed APC may on paper appear a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari's second term ambition, but in substance it is not. This is because the R-APC doesn’t have a single APC governor that is in support of the group or presented something new to Nigerians. The fight is still about who gets what though at its infant stage - anything is possible. Apart from this, other oppositions are yet

to pose a threat to Buhari because they are still disunited due to diverse personal ambitions.

Furthermore, the oppositions have centered their thinking and planning on ‘Abuja only’- Buhari. They have forgotten local units where the politics and voting take place. However, the R-APC is still a beautiful bride, depending on how it plays the game.

The truth is that APC has failed and is still struggling to effectively manage sudden fame and enormous power in the hands of different interests groups with diverse world views. The APC as a party is a victim of its

formation, composition and destiny. The party became very strong but with little respect for party supremacy and control.

In fact, R-APC is the offshoot of the crisis that followed the just concluded national convention, local and states congresses including other six major issues which are: governors who want to control everything and everyone; second, ex-governors who want to control incumbent governors; third, second-term governors fighting senators for senateseat tickets; fourth, senators who want to become governors; fifth, parliamentarians unsure of a return ticket and finally, party faithful and stakeholders who feel side-

lined by state government .

President Buhari is not a typical Nigerian politician, but a responsibility of behaving as one has fallen on him.

The president has options; however, with a new life coming into the APC, and to ensure the party is unified ahead of the 2019 elections, a presidential flair is needed in dealing with R-APC and the New-PDP. Even though some elements in the R-APC and New-PDP have taken advantage of the issues for personal gains, the best thing is one thing- the "R" in the R-APC. They should take the path of 'reconciliation' and employ the spirit of give and take.

– –Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

NEWS

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

US Envoys’ New Book Calls Nigeria a Kleptocracy, Says Buhari’s Anti-corruption Fight Has Little Effect tSays 774 local government councils moribund tCountry caught in demographic, religious catch-22 Bayo Akinloye Nigeria has been described as a kleptocracy of ethno-religious and political robber elites in

a new book, Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know, written by a former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, and former US

intelligence community expert on Nigeria, Matthew Page. The book released on July 2, extracts of which were obtained by THISDAY, says Nigeria is

caught in a difficult demographic situation made worse by violent ethno-religious sentimentalism. It says government and public officials in Nigeria

FOR FOOD SECURITY

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki performing the foundation stone laying ceremony of Indorama Fertilizer Plant Project Train 2 in Port Harcourt, yesterday

loot the national treasury at the expense of more than 180 million Nigerians, while President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption war does very little to check sleaze.

Campbell and Matthew also states that fraudulent enrichment by the political class have increased, despite the administration’s anticorruption campaign.

According to the book’s introductory page, “However, if Nigeria is a democracy, it is also a kleptocracy, a nation characterised by a type of corruption in which government or public officials seek personal gain at the expense of those being governed. Throughout the post-independence period, wholesale looting of the state by members of the political class has accelerated.

“On a smaller scale, corruption has become deeply embedded in virtually all aspects of national life.” It says, “Chiefs of state regularly denounce this malfeasance, and President Buhari has taken concrete steps against it, but with little effect. Kleptocracy and government dishonesty have corrosive effects on popular confidence in governance. Official and unofficial corruption undermines the democratic trajectory and risks overwhelming it. It is among the most important hindrances to the country’s economic and social development.”

Page had last October affirmed that Buhari’s integrity was at stake following the $25 billion contracts allegedly awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) without due process.

The book continues: “The country’s 774 local government councils, ostensibly responsible for delivering basic education, health, and social services, are moribund yet still gobble up more than one-third of total public spending.

State governors routinely waylay these funds and set up their cronies as local government chairmen....

Across many parts of Nigeria, government inaction and petty corruption are sparking land disputes, particularly between farmers and semi-nomadic livestock herdsmen.”

The book also takes a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his military-styled eight-year rule and third term ambition, saying, “Although the elections of 2007 were characterised by blatant rigging in favour of Obasanjo’s hand-picked choice, Umaru Yar’Adua, the latter’s presidency (2007-2010) was genuinely civilian in style and outlook. In a positive development for the rule of law, Yar’Adua, as a matter of principle, enforced judicial decisions that his administration did not like, unlike Obasanjo who had ignored inconvenient court rulings.

North-west Governors Pledge to Tackle Armed Banditry John Shiklam in Kaduna Governors of the North-west states yesterday resolved to tackle activities of armed bandits, which they claimed, had culminated in killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and wanton destruction of property.

The governors acknowledged that states that “are worst hit by the activities of bandits are Kaduna and Zamfara states

where people are being killed or abducted.”

They spoke during a meeting of the governors of the zone yesterday in Kaduna, noting that measures were being put in place to end criminality going on in the zone.

Chairman of the Security Committee and Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari explained that part of the measures “is to strengthen the

borders in order to checkmate the influx of criminals.”

Masari said the coming together of the governors of the zone “is essentially aimed at integrating the zone into one viable economic entity. The meeting resolve to look at three key areas - economic development, agriculture and education.

“We have taken into account that these three areas are very key to the integration of the

Jonathan’s Aide Faults Buhari’s Executive Order TobiSoniyi Akwa Ibom State has now joined other states of federation including Kebbi and Ebonyi states in the production of local rice in line with the industrialisation policy of Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration.

The long grain rice christened; ‘Family Rice’ was formally presented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr. Charles Udoinyang, to the governor and cabinet members during the State Executive Council meeting of the state.

The commissioner explained that the made-in-Akwa Ibom brand of rice “is cultivated, processed and packaged in Akwa Ibom under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement administration reached with a private agro-allied firm, Agricon”.

He said the rice was cultivated on a 600 hectares of farmland located at the green land of Ini Local

Government Area of the state.

Emmanuel, who was excited over thebreak-throughinriceproduction in the state, commended the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture in local rice production.

He said his administration had lived up to its determination of making food available and affordable to thecitizens,addingthatthearrivalof the rice was timely and would help crash the exorbitant price of rice and other staples in the state.

He commended the Ministry of Agriculture for working in collaboration with the Technical Committee on Food Sufficiency to lead the drive towards all-year-round food availability and affordability in the state.

He acknowledged that rice and garri production “are the major milestone reached in agricultural interventions in the state.

He said: “These are indications that the state government is able to feed its citizens by bringing down the cost of garri and followed it up

with rice”.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure that 80 percent of food consumed in Akwa Ibom were locally produced, noting that the success of agricultural revolution could be attributed to good climate and efficient workforce.

According to him, this is not a drawing board, this is not a concept; it is something that is done and tested. The rice is grown, processed and bagged in Akwa Ibom State.

While expressing his satisfaction with the steps taken to produce rice in the state, the governor pronounced that the rice mill would be officially inaugurated on July 11, 2018.

Also at the presentation, the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Food Sufficiency, Prof. Edet Udoh explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project was reached with the Agricon firm on July 16, 2016, while actual production commenced in May 2017.

zone. Each of the North-west governors is very passionate about it,” he said.

He said further that agriculture is another area the governors felt would lead to economic growth, noting that the zone “has massive land that has not been cultivated.

“We are looking at how we take advantage of agriculture fully. We are looking at how we can engage thousands of our youths that

are rooming the streets. We are working out strategies to reduces the number of our youths that are without jobs.”

The governor, however, expressed disappointment at the absence of some governors of the zone at the meeting.

At the opening session, Masari said issues of security “is more important than politics as it affects lives. “ The meeting was attended by

the Deputy Governors of Sokoto, Jigawa and Kaduna states and secretaries to the state government of two states, and that of Katsina.

In July 2015, the governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger states, sponsored a joint military operation which recorded success in uprooting armed bandits operating along the forests bordering the six states along the Birnin Gwari axis.

Killings: Be Prepared for Food Shortage, Poverty, PFN Warns Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has warned that there will be serious food shortage and poverty if the spate of killings continue in the country.

National Vice Chairman of PFN, South-South Chapter and Bishop of Flock of Christ Mission, Rev. Dr Simeon Okah gave the warning yesterday, noting that if nothing “is done to stop the killings against farmers, Nigeria will be faced with serious food shortages and poverty.”

Okah recalled that recent reports by the United Nations and Amnesty International had justified his earlier stand that the Federal Government “is encouraging Fulani herdsmen by its lukewarm attitude to security in the affected

areas as well as unwillingness to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators.”

He therefore called on Nigerians “to take political actions by mobilising to remove any administration that is insensitive to the security of lives and property of Nigerians.”

Okah lamented that in spite of obvious failures of the security agencies, President Muhammadu Buhari “has continued to retain the security chiefs. It is sad that in spite of public outcry over the killings in Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and Nasarawa states, this recent killings took place again in Plateau state.

“There is no meaningful attempt to stop the killings which went on for seven hours as reported. None of the attackers were apprehended while the operation was on,” he said.

Okah said the attitude of the president “suggests that the deployment of security agencies after the attacks is more to protect the perpetrators and their tribesmen than the victims of the attacks.”

He lamented that many of those arrested by the security agencies were those protesting the attacks or those mobilising to defend themselves.

EDITOR’S NOTE The full version of Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi’s article, Remembering the Real MKO Abiola, published in our Saturday edition is available on line

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Ͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Needed: Security To Life And Property (1) Uchenna Nwankwo provides background to Nigeria’s crisis of leadership

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y remarks will be primarily directed at the younger members of the society who may not quite understand the root causes of what is happening in Nigeria today or the on-going senseless massacre of Nigerian citizens in central Nigeria. Consequently, they may also not appreciate what should be done to address the Nigerian condition today. I say this because those who do not know how and where a problem started may not be able to figure out how to deal with or contain that problem. But first, let us look at the background to the crisis eating up the country.

In 1947, Chief Obafemi Awolowo published a book entitled Path to Nigerian Freedom. In that book, Chief Awolowo stated that at a conference of Northern emirs in 1942, a letter written to them by the West African Students Union (WASU) in London came up for discussion. The letter, Chief Awolowo tells us, touched on many problems affecting Nigeria as a whole; and the WASU appealed to the Northern emirs and their peoples for cooperation with leaders and peoples of Southern Nigeria in tackling them in order to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two sections of the country. According to Awolowo, the emirs’ comment on this appeal for cooperation, as contained in the official report of the conference, is as follows: “Holding this country together is not possible except by means of the religion of the Prophet [Mohammed] … If they [the South] want political unity let them follow our religion.”

(Awolowo, Obafemi, Path to Nigerian Freedom, p. 51) In other words, the condition given by the emirs for peace and unity in Nigeria is that Southerners must become Moslems and must all come under the Sokoto Caliphate.

As a consequence of these and other cogent observable factors, Awolowo then warned that if Northern and Southern Nigeria must continue to live in one country post-independence, special provisions must be made in the Nigerian constitutional framework to contain the huge cleavages between the two sections of the country. I cannot go into the details of what the great chief outlined here, for want of time and space, or how things have developed from that point in the affairs of the country. In any case, I have just published a book on the subject entitled Shadows of Biafra from which any interested party can glean the facts.

Suffice it to say that in the final analysis, Southern leaders especially Zik and Awolowo accepted to have the North and South constitute one country probably because they saw that there were elements and political groupings in the North who did not agree with the jaundiced viewpoint of the emirs

and their political party, the NPC, which made Islamisation and assimilation of the rest of the country into the Caliphate as the only condition for peace and unity in post-independence Nigeria.

Amongst these were Malam Aminu Kano (a Fulani) and his NEPU and later the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) that was led by Joseph Tarka (a Tiv). In other words, of the two parties, NPC and NEPU, which emerged and contested the 1951 elections in Northern Nigeria, the NEPU was progressive and shared the democratic and liberal philosophies of its counterpart political parties in the south.

Of course the NPC which was the party promoted by the emirs or the traditional feudalistic Fulani ruling class was conservative and toed the viewpoint of the emirs on the future of Nigeria.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the conservative faction of the Northern political elite of the NPC stood for the continuation of the brigandage and Jihadist wars of post-independence Nigeria and what was called the dipping of the Koran into the sea as well as the feudalisation of Nigeria.

Indeed, it can be said that because NEPU was the more popular party and had the support of majority of the Northern masses or the Talakawa, it was felt that the NPC had no chance of coming to power in the North and that with a likely NEPU government in the Northern Region, post-independence Nigeria would become a workable reality. Unfortunately, the Southern leaders did not reckon that the British colonialists would intervene on the side of the emirs, their longstanding friends, and rig the 1951 elections, which the NEPU was poised to win, for the NPC. This then is where the problem actually started. Thus, as soon as Ahmadu Bello (a Fulani) and his NPC took power in the North and subsequently used that leverage to gain power at the centre at independence, all hell broke loose as Ahmadu Bello immediately began to use federal power to pursue the agenda of the emirs

Chief Awolowo warned that if Northern and Southern Nigeria must continue to live in one country post-independence, special provisions must be made in the Nigerian constitutional framework to contain the huge cleavages between the two sections of the country

and the Caliphate, which was to Islamise Nigeria and bring everybody under the Caliphate.

Ahmadu Bello and the NPC-controlled federal government used the Nigerian Army to attack the Tivs in the Middle Belt who stood in opposition to Ahmadu Bello’s autocratic rule in the North. Later, the NPC exploited the political crisis in Western Nigeria by engineering dissension in the region with a view to gaining political control of that region. Ahmadu Bello was on the verge of using the army in Western Nigeria in the same way he used them to suppress and pacify Tiv land when Nzeogwu stopped him via the January 15, 1966 coup d’état.

Nzeogwu had been an officer of Nigerian Army intelligence and therefore knew about Ahmadu Bello’s plot well in advance.

Indeed, Ahmadu Bello’s idea was that as soon as he succeeded in the West, the Eastern Region would also be attacked and colonised.

The demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the then acclaimed leader of the NPC did not take much away from that party because Ahmadu Bello was not the actual leader of the party; he was only a front or the assigned messenger – the de facto leader.

The actual (de jure) leaders of the NPC – the Fulani Emirs/ the Sultanate – made sure that the party survived the January 15, 1966 coup d’état, albeit in different modes and appellations, and has hence continued to hold sway in the country to present day.

Although subsequent Nigerian governments have more or less remained under the control of the Caliphate, no other Fulani has led a ruling party or government in Nigeria since the counter-coup of July 29, 1966 except Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN fame, Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP and General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, who was also a military head of state. The other Nigerian rulers were non-Fulani; hence the partial dissonance between the policies of these governments and those of the Fulani ruling class especially over the latter’s Jihadist ambitions or propensity.

Of the Fulani that have been in power since 1966, Shehu Shagari and Umaru Yar’Adua appear to have been liberals. Just like Aminu Kano. Although Shagari was a member of Ahmadu Bello’s NPC in the First Republic, he does not appear to be a Jihadist or supporter of the agenda of the traditional Fulani ruling class; ditto Yar’Adua. It is remarkable that Shagari’s government in the Second Republic lacked the Jihadist posture of the Fulani ruling class; little wonder the latter did not mind his ouster from power through the military coup of December 31, 1983, which brought about the short-lived General Buhari’s military government of 1984 to August 1985. It would appear however that Buhari is not exactly cast in the same mould as Shagari and Yar’Adua!

Saraki and The Test of Leadership SenatePresident,BukolaSaraki,hasshowncredibleleadershipinthefaceofadversity,argues Amusa Ajape ‘Leadership is not professional. It’s personal' -Quotable

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t is a tough fact of life that we can’t fully discover our strengths and shortcomings without being tested by adversity. How we deal with it, or how we learn to deal with it, is central to who we are and how credible we’ll be in leadership roles. For Abubakar Olubukola Saraki, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, wisdom, indeed, is earned better in the den of setbacks than in the coziness of victories.

It is fairly reasoned that the challenges and solutions of leadership are inside leaders. This view stands in line with the fact that natural leaders don’t just do things, they change things.

It is often said that it is during crisis time that we know leaders.

Accordingly, Saraki, at the wheel of Nigeria’s Eighth National Assembly, has not disappointed his admirers nay rivals in the country’s gloomy political landscape. For, rather than retreating behind closed doors in the face of the seemingly endless assaults at harming his hard earned integrity, the scion of the famed Saraki dynasty of Ilorin has consistently shown leadership at the forefront, assessing situations, evaluating options, and encouraging colleagues in the two legislative arms of government to work together for a stable, fair and just society.

Although, traits are quite developed of natural leadership, certain individuals are, without doubt, born natural leaders.

Bukola Saraki falls in the latter category. Balancing on his self-assurance and privileged position as Nigeria’s number three most powerful man, Saraki stands tall amongst leaders who acknowledge the present reality of the country, have been very proactive working on problem-solving ideas, managing change and responding effectively to complex, open-ended opportunities, and challenges as they come. Convincingly, at the legislative corner where he holds court, he does not gloss over problems in hope that they’ll just go away.

Exactly one year ago, June 2017 to be precise, Bukola Saraki revealed that the Eighth Senate under his leadership, had passed the most bills in its 13 months of existence. In the light of

this, the present Senate, arguably, has in the history of Nigeria passed the highest number of bills. This hints on development leadership, a leadership that expands the capacity of fellow lawmakers to excel in their respective leadership positions within the Red Chamber, and ultimately achieve results. It speaks simply of Saraki as a servant and transformational leader.

It is relevant to also note that, in the heat of his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal premised on alleged false assets declaration, Saraki had worked silently in consonance with like minds to combat corruption in a style that will have profound effects on transparency and ethics of the public service. The outcome of which was the passing of a bill by the Kwara State House of Assembly to suspend pension and other emoluments to former governors and deputy governors. Saraki is a former governor. Therefore, this singular act by him was applauded by well-meaning individuals not because he is the acclaimed leader of Kwara politics but because he exhibited the courage to lead by example thus ending controversies that he was one of those earning salaries from two sources.

The maxim that, we prove our capacity when we gain the ability to focus despite distractions, luckily, is not lost on Senator Saraki. Distraction seems to have become a standard but one that natural born leaders are fortunate to be well equipped to duck. Their worry is buried in a memo of the late legendary success author, Napoleon Hill, which he called ‘The Magnificent Obsession.’ In the letter, Hill demonstrates that natural leaders avoid the cultural norm of being disconnected from their goals. They do not allow trivialities to become urgencies in their affairs. The author also imparts that leaders set targets and keep trying until they hit the marks.

The recently celebrated Offa robbery debacle and other potential future trials, fortunately, are to be understood as mere test of leadership based on the dictum that the higher your leadership role is, the more attacks you will get. Most effective leaders have strengths in both good and bad times and they focus on both dimensions in managing their way

to victory. Considering the massive support from Kwarans during the robbery saga, the Saraki challenge has shown that the ‘Kwara Accord’ has come too far to be broken by nocturnal politics and no matter the weight of external aggression and gang-up, Kwara State cannot be disintegrated along politics line.

Beyond the mere rhetoric of master-slave bond, Saraki, in fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promise, regularly encourages entrepreneurship by empowering women and youths in his primary constituency, Kwara State, in his urge to make his people economically self-reliant. Studies show that empowerment materials worth N250 million are doled out to thousands of less-privileged Kwarans every year, apart from cash gifts to support businesses and individuals.

Also, recently, the senate president unveiled an empowerment scheme that will benefit 40,000 Kwaran youth.

Like every good leader, Bukola Saraki’s opponents are plotting to destabilise his leadership. However, in all areas of life, leaders have struggled with the balance of being feared and loved. Remarkably, Saraki is proving beyond doubts his prowess as a likable leader who is very concerned with every individual, thus he is attracting more ‘likes’ even beyond his loyal camp. This accounts for his penchant for shutting off his emotions in order to push others up the success ladder.

And, for this, he will always have his people‘s love, respect and admiration and will remain in the hearts and sole of Kwarans and right-thinking Nigerians, for a long time to come.

It is, therefore, safe to conclude that, Saraki has an accurate depiction, unwavering insights and commitment coupled with high intellectual competence to his national interest and his country’s developmental endeavour.

It is obvious the journey has not been easy for Saraki but he has so far shown a lot of good qualities of an effective leader in the presence of adversity, which explains the success being recorded by him on every front.

–– Ajape wrote from Ogbondoroko, Asa LGA, Kwara State.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

LETTERS ANAMBRA’S MONARCHICAL INTELLECTUAL ELITE

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nambra State is one of the four states that make up the southeast geopolitical zone. It is part of the Igbo ethnic nation.

The Igbo ethnic group is one of the three tripods on which Nigeria stands.

A common denominator, which is shared by a majority of the Igbo people, is their profession and practice of Christianity. A vast majority of them profess the Christian religion.

However, before the advent of Christianity in Nigeria, the Igbo people practised animism and African traditional religion.

The African traditional religion, which the Igbo people practised, is a component of the Igbo culture. The Igbo people, who practise the African traditional religion, believe that reincarnation is a reality. That explains why some newborns in Igboland are christened “Nnenna” (My father’s mother), “Nwaabiachie” (My dead baby has returned) and others.

So, those who postulate that the belief in reincarnation is oriental in origin are mistaken and dead wrong.

The Igbo people’s belief that reincarnation is a reality is a proof that the existence of Christianity in Nigeria has not totally extirpated our culture and belief system. However, culture is dynamic. More so, western imperialism in Nigeria

Achebe

could not totally obliterate our pre-colonial types of government. The introduction and entrenchment of democratic government in Nigeria by the colonialists brought about the clash of cultures with attendant devastating consequences.

The white people subjugated us and used warrant chiefs to administer Igboland during the colonial era. Chinua Achebe, an inimitable novelist, captured the culture conflict brought about by the colonisation of Nigeria, especially in Igboland, in his anthropological fictive works. However, the

Igbo people, who are very republican in nature, still abide by their cultural ethos and mores. And, unexpectedly western imperialism failed to wipe out the Igbo culture and the monarchical and traditional type of leadership in Igboland.

So, today, towns in states that make the entire southeast zone have their monarchs or traditional rulers, who are either called ‘Igwe’ or “Obi”. It is our culture heritage as a people.

In time past, a man who was deeply immersed in the traditions of his people would be crowned an Igwe

or Obi, irrespective of the fact that he was an illiterate.

Such a person as the Igwe or Obi would be the custodian of his people’s cultural practices and a ruler over his subjects. Then, many ‘Igwes’ and ‘Obis’ were not lettered people.

But, every system of doing things changes with the passage of time. Today, not only are the traditional rulers very educated, but also they are widely travelled. And, they possess the tools with which they can navigate their ways in our today’s technologicallydriven world, and bring the dividends of democracy to their subjects. Anambra State teems with monarchs or traditional rulers, who achieved distinctions in their glittering careers and vocations. More so, although they are widely travelled and robustly educated people, they are not deracinated. Rather, their feet are deeply and solidly planted in the cultures and mores of their people.

So, regarding the traditional rulers, who are the intellectual elite, my mind readily remembers Professor Chukwuemeka Ike. A Professor of English Literature. Ike wrote novels that established him as a writer of note in Africa.

Among his numerous works are Bottled Leopard, Potter’s Wheel, Expo’77, Sunset at Dawn, The Chicken Chaser, and others. He once served

Macron, Cameroon And The Shrine

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actually planned to write this piece before the arrival in Nigeria of the young French President, Monsieur Emmanuel Macron so as to remind him of the unfinished business that his nation has in Nigeria’s South Eastern neighbouring country of Cameroon.

However, the startling performance on the African talking drum by the president of France inside the refurbished Shrine of Fela Anikulapo Kuti in Lagos rekindled this passion to put some lines out to talk about the atrocities happening in Southern Cameroon under the direct command and control of Africa's longest reigning president- Mr. Paul Biya.

This is so that Emmanuel Macron wouldn't dance away his sense of humanity and forget that his forefathers who participated in the scramble for Africa and took control of Cameroon for years as a colony, created more problems for the locals.

We must at the same time admit that the overbearing greed and lust for political power by Paul Biya aided by France has now led to the unprecedented crushing of opposition voices in Anglophone

Cameroon who are sick and tired of the repression they collectively suffer from in the hands of the dictator who has imposed himself as a leader since nearly four decades.

Also, this piece is meant to condemn the ignominious role played by the current Nigerian government in the Anglophone debacle in Southern Cameroon which depicts the Nigerian administration as that which hates human rights.

President Muhammadu Buhari, against international humanitarian laws, arrested and repatriated some leaders of the pro-independence movement in Southern Cameroon who had escaped into Abuja to avoid violent deaths in the hands of the repressive and brutal dictatorship of Paul Biya.

Specifically, alleged members of the Ambazonia separatist movement in Southern Cameroon were picked up from their Abuja hotel by the Department of Security Services and detained in Abuja.

Some media reports said these Southern Cameroonian leaders were arrested by the Nigeria Police. The news is that the leader of the separatists, Julius Ayuk Tabe and 11 others who had gathered at Nera

hotels Abuja on January 6th, 2018 to deliberate on the refugee crisis affecting their people were picked up and detained even as 39 others were similarly arrested and detained in Taraba State.

The Nigerian administration, against all pressures from concerned human rights organisations returned these leaders of Southern Cameroon to the dungeon of the Paul Biya – led government where they are currently subjected to horrendous human rights violations.

This conduct by Buhari in returning people running away from danger to the source of the danger is offensive to human decency because these persons were simply running away from cruel and violent deaths. So taking them back to be tortured in Cameroon speaks volume of the disregard to the tenets of human rights by the Nigerian government in the current dispensation.

The United Nations Commission for refugees recognises that the gross violation of human rights by government is at the root of refugee crisis.

Both Cameroon and Nigeria have administrators that are haters of

constitutional democracy and human rights. The United Nations has clear legal frameworks affirming disrespect for human rights as the genesis of refugee crises. It stated clearly that “Human Rights violations are a major factor in causing the flight of refugees as well as an obstacle to their safe and voluntary return home. Safeguarding human rights in countries of origin is therefore critical both for the prevention and for the solution of refugee problems. Respect for human rights is also essential for the protection of refugees in countries of asylum,” However, the political authority in Abuja is in a marriage of convenience with the incredibly lawless government in Cameroon.

The problems associated with widespread abuses of human rights in Nigeria under the current Buhari’s administration are also a collective fundamental factor sparking off the phenomenal rate of migration by hundreds of thousands of Nigerians fleeing from war, poverty and wanton killings.

–Emmanuel Onwubiko, head, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria.

as the registrar of WAEC, and captured as well as documented his witness of examination malpractice during WASSCE papers in his fictive work, Expo’77.

Professor Ike attended the University College, Ibadan.

Today, Ike is the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu town in Orumba North L.G.A, Anambra State. Since his ascension to the throne, the bucolic and rustic town of Ndikelionwu has been witnessing monumental development in diverse areas.

And, there is Professor Laz Ekwueme, a younger brother of the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who was the vice president of Nigeria in the second republic. Prof.

Laz Ekwueme attended Yale University, USA; Royal College of Music, London, and other schools. An author, composer, and music conductor, he was one of those who pioneered the teaching of music at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, many years ago. Today, Professor Laz Ekwueme is the traditional ruler of Oko town in Anambra State.

And the people of the town are better off for it. He has been using his wide connections and contacts in the academia and government to bring about the execution of developmental initiatives in Oko town.

We also have another erudite traditional ruler, who rules over the ancient Onitsha Kingdom. Chief Obi Alfred Achebe deserves that bestowal of the title,

‘Obi of Onitsha,’ on him considering his sterling academic achievements and career attainments. Achebe earned a degree in Chemistry from Stanford University, America. And, he possesses a master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University, America.

More so, Chief Alfred Achebe was once the managing director of Diamond Bank having worked in the bank for many years. He was an executive director of Shell Development Company between 1986 and 1996. Chief Alfred Achebe was crowned the Obi of Onitsha in 2002. Onitsha, a town that boasts revered personages, deserves to be led by no less a person than Achebe, a great achiever and intellectual giant.

The above-mentioned traditional rulers and others represent the new crop and face of monarchs in Anambra State, aptly named “the light of the nation” to capture its human and material endowments and other limitless possibilities.

Now, Anambra’s monarchical intellectual elite constitute the compass that guides the political leadership in Anambra State. So, not surprisingly, Anambra state is developing at a very fast pace, and the security of life and property, which is a sin qua non for development in any society, is guaranteed in the state.

––Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

The Governorship Election In Ekiti State

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he governorship election in Ekiti State is just a few days away. In the run-up to the election, the political atmosphere had been charged, with the key political parties mounting vigorous campaigns across the length and breadth of the state and wooing voters to their camps. The parties are throwing everything they have into the fray to ensure that victory is achieved.

The two main contending parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) which have the incumbent Deputy Governor, Professor Olushola Eleka and the immediate past Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the their standard bearers respectively.

The atmosphere is so tensed up that political observers are apprehensive that the contest may lead to crises if the heat being generated by the electioneering is not effectively managed and contained. Although the outgoing governor of the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose is not on the ballot, he is ferociously leading the PDP

campaigns as if he is the one contesting against Fayemi.

A recent survey conducted by this writer showed that Eleka is operating within the shadows of Fayose. All the campaign bill boards and posters of the PDP carry the imposing images of Fayose with Eleka in the background.

The scenario makes one to begin to think whether it is actually Fayose that is the PDP candidate. It is this development that has compelled a lot of people in Ekiti to conclude that Fayose is seeking a third term through the back door.

Fayose`s manoeuvrings, to my mind, speak of undue desperation.

But given the balance of forces and facts on ground, Fayemi is favoured to win the election. As at now, all categories of workers in Ekiti including those in the Civil Service and Local Governments are being owed eight months salaries while pensioners are similarly being owed nine months arrears.

All this have combined with the over-bearing attitude of Fayose to mar the chances of PDP in the election.

––Dayo Ariyo, Ado Ekiti

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Ͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL

The Nigerian Bar Association’s 12th Annual Business Law Conference and the AfCFTA

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he Business Law Section of the Nigerian Bar Association, under the chairmanship of Barrister OlumideAkpata, held its 12thAnnual Business Law Conference from Wednesday, 27th, to Friday, 29th June, 2018 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria. The theme of the Conference was “Bringing Down the Barriers: The Law as a Vehicle for Intra-Africa Trade. In this regard, theAfrican Continental Free TradeArea (AfCFTA) agreement was adopted as a framework for analysis. TheAfCFTAagreement is essentially on Trade in Goods; Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights; and Competition Policy (videArticle 7). The agreement is reviewable every five years.

What is particularly important about theAfCFTAis that it is endowed with an institutional secretariat which ‘shall be a functionally, autonomous, institutional body within theAfrican Union system, with an independent legal personality.’As noted in Paragraph 3 of Article 14 of theAfCFTA, ‘the Secretariat shall be autonomous of the African Union Commission and its departments with which it shall work closely,’ but the funds of the Secretariat shall come from the overall budget of theAfrican Union (paragraph 4).

The first working session of the Conference, which was moderated by Barrister SojiAwogbade of the Energy and Resources Group, espied the subject.Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe, Director General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) and Nigeria’s Chief Trade Negotiator, gave the lead paper. The panelists were Dr. Stephen Karingi, the Director of Regional Integration and Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission forAfrica (UNECA); Professor Pat Utomi of the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos;AmbassadorAlbert M. Muchanga, the African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry; and Professor BolaA.Akinterinwa, the Director General of Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (BOCIDASS), in Yaba, Lagos.

Two additional points about the opening session that are also noteworthy are the attempts by the session to investigate how to bring down the barriers militating against enhanced intra-African natural resources trade, using law as the instrument, on the one hand, and Nigeria’s refusal to sign the agreement, on the other hand.

Nigeria took an active part in all the negotiations leading to the finalisation of theAfCFTAagreement, but refused to sign theAgreement, reportedly because of the need for further consultations on the implications for Nigeria of signing theAgreement. The opening session addressed why it had been so.

In this regard, there is nothing wrong in seeking further consultations before finally signing the agreement. However, why were there no consultations before the scheduled time of signing? If there were, with who were the consultations held? When and where were they held? If there were consultations, it is still possible that, for unforeseen reasons, some critical questions might have been inadvertently omitted. If such omissions were later discovered, there is nothing wrong in seeking to re-address them before eventually signing theAgreement. It is for these considerations that we can commend President Muhammadu Buhari for having listening ears on this very critical agreement, largely aimed at enhancing trade cooperation inAfrica.

But, without any jot of doubt, Nigeria is not the only country that has withheld its signature. Only 44 countries out of 54African Union members signed theAfCFTA in Kigali, Rwanda at the March 17-21, 2018AU Summit. Why have the other ten members (Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Namibia; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; and SouthAfrica, which only signed the Kigali Declaration in order ‘to follow constitutional and internal processes’, but not the actual agreement) not signed?

Going down the memory lane, Nigeria’s refusal to sign the Agreement is not in any way different from that of the French Plenipotentiary sent to Lagos to sign the Nigeria-EECAgreement that would have enabled Nigeria to join the EEC as an associate member within the framework ofArticles 131-136 of the March 1957 Rome Treaty Establishing the EEC. Following the declaration on July 20, 1963 of EEC’s preparedness to consider the admission ofAssociate Members and Nigeria’s indication of interest in associate membership on September 10, 1963 of the EEC, preliminary negotiations with the EEC took place from 21 to 29 November 1963. Nigeria’s official application for membership was made on January 6, 1964. In a nutshell, the French

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Olumide Akpata

Negotiators, including Messieurs Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Edgard Pisani and FrenchAmbassador to Brussels showed readiness to negotiate with Nigeria. They took active part in all the negotiations but all to no avail.

In other words, on July 16, 1966, the agreement with Nigeria was validly concluded but to Lagos, the French delegation only came to exercise France’s right of veto not to sign, and thus making a big nonsense of theAgreement, as well as the whole efforts hitherto put into it.Adoption of decisions was then by the rule of consensus.

France was the only country that refused to sign the association agreement. The five others (Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg).

But unlike the French example which sought to prevent Nigeria’s membership of the then EEC, Nigeria is not on record to be seeking to kill theAfCFTAAgreement, far from it. However, how do we explain the last minute decision of Nigeria not to sign theAfCFTA accord?African leaders, right from the time of the OAU, have always followed the footsteps of the Europeans in their journey from EEC of Six through the European Community of Nine (with Britain and Denmark joining in 1973 and Greece joining in 1981) and later European Union of 27.

When the Europeans changed the designation of their ‘Secretariat’ to a ‘Commission’,Africa followed suit. When that of the ‘Executive Secretary’ was also changed to ‘President’,Africa did the same. In fact, a cursory look at the 1991Abuja Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community lends indisputable credence to this observation.

