SUNDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2018

After May, Merkel, Presidency Claims Leaders Queuing to Meet Buhari Nigeria, China to sign $328m ICT agreement Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Presidency yesterday in Beijing, China, boasted that world leaders were now queuing to meet President

Muhammadu Buhari, an experience, it said, showed there was something unusual about him. This is coming on the heels of visits to Abuja by British Prime Minister, Theresa

May, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Answering questions from journalists in Beijing over the accusation by United States President Donald Trump

that Buhari was lifeless, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the presidency had resolved not to react to the allegation.

Shehu said besides the president being an uncommon leader, there was also something special about Nigeria, arguing that the current trend is a departure from the past when

world leaders avoided Nigerian leaders. He said the change came about in the last three years and challenged Nigerians Continued on page 8

Boko Haram Kills 40 Soldiers in Two Weeks, 10 Others Still Missing… Page 8 Sunday 2 September, 2018 Vol 23. No 8537

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We’ll Reclaim Kwara from Saraki, Vows Oshiomhole Saraki: you're day-dreaming, you will struggle to keep Edo APC aspirants protest high cost of nomination forms, threaten defection

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole,

has vowed that the party will reclaim Kwara State from the grip of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the forthcoming general election. Oshiomhole

said this in Abuja during a meeting with APC stakeholders from Kwara State led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

He directed leaders of the party to ensure the conclusion of the election of executives from the ward to the state levels this weekend.

Oshiomhole said his earlier position that Saraki planned to destroy APC because of his inordinate ambition was vindicated by the senate

president’s recent declaration of his presidential ambition on the platform of the Peoples Continued on page 8

MTN Faces More Questions over $8.134 Billion Remittances Obinna Chima

As the fines imposed on four banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its directive to MTN Nigeria to refund a total of $8.134 billion over illegal capital repatriation continue to generate concerns, the Central Bank is being advised to properly investigate MTN payments and to look deeper into the telecoms company operations.

A former Senior Executive at MTN Nigeria, who spoke with THISDAY on condition of anonymity, because of the non-disclosure and non- compete clauses of his termination benefits, claims "there was a lot more with the payments than the MTN and banks want us to believe calling for a forensic audit" that would uncover much more.

He also chided the financial institutions involved in the matter over what he described as their failure to adhere to the Know-Your-Customers (KYC) policy of the apex bank.

The CBN had last Wednesday

slammed a fine of N5.87 billion on four banks over the violation of extant laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, and the Foreign Exchange Manual, 2006. The highest fine of N2,470,604,767.13 was slammed on Standard Chartered Bank, while Stanbic IBTC Nigeria was fined N1,885,852,847.45.

For the alleged infraction, Citibank got N1,265,541,562.31 fine, just as Diamond Bank was directed to pay N250 million penalty.

Also affected was MTN Nigeria, which the CBN directed to immediately refund $8,134,312,397.63, which was illegally repatriated by the telecoms company, to the coffers of the bank.

MTN Nigeria has since denied any wrongdoing. Stanbic IBTC Bank on Friday officially responded to the allegation, saying amongst others that Stanbic was not aware “at Continued on page 8

MULTI-CHOICE SHINES AGAIN WITH AMVCA 2018...

Nollywood Actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde clinched her first award in the Best Actress in a Lead Role in movie category at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, AMVCA, 2018 which held at Eko Hotel ...yesterday

Tonye Cole Steps Down from Sahara Group Board, Goes into Active Politics… Page 26

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Boko Haram Kills 40 Soldiers inTwo Weeks, 10 Others Still Missing Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Over 40 soldiers have been lost to rampaging Boko Haram terrorists in the last two weeks, despite claims by the military that the Islamic terror sect had been â&#x20AC;&#x153;technically defeatedâ&#x20AC;?.

This is in addition to the militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loss of some of their prized weapons, including five gun trucks, to the insurgents.

In the latest attack by the insurgents on Thursday, 26 soldiers were killed in Northern Borno.

A source in the Army told THISDAY on Saturday that a military base between Monguno in Borno State and a yet to be identified village in Yobe State was ambushed by Boko Haram fighters, resulting in the death of the 26 soldiers. The source also said the insurgents carted away â&#x20AC;&#x153;a scorpion battle tank, M Rap, and two gun trucksâ&#x20AC;? belonging to the military. He lamented that two weeks ago a group of soldiers from 133 Special Force Battalion were dislodged between the Yobe and Adamawa border. The

source said in that attack, 15 soldiers were killed and 10 others were missing.

The soldier, who was apparently worried by the turn of events for the military, said apart from the loss of personnel, three gun trucks were driven away by the rampaging insurgents.

Another source within the military lamented that it was sad that some of the attacks on the military were kept out of the media. He alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to paint a bright picture of happenings in

the troubled North-east.

Some of the soldiers, who spoke anonymously, said the insurgents had the capacity to move and attack military targets on the fringes of the country in the North-east. They said the insurgents had five gun trucks with them now, all seized from the military, and with this they can launch attacks on military formations.

One of them, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, the insurgents have been attacking our facilities in Northern Borno and part of Yobe with success in recent times. The morale is

really low within our ranks and something should be urgently done about this.â&#x20AC;?

Lamenting that most of the reports concerning military casualties were being concealed, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They just paint a picture that everything is okay, especially as we are approaching the elections and they want Nigerians to believe that they are on top of security in the country.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, a report by AFP claimed that at least 30 Nigerian soldiers were killed in combat with Boko Haram jihadists who

overran a military base in the North-east near the border with Niger. The news cable said two military sources told its correspondent. It reported that scores of jihadists in trucks stormed the base at Zari village in northern Borno State late Thursday and briefly seized it after a fierce battle in which 30 soldiers were killed.

All attempts to get spokespersons of the military in Borno to confirm the story was unsuccessful, as the mobile network in Maiduguri was bad as at last night.

from MTN directly? If the federal government engages forensic auditors, it will find out that some of the monies didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go directly to MTN.â&#x20AC;?

Providing more insights on the matter, another source who was privy to the transaction explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;MTN Nigeria brought in $402 million and said about $350 million of that was equity and the balance was loan and Standard Chartered went ahead to issue CCIs for the equity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, when they published their accounts in 2007, the CBN found out that MTN had re-classified it by then, saying out of the $402 million, only $2.9 million was equity, while $399 million was loan. Meanwhile, CCIs had been issued for $399 million. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That means, firstly MTN provided false information".

Thereafter, MTN decided through its banks to say that $399 million, should now be converted from loans to preference shares. And CBN at the time under Lamido Sanusi, then agreed to give MTN approval in principle on the agreement that the telecoms company must comply with certain conditions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But without complying with those conditions, they went ahead with their banks and converted that loan of

$399 million with which they remitted $8.134 billion in profit over six years, without CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s further approval or compliance with the original conditional approval.â&#x20AC;?

Continuing, the sources further alleged: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Probably, when MTN was bringing in the equity, they borrowed the money from abroad and when it was time to payback the loan, they got local banks to give them the loan as Naira and repatriated the FX Under the CCI's. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MTN is a South African country and the whole world knows that the country has a very strong forex regime and they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try what they did in Nigeria in their country.â&#x20AC;?

The CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings on MTN Nigeria had shown that shareholders of the company invested the sum of $402,590,261.03 and made a whopping after tax profit of $8.1billion (twenty times its original investment), in the company from 2001 to 2006 and the investment was carried out through the inflow of foreign currency cash transfers and equipment importation, which was evidenced by the Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) issued by Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Citi Bank (CB) and Diamond Bank.

Meanwhile, the plan by MTN Nigeria to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in an initial public offering this year is now under threat following the development, Reuters reported yesterday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will affect our timelines and key events,â&#x20AC;? said one of the people familiar with the matter, who did not want to be named.

The source said the development meant the IPO prospectus that had been prepared would have to be altered.

But analysts say MTN was a reluctant IPO candidate anyway and "would use this a excuse to pull out or postpone the IPO" as they are adverse to having regulators looking deeper into their books as required for public companies.

MTN Group declined to comment on MTN Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IPO. Meanwhile, Nigerian banks are set to hold a regular meeting soon at which they will discuss the fines and refund and seek ways to â&#x20AC;&#x153;engage government and regulators to resolve the issue,â&#x20AC;? according to Access Bank Chief Executive Herbert Wigwe, Banking Leader of the Bankers Committee, given the systemic impact an MTN failure could have on the financial sector if this is not properly managed.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was saying that all these defections is not about APC but the personal ambition of these people, they took hired writers to say I was being too hard. But Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s declaration has vindicated me. Thank God, he has moved on because his inordinate ambition was almost destroying our party, but he has failed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are not principled politicians but bread and butter politicians who can go extra

miles to pursue their selfish ambition and never think about the well-being of Nigerians.â&#x20AC;?

He advised APC members in Kwara State to close ranks and work towards ending the reign of Saraki in Kwara politics as the country head towards 2019.

In a swift reaction, however, the senate president described Oshiomhole's statement as mere wishful thinking. Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior special adviser on media stated

regarding Oshiomholeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claims, "He can continue to day-dream about Kwara. We assure him that he will have so many states to struggle to keep in 2019, including Edo State, that Kwara will be the least of his concerns. This man who talks more than he thinks will soon find out that Kwara people are too sophisticated to be dictated to by outsiders.â&#x20AC;?

(ERGP).

He also said Buhari and his Chinese host would witness the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR), recalling that in 2013, the Chinese leader proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries.

"During the high-level dialogue between Chinese and African leaders and business representatives on the margins of FOCAC, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MOUs, including those proposed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Nigerian

Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)," Shehu stated.

The statement also said Buhari would today meet Nigerians living in China ahead of the FOCAC meeting tomorrow when he will join Jinping and other African leaders at roundtable sessions that will essentially discuss the report of FOCAC since the 2015 Johannesburg Summit, including the implementation of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;ten cooperation plansâ&#x20AC;? adopted at the last meeting.

The statement added that the summit would adopt the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan for the development of China-Africa cooperation and fashion out new opportunities to grow Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership from 2019 to 2021.

MTN FACES MORE QUESTIONS OVER $8.134 BILLION REMITTANCES the relevant time that the affected investors in the MTN Private Placement had obtained foreign exchange loans from local banks for the purpose of their investments,â&#x20AC;? adding that in any case, it was not mandated by law to investigate whether an invested fund is borrowed or not but rather was obliged to ascertain that an investor had transferred the necessary funds to the stipulated accounts which the former MTN executive "said was contrary to the KYC policies of the CBN." He went on to make explosive allegations , which THISDAY could not immediately confirm at the weekend: that of the original $402million investment upon which the $8.1Billion profit was remitted over a few years, a sizable chunk was treated in the books of MTN as "equipment finance". He asked which equipment finance? By whom?

Who invoiced MTN? Are the vendors related parties? Are the vendors owned by MTN Directors? Why were some of the remittances of profit made to tax havens instead of to MTN headquarters accounts in South Africa? Who were the ultimate beneficiaries?

Responding to THISDAY inquiry last night, MTN said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The allegations are false and

based on completely false information. Please, refer to the statement we issued during the week as we have nothing new to add.â&#x20AC;?

But the MTN deep throat who spoke with THISDAY, alleged that the capital inflow the telecoms company claimed to have brought into Nigeria as equipment finance were â&#x20AC;&#x153;over invoicingâ&#x20AC;?.

The source insisted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The invoices from the transactions were from third parties and sub-companies related to some of MTN directors. Some of the invoices were not directly from MTN itself.â&#x20AC;?

The source pointed out that the banks that aided MTN in the alleged illegal repatriation of funds that were hanging onto technicalities and claiming not to be aware of any infractions

by MTN should â&#x20AC;&#x153;be asked what happened to the KYC rules in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial system.â&#x20AC;?

He said investors in the MTN Private Placement, which took place in February 2008, obtained foreign exchange loans from local banks for the purpose of investment in the telecoms company, only for them to subsequently repatriate foreign exchange as though they were foreign investors for FX which they sourced from Nigeria, at the

official exchange rate. In plain language, investors took dollar loans from Nigerian banks to invest in MTN and eventually repatriated the money out of the country as if they were part of the capital importation originally, he said.

As part of the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to enhance the quality of the banks, it had undertaken a review of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prudential guidelines, which emphasise KYC. The objective of KYC guidelines is to prevent banks from being used, intentionally or unintentionally, for criminal activities or money laundering activities. This also enables the financial institutions to better understand their customers and their financial dealings as well as manage their risks.

The CBN guidelines require all banks to comply with the Anti-money Laundering Act and identify any third party in the use of the correspondent banking services (i.e. in case of funds payable through accounts).

The source said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the monies MTN took out were not sent to MTN accounts in South Africa. Rather, the monies were sent to sub-accounts in Mauritius, other safe havens,â&#x20AC;? wondering, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why was this so?

Why did those invoices not come

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL RECLAIM KWARA FROM SARAKI, VOWS OSHIOMHOLE Democratic Party (PDP).

But Saraki, who recently defected from APC to PDP, issued a quick response through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yusuf Olaniyonu, mocking the claims of the APC national chairman. Olaniyonu told THISDAY yesterday by text that Kwara people were too sophisticated to be dictated to by outsiders.

In a related development, THISDAY learnt that ahead of

the planned commencement of the sale of APCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expression of interest and nomination forms tomorrow, some members seeking the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ticket for the 2019 general election were protesting what they called the exorbitant cost of nomination forms, and threatening to leave the party if the price was not slashed. A reliable party source told THISDAY that the party would have commenced the sale of forms to aspirants on

Friday but for the complaints about the cost of the forms.

Oshiomholeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assertions were contained in a statement yesterday by his chief press secretary, Mr. Simon Ebegbulem. The statement quoted the APC national chairman as saying that reclaiming Kwara from Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domination â&#x20AC;&#x153;is a task that must be accomplished."

Addressing the Kwara delegation, Oshiomhole said,

Continued on page 27

AFTER MAY, MERKEL, PRESIDENCY CLAIMS LEADERS QUEUING TO MEET BUHARI to appreciate the situation as a major development.

That was as Nigeria and China readied to sign a $328 million agreement on National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11) in Beijing as part of Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on-going visit to China. The agreement, to be signed by Galaxy Backbone Limited on behalf of Nigeria, and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) on behalf of China, is a facility provided by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

Shehu told journalists in Beijing, "You know that as a policy, we said that we are not going to answer the American president. However, the fact that the entire world and world leaders are queuing up to meet President Muhammadu Buhari is an indication that there is something about President

Buhari. There is something about the Nigeria he now leads that the world likes.

"I think that Nigerians themselves should better look at this from this positive point of view. It is a major development. We had situations in the country in the past where key world leaders didn't want to meet our own leaders. All of that has changed in the last three years."

Speaking on the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holding on September 3 and 4 in Beijing, which Buhari is in China to attend, Shehu said Chinese funding of projects in Nigeria had doubled since the president came on board.

He added that with the 2018 FOCAC summit, Nigeria hoped to take more opportunities back home.

The presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media

aide added, "You know that from the last summit in South Africa, the Chinese financing of projects in Nigeria has more than doubled under President Muhammadu Buhari and so, we expect that if the same momentum is maintained, we hope that going forward, all of the projects that are outstanding, like the Kaduna-Kano rail project, the coastal rail scheme, Mambilla power project, the second phase of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport expansion project, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and all of these projects, they will move more steadily, and thankfully, we have virtually everyone who matters on our own side.

"So, we hope that whatever is left, the dotted lines will be signed, and we are hoping that we will take back with us quite a number of schemes that will

take Nigeria forward."

The signing of the $328 million agreement, which will be witnessed by Buhari and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, is part of the activities slated for the 2018 FOCAC Summit.

Buhari arrived Beijing yesterday about 9:04am Nigerian time for a six-day official visit and was received by top Chinese government officials, including the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian.

In a statement yesterday, Shehu said the Chinese EXIM Bank facility was meant for the development of NICTIB 11 project, which he said was consistent with the current administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

9

SUNDAY COMMENT

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

2019 ELECTIONS AND MATTERS ARISING President Buhari has a responsibility to safeguard the democratic process

W

ith barely five months to the 2019 general elections, Nigeria is faced with a myriad of challenges that has the tendency to mar the exercise. First, the continuous voters’ registration exercise recently suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was characterised by fundamental flaws. Despite the extension of deadline, several prospective voters could not be registered because of needless difficulties in their bid to register.

Indeed, hundreds of thousands of prospective voters were frustrated as there were not enough officials to attend to them before the exercise ended.

In some registration centres across the country, some women had to fake pregnancy with a view to drawing the sympathy of INEC officers to facilitate their registration. There were also reports of people who had to part with money before they could be attended to. These developments are unhealthy as many Nigerians will be deprived of exercising their civic and democratic rights on election day.

However, what perhaps constitutes the biggest impediment is the debacle over Electoral Act (Amendment) to which President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to give his assent. With barely 24 hours to the expiration of the 30-day grace at his disposal to assent to the bill, the country faces the prospect of being compelled to use the old Electoral Act for the conduct of the 2019 elections, and that will be nothing but a setback. Already, several critical stakeholders, including political parties and advocacy groups have expressed their anger at the disposition of the president.

It is instructive that the current bill was transmitted to the president on 3rd August, 2018 following the

consideration of the initial observations he raised. Given the existing rules and protocols guiding preparations for the conduct of elections, if the bill is not signed six months before the elections, it becomes invalid hence the 2019 polls cannot be predicated on it; so technically, the bill might have lapsed. It is hard to believe the insinuations in some quarters that the president has refused assent because of the provision that makes the use of card readers mandatory for the accreditation of voters.

W

The political parties have a responsibility of ensuring that internal democracy is upheld and that every candidate for the forthcoming general election emerges on merit after a process devoid of any form of manipulation

Letters to the Editor

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

hile the card readers were used for the accreditation of voters during the 2015 general elections, it was not a legal provision then and where it did not function, voters were accredited manually. But with its incorporation into the bill, any form of manual accreditation has been outlawed.

That therefore means that it will be completely difficult to inflate votes beyond the number of the voters accredited.

It is noteworthy that in 2015, the use of the card readers also generated so much unease in the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), evidently because of the same cold calculations. Without its deployment, the outcome of the presidential election might have been different. It is therefore unfortunate that President Buhari who benefited from the use of card reader now seems reluctant in legalising the technology that has helped to improve on the credibility of elections in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, as the jostle for party tickets in various political parties in accordance with INEC timetable on the conduct of the 2019 polls holds between August and 8th October, the high cost of purchasing expression of interest forms remains a huge impediment to participation in elections. Unfortunately, rather than show a good example, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has priced its tickets at practically all levels beyond the reach of many people. Yet, as long as the cost of political participation remains high, the nation will continue to be deprived of the services of well-meaning Nigerians.

Given the foregoing, the president has a responsibility to safeguard democracy in the country by ensuring that he does not put his personal ambition above national interest. But the political parties also have a responsibility of ensuring that internal democracy is upheld and that every candidate for the forthcoming general election emerges on merit after a process devoid of any form of manipulation. That is the only way to grow democracy in Nigeria.

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.

Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation And Eagle Square

T

here has been some furore over the inability of Eagle Square facility managers to grant permission for use of the facility during the working hours of last Wednesday to an organisation named Rasy International Properties Ltd, Kano.

The FCT Administration, from my investigations, was not even aware of any application from the Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation for use of the Eagle Square. It could not, therefore, have known that Rasy International Properties Ltd was

the same as Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation.

Yes indeed, some organisations in the past, have used the Eagle Square facility for events during the working week, but not in recent times as that policy has been under review lately.

The decision to use or not to use the Eagle Square, we have been made to understand, is simply that of the facility managers to take, and not the Presidency’s. In doing this, the facility mangers, always recourse to the administration’s recent decision not to grant use of the place during office hours, any lon-

ger, as well as to undertake adequate background checks on applying organisations in order to ensure that only recognised organisations and national bodies could have access to the facility.

In no way was the Presidency connected with that action.

Neither was the FCT Minister aware that Kwankwaso Campaign Organisation applied for use of the Eagle Square.

It is also pertinent to recall that a certain festival took place early in the year during which the entire Abuja city centre was shut down by a mammoth crowd. The various roads were closed and

intractable traffic gridlocks arose in various adjoining districts, coupled with a huge bedlam. Open spaces around the Eagle Square were converted into conveniences and mounts of filth presented a huge task for the Abuja sanitation agency. There were also attendant security apprehensions and chaos.

All these for a mere N2.2million payment. Consequently, because of public concern, it became necessary for the administration to review the user policy for the facility.

Again, it must be restated that filing the application for the use of the square in the name of a barely known organisation, Rasy International Properties Ltd, based

in Kano did not help matters.

Subsequently, confronted with heightened security concern, the facility managers seemed to have had no option but to cancel the request. It must also be stated that it is not unusual for the facility managers to cancel such request based on the foregoing. It is only Rasy International that chose to go to town.

Some of us who have come across the present FCT minister, have come to admire him as one who has striven to rise above clannish considerations and sentiments in the conduct of public affairs.

––Uche Okeke , Editor, Focus on Abuja

10

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

NEWS Aso Rock Orders Reversal of New Postings in SSS Tobi Soniyi The Presidency has ordered the Acting Director General of the Department of State Security Services, Mr Mathew Seiyefa to reverse recent redeployment of top officials of the spy agency.

A source who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity s said that Aso Rock was not impressed with the new postings and had ordered that the postings be reversed.

The source also said that

President Muhammadu Buhari was already shopping for a replacement of Seiyefa.

Seiyefa was appointed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while acting as president following the sudden sack of Mr Lawal Daura who was relieved

vice in June 1984, has less than a year remaining. He will retire next year when he would have put in 35 years in service.

He was the most-senior official at the secret police when the axe ultimately fell on Daura.

Although, the Presidency said that President Muhammadu Buhari supported the sack of his kinsman, Daura, there were reports which claimed the contrary.

Seiyefa, who was excited by his appointment has swiftly moved to curtail the excesses of some of his men and ordered a nationwide redeployment of top officials of the service with the aim of repositioning the agency.

Some state directors were said to have been too close to state governors where they were serving. Others were said to have been compromised by the governors of the state where they serving.

However, unknown to the Acting DG, the Presidency did not buy his ideas of repositioning the service.

Immediately he was appointed, Seiyefa gave hint that he would not toe the inglorious path of his predecessor at a maiden press briefing on Thursday.

He promised to review all pending cases of illegal detention of persons, as well as the need to appoint a spokesperson for the department after three years of blackout imposed by Daura.

He also vowed to significantly improve the agency’s image

of his job after ordering a siege on the National Assembly.

The source said that the Villa was not comfortable with the new posting and has therefore asked the affected officers return to their earlier postings.

Seiyefa, who joined the ser-

FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

L-R: Director, Special Services (Office of Chief of Staff), Lagos State, Mrs. Raliat Alaka; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of the SGF, Dr. Aminat Bello Shamaki and the Director General, Special Duties, Office of the Governor Kano State, Col. Umar Malami, at the Federal and States Security Administrators meeting held at the NECA House, Ikeja...

PHOTO: KOLA OLASUPO recently

from its current infamy to an institution packed with professionals in law enforcement and protection of citizens against internal aggression.

Seiyefa was born on October 17, 1960. He hailed from Ekeremor, an oceanside community and local government area west of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

He attended Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Ekeremor. His secondary education was at Government College, Ughelli, in the neighbouring Delta State.

He studied law at the University of Jos and graduated with honours in 1982. Afterwards, he attended the Nigerian Law School in Victoria Island.

Seiyefa joined the State Security Service in 1984 when it was still known as National Security Organisation, shortly after completing his national youth service at the School of Islamic and Legal Studies, Kano.

Last week, an associate of Daura reportedly said that the former head of of DSS took the decision to invade the National Assembly after consulting with relevant authorities.

The associate also said Daura took all actions in national interest through a collective responsibility, including involvement of principal officers of sister agencies, even though he promised not to disclose on whose authority he relied on to lay siege to the National Assembly.

APC, INEC in Alliance to Rig 2019 Elections, PDP Alleges tINEC denies claim, challenges PDP to produce evidence Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being in an unholy alliance with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to rig the 2019 elections.

In a swift reaction, however, the INEC faulted the PDP’s claim, noting that there was

nothing like unholy alliance between the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the APC and any other political party whatsoever.

The PDP made the allegation in a statement its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan yesterday, linking the APC plan to rig the 2019 elections to the recent decision of the party to adopt direct primaries.

As shown in its statement, the opposition party said it was aware that the Presidency forced the direct primaries on party members “to eliminate delegates’ participation and pave way for the allocation of millions of conjured votes, which they intend to use as basis to authenticate the fictitious votes they intend to declare for President Buhari at the

general elections.”

The statement said it had also uncovers plots by the Buhari Presidency and the APC “to use direct primary to validate their plot to rig the 2019 general elections, particularly for President Muhammadu Buhari, who has become grossly unpopular ahead of the elections.

“Having eliminated contest within the APC, the presi-

dency is now apprehensive of apathy against Buhari due to his increasing unpopularity. It plots to import non-members of the party to satiate the venue of the presidential primaries to create an impression of overwhelming popularity for Mr. President and use that to validate the fictitious votes they are conjuring for the presidential election.

“The PDP is reliably informed that this rigging plot is the reason APC aspirants to other positions, especially, APC state governors, are demanding for direct primaries instead of the indirect primaries earlier approved for them by their party. PDP cautions the Chairman of INEC, Prof Yakubu, to end the unholy alliance between his commission and the APC.”

Ex-NDDC MD, Son, Die in Fire Outbreak Stokes Panic in Kenyan Movie, 18 Hours, Lagos Airport Leads Africa Auto Crash Sylvester Idowu in Warri The people of Niger Delta were thrown into a state of mourning yesterday with the sudden death of former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan.

Aginighan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and the leader of the Ijaw elements within the party, was said to have died in a ghastly road accident around the Mbiama end of the East-West Expressway on Friday.

The son of the prominent Ijaw leader, identified as Tammy and his police escort, whose name could not be ascertained

at the time of filing this report also lost their lives.