The question therefore, with the current developments in Brexit politics, and since one major reason for French hostility against Nigeria’s associate membership of the EEC was essentially because of Nigeria’s place within the context of Franco-British relations, is

TheNigerianBarAssociationisinterestedintheremovalofbarrierstoenhancement of trade in Africa. One way of doing this is for the lawyers to first show special interest in trade negotiations, and become specialists on the subject as their counterparts have done in other countries. Secondly, it must be specially borne in mind that the existence of barriers to trade development is not simply because mostAfrican States are primary producers,but because they have always shown lackadaisical attitude to the development ofAfrica.They hardly pay their assessed dues on time. In fact, European development partners account for more than 70% of the funding of African Union’s development projects. Intra-Africa trade cannot develop without political will which is lacking

Nigeria sending a signal of withdrawal à la Britannica or Donald Trump pending the time theAfCFTAwill be made to conform with the national interest? Is the NOTN truly responsible for the non-consultation with the stake holders, especially with the MAN which had alleged that there had not been prior consultations with the private sector stakeholders? In other words, to what extent is Nigeria’s reasons for not signing theAgreement tenable? Will Nigeria eventually sign the agreement or not?

Dynamics of Further Consultations It is quite arguable that PMB has not signed the agreement becauseAmbassador Osakwe had not performed well or that he had not consulted with all the stakeholders. The truth of the matter is that Nigeria’s Chief Trade Negotiator,Ambassador Osakwe, was given a very clear mandate as Nigeria’s plenipotentiary.

First, he is to ensure the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy by focusing on presentation of Nigeria as an attractive investment destination. This means that provisions that are likely to present the goodness of the environmental conditionings of the Nigerian economy or that would not be inimical to it should be provided for in the agreement during the negotiations.

Second,Ambassador Osakwe is required to expand market access for Nigeria’s export of goods and service through integrated market manufacturing structures linking Nigerian exporters of goods and services to regional and global value chains. The implication of this is that, other countries must not be allowed to create barriers, not to mention making them discriminatory and detrimental, to Nigeria’s national interest.

Third,Ambassador Osakwe is specifically mandated to eliminate barriers to trade against Nigerian businessmen, as well as to ‘stop the discriminatory and hostile treatment against Nigerian business persons (natural and corporate persons) in a number ofAfrican countries,’ to borrowAmbassador Osakwe’s words.

Fourth, and perhaps more importantly,Ambassador Osakwe is to ‘ensure that the trade agreement resulting from theAfCFTA negotiations must neither be used, misused nor create loopholes to trans-ship and dump goods in the Nigerian economy (and) to enhance Nigerian economy, thereby undermining Nigerian industry for goods and service providers.’

And fifth, he is to take advantage of the geo-political use of the AfCFTAnegotiations to enhance Nigeria’s economic and trade policy leadership in the conduct and management of the global economy on the continent.

On the basis of the foregoing mandate, two important points are noteworthy. The first is thatAmbassador Osakwe was not only Nigeria’s plenipotentiary at theAfCFTA but was also the Chairperson of theAfCFTAnegotiating team. Secondly, competent sources have it that the Government of Nigeria consented to his appointment as Head of theAfCFTAnegotiating team.

In this regard, all the five instructions given toAmbassador Osakwe could only be carried out during negotiating meetings. In such meetings, the extent to which the chairman of the meeting can override the policy stand of other sovereign Member States of the African Union is, at best, very limited. The best anyone in the shoes of Ambassador Osakwe could do was to ensure that Nigeria’s national interests were not considered as a peculiar or particular national interests, but to give them a general and multilateral character in such a way that they are regarded as common interests, and therefore made a win-win interest for all.

Additionally, Nigeria’s instructions could only be achieved at the external negotiating level.As such, they constitute the external dimension of Nigeria’s foreign policy calculation. Put differently, the instructions did not provide for responsibilities at the domestic setting.And whereas, the domestic setting was and still remains the problem. It is precisely because of the allegations of non-consultation with the domestic stakeholders that PMB requested for more time to consult with them before signing the agreement. In other words, what are the concerns of the private sector stakeholders?Are the concerns not accommodated in the agreement? Can the private stakeholders rightly claim not to know that negotiations for the making of anAfCFTAwere on course to have warranted their own request to be carried along? Why is it that the private sector stakeholders not prepared for the signing of the agreement at the domestic level? Many questions but few answers!

In the thinking of opponents of the Breton Woods institutions in Nigeria, their officials are generally sponsored to ensure that policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are prescribed as the only workable solutions to economic problems in the developing countries.An example was the imposition of the policy of StructuralAdjustment Programmes (SAP), which underscored democratisation, staff lay-off, trade liberalisation, privatisation, budgetary cut in important strategic areas of health and education that are critical to nation building and national survival.

As a result, people coming from international financial institutions or organisations are often suspected of having interests not likely to promote the national interest when they are recruited into the public service of Nigeria. In this specific case,Ambassador Osakwe was formerly an international functionary with the World Trade Organisation. He resigned his appointment to join the Nigerian public service.As Head of the NOTN, in whose interest is he mostly disposed: Nigerian or theAU or even that of the UN institutions?

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

BUSINESS

Editor Kunle Aderinokun 08033204315, 08111813084 Email: kunle. aderinokun @thisdaylive.com

A production line

CBN: At 57.0 PMI, Manufacturing Sector Expanded in June Says business confidence was stable in May Kunle Aderinokun

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said the manufacturing sector expanded in the month of June.

The apex bank, which disclosed this in its Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) Survey Report for June 2018, obtained by THISDAY, pointed out that Manufacturing PMI in the review month stood at 57.0 index points.

According to the CBN, the index point of 57.0 for the manufacturing in June indicated that the sector expanded for the 15th consecutive month.

The Manufacturing and NonManufacturing PMI Report on businesses is based on survey responses, indicating the changes in the level of business activities in the current month compared with the preceding month.

The June 2018 PMI survey was conducted by the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria during the period June 8 - 19, 2018.

The respondents were purchasing and supply executives of manufacturing and non-manufacturing organisations in 31 locations in Nigeria A composite PMI above 50 points indicates that the manufacturing/ non-manufacturing economy is generally expanding, 50 points indicates no change and below 50 points indicates that it is generally contracting. The subsectors reporting growth are listed in the order of highest to lowest growth, while those reporting contraction are listed in the order of the highest to the lowest contraction.

The CBN explained in the report that, the Manufacturing PMI grew at a faster rate when compared to the index in the previous month.

“Of the 14 subsectors surveyed, 10 reported growth in the review month in the following order: paper products; furniture & related products; printing & related support activities; food, beverage & tobacco products; plastics & rubber products; electrical equipment; textile, apparel, leather & footwear; chemical & pharmaceutical products; petroleum & coal products and nonmetallic mineral products. The transportation equipment; fabricated metal products; primary metal; and cement subsectors declined in the review month.”

The CBN report further revealed that at 59.2 points, the production level index for the manufacturing sector grew for the sixteenth consecutive month in June 2018. This also indicated a faster growth in the current month, when compared to its level in the preceding month.

According to the apex bank, 10 of the 14 manufacturing subsectors recorded increase in production level, 1 remained unchanged, while the remaining 3 recorded declines in production level during the review month.

Assessing the employment, the CBN stated that the employment level index in June 2018 stood at 55.4 points, indicating growth in employment level for the 14th consecutive month. The PMI report noted: “Of the 14 subsectors, 7 reported increased employment level, 4 remained unchanged while 3 reported reduced employment level

in the review month.”

For the non-manufacturing PMI, the CBN noted that, the composite PMI for the nonmanufacturing sector stood at 57.5 points in June 2018, indicating expansion in the non-manufacturing PMI for the fourteenth consecutive month.

Pointing out that, “The index grew at a faster rate when compared to that in May 2018,” the apex bank said, “ Fourteen of the 17 subsectors recorded growth in the following order: repair, maintenance/ washing of motor vehicles; agriculture; information & communication; professional, scientific, & technical services; finance & insurance; utilities; water supply, sewage & waste management; health care & social assistance; real estate rental & leasing; electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning supply; wholesale/retail trade; construction; management of companies; and transportation & warehousing.

The arts, entertainment & recreation subsector remained unchanged, while the accommodation & food services; and educational services subsectors recorded contraction in the review period.”

In terms of business activity, the CBN reported that at 59.1 points, the business activity index grew for the fifteenth consecutive month, indicating expansion in nonmanufacturing business activity in June 2018. “The index grew at a faster rate when compared to its level in the previous month. Twelve subsectors recorded growth in business activity, 3 remained unchanged while 2 declined in the review month.”

Another CBN report called the

Monthly Business Expectations Survey (BES) Report for May 2018 put the business confidence index at 28.9 points, indicating respondents’ overall optimism on the economy and unchanged from April.

The May 2018 BES, which was carried out from May 11-22, 2018, had a sample size of 650 businesses covering services, industry, wholesale/retail trade and construction.

A response rate of 91.8per cent was achieved.

According to the report, the business climate is directly correlated to a country’s macroeconomic environment; this latest survey indicates that there is now a more stable macroeconomic outlook. Respondents saw the main business constraints as inadequate power supplies, the unfavourable economic climate and high interest rates.

The CBN explained that the optimism in May was driven by the opinion of respondents from the services (17.6 points) and industrial (9.2 points) sectors while those from the construction and wholesale/ trade sectors represented just 1.2 and 0.9 points respectively of the total confidence index.

Analysts at FBNQuest Capital noted that “The trade sector is probably the best barometer for economic activity across the country.

Based on the national accounts for Q1 2018, it performed better than the previous quarter in that it contracted at a slower rate.”

“Despite the obvious easing of inflationary pressures, consumer demand remains soft, which helps to explain slow activity within the sector and by extension its low

contribution to overall business confidence in May,” they pointed out.

Continuing, the FBNQuest analysts said, “Although access to credit remains a challenge for businesses, respondents were more optimistic with regards to financial conditions. Given that banks do not have the luxury of FX gains and 20 per cent+ treasury bill yields to boost their earnings this year, the need to extend credit is likely to grow in the near to medium term.

However, we doubt lending rates will decline from current levels (i.e. above 20per cent).”

The survey pointed towards a positive outlook for employment. The services, industrial and wholesale/ retail sectors have the best prospects for job creation at 30.0, 23.6 and 18.2 points respectively. Additionally, the services and construction sectors indicate the greater disposition towards expansion.

FBNQuest Capital noted further, “As for inflation, the general expectation is for a slowdown in the headline rate for June. This is similar to our thinking. We expect the rate to slow to 10.8 per cent y/y, from 11.6 per cent in May.” The survey also captured the outlook for business confidence in June.

Based on data from respondents, the business confidence index is projected at 65.5 points.

According to the analysts, “business confidence is likely to remain positive. However, consumers remain cautious with their spending, resulting in soft demand. If consumption trends remain unfavourable, this could have an adverse effect on overall business confidence.”

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

NNPC Again !!!

In recent times, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has recorded repeated wrangling with the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) over remittance of oil money for states to share. Bamidele Famoofo examines the possible implications of this recurring issue on the economy

An oil worker busy at a terminal...

The Genesis

H

itherto, Nigeria, most populous nation in Africa, runs a mono-economy with about 90 per cent of its revenue derived from sales of oil and oil–related products.

It would appear that successive governments of the largest economy in Africa have only paid lip service to creating other avenues for the country to generate revenue in a bid to diversify the economy from the business of crude oil.

Recently, the country paid dearly for this negligence, which eventually plunged it into a recession, considered the worst of its kind in two decades. The reason for the negative downturn in the economy, which lasted one year was due mainly to the lacklustre performance of crude oil in the global market which affected price negatively. The case of Nigeria, however, became worse as production dropped as a result of criminal activities in the Niger-Delta region, dealing huge blow on revenue. And as a result, the executive arms of government from the federal to the local government level were unable to meet basic responsibilities like payment of wages and provision of basic infrastructures for the people. The only feasible way out especially for states was to go neck deep into debt as most of them sought assistance from all sources possible to keep the structures of governance running while the gloomy days of recession last.

Allegation The state governments represented by their finance commissioners have been at loggerheads with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over remittance of proceeds from oil sales meant to be shared on a monthly basis through FAAC. Just in the month of June, 2018, the states accused the NNPC of shortchanging them by N20 billion. According to the Chairman of the Finance Commissioners Forum, Mr. Mamood Yunusa, the NNPC only remitted N127billion as its contribution to what the FAAC was meant to share instead of the expected N147 billion.

But the commissioners for finance from the 36 states of the federation, who met in Abuja, insisted that the states would not accept anything short of the NNPC fully remitting N20 billion outstanding to the Federation Account.

Yunusa gave a breakdown of the components the remittance from NNPC for the month of May, which was shared in June. “Based on all provable assumption parameters, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is to remit N60 billion as Royalty based on the verbal admission of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and based on the MTEF (Medium Term Expenditure Framework) submitted by NNPC. The Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) expected was to be 1.46 multiplied by 60 billion amounting to N87.6 billion, which means a total of N147 billion was expected in the federation account as against N127 billion paid by NNPC”, he said.

He also disclosed that, at the inconclusive FAAC meeting recently, “NNPC claimed it spent N3.5 billion on product leakages, pipeline vandalism, but the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), an agency that is supposed to keep such record, claimed ignorance of the amount.”

Yunusa also observed that the states got more revenue from NNPC when crude oil was $50 per/barrel, adding that they now receive far less when the commodity is almost $80/barrel, wondering why such should be the case.

He argued that as equal stakeholders in the business, NNPC owes the states a duty to Nigerians in the spirit of openness and transparency and by the Act that established it to be open and transparent to all stakeholders.

“States as stakeholders in federation account are not expected to take NNPC’s account hook, line and sinker but are allowed by law to ask questions for clarity.”

Meanwhile, according to the NNPC, average international Brent crude price has been on the increase since the beginning of 2018.

Brent price rose to $69.08/b in January 2018 as against $64.37/b in December 2017. Over last 12 months the price has risen to about 26.57 percent. The continuing efforts by OPEC and non-OPEC producers to stabilise the market and crude inventory pulls in the middle of healthy economic growth and improving oil demand supported the oil price. The OPEC Reference Basket increased for the 5 consecutive months in January 2018 to

average $66.85/b (an increase of 7.7 per cent), the highest monthly average since November 2014. NYMEX WTI also increased by $5.71 to $63.66/b.

Financials Group operating revenues for the months of December 2017 and January 2018 were N406.83 billion and N323.19 billion respectively. These represented 110.63 per cent and 87.89 per cent respectively of monthly budget. Similarly, operating expenditure for the same periods were N413.64 billion and N324.76 billion respectively, which also represented 130.22 per cent and 102.24 per cent of budget for the months respectively.

This 30th edition of the report, which is the latest one published, indicated a trading deficit of N1.56 billion, which is comparatively lower than the previous month’s deficit of N6.81billion.

This represented N5.25billion decrease in tradingdeficit compared to the December 2017 performance. This improvement is attributable to the decreased cost in upstream activities especially NPDC and relative decrease in PPMC operation’s cost.

Antecedents In December 2011, the Nigerian government permitted a forensic report conducted by KPMG to be published. The audit, commissioned by the Ministry of Finance following concerns over the NNPC’s transparency, detailed the NNPC’s sharp business practices, violation of regulations, illegal deductions of funds

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY NNPC Again !!! Cont’d from Pg. 20

Adeosun

belonging to the state, and failure to account for several billions of naira that should go to the federation account.

Auditors found that between 2007 and 2009 alone, the NNPC over-deducted funds in subsidy claims to the tune of N28.5 billion. It has not been able to account for the sum ever since.

In May 2008, Willbros Group Inc, a US company, admitted to making corrupt payments totalling over $6.3 million to officials at the NNPC and its subsidiary NAPIMS, in return for assistance in obtaining and retaining contracts for work on the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS).

In July 2004, ABB Vetco Gray, a US company, and its UK subsidiary ABB Vetco Gray UK Ltd, admitted to paying over $1 million in bribes to officials at NNPC subsidiary NAPIMS in exchange for obtaining confidential bid information and favourable recommendations from Nigerian government agencies.

In November 2013 after a report was published by Swiss Non-governmental advocacy organisation – Erklärung von Bern – allegations of heavy fraud surfaced, placing the NNPC under suspicion of siphoning off $6.8 billion in crude oil revenues.

Unremitted funds On 9 December 2013, a letter from the then Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to the then President Goodluck Jonathan, dated 25 September 2013 revealed that the NNPC had not remitted over $49.8 billion proceeds of crude oil sales to the government surfaced. On 13 December 2013, NNPC responded that no money was missing. Reconciliation Committee (comprising representatives of (i) CBN (ii) NNPC (iii) DPR (iv) FIRS (v) OAGF (vi) The Budget Office of the Federation (vii) Federal Ministry of Finance (viii) Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources) was set up.

The reconciliation committee estimated unremitted funds at $10.8 billion on 18 December 2013, while CBN changed its claim to $12 billion.

CBN then informed senate committee on finance on 4 February 2014 that NNPC needed to account for $20 billion as the CBN could only confirm receipt of $47billion out of $67billion revenue for the period under review. The then finance minister recommended the conduct of an independent Forensic Audit and PwC was officially appointed by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) to conduct a forensic audit into the allegations.

Among the conclusions reached by PwC at the end of their work, as stated in their report, which was made public are: 1. Total cash remitted into the Federation accounts in relation to crude oil liftings was $50.81billion and not $47billionn as earlier stated by the reconciliation committee for the period from January 2012 to July 2013.

2. NNPC has provided information on the difference leading to a potential excess remittance of $0.74 billion (without considering expected

Baru

remittances from NPDC). Other indirect costs of $2.83 billion which were not part of the submission to the Senate Committee hearing have been defrayed to arrive at this position.

3. A major consideration centres on the ownership of oil and gas assets controlled by NPDC. Subject to additional information being provided, we estimate that the NNPC and NPDC should refund to the federation account a minimum of $1.48billion as summarised in the next page.

No staff of the NNPC or Ministry of Petroleum has so far been punished, though on Thursday, 20 February 2014, the whistle-blowing CBN Governor was suspended from office by the President.

Reactions Expectedly, there have been arguments and counter arguments after the FAAC meeting in June, which ended in a deadlock. Nigeria’s Finance Minister and Chairman of FAAC, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, while briefing journalists in Abuja after the meeting agreed with the position of Yunusa that governments comprising federal and states as major stakeholders in the business are entitled to their full benefits.

“For the purpose of this briefing, we operate the NNPC as a business. We have invested public capital in that business; and we have expectations of return. And when that return falls lower than our expectations, then the owners of this business, which in this case are the federal government and states, need to act,” she said.

Adeosun, like the state commissioners of finance, said the amount of money NNPC proposed as return on investment for the month of May was unacceptable.

“So, that was what caused the deadlock yesterday (Wednesday) and we really felt the figures the NNPC was proposing for FAAC were unacceptable. We felt that some of the costs couldn’t be justified, and so we have decided that rather than approve the accounts, we will go back and do further work,” she added.

A major bone of contention was the cost which

Yunnusa

the NNPC claimed it incurred in the business in the month of May, which reduced the amount it could remit to the federation account, which both the federal and state governments said was not realistic.

“NNPC claimed it spent N3.5 billion on product leakages, pipeline vandalism, but the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), an agency that is supposed to keep such record claimed ignorance of the amount,” Yunusa lamented.

The allegations notwithstanding, the helmsman at NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the corporation had done nothing wrong to be castigated.

He noted: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been faithfully remitting all revenues accruing to it to the Federation Account.”

Baru told members of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), who visited his office recently to carry out their oversight function that, allegations of non-remittance of funds had become a recurring decimal over the years.

He attributed the problem to the nature of the corporation’s operations, which involved credit lines requiring constant audit and reconciliation.

“While the process of audit and reconciliation of accounts is on, a lot of accusations of short payments and non-remittances are usually traded, we endeavour to keep our cool on these allegations because we know that we remit whatever is due to the Federation Account,” he explained.

Baru acknowledged the disagreement between FAAC and NNPC over expenses incurred on generating revenue, stating that such allegations usually arose from disagreements over expenses borne by the corporation on behalf of the federal government.

But while the stalemate persists, one major concern is that civil servants in the 36 states will be the ones to bear the brunt as salaries might be delayed.

Adeosun was quick to express this concern, saying, “The consequence of this is that salaries might well be delayed in many states as a

While the process of audit and reconciliation of accounts is on, a lot of accusations of short payments and non-remittances are usually traded, we endeavour to keep our cool on these allegations because we know that we remit whatever is due to the Federation Account

result of this.”

But the NNPC did not agree with the position of the Minister as a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said it was mere excuse on the part of state governments to claim they will not be able to pay salaries due to issues of remittance.

The statement read: “The governors’ (under the umbrella of the Governors’ Forum) antics of rushing to the press at the earliest opportunity of FAAC meeting are most unfortunate, using this as an unfortunate excuse not to pay salaries.

“It is a ploy to set the public against the NNPC. Yet, it is the same Governors’ Forum that approved the cash call exit to restore investor confidence and boost crude oil production, thereby generating more revenue for them to share. Again, all crude oil proceeds go straight into the CBN and not to the NNPC accounts”.

Intervention Adeosun, however, hinted that steps were being taken to address the matter. According to the Finance Ministry and the NNPC, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will mediate in the issue. “Further negotiations and interactions are going on with the NNPC as we speak.

However, we did brief both Mr. President and Mr. Vice President on the deadlock and asked for their support and their forbearance in this, because the consequence of this is that salaries might well be delayed in many states as a result of this,” Adeosun said.

Besides, the NNPC said it was taking proactive steps to settle the problem of undue expenses.

On efforts by the NNPC to ensure that Joint Venture (JV) and Production Sharing Contract (PSC) partners do not run excessive bills at the expense of the nation, the GMD explained that apart from the establishment of an Efficiency Unit in the corporation to ensure value for money across all operations, NNPC had also done a lot in renegotiating contracts as well as benchmarking costs in keeping with international best practices, adding that the effort had yielded significant results in terms of reduction in the cost of crude oil production per barrel in the industry.

Solution Meanwhile, economic experts believed that governors should not be too dependent on revenue sharing to pay salaries and execute projects in their respective states. Figures made available by the National Bureau of Statistics have shown that most of the states depend on FAAC to survive while little or nothing is done to generate revenue internally.

Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) growth by the 36 states dropped to 16.12 per cent from N801.95billion to N931.23billion in fiscal year 2017. On the average, each state generated an IGR of N25.17billion monthly in 2017, compared to average debt profile of N90.5billion, which leaves each with N65.3billion deficit in fiscal 2017.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

22

BUSINESS/LABOUR

Long Wait for New Minimum Wage Nearly one year after the federal government initiated steps for a new minimum wage, the negotiations with organised labour and the private sector have yet to be concluded. This is raising concerns about the sincerity of government, Paul Obi writes

Workers at a May Day celebration in Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari says the cardinal agenda of his administration is to tackle corruption, insecurity, and the poor economy. With the zeal to revamp the economy, poverty reduction and a living wage for the masses became a priority for the government in its quest to scale up Nigeria’s economic indicators. It was against this background that the government agreed to a new minimum wage, championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the umbrella body of workers.

Many believe the current monthly minimum wage of N18, 000 is below par, considering the country’s inflation rate and the poor performance of the economy.

Plan At the last nationwide industrial action led by organised labour, a timeline for a new minimum wage was agreed upon, and the process for its realisation was initiated. A tripartite committee made up of representatives of the federal government, organised labour, and the private sector was set up to streamline modalities for a new minimum wage.

After several engagements, September 2018 was agreed as the final dateline for a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Somersault However, the federal government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said the September date was no longer feasible. According to Ngige, though the template set up by the government and organised labour for a new minimum wage had targeted September as the take-off date, the process of arriving at new wages has been difficult and cumbersome. Ngige added that the critical role state governors, organised private sector, and other stakeholders expected to play had all combined to delay the process and agreement the a new minimum wage.

The minister said, “While some state governors want the new minimum to be pecked at N50,000 a month, others are calling

for N30,000, while some are insisting on the status quo as they cannot pay much.”

Shock The federal government’s position came as a big shock to the NLC. Speaking on the labour minister’s argument, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said, “Nigerian workers are shocked by statements credited to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, that Nigerian workers should wait beyond September 2018 for the new national minimum wage.

“We used the word ‘shocked’ because it was the same minister that in February 2018, without prompting or pressure, announced to the whole world that by September 2018, the federal government would start paying the new national minimum wage.

It will be a great disservice to his boss, Mr. President, if he keeps taking for granted this very important issue of a new national minimum wage. The current volte face by the Minister of Labour is not only provocative, it is also insensitive, especially, in the face of the excruciating suffering being endured by Nigerian workers, particularly, as occasioned by the increase in the cost of living.

“Do we need to remind the minister that he was once a civil servant who always looked forward to his monthly salary?”

Wabba further stated, “Nigerian workers who are not privileged to earn fat salaries, allowances, estacodes and other perks of political appointment are looking forward to enjoy minimal relief in the form of the new national minimum wage.

The leadership of the NLC regard the gaffe as inconsistent with the fervour so

far demonstrated by the tripartite committee set up by Mr President to review the national minimum wage.

“The minister’s stance is also at variance with the declaration made by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he represented Mr. President at this year’s May Day celebrations.”

The NLC president added, “Who is the Minister of Labour speaking for? Nigerian workers want to know who has sent Dr. Chris Ngige on this nebulous errand. On whose side is the minister of labour on the upward review of the national minimum wage?

“Our position was that we would expedite actions at the level of the tripartite committee on the minimum wage and ensure that discussions and negotiations are concluded

by August 2018 so that Nigerian workers can start benefitting as quickly as possible from the new national minimum wage.

Finally, may we remind the minister that the review of the national minimum wage is long overdue. The NLC, therefore, categorically rejects the continued delay in approving our demand of N66,500 as the new national minimum wage.”

Employers Speaking with THISDAY on the matter, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Olusegun Oshinowo, explained that the federal government could not unilaterally shift the date for the new minimum wage.

Oshinowo said, “The National Minimum Wage Committee has a timetable, which it is following, and if there is any course to adjust the timetable on when to end the

The 2011 Belgore tripartite committee set up by government agreed that the review of the minimum wage should happen every five years. It is now close to eight years that the last review of the national minimum wage took place.

negotiations, the committee would have to take a decision. It is not the right of the federal government to decide. The federal government is just one of the three parties in the committee. And whatever you might have heard from the federal government is not binding on the committee.”

Oshinowo further cautioned the federal government against “pre-empting the decision of the minimum wage committee.”

Consequence The bargain for a new minimum wage is a strategic victory that organised labour hopes to win under the Buhari government.

After much bickering and nationwide strikes, the new minimum wage was seen as the beckon of hope for those who toil for Africa’s biggest economy.

The federal government was also believed to have embraced the new minimum wage as an achievement to appease Nigerians who thought the administration had faltered in the economy and many other fronts.

The attempt by the government to shift the goal post at the twilight of the new minimum wage negotiations may turn out to be double jeopardy for Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections. Many feel it is a move that would amount to political suicide in an era labour is waiting to seize the opportunity to do damage.

Should government disrupt the negotiations for the new minimum wage and shift the September 2018 date to 2019, labour will be more fortified by then to return to the streets. The story will certainly not be palatable for the government.

Wabba warned, “The 2011 Belgore tripartite committee set up by government agreed that the review of the minimum wage should happen every five years. It is now close to eight years that the last review of the national minimum wage took place.

Nigerian workers demand a change in the humiliating culture of forcing workers to bargain too hard and wait too long for meagre increases in their salaries. For many Nigerian families, this is the difference between survival and extinction.”

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THE EXECUTIVE

Onyema

SUNDAY ADIGUN

ALLEN ONYEMA

No Airline Can Grow without Government’s Support Allen Onyema is a name that readily comes to mind whenever anyone mentions or discusses non-violent education of agitators in the Niger Delta as well as the successful amnesty programme of the federal government. At a time nobody could dare move near the Niger Delta creeks, he was all over the place encouraging the militants to lay down their arms. Not done, “out of sheer passion for humanity”, Onyema established an airline, covering major routes in the country and expanding to other countries. In this interview with Kunle Aderinokun and Chinedu Eze, Onyema, the chairman of Air Peace, bares his mind on issues affecting the aviation industry and specifically, the airline’s operation and he proffers solutions to the crisis bedevilling the sector. Excerpts:

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Insurance, Aviation Fuel Bane of Nigerian Airlines

Cont’d from Pg. 23

A

s the chairman of Air Peace, what is it like running an airline?

It is a very difficult business terrain. Airline business all over the world is not everybody’s call.

In Nigeria over the years, airlines have come and gone. I learnt that over 50 airlines had existed here and have decided not to exist again. Out of over 50 or 70 airlines that have been established in this country only about four or five are in operation.

And when you look at the health of those five, there is nothing to write home about. Could this mean that the owners of these airlines, who must have succeeded in other business endeavours, got it wrong? Could it be that they were responsible for the failure of their airlines? I think I disagree with that assumption. Inasmuch as I will accept that some of these failures could be traced to the owners, majority of them were out to do business, but some of the policies that they met on ground were not quite helpful.

So, running an airline in Nigeria is a very tough call and it is not something that gives joy to any of the operators. We operate in a very harsh environment. It takes the grace of God for some of us to continue doing what we are doing. The challenges are enormous; they are too wide and many. You don’t even know where to start from.

So it is a tough one. It is a very difficult terrain.

What has been the relationship between the regulatory body and the airline?

The relationship between the aviation agencies and the airlines is that, for example, the NCAA is doing its job well. I have said it over time that, in fact, we are strictly regulated because of the tragic incidents and accidents of the past. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority tends to make sure that they bring up stringent measures to assure safety, which is good. But we overdo it at times – they are doing a good job when it comes to regulating the airlines, though there is still room for improvement in some areas which we have always been pointing out to them. But when it comes to their oversight function as regards the airlines, they are doing it even better than the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration). But because we come from this part of the world, people don’t believe that such things exist. I gave an example sometime ago about my flight having a bird strike in Kano and when my engineers got there and finished whatever they were doing – to do the test flight, NCAA insisted on being on that flight. Abroad, they don’t do that, all they need to do is for you to fill your papers to say you carried a repair on the airplane and they are satisfied with whatever must have been done.

But NCAA said no that they wanted to be onboard the aircraft to look at the parameters or the performance of the aircraft in flight. So they joined the flight, the pilot, Capt. Enahoro, took the plane into the sky and they flew with NCAA, when they were satisfied they brought the aircraft to the ground – that pleased me. The current leadership in NCAA is doing its best to make sure the airlines are up to speed in safety. Then, the other agencies too like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), they are trying.

For example, the airport infrastructure is still very poor in Nigeria and that is a very huge challenge for us. When passengers complain of delayed flights, they don’t know of some of the things that contribute to these delayed flights. They think it is just the airlines. The airports should be expanded, that is the first thing we should be thinking of in this country – to expand the airport infrastructure.

FAAN is limited to what they inherited except they plough back whatever they are getting from the airlines and with the help of the government and banks or the private sector to develop our airport. Airlines don’t make hubs; airports do. So it is very important that we pay serious attention to our airport’s infrastructure. The best airport in Nigeria today is MM2 which is a private terminal and that is why it is being run the way it is run.

It is the best in the country. Then if you talk about infrastructure, you go to Kebbi Airport. It is one of the best in the country. The airport should be any airline’s delight.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is trying with whatever they inherited, but we need to improve our landing aids – navigational aids – in the country so that we can even land in zero visibility. They are trying to improve the navigational aids. They need to continue doing that so that minimal weather conditions should not be our problem. The government agencies

Onyema

also should understand that they are providing services, some of them are acting like lords over the airlines and that shouldn’t be. In fact, I give the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, kudos for coming up with airport concession policy. Unless we do something like private, public partnership (PPP) for our airports, we are going nowhere. So I support concession, but it must be done in such a way that it is transparent. It must be done in such a way that the current workforce is not sacrificed. I don’t want people to lose their jobs. But to say because we want to keep these jobs that we must continue the way it is going, then of course we are not going to make any improvement in this country.

So I support government’s decision to either privatise the airports or do PPP kind of arrangement.

That is the only thing that can save Nigeria’s airports. The government alone cannot equip all the airports; the government alone cannot make all the airports world-class. Even abroad, governments don’t own some of these things.

The government has no business actually doing core business. What government should be doing is providing enabling environment for business.

So I support government’s call to privatise these airports or call for PPP to improve our airports.

But to say we should leave the airport in the hands of people the way it is being run now, we will not make any progress.

In specific terms, what do you propose to get out of this crisis?

To reform the aviation sector, the PPP system should be brought into aviation sector to invest, to change situations. It should not be left in the

hands of the government alone. Government might not have the resources to run business.

The government might not have what it takes to run business – the government all over the world; it is not only in Nigeria. What governments do is to provide enabling environment and allow investors to come in for the sector to thrive. I support government’s stand on concession even though I know the unions and other people are fighting the government. They should understand that the bigger stake is better for the entire nation.

We don’t have to be selfish about it. Like I said it must be transparent. I don’t want people to lose their jobs. I am even in this business to create jobs, so they must do it in such a way that the interest of those workers is protected. But it is going to be run under a different platform so that you will understand that you don’t come to work to sit down and do things the way you like. Imagine if governments are running the banks: what do you think would have happened? Have you seen anywhere in the world where the government is running the commercial banks? It will collapse.

The navigational aids also must be improved upon. A situation where our airlines are flying from 7am to 6pm in most of 90 per cent or 80 per cent of the airports is not good.

In many countries, you can easily link the aviation industry to tourism. In Nigeria, there is nothing like that. What is your opinion?

Aviation is a major economic driver or should be for any country. There are so many factors that come to count why that correlation is not there between the aviation industry and the tourism industry in Nigeria. First of all, the advent of oil

has destroyed everything in this country. Nigeria has not actually tried to tap its tourism potential, that is why we have neglected tourism so much and that is why we have neglected the aviation sector so much. All over the world, the government support airlines. The support is not just about giving airlines financial aids. There are so many ways to support airlines. This is because the movement of people from one place to another is very important in any economy. Our airports cannot attract tourism to this country the way they are at the moment. Our airports cannot attract that hub everybody is looking for. Nigeria can never be a hub under the present dispensation of our airport management.

Look at what Ghana is doing – that is why everybody is going there. Most foreign airlines will prefer to use their hub because you have a conducive airport environment to operate. So, until we improve our airport infrastructure, Nigeria can never be a hub for anybody. If you like, have the best airlines, Nigeria can never be a hub. And tourism begins and starts from the airport – that is your number one face to the outside world.