THISDAY could obtain details of the accident, it was however learnt that vehicle conveying the deceased was crushed by a trailer, leading to an inferno, which burned the victims beyond recognition. Delta State Treasurer of the APC, Hon. Ebiakpo Ezebiri, said the incident happened on Friday disclosing that leaders of the party had been trying to reach the deceased all through the day but could reach him.

“We were together on Thursday when we hosted Professor Utomi. People were trying to reach him yesterday to get his attention on some matters, but he was unreachable, nobody knew he was dead.

Chinedu Eze

A car engulfed by fire at the open park, less than 200 meters to the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos sparked panic among travellers and airport users yesterday.

The fear of a burning car, unattended with thick, black smoke billowing into air, forced motorists to scamper for safety and caused heavy gridlock on the Oshodi-Airport Road vehicular traffic.

Eye witness account said the car suddenly went up in flames and continued to burn for several minutes without fire fighters in sight.

Other people who parked

their vehicles at the car park were alerted and the scrambled to move their vehicles, thus exacerbating the panic and chaos.

The eye witness said after the car had burnt to its carcass, frantic effort was made by the airport authorities to put out the fire. “There has been a severe gridlock into and out of the airport at the moment as the traffic appears to be extending to Oshodi at the moment. When the incident happened, there were no fire fighters to quickly put off the fire.

“As I am speaking to you, efforts are being made to bring in fire fighters; but they are yet to arrive,” an intending traveller told newsmen,” the eyewitness said.

Vanessa Obioha

For the first time, a Kenyan film has won the most coveted Best Overall Movie category at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

18 Hours, a movie about a rookie paramedic who survives 18 hours in an ambulance for the life of a road accident casualty and is denied admission into hospital , edges out ‘Alter Ego’, ‘Descent’ ‘The Torture’, ‘Devil’s Chest’ and ‘Road to Sunrise’.

Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde also clinched her first AMVCA in the Best Actress in a Lead Role in movie category,while Jade Osiberu smiled home with the award

for best director for her movie ‘Isoken’.

It was a great achievement for a feature directorial debut.

Isoken was on song again in the best movie in West Africa category.

Ghanaian actor Adjetey Anang, also, went home with the AMVCA trophy for best actor in lading role. He was nominated twice in the category.

Kenya’s emergence at the top sends a strong signal to acclaimed African filmmakers from Nigeria and South Africa that the East African country is coming up stronger.

With over 3000 entries received at this year’s edition, the competition is getting keener.

T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

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Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pact With The Youths Thereisaneedforradicaldeparturefromtheoldwaysifwemustcatchupwithothernations,writes Femi Salako

R

ising to become the third citizen of the nation in 2015, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has never hidden his firm believe in the qualitative contributions the younger generation have to offer for the progress of the nation.

He demonstrated this belief with the way he has identified with young Nigerians and their inclusiveness in running the National Assembly in different capacities. One thing was clear: Saraki surely had his hands on the plough and he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t letting go of fully exploring and giving room for the potential of the younger ones to grow to the level it would be celebrated. This perhaps informed his decision to announce his long-awaited decision to run for Presidency at a gathering of Nigerian youths.

In the last three years of leading the National Assembly, he has never hidden his undying desire to make Nigeria work, and work better for the common man. But those who saw him as a threat sought to stiffen him, yet he dared all odds to make the Senate work, and it worked for the people, passing the highest number of bills since the inception of the Nigerian democracy.

Saraki has always acted presidential even before Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s declaration to run for President. And this he displayed again as he spoke at the first public dialogues series held at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja. So challenging, factual and call for spontaneous action are words in this speech such that a young man seated close to me inside the hall said in utmost awe, as he listened to Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s declaration speech.

Unlike the usual political rhetoric where aspirants only reel out the woes of the nation, Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech was an outline of solutions, a departure from what we were used to hearing at political gatherings and that made it more remarkable and attention arresting.

He was not given to the usual politics of tearing things down; his speech offered hope and painted a future that would be brighter for all. It offered hope to the present woes that have led to unprecedented division, insecurity, increasing poverty in every corner of Nigeria and among Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is perhaps more divided now than ever before. We are increasingly divided along regional, religious and ethnic lines.

Nigerians are also divided by class, a festering gulf between the

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;havesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;have-notsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The fault lines of this nation are widening to an alarming degree. We must do something fast, and we must be brave about it.â&#x20AC;? Saraki said How more can we agree with Saraki on this? The actions and utterances of President Muhammadu Buhari who is supposed to unite all had caused more division and lack of trust among the citizens. His proud declaration of a part of the nation as his constituency and his 97% to 5% rhetoric has only widened the division in this nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every citizen has the inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging, no matter their background or creed, or what part of the country they come from. No matter who you voted for or what your convictions are, government must work for you.â&#x20AC;? Sarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words resonate hope.

With Nigeria shamefully crowned as the poverty capital of the world, Saraki believes the younger generation does not deserve to wallow in poverty amidst abundance of resources the nation is blessed with. He assured of his readiness to â&#x20AC;&#x153;lead the fight and employ every God-given resource available to us in turning things around. I am determined to grow Nigeria out of poverty. We will stimulate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the ways of energising the economy and to create wealth for our people, especially the youth.â&#x20AC;?

While the present and successive governments have been

He was not given to the usual politics of tearing things down; his speech offered hope and painted a future that would be brighter for all. It offered hope to the present woes that have led to unprecedented division, insecurity, increasing poverty in every corner of Nigeria and among Nigerians

criticised of very low or lack of youth inclusiveness in their government, Saraki is offering a lifeline that is hoped will realign the crooked paths; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to see the youth play major roles at all levels, not only in government but also in the private sector and indeed in every area of Nigerian life. This will be a government driven by youthful energy, innovation and a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. Nigerian youth will be given all the opportunities to realise their potential to the full within a national framework that guarantees inclusiveness.â&#x20AC;?

In what looks like a veiled attack on the lack of empathy of the present government in the face of national disasters and insecurity leading to loss of thousands of lives across the nation, Saraki declared: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I offer leadership driven by empathy. Where leaders are responsive to the citizens. Where they know that government cares. We will not be indifferent or turn a blind eye to the real concerns of our people. Every single Nigerian life matters.â&#x20AC;?

In the face of consistent attacks by rampaging herdsmen and other insecurity, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My plan is to secure Nigeria by redesigning our national security architecture, while adequately equipping our security agencies to fulfil their primary role of protecting lives and property,â&#x20AC;? he said.

As Saraki was rounding up his speech, he made a call on all patriots to arise, save this country and grow Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must pull this country back together and rebuild, block by block, with dedication and commitment. We must restore the sanctity of the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions in order to build a just, fair and equitable society for all. We must rebuild the trust of our people in government,â&#x20AC;? he said Nigeria is presently at a crossroads where any decision made now must be cautiously made with strong conviction, as such could make or mar the destiny of the nation as we journey into the future.

He left us with options to â&#x20AC;&#x153;either keep things as they areâ&#x20AC;?, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;make a radical departure from the old ways. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll rather we make radical departure from the old ways, no matter how inconvenient, if we are truly serious about catching up with other African nations who hitherto looked up to us, but have since left us behind in developmental stride.â&#x20AC;?

This generation must not look away as this nation slide into abyss.

Celebrating A Humanist Martins Nwamadi pays tribute to Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi State

I

n a society where the rich and mighty see themselves as demigods that must be served and worshipped, there is always a palpable fear and trepidation among those considered as lesser mortals. Such social divide is further worsened by the fact that each side sees the other as the enemy. The lack of trust has always been a source of discontent, especially among the downtrodden who take to violence anytime they find occasion for it.

Without doubt, the blight and desperation among the teeming masses have continued to influence the way the poor and marginalised live.

Most times and in the absence of alternatives to improve their lot, the poor can only hope and pray that someone with the milk of human kindness comes their way and banish poverty and destitution from their midst. With luck this prayer is being answered in Kebbi State through the person of Alhaji Atiku Bagudu.

Atiku Bagudu is not only humanist and philanthropist par excellence; he is also the governor of Kebbi State. In a milieu brimming with political propaganda as tool for image laundering, Bagudu stands out as a superstar with a sense of mission for justice and development. Over the years, this former banker and venture capitalist has been engaged in economic revolution to transform the once sleepy state into an investment El-Dorado.

As a result, Bagudu has been enriching the state through constructive engagement while leveraging the potential of the vast arable land into productive industrial and agricultural ventures.

Before going into details on how Bagudu is achieving such revolution in Kebbi State, it is pertinent we take a closer look at the man and his antecedents. For the records, Bagudu was born on 26th December 1961 in a well to do family. His father was the director of Primary Education in Kebbi State. Atiku Bagudu attended the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics.

He later proceeded to the University of Jos, for a Masters Degree also in Economics and later Columbia University, USA where he obtained another Masters Degree in International Affairs.

After a short but eventful spell in banking, the prodigious Atiku Bagudu succumbed to the call of his constituency to go into active politics. For him, it was another opportunity of giving back to society and also harnessing the potential of the people with a view to making that part of Nigeria a reference for industrial and agricultural success.

Unarguably, one can posit that since his public service to the people, the fortune of Kebbi State has been on leaps and bounds.

In an environment where politics is seen as an end, Bagudu has

taken to harnessing its potentialities to improve the industrial and economic development of Kebbi State. He has not only brought his ingenuity as a hands-on manager to effect, Bagudu has continued to lead by example.

Those ardently following the antecedents of this manager of men and material will attest to his uncommon touch and zeal for details. It is therefore not surprising that he is the ViceChairman of the National Food Security Committee. Of course, he is living up to this billing given that he has brought some multinational companies like Wacot and Dangote group who have established rice mills in the state, while also an indigenous company has entered into partnership with the state government for the construction of a $330million sugar processing plant.

A gifted grassroots mobilise and ardent bridge builder, Bagudu recently sent 57 agricultural experts to Imo State to train agriculture extension officers in industrial rice production.

Undoubtedly, Bagudu believes that providing good and efficient services like quality education, affordable housing, good road networks and integrated agricultural programme would make life more meaningful for the ever increasing population in Kebbi State.

For one at home with the rich and the poor, he has been able to harness the innate abilities of the two groups for a common bond of friendship that is helping to launch Kebbi into the elite club of fast developing states in the country. To further energise his drive for economic emancipation, he recently approved the commencement of registration exercise for 30,000 young artisans and small-scale business owners to benefit from an interest-free micro-credit support from the Bank of Industry.

While the exercise is free of charge, women have also been encouraged to apply for the micro-credit support to boost their income.

Those to benefit can access up to N250, 000 to expand their existing enterprises but starting with initial disbursement of N50,000. This interest-free credit is repayable on weekly basis and within a maximum period of six months. No doubt the drive and zeal to create more job opportunities for the youths, has compelled him to champion the revival of the Argungu festival. He believes that this famous tourist attraction would provide opportunity for many people to generate income and take care of their families.

Away from the klieg lights of publicity, no one would attest that Bagudu is a man of compassion and universal humanity.

This was demonstrated at a recent visit to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi to sympathise with four journalists involved in an accident along the Augie-Zagi-Dundaye road.

There, he gave the sum of N100, 000 to each of them as financial assistance. On August 21, and during the past Sallah celebration, Bagudu saw an eight year- old- boy with a fractured skull resulting from a wound inflicted on him by a farmer. He did not only show compassion, he stepped out of his car to take the victim to a hospital. He also paid the bills for the treatment and upkeep. True to type, and given his life of philanthropy Bagudu adopted the boy into his family.

His love for the less fortunate is responsible for the agreement between his administration and the local National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the 21 local government areas to convey any pregnant women to hospital whenever called to do so. For effectiveness, his administration has established a toll-free line. It is interesting to note that the government will also pay the bills without cost to the affected person or family.

Such act is in conformity with his philosophy of helping those in need and making sure that the state gives mothers and their children the opportunity to grow and prosper in a healthy and productive environment.

Asked of someone he admires and what makes the individual stand out, Atiku Bagudu was quick to mention the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola. For him, Abiola was the one who saw the degradation suffered by African slaves in the hands of European rubber barons and greedy capitalists and demanded reparation from America and Europe for this inhuman act.

Bagudu believes there is need for African leaders to rediscover themselves and embark on progressive programmes to slow and eventually stop the exodus of Africans to the advanced economies of Europe and America.

Married to a medical doctor, Bagudu is an avid reader of books and consummate golf player who likes socialising with people in order to listen and learn. A firm believer in the unity of Nigeria, he continues to advocate inter-ethnic and religious dialogue in order to reduce tension aggravated by misunderstanding. For him, Nigeria is an emerging economy with huge potential that can only be harnessed for the technological and economic development of Africa and the black world. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Nwamadi is the Managing Director of Ubaond & Associates, Abuja

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

LETTERS

BOOSTING BREASTFEEDING IN NIGERIA

W

orld Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1-7 to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. The celebration provides wonderful opportunity of refreshing knowledge or setting agenda for nursing mothers on breastfeeding for a whole week.

First celebrated in 1992 by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), World Breastfeeding Week is now observed in over 120 countries by UNICEF, WHO and their partners to spread awareness about benefits of breastmilk and exclusive breastfeeding as well as factors that could promote or hinder exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers and recommendations of way forward.

The question of exclusive breastfeeding as the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need has been a subject of several studies. Exclusive breastfeeding by definition is giving the baby only breast milk from birth until six months of age. It means the child will not be given water or herbal concoction for a

M

António Guterres, United Nation Secretary General

whole six months. Exclusive breastfeeding is universally recognized as the most cost effective, high impact preventive intervention that promotes the health of mothers and babies while reducing health care costs for government and families.

According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), it is described as

the cornerstone of care for childhood development and the gold standard of infant feeding as it provides all the nutrients that a child needs for the first six months of life. Breast milk continues to provide essential nutrients for childhood development up to two years.

The theme of 2018 week, ‘Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life’’ is very fitting as

breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding is a win-win for all - baby, mother, family and society.

Breastfeeding improves the survival, health, and development of all children.

It saves women’s lives and contributes to human capital development. These benefits are irrespective of where you live and your economic status.

Breast milk contains the entire nutrient that an infant needs for the first six months of life. It also contains antibodies that help the baby fight off infection. Breastfeeding lowers the baby’s risk to allergies such as asthma.

Babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives have lower risk of respiratory infection, sudden infant death syndrome and fewer bouts of diarrhea. Breastfeeding also protects the babies from adult on set of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Breastfeeding also reduces ill health in children, improves their educational potential and probably their earnings as adults.

The benefits of breastfeeding for the mother include protection against breast and ovarian cancers, against hip fracture later in life and post-

A Nation In Need of Free Speech

erit, taken objectively, is ‘something earned, something owed to a person. Taken subjectively, merit is the right of a person to his earning and is of two typescondign and congruous merits.

While condign merit deals with strict justice to a reward, congruous merit is not so much a right as a claim but rests upon what is suitable or fitting in a situation’.

With this words of Paul Glenn in mind, each time I am asked my opinion on the nation’s media industry in relation to free speech/freedom of expression, I usually pause to honestly look at its virtues and attributes both objectively and subjectively, and in all, one thing often stands out; the Nigerian media industry in the writer’s views neither merits nor deserves the inequitable treatments so far meted to it by the successive administrations.

The reason for this position is signposted in the fact that the vast majority of the ordinances/ codes made to guide the practice had never squared up or in harmony with the moral laws. A case that has postured the right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the nation’s 1999 constitution as amended to a mere declaration of intent rather than that of reality.

Standing as telling examples are: the infamous Decree 4 of 1984 and very recently, the controversial Nigerian Press Council Bill 2018 currently before the National Assembly; a bill that its emergence has further blown hot wind into the media industry and caused the practitioners to stagger in

confusion.

Certainly, citizens of every nation whether democratic or otherwise hunger for ‘public forum or sphere where the issues of the public interests are viewed as central, and openly considered, discussed or debated. On their part, the politicians and public office holders also have a great interest in how the media covers their behaviour. They depend on the media to provide the information they need about the people and the society. The media practitioners, in turn, depend much on the authorities (public office holders) for their information.

Increasingly, by choice or by accident, a number of issues daily emanate from this mutual dependency as the vast majority of public office holders are allergic to accepting their political past/mistakes while others are not disposed to having their political future discussed.

Consequently, the nation has on countless occasions witnessed this relationship snowball into a frosty one as the government attempts to unjustly moderate, control or regulate public discourse using decrees (during the military eras) and draconian legislation to impose punishments.

Fresh in our memory was the excruciating ordeal of two journalists with the Guardian Newspapers -Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson jailed by a military tribunal on the 4th of July,1984 for reports that were not lacking in merit but asymmetrically viewed to have contravened the same infamous Decree 4. Similarly, the recent Oyo State Government/

Fresh FM saga has become to media owners/ practitioners a rocky episode of frustration and bewilderment.

Very instructive, I have no despair about the future of media practice and freedom of expression in Nigeria but the events of the past weeks have become an emblematic proof that the soul of Decree 4 still pervades our national media wavelength and further revealed an unhappy truth that free speech is under attack- a state of affairs considered bad for morals.

However, just before you shed your doubt on this position, wait till you cast a glance at the synoptic litany of the recent attempts to cage the media.

First and most radical was the present administration’s unfortunate attempt to regulate the activities of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in the country, which was followed in quick succession by another ill-fated attempt to censor the social media, with the ceaseless efforts by the government culminating in the proposition of hate speech bill.

Strangely but anticipated, before the dust raised by the proposed hate speech bill could settle down, that of the Nigerian Press Council Bill 2018 was up - a bill greeted with knocks and viewed by industry watchers as draconian and another attempt to take the media industry back to the dark days.

This situation is even made worse by the sudden acrimony between the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and some radio and television stations over their purported inability to settle sundry debts/charges to the commission; a claim which

most of the embattled stations have denied.

Indeed, as someone that is sufficiently interested in seeing Nigeria turn to a zone of peace, it will in the first instance be rewarding if the pro- Nigerian Press Council Bill 2018 proves to the stakeholders the defects the bill is set out to correct and must be in total compliance with the provisions of section 22 of the nation’s constitution which states thus; “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.”

Accordingly, if the bill is passed, from what Nigerians with critical interests are saying, the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, to which all Nigerians are entitled under section 39 of the constitution, will only exist in the frames without a free press.

However, whatever the true position may be, it’s crucial for all to note that media organisations must not undermine but support the fundamental needs of the country, and, the positive purpose of the elected government if it will not in any way dent/obstruct the media’s primary responsibility to the masses in a democratic society which among others includes -inculcating and reinforcing positive political, cultural, social attitudes among the citizenries.

Create a mood in which people become keen to acquire skills and disciplines of developed nations.

––Jerome-Mario Utomi, Jeromeutomi@yahoo.com

menopausal cardiovascular disease (the longer mothers breastfeed, the greater their protection against breast and ovarian cancer, and hip fractures). For this, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed for up to two years and beyond with addition of complementary foods from the sixth month.

Exclusive breastfeeding also helps to bring about bonding of baby and mother and helps delays a new pregnancy. It also boosts the child’s Intelligent Quotient (IQ) and lowers his or her tendency of developing into a violent adult. The findings from WHO and partners estimate that global economic losses from lower cognition associated with not breastfeeding reached more than US$ 300 billion in 2012, equivalent to 0.49 per cent of the world’s gross national income.

Yet, worldwide, there are still low levels of optimal breastfeeding. Very low exclusive breastfeeding rate has persisted among mothers in Nigeria with the National rate at 25% in 2014 (National Nutrition and Health Survey, 2014). This rate varies across the geopolitical zones with the lowest rate in the North West at 10% and highest rate in the South West at 39%.

The rates in other regions are South East 18%, North East 22%, South South 31%, and North Central 32%.

Top on the findings of factors that cause this is that women in the workplace often did not have enough maternal protection from their employers. There are also factors of hormonal challenges, lack of family support, societal influence, influence of extended families and social status.

This brings to the fore the

question of maternity leave: Should maternity leave be six months on national scale?

Sincerely, this is very desirable as it will support the mother practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby’s life.

One of the steps to successful exclusive breastfeeding includes allowing mothers and infants remain together 24 hours a day. This is to enable the mother breastfeed the baby on demand whenever the baby wants to breastfeed.

A six months leave will provide ample opportunity for the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

Lagos State has already implemented this and others can take a cue from the Lagos. This is especially important as most establishments in Nigeria do not make any provisions for crèches where breastfeeding mothers can bring their babies so that the babies are close enough for the mothers to take breastfeeding breaks and breastfeed their infants.

Another important issue is how soon mothers are expected to breastfeed their babies. Mothers are expected to put the baby to the breast within 30 minutes of delivery and to give the baby the first milk which is known as colostrum. This milk is thick and yellow, rich in antibodies and vitamin A which protects the baby against allergy and infection. It is also contains growth factors which helps the intestine to mature and reduce intolerance. It has purgative properties that help to clear the meconium (the greenish stool passed by babies).

––Rasak Musbau, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

Amosun: A Dream Fulfilled

F

or the Ibikunle Amosun administration, the dream of making Ogun a habour for local and foreign investments has been realised.

What more could a state, which at a point in the manufacturing sector attracted 75 per cent of Foreign Direct Investment in the country (according to MAN), ask for? This surely is a no mean achievement. Why will the helmsman of such a state not be proud of his achievements?

This does not, by any stretch of the imagination, suggest that the state can now rest on its oars. It only proves that when a government devotes its time to doing the right thing, it must get the right results. And Amosun is still consumed with passion for industrial development of Ogun State.

The rise in the number of industries that established their presence in Ogun State in recent years can only be

attributed to the enabling environment created by the current government.

The latest addition (International Breweries Plc) to the stream of industries flowing into the state will only spur the government to continue to strive to ensure the state is the very first choice for local and foreign investors.

As it stands today in Nigeria, it is easier to list the number of companies yet to be in Ogun State than attempting to count the number of multi-billion naira industries that berthed in the state in the last seven years of the Ibikunle Amosun administration.

The gargantuan investments by the current government in security, road, power and 'Ease of Doing Business,' which earned the state a recognition by the World Bank, have clearly yielded salutary results.

––––Soyombo Opeyemi, Abeokuta

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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T H I S D AY ˾ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

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Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL Defence and Economic Cooperation Agreements in Nigeria-United Kingdom Bilateral Relations

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he visit of Mrs. Theresa May, the incumbent Prime Minister of Britain, to South Africa (Tuesday, 28th August, 2018), Nigeria (Wednesday, 29th August, 2018) and Kenya (Thursday, 30th August, 2018) was strategic in design, Brexit politics-driven by necessity, and quite a revelation of the increasing importance of Africa as an instrument.

First, the reason for the choice of these three countries, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, is noteworthy and cannot be farfetched. In the possible thinking of Theresa May, South Africa has the biggest economy, and not Nigeria, in Africa.

This cannot but also explain why she opted to go to South Africa first. It is also possible she might want to travel far south first and then make her returning trip closer home to Britain. What is important is that Theresa May wants the United Kingdom companies to play very active roles in South Africa, especially in its US$100 billion investment drive programme.

More important, Britain wants to train the next generation of South African scientists, as well as see South Africa joining the United Nations Security Council in 2019. This type of foreign policy agenda requires the nurturing of a special relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, especially in light of the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new land reform which is currently generating much heat in the western world, especially in Washington.

Regarding Kenya, Britain is currently the largest foreign investor in the country. As Britain is preparing to leave the European Union, there is the need to begin to address the challenges to be created as a result of the exit. In preparation for this, Mrs. May wants to show Kenya its commitment to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ensuring a smooth transitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by assuring Kenya that its current privilege of duty-free access to the UK market would be retained after Brexit.

The Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, not only appreciated the visit by asking Mrs May to come back to Kenya rather than going to France and Italy for holidays, and enjoy the weather, especially after Brexit, but also noted some aid initiatives, such as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Leave No Girl Behind programme for which Kenya is seeking further help. The programme is designed to help the more than â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;5000 Kenyan girls who have dropped out of school as a result of early marriage, motherhood or gender-based violence to get back to education.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; One achievement of Mrs. May visit to Kenya includes the signing of an agreement on the framework for the repatriation of ill-gotten funds and assets by Kenyans. Britain is the third international partner, after Switzerland and Jersey Island, in the anti-graft war effort of Kenya.

The visit to Nigeria appears to be more interesting. The visitor and her host signed on Wednesday, 29th August, 2018, two agreements, one on defence and the other on economic cooperation.

The visit is an expression of the warmth in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bilateral ties with Britain, even though Britain-Nigeria relationship has always been vertical in nature since 1960. For instance, Nigeria has always been the recipient of British development assistance: disaster relief, military training, educational scholarships for Nigerian students, economic grants, diplomatic support, etc. This means that the relationship is unequal.

The relationship, over the years, has also been characterised by many irritants that were eventually removed on the altar of cooperation: landing rights for some Nigerian-registered aircraft, transfer of Nigerian prisoners from the United Kingdom back home, mistreatment of some Nigerian passengers on British Airways flight, etc. In spite of all these, the visit of Theresa May cannot but raise more questions on the extent of the usefulness of the agreements between the two countries over the years and for the future.

Put differently, what really has been the impact of British

Prime Minister May and President Buhari in Abuja...recently

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

defence training for the military in Nigeria? Why has the British government not been able to make their Nigerian trainees have the technological skills required for self-reliance? When is an agreement truly in the national interest? When is the national interest considered under threat? Again, defence and economic cooperation agreements have always been done but the dividends of such agreements have not always been evident. The agreements are always about promises that are, more often than not, not fully kept in implementation, and when they are partially fulfilled, they are not done on pro bono basis.

Issues in Anglo-Nigerian Defence and Economic Agreements The foundation of British-Nigerian defence and economic agreements is tilted more to the protection of the interest of Britain than that of Nigeria. In 1957, that is, still under colonial rule, a Federal Defence Council, chaired by the Governor General, was set up. The Council, not only decided to accelerate Nigerianisation of the military for the purposes of future independent army, but also reduced the entry qualifications and, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;in reaction to the long standing British practice of selective ethnic recruitment... decided to base recruitment to the rank and file of the army ... on a quota system in which 50% came from the North, 25% from the East and 25% from the West,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to borrow the words of Dr. Nowa Omoigui in South Carolina (www.gamji.com/nowa/nowa10.h).

In this regard, for the purposes of the Cold War, Britain initiated the signing of an Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact, to which Chief Obafemi Awolowo was vehemently opposed, and which would be later abrogated due to general protests, but by fiat according to Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa. Thus security was an issue and first foundation of bilateral defence and security cooperation in the post-independence era.

The visit of Theresa May constitutes an issue in itself. It coincides with the holding of the 58th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja during which what constitutes a security threat and who should determine it, was discussed. In this regard, there were two competing national interest arguments at stake: contempt of court and national security. The problem arising from the two interests is that threat to national security is, more often than not, used as an excuse for not respecting court rulings and judgments, hence the argument of contempt of court.

Put differently, does the protection of human rights take precedence over that of national security? Barrister Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, advanced in the conference the argument of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;salus populi supremalexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a maxim that says that the law of the society necessarily takes precedence over the liberty of the individual member of the society, to suggest that national interest should override individual interest.

It was also argued in the same vein that individual interest cannot in any way be protected in an environment of disorderli-

ness and insecurity, thus still admitting that collective security cannot but be given first priority in order to secure individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operational freedom. By implication therefore, and particularly relying on Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the understanding of the rivalry between the need to protect human rights, on the one hand, and the need to ensure national security, on the other, has to be put in context.

As provided in Section 45(1) of the Constitution, nothing in Sections 37 (right to private and family life), 38 (right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion), 39 (right to freedom of expression and the press), 40 (right to peaceful assembly and association) and 41 (right to freedom of movement) of the Constitution shall invalidate any law that is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;reasonably justifiableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in a democratic society a) in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Two points are noteworthy in this constitutional provision: invalidity of law and reasonableness and justifiability of law. In this regard, sections 37-41 of the Constitution can take precedence over the provisions of section 45 if the law is not reasonable and justifiable. The other point is that, what also explains the reasonableness and justifiability of the law is the linkage to defence, public safety, order, morality and health. Consequently, in understanding any defence and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Great Britain, it is the extent to which such an agreement can truly promote the national security interest, as well as address Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic challenges.

Without any shadow of doubt, many are the defence and economic cooperation agreements done by Nigeria and Great Britain since the time of independence in 1960. To what extent have been the impact of the many defence cooperation agreements, and particularly the economic cooperation agreements? There is no defence agreement that does not include training of Nigerian soldiers and other relevant paramilitary agencies. When will the trainees graduate from their school of training? Answers to these questions may be far-fetched because, the more development aid is given to African leaders for the purposes of economic emancipation of their people, the more they also become dependent.

It is our contention here that emphasis on foreign aid should first be de-emphasised to allow the people of Nigeria, in particular, and all African people, in general, to see more clearly about the need for self-reliance as basis of good governance, and not simply transparency, public accountability and fairness. These alleged attributes of good governance cannot be rightly said to be the main problems of Nigeria. Preaching the gospel of good governance on the basis of transparency, justice, fairness and accountability, but without asking why is there no public accountability, etc, cannot impact positively. The main reason is that those giving assistance also aid and abet bad governance in the recipient countries. Development assistance is in itself a resultant of politics and advancement of the protection of the national interest. In this regard, what has been the impact of the various defence and economic agreements between Nigeria and Britain?

EvaluatingTheresa Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sVisit The visit has a strategic character and therefore of significance to the three countries visited. From the perspective of global politics, the visit falls under the new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Scramble for Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in which the old conception of colonisation is being replaced by a soft power approach. Under the old scrambling, Africa was simply partitioned by a stroke of the pen on paper without necessarily knowing where the boundary of communities begins and ends. But under the new scrambling for Africa, all the boundaries and the people are well known. As a result, every power, both middle or great, wants to dialogue with the whole of Africa on the basis of one country versus the 54-Member States of the African Union. And true enough, the new colonisation is largely driven by globalisation, especially by technology. This is what all the countries seeking special relationship with Africa want Africa to believe. France is leading the world in the game of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;one country versus the whole of Africa,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; even though the French started with Francophone Africa.

In fact, it was France under President ValĂŠrie Giscard dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Estaing that first suggested the idea of a tripartite cooperation: European Community by then, Africa, and America. There are also India and Africa, China and Africa, United States and Africa, Japan and Africa, Morocco even tried to emulate the big powers. Africa has been and still remains the woman every man wants to marry because of resources, even though Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign policy stand on this, as formulated by Dr. Okoi Arikpo, Minister of External Affairs under General Yakubu Gowon, is that Africa must not be allowed to be simply used as a source of raw materials for the development of Europe Second, the visit is significant from the perspective of Brexit agenda. Britain wants to withdraw its membership of the European Union. Britain was not among the original members of the European Economic Community (EEC) that signed the Rome Treaty Establishing the EEC on March 25, 1957. She only acceded to the EEC Treaty in 1973, Most unfortunately, even though Charles de Gaulle made strenuous efforts to frustrate Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s membership, as he also did to prevent Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s associate membership of the EEC, the British are the very first to seek withdrawal from the European Union, and for that matter, very early.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

BUSINESS

08033204315,08111813084

ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Kunle Aderinokun ×ËÓÖ˝ kunle.aderinokun@thisdaylive.com

A cultivated farmland...the agriculture sector witnessed its slowest pace of growth since 2010 in Q2

Decline in Economic Growth for Two Quarters Raises Concerns The news that Nigeria’s economy expanded for the fifth consecutive time after exiting a recession, with the GDP growing at 1.50 per cent in the second quarter, should ordinarily have bolstered the hope for a better economy, but analysts pointed out that the decline in the growth rate for two consecutive quarters is worrisome. Kunle Aderinokun and Bamidele Famoofo report

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hough the economy of emerged from recession more than a year ago, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) still in the positive territory, the reality on ground is that growth has assumed a declining trend since end of fourth quarter (Q4) 2017.

A drop in growth was first seen in first quarter (Q1) 2018 when the GDP growth fell to 1.95 per cent from 2.1 per cent, which closed the fiscal year 2017. Again, the National Bureau of Statistics has revealed that rather than the economy expanding, it shrank to 1.5 per cent from 1.95 per cent of Q1 2018.

“This has established a negative downward trajectory for economic growth as real GDP quarter on quarter recorded a negative growth rate of -13.2 per cent,” CEO, The CFG Advisory Ltd, Adetilewa Adebajo, pointed out in while reacting to the report on GDP performance in Q2 2018 recently published by NBS. Adebajo observed that growth has stalled and the economic growth since coming out of recession has not come close to the three per cent (3 per cent) rate of population growth. “This has won Nigeria the global poverty capital title and in the process we have lost about US$200 billion

from our GDP from a high of US$570 billion, it currently stands at US$370 billion.”

The decline in economic growth as presented by the NBS did not come as a surprise to Dr. Boniface Chizea, a Lagos-based Economist, but was worrisome. “The economy growth of 1.5 per cent year-on-year last month representing a drop from 1.9 per cent in June is worrisome but not surprising.”

According to Chizea, the level of economic growth at 1.5 percent is below the notional assumed growth in population of 3 per cent. “It is indicative of the fact that the misery index in the land would worsen even as unemployment has been currently estimated at worrisome 18.8 percent.

We have in the past experienced growth in GDP that averaged 6-7 per cent. But for perceptive observers of the economy, the falling rate of GDP did not come as a surprise,” he added.

Growth Inhibitors “The slowdown in Nigeria’s year-on-year (YoY) growth to 1.5 per cent in second quarter in 2018, from 2.0 percent in first quarter in 2018, was partly due to a 4.0 percent contraction in the oil sector, which masked stronger non-oil sector growth. It is notable that the biggest non-oil

sectors – crop production, wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing – underperformed,” Economist and Head of Research, Sub-Saharan Africa, Renaissance Capital, Yvonne Mhango , revealed in a report by Renaissance Capital on the recently published GDP data for Q2.

To Adebajo, the reasons for stalled growth in Nigeria’s economy were a manifestation of the lack of stimulus due to tight monetary policy.

He frowned on the banking sector not lending to sectors that will drive the economy despite good liquidity. Other reasons, which the economist advanced for the declining growth included poor fiscal and deficit management, huge debt servicing, poor budget implementation, security concerns, low purchasing power and consumer demand.

“The uncertainty the forthcoming elections bring is also not helpful, as most investors local and foreign are already taking a flight to safety”, Adebajo noted.

Chizea blamed the dwindling performance of the economy to the lacklustre attitude of political office holders to the implementation of the National budget while all attention is focused on the elections.

“The reason for this development is not farfetched as political infighting has diverted attention from

the economy which to all intents has now been relegated to the background. No one now talks about budget 2018, which was presented to the National Assembly on November 7, 2017 and still in the doldrums with hardly any attention being paid to it. Any talk in this respect is focused on the budget for elections, which was surprisingly not included in budget 2018 estimates,” he lamented.

Chizea warned that no material economic growth will be achieved in 2018, if the managers of the nation’s economy do not implement the vote for capital expenditure in the budget.

“And the scary situation might worsen as election related liquidity flows into the economy with the potential of increasing the rate of inflation which worsens the situation of the down trodden.” He regretted that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which is the economic blueprint of the federal government is being jettisoned for re-election ambitions. “The ERGP for which recently we witnessed some activities by way of the constitution of focus labs is now hardly on the radar of activities in the economy.”

Agriculture According to Afrinvest Research, the slowdown in agriculture deepened in Q2 2018, as the sector

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

BUSINESS /ENERGY

Risking Fresh Attacks on Nigeria’s Oil Production Against the backdrop of recent threats by militant groups to resume disruption of oil production in the Niger Delta, James Emejo and Chineme Okafor write that the Nigerian economy could be shattered, if the threat is carried out production advantage and revenue to fund its budget.

Niger Delta militants spoil for a fight...attacks by the militants have been ferocious on Nigeria’s oil production and debilitating on the economy

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ilitants in the oil-rich Niger Delta have threatened to get back to destroying oil assets and disrupting crude oil production, if the federal government fails to restructure the country.

According to experts, their threats, notwithstanding its nature, are a reminder of the ugly situation Nigeria found itself in 2016, when it lost great values from its oil resources as militants went on rampage destroying hydrocarbon assets in the Niger Delta.

The militants under the auspices of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, made known their threats recently in a statement they sent out and in which they said fresh militant actions would be initiated against the interest of the Nigerian government in the Niger Delta region, if the country remained the way it is.

Signed by the leader of the Niger Delta Watchdogs, Mr. John Duku, in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, the militants noted that the threat had become necessary on the back of claims that the federal government had been involved in a lot of anti-democratic actions.

Duku said in the statement: “After carefully studying the recent political development in Nigeria in general and the Niger Delta in particular, the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators hereby wishes to state as follows: We hereby condemn the recent freezing of the Akwa Ibom State government

account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and we view it as an act of intimidation by the agent of the federal government and the APC in order to weaken the smooth running of government in the Niger Delta state.

“We hereby warn the EFCC and other agents of government to desist from this act of official recklessness and breach of the constitution.”

Describing the actions of the EFCC against the Akwa Ibom State government as regrettable, he alleged the anti-corruption agency was being used as a tool to fight perceived political opponents by the ruling government, and said that instead of carrying out its constitutional duties without bias as stipulated in the constitution, the EFCC had become partisan.

“The action of the EFCC and the federal government is against the laid-down procedure of investigation stipulated in the EFCC Act; the EFCC has no right or basis whatsoever to freeze any state government account.

Doing so against the Akwa Ibom state government is therefore a calculated attempt to cripple the activities of the state government, label its officials as corrupt and punish the innocent people of Akwa Ibom State.

“From all indications, the attack is not on Governor Udom Emmanuel, but on the good people of the state because of the personal hatred the APC-led government has for the people of the state in particular and the Niger Delta as a whole,” Duku stated.

“We also warn that any further attempt to attack or forcefully remove

the Senate President from office shall be met with stiff resistance from the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators and we promise that all business activities in the Niger Delta shall be completely shut down,” he added.

Unhealthy Development Based on past experience, renewed attacks on oil installations by militant groups in the Niger Delta would inevitably result to drop in Nigeria’s oil production capacity, and revenue generation from oil.

As it was in 2016, when the country lost huge production volumes and could not execute its national budget then, experts have indicated that the development was an unhealthy one which should be dealt with immediately.

In 2016, when militants took to bombing oil installations and disrupting production, the country’s oil production level nosedived such that about 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil could not be produced.

At that time, the government pegged in its 2016 budget, a national oil production of 2.2mbpd with a price range of $38 per barrel, and expected to take revenue from there to fund its N6.07 trillion budget.

But the capacity of the government to fund the budget then was greatly impeded by the militant activities and slump in oil price.

However, while prices of oil today are rather in the northwards, a southward movement in crude oil production as a result of the new threat by the militants would see Nigeria lose vital

Experts react Similarly on the back of the latest threats by Niger Delta militants to disrupt crude oil production should the government fail to restructure the economy, experts who spoke to THISDAY explained the threat must not be ignored as this could further jeopardise the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of the country, which slowed in the second quarter of 2018.

They also explained that a huge drop in oil revenue as a result of production shut-in, could send the country back into another economic recession.

In his own analysis, an economist and former Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Dr. Mohammed Rislanudeen, said further disruption to oil production could be costly for the economy which already contracted in the second quarter of the year largely owing to the under-performance of the oil sector.

Rislanudeen, stated that Nigeria’s recent exit from an economic recession was due largely to recovery in oil production and price. He urged that the relative peace in the Niger Delta should be sustained to avoid such reversal of fortunes.

“Our exit from recession was due, in large part, to recovery of the oil sector as well as relative peace in the Niger Delta. Recall that at the peak of the activities of the so-called Niger Delta avengers, oil output went below 1 million barrels a day as against current level of 1.8 to 2 million barrels a day and the economy sank into recession, the worst since 1987.

“Being still dependent on oil for over 70 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings, disruptions in oil production will distort our recovery efforts and threaten the relative successes of the economic recovery and growth plan,” Rislanudeen said.

He further stated: “It may also create crisis in the foreign exchange market with potentials for imported, cost push inflation.

I think the economy cannot afford such disruption and government need to manage the situation by ensuring the threat is not actualised.”

Also in the same vein, Professor of Finance and Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof.

Uche Uwaleke, urged that the threats by militants must not be ignored by government as this could scuttle its production projection of 2.2mbpd this year and 2.5mbpd by year 2020.

He said: “The threat by the Niger Delta militants should not be ignored.

Oil revenue remains critical for the economic diversification goal of the ERGP to be achieved. The need to ramp up oil production cannot be over-emphasised.

The decline in Q2 GDP relative to Q1 2018 from 1.95 per cent to 1.5 per cent was more from the drop recorded in crude oil output.

“This happened despite improvements in oil price. Since revenue is a function of price and output, regular engagement with Niger Delta stakeholders is required to enable the government get near its projection of 2.2mbpd this year and 2.5mbpd by year 2020.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Real Sector Financing: Experts Task Banks on Effective Implementation James Emejo writes that though the newly announced guidelines for real sector financing at singledigit interest rate may have excited manufacturers, farmers and industrialists, analysts have cautioned against possible abuse of its administration

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he Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) recently announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has a sole objective of improving credit to the real sector of the economy, which had over the decades been starved of critical financing needed to grow the economy and create jobs.

But under the new guidelines, the apex bank stated that banks interested in providing credit financing to Greenfield (new) and Brownfield (new/expansion) projects in the real sector (agriculture and manufacturing) may request the release of funds from their Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) to finance the projects, subject to the bank providing verifiable evidence that the funds shall be directed at the projects approved by the CBN. According to the CBN, this programme involves investment by the CBN and the general public in corporate bonds (CBs) issued by the corporate, subject to the intensified transparency requirements for Triple A-rated entities.

“Such requirements would include publishing through printing of an Information Memorandum spelling out the details of the projects for which the funds are required together with terms and conditions showing that these are long-term projects that are employment and growth stimulating,” it added.

Among other things, it reeled out severe punitive measures to try to stop any form of abuse, typical in the Nigerian system including forbidding operators involved in trading activities from accessing its real sector support facility and warned banks that attempt to “falsify through presentation of projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria/ specified terms and conditions shall attract severe penalties.”

However, experts, who spoke to THISDAY on the new policy, applauded it, but were also quick to sound a note of caution on the implementation of the scheme, which allows funding to be accessed at single digit interest rate of nine percent with seven year-tenure and two-year moratorium- and with up to N10 billion allowed for each project.

Already, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who had been appreciative of the new policy intervention in the real sector had pointed out that the scheme might be hijacked by the “big guys”, therefore denying the common people, who formed the bulk of the population the needed access to financing.

And sensing a possibility that people may want to subject the facility to abuse, he assured that his ministry will join hands to ensure that farmers repay loans granted them under RSSF. The minister had said any borrower would have “to swear to God and yourself that you will repay. We don’t want the banks losing all their money on grounds of charity.”

He, however, expressed concern about the common farmers who form the bulk of the population as they may be unable to meet conditions for accessing the CBN intervention.

Nevertheless, Ogbeh gave the assurance that, “We are going to work out a system where co-operatives become the borrowers on behalf of their members since they don’t have relevant collateral to provide the banks.

“We want to sit with the CBN and tell the banks that a certain portion of your loans must be reserved for people who are borrowing N300,000 to N2 million especially young people who want to add value.”

He added:”We will work out a formula where no one is left out because if the big

A textile factory

guys take it (and banks will rather deal with the big guys to save them the problem of pursuing borrowers all over the villages), the cooperative will do the job.”

In similar manner, other experts who spoke with THISDAY also expressed their reservation particularly as it concerns implementation and the disposition of the banking industry towards the real sector financing.

An economist and former Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Dr. Mohammed Rislanudeen, pointed out that the policy might not achieve the desired objectives of stimulating growth and reducing the unemployment rate because of banks’ attitude to lending to the sector.

“This is in view of the fact that the deposit money banks have low risk appetite to real sector lending as they face their specific challenge of having non-performing loans and capital adequacy ratios within the CBN-approved limit of five per cent maximum and ten per cent minimum respectively.

“The programme is essentially aimed at increasing the flow of credit to both agriculture and manufacturing sectors through the use of a Differentiated Cash Reserve Requirement regime and the Corporate Bond (CB) funding.

Ordinarily the initiative would have been an incentive given the fact that CRR funds are tied with CBN at zero interest rate,” said Rislanudeen.

He added:”Indeed the monetary policy committee has sometimes in 2017, reduced CRR from 25 per cent to 22.5 per cent with a view to encouraging DMBs to direct the excess funds towards supporting real sector lending.

“At the risk of being pessimistic, the policy might not achieve the desired objective of stimulating growth and reducing the yetto-be subdued unemployment rate. This is in view of the fact that the deposit money banks have low risk appetite to real sector lending as they face their specific challenge of having non-performing loans and capital adequacy ratios within the CBN approved limit of five per cent maximum and ten per

The CBN should put in place measures to check possible abuses such as diversion of funds to ineligible sectors. This is usually the major challenge with implementing a price discrimination strategy especially if it is difficult to clearly separate markets/ sectors cent minimum respectively.

“The DMBs are not lending because of lack of liquidity as most of the systemically important ( mega) banks have liquidity ratio of over 50 per cent. CBN should rather initiate more intervention fund programmes and also enable NIRSAL to provide partial risk guarantees to DMBs that are willing and able to invest in real sector lending at single-digit interest rate and at minimum of five years tenor.”

Also, in an interview with THISDAY, Chief Executive, Global Analytics Consulting Limited, Mr. Tope Fasua, further warned of abuse and mismanagement by the banks.

According to him:”The CBN intervention is a laudable idea as it seeks to radically transform the credit spaces and release much needed

funds to the real sector, notably the agricultural and manufacturing sector.

“Government is liberalising funding by encouraging large corporates to issue corporate bonds into which the CBN and the public can invest. This is quite interesting even though a note of caution must be sounded given the propensity of even large corporates in Nigeria to take advantage of the system.”

Fasua added:”As regards access to part of banks’ 22.5 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio, I would say it is high time because banks have always complained that they are made to sterilise too much of their funds. Since banks can no longer leverage public sector funds, there is every need to loosen the controls on private funds a bit.

“However, our economic managers must note that the problem with the real sector is not only finance and in this instance, we must keep an eye out for abuse and mismanagement.”

Also, speaking on the new financing initiative for the real sector, Professor of Finance and Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, further advised the CBN to device means to check possible diversion of funds into unintended purposes.

He said:”Judging from the experiences of countries like China and Lebanon, the differentiated CRR promises to impact positively on the real sector of the economy.

“The N10 billion per project financing in Agric and manufacturing sectors at single-digit interest rates should help lower production costs and free up resources for research and development purposes leading to improved competitiveness. It will also lower inflation rate in the medium-term and open up job opportunities. But all these depend on how the policy is implemented.

“The CBN should put in place measures to check possible abuses such as diversion of funds to ineligible sectors. This is usually the major challenge with implementing a price discrimination strategy especially if it is difficult to clearly separate markets/sectors.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

As Foreign Portfolio Investment Outflow Increases…

Olaseni Durojaiye reviews concerns and optimism raised about the nation’s declining external reserves, which has been traced to the increasing outflow by foreign portfolio investors

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he increasing outflow of foreign portfolio investment (FPI), from the nation’s economy which has occasioned a decline in the country’s foreign reserve has begun to generate concerns from financial market operators and economic policy analysts.

Following the declining streak, some analysts have opined that the trend may not abate as the country goes into the general elections next year, fearing that it may have far-reaching implications for the nation’s economy.

They have opined that the latest trend may continue going into election year next year even as they feared that some of the implications may have far-reaching effects on the economy and halt the remarkable downward trend in inflation that the economy has witnessed in recent months.

Even then, others believe that the decline is nothing to worry about, arguing that foreign reserves are not meant to be static, insisting that the country’s fundamentals support their optimistic outlook even with the decline.

However, that has not stopped others still from taking a look at the possible implications for the economy, if the decline persists.

Reports had shown that increasing outflow by foreign portfolio investors is taking its toll on Nigeria’s external reserve, which fell to $47.388 billion late July. The figure represented a decline by $411 million in July, compared with $47.8 billion at the beginning of the month.

Report had also shown that the level of outflow negatively impacted the country’s stock market. According to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), outflow from the market spiked by 125 per cent in May, and 3.4 per cent decrease in foreign inflows to N62.06 billion ($172.3 million) in May. Cause Analysts insist the causes are both global and domestic.

While analysts at CSL Stockbrokers Limited noted that, “Rising foreign outflows are not coming as a surprise,” they explained that, “Indeed, the recent rise in global bond yields particularly in the US continues to fuel sell offs in emerging and frontier markets.”

“We note that the US Federal Reserves has hiked rates twice in 2018. The Federal Reserves has also guided the markets to two more interest rate hikes in 2018,”, the stockbrokers added, adding that with this in mind, FPIs into the Nigerian market will remain muted as investors seek higher risk-adjusted yields elsewhere.

“Inasmuch as Nigeria’s economic fundamentals continue to strengthen, (underscored by the prospect of higher GDP growth, easing of inflationary pressures, improved liquidity in the forex market, all of which are expected to support company earnings), we believe global uncertainties combined with a less attractive carry trade on a risk-adjusted basis will continue to undermine capital flows to Nigeria.”

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun

On the domestic front, analysts contended that uncertainties in the lead-up to the elections next year will cause investors to stay on the sidelines and this will weigh on activities in the nation’s economy.

Flight by Night However, other analysts noted that the CBN monetary policy is contributory to the current position. Those, who hold this line of thought, argued that the CBN’s preference for FPIs ahead of FDI is a major cause of the current position, arguing that, “It is never the best to depend on FPIs because they are flight by night, and not stable.”

In his analysis, Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, posited that, “The CBN monetary policy has been influenced by the need to attract and retain FPIs, which is why we have been having high interest rates. Describing FPIs as ‘flight by night investors.” He emphasised that “such policy actions penalise domestic investment initiatives.”

Implication Yusuf and other analysts feared a far-reaching implication awaits the economy if the trend continues. This includes pressure on the external reserves, which may in turn impact the exchange rate.

“The immediate implication, if the trend continues, will put pressure on the foreign reserves and when this happens it will affect the exchange rate depreciation. This could in turn lead to a rebound in inflation as it is bound to affect

production cost and employment,” Yusuf stated.

Another economist and research analysts at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, Rotimi Oyelere, aligned with Yusuf and argued that if the trend continues, foreign investors may exit the economy.

“If it continues, two scenarios are likely to happen.

Considering that investor are motivated by security and returns. If it continues, investors, who prioritise returns will reduce their investments while those that prioritise will exit all together,” he posited.

Oyelere, who lamented that there was no sign that the 2018 budget was being implemented, noted that economic recovery had begun to slow down in the first quarter of the year. He suggested that one of the ways to forestall the continued decline of the external reserves was to align both monetary with fiscal policies in order to allow impact of the budget implementation to be felt in the economy.

Speaking further, Oyelere predicted that to check the trend, the CBN might increase rates at its next MPC meeting.

According to him, the apex bank is likely to toe the route in order to check further outflow and encourage those still in the economy to remain.

“Investors are driven by security of their investment and returns. The members of the monetary policy committee of the CBN know this and they are likely to increase rate at the next meeting of the MPC. They will be doing so to encourage investors that are still in the country to remain and attract the return of those that have already exited.”

But Chief Executive Officer of Cowrie Assets, Johnson Chukwu, disagreed. In his summation, Chukwu insisted that the decline is nothing to worry about, adding that the external reserves were still strong at $46 billion. He argued that at the current level, the external reserves could support the nation’s importation for another six months even as the prices of crude remain promising.

“Decline in external reserves to $46 billion is still strong, it is nothing to be panicky about. Foreign reserves are not supposed to be static.

It is supposed to be released when the need arises and save when the opportunity arises.

“If the FPIs in the system exit, the reserves will not reduce to a three month low, in fact it will still be able to meet the country’s importation for another six months and the fundamentals support this; the price of crude is going good at the moment.