The impression you get about Nigeria starts from the airport. If you get a bad impression it sticks and you know we don’t have good press outside Nigeria. They try to paint us black and now when people come to our airport, the first thing they see is the confirmation of that even before they now meet the good people of Nigeria. So we need to address our airports’ poor facilities. That is the most important thing to do. The government must seek ways to address the issue of improving on our airports’ infrastructure – once that is done it will attract tourism. Then the airlines – people will want to invest in the airlines business. It is not a profitable business that is why most people don’t want to go into it. It is business that you must have passion for. It is the passion that sustains you. It is not the business that sustains you. So, for someone like me, the passion and the creation of jobs, touching lives is what gives me satisfaction.

In the area of aviation fuel, what are the challenges and what are your recommendations for overcoming them?

Outside Nigeria, in aviation they will tell you that all over the world aviation fuel takes 40 per cent of your income. That tells you that this is not a profitable business, if fuel takes 40 per cent.

If you make N1 million today, N400,000 goes to fuel alone. You have not talked about spare parts, staffing and don’t forget this is a highly regulated industry. That will tell you that it is not a profitable venture, but it drives every economy. So they tell you that it takes 40 per cent overseas, but in

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Government Needs to Remove Middlemen from Airlines Insurance Nigeria I disagree. In Nigeria it takes almost 70 per cent of your income. I don’t even know what the price of aviation fuel will be in the next two hours in Nigeria. We cannot plan; every day we get different prices and when you refuse to go on with that, you don’t get fuel and your flights are delayed. The next morning you wake up, you get a mail from the fuel vendors that the price has changed – say Lagos, N250 per litre; Port Harcourt, N300 per litre – just like that. So a lot of people don’t know what Nigerian airlines are going through. I keep on saying it, bring British Airways, Delta Airlines and other legacy airlines of the world into this country to run domestic operations, they will not last 72 hours.

Let them come and do what we are doing.

Nigerian airlines should be given kudos. People don’t know what we go through. Aviation fuel takes almost 70 per cent of our income. For goodness sake, we produce fuel in Nigeria; aviation fuel is more expensive in Nigeria than in America and in some countries that don’t have fuel. So why are we in this? The airlines are bleeding. One spare part takes everything; spindle alone from Boeing is about $187,000. So if you want to maintain safety – if you want these airlines to ensure and assure safety of operations – we must begin to listen to the cries of these airlines. Let nobody deceive the government: we must begin to hearken to the cries of the airlines concerning some of these issues. And the way forward on the issue is this: the refineries should start producing aviation fuel.

We don’t have any business importing this. If we have 2,000 refineries all over the place, it is good for the country. It’s painful that we have to import engine oil – our crude oil will go out and they will refine it into seven to 20,000 different products and we start importing those products.

We don’t have any business not being a great country. So what we need to do is to start refining this particular Jet A1 fuel in Nigeria.

You have recently increased the number of aircraft in Air Peace’s fleet. What is your aspiration?

First of all, why did I even float the airline? I set up this airline just to create jobs – I didn’t set it up just to make money. I have never worked for the government – with my own funds I started on my own. I trained myself and over 200 of my staff to go into the Niger Delta to start discouraging militancy. I brought non-violent education into this country for the first time. I employed Americans to help me to do this because I know non-violent education is very powerful. Mahatma Gandhi used it to bring down British colonial rule in India without encouraging his people to take up arms.

My mentor, Dr Martin Luther King Jr., brought down official segregation in America without encouraging his people to take to violence. The fact still remains that I didn’t set out to make money from it. So I am a good example of giving back to society. Somebody now told me that if you want to create massive employment, go into the airline business. One Boeing jet will give jobs to over a 1,000 people and indirectly more than 3,000 people will benefit from that – that was how I went into aviation. I called Gbolahan Abatan, the owner of Air First, as my consultant to come and help me – he told me the same thing. First of all, we started buying Donnier jets. So I asked him if these small jets will make money. He said yes that I will make money from charter with the Donnier jets. But I said this is not what I wanted – that was how we travelled to the US looking for planes. Abatan said but this one you want to go into is not profitable and it has a lot of hassles and I asked, but it will give jobs and he said, yes and I said, that is what I want to do. That is how I went into buying Boeing 737 and when we went to Douglas Jaffe in Texas, that man sells aircraft in hundreds – he buys in hundreds. He leases planes to all these legacy airlines in hundreds. He said, ‘Why do you want to go into aviation?’ And I said, ‘I want to create jobs in my country for the people.’

He said that was the first time he had seen a Nigerian who is for his people – thinking about his people. And he said, ‘Young man, I am going to help you.’ Jaffe asked me where I wanted to fly and I said Nigeria. He went to the computer – there is a live screen in his office and he showed me and said: ‘this is your country.’ Then, he did something on the computer and came up with information. He said the farthest distance in your country is from Lagos to Maiduguri which is one and half hours flight. So he said, the Boeing B737-800 aircraft I was requesting was too big for the routes I would be operating. He said the first success is that your type of equipment must be in

Onyema

tandem with your operating environment. That this B737-800 is an aircraft made for at least four hours or five hours’ flight before it lands. I didn’t understand what he was saying then. He said because with the engine of your aircraft, the cycles, that is, each landing comes at a maintenance cost.

Jaffe said the aircraft is supposed to be landing every four hours. ‘In four hours in your country, it has landed five times because some of your flights are one hour or 40 minutes or 30 minutes, so that means you will be going to engine shop more than usual.’

So he advised that I should start with Boeing B737-500 because I was a new carrier. B737-500 will carry about 114 passengers. And you don’t have problem of running to the engine shop every time – that one, you can use it to do six hours flight. It has long range and at the same time, you can use it for 30 minutes journey. The man is alive and he could be contacted by anybody – that was how it happened. So he gave me four planes.

That was how I bought the first four planes. And he has continued to help our business. Another thing I did was to outsource my maintenance to a British company so that I can assure safety of my fleet. It is very expensive. It comes at a very high cost but I needed to do it. Another thing I decided to do was that my pilots must be top-notch. They must not be just any pilot. We must pay well to get the best – that was what we did. We have increased our fleet and to God be the glory today we have about 24 aircraft. We are the biggest airline in the whole of West Africa.

And we are bringing more Boeing B777s. We are going for more aircraft. We are not relenting. The banks are there to support us. We want to reduce the cost of Nigerians flying abroad. Air Peace will give them what those legacy airlines are giving them – even better and at a very affordable cost.

This is because Nigerians have been short-changed for years now.

Nigerians should look forward to Air Peace starting international operations. But we need the government to support us. I am not asking the government to give us money. We need the government to make it easy for us to get to where we want to be.

What new routes do you intend to open and what are the prospects of the regional and international market?

First of all, the domestic market is saturated already. There is what we call ‘over-capacity’. Why did I say so? If I say this, a lot of people will think we don’t want airlines to come – no, that’s the truth. The ones that want to should go and look at the statistics of passengers the existing ones are flying. On Fridays, you see huge number of travellers at airports. You see everybody coming out of Abuja and when you go to the airport you see a lot of people and they will think that the airlines are making a lot of money. That is what is making some people to cause problem for us.

They see crowd of people, they begin to calculate how much the airline is making. When I said we are going to increase our capacity, I am talking

about the international routes. But our expansion will be well guided. When I say international routes I am talking flights within the African region and outside the African continent. Those who are advocating that each airline should have between 10 to 20 aircraft in its fleet should think again.

This means that Dana Air will have 20 planes; Air Peace will have 20 planes; Arik will have 20 planes; and Aero will have 20 planes – where will they park all the planes? Where will they even fly to? Already, the only viable destinations in Nigeria are Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

Those three destinations are the most viable.

Airlines are struggling to get a piece of the market and that is why you see fares like N23,000. How can you maintain your plane with N23,000? Some airlines are even charging N18,000 and N16,000 respectively. I stopped Sokoto flights because of very low load factor –I will resume soon now that we have acquired Embraer jets. With such a low load factor you can never pay salaries. You cannot. You cannot even buy your fuel on that journey. And people are propounding 20 aircraft.

All over the world, this thing is regulated in such a way that if you know you can do two-aircraft operation, then you do it. There are so many airlines in the world with only two planes. What you should be telling the airlines is, plan your operations to suit your capacity. You can decide to remain on three aircraft for the rest of your life – it doesn’t concern anybody. I am not ready to merge with anybody. I pay salaries on time. I told fuel vendors, when you sell fuel to Air Peace, please within 48 hours make sure we get your invoice.

We want to pay immediately. So you want me to merge with somebody whose philosophy of life is different from mine? You want me to merge with somebody who is over-invoicing himself?

Merger is good, but that should be the decision of airlines.

You are not making profit yet you are acquiring more aircraft. How are you able to do that?

Let me tell you this: I have not failed in anything I do. Airlines do not give you the kind of profit that matches the kind of investment you put in.

That does not mean that you will never make profit in the long run. But you don’t make profit in your first five years. You start making profit from your sixth year, if you manage your processes very well. And how do you manage it? You have to create capacity and that is what Air Peace is doing.

It is not that we are making money now, but at least we are getting money to pay off our bills.

We may not have our own money to pay up – that is why we borrow money from the bank.

I borrow money from the bank to buy instead of leasing planes. Another problem is when you lease planes in Nigeria it is even more expensive at the end of the day.

When you buy your own equipment, it is better. But you don’t have the money to buy so you run to the banks. The bank will have to be convinced that you have the integrity as no bank wants to lend to anything aviation in Nigeria

because of their antecedents. But they lend to Air Peace. When they lend to us, I create a sinking fund for them.

So what we are doing is that we are expanding for the future. I studied the South-West Airline model and I started to educate myself. So I am giving myself the sixth year I will start making profit and I could see the handwriting on the wall.

But now, we are building. Yes, your question is right: if you are not making profit why are you buying more planes? We are only projecting.

We are seeing where we are going to be in six years. Just like the experts told us, don’t expect to make money in your first five years, you have to invest and invest. So with the goodwill of our customers, we can see where we are heading to.

Recently, we won ‘Best West African Airline’ in Accra, Ghana. I think we won because we are more consistent than any other airline in West Africa. We are more consistent on the West coast more than any other airline. At Air Peace, we don’t cancel flights. Recently, we had AOG (aircraft on ground) in Yola and you know that, that is a wrong place to have AOG. If you have AOG in Lagos, well, your engineers are here and it will be sorted out quickly. And that aircraft that went to Yola was supposed to come and do 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos and also go to some other places.

We dispatched another aircraft immediately. That is where capacity comes in. We are building for that sixth year. All over the world aviation gives about three per cent or five per cent profit in more advanced environment – in such places like America where people pay through their nose to fly. So, if they can be making three per cent to five per cent that shows you that the aviation industry is not a profitable venture. Then, in Nigeria, where you buy your generator and you run it for 24 hours – I have about five giant generators on this premises – running because your warehouse must be air-conditioned. The spare parts of the airplane are not kept in just any place. Temperature is regulated; your tyre warehouse must be air-conditioned, so the costs are enormous.

What is your reaction to the recent announcement that the federal government has exempted the transport industry from payment of VAT? It was one of the best news I have heard in years.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria took this matter to the then acting President, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and he called for a meeting and we met with him and gave him details of our grouses. And he called for an enlarged meeting of all the agencies and the Ministry of Aviation and the airline operators. We held a second meeting where we presented our issues. Osinbajo set up a committee to look at these issues. We did not give up. There was a time the airlines met with the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler, and Sirika showed uncommon commitment to see that airlines were exempted from paying VAT. I commend the federal government for giving us the waiver after many years of clamour and after many regimes were served the same. It also shows that President Buhari wants Nigerian companies to survive. President Buhari loves indigenous companies. Every year, Nigerian airlines pay several billions of naira as VAT.

You said leasing is in the long term costly especially in Nigeria. So what is the correlation between leasing, aircraft insurance and then talk about this issue of Cape Town convention?

It is very unfortunate that the international community looks at Nigeria as a dangerous place to operate aircraft. They look at Nigeria as a place lacking integrity. It is up to us not to confirm their fears. Somehow, I blame the international community for toeing that line. But we share significantly in the blame for the kind of attitude we have exhibited over time that must have given rise to these presumptions. Airlines all over the world subsist on leasing. They sustain their operations with leased aircraft even Emirates – 80 per cent of their fleet are leased. All these American airlines, Delta Airline and the rest have over 800 aircraft – some of them can boast of over 500 aircraft each. But Nigerian airlines find it very difficult to access leases.

When they want to allow you to lease, they do wet lease. Wet lease is like charter, which is very expensive for any operator – and it is not advisable.

Dry lease is the one that you will be given the plane and you manage the plane yourself and you will be paying monthly. You find out over time that Nigerian airlines default.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

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

Church of Split Blood from afar

DEMOLA OJO

Immersing in St Petersburg Grand stone churches, name changes, warm people and white nights; Demola Ojo writes on Tsar Peter the Great’s Window to the West, renowned as Russia’s most cultural city...

T

he ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia has been an opportunity for those who wouldn’t ordinarily visit Russia to do so. For many - this writer inclusive – this has been a pleasant and eye-opening experience.

Stereotypes of Russia are usually of a cold place.

But the warmth at this summer World Cup has not been limited to the temperature which was in the mid-twenties mostly, but the people also. I have encountered so many Russians who go out of their way to be of help.

Some cynics say it’s a PR campaign by Russian authorities mandating the populace to be of best behaviour. I counter that you can teach people not to be mean to others, but you can’t make them genuinely nice and helpful when they don’t need to. Or maybe you can, which is awesome.

Easy Access A major innovation which has made this World Cup successful in opening up Russia to the rest of the world is the Fan ID, which has eased access to one of the world’s superpowers, at least for the period of the World Cup. One of the major impediments to travel, especially for a Nigerian, is the need for a travel pass to visit other countries. Getting a visa to many countries is an arduous and time-consuming task, enough to dissuade one bitten by the travel bug from exploring new places. It means some countries are somewhat out of bounds in the reckoning of many potential travellers.

Enter the Fan ID, a document that serves as a visa to the Russian Federation, upon procuring a match ticket for any of the games at the World Cup. To put it in context, it means if you develop a sudden itch to see any of the semi-final or final matches of the World Cup this week, you still can once you buy a match ticket.

First Impressions Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 on swampy land seized from Sweden, St Petersburg became capital of the Russian Federation for more than 200 years until it ceased to be after the 1917 Russian revolution. Now Europe’s third largest city after Moscow and London,

St Petersburg is an open air museum, and an expression of the last 300 years of Russian history.

Tsar Peter’s intention when he started construction was a city to rival Paris and Rome for architectural glory. It’s a city of a hundred islands split by scores of rivers and canals.

Its beauty and history has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site status and it has 180 museums, 50 theatres, numerous concert venues and parks.

It doesn’t take long to notice that things are done big in St Petersburg; the roads, the buildings, the roundabouts with multiple exits and the subway.

The hotel I stayed in – the Park Inn by Radisson Pulkovskaya - has more than 800 rooms over seven floors, taking up a lot of horizontal space rather than vertical.

It’s on No 1 Pobedy Square, also known asVictory Square. Pobedy Square is often referred to as a gateway into St Petersburg. Here the highways leading from Kiev (in Ukraine) and Moscow to St Petersburg converge.

Until the mid-20th century, Pobedy Square was well beyond St Petersburg’s city limits. In 1971, the squares grand monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad was constructed.

The monument faces Pulkovo Heights, the series of hills to the south of the city where the German forces were halted in 1941 and remained until the Siege of Leningrad was broken in 1944, one of the precursors to the end of World War II. The monument has bronze sculptures depicting the different types of citizens who contributed to the defence of the city.

Apart from its scale, unique Russian alphabets seen everywhere give St Petersburg a distinct feel from any other modern European city.

Thankfully, there are English translations written next to Russian words in many instances, from directions at the airport and stadium to menus at high-end restaurants or the neighbourhood Shawarma joint.

Not many people speak English though, but with Google translate - and its new conversation feature – one can get by with a little bit of patience. This coupled with Google Maps means navigating Statue of Pushkin St Petersburg as a foreigner is a walk in the park.

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TRAVEL Immersing in St Petersburg

Cont’d from Pg. 22

Storied History St Petersburg was built under the supervision of European engineers, many of them German and Dutch, whom Peter had invited to Russia. Peter restricted the construction of stone buildings in all of Russia outside St Petersburg so that all stonemasons would come to help build the new city.

Tsar Peter also hired a large number of architects, shipbuilders, scientists and businessmen from across Europe. Substantial immigration of educated professionals eventually turned St Petersburg into a much more cosmopolitan city than Moscow and the rest of Russia.

The city later prospered under the rule of two of the most powerful women in Russian history. Peter’s daughter, Empress Elizabeth, reigned from 1740 to 1762, without a single execution in 22 years. She cut taxes, downsized government, and was known for masquerades and festivities, amassing a wardrobe of about twelve thousand dresses, most of them now preserved as museum art pieces.

She completed both the Winter Palace and the Summer Palace, which then became residences of Empress Catherine the Great, who reigned for 34 years, from 1762 to 1796. Under her rule, more palaces were built in St Petersburg than in any other capital in the world.

The city’s wealth and rapid growth had always attracted prominent intellectuals, scientists, writers and artists and St Petersburg eventually gained international recognition as a gateway for trade and business, as well as a cosmopolitan cultural hub.

The works of Aleksandr Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and numerous others brought Russian literature to the world. Music, theatre and ballet became firmly established and gained international stature.

Petrograd and Leningrad At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, St Petersburg was renamed Petrograd, a Slavic translation to avoid the German sound of the original name. (‘Burg’is a German term for city hence, Hamburg, Wolfsburg, Duisburg, Nuremburg, while‘Grad’is Slavic for city – Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Stalingrad...)

Petrograd was later renamed Leningrad in 1924 three days after the death of communist leaderVladimir Lenin. Lenin it was who had earlier moved the capital of Russia from St Petersburg to Moscow. The move was disguised as temporary, but Moscow has remained the capital ever since.

In 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, 54 per cent of voters in a referendum voted to revert to the city’s original name of St Petersburg. Original names were also returned to 39 streets, six bridges, three metro stations and six parks.

Nevksy Prospekt Nevsky Prospekt is St Petersburg’s main avenue and one of the best-known streets in Russia. Cutting through the historical centre of the city, it was the beginning of the road to the ancient city of Novgorod and Moscow but quickly became adorned with beautiful buildings, squares and bridges.

The Nevsky today functions as the main thoroughfare in St Petersburg and majority of the city’s shopping and nightlife are located on or right off the Nevsky.

Nevsky gradually widens as you travel along its length towards the river and is lined with some of St Petersburg’s most impressive stone buildings with the Kazan Cathedral and the picturesque Russian-style Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood.

The FIFA Fan Fest for St Petersburg is also at Nevsky Prospekt, which adds to the colour and sound; loud speaker blaring music in the distance serving as a background to street performers strumming guitars.

The world famous State Hermitage Museum is walking distance from Nevsky and is a tour worth embarking on if you have a day to spare. The huge edifice is the second-largest museum in the world.

It was founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display, comprise over three million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world.

World’s Most Expensive Stadium Kretovsky Stadium is located on Kretovsky Island, one of the city’s smartest suburbs, with an ever-increasing number of elite housing developments alongside ample parkland. The island attracts hordes of visitors at weekends coming to take advantage of the numerous sporting facilities available.

In the 19th century, the island became popular with the regular citizens of St Petersburg, and amusements such as boating, swings, and several open-air restaurants were provided for them.

Modern Krestovsky Island, with its lack of historical sites, is probably of more appeal to locals than to visitors, but it is one of the best places in the city to take children, because of an amusement park and the Dolphinarium, and it has the extra advantage of being easily accessed by metro.

The Kretovsky Stadium is officially known as the Saint Petersburg Stadium for the World Cup, but is also called the Zenit Arena (after the local football

Inside St Petersburg Stadium for Nigeria Vs Argentina club), even though it was initially referred to as the Gazprom Arena after its initial developers.

It is a retractable roof stadium opened barely a year ago in time for the FIFA Confederations Cup held in Russia last year.

It has hosted four first round fixtures including the match between Nigeria and Argentina, as well as a second round fixture. It will also host a semi final match and the third place playoff.

The stadium has made headlines in the past for the long delays in its completion—the deadline was pushed back from the original March 2009 date, to the end of 2011, then 2013 until it finally hosted its first match in 2017.

The stadium was supposed to cost $248 million but changes to the original design, failure by Gazprom to finance the project, and the death of the architect, were some of the factors which caused repeated delays of the project.

By the time it was completed, the construction costs of the facility were rumoured to exceed $1.5 billion—surpassing the cost of the Wembley Stadium in London, which cost $1.47 billion, and earning it the title of most expensive stadium in the world.

The stadium is an architectural masterpiece though.

It’s shaped like a spaceship and changes colour at night. It’s somewhat soundproof too. Right before entering, you barely hear sounds but the moment you step in, you hear the roar of the crowd above everything else.

White Nights “We call them White Nights,” my new friend Alexandra told me after I commented on the fact that its 11pm but still daylight. Alexandra was one of the many helpful people I met on my solo trip, and one of the few who spoke good English.

She recounted not sleeping the day before an exam because it never got dark as she showed me a few places under similar lighting; pointing out a statue of the famous Pushkin before we set out for Italian Street, where we had some wine at a bustling, cosmopolitan restaurant.

The White Nights are a curious phenomenon caused by St Petersburg’s very northerly geographical location - at 59 degrees 57’ North (roughly on the same latitude as Oslo, Norway and Seward, Alaska).

St Petersburg is the world’s most northern city with a population over one million, and it stands at such a high latitude that the sun does not descend below the horizon enough for the sky to grow dark in summer.

Although the phenomenon known as the White Nights is not unique to St Petersburg, in no other city have they received such acclaim. From late May to early July, the nights are bright, with the brightest period, the White Nights, normally lasting from mid-June to early July.

At most, there are two hours in twenty four when it is not bright as day, even though it’s not completely dark. Little wonder the city administration organises a two-month festival in summer known as the White Nights Festival.

The most expensive stadium in the world changes colour

The Stadium after the match. Picture taken at 11:30pm during a White Night

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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 ˾ ΀˜ ͺ͸͹΀

MARKET NEWS

Honeywell Flour Mills Moves to Cut Financing Costs and Enhance Profitability Goddy Egene Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (HFMP) has resorted to borrowings from development banks at lower interest rates as part of efforts to reduce its financing costs.

The company released its audited financial results for the year ended March 31, 2018 last week, showing a jump of 64 per cent in financing cost.

Providing further clarification, the company

explained that the increase in financing cost was largely due to the increase in interest rates on loans from commercial banks.

And in order to manage the cost of borrowing, the company said it was able to structure a significant portion of the business financing through development banks at concessionary interest rates.

According to the Managing Director of HMFP, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, the benefit of this impacted the bottom line

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

in the second half of the financial year and this benefit is expected to continue in the new financial year.

Commenting on the results, he said: “We started the year with a very strong momentum across our company and executed an aggressive market share recovery drive resulting in the 34 per cent top line growth being reported today. We saw very strong demand for our portfolio of brands even though

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 4-July-2018, unless otherwise stated.

the consumers’ purchasing power is yet to return to prerecession levels. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure affordability and availability of nutritious food in Nigeria and we assure our shareholders of sustainable profitable returns in the future.”

HFMP’s revenue increased by 34 to N71.5 billion in 2018, compared with N53.2 billion recorded in the comparable prior year period. According to the company, given the

increase in production activities and higher energy costs due to major disruptions in gas supplies, cost of sales grew by 37 to N55.4 billion.

Selling and distribution costs grew in line with increased volumes and reflected the increased costs associated with transporting finished goods out of its plant at the Tin Can-Island Port, Apapa where there has been a constant traffic gridlock for months as the federal government and several

stakeholders embarked on palliative measures to fix the roads.

Financing cost jumped by 64 per cent from N2.792 billion to N4.605 billion. As a result , profit before tax stood at N5.469 billion, compared with N4.872 billion, while it grew by three per cent from N4.305 billion to N4.427 billion. The board has recommended a dividend of N476 million, which is six kobo per share and the same paid last year.

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 aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 186.61 186.62 4.80% Nigeria International Debt Fund 252.70 252.71 9.17% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.84 0.85 1.69% ACAP Income Funds 0.64 0.64 7.06% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.00% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.73% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.15 1.18 10.10% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.17 9.69% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,165.80 1,166.55 7.84% FBN Heritage Fund 147.60 148.87 4.93% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.06% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 112.30 112.85 1.60% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 112.12 112.67 1.66% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 175.11 177.39 8.98% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.38 1.41 5.94% Legacy Debt Fund 3.08 3.08 6.66% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,135.23 3,168.05 5.02% Coral Income Fund 2,648.69 2,648.69 8.22% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.68% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 103.38 104.51 3.48% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.75% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.17 2.19 2.83% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.19% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.69 121.04 4.93%

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 1.20 1.22 4.32% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,082.23 1,082.23 7.27% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 13.53 13.65 3.04% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.49% 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 1.35 1.37 13.08% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.82 11.87 7.05% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.43% 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 133.48 135.88 3.66% 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 1.60 1.60 7.82% 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 2,386.85 2,406.93 6.42% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 186.63 186.63 5.77% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.04 1.06 3.96% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 240.10 240.16 9.03% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 184.49 186.58 3.02% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.30% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,800.25 9,933.74 1.35% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 3.76% 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 N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 13.06 13.27 4.36% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.81 13.97 4.93% Zenith Income Fund 20.48 20.47 8.20% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.00%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 136.51 103.70 51.30

1.01% 3.06%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.12 150.03 110.95

12.22 153.15 112.97

-0.01% 5.02% 1.53%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund Union Homes REIT

0.92%

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 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

4.67 8.99 17.66 19.62 144.13

4.71 9.07 17.76 19.82 146.13

-1.45% -6.01% 0.86% -0.25% 5.39%

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.

T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY JULY 8, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY JULY 8, 2018

SPEECH BY THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN) NORTHERN STATES PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN REV. YAKUBU PAM DURING A COURTESY VISIT ON THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR

BY THE EXECUTIVE OF CAN NORTHERN STATES AND THE CHURCH’S DENOMINATIONAL HEADS ON 5TH JULY 2018 AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA We are the Executive Members of the 19 Northern States and the FCT of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. This visit is our second to the Villa since you assumed office as the President. We are indeed pleased for granting us audience each time we have expressed the need to visit you and are appreciative of the appointment and role of the Secretary to Government of the Federation in this regard.

Mr President, Sir, as the Chief Custodian of the security of our nation, we have come to you with tears on our faces because of the renewed attacks on innocent Nigerians especially in Northern Nigeria and in particular Christians in the north of the country where hundreds of persons mostly children, women and the aged have been maimed and killed in night raids by armed herdsmen, a sad development which has compelled our cry to you in this visit in order to call on you to deploy all at your disposal as a government to halt this senseless blood shedding and massive destruction of lives and property in the land, a situation which could lead to a state of anarchy leading to an unpredictable future.

We are particularly worried at the widespread of insecurity in the country where wanton attacks and killings by armed men identified in various instances as Fulani herdsmen, who have turned bandits now terrorising communities almost on a daily bases and unchallenged despite the huge investments by your government to strengthen the security agencies. Sir, the perpetrators should not be allowed to go scot free. We demand justice for all, no matter the religion, creed, tribe or region of the assailants because of the sanctity of life. It is even more worrisome that these huge numbers of needless deaths in 2018 alone have been recorded in various attacks, especially in the northern states of Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Zamfara, Kogi and other states when the country is not in a state of war.

The most unfortunate incidences that have attracted the attention of the international community to Nigeria for the wrong reasons are the recent killings in Plateau, Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna and Zamfara states among others. While the early morning attack on a Catholic Church in Benue where two Priests and 17 worshippers were killed is still fresh, an Assemblies of God’s Church pastor was killed with his family at Barakin Ladi, a Baptist Pastor and a Pastor’s son were killed, just to mention a few, give a religious coloration to the entire attack which is dangerous for inter-religious harmony in the country.

We also view these attacks as ethnic cleansing, land grabbing and forceful ejection of the native inhabitants from their ancestral land and heritage. What is happening to innocent citizens in Northern Nigeria and in particular Christians is a systemic genocide and must be stopped immediately.

Mr President, we reject the narrative that the attacks on communities in the north are “farmers/herdsmen clash.” How could a war on innocent communities be a ‘clash’ when one group is persistently the attacker, killer, maiming and destroying hapless groups; and the other is regrettably being killed, mutilated with places of worship destroyed?

Why are the attacks and killings not only on the farm but when people are sleeping at night or going about their businesses? How could it be a ‘clash’ when the herdsmen are hunting farmers in their own villages/communities while the farmers simply run for their lives?

How can it be a ‘clash’ when the herdsmen are the predators and the inhabitant/indigenous farmers are the prey? Until we call a disease by its real name and causatives, it would be difficult to correctly diagnose it for the right curative medications.

It is as a result of the foregoing that we hereby offer the following prayers: 1. That the security architecture of the country should be re-visited to give it a new lease of life and responsiveness to earn the required trust, confidence, and support of the general populace.

2. All communities ravaged by the herdsmen violence in the North should be rebuilt and adequate security be put in place to enable displaced persons to return to their homes and means of livelihood.

3. The Federal Government should roll out a robust advocacy programme to enlighten the nomadic herders on modern cattle rearing against open grazing and roaming across states and national boundaries.

4. The federal government should encourage herders to acquire land for cattle ranching across the country as a means of private business investment.

5. While the Federal Government under the current administration is celebrating an agricultural revolution, most farmers, especially in the north, can no longer go to their farms due to the sustained attacks by armed herdsmen. We, therefore, urge the government to reconcile its priority by providing the necessary safety for the farmers to go on with their farming activities.

6. We observe that the continuous abduction of underaged Christian girls who are forcefully converted to Islamic religion and given out for marriage without the consent of their parents breeds religious disharmony.

We, therefore, wish to state that the situation does not only violate the fundamental human rights of the girls but is also a call to anarchy if such actions were to get an even score by the Christian population. The appeal, therefore, is for your quick intervention to ensure that the numerous girls held under such circumstances are released to their parents.

7. In the spirit of the above observation, we wish to demand that intensive and speedy actions should be taken for the release of girls in captivity, especially Leah Sharibu.

8. That all perpetrators including the so-call foreigners as alleged of these heinous crimes against humanity in parts of northern states should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

9. The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency make adequate provisions for farmers who have been adversely affected by this undesirable herdsmen attacks.

10. We are appealing to Mr President to call on his colleagues in politics in respective of a political party to work together and make 2019 election to be free and fair and a model for all other African countries.

Conclusion In conclusion, we want to appreciate Mr President once more for granting us an audience and for your attention. It is our sincere prayers that all will be well with Nigeria under your leadership, Amen!

Thank you for your audience.

REV DR YAKUBU PAM CHAIRMAN CAN NORTHERN NIGERIA

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A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

08.07.2018

CHIBUDOM NWUCHE

MY FATHER ONLY GAVE ME EDUCATION NOT WEALTH ASSISTANTEDITOROLUFUNKEOLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ Ͷ, ͰͮͯͶ

COVER

CHIBUDOM NWUCHE

Politics is My Hobby Not Profession Understated but avant-garde, his black-rimmed glasses sit delicately on the bridge of his nose. His visage is vibrant as a bright noon sun. Exuberant he sits in the lounge cackling with laughter. In simple attire, he exudes class and style. He has become one of Nigeria’s crouching political tigers in a political arena of flying daggers. But when he and others like him emerged on the scene with the advent of democracy in 1999 following the demise of military jackboot, the nation was treated to politicking of class and intellect. He and his peers were vibrant, colourful, dashing, and young at heart. They were regarded as the breath of fresh air in the nation’s dirty politics. The likes of Saminu Turaki of Jigawa, Donald Duke of Cross Rivers, and Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti held sway as governors in their mid-30s, late 30s, and early 40s. Chibudom Nwuche was barely 38 years old then and he was among the shining stars – as the deputy speaker in the House of Representatives. For the former deputy speaker politics is a hobby, not a profession.

Nwuche’s political and life’s dynamics are both enduring and enthralling. Funke Olaode, who interviewed him recently, writes

L

ike never before the country witnessed an array of young politicians who had hitherto not held any political office, occupying the political space shortly after the expiration of military rule in 1999.

The era gave hope that the sky was not the limit for young Nigerians who had aspirations and the capacity to actualise their dreams in governance.

With idyllic gusto and gait – barely 38 years old – Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, from Rivers State, was elected Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.

Son of a policeman – though his father would later venture into the lucrative oil and gas business and later became a monarch – Nwuche was born in Enugu into the family of the late Clifford Cheta Nwuche, an indigene of Ichigba town in Ahoada East in the local government area of Rivers State.

“My father was a King of my land. My grandfather was also a ruler and we have had this long history of royalty. My father was a business man who was dominant in the oil and gas sector,” Nwuche said.

The former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives’ life before and after political office smacks of a carefully designed trajectory: an

alumnus of Cyprians State School and Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt where he had his early education.

He then proceeded to Lansdowne College, Oxford, United Kingdom for his ‘A’ Level. Between 1982 and 1985, he acquired his first degree in politics and philosophy, second degree in Law at Aberystwyth University.

Not done yet, he returned to Nigeria for the mandatory Law School after which he was called to the Nigerian Bar. His thirst for more knowledge no doubt pushed him back to King’s College, University of London where he pursued his master’s degree in Law specializing in shipping law, international finance, intellectual property and international commercial law.

Nwuche’s leadership quality manifested early having held various positions while in school and at a time was elected president of the Nigerian Society while at the University of Keele, Staffordshire.

In 1999, as a seeming political greenhorn, he sought political office on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and was elected to represent his constituency – Abua-Odua/Ahoada East – in the House of Representatives when he had hardly clocked 38. Later, he served as the deputy to the then

Nwuche

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JULY 8, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

CHIBUDOM NWUCHE

COVER

L-R: Lynda Saint Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN; Adekunle Adebiyi, Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN; Idowu Adesokan, Senior Manager, High Value Segment, MTN; Ugonwa Nwoye, Customer Services Executive, MTN; Chibudom Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Tony Emoekpere, a businessman; Ifechukwude Kagho, Loyalty Management Manager, MTN and Olufunke Mike-Adeogun, also of MTN

Speaker, Ghali Na’Abba, after the shortlived tenure of the pioneer Speaker, Salisu Buhari.

Seated among the “20 prestige customers” selected by the telecommunication giant, MTN, to watch the Nigeria versus Argentina World Cup match in Russia, Nwuche adorned the looks of youth and athleticism. He exuded jovial disposition as he exchanged banters like someone who was trying to catch up with old friends. Has he always been like that?