This is not the time for the CBN to take panicky measures and increase rates. Increasing rates will not arrest political risks,” he posited.

Chukwu’s position may draw a backing from the foreign scene considering the latest diplomatic face-off between the United States and Iran, a major global oil supplier as analysts feared that if the Trump administration goes ahead with its planned sanction on Iran, price of crude may further increase.

Decline in Economic Growth for Two Quarters Raises Concerns Cont’d from Pg. 19 expanded 1.2 per cent y-o-y, its slowest pace on record, based on quarterly data from 2010. The decline was on the heels of sharp moderation in two sub-sectors, crop production and livestock, suspected to be linked to recent restiveness prominent around North-central Nigeria. In recent times, insecurity due to herdsmen-farmer clashes has continued unabated in the middle-belt region, thus affecting crop and livestock outputs.

Hence, growth in crop production (89.1 per cent of total real agriculture GDP) slowed to 1.4 per cent y-o-y in Q2 2018 from 3.4 per cent y-o-y in the previous quarter, the lowest on record, while the livestock sub-sector (7.5 per cent of total real agriculture GDP) remained in the negative territory, plunging deeper at -2.0 percent y-o-y, the weakest performance since Q4 2012.

“The current trend in agriculture is worrying, as growth remains weaker than long-term trend of c.5.0 per cent despite the federal government’s substantial support to the sector, most especially through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. We believe the ambitious plans for food security and import substitution will take a while to yield results. This is because the current intervention in agriculture is inadequate to drive desired growth, given unaddressed factors such as the huge productivity gap in agriculture, climate change impacts in the form of drought, parasites & diseases and a potential reduction in youth participation in agriculture as massive urbanisation and rural-urban migration intensifies.”

Afrinvest, however, warned that without effective strategies to lessen the impact of the downside risk factors, performance in agriculture will remain weak in the long-term.

Manufacturing According to Afrinvest Research, the trend in the growth of the manufacturing sector remains volatile, as growth moderated to 0.7 per cent y-o-y in Q2 2018, from 3.4 per cent y-o-y in the preceding quarter.

This, the Renaissance Capital pointed out, was driven by tepid growth in sub-sectors such as cement (+3.8 per cent) and food, beverage & tobacco (+1.2 per cent) which recorded slower paces of growth, but cumulatively account for 54.6 per cent of total manufacturing real GDP. Notwithstanding, the impressive growth performance of the textile, apparel and footwear sub-sector – which accelerated at 2.7 per cent (the highest post-economic recession) – accounting for 22.1 per cent of total manufacturing real GDP, cushioned the effect.

“In our view, given the ease in FX challenges that affected the manufacturing sector’s growth between 2016 and early 2017, the slow momentum in the sector may be due to sluggish recovery in consumer spending.”

Services After persisting in the negative territory for much of 2016 and 2017, the services sector staged a strong rebound in Q2 2018, growing at 2.1

per cent y-o-y, the highest since Q4 2015. This performance reflected a broad-based improvement in the largest sub-sectors as information and communications rose sharply (11.8 per cent y-o-y) and construction posted a positive and strong recovery (7.7 per cent y-o-y). Furthermore, trade and real estate services, which both account for 39.4 percent of services GDP, recorded strong recoveries, although both are still some way off positive territory.

“We believe the resurgence in services was only a matter of time, given the pressure it came under during the slowdown as it recorded seven quarters of negative growth since Q2 2016. Despite the strong showing, we believe much needs to be done to annex the inherent growth potentials in the sector. There has been skewed focus on the agriculture sector of the economy which currently accounts for 22.9 per cent of GDP; whereas, the services sector, most especially trade, has received less attention in terms of access to cheaper credit.”

“Our thesis presupposes that focus on the services sector, accounting for 54.4 per cent of total real GDP, has the potential to help achieve sizeable mileage in re-aligning growth around long-term trend.

Outlook Adebajo noted that the key to a turnaround in Q3 was proper capital budget implementation and timely passage of the 2019 budget. “The electoral spending by government of N200 billion supplemented by the political parties might just

be the saving grace to provide some stimulus to restore economic growth.”

Chizea is of the opinion that Nigeria won’t be able to achieve the 2.1 per cent projected growth the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2018.

“The reality that stares us boldly on the face is that even this less than impressive rate of projected growth is certainly not going to be achieved in the context of contemporary developments of declining growth rates”, he said.

“We must find the capacity as a nation not to forget the economy on the altar of self-serving pursuits of political interests by the movers and shakers of the Nigeria economy. And we must not ignore the rueful consequences of this situation as it breeds rabid antisocial tendencies and behaviours which could get out of hand to the chagrin of all concerned,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Renaissance Capital said it was still optimistic that Nigeria will achieve a 2.1 per cent growth in 2018. “We retain our growth projections of 2.1 per cent y-o-y in FY 2018, below population growth rate of 2.6 per cent and long-term trend of 6 – 7.0 percent.”

But to achieve the projection, it said, there was a need for a sustained performance in non-oil output and a recovery in the oil sector. “We believe the non-oil sector will receive a boost from budget releases for capital expenditure and election spending. Also, the recovery in the oil sector is within reach if production numbers pick up, as the price of crude has continued to trend above US$70.00/barrel.”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

23

ICAN’S RAZAK JAIYEOLA

It’s an Aberration to Skew Budget in Favour of Recurrent Expenditure ÒÛhøÙØ‚`ø¢øÚ‚˜øØ¡e›Ûø‚Øs‚ßhe‚{resظenßÏÔhØeº‚Ö~eúàßØáe‰‚—nsßØßàße‚›º‚Ôhørßere¸‚Òúú›ànßønßs‚›º‚ NØ»erØø‚…—ÔÒN†Î‚{rØ›r‚ß›‚hØs‚øœœ›ØnßÜen߉‚he‚hø¸‚úhøØre¸‚áørØ›às‚ú›ÜÜØßßees‚›º‚ßhe‚ØnsßØßàße‚øn¸‚ Òss›úØøßØ›n‚›º‚Òúú›ànßønú¡‚Ó›¸Øes‚Øn‚òesß‚ÒºrØúø‚…ÒÓòÒ†‚øn¸‚âøs‚ø‚ú›ànúØÛ‚ÜeÜùer‚›º‚ßhe‚ {øn‚ÒºrØúøn‚”e¸erøßØ›n‚›º‚Òúú›ànßønßs‚…{Ҕ҆΂—n‚ßhØs‚ØnßeráØeâ‚Kunle Aderinokun‰‚˜øØ¡e›Ûø‰‚ âh›‚Øs‚ßhe‚’‘ßh‚œresظenß‚›º‚—ÔÒN‰‚ø¸¸resses‚œerßØnenß‚Øssàes‚reÛøßØn»‚ß›‚ßhe‚eú›n›Ü¡‰‚ØnúÛà¸Øn»‚ ßhe‚ ºe¸erøÛ‚ »›áernÜenßus‚ høn¸ÛØn»‚ ›º‚ ßhe‚ nøßØ›nøÛ‚ ù฻e߉‚ rØsØn»‚ ¸eùß‚ œ›rߺ›ÛØ›‰‚ eú›n›ÜØú‚ ¸ØáersغØúøßØ›n‚øn¸‚Ønßeresß‚røße΂–e‚øÛs›‚e~œresses‚hØs‚›œØnØ›n‚›n‚ßhe‚ØÜœÛeÜenßøßØ›n‚›º‚—”`|‚Ê΂ ˜øØ¡e›Ûø‰‚Øn‚ø¸¸ØßØ›n‰‚âeØ»h‚Øn‚›n‚ßhe‚”›rensØú‚Òúú›ànßØn»‚ÓØÛÛ‚œresenßÛ¡‚øß‚ßhe‚NøßØ›nøÛ‚ÒsseÜùÛ¡‚ Ùàsß‚øs‚he‚sœeøÚs‚øù›àß‚ßhe‚r›Ûe‚›º‚—ÔÒN‚Øn‚ºrøขÜøßßers‚øn¸‚âhØsßÛeÍùÛ›âØn»Î‚Ö~úerœßsË

Jaiyeola

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

THE EXECUTIVE

Diversification is the Only Way to Nigeria’s Prosperity of labour.

Generally, government should create the enabling environment for businesses’ growth in terms of building a very strong infrastructural base, creating a supportive tax regime for SMEs and building a strong legal structure to protect SMEs. This is when we can have a truly diversified and inclusive economy.

Are you satisfied with the way the nation’s budget is being handled?

It would be difficult for anyone to confess that he is satisfied with the way the nation’s budget is being handled. A lot of improvements are needed to bring the budgeting process in line with global leading practices by eliminating all fundamental challenges currently being experienced. For instance, the budget preparation and scrutiny are always late. This makes it difficult for stakeholders to plan appropriately. There is also the issue of assumptions underlying the budget estimates which are often over ambitious. We need to begin to learn from previous budget in preparing current ones. We do not have to impress anybody with high sounding but unrealistic assumption, especially in the area of crude oil production. The budget is also usually skewed in favour of recurrent expenditure. This is a disservice to the nation and an aberration. We equate budget performance in Nigeria with the release of funds such that nobody actually critically examines whether the budget is performing based on the parameters set in the budget or not. This is even compounded by the erratic release of budgeted funds to the respective agencies and units that need funds to execute projects and programmes. Unless and until all these fundamental challenges are dealt with sincerely and timely, the budgeting process in Nigeria would continue to be a challenge.

What is your position on the increasing debt portfolio of Nigeria?

Jaiyeola

W

hat is your opinion about the implementation of IFRS 9?

The implementation of IFRS 9 is on course in Nigeria. To ensure smooth implementation, the CBN provided Guidance Notes to Banks and Discount Houses on expectations of implementation of the new standard. The CBN also set up a project team from which banks could seek clarifications on grey areas of the implementation process. The banks have keyed into the implementation process and are developing and fine tuning strategies to ensure smooth take off in compliance with the deadline for conversion which is January 1, 2018. For instance, Diamond Bank had as of December 31, 2017 complied with the deadline. Generally, the implementation process is satisfactory, as a number of the processes (trainings, model designs, impact analysis, accounting policies among others) have been completed, especially by the banks. For insurance companies, it would appear they desire to wait for the take-off of IFRS 17 in 2021 by electing to exercise the Temporary Exemption approach instead of applying IFRS 9.

To enjoy the exemption, they will have to pass the ‘predominance test.’ With the implementation of IFRS 9, it is hoped that the non-performing loans portfolio of banks would drop significantly.

On fraud matters in Nigeria, what are the roles of accountants?

In all modesty, ICAN has been at the forefront of supporting various governments’ and agencies’ initiatives at fighting the hydra-headed monster of corruption and other forms of fraud in the polity.

We are not resting on our oars. In 2015, we launched a N50 million Whistle-Blower’s Fund to protect and compensate our members who report any form of financial misdemeanor in the country.Weweretherefore,andasexpected,elated when the Nigerian Senate passed the WhistleBlower Protection Bill of the federal government in June 2017 and you can see the level of success achieved by the federal government from the

whistleblowers initiative.

ICAN keyed into Non-Compliance with Laws And Regulations, or (NOCLAR) in 2017.

NOCLAR was issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) as a whistle-blowing initiative, which mandates professional accountants and auditors to expose any act of non-compliance to laws and regulations by their employers or clients to relevant authorities.

Similarly, the ICAN Accountability Index (ICAN-AI) being developed by the Institute is gathering momentum. This Index aims at improving the process for assessing public finance management and public governance practices across the three tiers of the Nigerian public sector including the federal, state and local governments.

Some of the specific objectives of the Index are to: encourage greater accountability and transparency in fiscal and Public Financial Management (PFM) practices in Nigeria; improve quality of governance and compliance with Fiscal ResponsibilityAct 2007; and tackle corruption by engaging quality professionals in public sector.

In fact, we made a presentation to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) on the Index and we have the support of various government officials and political office holders in the development of the Index.

What’s your scorecard on Nigeria’s economy?

While there are still many hurdles to cross, we must acknowledge the fact that progress has been made especially in sustained decline in inflation rate for 18 consecutive months from the peak of 18.72 per cent in January 2017 to 11.23 per cent in June 2018.

Experts have projected a GDP rate of 2.4 per cent by the end of 2018 from the 0.8 per cent in 2017.Remittancesbyfederalgovernmentagencies have also improved significantly e.g. N50 million

by JAMB in five years to N7.8 billion.

However, the challenges of insecurity and political uncertainties are still rife. Very high interest at over 20 per cent is stifling business growth and limiting SMEs access to credit and hampering SMEs’ potentials as a major employer

The challenges of insecurity and political uncertainties are still rife. Very high interest at over 20 per cent is stifling business growth and limiting SMEs access to credit and hampering SMEs’ potentials as a major employer of labour. Generally, government should create the enabling environment for businesses’ growth in terms of building a very strong infrastructural base, creating a supportive tax regime for SMEs and building a strong legal structure to protect SMEs. This is when we can have a truly diversified and inclusive economy

The usual narrative is that Nigeria’s debt portfolio (even currently at over N21.7 trillion) is low and that the total public debt-to GDP ratio remains below normal threshold. This narrative is supported by the Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), which indicates that there is still ample space for Nigeria to continue to borrow from both internal and external sources. The advocacy is that in the 2018 financial year, Nigeria could still borrow US$6.25 billion and to be accessed on a 50:50 basis from external and internal sources.

The crux of the matter is not whether to borrow or not to borrow, but that the debt profile is rising and much of what the funds have been applied to, are not quite evident, even though some of them would need some gestation period. If the discipline to apply the borrowed funds to productive use is present, of course borrowing becomes attractive. This is not the case with Nigeria where most of the borrowed funds cannot be adequately accounted for.

Remember as of April 2006, Nigeria’s external debt was significantly reduced by the repayment of US $30billion. We are again sliding to the 19852005 era when almost all resources were applied in paying interest on over-sized debts. In the last three years, external debt of over US$11.76bn has been accumulated and there is no end to the taste for external debts at all levels of government. My position, therefore, is that first of all, let there be stocking taking of our current debt profile and the projects to which the funds were applied and the benefits derived so far. On the basis of this cost-benefit analysis, it would be evident to all as to whether the country should continue to borrow or not. It is not a question of relating debt profile to GDP. It should be one of seeing borrowing as an exercise in morality.

Are you comfortable with the debt servicing plan?

The debt servicing ratio of about 63 per cent of revenue is unreasonable and has not helped the economy to grow. It is unsustainable and should bother every right thinking Nigerian.

What I believe has misled the country is the wrong position of relating debt servicing to GDP. I think the relationship should be between debt-servicing and revenue generated. This would give a better idea of what situation is and help chart a path forward.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

THE EXECUTIVE

With Implementation of IFRS 9, Banks’ NPLs Will Drop Significantly Would you say the federal government is making progress in economic diversification agenda?

The challenges of insecurity and political uncertainties are still rife. Very high interest at over 20 per cent is stifling business growth and limiting SMEs access to credit and hampering SMEs’ potentials as a major employer of labour.

Generally, government should create the enabling environment for businesses’ growth in terms of building a very strong infrastructural base, creating a supportive tax regime for SMEs and building a strong legal structure to protect SMEs. This is when we can have a truly diversified and inclusive economy

Yes, we are making progress. But the issue is, what level of progress are we making when crude oil still remains the major source of government revenue in Nigeria? It is believed that increasing the tax rates and widening collection capacity are the answers to the budget deficit in Nigeria.

No, diversification is the answer, the only way to move out of poverty to prosperity and be a player in the global economic space. One of the most potent areas for diversification is agriculture.

A legion of measure had been put in place in the past but not much has been the outcome.

Agriculture is formidable as it can increase the supply of food for both internal consumption and export, provides labour, enlarging the market for manufactured and other goods and services as well as increasing domestic savings. In all of these, we require high level of ethics and innovation for our products to be acceptable in the international market. Though we are making progress, it is at snail speed. We require much more than we are doing.

What are the factors inhibiting federal government’s move to fully diversify the economy?

Let me start by saying that the Nigerian economy is diversified to some extent. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) statistics in respect of GDP Q1, 2018, the sectorial contributions to GDP are as follows: information and communication, 12 per cent; manufacturing, 10 per cent; crude petroleum & natural gas, 9 per cent; trade, 17 per cent; real estate, 6 per cent; agriculture, 22 per cent; and other services, 24 per cent. The foregoing information provided, however, indicates that the country’s economic diversification can still be further deepened. Diversification should be both in terms of breadth and depth. The depth so far is shallow especially in the agricultural sector that should be driving the economy in the context of current development. The inhibiting factors are clear for everyone to see and the most fundamentalistheabsenceofcriticalinfrastructure such as electricity, good roads and water.

It is also important to provide the enabling environment (especially in the context of security, legal and ethics) that would ease business activities and also encourage investment. The diversification clamour would be a mirage if there is lack of consistency in policy formulation and implementation.

ICAN acknowledges government’s sustained drive in diversifying the economy which is exemplified with the launch of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017 – 2022). According to the Plan, the diversification policy focuses on the key sectors driving and enabling economic growth, with particular focus on agriculture, energy, MSME, manufacturing and other key services. As an institute, we believe that government would sustain this laudable initiative and broaden the economic base of the country, thereby reducing the economy’s level of reliance on crude oil which is neither renewable nor sustainable.

There are feelers that CBN may propose increase in interest rate.What do you think?

This question needs to be situated against the background of the economic objective being pursued in the country. Interest rate is a powerful economic tool for controlling the flow of money in the system. While there have been varied views on increasing interest rate, my own stand is that the apex bank should ensure that such a move will not impact negatively on the SMES, the major employer of labour in Nigeria.

The monetary policy rate (MPR), which is the benchmark interest rate is at 14 per cent, has been unchanged for a long while and the same applies to other policy rates.

The CBN has maintained this tight monetary stance for a while now. At what point do you think the apex bank should relax the tight monetary stance?

It is important to stress that interest rate is a formidable economic tool used to control price fluctuations (for example, inflation), stimulate growth and to attract foreign investors into an

Jaiyeola

economy. There is always an economic dilemma with the use of interest rate by the apex bank in an economy – should it be reduced to stimulate growth or be increased to curb persistent increase in the prices of goods and services, inflation? The dilemma lies in the difficulty of simultaneously pursuing the twin objectives of growth and low inflation rate.

For instance, when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) increased the rate in July 2016 from 12 per cent to 14 per cent it was intended to control the persistent increase in inflation that characterised the economy then. There were however divergent views on the appropriateness of the policy then. However, the policy has been able to reduce inflation consistently for 18 months.

There has also been a marginal improvement in growth rates since the country emerged from the 2016/2017 recession.

We therefore believe that the CBN will consider easing the monetary stance when the fundamentals are right. Theoretically, reducing the interest rate will further stimulate growth in the economy as lower interest rate makes funds available in an economic system and such funds are engaged in productive activities that will create jobs for the citizenry.

Nigerians admire the way ICAN has been carrying on with its succession plan. What advice do you have on the way to go for other professional bodies?

It does not require any comparison of ideas to come to the conclusion that the ICAN succession planning model has been second to none and has become the toast of other professional bodies over the years. I sincerely give credit to the founding fathers of our great institute whose sense of character and presence of mind have been the thread for sustaining the tradition of succession planning in ICAN. This is a heritage we pride ourselves in during the course of our 53 years of existence.

Having said this, we must not fail to appreciate the fact that different bodies have rules and regulations guiding their activities. While the succession planning of ICAN has been widely

acknowledged and praised, I think it is important to respect the individual differences characterising the various professional bodies, especially that making comparisons is a sure path to frustration.

ICAN strongly desires that our rancour-free change of baton would be replicated not only by other sister professional bodies but in the nation as a whole. More especially as the election year is fast approaching.

How many members are currently in the ICAN fold? What is the level of confidence in the body?

At ICAN, our relentless commitment to build world-class professionals for the accounting sub-sector has been the primary impetus for our continued drive for increased membership.

From a modest beginning of 250 members in 1965, the Institute has to date produced 45,103 chartered accountants, and 23,011 Associate Accounting Technicians (ATs), who are very talented, ethically committed professionals working in every sphere of the global economy to support businesses, public sector organisations, not-for-profits, individuals and communities to achieve their financial and strategic goals.

And I think the facts speak for themselves on the issue of the level of public confidence in the body. For instance, different accounting job advertisements place special premium on possessing ICAN certificate as a prerequisite.

Besides, ICAN is a member of many international professional bodies such as the International Federation ofAccountants, (IFAC), PAFA,ABWA and has just also been admitted a member of the Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW).

What is your take about Forensic Accounting Bill presently before the National Assembly?

The summary of the matter is that the bill is not auspicious for a number of reasons. Forensic and investigative audit is a special area of practice of accountancythatdescribesengagementsresulting from actual or anticipated disputes. Forensic accounting is adequately covered within the scope of the training that ICAN provides and

therefore the quest for a separate Institute for just forensic accounting is totally uncalled for.

Whatever perceived lacuna that this bill seeks to fill has been adequately covered within the scope of services that ICAN members render.

Won’t it just be like the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), which specialises in taxation? Or are there any fears ICAN is entertaining?

We collaborate with sister professional bodies to collectivelycontributetogrowthanddevelopment in the country. Our concern with this new bill is the imperative of protecting Nigeria’s accounting sector from adulteration through the promotion of quackery. The profession is a noble one, which continues to serve as the conscience of the society.

Hence, all stakeholders should jealously guard this long standing confidence reposed by the public in the profession.

Mr. Akintola Williams, the Doyen of Accountancy in Nigeria was 99 years old recently. Do you have anything to say about his life and achievement?

It is not whether I have anything to say about the life and achievements of Mr. Akintola Williams.

It should be whether I would have enough space and time to chronicle the life and successes of a man, who has been unarguably known and regarded as the doyen of accountancy profession in Africa.

He was the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant as well as the first president of ICAN. He established the first indigenous firm of chartered accountants in Nigeria as far back as 1952. In recognition of his services to humanity, he earned several prestigious awards such as the CBE (1997); OFR (1982) CFR (2001). There is also the Akintola Williams Arboretum at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation headquarters in Lagos. Akintola Williams is a colossus, whose achievements cannot be adequately chronicled.

He has been one of the greatest accountants the world has ever known and still walking actively across the pages of history as no other had done, even at his age.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

NEWSXTRA Tambuwal: APC Can’t Return to Aso Rock in 2019

&RQÀGHQW RI FOLQFKLQJ SUHVLGHQWLDO WLFNHW Mohammed Aminu inSokoto and Wole Ayodele inJalingo Sokoto State Governor and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal yesterday noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be defeated in the 2019 presidential election.

Tambuwal, one of the actors that ended the PDP rule in 2015, noted that he was confident of clinching the PDP presidential ticket in the face of various political gladiators seeking to run on the PDP platform.

He predicted APC’s defeat at a news conference at the State House, Sokoto yesterday, expressing confidence that he “has what it takes to clinch the PDP presidential ticket in the forthcoming primary election.

In a memorandum to its National Executive Council last Monday, the PDP had set aside October 5 and 6 to hold its national convention where the party’s candidate for the 2019 presidential election would emerge.

Apart from Tambuwal, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Kano State Governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Hassan Dankwambo, former PDP National Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and former Jigawa

State Governor, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, among others, are seeking the PDP nomination.

At the news conference yesterday, Tambuwal said he had gone round the country “to meet with party members and was optimistic of winning big in the forthcoming polls.

Delegates of the party are the determinants of the winner of the primary election and as such confident that they would vote for him.

“As you are aware, the primary election is about party delegates and I am sure that the delegates would find me worthy to be the PDP candidate, with a view to winning the 2019 presidential election.”

He noted that his mission to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was borne out of the desire to rescue Nigeria from the myriad of challenges bedeviling it, noting that the people of Nigeria “are in dire need of a secured and economically developed country, as well as a stable polity.”

Tambuwal expressed determination “to provide quality education for the youths so as to become useful in the society if given the mandate come 2019. The PDP will defeat the APC in the 2019 presidential election.”

At the end of the primary election, the presidential aspirant pledged “to accept the outcome of the election whether I win or lose. This is because

Aggrieved Unionists Plot Dismissal of NLC Chairman Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Ade Adesanmi may be removed by some aggrieved members over undue loyalty to the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and apathetic posture to the protest declared to ensure payment of salaries and pensions.

Adesanmi’s predecessor in office, Mr. Ayodeji Aluko had garnered the support of the immediate past Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya to oust the NLC chairman.

Aluko described Adesanmi as a serious scandal and disappointment to the labour unionists and leaders worldwide for allegedly hobnobbing with Fayose to the detriment of the workers and pensioners in the state.

He accused Adesanmi of placing high premium on maintaining solid fraternity with the governor by soft-pedaling on agitations for the payment of between five and nine month salary arrears owed the

entire workforce and pensioners.

He spoke with THISDAY in Ado Ekiti yesterday, saying it was disheartening that Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye shunned the protest declared by workers last week to demand for the payment of their entitlements on the feeble premise that it was not authorized by labour centres.

Aluko said the TUC chairman was rather very fortunate to have served out his term and only holding forth pending the time another election will be conducted, unlike Adesanmi, whose tenure will expire next year.

He noted that they had started mobilising entire workforce and gathering signatures to remove the NLC chairman from office.

However, Adesanmi, who was aware of the clandestine plot against him, had summoned the meeting of the all affiliate labour unions in Ekiti, where a vote of confidence was passed on the leadership of the NLC and TUC.

anybody, who wins believes that, we are going to work collectively to save Nigeria

$VSLUDQW VHHNV GRQDWLRQ WR SXUFKDVH IRUP from the present mess we find ourselves in the country.”

Another PDP presidential

aspirant, Mr. Hamidu Tafida yesterday appealed to Nigerians to contribute money for

him to enable him obtain the party’s nomination form and achieve his aspiration.

TRUE WORSHIP

L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; representative of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Odejayi and Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperative, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, during the “Hymnal Hour” held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja...yesterday

Tonye Cole Resigns from Sahara Group, Goes into Active Politics Olaseni Durojaiye The Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Group has stepped down from the management of the indigenous oil firm, planning to contest the Rivers State governorship election in 2019.

Cole’s resignation was announced by the board and management of the oil firm in a statement THISDAY obtained last night.

In a two-page statement, the company restated its apolitical stand, stressing that in line with the group’s corporate governance policy, it neither “sponsors nor backs any political party or actor in all of the markets it operates including Nigeria.

The statement came on the heels of media reports that Cole had already been endorsed as the preferred candidate of the ruling All Progressives Party,

(APC) in Rivers State in the 2019 governorship election.

The statement said: “The Sahara Group wishes to state for the record that as a non-political and non-partisan group, it is not affiliated to any political party in any country we operate in and does not engage in Nigerian politics. Cole’s decision to participate in active politics is his individual preference and choice to which he is entitled.

“In accordance to Sahara Group’s Corporate Governance Charter and International best practice which prohibits any of our key Management or Board members from partaking in active politics, promoting or supporting any particular political organization or ideology, Cole has resigned all his board appointments and day to day responsibilities for the Sahara Group companies and its affili-

ates with immediate effect.

“We take the opportunity to further re-iterate that the Sahara Group of Companies is a nonpolitical organization and has never had any political ties or affiliations to any political party, group or personalities whatsoever in Nigeria or in any of the

jurisdictions in which we have business activities.

“We are a business focused on delivering value and quality services to our customers, stakeholders and the economy through innovation, efficiency and global best practices,” the statement said.

EFCC Probe Never Influenced My Defection, Says Uduaghan Sylvester Idowu in Warri Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has dismissed insinuation that he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of fear of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Uduaghan, a two-term governor on the PDP platform, has disclosed that everything concerning his administration state had been investigated over and over again by the anti graft commission since he left office in 2015.

He dispelled the insinuation on a Channels TV programme, Hard Copy on Friday, noting that EFCC investigation was not the reason he decided “to join the APC. Rather, I joined the APC due to the issues I had

with the PDP at the national and state levels.”

Uduaghan had last week announced his defection from the PDP to the APC, which he attributed to President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention in the Niger Delta, among others He had pointed out that peace and security had been the toughest challenges of any Niger Delta leader since 1997, thereby Buhari’s administration for the giant strides recorded in peace and security since assuming office in 2015.

During the TV programme, Uduaghan noted that he could not have defected because of the EFCC investigation since his administration had been an open book for every Nigeria to scrutinise.

He said: “I am the most

investigated former governor for the past three years. My administration has been investigated severally by the antigraft commission. Everything I did in Delta State has been investigated by EFCC. So why should EFCC be the cause of my defection?”

Uduaghan, therefore, revealed the rationale behind his defection, noting that before he left the PDP, he had some issues with the party both at the state and national levels, though declined to comment on the issues.

According to him, I have issues with PDP at the state and at the National level. But I do not what to talk about them since I have left them. I have the right to keep the issues I have with PDP to myself. He spoke on the

widely publicised disagreement with his immediate successor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, claiming that the succession plan theory was not true and that there was never a time they sat and agreed on who should be a governor or not.

Before the emergence of Chief James Ibori under the PDP, Uduaghan claimed that there was an Ibori political family, to which he belong, noting that the Ibori political family “is different from the PDP as a political party.

“There is an Ibori family.

Aside, there is a PDP family which I still belong to. We started the political party from the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). But before then, there was an Ibori political family.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

27

NEWSXTRA APC Favours Oni, Opeyemi, Adeyeye for Ekiti Senatorial Contests `øÙØÍ`øsøÚØ‚ß›‚Û›se‚›àß‚¸esœØße‚¸eºeúßØ›n‚ß›‚Ò{Ô Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ahead of its primaries scheduled to hold this month, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has conceded senatorial tickets in Ekiti State to its former National Deputy Chairman, Chief Segun Oni, ex- Commissioner for Information & Strategy in Lagos State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic (PDP), Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, THISDAY can report.

By implication, the concession has already cast pall on the aspiration of Sen. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki to return to the Senate in 2019 despite her decision to defect to the APC at the height of internal rift that plagued the Ekiti PDP before the just concluded governorship election in the state.

Multiple sources at national and state level revealed this development to THISDAY at the weekend, which they justified on the need to pacify Oni, Bamidele and Adeyeye considering the role they played to ensure the APC and its candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi win the July 14 governorship election.

One of the sources said while the governor-elect favoured Opeyemi for Ekiti Central Senatorial District, the APC had already resolved to nominate Oni and Adeyeye in

Ekiti North and South respectively.

However, according to the source, the APC will still hold free and fair primaries in the three senatorial districts in line with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). All senatorial aspirants are free to participate in the primaries despite the concession.

He explained that Fayemi was not oblivious of the impending crisis that might erupt in the Ekiti APC if the political gladiators “are accorded with due recognition after working for his victory in the last election. Opeyemi, for instance, paid supreme price just to ensure the victory of the APC and Fayemi.”

Another source confirmed that Fayemi had “to make the concession before the governorship election because it was evident he would not be able to defeat the PDP candidate, Prof.

Olusola Kolapo due to the overbearing political influence of the incumbent governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose in the state.”

Even though his former Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu had indicated interest to contest senatorial race in Ekiti South, the source said Fayemi would not support him because he had already conceded the three senatorial nominations to Oni, Bamidele and Adeyeye.

The source confirmed that

AfDB President Leads Delegation to China-Africa Cooperation Summit Vincent Obia The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, will lead a delegation to the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC 2018), taking place in the Chinese capital, Beijing, September 3 – 4.

The theme of this year’s summit, which will be chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, is, “China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation.”

Meanwhile, Adesina has taken the case for expanded partnerships and investments in Africa to the Netherlands.

During a three-day visit last week, he met with government officials and private and public sector business leaders and affirmed the accord between AfDB and the Dutch government’s development agendas and foreign policy.

A release from the AfDB said the bank’s president will be actively involved in the plenary sessions, and other private sector and media engagements on the side-lines of the summit. The sessions include the welcome reception, the opening ceremony of the

high-level dialogue between Chinese-African leaders and business communities, and the sixth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs.

FOCAC leaders, members and representatives of related regional and international organisations in Africa and beyond will attend the forum.

The statement said on Tuesday, September 4, Adesina will participate in the high-level dialogue between ChineseAfrican leaders and business communities and the sixth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs. He will also join a panel session of public and private sector leaders discussing the topic, “Advancing Industrial Cooperation for Win-Win Development”.

The AfDB president will use the opportunity of the summit to engage with key international partners of the bank - senior officials of the Chinese government and Chinese-African business and commercial leaders. He will also meet senior Chinese banking sector officials. The engagements will be an opportunity to promote AfDB’s High 5 priorities for Africa and to pitch the investment case for Africa.

rather than contesting the senatorial race, Oni had already given the slot to his diehard adherent, Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, who occupied the seat between 2011 and 2015.

Unlike the case of Oni, the source revealed that both Bamidele and Adeyeye “have accepted to contest the senatorial race with the support of the APC National Deputy Chairman, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo.”

ÿsØnÚ›Ûà‚ØnsØsßs‚›n‚seeÚØn»‚senøß›rØøÛ‚øsœØrøßØ›n An entirely different source revealed the plan to reward former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Bamisile, who was the Director of Contact & Mobilisation of the Fayemi Campaign Council.

Apart from Bamisile, the source disclosed that Fayemi might also pacify other governorship aspirants including Dr. Wole Oluyede and Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, who had

declared to contest the state legislative race.

The source said: “A lot of concessions have been made to stabilise our party. But Fayemi seems not ready to gamble with the 26 Assembly members. He wanted those that will be loyal to him because he has just four years.

He may choose not less than 20 of the would-be state lawmakers.”

Despite this political permu-

tation, an APC chieftain in the state, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu yesterday clarified that Fayemi’s victory would serve as a catalyst to his senatorial ambition rather than stalling it.

Osinkolu, who is seeking to represent Ekiti North in the Senate in 2019, said the fact that he came from the same local government with Fayemi would not serve as an impediment to his senatorial aspiration.

A GIANT STRIDE

L-R: Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ogun State, Chief Bimbola Ashiru; Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; and CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle, at the inauguration of $250 million Gateway Brewery in Sagamu, Ogun State … recently

We’ll Reclaim Kwara from Saraki, Vows Oshiomhole Speaking on efforts to reposition the Kwara State chapter of APC, Oshiomhole said he had formed a committee made up of two deputy national chairmen to work with the National Organising Secretary and the Vice Chairman (North-central) to put in place new party executives in the state.

The statement quoted him as saying, “The last time I spoke with the minister he told me we have accomplished 80 or 85 per cent, that for me is not good enough because we don’t have more time. So this week, we must achieve hundred per cent by whatever means. If you can’t do it, we have to help you get it done.

“I am very impressed with the enthusiasm of the people of Kwara State. They are experiencing a new dawn, a new sense of freedom and a sense of ownership of the APC where we are trying to do bottom up rather than top down.

“Where we have politics of inclusion, no godfather, everybody matters. Now I superintended over the liquidation of godfathers in Edo state, now I will not be here and allow and support the emergence of a new godfather.

“When we vanquished the godfathers we created a level playing field for equal oppor-

tunity to participate and that is what I think we have achieved so far and we need to take full advantage of that to do what needs to be done for us to get on with the job of organising, mobilising. I believe all of us, the APC leadership, we are anxious to come to Kwara State to interface with the great people of Kwara State, beyond llorin, to other major cities in Kwara.

“Let them know and carry the message of change and use the broom to sweep away the past, including the thorn umbrella. The task of sweeping away the past and rebuilding a new Kwara is a task that must be done. That should give you the energy, the incentive and the appropriate spirit to work together so that victory will be ours, not for our own good but for the good of the great people of Kwara State who have been oppressed for such a long, long time. Like they say, there can be many days for the thief, one day for the owner.”

Meanwhile, a source in APC said in keeping with the directive of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Oshiomhole and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) will be meeting to review the cost of the nomination forms with a view

to stemming the agitation.

Aspirants, who had brought their complaints before the just concluded NEC meeting, said they were forming a bloc to demand immediate review of the cost of nomination forms.

One of the aspirants, who did not want his name mentioned, told THISDAY yesterday that they would jointly articulate a position on a new cost template to be presented to the NWC for consideration.

Another demand the aspirants made was the adoption of only direct primary election for all elective positions.

The aggrieved aspirants said they were ready to leave APC if their demands were not satisfactorily addressed. To underscore their protest, it was learnt that an aspirant sent out text messages early Saturday to other contenders to convene at Agura Hotel in Abuja at 12 noon.

The SMS read, “As a concerned aspirant, I invite you, my fellow aspirants, on the platform of our great party, the APC, to a World Press Conference to demand immediate slash of the high cost of nomination forms, which is even higher than the corrupt PDP, which was in power for 16 years.

“This is a direct attack on

Mr. President and the APC credibility.

“We demand direct primaries for all elections of our great party, the APC, at all levels. If you are not popular to win in a direct primary, you are not qualified to participate in the general elections.”

In the proposal presented by the APC leadership to the NEC meeting last Thursday, the party sought approval to fix fees for nomination forms for House of Assembly at N1.1 million, House Representatives at N3.8 million, Senate at N8.5 million, governorship at N22.5 million, and presidency at N55 million.

Although the NEC meeting did not approve the charges, it mandated the NWC to review the fees and go on with the sale of nomination forms without seeking further approval from NEC. But the aggrieved aspirants said they had compared the charges with other parties and that it was ahead of what the opposition parties were collecting. They gave the example of the PDP, which fixed the cost of nomination forms for House of Assembly at N600,000, House Representatives at N1.5 million, Senate at N3.5 million, governorship at N6 million, and president at N12 million.

28

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THE ALTERNATIVE/PERSPECTIVE

with RenoOmokri

WhyNigeriaUnderBuhariisTheWorldHeadquartersforExtremePoverty

O

n Wednesday the 29th of August, 2018, British Prime Minister, Theresa May, visited Nigeria with a plane full of business people to help Britain make money in Nigeria. So meticulously choreographed was her visit, that she came with businessmen and women that sold or manufactured every item you could imagine from air fresheners to Scotch whiskey.

Mrs May, who I met twice last year, demonstrated the main thrust of her visit by travelling with David Schwimmer, the Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange. Her entourage to Nigeria was chockfull of business and industry folk and very lean on civil servants and politicians.

In fact, only two members of her cabinet joined her on her African trip. If there was any spare space on the Royal Airforce Jet that flew her to Africa, that space was reserved for people who could bring jobs and capital to Britain.

Even though a day earlier, Mrs May had regretted that Nigeria is home to the largest number of extremely poor people in the world, she still took her time to meet the few extremely rich people in Nigeria and introduced them to the businesspeople on her entourage.

She met for 40 minutes with an assortment of Nigerian business leaders like Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, along with Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu. Mrs May did not come to play. She came to pay. Pay Britain mind you. Not Nigeria.

Not to be undone, her German counterpart, Chancellor Angela Merkel, flew into Nigeria two days after Mrs May. When Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar, was asked why Mrs Merkel was visiting Nigeria, he said “She is coming with a business delegation which is very important. We have strong economic relations with Germany over the years. But one of the major challenges in recent times has been how to attract German medium-size businesses to invest in Nigeria.”

Note that Mrs Merkel led a “business delegation” to Nigeria, not a political delegation, even though the Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (please watch my TEDxApata talk on this issue) played heavily on her mind.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, August 31, 2018, the Nigerian Presidency announced that Muhammadu Buhari, who is the President of Nigeria, the world headquarters for extreme poverty (according to the World Economic Forum and the World Poverty Clock), is on his way to China, the second largest economy on earth.

Expectedly, the Presidency released a list of Mr Buhari’s entourage and for your benefit, I will simply republish the part of the official statement detailing President Buhari’s entourage below; “President Buhari will be accompanied to Beijing by his wife, Aisha, who is scheduled to participate in a Spouses’ Programme on China-Africa at the Great Hall of the People, under the theme, “Joining Hands for a Future of AIDS.” Also on the President’s entourage are Governors Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (Bauchi), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo). Others are Senators Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), George Akume (Benue), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).

Buhari Also accompanying the president are: Ministers Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs), Rotimi Amaechi (Transport), Babatunde Fashola (Power, Works and Housing), Muhammad Bello (FCT), Okechukwu Enelamah (Industry, Trade and Investment), Udoma Udo Udoma (Budget and National Planning), Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources); Ibe Kachikwu (State, Petroleum Resources), and Hadi Sirika (State, Aviation).

Others are the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; and the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Maikanti Baru.” Observe that President Buhari’s entourage is full of his ministers, Governors, the GMD NNPC and other civil servants.

Not ONE business person is on the entourage!

Let that sink in for a minute. Or perhaps two minutes.

Do you now see why Nigeria is the world’s headquarters for extreme poverty and why the U.K. and Germany are poster nations for extreme wealth?

It all boils down to leadership. A leader is either a catalyst for growth or a lid that prevents growth. Muhammadu Buhari is the latter. A mere three years ago, Nigeria was the third fastest growing economy in the world because we had a President who loaded his entourage with business people whenever he visited foreign nations.

Former President Jonathan not only travelled with Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Aig Imokhuede amongst others, he also included cultural icons from Nollywood and Nigeria’s blossoming pop music scene on his entourage.

For instance, Aliko Dangote was on former President Jonathan’s September 2013 entourage to Kenya (where Dangote now has massive investments) and had this to say about Mr Jonathan in Nairobi: “I want to tell you what the president has been doing in

Nigeria. He is very humble and may not want to sing about what he has been doing.

I will tell you what he has been doing to Nigerians and to some of us who are in business in Nigeria. We are very grateful for some of the policies he has introduced.

As you all know, without good policies of government, there is no way a person like me from a big town like Kano can rise from a humble beginning to become the 25th richest person on earth.

Without the policies of the president and also making sure that there is consistency in the policies of the government, this could not have happened.”

Which Nigerian businessman can say that of President Buhari today? When Dangote made that statement, he was worth $25 billion. Today, after three and s half years of Buhari, the same Dangote is now worth $12.4 billion. Less than half what he was worth a mere four years ago!

I am yet to hear of a President like Muhammadu Buhari, who rather than go abroad to project his country positively, would rather go overseas to demarket the economy he should promote.

When Theresa May visited Nigeria, she promoted Nigerians by wearing a jacket made by Emmanuel Okoro, a Nigerian designer.

But when does Buhari, our own President, promote Nigeria? He goes abroad for medical treatments and while there he calls our youth “lazy” and our adults “criminals”.

Have you ever heard of Emmanuel Okoro before today? If not for Mrs May, I would never have heard of him. There are leaders and there are leaders!

And it was rather amusing to watch President Buhari introducing one government official after another to Mrs May and Mrs Merkel. Rather amusing indeed. What are those salary earners and civil servants going to discuss with the business elite those two great women brought with them? Pitiful really.

It is such a pity that the four highlights of Buhari Presidency have been that: Nigeria had her first recession in 25 years under Buhari Nigeria became the world headquarters for extreme poverty under Buhari Nigeria made her worst ever performance on Transparency International’s CPI under Buhari The Naira became the 4th worst performing currency in the world under Buhari And the reason that Nigeria is poor is not because we have poverty of resources. It is because we have poverty of leadership.

You see, no matter how much resources a man has, it will never be enough if he does not know how to use them.

Introducing Reno’s Darts: If Davido, a billionaire son, a multimillionaire in his own right and an international music superstar who has made and continues to make Nigeria proud, can serve his nation in the compulsory National Youth Service Corp, then why didn’t Kemi Adeosun serve? And why is Buhari protecting her? And how can you continue to lie to yourself that Buhari has integrity? #RenosDarts

Reno’s Nuggets You have the power to summon a stronger positive thought into your mind whenever a negative thought attempts to break into your mind

Niger-Delta:WhyBuhariMustbeSupported–Uduaghan Samuel Okotie

B

rimming with contentment following his Tuesday’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, wants all hands on deck to accelerate development of the Niger-Delta region.

The oil-bearing Niger-Delta has been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy since the late 1960s on account of its huge petroleum and natural gas endowments. Revenue from crude oil, for about five decades, accounted for over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign revenue.

However, Niger-Delta’s socio-economic fortunes are not commensurate with its huge contributions to Nigeria’s economic well-being, a reason youths from the region, who are dubbed militants, took up arms since the late 1990s.

The Federal Government’s hard line response, in most cases, against the protesting youths led to increased restiveness in the Niger-Delta, which in turn hampered seamless oil exploration and exploitation with the attendant hurt to Nigeria’s economy.

Uduaghan Although, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua Administration granted the militants amnesty in 2009, which embarked on measures to solve the problems of the NigerDelta. brought some measure of peace in the region, there are According to him, since President Buhari assumed power, huge threats to orderliness with the ex-militants threatening there have been ‘’encouraging interest and activities to to return to the creeks over government’s unfulfilled or bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis. This partially fulfilled promises.

However, Uduaghan wants the youths, and Niger-Deltans has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.’’ to support President Muhammadu Buhari to allow his developmental efforts to bear fruits and permanently address the problems of the region.

How Buhari is addressing Niger-Delta In his defection speech titled: ‘’Moving On To The Bigger problems Playing Field,’’ Uduaghan said that President Buhari has He said: ‘’Topmost in these activities are the engagement

processes. Rather than using the military to harass our people, the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta... Mr. President has personally engaged several regional leaders and youths.

Senior officials of his administration also engaged many Niger Delta leaders and youths. Very significant is that Mr. President mandated the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to visit virtually all the oil producing states, engaging various stakeholders. This is unprecedented in the history of the region. Such engagement processes have brought some measure of peace in the Niger Delta. Things can only get better.’’

He continued: ‘’Beyond the engagement processes, however, the Buhari administration has embarked on some infrastructural and human capital development activities in the region. In Delta State, the opening of a Maritime University; the setting up of a steering committee for the EPZ (Gas City), the plan for a deep sea port, the dredging of the Escravos-Warri River; the opening of the railway line to Delta Steel Company, the soon to be flagged off, by Mr. President, the Omadino-Escravos Road that will pass through many riverine communities; the various road construction works by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the various TCN projects across the state are some of the positive activities in the region.’’

The former governor said since the President had set his priorities pursuant to creating an environment for peace in the region, it is incumbent on every well-meaning Niger Deltan and Nigerian to key-in.

–––Okorie, a school teacher, wrote from Asaba (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ T Í°Ë&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

29

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30

T H I S D AY ˾ Í°Ë&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

02.09.2018

Lanre Tejuoso

From Palace to Politics

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/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 Ëž Í°, Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

COVER

I Broke Royal Tradition to Become a Politician Avant-garde, suave and simple, the blue-blooded figure sits quietly in the lounge with an affable, glistening face. Courteous and courted by many, the prince has taken a leap of faith: he left the palace for politics. Meet Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and the first son of the Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso. The princeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path, as Funke Olaode writes, criss-crosses the depth of humanity, commonality and royalty

H

is gait is graceful. His skin glows. His mien is majestic.

And, his mind is expansive.

Avant-garde in outlook and suave in taste, Senator Lanre Tejuoso is pragmatic as a politician and meticulous as a medical doctor. As he sits calmly on a sofa, his gentle gaze scanned his environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have a sit, please,â&#x20AC;? the senator said gentlemanly. His face beamed with a studied smile. He is not just a highflying federal lawmaker. Tejuoso is heirapparent of a monarchy. Empathetic and energetic, his life is far from being couched in the aloofness of palatial fantasies but in the palpable reality of the grassroots.

Decades of affluence have not robbed him of what matters most in life. Beyond his opulence and a swathe of achievements in medicine and politics, Tejuoso is an embodiment of passion for the people, focus on the future and ambition for the common good. His grandmother, the late Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso, was one of the few female industrialists of her era. Wealthy and with tentacles spread across various sectors of the economy, the young Tejuoso found full-fledged wings in her to fly. The young prince first cut his teeth as a businessman under her grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tutelage.

Yet, there is something about the Ogun State-born prince that has endeared him to many.

It is deeper than the intellect he

possesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to respect tradition because I know the source of my background â&#x20AC;&#x201C; royalty. I have to respect that by placing my family in a position of the custodian of their heritage. My father, Adedapo Tejuoso, Osile OkeOna Egba, is a king. I believe I must respect that honour bestowed on our family by making sure I behave the way I am supposed to. The fact that I am in politics doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean I should be loud.

There must be a level of decorum,â&#x20AC;? he stated.

Unlike many privileged individuals who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, Tejuoso has learnt to keep a calm head over his shoulder. But what does he owe that to? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My upbringing with my grandmother, Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso, and my mother helped me,â&#x20AC;? he simply said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was pampered while I was growing up. I was always following my grandmother who was a big-time trader, industrialist and an estate developer. This engendered an entrepreneurial spirit in me because by the time I graduated, I was already trading in importing chemicals and exporting cocoa for her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank God that one did not derail or got easily carried away because going to medical school wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the easiest and with the kind of pampering (I got) at that time and for one to succeed in medicine at that time I believe the grace of God and the ability to take life seriously helped me.

Again, my father was a disciplinarian and was able to monitor and manage the excesses that could arise from my being pampered. My father, Oba Dapo Tejuoso, was the main factor in shaping that aspect of my life.â&#x20AC;?

The name Tejuoso resonates in the South-west and beyond. Has the name opened doors for or shut doors against him? It must be a mixed-bag of experience being a prince, no doubt as he explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe growing up the name shut doors more than opened them for me. Because in most cases, when you are doing what your mates are doing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; trying to seek some support in business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there is an impression that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need help. And even when I went into politics I wanted to raise money nobody believed that they could give me anything. They wondered why should I come and struggle with them. I got fed up and refused to meet anybody. My father didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it easy for me either. This is because he decided that he was not going to put his money in politics. I was practically on my own then. For me, it is not a burden to be a Tejuoso. It makes you more creative and put you on your toes to be the best.â&#x20AC;?

To his credit, Tejuoso is like an old wine that tastes better with age.

He always looks radiant. You will be pardoned if you assume he is just 40 years old. The secret of his good looks? â&#x20AC;?As a medical practitioner, I practise what I preach. We tell our patients how to live a successful, healthy life. We know the dos and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts for you to stay healthy. And once you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overdo things, you should be able to maintain a fairly healthy lifestyle,â&#x20AC;? he said matterof-factly.

The blue-blooded politician is considered the first person in his royal

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

Treading the Path of Royalty and Politics family to dabble into politics. “I broke the jinx because of the state of the nation. There are so many things we see outside the country and I believe we can replicate something similar in our country. I realise that the only way to be relevant in terms of contribution is for you to be part of the system.

We see more people complaining that things are not going on well but they are not doing anything about it,” Tejuoso argued as he explained why he left the comfort of royalty and luxury to plunge into the murky arena of politics.

Commenting on his contributions to the health sector since he came on board as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Tejuoso disclosed, “When we came in I realised that the duty of a senator on paper is to introduce laws, bills, ensuring that the policies of the country are improved. When we came, we found that there were so many laws by our predecessors that were not being implemented. I decided to look into what can make positive impact in the health sector of the country. The most successful country in Africa is the country that has robust funding for their health sector. I realise that Nigeria has the least amount of money in terms of funding for the health sector.

There was a meeting of all African countries in Nigeria in 2001, called ‘Abuja Declaration’.

“There, they decided that to have a successful health sector as a country, you must earmark minimum of 15 per cent to health in the annual budget.

To date, we have not surpassed five per cent while in the said five per cent, the government doesn’t release up to three per cent. So countries that are not as rich as Lagos or Ogun states – such as Swaziland and even Zimbabwe regarded as poor – are already fulfilling that law as their health sector is better than Nigeria. To me, success in health sector is subject to funding.

And before we came on board there was a law which says a minimum of one percent of consolidated revenue fund must be reserved every year for the health sector to make sure that our primary health sector is functional.

It was signed by (former) President Goodluck Jonathan. Again, it was not implemented. When I became Senate Committee on Health’s chairman, together with my committee members we decided to pursue that to a logical conclusion. We started two years ago and we succeeded in 2018. We had the one per cent in place in the 2018 budget, which is a major achievement to make progress in the sector so that every Nigerian can go to a primary health centre close by.”