He said: “What you are seeing is the reflection of my personality. I don t have any worries at all. I take life as it comes; and if whatever I have worked hard or craved for doesn’t come to pass I believe it is God’s wish. So I don’t stress myself. Again, I don’t set target for things that are impossible. I do my thing and commit my ways to God. I won’t join any groups to gain worldly power. I am a contented man who lives within his means. I am a lawyer by training and have a practice in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos. I am also in the oil and gas sector.”

Nwuche parades an enviable pedigree which seems to have opened various vistas in his life. Unassuming and self-reassuring, he epitomizes diligence and intelligence. Perhaps, it may be argued that his father – rich and royal – paved his path towards adult life with gold, both literally and figuratively. This is how he views the matter: “Well, my father only gave me education. I was born in Enugu in 1961 when he was serving as a police officer. So I grew up in Enugu and could recall my early years with nostalgia. My father later left the police force after the civil war to become a businessman venturing into oil and gas. He was a businessman; he was into oil and gas. “He was also a politician and later became a traditional ruler.

He was a man of means but only gave me education. He told me that I should work hard and be my own man. I think every man should strive to give the best education to his children. So it was never our (his children) ambition to run after what he had. He gave us solid education that enabled us to stand on our feet, to be self-reliant.”

I AM A NIGERIAN. I HAVE INTEREST IN GOVERNANCE. I HAVE INTEREST ON HOW MY PEOPLE ARE BEING GOVERNED. I WANT TO SEE A BETTER NIGERIA. I WANT A NIGERIA WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND WORK AFTER SCHOOL. I WANT A NIGERIA WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE QUALITY FOOD ON THEIR TABLE. SO I CAN NEVER LEAVE POLITICS. IT IS OUR LIVES AND NO MATTER WHAT WE DO WE MUST BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS – IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER Nwuche as one of the young, vibrant and idyllic politicians of the President Olusegun Obasanjo era appears to have since moved on from politics with little enthusiasm evident in his penchant for the political arena. Not a few Nigerians are worried whether the once new-lease-of-life politician has been consigned to the political Siberia following his travails in the hands of his traducers.

“I thank Nigerians and my state for giving me the opportunity to serve.

But politics of yesteryears was different from what is happening now. These days, people who have our kind of backgrounds are often seen as a threat.

This has been part of my political odyssey. These set of people constantly see you as a threat and they deny you a ticket. That was why I left the PDP to join the APC. You know you won the primary and they shortchanged you –

and kicked you out. I think there will be more to our political lives if we can bring honour to it because it is service to humanity.

“Since my exit I have been focusing on my businesses. I have run for primaries and I have made attempts – twice – to go to the Senate. How else do you want to participate if the party you belong to don’t give you the ticket?

That is why a few of us had to leave for these injustices. Politics has become so petty and personal that some have turned it into a personal fight where people see one another as enemies, whereas it should be a congress of people with ideas without taking anything personal. I hope that as time goes on we will support the best minds to go into governance. But if we keep playing politics the way we are playing it now, where people are using thugs to fight one another – undermining one another – we will keep the best minds away from politics.

For now, Nwuche said he is not seeking a political office and that he will not easily succumb to the notion that politics has seen the last of him.

“I am a Nigerian. I have interest in governance. I have interest on how my people are being governed. I want to see a better Nigeria. I want a Nigeria where people can find work after school. I want a Nigeria where people can have quality food on their table. So I can never leave politics. It is our lives and no matter what we do we must be involved in politics – in one way or the other.”

When asked if the country should look out for him in 2019, Nwuche replied: “I have no interest in contesting political office but I can motivate others.

I would love to support aspirants. So it must not be me in particular. People of like minds who aspire I will support them.”

Without mincing words, Nwuche admitted that educational background in politics and law helped his political career. “It helped me in the House of Representatives and as deputy speaker.

It made me appreciate the nature of parliamentary process. It was useful,” he stated.

The House of Representatives expressed turbulence during his time.

He, however, noted that it was part of the political process in which the legislative arm tried to check the executive. “Everything is a political process – a kind of interaction between the legislative and the executive. I was there for four years and never got impeached by anybody.

I learnt the ropes and left the House without blemish by God’s grace.

Also, we got a lot of support from my colleagues who were inspired by the leadership of Na’Abba and mine.”

While most politicians see the act of governance as a matter of life and death, Nwuche views matters from another prism. But it has been 15 years since he left office.

Reflecting on that, he said: “I have moved on because politics, to me, is a hobby and not a profession. Politics shouldn’t be a full-time job. It should be something one does to help society and should not be for the money. I have been a businessman in the oil and gas sector since 1991. I left that business for politics and after my tenure I went back to my business. I sacrificed my business for politics.”

With his thriving enterprise in the oil and gas industry and law practice (chambers in three cities), Nwuche should be considered a millionaire.

But the suave, simple and soft-spoken gentleman will rather see himself as a happy, contented individual. ”I thank God for His mercies. I can put food on my table. I am a contented man,” he said matter-of-factly.

How did his family, particularly his wife, reacted to his decision to play politics behind the scene.

“Nothing has changed. Whether I am there or not somebody must do the work,” he responded.

Busy as a bee, Nwuche still finds time to relax and this he said accounts for his youthful look. “I try to maintain a certain routine. So no matter how busy I am, I find time to take care of myself knowing that my physical state affects my mental ability to be able to do my job which is mentally demanding. So I try to maintain a healthy life. I am a sport person. I try to do weight lifting and other exercises. This is part of my relaxation.”

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PERSONALITY

LARA LAPE CAMERON-COLE

My Evolution As Financial Analyst and Revolution As Designer Nothing suggested she would quit her corporate job in New York City. Lara Lape Cameron-Cole is the founder of CC Interiors Limited. For over a decade she immersed herself in the American finance industry.

But the adventurous and eclectic lady suddenly took to the arts, FUNKE OLAODE writes

“I

love both worlds. I think some creative people feel like they can’t be in business or science. But it’s not always true, our brains are dynamic. I had started out as a fashion degree major in my undergraduate before I switched to business.

So the desire for the arts had always been there. At the time, I was ready. I had spent years at Citigroup in New York trading mortgage-backed securities and in 2007 the market crashed. It was the season to ask: do you still want in or out? So I made the leap. My parents weren’t surprised but were concerned at the start. They remained supportive nonetheless. I still love finance a lot. I didn’t leave it because I was tired of it.

I just wanted to try something I had always wanted to do,” she said.

Lara Lape Cameron-Cole is an entrepreneur, working in the creative industry as co-founder of CC Interiors Limited, a multiple award-winning interior design business, CaxtonAlile Living and Apparel Partners Limited, an apparel manufacturing company. She is also a consultant. Armed with a master’s degree from the University of Arts, London College of Fashion in Fashion Entrepreneurship, focusing on Apparel Manufacturing and a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C. in International Business and Finance, Lara Lape started off her career in the Citigroup Corporate and Investment Bank, New York, working as a bond-trading analyst.

She did this for several years before making the move into the creative industry to specialize in interior design – she has not looked back since then. The interior design queen has dominated her newfound career focusing on residential and commercial spaces. She is the co-founder of the PanAfrica Interior Design Summit (PAID Summit), a virtual summit that has brought together over 40 speakers from more than 10 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe, delivering knowledge, and experience in the design field and beyond to hundreds of participants.

Being a multifaceted human, Lara Lape is working on living out her dream of building an apparel manufacturing business, providing mass-production capacity to clothing designers and makers.

As a consequence of this interest, the British Council UK has sponsored her on two occasions to tour and document findings at several different garment-producing factories in India and Sri Lanka. These research expeditions led to her co-authoring ‘The Sourcing Handbook for UK-India Apparel Manufacturing’, a guide and handbook currently available in the British Library.

In addition to serving on the advisory board of the Dorcas Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organisation for children living with cancer, she also serves as the chairperson of Serving with Love Foundation – her most recent project being the Digital Life After School Programme (DLASP) designed to provide free ICT classes for children from low income backgrounds.

It was launched on May 14, 2018 as a well-

furnished ICT lab, teaching 100 students weekly. She’s also an associate of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) of which she served as a panelist at the 2016 annual conference.

Burdened by the unemployment rate of youths in Nigeria, Lara Lape founded Work on Me, a service that works on CV reviewing and interview coaching for free, helping young people have a better chance at getting a job. Since her foray into her childhood passion, she has continued to make waves creating a wow effect for both residential and commercial. How does she get her inspiration? “Sometimes it is really tough, when you’re stressed out or very busy on several projects and another lands, coming up with the ideas can be challenging. Having a good team around you makes sure you don’t lose it. We employ other designers inhouse so we team up to design spaces. I also get inspiration from the clients, when they are talking about what they want, it starts to give me ideas, makes it easier sometimes even. It’s also good to travel often, see what others are doing. Visit studios and stores,” Lara Lape pointed out.

She added: “What many really want is for their home to look like ‘America’ as I like to call it. Not that they want ‘wow’. They just want it to look and feel different – and we do this with the style of furniture, choices in wall finish, light selection, heights of objects in the room and so on.” Her range of clients ranges from the super rich to the low income earners. “We have space for everyone. I have two interior design businesses: CC Interiors and E-terior Spaces. CC Interiors is a full service interior design business: detailed floor plans, construction drawings, full design services everything. E-terior Spaces is an internet-based design service for people that just need a little bit of help sprucing up a section of their home or office.”

Apparel Partners Limited is a new concept on her stable. This is a multimillionnaira business that is associated with countries like China, Vietnam, etc. Does Nigeria have the capacity or ready-made market for that? “Oh yes! Nigeria does have the capacity for it but to be really successful, the government has to play a big role. The reason the Far East are doing well is because of their government’s support. They give them money, land, buildings, tax breaks, and loans. Some of the factories are co-owned by government agencies. There are apparel factories that already exist in Nigeria but it’s a very tough business.”

Recently, she, in collaborations with her partners organised a Pan-Africa Interior Design Summit (PAID Summit), a virtual summit. Throwing more light on the motive she said it was to bring knowledge and education in the subject and also to bring the -industry together. “Many interior designers are self-taught, and very few have formal education in it because as of today, there is no undergraduate degree for it in Nigeria. There are only a few universities in Africa that offer it so to really get that education, one has to travel out. We brought over 40 speakers from over 15 countries to speak about different parts of the industry, including the financial and book keeping aspects, project management, staying

Lara Lape Cameron-Cole

profitable and finding your niche.”

In all of her endeavours, how has her background in finance helped to push these initiatives? “The kind of “finance” you need to run a business is ‘accounting’. I was a fixed income trader. I didn’t do accounting.

Have you seen really successful investment bankers that have poor personal finance habits? It’s something like that. However, it has helped me to stay on the money even if I don’t understand accounting like an accountant would. No one can give me the run around when reading financial documents,” she said.

As a busy mother of two, Lara Lape still finds time to get involved in several non-

government organisations. How does she juggle that with other things? “I just take my NGO work like it’s another business. I also have more help as there are several other executive council members that share the load with me. It’s always easier (on the mind) to run an organisation if profit is not the goal.

That hustle for financial success in life can get very real. My NGO work brings me a different level of satisfaction and I’m happy to work hard at it,” she disclosed.

With everyone going according to her dream, will she ever go back to the corporate world? “I’ll never say never –I might be the one building the corporation,” she responded.

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GLITZ FASHION

Models on the runway of Saudi Arabia’s fashion week

For Saudi ArabiaN Women, It’s Better Late than Never From hosting its first fashion week in April to lifting the ban on women driving last Sunday, Saudi Arabia is gradually changing the role of women, writes Vanessa Obioha

I

n the past couple of months, there have been some landmark changes in Saudi Arabia, the Arab nation famous for its choking laws about women. In April, it held its first Arab fashion week which introduced local and international based designers like Arwa al Banawi to the world. The epochal event which took place at Riyadh nearly didn’t happen as logistics and other mishaps nearly ruined it. But it eventually held to the delight of Saudi Arabian women who have been waiting for historical moments like this for a very long time.

The welcoming change was spearheaded by the 32 year-old Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has been on a rapid mission to modernize his country through his 2030 vision which will eradicate the strict laws and restrictions in the Gulf nation, particularly the ones that affect women.

Compared to other states, women’s rights in Saudi Arabia are very limited. The country was ranked 141 out of 144 countries for gender parity by World Economic Forum’s 2016 Global Gender Gap Report. It was also elected to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for 2018-2022.

A typical patriarchal society backed by religious laws, women who constitute 13% of the country’s native workforce as of 2015, are denied many rights such as mobility, social and economic rights, dress code, education, sex segregation, male guardianship among others. Due to this avalanche of denials, women have been advocating for their rights with little or no victory.

But Salman is changing all of that.

Through its Vision 2030, Salman is supporting small- and medium-size businesses, particularly those owned by women. The establishment of the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) in 2015, which aims to increase the contribution of these companies, which include fashion businesses, in the economy from 500 billion Riyals in 2014 to two trillion

Riyals in 2030 was part of this revolution.

To drive home his point to see women express themselves boldly through fashion, the crown Prince in an interview in March boldly declared that women should be allowed to choose what they wear in public, as long as it was ‘decent’ and ‘respectful’. The proclamation signaled a new wind of change in a society where dress codes for women are very stringent. Traditionally, women’s clothing must not reveal anything about her body. It is supposed to be thick, opaque, and loose. It should not resemble the clothing of men.

However at the female-audience only fashion event, fashion designers from the country and other neighbouring Arab nations displayed creativity on the runway while adhering to the new rules (no social media) that accompanied the event. From sorbethued frothy gowns of Lebanese couturiers like Tony Ward and Naja Saade; avant-garde all-black designs of Kazakhstan’s Bibisara; a capsule collection of sequined abayas by Maison Alexandrine of Brazil; to over-the-top glamour courtesy of Mr. Gaultier.

Perhaps, the most significant change that engulfed the Gulf nation was the lifting of the decades-long driving ban on women last Sunday. The change was announced last September and Saudi Arabia issued the first licences to 10 women last month. For years, women have been campaigning for their rights to drive. In 1990, 47 Saudi women who drove in a motorcade through the city to protest again the ban were all arrested.

Their actions resulted in the country’s highest religious body issuing an edict banning female driving, adding what had been a customary ban to the legal code. Women were left to deprend on the men and taxis to drive them around town.

Despite their arrests, other activists still lend their voices to the cause. Loujain al-Hathloul was detained for 73 days in 2014 after trying to drive from the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia, while Eman al-Nafjan, a well-known blogger, drove

in Riyadh in 2013 as part of a protest that attracted international attention. The two activists alongside 70 year-old Aziza alYousef, who was one of the country’s earliest activists for the right to drive were arrested in May last month in a sweep that analysts say targeted women’s groups. Though the women are yet to be released, there was great

Saudi Arabia fashion week models

jubilation in Jeddah and Riyadh as women celebrated the new dawn, posting videos of them driving their own car on social media.

Saudi women are the only women in the world who have been deprived from driving their own cars. Though it is coming a bit late compared to other countries, it is nevertheless an embracing change for the nation.

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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 ˾ ULY 8, 2018

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Between Ooni of Ife and Adron Homes’ Boss

I Funsho Lawal

Funso Lawal Plans 63rd Birthday Celebration

Anyone who undertakes to compile the list of top corporate players in Nigeria will make a grave error if he or she leaves out the name Otunba Funso Lawal, OON, CON. His inspiring story, it was gathered, started a long time ago.

However, Lawal, over the years, has risen quietly to become a big player in Nigeria’s corporate world with an inspiring resume.

Though his contributions to the nation’s political scene have been acknowledged, the technocrat loathes any loud celebrations.

However, as the Ogbomosho, Osun Stateborn moneybag warms up to celebrate his 63rd birthday on Wednesday, July 11, many have indicated interest to honour him with their presence and prayers at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence.

It will be recalled that his 60th birthday, three years ago, was the talk of town for a long time, as it was celebrated in Lagos, Houston and Bahamas Island.

Lawal, who is also chairman of several companies, obtained both his bachelor and master’s degrees in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison, USA. A first-class engineer, he started his career as a trainee engineer with Tenneco Oil in 1979 and became a Systems Analyst with the Control Data Corporation in Denver Colorado. He later moved to Citibank New York in 1985 as one of the pioneer staff of the bank’s new franchise in Nigeria. He rose to the position of vice president and retired in 1992 to set up a group of companies in the oil and gas, financial services and real estate sectors in Nigeria.

Gerald Azonobo Kicking Old Habits?

Gerald Azonobo, a multimillionaire, used to be a man about town.

In fact, at a time, he could be described as the King of groove, if there was anything like that.

He was Known for driving posh cars, wearing expensive dresses and designer watches. He was even a VIP card-carrying member of many A-list night clubs on Lagos Island. It was also rumoured that club owners could afford to shut some people out of their clubs as long as he was around.

But suddenly, Azonobo’s face became a rarity at his regular hangouts and social events.

This phase, no doubt, gave a lot of his friends a serious concern. While he recoiled into his cocoon, many claimed that Azonobo was broke, while some maintained that he was only trying to kick some old habits.

But one thing was obvious: many night clubs counted their losses with his new found ‘lifestyle’.

Interestingly, Anozobo found back his groove. In other words, just as many were wondering what had really become of the top player in real estate, he made a sudden reappearance.

Almost immediately, he, again, won the admiration of night clubs owners with his usual heavy spending.

But just as many were excited to see his return, the Edo State-born businessman disappeared the way he came, thereby making his fans wonder if all was well with him. At the moment, his sudden disappearance is again fuelling gossip in the social circles.

However, a source revealed that there is nothing wrong with the Meekly Properties boss, but that he has only decided to change his old ways.

n the real estate world, Adron Homes and Properties is a company to beat.

Driving this rapidly growing outfit is young and industrious Dr. Adetola Emmanuel King, who has brought some finesse to the business of estate acquisition.

As part of his expansion strategies, he and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, were said to have recently signed an agreement to acquire some vast expanse of land in some choice areas in the country for the purpose of developing them into modern estates.

However, Society Watch gathered that the alliance between the top players in the nation’s real estate sector goes beyond building properties, as a source revealed that the youthful king who recently separated from his wife, Olori Wuraola, has perfected arrangement to take the Adron boss’ younger sister as the new olori.

“Are you aware that the top property merchant was recently honoured with a chieftaincy title by the revered Oba? I can tell you that the monarch did the Andron boss that honour in appreciation of his gesture towards him. In fact, this is no longer news to those who are close to the palace,” the source said.

If this piece of information is anything to go by, then another wedding plan, a third one for that matter, may be in the offing for the Ooni

EMBER CREEK OWNER, ABBEY FORD’S TRAVAIL Unlike many of his competitors, Abbey Ford, the suave owner of upscale Ember Creek, is a very private dude.

His resort-like hangout located on the waterfront of McGregor Creek in Ikoyi, Lagos boasts a unique outdoor location on the lagoon.

Interestingly, he hit the covers of some soft-sell magazines recently when he opened a new outlet located on the rooftop of Landmark Towers in Oniru, Lagos.

The new hangout named Ember Creek Waterfront, which has a lifestyle restaurant, bar, lounge and gym, is a destination for hosting events.

However, while the new hangout is still generating a buzz, Ford, who is the

Oba Ogunwusi

owner, is swimming in a debt scandal.

In a case before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos, a shareholder of Continental Reinsurance Plc has accused the Managing Director of the company, Dr. Femi Oyetunji, of giving a personal but unsecured loan of N12 million to Ford, his close friend, in 2012 to expand his business. The loan, it was gathered, was allegedly written off.

Since the matter came up, he is said to have been running from pillar to post to avoid being arrested that could tarnish his image.

TONGUES WAG OVER OGUN COMMISSIONER, RONKE SOKEFUN’S STATUS Ronke Sokefun, Ogun State Commissioner for Urban and Physical

Planning, has a lot to thank God for in life.

At 21, she was called to the Nigerian Bar, a concrete evidence of her academic brilliance.

Beautiful and brainy, she started out with M.P. Ohwovoriole & Co. Law Firm and later moved to Ighodalo and Associates. A few years after, she berthed at Oando Plc and rose to become the chief legal officer for four years.

In 2011, she was appointed Special Adviser (Land Matters) to the Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and later became commissioner for agriculture.

However, Society Watch gathered that the beautiful woman has not been lucky with men. Since she left her former husband, Gbenga Sokefun, a

Temitope, Olujowon Obasanjo’s Marital Rift Gets Messier When Temitope Adebutu, daughter of billionaire businessman, Kessignton Adebutu, tied the knot with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Olujonwo, exactly a year ago in a lavish wedding ceremony, nobody envisaged that they would become enemies in just a year.

It is no longer news that a few months after the wedding lovebirds went their separate ways, calling for each other’s head.

Society Watch gathered that the fight has taken a new dimension, as the estranged husband took the wife to court seeking a divorce.

Olujonwo is said to have dragged Temitope before the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission and the Magistrate Court in Lagos Island over allegations of domestic violence against him.

Olujowon, who alleged that Temitope subjected him to repeated acts of domestic violence, added that she also threatened to kill him.

It will be recalled that Olujonwo’s mother, Taiwo Obasanjo, made a fuss about the wedding last year when she went to court to try to stop it.

She had claimed that she received a spiritual warning against her son having a big wedding and that if he wanted to throw an elaborate wedding at all, it must be done after his 34th birthday in June.

Despite her pleas and objection, Olujonwo and Tope, with the full support of their fathers, had a flamboyant wedding in May 2017.

Following the recent development, the Adebutu family has risen in defence of their daughter, accusing their son-in-law of being economical with the truth.

‘Temitope is a gentle lady with proper upbringing. She has never hurt a fly all her life. The man is just looking for a way to tarnish her hard-earned image,’’ a source said.

Reacting to the development, another source described Olujowon as an ingrate

that bit the hands that fed him, adding that “Jonwo Obasanjo must have forgotten to tell the court that he married Tope Adebutu for material gain.

“If Tope was living just a stone’s throw from Baba Obasanjo’s apartment at the Hilltop mansion, then, how could she have assaulted her husband without his father getting to know?

“Aside from the fact that Jowon didn’t have enough money to maintain his home and wife, the marriage suffered constant interferences from his mum, Taiwo Obasanjo, who didn’t like her son’s choice of wife.

“At some point in the marriage, after he had abandoned his home, he sent a separation letter to his estranged wife, asking for a separation and promising that they remain friends.”

It’s also revealed that Temitope’s mother, Rose Adebutu has vowed that she would crush her daughter’s mother in-law if she didn’t let her daughter have peace.

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SOCIETY WATCH

Dimeji Bankole’s Castle in the Air

F

Ford

Sokefun

former co-founder of Question Mark Entertainment and elder brother to celebrity photographer, TY Bello, she has not been romantically linked to any man.

Even when the former husband later married his new wife, Mosun, many thought that the former Oando top shot would also follow suit. But years after, she has yet to be hit by the Cupid arrow, thereby fuelling speculations that she may be enjoying her single status.

credit or reverse the wrongful debt on Petrocam’s account maintained with the bank for the funding of the letter of credit totaling N6, 704,918,533.71.

However, while the case was still pending, Union Bank allegedly filed another case before the Federal High Court in Lagos against the company and its managing director, claiming the sum of N10, 062,643,928.72.

The bank, thereafter, secured an order of the court freezing all the accounts of the company in all commercial banks.

Apart from the application seeking to discharge the order, there was also a letter to the acting chief judge of the Federal High Court seeking his PETROCAM BOSS, PATRICK ILO, intervention in securing an early date for UNION BANK’S WAR RAGES ON the hearing of the matter.

The last may not have been heard At the last adjourned date on May about the ongoing legal tussle between Petrocam Trading Nigeria Limited’s boss, 4, 2018, counsel to the bank did not Patrick Ilo and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. appear in court, but wrote that he had travelled to England for his 60th birthday It was gathered that Petrocam has filed an application before Justice Rilwan celebrations.

When the case was mentioned, Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, counsel to in Lagos, seeking the transfer of the case the defendants, told the court that the file to the Chief Judge of the court for reapplication had been filed for the judge assignment to another judge of the court to hand off from the matter or transfer in the Lagos Division.

In the application, Petrocam cited loss the case file to the chief judge for reof confidence in the court in determining assignment.

However, in his response, counsel to the matter without any form of bias.

Union Bank, Ajibola Aribisala, SAN, told Ilo and Petrocam Trading, South the court that he was still within time to Africa had earlier dragged bank before respond. a Lagos High Court to direct the bank to

SOLOMON OLAMILEKAN ADEOLA’S AWFUL ENCOUNTER Until now, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, otherwise known as Yayi, had been tipped to slug it out with some other candidates to succeed the incumbent governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun in 2019.

A deep pocket, Adeola is an incurable dreamer. And luckily, most of his dreams have come true, as evidenced by his current position. ‘’He knows that there are many hurdles to cross and the odds against him are literally mountainous. But like many others that he has crossed in the past, he was determined this around too. But we gathered that the tasks have proven too much beyond expectations for him to cross and the senator currently representing Lagos West Senatorial District at the Upper

Chamber has chickened out of the race, even though a lot of money had gone down the drain,’’ a source said.

Consequently, he is now back in Lagos fighting to retain his seat as Senator representing Lagos West.

It was gathered that Yayi’s sudden U-turn was the result of political alliance among his major backers: former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and his godfather, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Amosun, who had earlier vowed that the Lagos senator would never realize his ambition of governing the state while he is alive.

Adeola

or some inexplicable reason, Dimeji Sabur Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has suddenly become the anvil of criticisms in the political circle.

The reason may not be unconnected with the ambition of the Ogun Stateborn politician to become the number one citizen of the state.

A source revealed that the exspeaker might go broke soon, especially with the way he is allegedly throwing money around like a drunken sailor in the pursuit of his ambition.

“It seems that Bankole is yet to understand the fact that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with in the political circle of Ogun State. He is allowing his desperation to blind him.

Besides, he is presently a paperweight in the political circle of the state. The Action Democratic Party, ADP, on which he wants to contest for governor, is unknown in the state.

“Anyway, maybe he is being deceived by his hangers-on or being led by his over-bloated ego,” the source said.

The soft-spoken politician was once a heavyweight in the nation’s political scene. Quite a lucky young man, he was made the speaker of the Lower Chamber at the young age of 37, following the removal of Patricia Etteh over an alleged financial misconduct.

He, however, suffered a political misfortune in 2011 when he failed to make it back to the House. Since then, he has been trying to seek relevance

Bankole

RETRACTION

Temitope and Olujowon Obasanjo

In our story titled “ Continental Re-insurance MD, Femi Oyetunji, In Trouble” published in the Sunday, July 1, 2018 edition of our newspaper, we did not set out to embarrass Dr. Femi Oyetunji in any way. Also, contrary to the impression that may have been created, the publication was not intended to “prejudice the pending court proceedings or subject him , friends or relations to mental or psychological trauma. We hereby apologise for any trouble that the publication may have caused the gentleman and also retract the story.

– Editor

JULY 8, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

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High Life

WITH LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

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

Clash Of The Titans… Who Will Settle Tinubu, Ambode Fued?

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overnor Akinwumi Ambode has the gift of presence.

When he walks into a room, people sit up, straighten their ties, hold their breath in anticipation. And he dazzles them with his graceful command. He enjoys the bequest of performance too, which often translates to rare excellence. The moment he set foot in the State House of the coastal city of Lagos, as Executive Governor and number one citizen of the state, Governor Ambode imbued his office with unprecedented nobility and passion for excellence. This perhaps explains the palpable storm of accomplishments coursing through the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, and every sphere of governance in the coastal city. However, as it was in 2010 when the godfather of Lagos politics, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was hellbent on ditching the then Governor of Lagos and his immediate successor, Babatunde Fashola, for another candidate in the run-up to 2011 governorship election before voices of reason prevailed, so it seems to be again in Lagos as the nation inches closer to 2019 general elections. As things stand, in spite of his excellent leadership and sterling

Tinubu

Akinwunmi Ambode

delivery of governance across the length and breadth of Lagos State, the incumbent Governor, Ambode, might need to find a common ground with his political benefactor or choose to look elsewhere for supports if he intends to successfully seek a second term in 2019; as the rumour that Asiwaju is not well disposed to Ambode’s re-election bid is gaining momentum at the passing of each day. There

are reliable hints that the once blossoming relationship between Asiwaju and Ambode is heading towards the rocks; and unless some leaders of Lagos political and cultural establishments step in to stem the tide, the silent feud may soon snowball into a serious issue of great concern. While the root cause of the festering disaffection remains shrouded, sources privy to things between the due have

expressed their concerns that Asiwaju is done with Ambode as far as the governorship election in Lagos State is concerned. It is reportedly gathered that Asiwaju, whose knack for head-hunting for first-rate performer is legendary, has narrowed his choice to two public sector experts of proven integrity. Like reason prevailed between Asiwaju and Lagos erstwhile governor, Fashola, it is hoped that reason would also prevail between Asiwaju and Ambode whose growing popularity among Lagosians should be leveraged rather than discarded as 2019 fast approaches. Indications that Governor Ambode’s might be having formidable forces to contend with emerged several weeks ago when Fouad Oki, an ambitious but now estranged loyalist of Tinubu, went to town with the allegation that some of Tinubu’s men were plotting to scuttle Ambode’s second term bid. Oki publicly revealed that Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who is a diehard Tinubu disciple, and a Lagos lawmaker, Bayo Oshinowo, popularly known as Pepper in the Lagos political circle, had shared the idea of dumping Ambode with him. Oki further challenged them to deny their plan, that he was ready to confront them with the truth.

Timi Dakolo

Nike Animashaun

Ibrahim Yar’Adua

innocence when in their teenage years... forever leaving a deep dent in the soul… man of which God?” Curiously, however, those who are in the know learn to contain whatever outrage and discontent they may feel; ultimately, they keep shut simply because it is not in their place nor is it their obligation to call out the fraudulence of their esteemed “man of God.” These Nigerian clerics frequently affirm renowned poet, Alfred Tennyson’s ageless witticism about the curate who outrageously looms fatter than his cure.

to all and sundry perhaps until she got into trouble with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Now, Nike, the beauty whose extraordinariness made you forget her limitations, is back on the grind. While in service, the flamboyant socialite and former Permanent Secretary of Lagos State’s Ministry of Science and Technology strutted about like a bride to a tyrant emperor, brandishing her capacity for graft and vulgar lust for material possessions, to the delight of like minds and consternation of conscientious peer and underlings. Then came Governor Akinwumi Ambode, wielding his spunk and contempt for graft like a surgical blade; Ambode discovered Nike’s complicity in a N5billion shady contract and proceeded

to sack her. No sooner did he sack her than she was compensated with a lucrative job as Company Secretary of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The 50-year -old who is notable for her boorishness and inordinate lust for expensive dresses, bags, jewelry and shoes, Whenever she visited her office, she appeared overdressed, like one who is desperate to impress and oppress her colleagues at work. Although she eventually got sacked, contemporaries and underlings of the former permanent secretary were stupefied by the softlanding accorded her. It will be recalled

PREACHERS BY DAY, PANT CHASERS AT NIGHT… HOW TOP ARTISTE, TIMI DAKOLO EXPOSED ABUJA PASTOR When they speak, their words leap from their lips to meld with the spiritual halo around their frame to entice all and sundry; then there is the saintly scent that wafts from their cloths which complements their dandy dress sense and often exaggerates sophistication. They are in truth, self-professed prophets of God with eternal love for the world.

To these dandy pastors, every adherent becomes quarry to be preyed upon; the ladies in particular. But most members of the congregation are ignorant about the scandal they perpetrate right under their nose. Christendom is rife with stories about lecherous pastors; false shepherds with unrestrained libido.

Many of them are licentious to the bones; add this to their manipulative and often dictatorial tendencies and you have a perfect picture of contemporary priesthood - Pentecostal priesthood to be precise.

These pastors are more interested in the female segments of their congregations and they leer at them lecherously, like predators salivating for the prey. You couldn’t have forgotten so soon some weeks ago, when popular artiste, Timi Dakolo took on a popular Abuja pastor, “Your Abuja Pastor you people are shouting mentor and praising everywhere should be in jail.

The amount of pain and ruins he has left innocent girls in, forcely taking away their

DONE WITH THE LIGHTS... AFTER THE WEDDING, HAJIA ZAINAB DANGOTE RETREATS FROM THE LIMELIGHT ˾ Òã ÝÒÏ ÝÒßØÝ ÝÙÍÓÏÞã ÏàÏØÞÝ Yes, she is not a nameless column with a buried base. But having embraced simplicity like the fabled gasp of survival, Hajia Zainab Dangote, assumes the life of a mushroom on which the dew of heaven drops now and then. While hasn’t been really visible on the social radar since her separation from her husband, during the wedding of her daughter, Fatima, to Jamil Abubakar, many a socialite thought Zainab was eventually out of her cocoon and has come to stay. They

NIKE ANIMASHAUN RETURNS…

r How presidency ratified her appointment after she was sacked at Lagos State ministry Nike Animashaun was enchanting

strongly believed she would use the wedding ceremony to launch herself into the high society with a bang. But how wrong were they! It was just for a fleeting moment. Yes, before the high-octane wedding ceremonies, Zainab lived a very simple life. Unlike most rich, privileged high society wives, she painstakingly tamed and lessened her mortal fascination with self. She diminished lust for acclaim - despite her exalted status as the mother of Dangote’s children.

But no sooner had she emerged in public glare during the ceremonies, her life of simplicity and diffidence began to fade and give way for the limelight. Her pictures surfaced on the social media, thousands of folk spanning different social divides, engaged in a mad rush

to see the face of the woman that once commanded the love and attention of the billionaire businessman. There is no gainsaying Hajia once made Dangote’s heart quake. It was therefore, a rude shock to friends and family of the Dangotes when Aliko and Hajia went their separate ways. But even in their separation, there are lessons to be learnt; there was no sludge fest. The couple neither wash their dirty linen in public nor played to the gallery by attempting to smear the other in the mainstream or new media. They were civil in separation as they were in matrimony thus offering priceless lessons to peers about the demands and responsibilities of adult engagements like marriage

and its aftermath. After the wedding, Zainab decided to recoil into her shell.

We gathered she balked all the society events she had been invited to after the wedding. Whatever the case, the social space will continue to celebrate Hajia Dangote, for her beauty, humility, and elegance.

STILL ON NPA N7BN HEAD OFFICE IN ABUJA Hadiza Usman is a miracle worker.

Unlike the middling marabou whose miracles are ephemeral and deceptive in nature, she commands faith in her abilities to do exploits in maritime sector.

No doubt, a power is passing from a

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HIGHLIFE

Thunderous Accolades... As French President, Macron, Alliance Francaise Mike Adenuga Centre In Ikoyi ˾ Òã ÖÙÌËÍÙ× ÍÒËÓÜ×ËØ ÏâÍÓÞÏÝ ÞÒÏ ËáÏ ÙÐ ÑÖÙÌËÖ ÖÏËÎÏÜÝ

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hen a man is described as a respected entrepreneur extraordinaire, it is a no-brainer that he does big things quietly and makes bold moves without making a song and a dance of it. That is the way of Dr. Mike Ishola Adenuga Jnr. GCON, CSG, CLH. Spotting goldmine where many see landmines has set him apart from the crowd.

Nigeria, and in fact Africa, is proud of him. A multibillionaire businessman with a clear-cut vision, boundary-shoving commitment to birthing novel and noble ideas and passionate belief in the Nigerian dream, these are the ideals that have kept the chairman of Globacom alive and awake to the power and plausibility of his beliefs. Adenuga is a man perpetually in his element; his strides are blooming into peerless vistas and echoes of his attainments resound across the business and social firmament, like the silky-smooth refrain of a grand opera. His brilliance and lofty skills continually avails him leverage as the mythical magic carpet perfects the flight of the fabled Aladdin.

However, last Wednesday, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, on his second day in Lagos, unveiled the new Alliance Francaise Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi. He also decorated Adenuga with the highest French National honour, Commandeur ordre national de la legion d’honneur(Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour).

Established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. Dr. Adenuga is the only and first ever Nigerian that has so far received the award since inception.

Macron described Adenuga as a true role model for Africa. Macron said the centre was part of the measures to scale up the relationship between France and Nigeria and pledged the commitment of his government and people of France to develop infrastructure in key sectors

Dr. Mike Adenuga and President Emmanuel Macron in Lagos State. Predictably, the edifice has become the major attraction in the highbrow Ikoyi neighbourhood; construction gurus and laymen troop to the site to study it, while many people marvel and take pictures.

Everybody is in agreement concerning the genius that went into the project from inception, hence they continually give kudos to the brains behind the project, Dr. Adenuga, a rare factor on the African continent. An exquisite architectural masterpiece, the centre will offer numerous facilities: a worldclass art gallery, a French restaurant with daily fresh bakery, a state-of-the-art cinema, artists’ studios, an outdoor amphitheatre, a library and e-library, nine fully equipped French language classrooms, translation and interpretation service, Campus France branch, offices and much more. Frequently likened to a champion and oftentimes, a business genius, the Globacom boss effortlessly depicts

the image of a modern day General of Commerce. A statement from Alliance Française expresses appreciation to Dr. Adenuga for his generosity to the French language and cultural institute. “Alliance Française has wished to move back to Ikoyi for many years. This wish has now become a reality due to the generosity of Dr. Mike Adenuga, who committed to build a brand new cultural centre in a pristine location.

Instead of demolishing the beautiful but shanty existing villa, it was decided to keep it and renovate it as a testimony of the architectural heritage of the City of Lagos and to add a magnificent contemporary building beside,” the statement said. Yet, Adenuga remains impressively humble and invulnerable to conceit. This is why he is continually revered and celebrated, among his clan and league of extraordinary men in the world.

that Nike had enjoyed a mercurial rise from the position of Junior Magistrate in the Lagos State judiciary to become a permanent secretary and power broker within Lagos Civil Service Commission, where she was jocularly regarded as ‘Queen of Alausa.’ Outside official quarters, Animashaun lives a less -than -exemplary life. Since her marriage to Bankole Animashaun, a famous Lagos socialite and businessman, hit an iceberg, she has remained single. However, immediately she got the appointment, she retreated into her anonymous cocoon. But here is good news for friends and foes alike; Nike is back again in the social whirl.

She was a cynosure of all eyes at Otunba Niyi Adebayo daughter’s wedding last weekend. She dressed to the nines.

ALL SET FOR LATE PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA SON’S HIGH-OCTANE WEDDING

hearts where fortune melds with acclaim.

Add power to the mix and you have a perfect picture of a union forged on earth, approved by mortals and sanctified by the blessed breath of heaven. As the wedding draws nearer, Yar’Adua’s children are pulling all the stops to make the wedding a party to remember. Interestingly, the social pulse is already quickening and quivering because it is going to be an unprecedented occasion, Ibrahim is a compelling personage on the social plinth, a fashion buff by orientation and inclination. He is also popular among those who pull the social strings. Always dapper and genial, the diehard fun freak dude lives unobtrusively in his colourful world. In Yar’Adua’s household at the moment, there is indeed a potpourri of jollity and gaiety.

fine mortal to the maritime industry’s winded abyss; it is sunny and infectious, like its patron’s catching persona and svelte smile. Pundits would call it the efflorescence of mind over matter but industry titans understand it as an end to new ports authority boss, Hadiza Usman’s brilliant exertions.

By the time the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) completes its N7billion head office in Abuja, Selma Lagerlof, would turn in her grave. For the first time ever, the late Swedish writer and Nobel laureate may have cause to eat up her own words, and accept that women can actually do great feats that have permanence. Contrary to her notions in respect of the latter, Usman is pulling all

the stops to institutionalise the greatest monuments for Nigeria’s sake. Soon after she revolutionised maritime industry and the ports authority by her visionary leadership, she is set to record another remarkable fillip to NPA operations, by erecting a N7billion head office in Abuja.

Predictably, a lot of contractors have begun to jostle for the job; the biggest names in the industry have tossed their hats in the ring in desperate bid to clinch the challenging but highly lucrative contract.

The level of desperation of interested parties has attained worrisome proportions as they aren’t sparing Hadiza a moment’s rest. They have been crowding the porch and office

The feast of the rich are never for the faint-hearted; glamour and lyre, pageantry and cut stones are simply flashes of the cache unapologetically put on display;.

There is always more treasure to be showcased, more pleasure to be had.

Thus, high society awaits with bated breath, the grand wedding ceremony of Ibrahim, son of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who will get married to Saratu Sodangi, in few days. Ibrahim graduated from Brunei University London with a degree in Law in 2016. His beautiful bride-to-be is a lawyer. The wedding ceremonies begin on July 26, in Kaduna State. The couple-to-be have entwined their

Sweet Oil Deals!

How fuel allocations are diverted to EHow fuel allocations are diverted to Emirs’ sons, ministers’ friends and military officers’ in-laws The anti-corruption war is overrated. Ask oil marketers. The seeds of morality and patriotic service allegedly planted by President Muhammadu Buhari wilted in that very moment he sowed them in Nigeria’s fertile mounds. Contrary to speculations that corrupt oil deals and other shady machinations will become a thing of the past under the watchful eyes of Buhari, dishonesty thrives and gallops through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Oil marketers revealed that some senior executives of the NNPC allegedly connive with subordinates and prominent people in the ruling party to divert oil allocations to family and friends of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and even allies in the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Findings revealed that rather than sell oil to oil marketers directly, NNPC staff divert oil allocations to cronies and relatives of Nigeria’s ruling class and afterwards, compel oil marketers to purchase the oil allocations from them at ridiculously high prices, which makes it impossible for the marketers to make profit from sales. According to a major oil marketer who owns major depots and filling stations across the south-west and southsouth regions, NNPC staff give oil allocations to either an Emir’s son, a retired military general’s in-law or the girlfriend of a minister. Then they force oil marketers to buy the allocations from them claiming it is the only way they can get oil allocations.

Sometimes, they tell the marketers that an Emir’s wife is sick and he needs money to finance her surgery in India. Other times, they may tell oil marketers that they must buy the allocations from a military officer’s in-law or a minister’s girlfriend who supposedly needs the money urgently to settle some crucial bills.

The story changes on few occasions and they tell the marketers that a governor’s son is getting married and they will have to purchase oil allocations from the intending groom or his mother.

Whatever the situation, the oil marketers are often forced to buy oil allocations from the middlemen who sell the allocations at outrageous prices. Sad!

lounge of the NPA boss, ever since the proposed NPA project became public knowledge. There is no gainsaying Hadiza Usman improves the lot of the NPA by her commitment to excellence and superior management skills. Many of her subordinates argue that if she had been born a man, she would have conquered industry and surpassed the attainments of giants among men. A Master’s degree holder in Development Studies from the University of Leeds, Hadiza’s background and experience in policy research and public sector reforms has been instrumental in terminating systemic corruption and repositioning Cont’d on pg. 66

Zainab Dangote

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HIGHLIFE a moribund NPA for excellence in performance and delivery of quality services within 9 months.

Hadiza, who is also a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, has indeed committed to opening an anti-corruption office in the NPA in line with a report submitted by Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices Commission on the corruption index in ports administration.

CELEBRITY SLUG-FEST! ON KEMI NELSON AND JUMOKE OKOYA-THOMAS’ ‘CHICKENFIGHT’ ˾ ÒÙ ÌÖÓØÕÝ ʨÜÝÞˣ According to Cosmus, Duke of Florence, “We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends.” The late Duke of Florence’s reasoning perhaps fuels the raging acrimony between Kemi Nelson, a former commissioner in Lagos and her former friend, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas. For duo pals, friendship has gone awry. They would rather wade through a lake of boiling steel than cross each other’s path. It is no secret that their animosity is worsening by the day. The bitter feud raging between them has evoked a series of questionable rhetoric.

Could their quarrel be attributed to petty rivalry or high-priced ego? No tangible answers have been found to these salient questions even by the closest friends and confidants of the women. Nonetheless, concerted efforts are being made within their inner circle of friends to resolve the crisis that has polarised the two friends. But wait a minute, according to a news report, Nelson is now the Women Leader of the South West Zone of the All Progressives Congress. The development comes after supporters of the former House of Representatives member, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas widely hailed her for knocking out Nelson from her immediate past position of the Women Leader of the Lagos State chapter of the APC. A recent shake-up within the Lagos APC saw Nelson lose her claim to fame in the party to Okoya Thomas.

Nelson also went on to suffer a double heartbreak with the rejection of her choice of Jumoke’s deputy. Interestingly, nobody keeps appointment with fate, Kemi is now Jumoke’s boss at the national level. That may be exactly what is causing friction between them. Who knows!

ECHOES OF A BEFITTING FUNERAL… ˾ ÒÏ ÑÜËØÎ ËÝÍÏØÝÓÙØ ÙÐ ßØÎÏ ËÕËÜÏ˪Ý ×ÙÞÒÏÜ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ËʰÏÜÖÓÐÏ Last week, Abeokuta literally stood still as the crème of Nigeria’s high society thronged its rustic neighbourhoods to attend the grand ascension of Pastor Tunde Bakare’s mother to the afterlife.

Expectedly, it was a star-studded event.

Some of the rich men and women in Nigeria trooped out to pay their last respects to Madam Abigail Efebudola Bakare. The people of Abeokuta woke up to witness the grand procession of Madam Bakare’s funeral. But Mama did not. There is no gainsaying she

of songs was followed the next day by the church service at the same venue, and was officiated by notable gospel preachers including Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Rev Wilson Badejo and Rev Yomi Kasali. At the church service, which saw the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel, Rev Wilson Badejo, praying wholeheartedly for the family of the deceased, the choir held the worshippers spellbound as they dished out songs to the dancing pleasure of all present. Abeokuta silently mourned as the nation’s dignitaries thronged its beautiful innards to pay tribute to the beloved mother of one of their own. The quiet amplified the sounds of the cortège

DEATH BE NOT PROUD...HALIMA FERNANDEZ IS BACK IN THE SOCIAL WHIRL Death is never endearing. It is never splendid or replete with bliss. Thus everywhere it visits, it devastates, like the brute end of a bloody saber. At its intrusion in the world of Halima, widow of the late Dehinde Fernandez, it flipped the ravishing lady inside out and rendered her a pathetic husk of her former vibrant self. It brought her interminable pain and heartache but as you read, Halima has rediscovered her path to hope and vivacity. She has dragged through the deepest cycles of grief. Clawing through desolateness and pain, she has emerged stronger and radiant like the proverbial parson who has made peace with her grief, after a lifetime of hurt. As you read, brilliant spokes of bliss and innate peace beam from Halima, like the incandescent shine that bleeds through the clouds and bathes the night in a promising dawn.

The popular socialite has decided to make the best of what life has thrown her way.

Hence her bright smiles are back and her optimistic and infectious personality revitalised after a long spell of gloom.

Indeed, no one wishes to be buried with the corpse of a loved one, no matter how deeply they were in love with each other.

At the end, after the crying and mourning is over, everybody moves on; like Halima has moved on. Having mourned her late husband for a while, the beautiful socialite is back on the grind and she doesn’t look like she will lose steam or quit anytime soon. But she recently reemerged on the social media with update of a beautiful picture on her social media

Star-Studded! When Niyi Adebayo’s Daughter, Morenikeji, Marries Oladele Agbe-Davies In Lagos

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ike medieval deities meeting in Elysium to perform the commencement of creation, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Bukola Saraki and some other top businessmen converged last Thursday for Otunba Niyi Adebayo’s daughter, Morenikeji’s wedding ceremony at the popular Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. For the first dance, the groom stared into the eyes of his bride as if he meant to rediscover a familiar treasure trove. Dele stared into Morenikeji’s eyes wondering how many wonders subsist in the two shiny orbs and windows into her soul.

It was a charming, corny, over-the-top moment at an event most noteworthy, perhaps, for how it drew the top socialites and politicians to celebrate with the new couple. Dele looked like he would mesh with Morenikeji. She looked even more ready to interlock with him in body, mind, spirit and soul. The couple filled up each other’s glances with muted affectation of undying love. At the ceremony, treasures and wonders were much in evidence. As the darkhaired bride, floated down the aisle in splendid silk, the groom eagerly awaited her arrival, standing on his pew to get a bird’s-eye view of his ravishing bride. She looked every bit a princess. From the start to finish, scores of

Morenikeji and Oladele Agbe-Davies

was the queen of the Bakare clan and a doting mother to her children, a title no monarch could claim. Madam Efebudola loved her children very deeply and was prepared to sacrifice her happiness for theirs. The burial obsequies had started with a service of songs which took place at The cultural centre, kuto Abeokuta, Ogun State with notable dignitaries such as former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor of Kaduna State Nasir elrufa, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Mr Wale Babalakin, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Pastor and Mrs Chinedu Ezekwesili, Mr Dapo Adelegan, Otunba Gbenga Daniel among others in attendance. The service

How Unity Bank Chairman, Aminu Babangida, Married To Bachelorhood “Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?”

Groucho Marx, U.S. comedian and film actor, raised the puzzling question in a fit of profound introspection. Aminu Babangida, the youngest son of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida and Chairman of Unity Bank, is probably wrought of a similar disposition. That he is an abundantly blessed dude whose profile has been on the rise in recent times is no secret. But that he seems to have chosen a life of perpetual bachelorhood is a persistent cause for worry by his family, friends and business associates.

He is endowed with everything that could make any young woman fall head over heels in love with him. Yet despite his undeniable

guests indulged in bedazzled documentation.

Not a few dignitaries in the consummately wired crowd were pleasantly enthralled by the very well-heeled couple’s ingenious way of declaring their undying love for each other and cementing it in holy union—albeit with enormous helpings of fairy tales, expensive perks and elan. The couple began their journey to matrimony at the prestigious Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina Lagos and was well attended by friends and family. Thereafter, the church service came to an end and guests moved to the well decorated reception which was held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. King Sunny Ade thrilled guests with his beautiful music and also other music performances by DJ Exclusive, Bez and Tiwa Savage who spared no effort in giving the audience the best of entertainment. The wedding reception had in attendance the creme de la creme of the society in Nigeria such as the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Chief James Ibori, Senator Ben Bruce, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola and Dr. Tony Elumelu.

as it set out to Mama’s final resting place: the rumble of wheels on tarmac, the click of shoe heels on concrete and the soft thud on mother earth tolled at listless intervals.

Her final ceremonial progression through the streets of Abeokuta, Ogun State, raised treasurable memories of her life among family, friends and even close neighbours.

The recollections bespeak the misery of a watching world that fell in love with the beautiful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Even her coffin captured this mixture of the traditional and the personal. It was draped with the royal standard; on top of that rested a spray of white lilies, Madam Bakare’s favorite flower. The deceased would definitely turn in her grave for the honour and unrivalled show of love that her beloved son attracted for her sake. It was like a state event; there were in attendance, a presidential delegation, members of the National Assembly, numerous state governors and prominent moguls of the business community.

In attendance at the glamorous event were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogun state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and wife, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Ogun state Chief of Staff, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Mr. Segun Awolowo, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

appeal, he seems to be beating a perpetual retreat from the aisle, to the consternation of his family and friends. This, we learnt, might not be unconnected to his elitist disposition, which tends to overwhelm many ladies and make some quibble even as they ironically crave for his undivided love and attention. At over 40, Aminu is well-heeled and sociable; the dark-hued dude has many ladies skulking for his attention. And he never denies them anything from the abundance of his material and more importantly, physical endowments. Now, his friends are seriously putting him under pressure to settle down, after all, age is not on his side anymore and all his younger ones are married.

Leadway Assurance Boss, Oye Hassan Odukale Hosts Colourful Wedding For Daughter In Spain The idyllic city of Barcelona, Spain, once again opened its bowels to the crème of Nigerian society some weeks ago. It was the wedding between Salewa Hassan-Odukale and Nonso Osakwe. Yes, Oye Odukale made available his vast wealth and contacts to make his daughter’s journey into matrimony a worthwhile, classy and beautiful experience. 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 result was a perfect fairy-tale scene. In the midst of splendour rarely seen in that part of the world, the bells pealed, crowds cheered, the expensive flowers that ornamented the venue bloomed like it was in its habitat at winter, even the sun put in a timely appearance to felicitate with the couple. Oye alongside his wife, was a study in sheer happiness that day. He had spared no expense to gift his daughter a befitting wedding.

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

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08.07.2018

MACRON'S DATE WITH THE LAGOS CULTURE SCENE President Macron arriving the Shrine in the company of Governor Ambode

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\MACRON'S SHRINE VISIT

President Macron, Governor Ambode; Grammy award-winning musician, Angelique Kidjo; Mr. Kidjo Planning and Femi Kuti

MACRON'SDATEWITHTHELAGOSCULTURESCENE French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the New Afrika Shrine as a gesture of camaraderie and goodwill has been given the thumbs up by Lagos culture aficionados vultures, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

N

ice one, Mr Macron! Sure thing: that visit to the New Afrika Shrine visit was a deft move. With that the French President Emmanuel Macron won over the hearts of the easyto-please Lagos youths!

Talking about that Tuesday evening’s visit – so far, the first and only by any president – it also unarguably made him the event’s main headliner.

Wasn’t it indeed really all about him?

For not even the fact that the programme featured such main acts as Femi Kuti, Yemi Alade and, curiously, the Cameroonian Charlotte Dipanda, among others, could have altered the massive turnout of local culture vultures. Nor does it matter that the venue was teeming with industry’s leading lights.

A quick trip down memory lane. Femi Kuti’s late Afro-beat legend dad, Fela, once used to preside over the predecessor of this Shrine – then sited in the termite-dense commercial part of the Ikeja neighbourhood – as the self-styled president. Perhaps, it was in Ambode (middle), with President Macron (left) Nigerian music act, Banky W (right) and this context that hailing Mr Macron’s visit, as Master Kareem Olamilekan with a portrait drawing of Mr Macron the first by “a real president”, was meant to be understood.

Clad in white shirtsleeves, the youthful president exuded French president, who affirmed that “a lot of [his] friends are bonhomie and charisma, as he swept into the venue, which here.” Discovering Nigeria led to the discovery of Lagos, which has evolved into one of the most iconic pleasure haunts in in turn led to the discovery of the Shrine. “This place is an iconic Lagos. This was in the company of his host the Lagos State place and it is a place where the best of music is given. I have Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and a retinue of other to say my main memories about this place are friends, proud dignitaries. people, proud of their culture, proud of their art and music.”

“I’m very happy to be here with you tonight,” said the Africa and Europe, especially France, he canvassed, need to august visitor of the venue, which still holds fond memories build a new commonality. According to him, “this new commonfor him, as he addressed the cheering crowd in English. ality is not based on what is important for Europeans but what Mr Macron, who arrived Nigeria earlier that day, disclosed is important for Africa, about their culture, how they build their that he was no stranger to the Afrika Shrine. According to culture and promote the culture and which places are important him, he first visited in 2002 while he worked as a 23-year-old for them about their culture. Being here, I do recognise their intern at his country’s embassy in Abuja. In his tweet on culture and respect their views. This place is important for Africa Wednesday, July 4, he enthused: “This is African energy. The and their culture and that is why I am here.” one I discovered here in Lagos when I was 23. The one I am Talking about culture, the event – co-organised by Ecobank glad to see is still thriving several years later. The one I hope and Trace International – was tagged “Celebration and African many Europeans will get to know. The one that is far from the Culture”. Its master of ceremony was the well-known Nigerian African prejudice of misery. singer, rapper and actor, Olubankole Wellington (a. k. a. Banky “The Shrine is an iconic cultural hub. And I say with a lot of W). His efforts were complemented by those of a Nigerian host, humility that I recognise the importance of African culture.”

Keturah King, who has anchored a variety of programmes for His open-minded embrace of this uniquely vibrant African Arise TV. It was indeed the latter that anchored the segment environment certainly endeared him to the audience and dubbed “Conversation with the President of France Emmanuel seems to corroborate the fact that he holds “a very different Macron”. view of Africa than a lot of other people in Europe.”

Mr Macron also disclosed his plans to host the African Cultural Back then, Nigeria was a discovery for the 39-year-old Season 2020 in France, an event he said would promote African

culture in Europe and would be for Africans by African artistes.

It is hoped that the proposed event, which will feature African fashion, movies and new generation artistes, among others, will acquaint the Europeans and the French in particular with the real African culture.

“The event will be financed by African leaders,” he said. “It will not be sponsored by France or European businesses, but by African businesses. It is brand new. This season is a unique one and it will be the new face of Africa in Europe organised by Africans, providing what you like and what you have here.”

Obviously, the French President’s arrival, hours later than expected, unravelled the already cluttered programme. Ditto his previously unscheduled tour of the venue, which for the gushing crowd ratcheted his approval rating up a notch or two.

Hence, it turned out to be a heady variety night of energetic performances, flagged off by the Segun Adefila-mentored youthful dance troupe, Footprints of David. Enter Yemi Alade with her energetic dancers for a series of performances, which blurred into that of Charlotte Dipanda. Shortly after a fashion show, the dream team of Nollywood stars improvised a short skit for the distinguished guest.

Eventually, it all ended with the much-anticipated performance by the chief host of Afrika Shrine, Femi Kuti.

Perhaps, one of the evening’s depressing moments was when the French president was asked why Nollywood films never get to win laurels at the Cannes Film Festival. The question, as embarrassing as it was asinine, exposes the feet of clay of the Lagos bling culture and the astounding superficiality of its many devotees.

Worthy of special mention, though, are the art exhibition segment curated by Tokini Peterside, the celebrated curator of the two-yearold ArtX Lagos and the presentation to Mr Macron of a pencil-drawn portrait of his by 11-year-old Kareem Waris Olamilekan in just two hours. Besides expressing his appreciation to the child prodigy, the French president was given a close-up encounter with the visual artists Ndidi Emefiele, Abraham Oghobase and Victor Ehikhamenor.

The French president’s gesture of camaraderie and goodwill to the Lagos culture community continued the next day with the official unveiling of the new Alliance Française edifice in the upscale Victoria Island neigbourhood.

For the Lagos State Governor, Mr Macron's visit should “go a long way to break [the] barriers between Nigeria and France as well as foster greater collaboration for economic, social and cultural growth.” There was no doubt about the fact that the state government was delighted to host the French President, whom the governor recognises as “a well-respected global leader”.

“We are delighted and honoured to be hosting a president of one of the world’s super powers; a permanent member of the United Nation’s Security Council with veto rights, a prominent member of the G8 and the World Trade Organisation and a champion of Global Climate Change,” the governor said.

Of course, the fact that the visit began on a cultural note thrilled the governor, who described the Alliance Française in the state as "an asset to its cultural landscape in the same way that Trace Television had also become an invaluable addition to its music and entertainment sphere."

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Y 8, 2018

ARTS & REVIEW\\SPOKEN WORD

THERE IS ONLY ONE FUNSHO OGUNDIPE!

Michael Jimoh

T

here are those for whom striving to become famous is almost anathema. In both their private and professional lives, they eschew popularity because of the very thing it stands for. Not for them the earned or undeserved public adulation for any accomplishment. They prefer to stay out of the limelight, carry on with their work assiduously like a computer and quietly like a Hoover.

To this class of non-strivers for fame, distinct from ambitionless folk, belongs Funsho Ogundipe, whose pedigree alone entitles him to as much recognition accorded some famous families today in Nigeria.

The first time my path crossed with Funsho’s was sometime late last year in an out-of-the-way close somewhere in the heart of Ikeja. We acknowledged each other with direct eye contact and a casual tilt of the head, the way new acquaintances react in a relationship that may or may not develop.

Ours did.

One day, I asked if he was an artiste.

“Yes,” he said. It was obvious. There was the hair in locks, the long fingers and unusual sartorial effect. He wore African fabrics, a sort of loose and airy aso-oke worn over custom-made orange trousers. It wasn’t outlandish but different, giving his entire sartorial expression an understated elegance in a purely African way.

We have become closer as time lengthened, talking about this and that most times. Also in abundant supply are the books in his library, books by authors you never heard of, or authors you know but never read except one or two works by them.

Funsho’s library does not quite occupy an entire section of a wall in his room, but the collections are as diverse in titles and authorship as can assuage any bookworm thirsty for knowledge on just about any topic.

His eclectic taste in books, he says, has a long tradition, which he traces to his family.

A family of readers “My parents were teachers,” Funsho told me one Friday evening in his studio-quiet sitting room in a part of the family compound, an imposing clay-painted, storey building on Obokun Close, Ikeja. As any rookie designer knows, clay is the colour of mud and mud is a unique feature of African architecture across the Sahel through the savannah down to some parts of the coastal region.

The sitting room itself is an extension of Funsho’s sartorial bias. Instead of imported rugs, there are mats on the floor, mats for table tops on the dining; there are woven baskets here and there, either as receptacles or as decorative pieces; in place of lace curtains, a dozen printed African fabrics billow like sails as the evening breeze wafts through the open windows.

In his 50s, at 6’ 5” in socks and with a disciplined physique, Funsho has the waistline of an adolescent without the teenage swagger, stepping gingerly around his house with the quiet dignity and unobtrusive confidence you see in the well-born and well-groomed.

The privileges of life, JF Kennedy once quipped, are distributed unevenly at birth.

By virtue of his birth to a banker father who knew influential people in Nigeria, Funsho had more than a fair share of childhood privileges. “I was very fortunate” Funsho says of his years growing up under very protective parents. “And you have to have the grace to accept that. Because of what our parents were doing, you ended up knowing what was going on in town.”

Funsho was only 11, for instance, when he travelled abroad, courtesy his father who wanted him to see the world. This was the late 70s through the early 80s when old Money meant exactly what it was – with a dollop of culture thrown in for good measure.

It was the equivalent of the golden age in Nigeria, unlike now when parvenus of all shades flaunt their wealth gaudily – either to show they have arrived or as status symbol.

The Ogundipes didn’t have to impress anyone. There is a spiritual side to the family which acts as a counter balance to whatever

money tries to offer. A Methodist Ogundipe Senior was singular among the bankers of his time for not having landed assets outside Ikeja and Ilesha. There are no houses in Lekki or London or New York or financial assets in foreign currencies. He had an almost puritanlike aversion to excess and flamboyance and lived as simply as he could.

For Funsho, the most enduring legacy today is the rows and rows of books shelved in the family house at Ikeja.

Funsho himself is not particularly moneyfocused. He comes across as a thoroughgoing Africanist, guided by Ahmadou Hampate Ba’s philosophy that, in the Africa of yore, long before Western civilisation disrupted things, “the most important thing regarding a man was nobility of birth and behaviour.”

On this particular weekend, Funsho is sitting opposite me, wearing a Yellow T-shirt fringed with adire print around his arms and a matching design on the breast pocket, lending an African motif to a Western-style shirt. From a set somewhere, Bembeya Jazz, the great musical group from Guinea, serenades the room with string instruments accompanied by a soloist, reminiscent of the vocal virtuosity of singers like Salif Keita and Habib Koite both of Mali or Youssou Ndou of Senegal.

Now and then, Funsho rises from his seat to

Ogundipe fetch a book or two from his library, on request by me or to support an argument, a learning process he is quite familiar with starting from his own house.

Listening to the muse One thing Funsho also grew up with was music, sort of presaging his future métier, after reading law at the University of Ife (now

Obafemi Awolowo University), working briefly in a law firm (Badejo & Co in Lagos) and a stint in his father’s bank. Along with the books, his father had a collection of LPs, the Obeys, Sunny Ades, Emperor Pick Peters, as well as a sheaf of highlife, jazz, country and classical music.

More influence was still to come by way of a neighbour who lived next door to the family home in Ikeja. As Funsho recalls, the man in question used to play highlife and Igbo classics such as, Oriental Brothers, Osita Osadebey, Celestine Ukwu, etc. “I used to go close to the fence as a young man and listen to all that.”

But the most influence came from none other than Fela Anikulpo-Kuti himself, after he relocated to Ikeja from Jibowu. His first place on Atinuke Olabanji Street was near enough but the next abode on Gbemisola street was just 500 metres away from the Ogundipe household.

In retrospect, the lawyer-turned-banker-turnedmusician saw a “pattern to my introduction to music,” that is, from his father’s collection to the Sunday, Sunday vibes across the fence and now Fela literally next door. On his visits to Afrika Shrine, Funsho noticed that he could hear independently everything that was being played.

––––Jimoh writes from Lagos (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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JUL Ͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\MUSIC

MEDLEY’S SELF-STYLED VIBES

Stories by Yinka Olatunbosun

M

edley, a 20 year-old singer-songwriter, was discovered in 2013 by a serial entrepreneur, Lucky Igbokwe otherwise known as Don Lulu. Before that discovery, Medley was a church boy, playing around with drums, keyboard and several other musical instruments. After completing his secondary school education, he focused on making music a full-time profession.

Unpleasant stories about how record deals fail are everywhere. Still, Medley realises that a new artiste needs guidance and financial support to have a music breakthrough which a record label often offers. More importantly, the artist needs discipline to manage success when it comes. Medley finds such mentor in Don Lulu. The latter has an impressive profile in music business having signed Morachi, Yeka and others on his 2Flame Entertainment label.

Medley’s single, “Last Bus Stop’’ enjoyed good measure of airplay in Nigeria as Medley charges forth with renewed energy to produce more hit songs within the pop and traditional R&B genres. Medley is a young man of few words. At a recent encounter with him, his manager and promoter, he maintained a calm disposition while he allowed others to speak about his works and talent. His new song titled, “Story Don Change” draws upon his personal journey to mainstream music scene and the transformation that came when he signed the music contract with 2Flame Entertainment.

“The song is about gratitude and apprecia-

PHOTOGRAPHY

ASearchfortheNext PhotographyTalent Yinka Olatunbosun

Singer Medley, Lucky Igbokwe aka Don Lulu- Chairman 2Flame Entertainment and Prince Onyekachi tion. It is a testimony. It is my story on how God gave me a life-changing record deal,” Medley explained. For Don Lulu, there are many talents to be nurtured in Nigeria. As a United Nations Mayor for Peace, he understands the connection between human capacity development and poverty eradication.

“The music industry is yet to be tapped,” he said. “There’s no structure yet. I want to position it so that it can have a lot to offer to the world. Most artists are difficult to manage. They usually have a short mileage in the business.

We want to use our artistes to teach others discipline.”

Having worked with Medley for a couple of years, he could say a lot about his temperament and attitude to work. “He is a multi-instrumentalist. He is good and humble and he knows what he is doing,” he added.

Medley’s manager, Prince Onyekachi spoke on the great prospect ahead for the R&B singer.

“We’re going to make him a world class talent. He is exceptional talented and versatile.

I am so excited that 2Flame has given him the platform to express his talent,” he said.

The artist, also referred to as “Oluwamedley” appropriates some elements of culture matched with ingenuity to render most of his songs.

GALLERY

Teaching Young Ones Arts and Culture

A

ngela Ahamisi strikes you like an unassuming businesswoman.

But she is larger than that. On a recent visit to her cultural centre called, “My Nest African Gallery” in Akerele, Surulere, Lagos, a fresh discovery was made on how this trained lawyer found her way into curating culture.

As a young lady, Ahamisi was obsessed with history in secondary school and even proceeded to study it at the University of Benin, Edo State. By the time she got to 300 level, her father made arrangement for her to move to Edo State University, Ekpoma where she studied Law. As the first child of the family, the expectations were high. It was also a period when parents had little or no respect for any course other than medicine, engineer- Ahamisi with some children at a culture class ing, law and accountancy.

Of course, Akerele, in the heart of Surulere, is a Nature has a way of reversing plans. hub of African fabrics and accessories. Hence, Ahamisi graduated and proceeded to the law she started with African fabrics, costumes, school. Later, she worked at several blue-chip souvenirs, food and drinks. She also specialcompanies and then joined the first GSM ized in African themed-interior and wedding company in Nigeria. After ten years, she knew decorations. In time, she found out that most she had to do something else that is fulfilling. of the children who visited the gallery asked a “One morning, we got to work, and 500 of lot of questions about the African culture and us had been laid off. Meanwhile, I had been heritage. toying with the idea of doing this. It was a year “I started the programme by talking first after I started it that I lost my full-time job. We to parents about the need for their children were given letters on a Wednesday and by Thursday, I resumed here and I have been here to know about our culture. Luckily for me, I started with a school from Lekki. The ever since,” she recounted. administrator of the school walked in here and As the creative director of “My Nest African was very excited by what she saw. I told her Gallery’’, Ahamisi studied the needs of her environment before she decided on what to do. about the heritage and culture classes and she

thought that it could be a very good excursion for the children. She brought 30 children here and we showed them what we had.

“We also tell them about people who could motivate them like Chimamanda, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Queen Idia and Queen Amina of Zaria. This is our way of giving back to Nigeria,’’ she said.

Ahamisi also believed that the surge of immigration amongst young Nigerians who seek education abroad makes it imperative to inculcate the moral values embedded in African culture. For having a big target, My Nest African Gallery needs more space. At the moment, the showroom at the gallery doubles as the venue for the heritage classes. More schools are showing interest in this initiative although the classes can be organized in schools when requested.