A grassroots person even though Tejuoso is based in Abuja, he frequents his home base – his constituency – like he is stepping into the bathroom. But

having served as a commissioner and now a senator is there anything holding Tejuoso back from contesting the 2019 Ogun State governorship election?

“Unfortunately,” he stated as he began to answer that question. “One of the things we need to change in this country is the issue of zoning that is killing merit. In America, they don’t ask which zone are you from as the party only looks for the best candidate.

Unfortunately, the present governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun is from my constituency. By convention it is not my turn. I believe that this should be the last time – at least in Ogun State – that people will say that it should be the turn of this and that. After the 2019 election, we are going to advocate for merit and not zoning. I am not coming out in 2019 to contest the governorship poll. But in 2023 we are not going to encourage zoning.”

An optimist as well as a realist, Tejuoso believes that while Nigeria is currently facing harsh economic situation and widespread state of insecurity, it is always calm after a storm. Even though he is not a seer, this is what he sees: “I can see a lot of positive changes in Nigeria today.

Nigeria’s problem is more of (a) leadership (problem). I believe now that the issue of corruption is being handled and people are now aware that you can’t dip your hands into the treasury – that is a good start and right attitude to move forward. This present government is an administration of continuity. It didn’t say because it was the PDP government that started a particular project, it will abandon it.

That is why we can see the railway project being completed. We have our challenges as a nation but I believe the future is bright.”

If there is anything that gives the Ogun prince joy, it is his family. He is a father to five grown-up children and two grandchildren. “I was extra-vibrant when I had my children. I thank God that he gave me a rare privilege of becoming a grandfather at a very young age of 49. I got married very early at the age of 22. I graduated as a medical doctor at the age of 21. Everything happened very fast – to God be the glory – and one tries to do it well,” the prince said.

Beyond politics and ambition, Tejuoso is every woman’s dream. He has been married to his sweetheart – Moji, daughter of billionaire industrialist, Rasaq Okoya of the famous Eleganza – for 31 years.

To him, the secret of a successful marriage is to know God early and have the ability to build oneself and the relationship. It also involves managing weaknesses and strengths – this is vital because you cannot find a perfect human being. “We have developed a lot of thirst for Christ very early and this has helped me and my wife,” he said.

I believe growing up the name shut doors more than opened them for me. Because in most cases, when you are doing what your mates are doing – trying to seek some support in business – there is an impression that you don’t need help. And even when I went into politics I wanted to raise money nobody believed that they could give me anything. They wondered why should I come and struggle with them. I got fed up and refused to meet anybody.

My father didn’t make it easy for me either. This is because he decided that he was not going to put his money in politics

Tejuoso

Photos: ETOP UKUTT

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž Í°, Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

with VANESSA OBIOHA ͎͎ͯ͜͜;͜͡;͹;Ë&#x153; Ă Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ?ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;ĚśĂ&#x2018;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ë&#x153; entertainment@thisdaylive.com

ENTERTAINMENT

TERRY G

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Crazy by Choice His shimmering studs sparkle as he stood tall on the stage while his dreadlocks seem to touch the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sky.

Thick smoke of ganja billow in spirals. His eyes are bloodshot and muscles taut as every pore of his skin flows with thick sweats. As he â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sangaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, his fans go haywire in gyration. It is the dawn of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free madnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. His trademark bell chimes into the ears of the chaotic crowd as he begins to speak gibberish like a prophet seized by some supernatural power. Terry G is possessed by an ingenuity and serendipity not known with many Nigerian entertainers. Many love to hate him but they often fall head over heels in love with his music â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his madness. In the past, most of his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;madnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was attributed to drugs and booze. In the present, Terry G says he has become a new man with a new madness blended with the old. The Akpako Master now has a new lease of life. Vanessa Obioha writes about his reinvention and new revolution of madness

T

he Lekki axis of Lagos has become the new abode for successful Nigerian entertainers.

Even the most unlikely of the lot, going by the sentiments expressed in their music has taken up residence in Lekki.

So, it was not particularly a surprise to trace Terry G to an address in Lekki. The artiste who stormed the music scene a decade ago with his eccentricities lives in a modest duplex in one of the quiet neighbourhoods. He has been living there for four years and the property belongs to him â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and not many, he said, knew that. His living room was a moderate space with sparse furnishings: sofas, home theatre, a dining table and pictures on the walls. The walls and decor are painted in white â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his favourite colour due to its association with purity.

Adjacent that space is another room which until recently was his studio. His production room now occupies a spot upstairs.

It is in this haven that the Benue Stateborn finds his inner peace, away from the noise in the city. This is where Terry G and his team are planning his comeback to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music scene. Of course, he says he still performs at concerts and churns out singles, but the impact is not as huge as when he first came into the limelight with his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free madnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Coming from a family blessed with the gift of singing, Terry G, whose real name is Gabriel Oche Amanyi, started off as a gospel singer. Like many other artistes, he veered off from the spiritual to the secular seeking fame and fortune â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as he embraced R&B (rhythm and blues). Sadly, that did not fetch him the prominence and opulence he desired. He craved for a status that could stand the test of time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have tested all things and realised that even if we are blessed with different talents, we are still not unique with what every other person is doing. So I took my time to check out the endeavour I want to pursue. I looked at artistes like King Sunny Ade, Fela. What is it about them that made them last all through the years, even when they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make music? It has a lot to do with their image,â&#x20AC;? he concluded.

That curiosity was the springboard that launched the intriguing persona that he is known for today. From being an average afro hip-hop artiste, Terry G became a king of the street with his eccentric style. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I created the madness image. I started linking my style to that. It was my style.

I deliberately put myself in that shoe. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a garment I wear and know what people expect of me. People will look at me, laugh and call me unserious. That is how I wanted to be seen: the guy who acts and sings weirdly.â&#x20AC;?

His plan worked like magic. He changed his looks: groomed his hair to dreadlocks, donned studs on his eyebrows, nose and lips. He cemented his art with his unique style of music: pulsating beats with gibberish vernacular lyrics tinged with slang and catchy phrases such as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ginjah your swaggerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;akpakoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, etc. His energetic attitude on stage added colour to this image.

Simply put, he was a raving singer without a leash. Many marvel at his queerness, particularly the way he delivers his lyrics which most times have a hidden message. For instance, in his hit track, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Free Madnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that ultimately took the music

Terry G

industry by storm and earned him a place in the stars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he belted out that enemies were trying to stop him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I am stubborn as a mad man.â&#x20AC;? The catchy phrase in that song was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Free me nowâ&#x20AC;?, an aggressive expression of freedom. That track shot him to stardom. In another track, he sang the gospel of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;akpakoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also the title of the song â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which means a wooden stick in pidgin.

The chorus was about hitting someone or something with a stick. There is also a sexual innuendo to the song.

Most of the slang, he said, was picked from a group of friends from Benin in Edo State. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I came about â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;akpakoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; while I was trying to get some musical equipment for my studio. I saw the bell and decided to purchase it. Then that slang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;akpakoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; just came to my mind as I was about to hit the bell. I have friends from Benin who are very good at speaking pidgin. They taught me some of the slangs, but the general perception is that I probably hail from Benin in Edo State. Actually, I was raised in Iju, Agege area of Lagos State.â&#x20AC;?

He did not shy away from the fact that his music at times appears meaningless. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deliberate,â&#x20AC;? he admitted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to make people happy.. My music is nonsense that makes sense. I want people to look at me, listen to my song and just laugh.â&#x20AC;?

Mention Terry G and the public thinks about a mad man running riot either in the studio, at concerts or on the TV. His name and image are synonymous with madness.

However, the singer thinks his artistry was

misinterpreted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just unfortunate that the image is a hard copy and very difficult for people to open it and see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside of it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just like anyone else. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a human being, imperfect. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just me. I was misunderstood.

I have seen that people can easily judge you,â&#x20AC;? he pointed out.

Continuing, the Akpako Master said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know I was going to be crazy. Free madness was like freestyle. I was doing a production for a group of artistes who were outside drinking. I just mixed my voice on it. I was just spitting nonsense. One of my DJ friends promoted the hit and it went viral. People now expected me to be crazy.

Whatever I did henceforth was critically judged even when I was innocent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like the drugs intake. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always singled out because of my status. You have to get to a point of maturity where you are a servant to the people. People hardly knew the real Gabriel,â&#x20AC;? he philosophised.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;real Gabrielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who sat in the living room appeared shy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and somewhat subdued â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as he kept on rubbing his hands nervously, dressed in a colourful patterned shirt and sweatpants â&#x20AC;&#x201C;his face was void of studs, wearing a beard tinted in gold. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know deep inside that I am very shy,â&#x20AC;? he said.

But on the stage, he always got the crowd eating out of his palms. It is inexplicable how he assumes another character once he grabs the mike, flying in frenzy and fluency as he bellows his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;beautiful nonsenseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of music.

He can be on a stage for two hours with

unbounded energy. After each performance, the first thing that escapes his lips is â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank God!â&#x20AC;? According to him, he has to give gratitude to God because he has no idea where his strength came from â&#x20AC;&#x201C; many will point to alcohol and hard drugs. But the trained pugilist has a new reawakening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take drugs anymore. I take alcohol moderately. In fact, I perform more energetically now than when I used to take drugs. Drugs take away the energy,â&#x20AC;? he confessed.

The lifestyle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; indulging in drugs and abusing alcohol â&#x20AC;&#x201C; had cost him a lot. For instance, he has yet to clinch any endorsement from any brand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They like my style but they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deem me fit to represent their brand,â&#x20AC;? Terry G revealed.

His turning point, however, came when his son was born.

Staring at the photo of his son on the wall, he stated in an emotion-laden tone: â&#x20AC;&#x153;He changed me. He made me want to be responsible. He is in the UK with his mother.

I always cherish moments spent with him.

The moment he came into my life, I wanted to be a better person. I knew that I have to live responsibly so that he could have a role model to look up to. Moreover, I have seen everything. I had drunk to stupor and been high on drugs. I had misbehaved under the influence of drugs. All of that is in the past.â&#x20AC;?

His rehabilitation is not the only thing that that has changed about him. He now identifies himself as a prophet.

Like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Prophet Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? He paused as if weighing his answer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, I know I am not divine but I speak the truth.â&#x20AC;? Terry G continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is the truth? The truth is being positive when you are not supposed to be. Just be yourself.â&#x20AC;?

With the negativity attached to his artistry, Terry G is still sticking to his style. In fact, he believes he owns the market and the street is still waiting for him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know that nobody has occupied my space. Yes, the street is free but the style is mine. I ring the bell you know. I got styles that the people are missing. People still want to see me because they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see me anyhow on the streets. Some people want to know if I am still crazy. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what defines me. A huge personality I can wear anytime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no event that I perform at that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t own the stage. Nobody threatens me because I have a niche already. What kept the likes of Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;banj, Fela, and Daddy Showkey going is the stage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is what I am aiming at. I changed the music scene back then and I will change it again,â&#x20AC;? he said assuredly.

Giving insight into his new definition of madness, the eccentric artiste said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an expression of my art, my own music.

I want to be able to be seen as a positive image which is still in progress. I want my generations to come to be proud of me. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to sing like me. That is the only thing that can make me unique. I want to come back as an actor. They should just give me the vibe.â&#x20AC;?

He revealed that he is working on a new album which will be released later in the year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been working on a lot. I have had time to experiment. I have been sharing some of them on the social media. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also going to bring in some slang. Dem go hear word,â&#x20AC;? he disclosed.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

INTERVIEW

Clarence Olafemi: Atiku Has All It Takes to Defeat Buhari in 2019 Presidential Election Chief Clarence Olafemi, a former Acting Governor and one-time Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, in this interview with some Journalists, spoke about the APC crisis, PDP’s resurgence and the candidate that can defeat incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential poll. Yekini Jimoh presents the excerpts:

R

ecently, some aggrieved members of the APC at the National Assembly defected to PDP, how do you see this development?

There was a meeting in Abuja recently where about 40 political parties in the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the purpose of coming together as a formidable force ahead of 2019 elections.

I attended the meeting held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja and coincidentally, the event took place at the exact place that the APC held its meeting - in 2014 - that brought them to power in 2015.

Honestly, if anybody is claiming that the recent meeting and the signing of MoU do not have a significant impact on any election; such people are only trying to console themselves. There is no way any person can convince me that the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, is not important in Kwara State politics.

Since he joined politics, the Senate President has made himself acceptable to the people of the state and I have not seen him any depletion in his popularity and the support the people of Kwara give him. Senator Rabiu Kwankwoso is another quiet person that has made his mark in Kano politics. So, whatever noise some people are making is a mere side talk that does not contain an iota of truth.

Also, Tambuwal as a sitting governor is very relevant in Sokoto State and Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State have his supporters too. So, for APC to claim that the defection cannot affect the political fortune of the party, it is being economical with the truth. This is exactly what the PDP said in 2014 before the election and the effect was very clear to people at the end of the 2015 election.

The fact remains that we all came together from ACN, CPC, ANPP, some factions of APGA and some aggrieved members of PDP, which I belonged then to form a brand new party and we named it APC. We believed that Nigerians need a change in governance and a change in everything and that was why the party’s slogan was ‘change’.

We put in all our best because we were fighting a sitting government, thinking that the man we were fighting for knew what he wanted as he had struggled for the position three consecutive times. I did not expect that when the position of president eventually reached his hand, he would not know what to do with the power.

Yes! He is fighting corruption, but it is not good to jettison other sections of governance that are germane to Nigerians. Everything that has to do with the country was mortgaged to him and one will expect that the president will have a minimum template which Nigerians should not go below it.

When we all laboured to bring the APC to power, we thought that all of us would come on board and help the president to run the affairs of the government effectively, but to our dismay, after the victory people we did not see during the merger struggle, during the rigorous campaigns were the people that hijacked the president.

These are people that have been recycled for many years that they don’t even have anything tangible to offer as far as governance is concerned. Many of us sold our property, committed our precious time for the success of the election. But today, all the efforts were in vain because some people who did not know the stress we went through

We put in all our best because we were fighting a sitting government, thinking that the man we were fighting for knew what he wanted as he had struggled for the position three consecutive times. I did not expect that when the position of president eventually reached his hand, he would not know what to do with the power

formed cabals, surrounded the president and derailed him from achieving the core value of the slogan called ‘change’.

Even the greater part of the tenure of the president was spent in hospital abroad and the vice president is not a politician but a technocrat. In democratic setting, the political class is supposed to be at the forefront of governance because in any government that technocrats dominate the cabinet and dominate the key elements of the government, such a system will only be more theoretical than practical and the resultant effects are failure in all sectors and that is exactly what happened to APC government.

The government made a lot of noise without action. That is why it took the federal government more than three years to move for a reactivation of the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling mill that could have generated a lot of revenue for the government and created enormous jobs for Nigerians who are roaming the streets. We have the Olafemi...Atiku appears more positioned to defeat Buhari opportunity to strengthen of experiences, but the experience to lead the country is the future of Nigerians, but the federal government has not the same. If I was asked personally, as Chief Clarence refused and I wonder what the government has been Olafemi, who I think has the capacity to challenge the doing in the last three years. incumbent president, I will choose Atiku Abubakar for obvious reasons. First, he was the vice-president of this What are the chances of PDP in the 2019 elections, country for eight good eight years. He has seen it all and considering the recent defections into its fold? there was nothing that happened at that time that he If the leadership of the party properly managed the was not aware of. He has the leadership charisma and defection of people into the party, then there is no way he is a courageous man, who doesn’t easily surrender to APC can win elections in 2019. That is why I am calling on the leadership of PDP to properly manage the defectors challenges.

This is a man, who is successful in managing businesses because those that have defected to PDP are strong politiand economically, he knows the problems of the country. cally. If it is not managed as expected, the aftermath of it The president of America Donald Trump is using his will be one-in-three out for PDP, which will not be good knowledge gained from managing his business to the for the party. I foresee the mass exodus of people from management of America and creating massive jobs for APC before now and when I mentioned it in one of my his people. If Atiku was allowed to manage Nigeria’s interviews with some national dailies nobody in the party economy, there would be no African countries that will took me seriously and today, it has started manifesting. come close to Nigeria. Thirdly, he came from an area They allowed the problems in the party to accumulate to where there are challenges of insecurity. Atiku would put a level that no option other than for the members to move it on a front burner to ensure that he tackles the problem out of the party. immediately.

But don’t you think the lack of internal democracy Are you still nursing the ambition of contesting a will still be a problem for PDP? seat in the Senate come 2019?

First and foremost, the leadership of the party has I have a culture and tradition and I don’t believe in identified lack of internal democracy and imposition of standing outside to criticize. I prefer to struggle and win candidates as the major setback that militated against an election than waiting for political appointments the the success of the party in the last election and there way some people do in every election. I am in the race was an assurance that this time around, their rights will and aspiring for the position of Senate to represent the be entrenched in the party. Also, in every political party, people of Kogi West senatorial district. I am putting in there is always the temptation of running foul of internal everything to ensure that I achieve my aspiration. I am democracy and right now, it depends on the leadership of very confident that I will pick the ticket on the platform of PDP and they have vowed not to encourage imposition PDP. I am sure that when the time comes, my antecedents and impunity which is the only hope for the party to in politics and my achievements will speak for me. If survive.

I can establish a college of education, technical, Kabba, Honestly, there can never be a perfect system. But let when I held sway as acting governor within 60 days, then, there be a transparent democratic management of the if given the opportunity to represent my people at the MoU. The success recorded through the recent defection National Assembly, I will do more than I had done before. of APC members to PDP should be managed at the level There are a lot of mineral resources in my district, of wards, local government, state and federal so that the which remain untapped for the economic development party can bounce back. So far, some politicians within the of my people. I will ensure that I convert the mineral PDP have indicated their interest to run for president. resources to money for the benefit of the people. There are roads that had been abandoned for many years in my Who do you think to possess the political clout to district. I will ensure that such roads are rehabilitated to challenge President Buhari? ease movement of vehicles. I will not be a senator that As far as I am concerned, the likes of Atiku Abubakar, will distance self from the people and it is high time the Ahmed Markarfi, Kwankwoso and those who are still electorate asked questions on what their representatives do consulting before they make their intentions known are with their constituency funds. qualified to rule the country. All of them have some level

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

TRIBUTE

Pierre Cherruau…What An Abrupt Goodbye!

Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

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hat could those agonising last moments have been like? Who would have calmly watched his 10-year-old son being swept away by raging ocean waves?

Pierre Cherruau did what a normal father was expected to have done that late Saturday afternoon: attempt to save him. Nothing else would have mattered to him then. Not even the fact that the heroic effort could cost him his life.

And, sadly, it did. According to the reports, his son Almami survived the ordeal. So did his older relative, who had joined in the rescue bid, even when his condition was declared critical.

So, it happened that the writer and journalist Pierre, who could have marked his 49th birthday on Monday, August 20, passed away sometime between the night of Saturday, August 18 and the early hours of Sunday, August 19 at the university hospital in Bordeaux, to where had been flown by an air ambulance.

Pierre, who until last year, used to be the French Embassy’s Regional Audio-visual Attaché in Abuja, had since returned to Paris to his first love: journalism. He owes much of his love for the profession and his complementary literary activities to background.

His dad, also called Pierre, worked as the South-western France’s correspondent of Le Monde for 35 years as well as for the weekly Bordeaux-based newspaper, Sud Ouest. “It is a big regional paper in southwest France with a circulation figure of 400000,” he once told me, while we dined at the American Club in Ikoyi, Lagos. “I used to accompany my dad to the corporate headquarters of this newspaper.

I also accompanied him when he was doing his Pierre Cherruau reports.”

His mum too was a journalist, who not only worked for La Vie Economique, a business newspaper in Bordeaux, but was also a food critic for a gastronomical newspaper, Gault & Millau (after the two owners).

In Bordeaux, where he lived with his parents from age 3 until he was 22, he had honed his literary skills as a secondary school boy at Bordeaux’s Lycée Camille Jullian. He was only 11 years old when he published his first newspaper at age 11. This modestly-produced newspaper, Le Journal de Bordeaux, was photocopied and distributed and sold to people in the neighbourhood. This was while his dad was publishing his own newspaper, called Le Cheval de l’Ouest, which specialised on horse races.

Still in Bordeaux, Pierre studied concurrently at the Sciences-Po and the Université de Bordeaux, where he studied law from 1988 to 1992.

He also later enrolled for a DEA in history at the same university while simultaneously studying at the University of Wolverhampton in the English Midlands. It was while at the latter that The sea shore where Pierre Cherruau died he “discovered England”. “At the university, I years and later move on to work briefly for the Radio France had a British girlfriend, whose parents lived in London,” he Internationale web site (RFI.FR), from where he got the recalled. “Then, we would travel almost every weekend to French Embassy, Abuja job. see her family.”

Back in 1994, he was boarding his Paris-bound flight, Later, he would enrol to study at the prestigious Centre de on his way out of Nigeria. Looking back, he had relished Formation des Journalistes, which was deemed the best in his experience at the Alliance Française in Enugu, not just France. It was soon after his graduation in 1993 that a new because it afforded him the opportunity to meet the locals chapter was opened in his life. He travelled to Nigeria as a but also given inspiration for the manuscript of his first novel, French cooperant to assume a post as the Alliance Française Nena Rastaquouere, which was eventually published by Le Director in the south-eastern town of Enugu.

Seuil in 1997. The same publishing house later published his Two years later, he was fully initiated into the exciting second novel, Lagos 666, in 2000. world of journalism. He had hop-scotched from working His next novel, titled Nok en Stock, also on his Nigerian as Le Monde’s correspondent in Benin Republic, where he experience, was published by L’Ecailler du Sud in 2004, the also stringed for other media houses (from 1995 to 1996), to year, he published a collection of interviews with African participating in the launch of the weekly, L’Autre Afrique writers, titled D’Encre et D’Exils (Of Ink and Exiles), with the in 1997. This was when his first novel, Nena Rastaquouere, Editions Centre Pompidou. In 2006, he wrote Ballon Noir based on his Nigerian experiences, was published in Paris.

(Black Ball), which was published by L’Ecailler du Sud. Two “After reading the novel, the Africa Bureau Chief of the Courother novels, based on his West African experience – Togo rier International asked me to replace him at the newspaper or Not Togo published by Baleine Seuil and Chien Fantôme since he was leaving. I worked for 14 years at Courrier.”

(Ghost Dog) by Après la Lune – appeared in 2008. He Not long afterwards, in 2011, he launched the African published his only France-based novel, La Vacance du Petit edition of slate.com in French, which he edited for three

Nicolas (Little Nicholas’s Holiday) with Baleine in 2011 and two years later, published Dakar-Paris: Un Voyage à Petites Foulées (Dakar-Paris: a Journey of Little Strides) with Calmann-Levy.

There was also the novel, Le Noir N’est Pas une Couleur (Black Is Not a Colour)whose storyline was based on the years of the Biafran War and was due to be published by Belfond.

At one of the events heralding the Port Harcourt World Book Capital, where hewas one of the two Francophone authors featured at interactive session in a Hotel Presidential hall brimming over with the local literati, he had dismissed the hint that his novels were autobiographical. “It would be too facile to recopy reality,” he argued. “My novels were never autobiographical. I always considered myself a journalist even when I write novels. It never interested me to speak about myself. I let others speak for themselves.”

Though born on August 20, 1969 in the historical Flemish town of Dunkirk, it was in Bordeaux that his literary career was nourished. Sadly, it was also in this south-western French city that he died...

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Grandma Florence Adedayo Adeniyi: Exit of Rare Breed in Motherhood Abiodun Alao

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ecognising the unfathomable inevitability of the ephemeral nature of mortals, the recent death of Mrs Florence Adedayo Adeniyi should not be a bolt out of the blue: she was an 87-year-old in the country where the life expectancy is still less than 60. But the death, when it eventually came on Tuesday, the 14th of August 2018, was still received with a measure of disbelief. Grandma, (as she was affectionately called) was engaged in a string of multi-dimensional activities and was so deeply involved in the lives of all those around her that we had all “sedated” the portions of our brains that considered the possibility of death. Indeed, her physical demise immediately jolted us all again to the transitory nature of life and the mutability of human existence.

Ordinarily, I am always very reluctant in writing Newspaper memorial tributes to people close to me. In fact, I have only done it once before, when my friend and colleague, and someone I rate as one of Africa’s most brilliant scholars of my generation, Tajudeen Abdulraheem, died in a car crash in Nairobi, Kenya, in May 2009.

Tajudeen, a former Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, and I were contemporaries during our doctoral studies days in England in the 1980s. In a way, I guess my reticence in writing public tribute is my own way of putting myself in perpetual denial that I would never see these people again.

Be that as it may, I find myself now writing this tribute for a woman I genuinely believe is a rare specimen of motherhood and someone whose grace, whose charm, whose zest for life and whose elegance and style all truly made her the affectionate matriarch of an outstanding Nigerian family.

Grandma Adeniyi was the wife of Emeritus Professor Adeoye Adeniyi, a renowned Professor of Paediatrics and the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, and the mother and grandmother of extremely delightful (and, I must also add, quite successful) set of children and grandchildren.

My entry “Visa” into the Adeniyi family was one of my closest friends, Dotun, who was one of Grandma’s children.

Dotun and I spent the glorious days together at the Federal Government College, Ilorin in the 1970s and later in Sultan Bello Hall, University of Ibadan, where we were, in fact, roommates in our final year. But quite strangely, I did not get to know Mama during these periods. Our first physical meeting was around 1988 when she brought a message from Dotun to me in London. My impression of her was immediate and favourable and from 1988, I had come to know her as a friend, loved her as a mother, respected her as a moral icon, trusted her as a confidant and admired her as an individual.

Where really do I start talking about Grandma?