“I want parents to begin to pay attention to our African values, heritage and culture.

Many youths are losing it. Many of them are on drugs and the perception they have is that it is civilization to get high but the African value does not encourage that. In the African culture, there is a way a lady should walk talk and carry herself in public. There is a way a man attains manhood and carry himself. The churches are doing a lot by impacting values but the schools have their roles to play,’’ she added.

EVENT

Fashola Photographic Foundation is set to reward a fresh talent in photography this year. With the success of its first edition, the Fashola Photographic Foundation has issued another call for entries for its 2018 edition. Established in honour of late Alhaji Ademola Fashola, an avid lover of photography, the foundation aims to support, promote and develop the art and technology of visual arts in Nigeria through photography, cinematography and videography.

The duo of Vivian Nwobi and Kehinde Yusuf emerged as winners last year and enjoyed a month-long training course at the New York Film Academy. The developmental project is curated by Temple Management Company (TMC) in collaboration with Lagos Photo Festival and the African Artists Foundation (AAF).

According to Winifred Okpapi, Arts Manager, TMC, entries for the contest are open to amateur photographers and photography enthusiasts whose submissions will be screened and shortlisted by a team of prominent photographers.

“The annual photo contest is a platform for participants to gain recognition in the region for their artistic and technical achievements.

The theme for this year is ‘What Lies Beneath,’ so we are looking out for pictures documenting human impact on the environment; whether positive or negative,” Okpapi said.

To qualify, all pictures must have been shot in 2017 or 2018 and submissions must reflect or present the theme by using different elements to depict human impact. As part of the run-up to the competition, shortlisted entrants will be invited for a portfolio review to determine the 10 finalists who will attend a week-long workshop intended to groom and elevate the awareness of contemporary photography in Nigeria.

This tuition-free workshop will be facilitated by professional photographers who have volunteered their time and expertise to be a part of this initiative. Facilitators include Uche Okpa Iroha (The Nlele Institute), Olumuyiwa Logor, Uche James Iroha, Adeola Lagunju, Emmanuel Oyeleke, Luqman Olaonipekun and Oyinda Fakeye (Video Art Network Lagos).

POETRY PLATFORM After the Seventh River After the First River Butterflies swarmed at my feet.

They called forth the shadows.

On the long voyage Through terror and darkness Rivergates raised horns upon horns.

Who goes Through the Belt of Skulls Must brave the jaws Of the seven rivers.

River after river, storm After storm, I have clung Onto the amulet of light.

WS Int’l Cultural Exchange Project Marks Soyinka’s 84th Birthday

Through the naked teeth Of a cruel long night

T

Right onto the Seventh River.

he 9th edition of the annual Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Project (WSICE) is set to hold from July 12 till 15 in Abeokuta, Ogun state. This event which was announced by the producers of Open Door Series ProjectWS is one of the cultural traditions to celebrate the birthday of the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.

The theme for this year:s edtion is, “The

Pursuit of Truth in our Country (Truth and the National Psyche)”. According to the Executive Producer, WSICE, the theme is inspired by the Nobel Laureate’s preoccupation with the devastating consequences of lie in our national psyche which extends to global discourses, especially the invention of the term “fake news’’.

The four-day programme will feature the annual essay competition with 84 students writing analyses of three of Wole

Soyinka’s poems in a reality television format at the 1000-seater amphi-theatre situated within the premises of Soyinka’s Autonomous Residency Ijegba (ARI) in the forest of Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

The selected poems will be revealed to the participants in just a few minutes to the commencement of the essay writing exercise.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

After the Seventh River Eagles dance at my feet.

They call my kingdom of songs.

- Obari Gomba – Dr. Gomba teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Port Harcourt

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

President Muhammadu Buhari and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron at the State House, Abuja

Macron: Firing the Next Generation’s Dream The recent visit of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, devoted to influencing a new generation of Nigerians, writes Nseobong Okon-Ekong

C

oming straight from the African Union meeting in Mauritania to Nigeria underscored the importance of last week’s visit to the country by President Emmanuel Macron of France. With a volume of trade between the two friendly countries standing at close to N800 billion, Nigeria is France’s first commercial partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria is surrounded by French-speaking African countries and being the most populous African country with very active and enterprising citizens, who are recording great achievements in all spheres of life, the country has always been fascinating to France.

Apparently, Nigeria takes this strategic position seriously and makes conscious efforts to improve her understanding of French ethos. An example of this is the Nigeria-French Village, which was established in 1991 by the Federal Government of Nigeria as an inter-university centre for French studies. Its sole aim is to provide immersion opportunities for French language learners and enthusiasts.

There has been deliberate return of this favour from France.

For instance, in 2013, AfricaFrance Foundation, an agency meant to encourage the deepening of economic relations and the development of human capital was established. BusinessFrance, a similar platform in the business sphere also opened an office in Lagos a few years ago.

The relationship between both countries extends over

a range of activities including security, human rights and development to business. Though the French aid agency has only been active in Nigeria in the last 10 years, but its activities are expanding rapidly. Thirty-seven per cent of France’s 8.6 billion Euros aid goes to sub-African, making it the top recipient of such funding.

Last year, France invested around 350 million Euros in Nigeria, mostly soft loans to the federal and state governments and the private sector. France is working with Nigeria to improve energy and water infrastructure, provide better transportation, fix rural roads and helping small and medium sized enterprises.

France is the largest host country in the world for foreign students and the first for African students. Every year, over 250,000 foreign students choose France, of which 100,000 are Africans. There are only a few Nigerian students among them.

Considered a leading centre of global culture in Europe with a large number of influential artists and scientists and a good GDP ranking, one of the gains that the visit of President Macron may foster on Nigeria is an increased immediate interest in France from more Nigerian youths and business people. Macron’s measured approach in Nigeria clearly revealed that he sought to make more impact among the youths and the next generation.

Apart from the courtesy of diplomatic engagement with President Muhammadu Buhari, it would seem that his interest was to spend more quality time in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos to engage with the youths and business people. His

choice activities in Lagos were revealing. Macron visited Lagos’ iconic centre of culture, the New Afrika Shrine, bringing the attention of the global media on Nigerian culture through its music, fashion, cinema and visual art.

He was also available at the official unveiling of Alliance Francaise, a French Cultural Centre. He underscored the importance of culture on his agenda by promising to facilitate an African Cultural Season 2020. The next day, he spoke to thousands of Nigerian youths on the prospects of business between the two countries.

His youthful age is likely to inspire Nigerian youths, whom he advised at the Shrine to recognise the importance of politics and to participate in it. Idolising Macron, an increasing number of Nigerian youths are expected to gain more interest in governance and aim for influential public offices.

Challenging Nigerian youths to promote a new narrative on Africa to the global stage, Macron emphasised the urgency of having new thinkers, artists and scientists emerge from Africa.

Hinting at a new method of engagement with Africa from Europe, he said, “This new commonality is not based on what is important for Europeans but what is important for Africa.”

This line of thought was not different when he spoke about insecurity on the continent. He said, “I think the main plan is an African plan and France is not the one to solve or fix African situations. We will intervene and make our presence in Africa and Sahel to fight against terrorism, especially in Mali and in the region. And we will stay as long as it is requested by our friends.”

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Osinbajo’s Defeatist Prayer

A

Osinbajo

t a recent inter-denominational prayer for Nigeria, organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Abuja, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said the government had committed the country to God in prayer, hoping that the results of the prayers would begin to

manifest soon.

Coming at a time the nation is going through one of her most challenging era in nation-building, the vicepresident’s prayer is more defeatist than promising. In fact, it seemed more like the leadership of the country just

surrendered her sovereignty to challenges than confronting them.

Unfortunately, for Osinbajo, who evidently knows better, no nation develops on the basis of mere prayers. Development, for the record, is guaranteed when leadership deploys capacity to work through planning and execution.

In any case, Nigeria has never ceased to pray and what has she achieved from it? Daily piling up crises!

Buhari and Osinbajo should change tactics, buckle up their chin strap and get tougher on the problems that are standing on the way of Nigeria’s progress. Prayer is ever present. Capacity is the problem and does not need prayer.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

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BRIEFINGNOTES What is Good for NFF is Also Good for Dasuki A recent order by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, directing compliance to a Supreme Court Ruling on the NFF crisis presents a clear case of double standards, when a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has been kept in detention for nearly three years despite different court rulings granting him bail. Shola Oyeyipo writes

I

mmediately after a Supreme Court sacked the Amaju Pinnick leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) wrote to the Ministry of Sports, directing compliance. Even though the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is averse to government’s interference by whatever form or shape, which the NFF debacle is being reduced to, the minister still instructed immediate compliance and pronto, the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung did as said.

Government’s argument for its immediate compliance, perhaps, was that it wanted to be known and respected for its obedience to court and this much, President Muhammadu Buhari also alluded to in his statement commending the Supreme Court in a different ruling, which cleared Senate President Bukola Saraki of all corruption charges.

With a rare sense of pride, located only in his confidence in the judiciary, the president held the third arm of government in very high esteem for living up to billings.

But the irony here is that at different times numbering five, various courts, including ECOWAS had granted bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, who is being held since December 2015 for allegedly fleecing money meant for arms, an offence government said was no less a felony.

Unfortunately, Dasuki’s case is the reason many do not take seriously, the statement by President Buhari, which commended the Supreme Court ruling on Saraki or the familiar grandstanding of the government on being law-abiding, because it is often accused of double standards.

It therefore begs the question: what yardstick is being used for the rulings obeyed and the ones disobeyed? Government’s allusion to an independent judiciary is evidently two-faced and sadly, it has not been able to gain from one, what it lost abysmally in another.

Indeed, there is a certain level of illegality that connotes arbitrariness, which the English dictionary describes as an action “based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.”

This, exactly, is where Buhari’s government is Dasuki...counting down considered as operating.

Whatever explanation the federal government ing his human rights shows Buhari does not support illegality and it may have for disobeying court orders and keeping Dasuki in its is the rule of law to disobey court orders to grant him bail!” custody, especially with the lasts one granted by Hon. Justice Ijeoma Human right activist, Nkiruka Nistorian asked President Buhari Ojukwu of Abuja division of the Federal High Court (FHC) was in if he is still “going to disobey court order to release Dasuki?” total breach of the spirit and letters of the constitution of the Federal Lawyer and former National Secretary, Labour Party (LP), Mr. Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended particularly, in (S.1 (1), Chapter Kayode Ajulo canvassed for a court boycott protest among lawyers 1, Part 1), which guarantees the principle of rule of law; that no person as a way to call government to order, failing which he has vowed to or institution (even the president inclusive), is above the law.

The action is also in contravention of the constitutional principle of carry out personally.

“If the executive fails to honour the bail order by Justice Ojukwu division and separation of powers among the executive, the legislative within seven (7) days of fulfillment of the bail condition as stipulated and the judiciary arms of government as contained in sections 4 and by the court, I appeal to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to boycott 7 of the constitution, because by ignoring the court, government was the courts and urge the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) reducing the judiciary in the scheme of things. and Minister of Justice to resign his position in the circumstance.

Accused of spearheading the diversion of $2.1 billion meant for “But let me also put on record without equivocation that should the procurement of arms to combat Boko Haram insurgent, while he the NBA fail to see this threat to democracy and heed my appeal, was the NSA and illegal possession of firearms, Dasuki was arrested I will proceed to boycott the courts and galvanise like minds in in December of 2015 and has since been in detention. But his case has this regard to show that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic, where continued to elicit discontent among a majority of Nigerians. the government can pick and choose which court order to obey or A security analyst and consultant, Don Okereke queries: “Why is disobey.” the Buhari administration ‘afraid’ of Sambo Dasuki?” adding: “Does But the government and security agents holding Dasuki are he know what we don’t know? This is the umpteenth time a court of not alone in the decision to keep the former NSA in captive. Public competent jurisdiction will grant him bail but it seems this regime is opinion analyst, Idyat Omolola Isiaq, maintained that “Anybody bent on keeping him behind bars.” in support of court order to grant Dasuki bail for foreign medical Legal practitioner, Mr. Mathew Ottah, on his part, said: “So, treatment is an enemy of Nigeria.”

Dasuki that has been held incommunicado for three years and violatThe argument is that Dasuki committed treason by sharing

funds meant to tackle Boko Haram, and that any court that grants him bail must have been compromised.

That was similar to the position taken by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who urged a Federal Capital Territory High Court at the onset of the matter that considering the gravity of the charges against Dasuki and other defendants, it was risky to grant them bail.

Arguing that going by nature of the charges against them and the proof of evidence, it would be risky to grant them bail, saying “If they were granted bail, they may not be available to stand trial because the count in the charge attracts 10 years in prison.

The tendency for the accused to jump bail is high.”

There seems to be a kind of confusion on the part of the leadership on the political correctness of retaining Dasuki in captivity and the place of the rule of law in an aspiring free nation. It has been a debate where wellmeaning Nigerians have urged the Nigerian leader to opt for the path of honour by bowing to the decisions of the courts.

This is more so, because when taking his Oath of Office on May 29, 2015, President Buhari said, “The federal executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the constitution.”

Even if the president is committed to the oath, he would not boast to have complied with it in Dasuki’s case. The security agents have flagrantly ignored the court as against his promise.

In fact, Ajulo scored the president low in this regard, because according to him, “Three years down the line, this solemn vow seems to have been kept in the breach as the presidency, the federal executive in Nigeria has obviously disregarded and discountenanced, with impunity, any ruling or judgment of court which appears not to suit its purpose.

“In a country where the rule of law is given any regard at all, adherence to court rulings should not be about an individual’s feelings, whims and caprices, rather deference and absolute obedience to one of the fulcrums of our democracy and maintenance of the sanctity of the courts should be the order of the day.”

While the discussion on whether his detention is lawful or not lingers, the perception of those who feel Buhari is determined to get his own pound of flesh out of the former NSA over the treatments he meted to him when his military administration was toppled by General Ibrahim Babangida persists.

In I985, when Babangida, overthrew Buhari in a military coup, Dasuki put him behind bars at a time the Muslims were celebrating their festival and prevented him from enjoying the public holidays The former NSA went with a team of four policemen, arrested Buhari on August 26, 1985. His government was overthrown by IBB through Dasuki’s help. Dasuki was then made the aide-decamp to Babangida. Buhari was kept in detention for two years and this affected his life in many ways including his first marriage.

While Dasuki is being prosecuted by the Buhari administration over alleged fraud and embezzlement of funds meant for procurement of arms during the last administration, many are of the opinions that there was more to it than meets the eye.

As it stands today, it is not yet uhuru for Dasuki until the court order is fully implemented. And until then, the portrait of justice as painted by the Buhari administration is one of personal interpretation.

NOTES FOR FILE

…And the Killings Continue

IGP Ibrahim Idris

Despite huge public outcry that greeted the recent Plateau State killings, which reportedly claimed over 120 people, the suspected killer herdsmen have not suspended their heinous killing sport on account of taking revenge for rustled cows.

The Nigerian state, as it is, is in a clear state of anomie and the more the dangers stare people in the face, the more the reality of a total security review dawns on the people, unfortunately, not the leadership.

From a complete overhaul of the current security architecture, to embracing the imperative of

multi-level policing and taking seriously the latest threat by Niger Delta militants over the killings of the people, the options before the Muhammadu Buhari government are simple.

To contend that government has poorly handled the crisis so far is stating the obvious. But whilst the palpable ineptitude of the government is a concern, there is the need for a collective intervention of stakeholders, not because of the government but the need to save the country from the precipice. What is certain is that the killings cannot continue, otherwise, there would be consequences.

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Amaechi’s Next Act More than his primary posting as the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi is currently challenged by the intricate politics of 2023, in his assignment to return President Muhammadu Buhari to office in 2019, writes Olawale Olaleye

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here is no debating his role in the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

As early as the beginning of 2013, Amaechi had taken a position that given the state of the nation at the time, the one person needed to defeat then President Goodluck Jonathan as well as commence the process of healing the country was Buhari. Even when others were still considering other candidates and clandestinely instigating them to set the space on fire by showing interest in the presidential bout, Amaechi remained immovable as he deployed his resources to the election and put his all on the line until Buhari emerged victorious.

However, those who know the goings-on in the corridor of power are of the belief that since the party emerged victorious, there has been conscious move to shove Amaechi aside in the Villa. This is because those who are known to call the shots now in the Villa can hardly stand him and everything is said to be done with a view to whittling his influence and strain his relationship with Buhari.

In fact, the reason many believe Buhari has not yielded to the plan or pressure to decimate Amaechi is because he is said to genuinely like the former Rivers State governor and has refused to listen to some of the side talks concocted to undermine him.

Buhari, perhaps, saw the direction of the power game in the Villa and the plot to relegate Amaechi hence he bought into the idea by some of his close associates to return Amaechi as the Director-General of his campaign for the 2019 polls as early as many could hardly relate to. The development was exclusively reported by THISDAY sometime in April, even though it was initially dismissed and the report almost discredited by those opposed to Amaechi, it later turned out to be true.

Unfortunately, for Amaechi, that marked the beginning of another crisis for him in the corridor of power. While the president has remained unperturbed about the ongoing mudslinging, which seeks to have Amaechi dropped as the campaign DG, the power game has intensified especially since after the national convention of the party two weekends ago, which produced a leadership many believed may not be disposed to Amaechi’s choice as the campaign DG. It was therefore not surprising, when last week the news of a simmering crisis in the APC broke out. It was said that some governors in conjunction with a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu as well as some top security officers, who have their eyes on 2023, had begun to gang-up against the Minister of Transportation, principally to replace him as the Director-General of Buhari’s 2019 campaign.

The interestingly thing about the news was that the development, according to the THISDAY report, owed largely to the scheming and positioning ahead of the 2023 presidential run, a development a majority of party members reckoned would cut out the challenge of the new leadership of the APC led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor.

According to the development exclusively reported by THISDAY last week, the plot to displace Amaechi as the Campaign DG had been on long before the national convention but kept under wrap till after the exercise, as some of the actors had waited to see how the convention would eventually pan out.

One of the reasons Amaechi’s is said to being opposed as the Campaign DG job was because many of the APC leaders felt he had a presidential ambition in 2023 and that the platform could put him in a vantage position that would enable him leverage his ambition.

Although some of the northern governors, who ordinarily were Amaechi’s friends, were believed not to be averse to his ambition if established to be true, the problem they were said to have with him was that he had flaunted too much his relationship with El-rufai, a situation being interpreted to mean that the Kaduna governor might be his favourite running mate in the event that he chooses to run in 2023.

This is one major reason Tinubu was said to be against Amaechi as the Campaign DG because he too (Tinubu) had never hidden his interest in the nation’s top job and had taken the step forward to rally potential northern governors by dangling the running mate ticket before them, without showing preference for anyone for now.

It was however understandable that these northern governors considered their chances brighter and open with Tinubu than it could be with Amaechi whom they believed might have settled for El-rufai.

It was in sync with this plot that they conceiving new conditions for potential presidential campaign DG, who according to the new rule, must be a serving governor and must also be the current chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s

Amaechi...a familiar challenge

Forum, which initially narrows the job down to the Zamfara State Governor, Yari Aziz.

But there is a second option which is considering the outgoing Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, who is the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum. The choice of Okorocha is also strategic and deliberate to undermine Amaechi, because until Buhari overturned the Imo APC congresses, Okorocha believed Amaechi was instrumental to the development in his state as he was said to have accused the minister of funding his enemies, amongst whom was Senator Osita Izunazo, who had successfully taken the party structure from him before Buhari ordered a reverse even when the congresses were inconclusive.

The plot to have Amaechi out as campaign DG also corroborates an existing theory about possible camaraderie between the APC and some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governors on the understanding that they would deliver the presidential election and they too would be allowed to return.

This is particularly instructive for Amaechi as the governor of his state, Rivers, Nyesom Wike, is technically the sole owner of PDP and would gladly negotiate his way through the 2019 election at the expense of Amaechi.

However, such an understanding would be difficult to achieve if Amaechi remains the DG of the campaign. Thus, the need to edge him out has become almost sacrosanct for those, who are scheming fast ahead of 2023. Whilst it may be correct to assume that Buhari is not aware of some of the intrigues dotting the development, the assumption is that he created the atmosphere for such politics to thrive. And whilst his knowledge of some of these intrigues is nearly nonexistent, he has refused to let those who know it to play it.

Thus, a short meeting, which reportedly held between Tinubu and Amaechi the other weekend, in Lagos, where the former Lagos governor was said to have asked Amaechi to drop his position as DG confirmed some of the high wire politics ahead of the 2023 election. But, according to the

report, when Amaechi allegedly insisted he would remain the DG, Tinubu then asked him to resign his position as minister if he must cling unto his appointment as Buhari’s campaign DG. Sources said Amaechi immediately reeled off names of political parties’ DGs, who did not resign their former positions as at the time they took the job of DG in previous elections, noting that there was nothing conflicting between the two interests to the best of his knowledge. He was said to have also mentioned at the meeting that the talk about his presidential ambition was the imagination of certain persons in the party, because he had never shared any such information with anyone.

But his own allies in the party were said to have kicked against such openness, when he should have known that Tinubu at all times always has one game or the other up his sleeve, reiterating that the information on where he intended to be or what he’d do in 2023 was too much for such a meeting, more so for someone, who would never believe him.

With the recent breakaway of a faction of the party, the task ahead of the 2019 presidential election becomes more intricate and the need for a collaboration of all interests is also not negotiable.

Unfortunately, whilst those opposed to Amaechi are thinking 2023, Amaechi’s next act is how to successfully deliver Buhari in 2019, a task some of the recent developments have made nearly impossible. But the first step is to keep the distractions already heaped in his way low and come together as a body to fight an already menacing opposition.

To say the APC and Buhari would find the 2019 election more challenging than their 2015 experience is saying the obvious. With lack of unity, gapping mistrust and individual disillusionment, APC is fast becoming a shadow of itself. Yet, the choice of what happens next is entirely theirs and how they are able to manage their obvious artificial misadventures.

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Adedibu...never to be forgotten

Is Ekiti the Bellwether to 2019?

From all indications, Ekiti State appears ready for Saturday’s governorship election, writes Victor Ogunje

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ix days from today, the people of Ekiti State will again file out to elect who will decide their collective destiny for the next four years, at the governorship level. The game so far has been intriguing and a lot of dingdongs are being raised among political camps and gladiators and the resonating effects are making the political landscape quake as these actors play their chess games to outwit one another.

Generally, 35 political parties will be fielding candidates for this election, but realistically, the battle is chiefly between the two dominant parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Candidates of other parties like Dr. Sikiru Lawal of the Labour Party, Mr. Bisi Omoyeni of the Mega Party of Nigeria and Surveyor Biodun Aluko of the Accord Party are former deputy governors with admirers and sympathisers across party divides. The dominance of the PDP and the APC notwithstanding, they are still going to make appreciable impact in the election, though they may not pose much of threat to the strongest two parties with wide probability to win the much awaited election.

What actually made the game fiercer is the seeming retaliatory disposition of the APC. The party’s candidate and former governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, lost reelection bid to Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2014 and is believed to see this as an opportunity to pay the present governor back in his own coin. Fayose is backing his deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola in the succession battle.

The impression then was that Fayose used federal might to suppress the state hence the APC is said to be poised to also use the same federal power to get rid of the PDP. How realisable this is will unfold on July 14, when the state will decide on the choice between the two parties.

Naturally, a lot of factors will decide, who gets the crown in the end. As of now, the whole scenario has been playing out in bulk and pieces and people are beginning to decipher that it is dicey and too early in the day to predict where the pendulum will eventually swing.

Fayemi Regains His Groove Although Fayose has an advantage added to being an incumbent governor, who is believed to have done not badly

Fayemi...APC candidate

in the face of dwindling revenues of the state, he has a very strong connection with the grassroots and these had conferred on him cult-like followers outside his party. Fayemi, before now, did not to enjoy this benefit due to the fact that many viewed him from the prism of being too elitist despite having impressive performance as a governor. But all that is equally believed to have since change as so far seen in the outcomes of the campaigns.

Unfortunately for Fayose, the gale of defections that had hit the PDP in recent time had eroded this support base to the point that it could cause him colossal damage in terms of votes posted if he failed to stem the tide. Many of those in the PDP are waiting in the wing and may defect few days to the D-day.

Those who made Fayemi’s defeat easier in 2014 had defected to APC to coalesce efforts with the former minister to undo

Fayose, who virtually all the politicians in Ekiti now perceived as a common enemy that must be decimated and demystified.

The likes of Senator Ayo Arise, former Minister of Works, Dayo Adeyeye; former Speaker, Hon. Dele Olugbemi; former Commissioners, Owoseeni Ajayi and Deji Adesua respectively; PDP Majority Leader in the Assembly, Hon. Ebenezer Alagbada and Chief Whip, Hon. Sunday Akinniyi; former Special Adviser on Tourism, Demola Bello; former Senior Special Assistant on Finance, Mr. Cyril Fasuyi and other bigwigs too numerous to mention, are now in APC. These people are not only in APC, they are determined to give Fayose a bloodied nose in this election.

As at the time Fayemi was mooting the idea of veering into the race, his popularity rating was abysmal. Even those who could not win a ward among the APC aspirants had the erroneous impression that they would trounce the former governor in the primary. But the manner he emerged the candidate had lent credence to the fact that he is now a master of the game. He proved that he was no longer a tyro as he was in his first term, which Fayose banked on to remove him from office.

An in-depth analysis of the former minister’s political prowess gives a conviction that his popularity rating has soared, courtesy of so many factors. These include defections of PDP bigwigs, deep purse, strong campaign strategies, federal backing, and a good choice of running mate.

It was a deft and meticulous move for Fayemi to have picked a grassroots and well-revered politician, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi as his running mate. Egbeyemi has a lot of things going for him.

One, he hails from Ado Ekiti, a town with the highest votes.

This man is largely seen as a homegrown politician. He has also held positions of influences in the past as a Council boss of the capital city and commissioner. He is also a legal practitioner with more than 35 years of experience in the state.

During these years, he had rendered free legal services to many people, who may want to see this opportunity as a payback time for his good deeds. Besides, Fayemi is believed to have chosen an elderly person so that he would not have succession crisis start from his backyard by the time he finishes if he eventually won next Saturday. They would both leave together and pave the way for a much younger person on a clean slate.

Also, the impression was that many of those, who contested the primary with Fayemi, including former Governor Segun

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CICERO/ ONTHEWATCH t ‘IS EKITI THE BELLWETHER TO 2019?’tContinued from Pg. 74

Fayose with Olusola when he first endorsed him

Oni would defect if Fayemi had won, but those with this thinking had been disappointed as they all remain firm and committed to APC reclaiming the state.

The overt support being exhibited by the leader of the party in the South-west, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also been boosting people’s confidence in Fayemi.

Fayemi has been acting like a typical politician by promptly realising where the bulk of his crises will come from in this election. This might be the reason he initiated a confidence-building tactic by meeting with the leaderships of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to convince them that he has no evil intention against them.

At various fora, he had taken time to explain how he jacked up workers’ salaries and released other incentives like running grants, loans and special allowances as and when due during his time as a governor. All these benefits had been abolished under the present governor. He was explicit that the highly vexatious and controversial Teachers’ Development Needs Assessment, which pitted him against the civil servants, would not be revisited. The message seems to be sinking deeply as many of the teachers are still undecided on who to vote for and Fayemi may be the right choice in the end.

Fayose Fights Back As this gale of defections raged, Fayose has been making counter moves by rallying teachers, artisans under the auspices of Ekiti State Private Sector Association of Nigeria, civil servants and local government workers to back Olusola. In doing this, a lot of propaganda is being dished out that Fayemi would sack teachers and civil servants as well as banished Okada riders from the roads if elected governor. Without exaggerating issue, this has become a campaign issue Fayemi has been battling to refute wherever his campaign train visits.

The governor was also smart by studying the voters’ register and got the percentage of voters, who are youths. In his intention to woo this population, Fayose made Mr. Deji Ogunsakin, a 39-year old man the running mate to Prof. Olusola. This has been seen as an impetus to the youth population coupled with the fact that Ogunsakin is from Ado Ekiti and had presided over the Council as an elected Chairman.

Voters’ Changing Attitude A study of the trajectory of the electioneering process in the country in the last four years vividly portrayed the process as heavily monetised. This played out in Edo, Ondo and Anambra gubernatorial elections and Ekiti may not be an exemption.

Money will play prominent role in this election and APC, borrowing leave from the Ondo scenario is resolute to not leave anything to chance.

However, the assumption is that the PDP may not have problem of finance, being the ruling party. Governor Fayose’s strong ties with oil rich states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa, is also an added benefit. But by the governor’s nature, he has never been fond of spending to win election. This could be confirmed with the 2003 and 2014 elections he had won.

The fear in PDP has been that, the party may crash out in this election if such strategy is adopted going by the trends of voting in recent polls conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Without trying to play the ostrich to the real issue, Fayose seems to have another battle to fight. Most of the PDP members are aggrieved. Most dangerous is the fact that many of the aggrieved persons were not bold enough to defect. This group

Olusola...PDP candidate

may constitute a serious impediment on the day of election by acting as the fifth columnists. The governor must realise this, because he has been holding series of meetings across the 177 wards and 2,195 polling units in the state to calm frayed nerves.

The issue of election has become the business of everybody in the state, the old, young, literates and illiterates. Movement from the capital city to the remotest town of Omuo, Efon, Irele, Ikole, Emure and others, people are seen in clusters discussing the issue that has direct connection with their lives and future.

This election seems to have a clear departure from the past.

No one could predict who will be the next occupant of Oke Bareke Government House few days to election. In 1999, people already knew one month to election that Otunba Niyi Adebayo of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) would win. In 2003, it was clear two weeks to the election that Mr. Ayodele Fayose would emerge the governor, the situations were similitude to what were obtained in the 2007 and 2014 elections that the duo of Fayemi and the present governor won.

Another cogent parameter being deployed is the zoning issue. The people of the south were of the opinion that it is their turn to produce the governor. The duo of Fayemi and Segun Oni are from the South, while Fayose and Adebayo are from the Central Senatorial District.

Ekiti, being a homogeneous state has never been divided by geographical delineation. People see themselves as one but the southern people have been feeling ostracised over the inability to allow them to produce the governor, when the two other zones had produced governors twice. That was the reason Fayose dumped other preferred aspirants and embraced Prof.

Olusola, who is from Ikere Ekiti in the south. The governor has been using this to campaign to the masses in the six local governments that constitute the district and zoning has become an issue to the people of the zone.

The South had the largest number of aspirants in APC for the May 5, primary, but was overwhelmed by Fayemi. The APC could bank on the strength of Senator Gbenga Aluko, Adeyeye, Dr Wole Oluyede and the Deputy Director General of Kayode Fayemi campaign organisation, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi to ward off Fayose’s incursion into the election and have been doing this. The party has also been moving to placate the district by ceding the ministerial slot to the zone.

As capricious as the election seems to be, the PDP candidate may have a good showing in the South on account of geographical affinity and feeling of being alienated. This comprise of Gbonyin, Ikere, Emure, Ise/Orun, Ekiti East and Emure local governments. Fayemi too may enjoy such in Moba, Oye, Ikole, Ido/Osi and Ilejemeje Councils of the North with his mobilisation prowess.

Curiously, Oni is now in court challenging Fayemi’s eligibility to contest the APC primary. Oni contended that the former Minister did not resign his federal appointment before contesting as demanded by the party’s constitution. Too bad, there appears to be nothing to the case.

There may be a balance of forces in the Central between Governor Fayose and former Governor Niyi Adebayo. The central consists of Ado, Ekiti West, Efon, Ijero and Irepodun/ Ifelodun local governments. This zone may be a battlefield and the deciding factor in the impending battle.

The mood of the people about this election is not one of excitement as it was in the past and their reactions captured this, the reason the over 42 per cent of voters were said to be undecided seven days to election, according to the report of an Abuja-based Civil Society Organisation under the banner of Election Monitor and Evaluation Group.

The President of the group, Mr. Clement Iwobi, said this could not be unconnected with the apathy that has taken over the polity as a result of bad governance, fraud and dictatorial tendencies of Nigerian leaders, who often disappoint the people after elections.

No matter how lukewarm the people seem to be in this pre-election season, it may not diminish their enthusiasm to cast their votes for their preferred candidates going by the high number of those that had procured the Permanent Voter Cards.

This, according to INEC, had risen by over 250,000 within the past two months. It lent credence to the fact that people are ready to vote in this election, but where the pendulum would swing remains a puzzle.

Can the Ekiti Election Influence 2019?

The interesting thing about next Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State is that it shares no bearing with the expectations of the 2019 elections, either at the presidential level or other categories. The understanding that they are mutually exclusive must be appreciated by all concerned.

In 2014, when Governor Fayose defeated Dr. Fayemi, the grace of his victory did not extend to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was equally defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. And this is because all the elements responsible for next Saturday’s election would vary significantly by next year, when the nation shall seek to elect new persons into various offices.

What it therefore means is that how hard the respective office-seeking politicians work, coupled with their acceptability, vision and mission as well as their capacity to hold down their turfs would play either for or against them in the respective seasons, and not that the success of one can guarantee the salvation of the other.

The outcome of the Ekiti election may not in any way influence what is to expect in 2019. It is a no brainer!

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CICERO/TRIBUTE

Remains of the late Ciroma being prepared for the final journey home

Adamu Ciroma, A Titan, Passes On Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, former minister of many portfolios – a quintessential and detribalised Nigerian, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, died last Thursday at 84. Shola Oyeyipo pays tribute to his legacies in nation-building

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hen the news broke last Thursday that elder statesman and former Minister of Agriculture and later Finance, Malam Adamu Ciroma, had died, two quotes quickly came to mind.

First was by a US poet, Henry Longfellow, which says “When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.”

Definitely, Ciroma left an indelible mark on the sand of time. That can easily be evaluated in the comments and praises that have continued to pour in on him.

The second quote is by an anonymous author: “Those who have lived a good life do not fear death, but meet it calmly and even long for it in the face of great suffering. But those who do not have a peaceful conscience dread death as though life means nothing but physical torment. The challenge is to live our life so that we will be prepared for death when it comes.”

By every measure, Ciroma was prepared for death, not just because he couldn’t live much longer, but more because he came, saw and conquered many of his challenges. Indeed, he contributed his quota to humanity before he eventually stooped to death after a protracted illness.

Family sources said the prominent Nigerian politician breathed his last at the age of 84 at a Turkiush Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Though the nature of his illness that claimed his life was not disclosed as at press time, Ciroma reportedly died after a protracted illness and was buried in Abuja same day according to Islamic injunction.

He would be fondly remembered as a seasoned journalist, administrator, fearless politician, former minister of different portfolios, former Governor of the CBN and one of Nigeria’s leading elder statesmen, who always took strong positions on national issues.

Perhaps, his transformation from being a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) be-

He would be fondly remembered as a seasoned journalist, administrator, fearless politician, former minister of different portfolios, former Governor of the CBN and one of Nigeria’s leading elder statesmen, who always took strong positions on national issues tween September 24, 1975 and June 28, 1977 to become a major player on the political field is one of the most significant stories of his life.

Born 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State, Ciroma attended primary schools in Fika and Potiskum. Later, he attended the Bornu Middle School and Barewa College, Zaria before he proceeded to the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1961, joined the civil service as an administrative officer; became a Senior Assistant Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines and Power in 1966 and later, Editor, New Nigerian Newspapers, where he eventually became the Managing Director and later CBN Governor.

He delved into politics and in 1979, he was a presidential aspirant on the National Party of Nigeria

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CICERO/TRIBUTE t ‘ADAMU CIROMA, A TITAN, PASSES ON’ t Continued from Pg. 77 (NPN) platform. He came third after Shehu Shagari and Maitama Sule. As he gained greater prominence in the party, he served as NPN secretary for a short period after which he was named Minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance.

In September 1983, Ciroma became the chairman of a presidential transition committee, with a term of reference to make proposals on how to restructure the federal government.

He was one of the leaders, who fought the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha to a standstill, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was at the helm of affairs in Nigeria between 1999 and 2015. He was Minister of Finance during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure between 1999 and 2003 and his wife, Hayiya Maryam Ciroma, was the Minister of Women Affairs and Youth in the same government.

Quite expectedly, the news of his passing immediately attracted condolences from many well-meaning Nigerians as a significant number of them had close working relationship with him.

President Muhammadu Buhari, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina expressed condolences to the Ciroma family, the government and people of Yobe State on the death of the elder statesman.

Buhari said Ciroma, a political leader, will be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.

He assured the Nigerian people that the deceased would be honoured for his contributions to promoting democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement reacting to the news, Senate President Bukola Saraki said: “Although death is painful, it gladdens my heart that the late Ciroma lived a worthy and successful life. As a public servant, the late Ciroma’s integrity was unparalleled; as a politician, he was unblemished and as a journalist, he was among the finest breed.”

“We have lost a detribalised Nigerian, bridge-builder and a strong pillar for nation’s unity. He will surely be remembered for his forthrightness and integrity.

We shall miss him greatly.”

From his stable, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara described Ciroma as an “icon of transparency and an epitome of integrity, who lived an incorruptible life.”

He said Ciroma was a great man, a patriot, leader par excellence, a shining star, intellectual genius and highly, cosmopolitan public servant, who exhibited high sense of patriotism, passion and enthusiasm for the progress and development of the country.

Incumbent Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele described Ciroma as a very good man, who was still of immense service to the apex bank.

According to him, Ciroma was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN. On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar revealed that his worldview was shaped by the mentoring he got from the late Ciroma. He said Ciroma’s death had denied Nigeria one of its finest statesmen, who gave their best to their country.

“A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years.

“Ciroma’s honesty and patriotism were among his greatest virtues. The deceased left behind untainted public service record for which he would always be remembered.”

His party, the PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Nigeria lost one of its finest politicians and a patriot, who contributed hugely to the unity and development of the country.

“Mallam Ciroma lived as a committed citizen; an astute administrator and

Ciroma with former President Goodluck Jonathan

Ciroma cracks a joke with former World Bank President, James Wolfensohn at an event in 2002

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (right) paid Ciroma a visit at his home sometime back highly disciplined politician, who discharged all responsibilities vested in him with unequaled forthrightness and loyalty to the nation.

“On the political sphere, this great Nigerian will be remembered for his roles in ensuring the stability and growth of our nation, and particularly,

the roles he played in the formation and growth of the PDP. He played a leading role in Group of 34 eminent Nigerians, otherwise called the G34 that formed the PDP. “He was an embodiment of the ideals and visions of our great party in our pursuit of a prosperous nation, where

unity, equality and justice prevail,” PDP stated.

Condolences came from practically all notable Nigerian politicians, lawmakers, and virtually all the state governors (former and serving), who expressed sadness at his death and eulogised his good virtues.

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PERSPECTIVE Security Crisis:The Senate’s 20-Point Intervention Yusuph Olaniyonu

I

t is obvious that, just as in 2015, one of the key issues that will determine the outcome of the 2019 general elections will be the issue of security. In the 2015 polls, then President Goodluck Jonathan lost because he was perceived not to be doing enough to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency in the North -east zone and the then candidate of the main opposition party, Major General Muhammadu Buhari was positioned as a man with the background, experience and ability to make the difference in that regard by restoring peace.

While there have been official claims of successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram, reports coming from the North-east show that Boko Haram remains a major threat to the peace and stability of the country.

More than that, another more dangerous and potent security threat has reared its ugly head and is festering across the country, but with more intensity in the Middle Belt zone. That is the herder-farmer, Indigene-settler killings.

The situation has become so calamitous that there are reports of the clashes having led to the death of hundreds of people this year alone.

The gruesome murder of people has caught global attention such that the parliaments and government departments in the United States, Britain and other influential countries have debated and advised the Buhari Administration on the need to quickly tame this strange, but sad, development. In fact, a British Member of the House of Lords, Lord Acton, said the killings from herder-farmer clashes has profiled Nigeria as a “potential Rwanda” waiting to happen. Also, many international organizations have Saraki called on the Federal Government to label the herders as a ‘terrorist organization’ while others have simply chuckled at the bestiality being displayed through the killings.

At home, it is obvious that the Middle Belt zone of Taraba, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa States are not the only places where these unexplained killings and wanton murders are occurring. Zamfara and Kaduna States in the North-west zones are recording deaths of innocent people through the devilish antics of cattle rustlers and ethnic jingoists. While this writer believe that these killings are simple manifestation of the mutation of the same Boko Haram elements who have decided to expand the theatre of the insurgency beyond Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, in different guises, the security agencies that have the personnel, requisite facilities and the know how to analyse the issues, come out with prescriptions and antidotes appear overwhelmed and unable to appropriately respond to these strange but crude developments.

The inability of the security agencies to appropriately tackle the security situations has led to the call for “rejigging of the security architecture”, a coinage that emanated from the National Assembly, which has since the beginning of the year focused a lot of attention, debate and briefing on the issue. All these aimed at finding genuine solutions to the intractable problem.

The Eighth Senate has in fact held about ten full debate sessions on the security situation while also holding five special briefing sessions with security agencies.

The consistent failure of one of the heads of the security agencies to respond to invitation to appear before the parliament for briefing has led to the said official being described as unfit to hold public office. The result of this legislative submission has led to the unleashing of all dirty tricks by the agency to blackmail, intimidate, suppress, overawe and stain the leadership of the parliament. Also, the Senate has constituted a standing investigative committee on security issues headed by Senate Leader, Dr. Ahmed Lawan.

The committee, apart from visiting the crises areas had also hosted a summit where the President and all security chiefs attended and made submissions. Also, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in providing leadership had always visited the danger zones to get first hand information and also give message

of hope to the beleaguered people that the rest of the country share in their grief and stand with them in the determination to end these killings.

Last week, the Senate further had a debate on the security situation, at the end of which it decided that within the next two weeks, it must completely review and amend the Nigeria Police Act, complete the confirmation hearing for the newly appointed members of the Police Service Commission and also commence work on the passage of the necessary amendments to the constitution in order to allow for creation of STATE AND COMMUNITY POLICE. Also, the Senate considered the Report of the Ahmed Lawan Committee on Security and adopted the 20 point recommendations proposed by the body. The recommendations include a comprehensive review and strengthening of the basic security apparatus and isolation of the current challenges from partisan politics and ethnic-religious sentiments. The killings are to be viewed basically as acts of criminality and should be dealt with strictly on that basis.

In addition, the Senate recommended that the national security structure must be revised by the Presidency to address the gaps in coordination, collaboration and synergy while clear lines of authority and responsibility for national security issues must be identified and adopted.

Also, in order to increase the capacity of the Nigerian police, military and other para-military agencies (who are currently overstretched) to respond to national security issues, the Federal Government must increase the personnel in these organizations by recruiting new hands, using global best practices as well as ensuring that the collaboration between security and law and order agencies must be reviewed in order to reduce the exposure of citizens to extra-legal influences.

It has also been suggested that government should heavily invest in appropriate technology necessary for more modern national security architecture and management while also reducing its dependence on importation of basic security equipment. A very viable and functional internal research and development capacities that will meet basic national security needs must be put in place.

The Senate also assigned responsibility to the judiciary as the latter is expected to operate with the highest

standards of justice delivery in order to ensure that citizens have confidence in our judicial system’s ability to freely and fairly adjudicate over criminal and other matters.

Again, in order to adopt other options other than the use of force in its response to security issues, the nation must develop strategies to improve chances of resolving conflicts without resorting to the use of force.

It was also suggested that a strategy aimed at limiting the proliferation of firearms and other light weapons amongst the citizens must be adopted while the country must assert its sovereignty amongst its neighbours, particular in the areas of arms control, drugs, terrorism, trans- border movement and economic sabotage. Additionally, all international commitment that have impact on our domestic national security must be reviewed.

It was also suggested that while the international community has demonstrated its willingness to support Nigeria in the fight against violent groups, the nation must improve in areas that inhibit the delivery of such support, particularly in the areas of human rights, accountability and transparency.

The Lawan committee also submitted that the presence of millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East and millions of others who have no form of education or strong social links presents a potent threat to the present and future security of the nation. It is therefore suggested that the government must immediately develop policies and initiatives that are aimed at addressing the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and development of the North-East and the development of the uneducated members of society.

Again, in taking a futuristic approach to the security issues, it was argued that the growing national population may become a major threat to the country’s future, unless substantial and sustained investments are made in the areas of human capital development, particularly education and health. In this regard, a visionary strategy must be developed for the national economy that is aimed at providing quality education, skills development and employment for our nation’s young people.

Corruption and wastes were also identified as threats to national security. In this regard, a strong political will, effective policies and improvements must be made to ensure the efficiency of institutions while the entire focus of governments across all levels must target poverty reduction, as poverty is a threat to national security.

To further tame the monster of insecurity, it was suggested that the nation must develop its knowledge and skills in managing its extensive forest reserves in order to turn them into assets. This is because the nation’s demographic indices indicate shifts in population size, composition, land use and impact of the environment on human economic activities.

The need to generate a strong political will to improve the policy, legislation, regulatory and enforcement capacities to reduce the damage of the production, importation and consumption of illicit drugs in the nation—which represent a major threat to national security - was canvassed.

The Senate committee also advised that the Federal and State governments should work out a strategy to integrate the Almajiri system with the formal western educational system while provision of low-interest rate loans for herders to develop ranching businesses in the country was suggested.

It is believed that just as it did when the nation was declared to have slipped into recession, the Senate recommendations if adopted and acted upon may help the country to resolve the incessant killings and shedding of innocent blood.

––Olaniyonu is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President.

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THE COVER

The Centre Can No Longer Hold

2019

The All Progressives Congress has been stuttering since May 29, 2015, when it was declared winner of the keenly contested election between it and the Peoples Democratic Party. But it’s easy to make a logical case for the APC. It was an amalgam of strange bedfellows, who came together for the sole purpose of sending the PDP packing. But what was supposed to be its foundation – a sound ideology assisted by planning and development focus – was hardly a concern. Not many paid attention to it. PDP’s 16 years was too much to deal with. The reviled former President Godluck Jonathan did not only expose the inadequacies of his party, he also made mockery of its successes over the years by not being able to make hard choices in times of crisis. Thus, the consensus to chase the PDP away was a done deal and so it was defeated. But who could have thought that APC actually learnt nothing from the misfortune and abuse of power by the PDP? Sadly, it is what it is: an even more disappointing adventure. With President Muhammadu Buhari’s vanishing mystique and his body language virtually insipid, the APC is becoming a shadow of itself –rudderless and disappointing – save for the remainder of the incumbency weight it still savours. However, with the developments so far unfolding, APC’s 2015 victory appears cursed and the indicators are manifesting as it approaches 2019, write Olawale Olaleye and Tobi Soniyi

T

he one thing no one could hedge a bet on as far as the pending implosion in the All Progressives Congress (APC) is concerned. That it would implode is a fait accompli. Even more pathetic was that the leadership was somewhat arrogant about its failings. They have clearly learnt nothing from the misfortune of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2013, knowing full well that it was such poor leadership that eventually paved the way for their victory. And to think the journey towards 2019 smacks of déjà vu, evidently patterned after some of the events of 2013 and 2015, the party is walking into ditch with its eyes wide open.

The emergence, in the week, of a splinter ruling party, the reformed APC, is a major pointer to what to expect in 2019. There is no denying the fact that the grounds had been prepared for this event some months back. What was left behind was the opening from possible reconciliation in the event that the party leadership and the presidency were disposed to closing ranks.

But with this development, the journey towards the 2019 elections has begun, sadly, on a tottering note. Suffice it to say that some of the events leading to the 2015 elections threatened the peace and unity of the country save for the leadership disposition of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who openly confirmed that his ambition was not worth the blood of any one Nigerian.

Curiously, the events certain to usher in the 2019 elections share closely with those that shaped and defined the 2015 elections. But what cannot be said of this present leadership as the nation journeys through the difficulty of another election cycle is her disposition to the peace of the nation especially that Nigeria has lost more people to criminal herders than the PDP did to Boko Haram terrorists under her. And that would form the real debate around the

2019 polls.

Flashback to 2013

As if playing back a major event in history, the breaking away of some members of the APC to form what is now known as reformed APC quickly brings to memory, the event that led to the formation of the nPDP in 2013. In the countdown to the 2015 polls, some members of the PDP had staged a walkout at the PDP special delegates’ national convention in August of 2013 and christened their breakaway group the “new PDP”.

In this group was former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, seven governors of the PDP, their senators, House members and other supporters, all of whom walked out of the convention venue of the PDP, a move which therefore deepened the crisis that engulfed the then ruling PDP. With governors of Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Rivers, Adamawa, and Kwara States, even though Jigawa and Niger governors didn’t eventually join the APC, PDP was badly depleted as they left the Eagle Square venue of the convention for the Yar’Adua Center, Abuja, where they addressed a press conference to detail reasons for their action.

Since that Eagle Square drama, the fortunes of the PDP had washed out and the power game heightened, resulting ultimately in the ouster of the party in the 2015 polls.

The problem then with the PDP was that first, the governors and other top notch party members, aggrieved with its leadership wanted then chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur out of the way, because according to them, he was running the party like his personal

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SUNDAYCOVER

The Centre Can No Longer Hold

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and a member of the party a meeting before Oyegun left as chairman themselves in the opposing side of the charade, adding that most of the delegates, who bought and paid for forms for the congresses and convention and were elected delegates had come together to “take control and give legitimacy to APC to be now known as and called REFORMED-APC (R-APC),” adding that the R-APC as constituted has officers in all the wards, 774 local governments, and all the 36 states of the federation including the FCT. The rAPC, its leadership claimed, included all the progressive forces in APC, including most of the leading members of the defunct nPDP, CPC, ANPP, ACN and others. It promised to work with like-minded political parties and groups to offer Nigeria qualitative good governance in 2019.

“Nigeria faces an existential threat arising from three years of near destruction of this country and the exacerbation of our ethnic, religious and divisive cleavages. We will in concert with others offer real change to Nigeria. Not fake change.

“It is clear that our party needs a leadership that will live by its founding ideals. We have therefore decided to legitimately lead those members to work to rebuild our nation more firmly on genuine democratic principles, to enshrine good governance and restore the faith of Nigerians in the possibility of the existence of a prosperous, secure and peaceful nation.”

estate. It was a tough decision for the party leadership and then president, but eventually, he yielded his office and a new leader, Adamu Mua’zu, a former Bauchi State governor, emerged.

The group also quarreled with alleged ineligibility of Jonathan to continue in office. They all reckoned his failure in terms of capacity particularly, that corruption had skyrocketed in his time. They also disagreed with the fact that Jonathan had an understanding with the party leadership to run for just a term, which was one of the reasons he (Jonathan) fell out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who stood for him in 2011 on the understanding that he would not seek re-election.

These internal discontents paved the way for the staggering opposition against Jonathan and it was clear that except for the unexpected, perhaps miracle, the former president was going to lose the election. Today, however, everything seems to be coming back to reckoning as 2019 inches closer.

Introducing the Reformed APC On Wednesday, a group of APC members, led by a close ally of President Buhari, Alhaji Buba Galadima, broke away from the main party to form what is now known as the reformed APC. The group, which addressed the media on the state of the party in specific and the nation in general, didn’t mince words about its disaffection that has become almost irreparable in the APC. With a distinct recall of some of the events that culminated in the 2015 elections, the group said the fusion into APC was based on the “strong belief that Nigeria had come of age, but was severely underperforming and unable to meet its potential for good governance. The Nigerian people entrusted power to the APC based on its promises and potential.”

It, however, said it was “sad to report that after more than three years of governance, our hopes have been betrayed, our expectations completely dashed. The APC has run a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to the Nigerian people. It has rather imposed dictatorship, impunity, abuse of power, complete abdication of constitutional and statutory responsibilities, infidelity to the rule of law and constitutionalism. It has failed to ensure the security and welfare of our people and elevated nepotism to unacceptable height.”

Above all, it passed a judgment that the APC has failed to deliver on its key promises to the nation, and that there was no evidence of any political will to reverse the decline of the party, while leaders who created the “circumstances continue to behave as if Nigerians owe our party votes as a matter of right,” reiterating that the “The APC government has been a monumental disaster, even worse than the government it replaced.”

It, however, descried as the final straw, the congresses and convention of the APC held recently. According to it, “the Congresses were intensely disputed as it was conducted with

Galadima...leader of rAPC impunity, total disregard for due process, disregard for the party Constitution and naked display of power and practices that have no place in a party we all worked the very hard to put in place.”

The rAPC was of the view that the fate of a party in such a state a few months to the elections is best left to sheer imagination, but reckoned it was not a fate it was willing to abandon millions of its members to. According to the group, “There were parallel congresses in 24 States namely: Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto and Zamfara.

“These congresses in wards, local government areas and states all over the federation produced different sets of delegates. We, therefore, had an unfortunate situation, where the party has been seriously factionalised and divided in not just 24 states but the 36 States and Abuja FCT. The so-called National Convention of the APC was even worse.

The National Convention of the party was ridiculed with constitutional infirmities that were so glaring and obvious that no fair minded person can claim that a legitimate and lawful executive emerged from that process.”

Under the circumstances, rAPC said the patriotic elements and most of the original founders of the APC found

AOneBalance of Power of the devastating effects of the developing intrigues within the ruling party is the fact that the eventual quitting of these elements would leave the balance of power heavily tilted in favour of rAPC and their allies in the National Assembly. Although clear faces cannot be put yet to some of those, who are sure to join the rAPC but are still in the main APC, it is definitely going to leave the APC terribly devastated by the time they show their faces and move en mass to the rAPC. This, of course, automatically leaves the main APC in a position of seeing huge disadvantage in terms of number and the capacity to mobilise support ahead of 2019. This is even more disturbing for the APC because by the time the proposed alliance takes place, any collaboration amongst the parties like rAPC, PDP, APGA and others leaves the main APC nowhere and it could begin to count it losses therefrom.

Thus, if the main APC is going to go about this breakaway with arrogance as it is likely to do, it should do so with utmost caution, taking into account some of these extrapolations that are already common knowledge. The direction of power play would start, definitely from the parliament as the crisis that seems to be consuming the party actually started from the National Assembly.

Waiting on the Coalition As the nation marches towards the 2019 presidential election, history is on the verge of repeating itself. This is

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SUNDAYCOVER

The Centre Can No Longer Hold

Governors Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Yari Aziz of Zamfara State

The Road to 2019 The fact that the APC has elected to be arrogant about the

Saraki, Dogara, Fashola and Osinbajo having a discussion because the one takeaway from the recent breakaway of some APC members, who have formed the rAPC is that they are likely to go into an alliance with other parties of like-minds, perhaps, for the presidential poll alone, because of the factor of time.

The ruling party was able to pull off its 2015 victory, because of its merger with other parties, which produced the APC. Although the APC was originally an amalgam of four legacy political parties – ACN, CPC, ANPP, APGA, it took the support of a faction of the then ruling PDP called the nPDP to seal the fate of the PDP and put the APC on a sure footing.

Today, those, who helped the APC to win and by contrast sculpted PDP’s loss, are on the march again. After going back and forth with the leadership of the ruling APC, both groups were unable to reach a consensus. And even though members of the new PDP were eager to strike a deal with the leadership of the APC, (because they actually came up with specific demands), the APC leadership chose to ignore them. The thinking in the APC was that they could not go anywhere because it was not smart to do so.

Particularly, like the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-rufai once alluded to this, corroborating the arrogant belief in the leadership of the APC that members of the nPDP were not capable of stopping Buhari’s re-election. He said since 2003, Buhari had been winning elections in Adamawa, Kano and Sokoto states, where most of the nPDP members hail from.

Although he agreed that some of the grievances of the nPDP members were legitimate and should be looked into, he however maintained that “Who are these new PDP people that are threatening? They are Kwara, Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa, Rivers but I don’t think Amaechi is part of

them. So, let’s take these four states, go back to 2003 and check. Buhari then under the ANPP won in all these four states.

“Go back to 2007, Buhari won in these four states. Even when Shekarau was running as a presidential candidate in 2011, Buhari defeated him in Kano. I have no doubt in my mind that even if the people threatening to leave decided to leave, it will have absolutely no impact on the presidential election.

“The President will win Sokoto, Kwara and Adamawa easily. Kano is already in the bag, I mean if you saw the crowd that welcomed the President without the former governor, Kwankwaso, Kano has always been the President’s base,” he said in a sense that seemed to discountenance the importance of the aggrieved APC members in the presidential election.

At first, Buhari seemed disposed to meeting with them, he probably changed his mind after listening to people like El-rufai. That decision may turn out to be the president’s major undoing if the opposition succeeds in unseating him in 2019.

Today, member of the nPDP have decided to take their future into their hands and announced the formation of rAPC. Just like the nPDP, the rAPC will most likely align with the opposition PDP to wrest power from the APC in the presidential bout.

Again, with the formation of rAPC, the chicken might have finally come home to roost for the APC. But will the opposition be able to form a united front to stop the president? Events in the next few months will shed more lights on this as the nation frontally battles the challenge of 2019.

plight of its aggrieved members is not going to change the reality of the ongoing power game. Of the many meetings held lately between the nPDP members and the leadership of the APC as well as the federal government, the aggrieved members were allegedly poorly treated such that reinforced the need for them to leave.

And after several meetings, which included those with the APC leadership and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the nPDP suspended further talks after one of them, Senate President Bukola Saraki, was linked to a recent robbery in Offa, Kwara State by the police.

But concerns in the APC on the implications of ill-treating members of the nPDP had since scaled up. And this has been variously linked to the fact that in spite of Buhari’s avowed popularity and the unity that the party enjoyed ahead of 2015, his victory against Jonathan was not outstanding as he was only able to poll some two million votes. But with the aggrieved members of the APC effectively in control of their states, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Adamawa, Benue, Kwara, Kogi and Gombe, the APC might have run into trouble ahead of 2019.

Ironically, some of these considerations were still under probabilities then as the aggrieved members had not decided whether or not to leave. In fairness to them, observers reckoned, they had waited this long to explore all the possibilities of reconciliation. But two weeks after its national convention and it did not seem like their plight matters to the leadership, with the elections fast approaching, they eventually called it quits with the APC, thus effectively changing the equation ahead of the 2019 polls.

Nothing is as it is anymore till the 2019 election comes and goes. The truth is that the voting record that Buhari enjoyed before he became president and also leveraged in the 2015 election was constant, because the people believed in his ability to change things. His messianic posturing was also conceded, because at those times, he had not been tested and since his stint as a military head of state could not form a good basis for assessment, he had it all slanted in his favour.

But over three years in office, Buhari has shown that this is the best he could offer. Technically, the voting pattern cannot remain the same again except there is the assumption that people who had been churning out those votes were stupid before he was tested and even if after he was and failed, they remained in that state.

It would be sheer lies for anyone to assume that the 2019 election is a walkover for the president. Even where they attempt to rig, the resultant effect being the fallout of the stiff opposition that would arise would be catastrophic. There is no debating the fact that the victory of the party in 2015 was cursed ab initio.

It was made possible by people of differing backgrounds, philosophies, ideologies and even personal dispositions.

There was no clear understanding on how the government would run or who would play what role. They all just came in with the euphoria of having decimated a common enemy and landed in chaos worse than they could ever imagine.

Unfortunately, if the rAPC in its proposed alliance with other parties, the PDP especially, did not take these fundamental flaws into account going forward, the nation might be going round in circle and it would have been just another wasted effort coalescing to send Buhari back to Daura, Katsina State.

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THE ALTERNATIVE/PERSPECTIVE

Many Have Issues, But Few Are Roaming the Streets

I

thought I had heard all there was to hear until Monday, July 2, 2018 when the Buhari Presidency came down hard on all those opposed to the administration’s cattle colony project.

Speaking on a morning show on Africa Independence Television, Femi Adesina, Mr. Buhari’s spokesman said giving land for ranching is better than death!

In fact, his exact words were as follows: “Ancestral attachment? You can only have ancestral attachment when you are alive. If you are talking about ancestral attachment, if you are dead, how does the attachment matter?”

Going further, Femi Adesina opined thus: “Where you have land and you can do something, please do for peace. What will the land be used for if those who own it are dead at the end of the day?”

To give some perspective, Femi is talking about the deaths from herdsmen killings which, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, have hit 20,000 in the last three years.

The solution offered by the Buhari government to this problem was for the federal government and individual states to use public funds and public lands to build cattle colonies (or ranches depending on who you are referring to) for herdsmen.

Many Nigerians have thankfully rejected this ludicrous proposition, and it is because of them that Femi went on this show.

How can the Presidency say ‘giving land for ranching is better than death’? Is that a threat to Nigerians? Is that the agenda behind these killings? What type of government allows criminals profit from their criminality?

An APC Governor gave herdsmen money now an APC President wants to give them land! Did Kogi and Plateau states not agree to give free land to herdsmen for ranching? Has it stopped the killings there? You do not appease a crocodile by giving it your children or else it will eat them and still eat you! Government exists to secure its citizens not to reward terrorists!

That comment by Femi Adesina is another reminder that many have issues but only few are roaming the streets.

I thought it was only armed robbers that say ‘your money or your life’. I never knew a government could say ‘your land or your life’! Ask yourself what right Buhari has to be in power if the only way he can guarantee the lives of Nigerians is if they give their ancestral lands to herdsmen.

How can I be expected to give out the land in which my great great grandfather, great grandfather and grandfather are buried on just to placate marauding herdsmen?

If Femi Adesina truly believes that giving land for ranching is better than death, he should prove it by surrendering his own house and land for cattle colony. While he is at it, he should also provide herdsmen with his family’s ancestral land. Doesn’t Femi even have a family? Is it until he starts roaming the streets naked and stark raving mad, that his family will know he has spiritual problems?

The preamble of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, states that the purpose of the constitution shall be “promoting the good government and welfare of all persons in our country, on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of our people”.

So how does Femi Adesina’s threat promote good governance or the welfare of Nigerians or even “freedom, equality and justice”?

Femi should just tell us we have been conquered by these herdsmen and we will know what to do rather than coming up with this tale.

you want to stay alive.

And the annoying thing is that the President continues to pass the buck and engage in blame games.

On Thursday July 6, 2018, he told a group of Christian clerics representing the Northern branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria that, “When some (people), for clearly political purposes, attempt to suggest that this government is doing nothing about the killings, and that I, being Fulani, must be encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no limit to the evil in the minds of men.”

This is utterly ridiculous. I admit to be one of those people who hold such views, but I don’t hold them because I have an ‘evil mind’. I hold them because I have an analytical mind that is able to make deductions based on evidence.

Buhari His boss, President Buhari, asks us to pray as panacea to these attacks, while the spokesman asked we should simply give up our lands if we do not want to die.

But are we not dying already? Nigerians do not need herdsmen to kill them. We already have Buhari’s policies which are killing us and our economy.

Look at what is happening with Procter and Gamble. Then President Jonathan invited Procter and Gamble to expand their investments in Nigeria and they did. They built a brand new $300 million factory and employed hundreds of Nigerians.

Now they have closed that factory and are leaving Nigeria because of Buhari’s economic policies. Yet, Buhari continues to blame Jonathan for ruining the economy! More companies have left Nigeria in the last three years than at any other time in the nation’s history. The last time divestment of companies occurred on this scale was between 1983 and 1985 when coincidentally (?)

Buhari was military head of state.

The richest Nigerian in the whole world is Aliko Dangote.

In 2014 Forbes rated Mr. Dangote’s worth as $25 billion. Today, Forbes rates his worth at $12.4 billion, less than half of his 2014 worth.

It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor or in between. Your situation is now much worse than it was in 2015. So forget about whether you are APC or PDP, Christian or Muslim, Southerner or Northerner. The question you need to ask yourself is this: Are you ready to keep getting poorer beyond 2019?

If you are a landowner, your question should be whether or not

Dear President Buhari, Those suggesting you support herdsmen because you are a Fulani don’t have evil minds. They are basing it on evidence not emotion.

You sent soldiers to kill Shiites You sent the army to quell IPOB You sent crocodile smile to militants But when it came to herdsmen you sent PRAYERS! That is evidence. That is fact. If you have evidence to the contrary, then come up with instead of insulting the intelligence of Nigerians with this ‘evil minds’ punditry.

The thing is that since Boko Haram are ‘technically defeated’ and Fulani herdsmen are looking for land and Femi Adesina has told us it is a case of your land or your life, why doesn’t Buhari give herdsmen Sambisa Forest so we can all live happily ever after?

Let me conclude by saying that by now it should be clear to everyone, including Femi Adesina himself, that President Buhari is pursuing a hidden agenda of which I shall dwell more on in my next book which, God willing, is coming out soon.

Sincere advice to Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina-there is life after Aso Rock. If you lose your credibility telling lies to promote a failed leader, what would you do with your life when his Presidency ends? Buhari is 76. You guys are still young. Don’t destroy yourselves to hype him!

A Little About Macron and Buhari So French President, Emmanuel Macron, was an intern at the French Embassy in Nigeria a mere 15 years ago? Wow! Never underestimate what you can achieve in 15 years. Unfortunately for Nigeria, the man who was our head of state when Macron was in primary one is also the man who received Macron today as President of Nigeria. If you ever asked why France is today experiencing new life while Nigeria is decaying, look no further than the leadership. Buhari was minister of petroleum on 21 December 1977, the day Emmanuel Macron was born!

Thank you Elegant Stallion Onyeka Onwenu, the Elegant Stallion of Nigeria’s music industry and doyen of afopop sent me a message that touched my heart. I crave my readers indulgence to publish it here: “There a few good friends in politics and the whole world has seen the fearless and courageous way you stood when many deserted. You give some of us hope that loyalty, commitment and dedication, plus a sense of integrity is still valued and available in Nigeria. May the Lord continue to use you”-From Onyeka Onwenu to Reno Omokri

Ekiti 2018: Atonement for Collective Rescue

John Ajayi

M

etaphorically speaking, the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State can be likened to the historic Kiriji/Ekiti Parapo war of 1870-1886.

Indeed the electoral contest slated for July 14 offers the Ekitis a new paradigm shift against the background of their present social, economic and political situation. A quick recall of the history of the Ekitis vividly reminds of the gallantry of their ancestors during the eponymous inter-tribal conflict tagged the Ekiti Parapo wars. The wars, which ended all the wars in Yorubaland was unarguably the last and most protracted military campaign that plagued the Yoruba nation.

As history reveals, Kiriji war broke out because of the unacceptable policies and maladministration, which the Ibadan hegemons established on the Ekiti people after the former’s significant role in the 1840 Osogbo war and her victory over the Ijayes in 1862 which indisputably pronounced her as the competent successor of the old Oyo Empire as the head of Yorubaland. Then, Ibadan hegemons had stationed its administrators, otherwise known and popularly referred to as Ajeles, in other parts of Yorubaland, especially in Ekiti and Ijesha, which upset the two towns who were not ready, like any other towns to accept Ibadan as the Yoruba head.

Indeed, the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the suppressive and obnoxious ways the Ajeles manhandled the Ekitis and the Ijeshas. These and many other aspects of tyrannical rules compelled the two groups to wage a 16 year war of attrition against the Ibadan political suzzainrarity. Again, the Ekiti people have today found themselves more or less in the same historical conjunction. While they are not confronted by the Ibadan hegemons this time round, they are no doubt entangled in the gripping hold of a re-incarnated protégé, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, who though an indigene of the state had his early childhood and

adolescent tutelage and upbringing in the ancient city of Ibadan. By all standards, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, current governor of Ekiti state, has since he assumed the leadership of Ekiti state left no one in doubt that he is governing a conquered race.

Anyone who is familiar with the character traits of the average Ekiti will readily confirm that Fayose, whose four years of agonizing second term ends October this year has high disdain for the ‘Omoluabi’ culture of the Ekitis. The focal point of his administrative policy, which is the ridiculous “stomach infrastructure” is nothing but a mere mesmerisation of the social condition of the people and a grand conspiracy to deceitfully impoverish the Ekiti people. Indeed, the past three and a half years of Fayose’s mis-governance and mal-administration have poignantly and painfully revealed the folly and foibles of the Fayose phenomenon. It is a naked truth that in the last four years of this deceitful government, there are neither clear-cut policy direction nor a well-articulated welfare programmes for the people.

While the state failed to carry out any meaningful developmental projects in all the sixteen local governments, the government of ayodele Fayose has enforced a tyrannical regime of multiple taxations in the drive to increase internally generated revenue. Before he assumed power in the state, the monthly internally generated revenue under the innovative and creative leadership of then governor John Kayode Fayemi was N600million. The government of JKF graduated the IGR of Ekiti from the paltry sum of N60million when he assumed office.

At every point in time, JKF would make public announcement about the geometric growth in the state’s internally generated revenue. However, since Fayose, aka Oshokomole took over, he has jettisoned this transparent approach to governance. Not only has he dubiously expanded the tax net, he has continued to keep the total monthly internally generated revenue a guarded secret. When recently the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) challenged the outgoing Fayose to a public debate on Ekiti finances, especially on the IGR generated over the years and its uses, the recalcitrant incumbent boasted that nobody could summon him to disclose information on Ekiti finances aside from the State House of Assembly, which he argued has the mandate to exercise

oversight over him. What a disdainful and an inglorious way to treat the people.