Florence Adeniyi In a way, I think I can best describe her using a string of paradoxical epithets: generous, but frugal; frank but sympathetic; firm, but fair; radical, but strategic; deferential, Churches in Ogbomosho, the town of her birth. I know a bit about the Baptist church in the town because my late but not obsequious, compassionate, but blunt, considerate, father was the Headmaster of Ijeru Baptist Primary School, but constructively critical; open, but tactically cautious, Ogbomosho from 1969 to 1972. Grandma’s knowledge and boisterously friendly, but not gregarious. She had the of Baptist ministry in the town was truly encyclopaedic right dosages of everything that is needed for a successful and it was during our discussion that I was able to locate and meaningful life and her immense personal strength, the whereabouts of some of the many friends my family selflessness and unwavering faith brought realisation of personal ambitions to many people who were privileged to had during our Ogbomosho days. She served faithfully as Sunday School Superintendent at the Oritamefa Baptist come into contact with her.

Church and participated in various executive capacities in Grandma possessed numerous positive virtues such the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) at both Oritamefa that are rare to have embellished in a single individual. I Baptist Church, Ibadan and Emmanuel Baptist Church, strongly believe that she was also an individual of such Ilorin. Until her death Grandma was the Treasurer of the diversified ability that nature appears to make her an Egbe Ireti Ogo of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She attended exception to the popular expression: “Jack of all trade and the Haggai International Institute for Advanced Leadership Master of None”. She combined good cake-baking with Training, Singapore and completed Holy Pilgrimage to excellent culinary skills; effective class-room teaching with beautiful gardening; faultless dress-making with exceptional Jerusalem in 1991.

Grandma Adeniyi also loved her alma-mater, the Idi knitting. Her capacities were really all-encompassing.

Aba Teacher Training College and she would always recall Grandma Adeniyi’s show of love for her children and with nostalgia her wonderful days in that great college that grandchildren would remain one of the most unforgettable produced several hundreds of teachers who moulded lives things about her. Every day, without fail, she would phone of children in the 1950s 60s and 70s decades. She was the round all the children (sometimes, several times in the first recipient of the Western Nigeria Education Scholarship course of the day) to find out how their day was going.

Scheme to study in the United Kingdom in 1952 and Any visit to her would also involve her packing foodstuff attended the Rachel Macmillan College of Education, for them to take to their various destinations. Birthdays University of London as one of the first black women. of her children and their spouses and those of her grandGrandma Adeniyi spent several decades teaching at the children were all engrained in her brain and affectionate Du Beuvoire Infant Nursery School, London, the Church congratulatory messages, laced up with sincere prayers of England Infant/Junior School, Sheffield, the University were guaranteed hall-marks of birthday celebrations. All of Ibadan Staff School and as the foundation headmistress her children’s friends whose birthdays she knew were also of both Orita Mefa Baptist School Ibadan and University of beneficiaries of this affectionate maternal attention.

Apart from her love for her husband, children and grand- Ilorin Staff School. The several thousands of children she taught are all over the world today contributing their own children, Grandma Adeniyi loved the Baptist Church. It quota to the development of humanity. couldn’t have been otherwise though, as was the daughter Grandma could be demonstratively defiant over what of a Baptist clergy! The interest in the Baptist church was she did not like – regardless of the number of people who a subject we both had in common. There was a day we thought to the contrary. In a calm but clearly unambiguous spent several hours together discussing about the Baptist

tone, she makes her desires clear. It may take her some time before she made up her mind on issues, but once she did, she made her position known to all in an unmistakable way.

Indeed, when it came to her dislikes, Grandma had no curiosity value at all – her objection was always emphatic and could be visible to the blind!

Far more than what one would expect from most people of her age, Grandma was quite “trendy” and up to date on fashion. She looked out for good fragrances.

If I am not mistaken, I think one of her favourite fragrances was “Beautiful” by Estee Lauder.

While she was ever so ready to compliment her grandchildren when they looked nice, she would draw their attention to aspects of their dressing that she thought were not “up to point”. Young men’s clothes that are too tight did not pass her endorsement, and it was not unusual of her to affectionately advise her grandchildren against it.

“That outfit really suits you”, she would say, “but it would even have been nicer, if it was not so tight”. Also, in a subtle but unambiguous way, she would also caution her granddaughters against gaining weight – even though, sometimes, she complained about weight-gain when, in reality, there had been weight-loss! She was really alert, very conscious and a huge fun to be with. She was up-to-date on national events and had views on important issues. In her company, boredom was out of the question and lack of interesting things to discuss was never an issue.

I also recall that Grandma had what is called a ‘sweettooth’ and she really loved sweet things. Here again, she had an ally in me. Chocolate, Ice-cream, Cakes, Biscuits and all their other “associates” were things not far from Grandma’s immediate vicinities. There were usually strategically positioned within reach wherever she sat, and available for all to nibble at. For me, “stranded” cake or ice-cream in her vicinity was the take-off point for rounds of extensive discussions. She was a truly remarkable woman.

As I got into the writing this short piece, I really began to appreciate more the special role of mothers in the lives of their children. Having lost mine at the tender age of 6 years, this was an opportunity that eluded me. In any case, I tapped considerably from some of my friends who had theirs, and Grandma Adeniyi was one of those who I looked up to as one of the best specimens of everything great in a mother.

To Grandpa, Professor Adeoye Adeniyi, Grandma’s husband of 65 years, I say, Eku aseyinde; to Brother Dapo, Sister Ronke, Dotun and Bola, I say, E ku idele; To Sister Bolaji, Brother Femi, Sister Jummy and Brother Bunmi, I say E ku ara f’eraku; to all the grand-children, I say, E ku eyin Mama O; and to all those standing by them during this difficult time, I say, E ku aduroti. We all can take consolation in the fact that her life was rich; not only in its duration, but also in its donation. Finally, to Almighty God, I say: “Take good care of her, in your garden of rest, because when she was on earth, she was among the very best”.

––Abiodun Alao is Professor of African Studies and Programme Director of African Leadership Centre, School of Global Affairs, King’s College London.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

SOCIALMEDIABITS Last week, a pact between presidential hopefuls unravelled, Leah Sharibu cried for help, and the two most powerful women in the world visited Nigeria. It was all documented on social media... ‘

T

hroughout last week, President Buhari trended on twitter for different reasons. It started as early as Sunday, at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association where he said the rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.

At the end of the week, the president was chided by the lawyers’ body: any national security concerns by the government must be managed within the perimeters and parameters of the law.

Meanwhile, a Financial Times report said that American President Donald Trump,

after meeting Buhari at the White House in April, described his visitor as lifeless.

Obviously, this statement was latched on to by his opponents and the jokes were in the hundreds on social media. But President Buhari swiftly reacted and said he was fit and sprightly.

In fairness to the Nigerian President, he later went on to host the leaders of Germany and Britain, before jetting off to China to attend a forum on China-Africa relations.

Angela Merkel and Theresa May also met with many other stakeholders in the country, which could easily have gone below the radar if not for social media.

Cont’d on pg 81

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

63

SOCIALMEDIABITS During a meeting between Merkel and Buhari, the latter said Nigerians emigrating through the deserts of North Africa to cross the Mediterranean into Europe were undertaking the dangerous mission at their own risk, which is a painfully obvious fact.

It’s almost funny if it wasn’t such a serious issue.

You might understand why they take the risk, considering the plight of Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in February.

All other girls captured were subsequently released but Sharibu – a Christian - ; was held back “for refusing to renounce her faith”. An audio tape of her pleading made the rounds on twitter; the presidency subtly questioning its authenticity in a tweet while presidential spokesman Femi Adeshina made light of the issue oin an interview. Again, he was taken to the cleaners on social media.

Politics season is well and truly on,

and the seemingly impossible task of an outlier becoming a serious contender for the country’s top post even became more improbable as a PACT between political underdogs Fela Durotoye, Kingsley Moghalu and a few others to support a consensus candidate was discarded by Moghalu.

In case you were wondering, PACTc stands for Presidential Aspirants Coming Together.

Cool acronym, not so cool outcome.

Politics is probably the reason why Davido is undergoing his NYSC and making a big show of it; literally.

With Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun bedevilled by allegations of skipping NYSC and obtaining a fake exemption certificate (which if true means she’s unfit for the office she occupies); and Davido’s uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke - who is contesting to be governor of Osun State – also facing certificate forgery issues of his own, it is no wonder that Davido is, in his own words, tying up loose ends.

Adeosun in her youth NYSC uniform seen here greeting German’s Angela Merkel

FAKE NEWS

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Toyin Lawani’s Weird Ways

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oday, Toyin Lawani is one of the leading lights in the nation’s fashion and beauty business.

She started out quite early in life as an entrepreneur and employer of labour. Indeed, a cursory look at her impressive resume gives her away as someone who is endowed with uncommon abilities.

In the past years, she has continued to impress it on all that she is very industrious and has proven her mettle in the business world.

However, the flipside of her life is such that will not interest a lot of people.

The light-complexioned lady loves to court controversy with her wild lifestyle.

She shocked many when she had a child for a much younger man, Lord Trigg whom she met in 2014 Before then, the boss of Tiannah’s place had been linked to several top businessmen in the country.

Again, a few days ago, she showed the world some erogenous parts of her body, when she put up a topless picture of herself in a bath.

Those who have seen her recently even claimed that she was unusually slim. In fact, a source hinted that one would need to get very close to her before you could recognise her.

Maybe she will someday come out to allay the fears of her fans about her current health status, even though some claimed that she might be on some diet.

Billionaire Businessman, Leo Stan Ekeh, Retires Without a doubt, Leo Stan Ekeh, is arguably Africa’s biggest digital entrepreneur, comes across as a restless spirit. Indeed, if he were a writer or an artist, one would be right to say that his muse has never left him. But more important, he is in constant quest to rule his world: the nation’s ICT sector.

So many would be shocked to hear that the man that is described as a wizard in the industry has retired from a business that has fetched him surpassing influence, towering connection as well as enormous wealth.

A source disclosed that his plan to go into retirement when he turned 65 was further reinforced when he reportedly stated that he would quit his chairmanship position if the group could hit $10bn in valuation by that time.

What also lent credence to the rumour is that Ekeh was said to have added that he would change the lives of his devoted employees by making every member of the management staff in the group, who had served him with utmost loyalty, a billionaire and others millionaires before retiring into full-time research in technological and social works.

In a chat with Society Watch, a source close to the businessman said: “This is his ambition and I hope he realizes this, especially considering the turbulent Nigerian economy.

This was one of the reasons his group did not retrench any staff during the last economic recession, an unprecedented feat that is

Leo Stan Ekeh

highly commendable in view of the gale of retrenchment that greeted the economic downturn.”

But as he is yet to clear the air on the rumour, another source revealed that the award-winning entrepreneur might be planning his exit from the company as chairman, so he could focus on his political ambition to govern his state in 2023.

Though Society Watch gathered that the billionaire businessman had not yet succumbed to pressure to go into politics in Nigeria, the source added that “his going into retirement is a strategy towards achieving his governorship ambition in 2023.”

However, another source quickly countered that saying the planned retirement has not to do with politics as the high-networth businessman is not interested in contesting any political position.

If there is anything you could say with certainty about Ekeh, it is the fact that he has his eyes fixed on the future.

His company had recently acquired Konga in one of the best business acquisitions in Africa.

Ekeh, who was honoured by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on October 1, 2002, for his sustained pioneering efforts in the area of information and communications technology (ICT) and as a model for Nigerian youths, has been consistent with several technological innovations in Nigeria and beyond.

The serial digital entrepreneur has also been credited with pioneering paternity leave in Nigeria when he introduced it in his company a few years ago.

His retirement will come as a surprise to many, especially in view of his very active lifestyle, devotion to healthy living and spartan discipline which has made him look much younger than his years.

Oil Mogul, Ken Bramor, Leaves Ehi Ogbebor Stranded

Toyin Lawani

To say many were shocked is simply an understatement when the news broke that the celebrity marriage between Warri billionaire and oil mogul, Ken Bramor, and interior designer, Ehi Ogbebor, had crashed like a pack of cards.

Society Watch gathered that the extravagant wedding that set social media abuzz with souvenirs, expensive aso ebi and exotic cake, reportedly crashed less than six months after it was consummated in Benin city, Edo State.

Ogbebor, a divorcee with two kids from her previous marriage, welcomed a daughter this year with Bramor.

Bramor was said to have run back to the arms of his first wife and mother of his four children who is based in the United Kingdom.

The Warri-based oil baron, who was with the first wife for weeks in the UK, was said to have also bought her a Rolls Royce to appreciate her for being with him since day one.

Society Watch also gathered that things started falling apart immediately after the marriage that gulped several millions of naira, while several damning allegations were made regarding the union.

Ken Bramor and Ehi Ogbebor

Kemi Nelson, Okoya-Thomas’ Fight Gets Messier

W

hy do Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson and Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas not see eye to eye anymore? What really is the cause of the alleged enmity between the two Lagos female politicians? When will they sheathe their swords and embrace peace?

These are some of the questions begging for answers.

It all started like a murmur about two months ago. But the discordant tune of war has now taken a dangerous twist and has even turned messier, in spite of the initial denial by the two prominent politicians in the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC. It was gathered that Okoya-Thomas, a former member of the House of Representatives, had allegedly fanned the ember of war, when she plotted a “coup” against Nelson, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs under a former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed.

Not yet stated, Okoya-Thomas was said to have organised a party, where she mocked Nelson and announced her new position as the women leader of the state’s chapter of the ruling APC, a position previously held by Nelson.

By this, the battle line had been drawn between the camps of both women.

However, to the chagrin of OkoyaThomas, her perceived rival, Nelson,

Kemi Nelson

was later elevated as the South-west zone leader during the APC national convention held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in Abuja.

Consequently, Okoya-Thomas was said to have petitioned the zonal body ‘to reconsider its decision”.

In the face of the crisis, a source revealed that a former senator from Lagos

Okoya-Thomas

State, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, waded into the matter for an amicable settlement.

But it appears the desired truce may not be achieved so soon, as things came to a head recently when gun-wielding hoodlums suspected to be working for Okoya-Thomas allegedly attacked Nelson at the APC Secretariat in Lagos on Monday, August 27.

Though the real cause of the attack was not immediately known, Society Watch gathered that Okoya-Thomas, who was supported by her personal assistant simply identified as Biodun, allegely supervised the assault on Nelson. “ Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson’s office was vandalized, with several personal effects and other valuables like mobile phones, television sets, chairs, tables and computers either destroyed or stolen,” a source said.

The South-west APC Women Leader, who was apparently the main target of the attack, miraculously escaped death, as the hoodlums suspected to be members of a Lagosbased cult group, Scorpion, fired several shots in different directions during the attack.

It was also gathered that Nelson’s chief security detail, popularly known as Oslo, sustained severe machete cuts, while her personal assistant, Ayo AlliBalogun and other aides, were equally attacked.

Ever since becoming the Lagos Women Leader a few months ago, Okoya-Thomas has allegedly engaged her predecessor in an unwarranted battle of supremacy, while also attacking the person of Tinubu.

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SOCIETY WATCH

Bukola, Toyin Saraki’s Enviable Romance That Senator Bukola Saraki is one of the most influential and powerful politicians in Nigeria today is stating the obvious.

Or how else does one describe Saraki who single-handedly installed the incumbent Governor o Kwara state, AbdulFatai Ahmed.

When he was quitting the PDP in 2014 alongside other aggrieved party members, many of PDP stalwarts reportedly pretended to be unperturbed.

But Saraki’s influence has since shot up astronomically and he has proven to the doubting Thomases that he is, in fact, a game changer.

The medical doctor-turned-politician has stepped into the big shoes of his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, who was the political godfather in the state in his lifetime.

Apart from politics, Saraki is also a great romantic and this, many of his supporters and allies claim, has been the reason for the success of his marriage to his beautiful wife, Toyin, in the past 27 years.

In a society where celebrities’ marriages are always marred by scandals, the Sarakis’ love life has stood the test time. This love story is quite unusual.

When they were getting married 27 years ago in Lagos, many would have sneered at them, and even expressed doubts about the survival of the marriage.

Jimoh Ibrahim,

Where is Jimoh Ibrahim?

Bukola and Toyin Saraki

Today, they have been able to shame their critics, as they are still rocking the scene to the surprise of many.

A source confirmed to Society Watch that the Senate president, despite the

challenges he is facing on the political scene, has been giving utmost attention to his loving family, while he still creates time to shower his pretty wife with gifts and flowers.

broadcast engineering equipment company, was awarded with the Company of the Year 2017 and Excellence in Digital Broadcasting Services awards by America-based media outfits, Pointblanknews.com and Africa Mirror Newspaper.

According to the organisers of both awards, Pinnacle Communications was honoured on account of its unprecedented pivotal role in the digital switchover (DSO) from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Nigeria.

Pinnacle, it was further said, is steadily transforming itself and the nation’s entire broadcast industry by keeping pace with the dynamics of international technological innovation, standards and best practice.

The company launched both TV and FM radio systems across Nigeria in1998 providing product, system and service solutions for advanced transmitter systems, digital television (DTV) and digital radio equipment.

AGAIN, LUCKY OMOLUWA SHINES For Sir Lucky Omoluwa, it was nothing more but another date with history, when his company, Pinnacle Communications Limited, was honoured with two enviable awards recently in New York and Washington DC USA, respectively.

At the well-attended event, Pinnacle, which is arguably Nigeria’s leading

LONDON-BASED SOLICITOR, SEYI CLEMENT’S BIG DREAM In Nigeria’s politics today, it is not an exaggeration to say that many elected public officers are suffering from sit-tight syndrome.

It is a fact that such attitude, which has become a permanent feature of our body politic, has always bred complacency, a sense of entitlement, lack of transparency and lack of accountability.

The effect is that many constituencies

today lack good leadership.

However, it is heart-warming that some young politicians are determined to change the narrative. One of them is London-based solicitor, Seyi Clement, who has a big dream to rescue his constituency, Surulere Federal Constituency, from bad representation.

The deeply grass-roots politician and youthful lawyer is gradually inching up in other spheres that will further advance his ambition. He has an extensive national and international experience in the area of law, healthcare and infrastructural development.

As a first-time candidate for elected office, he believes that his constituency needs a fresh impetus.

As a lawyer and public officeholder in the United Kingdom, he understands the importance of transparency and accountability. He has served in a public office in the UK for eight years, with a glowing record of delivering on promises and projects. He also chaired a public committee for two years, giving him the understanding of the importance of carrying people along with him and managing complex issues.

All these issues are close to his heart, regarding his constituency and Seyi is angling to project transparency, accountability and effective representation.

Humble Seyi may clinch the ticket if there is a level-playing field, even as he is believed to be the most-favoured among his co-aspirants.

Bode Akindele

Lucky Omoluwa

Seyi Clement

BODE AKINDELE’S JOYFUL MOMENT By his nature, frontline businessman and billionaire, Chief Bode Akindele, does not like to blow his trumpet unnecessarily.

As much as possible, he enjoys his privacy. Perhaps, this explains why the Parakoyi of Ibadan chose to celebrate his 85th birthday low-key, with a few friends and associates, in June this year.

What then does he enjoy doing?

For him, giving to humanity gives him immeasurable joy.

Apart from this, seeing his children rise in the ladder of life and attaining success also gladden his heart.

No wonder, he is said to be in extreme joy now, as one of his daughters, Toyin Isemede, who is in her 50s, has just been delivered of a baby girl in London seven years after she got married.

The beautiful lady is married to Ven. Igien Isemede of Our Saviour’s Church, Lagos.

Indeed, Akindele has every reason to be grateful to his Creator.

Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman and CEO, Energy Group, needs no introduction.

In the eyes of some , the Ondo State-born billionaire, for want of a better description, is controversial.

He is also known to possess a bagful of tricks that has left many in wonderment.

In 2017, he showed unimaginable desperation to clinch the number one job of the state, as he dished out different antics on a daily basis.

His ambition nearly marred the peace of the state after he obtained the Peoples Democratic Party nomination form from the then factional National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, even though the faction was not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The gambit continued when the primary was held. Before then, the primary of the recognised faction led by Makarfi had held in Akure and Eyitayo Jegede,a lawyer, had emerged as the party’s standard-bearer.

But as someone who loves to live in fool’s paradise, he went along with other aggrieved members of the party to organise another primary in Ibadan, Oyo State in an election that produced the businessman as its own standardbearer.

That was not the first time he had attempted to govern the state. It will be recalled that he contested for the Ondo State gubernatorial seat during the 2003 election under the platform of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). But he has always live in fool’s paradise, He was said to have budgeted about N5 billion to pursue the ambition, which saw him drop by the side when the real players started surfacing at the election which was eventually won by Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

He took a break from politics and did not contest the 2007 election, strategizing and looking for an ailing party he would highjack.

The opportunity presented itself after Agagu was booted out, leaving his party, the PDP, in a state where they needed revival.

He quickly switched allegiance to the party with the belief that the federal might of the party would present him a better chance of achieving his long-term ambition.

He spent so much money on the party but the people of the state were not comfortable with him. He was forced to run away with his tail between his legs.

Since the election in 2017, the businessman has once recoiled into his cocoon while he is hardly seen at events or functions.

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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 ˾ EPTEMBER 2, 2018

Oshiomhole: Beyond the Combativeness, Lie the Gems When he was the leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigerians were enamoured of him. At the expiration of his eight years tenure as a governor, both critics and supporters heaped encomiums on him. However, as ÝÙÙØ ËÝ ÞÒÏ ÐÙÜ×ÏÜ ÙàÏÜØÙÜ ÙÐ ÎÙ ÞËÞϘ ÎË×Ý ÝÒÓÙ×ÒÙÖϘ ÌÏÍË×Ï ÞÒÏ ÍÒËÓÜ×ËØ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÖÖ ÜÙÑÜÏÝÝÓàÏÝ Congress, writes Bayo Akinloye, his characterisation was tainted by his traducers

“P

hase one of this party is over and phase two is about to begin and it is my hope that at the end of today, we would have elected a worthy successor to carry on the battle and the leadership struggle of the party. I wish my successor a very best of luck and wish him fair weather and for the rest, we leave to history,” said Chief John OdigieOyegun, as he succumbed to the termination of his reign as the All Progressives Congress’ chairman.

One man known by many, trusted by a nation in times of democratic tyranny and economic misadventure soon took over from the soft-spoken Oyegun.

When in April an APC group, APC Support Group, called on Oshiomhole to contest the chairmanship of the party, it sounded like a joke to many. But the group knew what it was bargaining for “given his antecedents and pedigree as an accomplished labour leader, great mobiliser of human and material resources.”

Oshiomhole’s toga has not changed over the years: nondescript short-sleeved jacket, often carton-coloured or black, and a pair of trousers. It is the same with his fighting spirit. Combative but humane, the former governor of Edo State and ex-Nigeria Labour Congress’ leader is an enduring character in the intriguing plot of a Nigerian story that began in 1914. Slightly built, his physical and mental energy is infectious.

Spartan in style, Oshiomhole is the illustration of less is more. He understands the grandeur of beauty and the power of passion.

However, Oshiomhole emerged as the APC chairman amidst a conundrum of contradictions and a seeming dip in the fortunes of the ruling party.

There are disaffections within and outside the party.

The Muhammadu Buhari magical moment is said to be waning as things appear to be falling apart. In all this, political analysts feel that the party’s current chairman does not have the temperament to steer the APC ship from hitting the rocks.

It is all too easy, others have argued, to characterise Oshiomhole as a man that acts on impulse. His supporters will rather say he is methodical – that the former governor has got a fiery feel to his persona.

It is that fiery feel that made him one of the most successful labour leaders in Nigerian history. To illustrate: Oshiomhole It is said that he presided over the NLC in one of the wisely parlayed his leadership of the NLC into politics and most turbulent times confronting then-President Olusegun was a two-term governor of his state, Edo. Obasanjo’s administration in respect of the price regime of Thanks to his labour leadership, his political sun is on a petroleum products among other issues. He was able to steady rise. And that is a good thing; a very good thing, I negotiate with the federal government under Obasanjo a 25 tell you. I welcome Oshiomhole to his new exalted political per cent wage increase for public sector workers. He veheposition. I do so in the fervent hope that he appreciates the mently spoke against the neglect of local oil refineries, the enormity of the political burden he has taken on. It is no use reliance on imported gasoline, the attendant increases in the prices of petroleum products under that regime; spearheading pretending about this. The party he now leads stands on a rickety ant-infested platform,” Dan Agbese had said while strikes and demonstrations against those increases. writing about Oshiomhole.

Dogged and always battle-ready, Oshiomhole became a An APC stalwart and the Director General of Voice of symbol of purposeful struggle and was soon called to be a Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, said this about the former part of governance but on his own terms.

Fiery yet empathetic, Oshiomhole after winning at the polls labour leader: “Oshiomhole is going to be dynamic and purposeful. He will be successful. He has passed through the and enduring a legal battle to claim his mandate became the mills as a union leader. As a union leader, he is pro-people. governor of Edo State (on November 12, 2008) following the He is the darling of the working people. He has been a verdict of the Court of Appeal which held that the results governor for eight years. He is witty. He communicates. He is of the April 2007 governorship election in the state were an organiser.” massively rigged in favour of the candidate of then-ruling Transport Minister and leader of Rivers State APC, Rotimi Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oserheimen Osunbor.

Amaechi, corroborating Okechukwu’s statement noted, “He According to political analysts, the APC chairman has was a governor for eight years. He did well. He will be a many hurdles to cross in the wake of the defection of highgood leader as the chairman of the party and we will give profile politicians like the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, him all our support. I don’t think he has bad temperament as Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former Kano some people think. There are principles and Oshiomhole is a State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, state and federal lawman of solid principles.” makers from the ruling party. Those who know Oshiomhole What does a former member of the National Assembly, claim that he has been crossing hurdles all his life – and most Senator Smart Adeyemi, think about the choice of Oshiomof them successfully. Nonetheless, he has also led his party hole? “APC has made a wise choice. Oshiomhole will be to win over the likes of former Akwa Ibom State Governor, tough for the opposition. In fact, he will dwarf the opposition Godswill Akpabio, former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel in 2019. I knew him as a member of the NLC when he was Uduaghan, and a host of others. the president and I was the NUJ chairman. The opposition is Not a few people acknowledge the strategic capability of in a problem. He will fight them.” the graduate of Economics and Industrial Relations at the Great Ogboru, an APC chieftain from the South-south, Ruskin College, Oxford, United Kingdom. He also attended believes Oshiomhole will ensure that good governance and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, internal democracy thrive in the party. “He is an action man.