This sentiment is further complicated by the fact that the resources of the state have not been prudently managed over time by this administration. How would anyone with the right sense of value commit a whopping sum of seventeen billion naira (N17Bn) to constructing a one kilometer fly in Ado-Ekiti, a state where there are low vehicular traffic on a daily basis? The contract which Nigerian society of Engineers have accessed should not have gulped more than four-Billion (N4Bn) was also commissioned with Fayose spending Six Hundred Million Naira (N600m) on jamborees and festivities on the day of the commissioning. Realizing that he might not be remembered for anything tangible in his second term, Fayose hurriedly went into frenzy, demolishing houses in Ado-Ekiti with a view to building an ultra-modern market.

After the initial braggadocio, which is peculiarly Fayose’s, work has since stopped on the new market construction as those whose houses were demolished continue to sulk and count their losses. It is the same fate that befell farmers in Kajola village, an outskirt settlement in Ado-Ekiti, when two years ago, Ayodele Fayose got into frenzy and declared he wanted to build an airport in Ado Ekiti. He mobilized his bulldozers to site and before anyone knew what was happening, thousands of hectares of Cocoa plantation and farmlands have laid in ruins.

––John Ajayi, FNIMN, NGE, is a veteran journalist, social commentator and Publisher/CEO of MARKETING EDGE MAGAZINE, a leading marketing and advertising publication based in Lagos State (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Y 8, 2018

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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 ˾ JUNE 17, 2018

NEWSXTRA PDP Demands Adeosun’s Sack, Arraignment for Alleged Forgery Onyebuchi EzigboinAbuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack, arrest, and arraign his Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, for alleged criminal forgery of her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. PDP said Buhari should not cover up Adeosun, as it had done in previous corruption cases involving close allies or agents of the administration.

In a statement issued by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the revelation of forgery in the minister’s NYSC certificate vindicated its stand that the Buhari presidency was a haven for fraudsters, common thieves and persons of questionable character. It added that the revelation had cast a shadow on the overall integrity of the Buhari administration.

Several calls to Adeosun’s cell phone and that of her personal assistant were neither taken nor returned. The minister and her aide also did not reply text messages from THISDAY. PDP said in the statement, “The world can now see how the Buhari Presidency has been concealing sharp practices under it. We can now see why there is humongous corruption under President Buhari’s watch and why Mr. President has refused to take any concrete steps to check the sleazes in his administrations.

“Perhaps, such ‘artful dodgers’ were deliberately hired and placed in revenue related agen-

cies to perfect the pilfering of our common patrimony for interests in the Buhari Presidency.”

PDP further challenged Buhari to prove himself a man of integrity by allowing an open and independent inquest into all alleged corrupt practices in his presidency.

PDP stated, “We challenge President Buhari to be bold to allow an open independent inquest into the exact figures amounting to the trillions of naira oil revenue earned by the nation in the last three years and how he had spent same with Mrs. Adeosun as minister of finance.

“Mr. President should also allow an open inquest into his handling, with Mrs Adeosun, of all our depleted foreign financial instruments, including the Excess Crude Account (ECA), from which funds were taken without recourse to the National Assembly.

“President Buhari should also allow an inquest into his administration’s borrowing of over N10 trillion in 30 months, with Mrs. Adeosun as Minister of Finance and the purposes for which the money was used.

“Furthermore, we challenge President Buhari to allow an inquest into the leaked memo at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) showing N9 trillion corrupt oil contracts as well as the alleged stealing of N1.1 trillion worth of crude oil, all in a sector under his direct purview as minister of Petroleum.

“We also demand for an open investigation into the N18 billion

Edo Rigging Template Will Fail in Ekiti, Fayose Replies Oshiomhole Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose yesterday told the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adam Oshiomhole that rigging template he executed in Edo State would fail in Ekiti State.

Fayose also noted that nothing was haunting him and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the July 14, 2018governorship election, noting that the Ekiti people would go to poll next Saturday to elect a new governor.

He replied Oshiomhole in a statement his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi issued yesterday, demanding the conduct of credible, free and fair election.

As contained in the statement, Fayose said he won the June 21, 2014 governorship election fair and square and that the credibility of the election was attested to by the US Government and British Department for International Development (DFID) among others.

On the contrary, the governor noted that both local and international observers, including the media rejected the election that produced Oshiomhole’s

successor.

He said Oshiomhole’s secret plan “to use his fraudulent Edo template in Ekiti will never work. It will attract injurious consequences. This is because Ekiti people are resolutely determined to resist rigging right on the spot.

“Contrary to Adams’ diatribe, rumour peddling and rabble rousing of former Edo State Governor and APC National Chairman, Fayose and PDP are only interested in credible election. Fayose and PDP are raising the alarm because of tell-tale signs that APC and Fayemi are plotting to rig the election.

“The statements by top APC leadersincludingitsformerchairman, John Odigie-Oyegun that they must capture Ekiti by all means are very instructive in this regard. Nigerians witnessedtheblatantriggingofOndo andEdogovernorshipelectionsbythe APC. “In Ondo, it was shameless vote buying. In Edo State, they stopped vote counting when it was clear PDP was winning and changed the results overnight. Seeing these, who will ask us to stay stupid?

“Oshiomhole was the mastermind of Edo rigging. He is only calling Fayose the name that rightly belongs to him (Oshiomhole),” Fayose said.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) intervention fund and the N10 billion National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) al-

leged to have been stolen from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by APC officials and Presidency cabal.”

PDP urged Nigerians to note the colossal corruption under President Buhari’s watch and hold him di-

rectly responsible for all the calamities that had befallen the country in the last three years.

HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP

L-R: President, Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria, Mr. Charles Akindayomi, Minister of Power, Works & Housing and guest speaker, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and immediate past President, Mr. Suleiman Adamu during the 2018 Extra Ordinary General Meeting held at the NAF Conference Centre & Suites,Abuja ...recently

Killer Herdsmen Believe They Have an Ally in Buhari, Says Kaigama Bayo Akinloye Killings by herdsmen in Nigeria have continued to escalate because Fulani herders believe President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also a Fulani man, is their ally and for that reason they can do whatever they want and go scot-free, so says Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama.

Kaigama stated this in a recent interview with the Catholic Church’s humanitarian agency, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), published on its website.

Speaking on the growing crisis in the Middle Belt, where herdsmen have killed hundreds of farmers this year alone, and reasons for the wanton killings,

the former president of the Nigerian bishops’ conference said, “One of the reasons could be that because the president of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, is himself a Fulani, the herdsmen think that they have an ally, and therefore, that they can do what they want and get away with it. Otherwise, people cannot explain why there has been such a sudden increase in destruction.”

Continuing he noted, “Herdsmen and farmers have always had conflicts, but not on this scale. Recently, herdsmen have developed a kind of new audacity to invade and destroy farmers’ crops. They do so with such impetuosity that farmers are

forced to react. In the past, there were problems between the two groups, but they were not that frequent.”

Kaigama, who is one of the pioneers of the interreligious and interethnic dialogue in Plateau State, pleaded with Buhari to exercise the political will to deal decisively with the on-going violence, saying, “That the killings have resumed was a tremendous shock to me. The flagrant and despicable taking of human lives and the continued destruction of homes and means of livelihood is a disgrace to humanity and a shameful projection of a negative image of Nigerians. But even in the midst of violence caused either by

Boko Haram, militant herdsmen or yet to be identified ‘foreign invaders’, I believe peace is very possible as we are determined to sustain the culture of civilised conduct and peace.

“Not enough has been done to challenge the herdsmen killings.

That could either be because of a so-called ‘hidden agenda’ or simply the absence of courage, determination, patriotism and political will. Cattle, as important as they are, cannot be valued over human beings. That does not mean that cows should be wounded, stolen or killed. Our president should come out clearly, categorically and courageously to explain to his kinsmen why dialogue is the best solution.”

Group Rejects FG’s Cattle Ranches Jonathan Congratulates Okowa at 59 Programme in Nasarawa Former President Goodluck “As a Governor, you have continEmmanuel Ukumba inLafia

A youth group, Alago Development Association (ADA) at the weekend rejected the decision of the state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to allocate lands for the federal government’s cattle ranches programme in Nasarawa State. Al-Makura had allocated seven gazetted grazing reserves of the state located at Awe, Keana, Doma, Assakio, Konva, Gitata and Kurudu for ranching in the state. But the Alago youths cautioned that the decision of the state governor to site the cattle ranches in their areas was an indirect invitation of war. At a news conference in Lafia yesterday, President of the Alago youths,

Iliya Ashokpa Auna said the areas were already under siege by the Fulani herdsmen hence it was a time bomb that may cause an unimaginable crisis in future if cattle ranches were to be sited in their areas. He said: “The leadership of ADA’s youth wing wishes to warn Al-Makura not to invite an unimaginable war in Nasarawa State over his recent approval for the establishment of cattle ranches in Doma, Keana, Obi and Assakio Local Government Areas which are already in crisis. “Therefore, we cannot fold our hands and allow our ancestral lands to be allocated for ranches. The cattle ranches will disrupt the relative peace being enjoyed in the Alago communities.”

Jonathan has felicitated with Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowawhoturns59today.

In a goodwill message, the ex-president described Okowa as a patriot who has made impactful contributions to the nation’s development.

In a statement his media adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze issued yesterday, Jonathan noted that Okowa “is determined to make a difference in governance by implementing laudable projects in his State.”

The statement said: “I write to mostsincerelycongratulateyouon the occasion of your 59th Birthday.

I am pleased that God has blessed you with the strength to make impactful contributions to our dear country.

ued to strive to make a difference in governance. Your commitment to national development and the task of improving the lives of the peopleofyourstateisevidentinthe quality and spread of the developmental projects being implemented byyouradministration.

“I admire the contributions you havemadetothenationasaSenator and your contributions to our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

Onthisspecialday,Ijoinyourfamily and other well wishers to rejoice with youandofferprayersformoreglorious celebrations.

“I pray for God’s guidance and protection as you continue in your efforts towards transforming your State and improving the fortunes of our nation,” Jonathan said.

85

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

NEWSXTRA Foreign Airlines: Lagos Airport Most Expensive in the World Chinedu Eze Foreign airlines operating in Nigeria yesterday described the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos as the most expensive airport in the world, attributing it to high and multiple charges the government agencies in the aviation industry have been billing them.

The international carriers urged the government agencies to harmonise their charges, noting that with low charges, more airlines would come into the country, more revenues would be generated and more jobs created in the long run.

Speaking under the auspices of Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) yesterday in Lagos, the operators said the multiple charges were affecting their operations in the country.

Director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo in Nigeria, Mr. Philip

Wetherall, said with the multiple charges imposed on the foreign operators, investment opportunities would continue to elude Nigeria.

For instance, Wetherall explained that the airlines “are currently paying N5,000 per kilo on exported goods and N7,000 per kilo of imported goods to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in addition to other charges.”

He observed that despite the exorbitant charges, facilities on ground most of the airports could not justify the charges, stressing that the facilities required massive improvement.

He, therefore, called on all agencies in the sector “to harmonise their charges and review them downwards to attract more investment into the country.”

Wetherall noted this act was affecting the contribution of the industry to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation’s

economy.

According to him, “There should be collaboration among government agencies in the sector. Lagos Airport is one of the most expensive airports in the world to operate into.

“However, we still need to improve our services and infrastructure to meet up with international community.

The fact still remains that the

more revenues we earn, the more money to the coffers of the government. Aviation in Nigeria needs to be revolutionised.”

Also speaking, the President of AFARN, Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma, noted that multiple charges had been a major challenge to the operations of airlines in the country.

He said the federal govern-

ment through the Ministry of Transportation, Aviation Unit, had set up a committee to address the challenges including multiple charges complaints by the operators, though regretted that nothing came out of the committee.

He pointed out that until some of these challenges “are addressed, the Ease of Doing Business policy of the

Federal Government will continue to be a mirage.

“The slogan now is Ease of Doing Business. But how easy is this Ease of Doing Business? We have lots of touts working around the airport. We are talking about safety and security. How can we be able to contribute to the GDP growth with all these?

Zwingina: Buhari Receiving Inaccurate Information from Security Chiefs BayoAkinloye As violence by killer herdsmen continuestoincreaseinNigeria,achieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former Director General of the MKO Abiola Campaign Organisation, Sen. Jonathan Zwingina, has accused the country’s security chiefs of sabotaging President Muhammadu Buhari’s effortstostemtherisingtideofinsecurity inthecountry.

Zwingina, a former senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District, noted that the security chiefs “aregivingBuhariinaccurateinformation. Insecurity has worsened under thecurrentadministration.”

He said this in an exclusive interview with THISDAY, stating that while he was not absolving Buhari of any blame, Nigerians should hold the security chiefs for the wanton killings goinginthecountry.

According to him, many of the security heads portrayed the current violenceasclashesbetweenherdsmen andfarmersbuttohimit“wasaninvasionofpeoplesleepingintheirhomes.”

The two-time senator said, “I will say he is not being assisted to do enough. No one president alone solves problems. They don’t give him accurate information, by not giving the real narrative and changing the language to make the situation look lessthreatening.

“Forexample,youheartherewasa clash but what we had really was not a clash. It was an invasion of people

sleeping in their homes. I will blame thering–securityring–aroundhim for that perpetuation of inadequacy.

“I am not absolving him (Buhari).

I am saying that the commander-inchief is not being fed with adequate, accurate and realistic information to take the right decision. Before the commander-in-chief goes to the field hehastotaketherightpersons.Hehas trusted the security chiefs to do that and some of them obviously are not doing that – they’re not doing enough ofthat.”

Zwingina said it was important for the president to rejig the nation’s security architecture in order to effectively address the worsening insecurity, urging Buhari to get people who have the right ideas and approach for a positive changeinthecurrentsecuritycrisis.

Henotedthatit“isthegreatestchallenge the APC government is facing.

I agree entirely. Even as an APC chieftain I do agree that insecurity has not got the attention from the securitychiefsasexpectedandthatitis unfortunately getting worse.

“This, the security chiefs should admit as much themselves. “Therefore, we are throwing this challenge tothegovernmenttorejigandchange the narrative of how to resolve the security situation even if the attackers are coming from outside of Nigeria.

It is the duty of the government to block them and stop them – we cannot shift the blame at all,” the senator argued.

Mama Awomolo for Burial Burial rites for Mama Felicia Anike Awomolo a.k.a Mama Egbe Aya Bishop, mother of legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Asiwaju Agboyega Awomolo who died on June 24, will be buried on July 13.

According to a statement by the son of the deceased, Awomolo, the burial rites will commence with a service of songs on July 12

at St. James’s Anglican Church, Orile llugun in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State by 5.pm prompt.

Burial service will hold on July 14 at the same St. James’s Anglican Church. Time is 12. noon.

Reception will hold immediately after interment at the Church field.

PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM

L-R: President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Mrs. Felicia Nnenna Agubata; APWEN National Treasurer, Mrs. Funmi Akingbagbohun; Project Director, Hitech Construction Company, Mr. Willie Barkhuisen; Chairman APWEN, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Laolu Adedapo –Aisida;and Mrs. Odufote Oluwatoyin during an industrial visit to the construction site of Agege Pen Cinema Flyover ... recently

‘Corruption, Major Impediment to Nigeria’s Development’ TobiSoniyi Justice Tanko Muhammad of the Supreme Court has identified corruption as one of the major impediments to Nigeria’s development.

Muhammad, who spoke in Kano yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the 11th Annual National Conference of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, said that graft had permeated every level of Nigerian society.

According to him, whenever corruption is mentioned, attention goes to public office holders only, however, even the common man is not left out in corruption practices.

He traced that the country’s development challenges to high level corruption in public and private life.

He said: “The monster of corruption has grown so big and strong that it has penetrated all aspects of our life.

“As Muslims we must not forget the statement of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him, that Allah has cursed the one who bribes and one bribed.”

Muhammad commended the passage of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition) Act, 2015, but said it must be reviewed

to meet new challenges posed by e-criminals and protect the public against their evil acts.

In the area of security, Muhammad said that there was a need to strengthen national security and develop strong institutions to meet with the challenges of the fast changing and increasingly complicated modern life.

He called on Muslim lawyers to promote national security, respect for human rights, rule of law and fight against corruption.

President of the association, Mr. Kamal Dawud, condemned the killings of innocent Nigerians and called on the federal government to invest more in curbing the faceless people and organisations fueling crises all over the country.

He said: “The government should warn all religious organisations in Nigeria against hate speech, any religious leader that instigates followers should be made to face the law.”

He also called on government at all levels to do what is necessary to make life easier for Nigerians, as well as improve and develop the economy. He appealed to religious and traditional leaders to complement efforts of the government by playing positive roles in overcoming the country’s security challenges.

Federal Republic of Nigeria Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A WATER USE LICENSE TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY (HYDRO POWER PLANT) PURSUANT TO SECTION 10 OF THE WATER RESOURCES ACT CAP W2 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004.

PPP Consortium Ltd/Gongola Power Co. Ltd. whose offices are situated at: No. 3 Parakou Cresent Off Aminu Kano Cresent Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT Hereby gives notice that it has made an application to the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission whose principal office is situated at: PLOT 502 (NAFISAH PLAZA), BY ABOGO LANGEMA STREET, OFF CONSTITUTION AVENUE, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, PMB 7020 AREA 1, POST OFFICE, GARKI ABUJA. For a Water Use License to establish a HYDRO POWER PLANT PROJECT at Kiri Dam on Gongola River in Shelleng LGA ADAMAWA STATE, pursuant to section 10 of the Water Resources Act CAP W2 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to generate 20MW from its Hydro Power plant at Kiri Dam. Notice is hereby given that persons who have objections to the grant of the water use license should send their written comments clearly articulating the basis for the objection within twenty one (21) days of this publication to: Executive Director Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission Plot 502 (Nafisah Plaza), By Abogo Langema Street, Off Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, PMB 7020, Area 1 Post Office, Garki Abuja.

Signed: By the Executive Director

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͶË&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 8, 2018

SUNDAYSPORTS

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

WORLD CUP 2018…

JUNE 14 TO JULY 15

Croatia Break Russian Hearts, Win Thrilling Q/Final on Penalties Demola Ojo

R

ussia’s fairytale run to the quarter finals of the 2018 World Cup was ended in dramatic fashion by Croatia who prevailed on penalties for a second consecutive time at this competition.

After 120 minutes of drama, suspense, and tension both teams were locked 2-2 with the lottery of penalties the only way to separate them.

Both Russia and Croatia headed into this match in similar fashion, earning penalty kick victories after 1-1 draws against Spain and Denmark respectively. And despite Croatia enjoying most of the possession, they struggled to subdue a Russia side full of energy and commitment.

However, Croatia reached the World Cup semi-finals for the second time in their history with Ivan Rakitic again the hero in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory.

Having slotted home the winning kick against Denmark in the last 16, Rakitic held his nerve to convert from the spot, with Mario Fernandes going from hero to villain by missing from 12 yards after his 115thminute header had made it 2-2 deep into extra time.

After ending the home side’s incredible run, Zlatko Dalic’s side will aim to at least go one better than the famous 1998 vintage, who finished third in France, when they meet England at the Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.

Denis Cheryshev got Russia off to a brilliant start

Rakitic celebrates the winning penalty with keeper Subasic

by marking his return to the starting line-up with yet another contender for goal of the tournament after his stunning efforts against Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the group stage, but Andrej

Kramaric equalised just eight minutes later.

Domagoj Vida headed Luka Modric’s corner home 10 minutes into the first extra period, only for Fernandes, the Brazil-born

defender who was only granted Russia citizenship by president Vladimir Putin two years ago, to keep Russia’s hopes alive in a dramatic finish.

However, it was not to be

for the resilient hosts, with goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saving Fedor Smolov’s penalty and Fernandes firing wide before Rakitic kept his composure to send Croatia through.

England Head Past Sweden into S/Finals Varane: France Must Stifle Hazard, Lukaku in St Petersburg England are into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990 thanks to Harry Maguire and Dele Alli headers against Sweden.

Maguire rose highest to thump home Ashley Young’s first-half cross, the eighth of England’s 11 goals at this World Cup to come from a set-piece. And Alli was unmarked to turn home Jesse Lingard’s cross against a lacklustre Sweden in Samara.

England keeper Jordan Pickford pulled off three fantastic saves to keep Sweden out - first turning away a Marcus Berg header, then producing a low stop from Viktor Claesson and finally tipping Berg’s shot over the bar.

The Three Lions are in the last four for only the third time ever.

They went on to win their home tournament in 1966 but lost to West Germany on penalties in 1990.

England not only reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since Italia 90, they did the job under the pressure of the occasion and the requirement to back up the victory over Colombia on penalties in the last 16 - with all of the mental toll that will have taken.

It was not the perfect performance by any means. They started sluggishly and surely gave goalkeeper Pickford far too much work to do for Southgate’s

England celebrate one of their goals yesterday liking in the second half.

On this day, with expectation rising and the unmistakable feeling around this sweeping Samara Stadium that the World Cup is really reaching the business end, England delivered.

Southgate will, of course, want those flaws addressed - but when the World Cup reaches the knockout stage it is the result that counts and England have now won two knockout games after failing to taste victory in one for 12 years.

They have fallen short on so many occasions that an England team who rises to the occasion are worthy of the highest praise.

England, for all the talk, knew they had this history to contend with and it is to the credit of the

calm and measured Southgate that he has not only led the team withsuchconfidence andcomposure, but he has now guided one of the most inexperienced squads here in Russia to the last four.

Aday after scoring his first goal oftheWorldCup,Francedefender Raphael Varane has turned his thoughts to how his team can stifle Belgium’s potent attack when the sides meet in Tuesday’s semifinal in St Petersburg.

Varane, who headed home Antoine Griezmann’s free kick to open the scoring for France in their 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Uruguay on Friday, said he was pleased at how France’s relatively young team was maturing as they progressed.

“I’mhappytohavebeendecisive (by scoring). It’s a great pleasure,” the Real Madrid centre back told reportersyesterday.“Wewerefaced withaphysicalchallengeyesterday and we dealt with it.

“Experience counts in these big competitions and it helps to avoid smallmistakes.Wehavearelatively

young team, but we’ve shown maturity and have been growing sincethetournamentstarted.“We’re solid defensively and have been abletoadapttoouropponents.We can also vary our game, which it is a massive strength.”

Belgium showed plenty of attacking flair in their 2-1 win over Brazil in the other quarter-final and Varane singled out forward Romelu Lukaku and playmaker Eden Hazard as two of the play-

ers the French would have to be wary off.

“It’saWorldCupsemifinal...there arenofavourites,”headded.“We’ll have to outdo ourselves and give ourbest,takeeachmatchasitcomes, and see how far we can go.

“Belgium are young, but they are maturing. We know it will be atoughmatch....RomeluLukaku’s physicalitycantroubleanydefence.

We can’t leave him any space because he’s a quality player.

Kazan Confirmed World Cup Graveyard of Champions Kazan’s official participation in the World Cup came to an end yesterday as the Brazil squad made their way to the airport for the long flight home while their fans consoled each other over beers on the streets of the Tatarstan capital.

The Selecao’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of Belgium in the last of the six matches in the city on Friday night ensured this

would be the first World Cup without at least one of Brazil, Argentina or Germany in the semifinals.

Remarkably, all three of the soccer superpowers, who have won 11 World Cups between them, bowed out of the tournament at the Kazan Arena.

First to go were defending champions Germany, beaten 2-0

by South Korea to finish bottom

of their group in a match that certainly made up for in late drama what it lacked in quality.

Next to depart were Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who were overwhelmed by the pace of Kylian Mbappe and 4-3 losers to France in a thrilling last-16 clash that married quality football with tension and atmosphere.

Finally, it was the turn of the Brazilians, unpicked early by the

counter-attacking of Belgium’s richly talented side and unable to quite clamber back into the contest.

If it was a rude ending for the travelling fans of the three powers, they at least got the chance to spend some time in Kazan, an elegant city that must rank among the more surprising secrets Russia has revealed to the world during the tournament.

Sunday July 8, 2018

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Galadima to APC “We are sad to report that after more than three years of governance, our hopes have been betrayed, our expectations completely dashed. The APC has run a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to the Nigerian people” – Chairman of the Reformed-All Progressives Congress, Buba Galadima announcing the formation of the R-APC.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Africa is Leaving Nigeria behind

Y

ou should have seen me shaking my head in self-pity, as if somebody had just mercilessly slapped me. I had just landed at the “little” Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana, and needed to use the rest room.

What I saw startled me. There were about a dozen toilet cubicles. All the doors were standing tall — none was hanging loose. I also saw a row of urinals in sparkling conditions. The rest room was so clean, so odour-free you could comfortably have your lunch in there without endangering your health. Water flowed freely.

There was tissue paper in abundance. The lights were bright. Not a single bulb was bad. I used the toilet and walked away impressed — and depressed.

I returned to Lagos the day after and visited the toilets at the “massive” Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). The first cubicle I opened nearly made me throw up. I covered my nose and retreated. I finally found one that was manageable; the door latch was gone, but since it was the minor business I wanted to do, I soldiered on. To my pleasant surprise, the toilet flushed, and I was grateful. Meanwhile, just in front of the toilets were five cleaners talking on top of their voices about the Belgium-Japan match at the World Cup in Russia. After using the toilet, I walked away depressed. We spend billions maintaining this airport every year.

This experience set me thinking again. I started my opinion-writing career by comparing Nigeria with Europe. I then began consoling myself by saying since the Europeans started their development trajectory centuries ahead of us, comparison was improper. It is like comparing the speed of a five-year-old with that of a teenager. I enjoyed the consolation while it lasted. I decided benchmark us against Asia, with focus on Dubai, Singapore and South Korea. At least, we had similar stories as at 1960 when we began life as an independent country.

Comparison with Asia also left me distressed.

Their pace of development is such that many Asian countries can now compete with Europe.

I decided to lower the bar further by saying that “after all, we are better than most sub-Saharan African countries”. It got that pathetic. But I have finally decided to stop living in denial. The rest of Africa is fast leaving Nigeria behind. Let me complete my airport stories before I delve into the evidence. It is only in Nigeria that you have two officials checking your passport — first by the DSS and then immigration. I have travelled to quiet a number of countries. Nigeria is just incredible. Only one official checks your passport in Accra, or any other country for that matter.

What exactly is the reason for this sickening anomaly in Nigeria? Is this a cherished relic from the military regimes?

I acknowledge that some things changed after Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as acting president, paid an unscheduled visit to the MMIA. We no longer unzip our bags for searches by officials of DSS, NDLEA and Customs at check-in counters.

This primitive practice has stopped. Praise the Lord. However, I still see leaking roofs at the airport, with buckets placed at strategic points to harvest rain water. I will avoid talking about the air conditioning system which works only when it pleases. This is the airport for which passengers pay $60 as service charge to FAAN, the landlords, anytime they buy tickets. This sorry story is similar at other “international” airports.

And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

I have written only about the Accra airport in comparison to our MMIA so as to contain my frustration. I will intentionally ignore the newly opened Blaise Diagne International Airport, Senegal, the adorable Addis Ababa Bole International Airport,

Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation Ethiopia, and the elegant Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, Côte d’Ivoire. I do not want to inflict myself with hypertension. But the point has to be made that although we like to talk big and act big and claim to have a massive population and humongous petrodollars, we are a disgrace to Africa. We cannot even build modern cubicles for immigration and customs checks!

The efficiency with which airports are run in these other African countries is not even the main reason for this article. While the airports are important as they are central to travel, tourism and trade — in addition to marketing the image of Nigeria — I am more worried about critical things that are happening in other African countries for which Nigeria is shamelessly lagging behind.

Ethiopia has launched a metro rail line in Addis Ababa. The project was delivered within six years (despite delays) for less than $500 million. It is the first light rail project in sub-Saharan Africa.

It handles 15,000 passengers per hour across 39 stations in the capital city. And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

God only knows the billions of dollars we have pumped into railways in the last 20 years with haphazard results, mostly buying toothpick for the price of toothpaste — to quote the immortal Dr Chuba Okadigbo. Only last year, Kenya inaugurated its standard gauge railway project covering about 470 kilometres. It took just three-and-a-half years to build. A presidential term is four years. The terminals look like international airports. Travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa has now been reduced from 15 hours by bus to only four hours and 30 minutes by rail. Imagine being able to travel from Abuja to Lagos by rail within five hours. And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

The amazing thing about such audacious and well-executed infrastructure projects is not just that they ease life and business — they also create jobs during and after construction. The direct and indirect benefits are limitless. And, ironically, we do not even have to spend one kobo of our money if we get the framework right. Many African countries are beginning to understand how it works. Asky Airlines has made Lomé-Tokoin International Airport, Togo, its West Africa hub.

More than 90% of the passengers are just passing through the airport for onward connection not just to West African countries but also to places such as India, US and Brazil. And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

In 2005, Nigeria launched the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) with a promise of “universal coverage” by 2015. That means all Nigerians, with emphasis on the poor, will be enrolled on the scheme so that they do not have to

pay cash for medical treatment. Rwanda came to study our NHIS some years later. Today, Rwanda has achieved nearly 100% coverage and statistics on maternal and infant health are among the best in the world. Nigeria? We are stuck at 3% — and we got that far because of the compulsory enrolment of civil servants. NHIS is now more about billions of naira to be manipulated by government officials and HMOs. And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

Maybe I should stop talking infrastructure and focus on governance. The prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, during the week sacked five senior prisons bosses accused of human rights violations and other misconduct. The government said the needs of prisoners had not been adequately met and their human rights had not been respected.

In Nigeria, thousands of people are languishing in police cells all over the country, routinely subjected to torture. We either deny or ignore it. Tens of thousands are in prison awaiting trial for years under the most inhuman conditions. They are transforming to living skeletons. No one ever gets punished. And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

Lest I forget, President Peter Mutharika of Malawi is currently being investigated by the country’s anti-graft body over allegations that he received kickback from a $3.9 million contract.

The entire cost of the contract is not even up to the pocket money (also known as “security vote”) of many Nigerian governors. In Nigeria, we can’t probe a former president much less a sitting one. In Kenya, Busia county governor Sospeter Ojaamong has been charged to court for awarding a contract that was not included in the budget.

Can you imagine that? Who cares about what is in the budget in Nigeria? Just take the money and spend like crazy. We are the Giant of Africa.

Still in Kenya, the public prosecutor last week ordered the arrest of two farm managers and government officials over a dam that collapsed and killed more than 47 persons two months ago. The nine government officials would be prosecuted for manslaughter and neglect of duty.

Who holds anybody responsible for anything in Nigeria? In 2014, 16 young Nigerians died during a badly organised recruitment by the Nigeria Immigration Service. The minister of interior, Abba Moro, described them as “unruly”. Why not? He knew he would not have to resign, neither would anybody hold him responsible for the deaths.

And Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

In the year 2001, poorly stored bombs went off at the Ikeja Cantonment, spreading panic all over Lagos. Over 1,000 lay dead at the end of the unprecedented mishap. President Olusegun Obasanjo visited the scene a few days later and famously asked an agitated protester to “shut up”, boasting that he was not even supposed to be in Lagos in any case. The world leader that he was, he was scheduled to be outside the country looking for the legendary foreign investors. Ain’t we lucky he came down to earth to visit Lagos over the tragedy? In the end, nobody resigned and nobody was punished over the catastrophe.

That is the way we roll.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently said he ordered the inspector-general of police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to relocate to Benue state following the internecine killings in January. The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and commanderin-chief of the armed forces later said he did not know that the IG was not in Benue as ordered by him. In other news, Idris was photographed cutting a giant birthday cake and having fun elsewhere while Benue was burning. He would not resign and nobody would sack him. That is our culture. That is the way we do it here. We are the Giant of Africa. We have moved from being a role model in 1960 to becoming a laughing stock. What hit us?

And Four Other Things…

‘REFORMED’ APC Since last year, we have been hearing that some politicians will defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to form a formidable opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid in 2019. It has taken forever but it seems it will still happen with the launch of “reformed APC” on Wednesday. I don’t know how far the R-APC can go in the game, but suddenly there is a growing belief that Buhari will have to sweat for re-election. I won’t be surprised if Buhari’s camp dismisses R-APC with a wave of the hand, but that would be a mistake. I must at this stage confess that things are getting more intriguing than I expected. Interesting.

TEACHERS AND THIEVES Since last year, we have been hearing that some politicians will defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to form a formidable opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid in 2019. It has taken forever but it seems it will still happen with the launch of “reformed APC” on Wednesday. I don’t know how far the R-APC can go in the game, but suddenly there is a growing belief that Buhari will have to sweat for re-election. I won’t be surprised if Buhari’s camp dismisses R-APC with a wave of the hand, but that would be a mistake. I must at this stage confess that things are getting more intriguing than I expected. Interesting.

TEACHERS AND THIEVES Think you have seen it all? Let me give you one more. The federal government launched the school feeding programme to improve enrolment across the country. From several accounts, the programme is not doing badly. But according to Connecting Gender for Development (COGEN), a non-governmental organisation, some teachers in Kaduna state are eating part of the ration meant for pupils. As a result, the ration does not usually go round. What a country. We steal from public treasury, we steal from the living, we steal from the dead, we steal from the elderly and now we are stealing from the children. Is there any country like Nigeria on Planet Earth? Mindboggling.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY I was a guest of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, last weekend where Senator Ahmed Makarfi gave a keynote on “Peace and Unity: The Role of Unity Schools”. I was in the panel of discussants. One thing that I walked away with is the value of promoting national integration through the diversity that these schools offer.

My wife attended a Unity School up north and has kept most of her diverse relationships till today.

It is a sad commentary that Unity Schools are increasingly limiting admissions to locals, thereby defeating the original objective of promoting national integration. Counterproductive.

AND FINALLY… This is serious. A native doctor has been shot dead — accidentally, you would add — after his customer tested “bullet-proof” charm on him. Mr. Chinaka Adoezuwe, 26, had asked his customer to test the efficacy of the charm by using himself as the guinea pig. He must have been so sure of his supernatural powers. Unfortunately, his charms failed him. I know he is dead, but if he could reverse the hand of time, he should test the bullet-proof on a goat next time. Fela once did it.

When the native doctor asked to test the charms, Fela suggested using a goat. You guessed right: the goat died. You win either way: you can, after all, make goat meat pepper soup if it fails. Wisdom.

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