Plateau State.

He will be an action chairman. We are going to see leadership “I recall that each time Oshiomhole faced government in action. With him, we will see a new APC; stronger, more officials in a public debate on the then-raging war over fuel united and cohesive. It will be an APC that will be more subsidy, he combatively made them look inept and stupid. inclined to the rule of law, good governance and democracy.

He did his homework; they did not do their homework. He

These are the hallmarks of his life. He will add the chairmanship to his comradeship, his governorship, his advocacy, his disposition and egalitarian principles. I think it is a full package for the APC.” It is apparent Oshiomhole does not come in half measures.

At a 2017 ceremony in honour of Oshiomhole, eminent men including Governor Godwin Obaseki, Governor Tambuwal, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare eulogized Oshiomhole saying, “A lot of encomiums have already been showered on the former governor.

But we felt we needed to host him at the palace ground for promoting Edo culture and doing what past governors said was impossible. He was committed to duty, achieved what past administrations could not achieve and showed great respect to the Benin monarchy.”

So what did the ex-governor achieve?

The Oba of Benin continued: “This is the time to crown it all by hosting him ourselves in this ancient ground… for showing that what past administrations thought was not possible was possible and for showing much respect to the Benin traditional kingdom.”

Even Oyegun had this to say about Oshiomhole’s governance in Edo: “Eight years ago when Oshiomhole became the governor, his people were honouring him and I was there. Since my time as a governor, I see him as a natural successor of my administration. Oshiomhole has raised this state miraculously to a higher level. Things we thought were impossible, miraculously he changed the face of Edo State. He has proved that truly Edo State is the heartbeat of the nation. What is important here is that he has changed the story of Edo State as a civil service state to an economically buoyant state.”

According to political watchers, these are not paid-for public relations statements unlike the assumptions and propaganda being bandied around concerning Oshiomhole.

Speaking further on the APC chairman’s tenure as a governor, a political commentator, Erasmus Ikhide had noted: There is no doubt Governor Oshiomhole has laid a solid foundation for the infrastructural deficit state in such a way that subsequent governments after him have no option than to continue to build on his legacies, regarding structural development.

Before taking his positive combative disposition to the state, Benin was described as a rustic city. According to Ikhide, it was difficult to navigate freely within and outside the state capital without wasting hours on a daily basis.

As a report noted, “Oshiomhole took up the most challenging projects that had defied solutions by colonial, military and civilian governments.” Projects which had been categorised as “impossible” to execute became landmarks. The people of Okpekpe, Imiegba, Igodor, Ososo, Dangbala, Ojah, Anegbette, Evboeghae, Ugo, Urhonigbe, Igueben, Ewohimi, Ewatto, Ohordua, Okhuesan Amiendokhian, Ugboha, Ikhin, Eruere and other hundreds of communities, will not likely forget in a hurry how Oshiomhole turned a geographical disadvantage into economic and social opportunities.

His transformation of Okpekpe Road is another evidence of capacity. People can readily recall the sheer scale of the havoc wreaked by erosion in Auchi in the past despite successive state and federal governments’ inability to solve the problem. Oshiomhole took the bull by the horns and eventually rescued Auchi from the quicksand of erosion. In a similar way, he transformed Esan, providing potable water through the provision of industrial boreholes.

In conclusion, a two-time former governor of the defunct Midwest region and Bendel State, the late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, had affirmed: “People have come to me to ask, what I have got to say about Comrade Oshiomhole and most importantly, what I have got to say about his achievements? My answer is simple: If I spend the whole day narrating what he has done, there is no newspaper or television house that will have time for that. He has done everything that needed to be done by anybody occupying this position for eight years.”

ARTS & REVIEW A

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WITH THE MOVIE SYLVIA, A WORLD UNRAVELS PAGE 69

02.09.2018

BEYOND HIS CROSSROADS, ROM ISICHEI CASTS A BACKWARD GLANCE Bring Back My Yesterday, mixed media on canvas

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\ENCOUNTER

Rom Isichei

They glanced backwards with amused delight, 2018, mixed media on canvas. Diptych, 76x122 inches

BEYOND HIS CROSSROADS, ROM ISICHEI CASTS A BACKWARD GLANCE Even as one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most accomplished artists, Rom Isichei has rooted his practice in what he calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;an enduring material and objects explorationâ&#x20AC;?, thus expanding his visual vocabulary and adding to contemporary discourse. This is a journey, he tells Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, that prohibits any form of complacency

A

plea lurks somewhere in those eyes. This plea, reinforced by the prayerful stance of the hooded youngster, tugs at the viewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heartstrings. His half-open mouth, which reveals a gap in his dentition, suggests he is verbalising his fervent wish.And the mixed-media on canvas painting spells out this wish with the title: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bring Back My Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;?.

Somehow, a yearning tenderness seems to have crept into these words and hints at nostalgia.

It is the nostalgia for the youthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonder years.

Yesterday may be gone, but the repository of its records hold his most memorable moments.

Back to the painting. The misty grey monochromatic hue of the work is brusquely interrupted by the youngsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s red vest peering out from beneath the hoodie. Monochrome is a feature the work shares in common with 11 others in this three-floor studio. They are being prepared for a solo exhibition, titled Every Thought Has a Face, which opens towards the end of next month at Rele Galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new outlet in Victoria Island, Lagos.

For the artist Rom Isichei, these large-sized portraits of mainly youngsters and women produced with sawdust and oil on canvas, are only extensions of his patented experimentations with mixed-media.And this form of mixed-media expression has remained the theme song of his studio practice for a long while. So, could he have found a comfort zone in them?

Not really. For an artist, who is continually exploring new visual vocabularies, the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;comfort zoneâ&#x20AC;? should be anathema. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They allude to a state of contentment and security,â&#x20AC;? he argues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a journey that forbids me any form of complacency.â&#x20AC;?

Even so, he has not entirely turned his back on the traditional media. It is rather a case of having sometimes to step back in order to step forward again, he explains. This is why he enthuses about his future compositions embracing the traditional media in all their glory.

Nor has he entirely abandoned his famed Crossroads Series, which are now being enthusiastically imitated by younger artists desperately seeking relevance.

Like virtually every artist in the contemporary Nigerian art scene, he had started off with the traditional media.Along the line, as he progressed from one biennial solo exhibition to the other, found and repurposed objects began to inveigle their way into his body of works. Perhaps, his 2015 solo show at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; titled Someday Is Today â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was the boldest statements he would make with these experimentations. In that exhibition, all kinds of found objects â&#x20AC;&#x201C; plaster cast, fabric, metal, wine covers, plastic comb, corrugated cardboard and wood shavings, among others â&#x20AC;&#x201C; joined forces and resolved into engaging images on canvases or on boards.

But what makes the upcoming exhibition unique is the fact that it is less eclectic in its repurposing of found objects. Indeed, all the paintings for the solo show are basically produced with the same materials: sawdust and oil on canvas. This is what makes such works like â&#x20AC;&#x153;They Glanced Backwards withAmused Delightâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;That Same Old Feelingâ&#x20AC;? share a kind of â&#x20AC;&#x153;visual fellowfeelingâ&#x20AC;? with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bring Back My Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;?. Besides, they all belong to what he calls the Grains of Dust Series.According to him, they form â&#x20AC;&#x153;a single invariable collection and in a scale I have always dreamt of since I produced the very first piece of these series.â&#x20AC;?

There is also the fact that the dimensions of these works â&#x20AC;&#x153;presented a daunting but auspicious space to be expressive unlike the smaller scaleâ&#x20AC;? he had been working on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Until now, my past solo shows have tended towards a collage of two to three modes and styles of expression, but the forthcoming show, Every Thought Has a Face, utilises the grains of dust mode as the only medium.â&#x20AC;?

Obviously, relocating to a new space has emboldened his experimentations with large-scale works. He bases this on the premise that a new space often projects new ideas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, my new studio space will afford me the opportunity to realise works I have previously shied away from due to space constraints,â&#x20AC;? the 52-year-old Delta State-born artist affirms.

Then, there is this obvious deliberateness about his attempt to coax out a 3D effect from the flat surface of these paintings. Hence, he admits that â&#x20AC;&#x153;all dots, all marks, all scratches and scribbles were part of the process that tends towards a 3D effect and at such deliberate.â&#x20AC;?

Curiously, unlike most committed artists, Isichei apparently shuns works that make veiled or obvious allusion to the raging political issues of the day. He would rather settle for the less â&#x20AC;&#x153;offensiveâ&#x20AC;? sociocultural issues, which are not necessarily unique to the Nigerian environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this age of modern technology, our local environment is not immune to happenings in the global sphere as sociocultural issues that are topical in the West now impact the rest of the world,â&#x20AC;? the 2013 Chelsea College ofArt and Design, London MAholder says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Native cultures are being eroded by homogeneous customs due in part to social media and its cross-pollination of ideas and tenets.As an artist and an impassioned observer in this global village, I enact this issues and events in my visual compositions.â&#x20AC;?

True, there are such recent works as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kingpinâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Past Is Still Presentâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coronation of the Kingpin by the

Faithful Nomadsâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a Fit of Piqueâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ruling Classâ&#x20AC;? among many others, which he says are â&#x20AC;&#x153;well layered with political undertonesâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the moment, my inspirations and subjective â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;doctrine of necessityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are inclined towards compositions with sociocultural and religious motifs,â&#x20AC;? he adds.

On his apparent predilection for depicting children and women, he argues that his â&#x20AC;&#x153;inclinations and inspirations are in a constant state of fluxâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have dwelt on the female being in past shows as a vehicle of expression and now focusing on children as my expressional motif.

I may direct my spotlight on older people in the future for my compositional framework as my consciousness directs.â&#x20AC;?

Isicheiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which have featured in auctions like theArthouse Contemporary, BonhamsAfrica Now, Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Postwar and ContemporaryArtâ&#x20AC;?Auctionata, New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Philip de Puryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Africaâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; seem to increasingly

appeal to a wider audience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Modern technology has compressed the world into a global village and at such given visibility to all endeavours,â&#x20AC;? he offers by way of an explanation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has become easier to reach viewers and audiences across varied continents through the platform of digital media. My works have gained global visibility via the various instruments of digital media with a sensibility that tends towards universal.â&#x20AC;?

These works, he hopes, will be remembered beyond their aesthetic embodiment since they â&#x20AC;&#x153;are often imbued with ambiguous connotations beyond the facial façadeâ&#x20AC;?.

Having been featured several exhibitions both within and outside Nigeria, Isicheiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works are enthusiastically collected and cherished by aficionados.

Thus, the artist has earned his seat of honour among the leading artists of the contemporary Nigerian art scene. Still, he looks forward to the future with expectations.As for the directions his creative paths would take, he says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only time shall tell.â&#x20AC;?

BRIEFLY ORIS AIGBOKHAVBOLO TEACHES WRITING Daniel Chado

Nigerian film critic and writer Oris Aigbokhaevbolo on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 held a workshop themed "Write With Style" at Ouida, along Oba Dosunmu Street (opposite Protea Hotel), off Isaac John Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, who holds a degree in pharmacy from the University of Benin, was inspired by The Paris review interview collection and great writers like James Baldwin, Hiro Shima and a few others. He's been writing for about five years, he's known for his crackerjack writing skill and became the first winner of the All Africa Music Award prize in Music Journalism, having written about various Nigerian musicians the likes of Wizkid, MI and their music. Aigbokhaevbolo is also a film critic at THIS IS AFRICA and editor for Music In Africa.

The workshop, which was induced to improve the writing skill of many Nigerian writers, allows for the participants to understand the basic tool in writing. That, of course, includes how to put a particular sentence together with a view of becoming a better writer.

Furthermore, he added that the Write With Style Workshop is of importance as it will help to cultivate the culture of excellence not as a writer only but as a people as well and

also produce good writers, emplace what it is to be literate and literary literate.

Among the topics covered at the workshop are: How To Write a Good Sentence, What Is Style?, What Is Euphony?, How To Use the Semicolon and Other Punctuation Marks, The basic Tools Needed to Write Reviews, Interviews, Reportage, Fiction and Creative Non-fiction and Who Pays Writers?

The two-day workshop, which pivoted on the premise that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Words run the worldâ&#x20AC;?, basically explored ways of making oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own selection of words and collection of sentences standout.

The idea is to make participants better writers through equipping them with the tools they need to produce distinctive writing. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Chado writes from Lagos

Aigbokhaevbolo teaching at the workshop

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WITH THE MOVIE SYLVIA, A WORLD UNRAVELS Yinka Olatunbosun

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rino Motion Pictures recently screened the 104-minute psychological thriller Sylvia at the Silverbird Cinemas in Lagos for a select audience consisting of movie critics and journalists. It was the press premiere of the movie, scheduled to hit the cinemas on Friday, September 21. With Babatunwa Aderinokun as the director, it came as no surprise to watch another minimalist interpretation of reality juxtaposed with fantasy. Trino Studios has a history of movie productions with a handful of actors and heavy technical details. A quick example is the short film The Encounter set against the Nigerian Civil War in 1967.

Directed by Daniel Oriahi, the opening scene in Sylvia is a mental institution with a collective of eccentric individuals mostly treated as worthless entities. Typically, the resident nurse walks through the aisle, distributing medications to patients, nonchalant until she finds Richard Okezie (Chris Attoh) writing a literary piece in sheets of paper. The conversation that ensues between Richard and the inquisitive nurse leads to a series of dramatic episodes detailing romance, fantasy, love, obsession, crime and revenge.

The plot develops around Richard, a young promising advertising executive, whose success story through school and career owes much to a female childhood friend, Sylvia who exists only in his dream. The story takes a phantasmagoric turn when Richard falls in love with Gbemi (Ini Dima Okojie) at first sight and subsequently, he casually dismisses his relationship with Sylvia (Zainab Balogun). Apparently, Richard thinks breaking up is a walk in the park but Sylvia demonstrates to him that it is a road to hell, unleashing vengeance of untold dimension.

Written by Vanessa Kanu, Sylvia is a careful exposĂŠ on the African mythology about the relationship between the spiritual and the material world, if perceived through the cultural lens. The screenwriter draws upon the age-long belief in the existence of characters in the spiritual world, whose actions can impact on the reality of their human host. The storytelling deviates from the usual narrative pattern in Nollywood movies wherein the protagonist encounters a spiritual problem and seeks spiritual-help end of story.

Sylvia is open-ended, subject to numerous interpretations. If examined from a scientific point of view, Sylvia qualifies as a psycho-drama with its roots in mental health. For instance, a viewer can argue that Richard didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seek professional help when his monster girlfriend intrudes his real world. Bearing the burden of secrecy alone must have accounted for his major mental breakdown and violent behaviour during a major pitch presentation for a coveted brand at his office.

Sylvia can also be seen as crime story with the conspiracy twist that the villain brings to the gruesome murders that she single-handedly orchestrates. The storyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength lies in its unpredictability while its weakness arises from the lacklustre dialogue and verbal pacing.

Co-produced by Uche Okocha, Sylvia in the movie represents a bitter lover, rudely intruding the world of her ex-lover and his wife in an attempt to exercise moral justice but failing to earn the viewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sympathy. Our world is full of many Sylvias, that is women who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accept that their roles in a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life are time-bound. Like Sylvia, they camouflage, torture and obsess over a man they cannot

have.

The interrogation scene downplays on the use of dialogue as the director, who is highly influenced

by European cinema and the camera storytelling technique places emphasis on actorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; facial expressions, demeanour which give a good pace to the drama. The romantic scenes could have been tightened if they were not so prolonged, perhaps to satisfy audience who enjoy such amorous views.

Sylvia movie is worth anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time with its quality pictures, excellent sound matched with original soundtrack executed by Michael Ogunlade. A scene from the movie

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SEP Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ëž THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFĂ&#x2030;

NIGERIAN ART HISTORIANS AND THE CHALLENGES OF EXPECTATION Agwu Enekwachi

W

hat is the job of art historians? They are artists, but not in the conventional term because they do not make art. Instead they study, discuss, and interpret works of art and why artists express themselves in certain ways. Art historians mediate between the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative intention and the viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception by brokering understanding. The art historian contextualises and documents the artworks and the conditions under which the artists made them while also taking into consideration factors such as patronage, art institutions and the overall conditions that influence or dictate artistic productions.

It is in reappraising these vital roles of the art historian in the dynamics of the Nigerian art ecology that the Art Historical Association of Nigeria (AHAN), recently (between July 18, and 21), held a three-day conference, in association with the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, under the theme:â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Harvest Is Plenty but the Labourers Are Few: Art Historians in Nigeria and the Challenges of Historiographyâ&#x20AC;?. The conference was held in honour of AHANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retiring founding president, Emeritus Professor Ola Oloidi and other pioneers of art history in Nigeria who laid the foundation of Art history as an aspect of art scholarship in Nigeria.

Some of the issues raised under the subthemes of the conference include â&#x20AC;&#x153;the need to reposition Art history in Nigeria for the challenges of the future,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Colonisation, Art History and the Need for Decolonisation in Nigerian Art Institutions,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Problems of Art History in Nigeria and the Impact of the National Universities Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (NUC) Benchmark as Anti-artâ&#x20AC;?. The Issue of the booming art sector in Nigeria was highlighted and there were calls for an urgent need for robust and commensurate practice of art history to ensure that the demand for knowledge production on the visual arts is met and sustained in the country.

The disproportionate, if not exclusive representation by art historians from Nigerian

Prof. Chike C. Aniakor delivering the lead paper at the conference tertiary institutions in the conference leaves a gap that ought to be filled by independent art history practitioners and other stakeholders who make up a significant part of art historiography and the general art ecology in Nigeria. Culture journalists and editors who run the newspapersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and magazinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; art pages constitute an important part of art history because they serve to bridge the gap between art historians and critics and members of the society, and should therefore be part of a conference by a significant body like AHAN. Though outside of mainstream tertiary art institutions, the role of independent curators, art critics and culture

journalists are essential to the development of art history. On weekly basis for example, the combined efforts of these important players document and disseminate incredible information about art.

Special recognition awards were given to the following pioneers of art history in Nigeria: Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost art historian and founder of AHAN, Emeritus Professor, Ola Oloidi; First Nigerian trained art historian and keynote speaker at the event, Professor Babatunde Lawal of Virginia Commonwealth University; Renowned art historian, Professors Chike C. Aniakor of Cross River State University of Science, Arts and Technology who

presented the lead paper, and Prof. Dele Jegede, a renowned artist and art historian.

Other activities during the conference are: an art exhibition by staff and students of Fine and Applied Arts at the Obiora Udechukwu Gallery foyer, UNN, and a visit to El Anatsuiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new ultra-modern Afrika studio. Prof. Krydz Ikwuemesi, the outgoing president of the association and Head Department of Fine and Applied Arts, UNN, handed over the mantle of leadership of the association to Prof. Ahmed Rufai Salihu of Ahmadu Bello University who was elected as the new president of the association. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Enekwachi writes from Nsukka

CONCERT

A t Taste of Afr ic a n G r o ove wi t h O l u Ja z z Yinka Olatunbosun

T

ough-looking bouncers with strong muscular hands at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop a jazz-enthusiastic journalist from having a taste of the much-trumpeted homecoming concert with OluJazz as the headliner. The hall had been split into two: the regular and the VIP tables or so we learnt at the foyer. Well, it turned out that another special seating area was carved out of the supposed regular seats for special guests who got the same view as other regular seats occupants.

One constant, indisputable truth was the fact that everyone in the hall would listen and see Olujazz in performance.

The show commenced about an hour behind the scheduled time. The wait afforded everyone the luxury of soaking in the transformed Shell Hall, which obviously lack raked chairs. The rectangular arrangement of the VIP tables was well-thought out as there was no obstruction to the view of the regular seat occupants except for those petite female ushers standing like pillars in the music-charged hall.

An ensemble of disco lights formed the backdrop for the stage as the intersections of the beams from the numerous spotlights

OluJazz in performance played some minds games with the audience.

Alex Osho, the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compere attempted some all-too familiar jokes before introducing the spoken word artist who performed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christianity is Boringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The poetry was to set a tone for the night, making a case for Christianity as a compelling religion that is grossly misunderstood by many pleasure-seekers.

Later on, the comedian called Acapella made up for Oshoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pedestrian jokes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is only in Nigeria where NEPA takes light and you go out and check whether it is the same with other

houses on your street,â&#x20AC;? he said, throwing the audience into hearty laughter.

Xtreme band kicked-off the show with its jazz rendition of â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe I Can Flyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and other gospel flavours. Next came the pianist extraordinaire, Wole Oni who performed the National Anthem alongside the impressive green-themed stage lights. The ensuing applause was remarkable, possibly shared by Oni for his orgasmic touch to the anthem on the piano and the technical director for the right judgement in the use of light and colours.

With no score board in sight, the Xtreme band members continued to hold the tempo of the night with its dexterous drummers and back-up singers. The US-based OluJazz arrived on stage with his signature instrumentthe saxophone. If one describes Olujazz as a centre-stage artist, it has nothing to do with his relationship with the stage geography. The young saxophonist sustained the attention of his audience with his flutters and vibrato. He broke down the abstract language of jazz into small digestible pieces, spiced with cultural instrumentations including bata and gangan.

Clearly, Olujazz understands that jazz is far from mainstream music category so he crosspollinated his own interpretation of jazz with the populist gospel. Thus, the concert ended up being like an extended Sunday Church service with his slow-tempo worship songs.

His gospel inclinations aroused the curiosity to examine why many contemporary Nigerian jazz musicians play gospel music as opposed to the smooth, swing or orchestral jazz. Majority of jazz artists from Nigeria are groomed by the church, which explains that liturgical element in their cross-over jazz flavours.

Olujazzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fusion of jazz with African instrumentations transported his music to a series of danceable tracks, electrifying the audience from wall to wall, while whetting their appetite ahead of future concerts.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Boko Haram, Buhari, Leah and the Leap of Faith The failure to rescue the last girl standing, Leah Sharibu, the only Christian victim in the February schoolgirls’ abduction by Boko Haram in Dapchi, Yobe State is a minus to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, writes Olawale Olaleye

F

rom the subconscious, where it’s been long suspended, Leah Sharibu’s matter, again, crept into national consciousness, when a recent recording of her voice surfaced. Leah, the only Christian and girl standing from the 110 Dapchi Schoolgirls’ abduction in February 19, 2018, had appealed to the president, Muhammadu Buhari to show compassion on her and take her out of captivity. She was allegedly held back because she refused to renounce her faith.

In the 35-seconds-audio uploaded by The Cable, an online newspaper, Leah was heard saying, “I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation.

“I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion, I am calling on the government, particularly, the President to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you.”

Immediarely, the Presidency had instructed the Department of State Services (DSS) to probe the said audio, the voice which was later confirmed by Leah’s parents as hers, reports said.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who, in a message posted on his Twitter handle, @GarShehu, said government’s official reaction would be released at the end of the investigation, however, added that the president was committed to the release of all those in captivity and would not rest until the feat was achieved.

“We are aware of the audio in circulation concerning the unfortunate situation of our daughter, Leah Sharibu. In dealing with terrorists, nothing is too trivial. The secret service is analysing the voice. Our reaction will follow the outcome of the investigation. For President Buhari, nothing will be spared in bringing all our girls home. He will not rest until all of them are freed,” he said on his Twitter Handle.

Eventually, when what later passed as the official reaction was released through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, government said only God knew when Leah would be rescued.

Asked to give a time frame for Sharibu’s rescue, Adesina, who spoke in an interview on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise, said God was the sole determinant of her return, a position, which clearly contradicted that of Shehu.

He asked: “For how much longer? I think that question can only be answered by God. I believe that God is interested in that young girl and will ensure that she is preserved.

“I think when that clip that we have is verified, at least, one will be sure that it’s her and when that is determined, we should all be glad that she is alive. When will she return? By the grace of God, the government is working on it

Leah in her recent pose

and we believe she will be back.”

He also said the president had made a commitment to do anything to rescue the kidnapped girls, even if it meant paying for their release, although he denied reports that government paid ransom for the release of the other 110 girls in the first place.

“That is not confirming that there was payment on Dapchi, because the then director general of Department of State Services (DSS) was categorical the day the girls were brought back and it was in public glare that not a dime was paid for Dapchi girls. On Dapchi, there was no payment,” he said.

Cutting out the debate on whether or not government paid for the release of the girls even though the argument against this has never been convincing, the takeaway from this is the befuddling uncertainty that surrounds the fate of

Leah.

Not minding the uncoordinated approach to the information management of the government, Buhari’s two media aides have subtly differed on this matter, further compounding the hope that was hitherto forlorn as far as Leah’s release is concerned.

As it is, everyone, who genuinely seeks the release of Leah, would do well by turning to God as against the government. Although some had tried to colour this debate on the basis of religion since it was the basis for which she was denied freedom, the government who can dismiss this has rather done less in securing her release and instead pontificate needlessly.

The question on how long more Leah will remain in captivity is far from securing the right answers. But thank goodness, her fate is in the right hands: her creator.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Buhari, Please, Take the Challenge!

L Buhari

eadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari to a public debate on good governance ahead of the 2019 elections. In its response, the APC described the challenge as incredible and laughable. And that was it.

Really?

In the lead up to the 2015 elections, recall that even as clueless as former President Goodluck Jonathan was painted, he longed for a debate with Buhari on some of the issues that defined that election, a challenge

that Buhari and his handlers tactically avoided, because clearly, he did not understand the issues, and as such, could not sell them.

Truth is that there cannot be any decent election with informed choices without a debate. Buhari and his party cannot run away from the issues that confront the nation.

Nigeria will like a debate on everything – security, economy and corruption – including Buhari’s recent vetoing of the Electoral Act amendment bill and the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).

Indeed, the electorate would like a debate on his style of leadership. It won’t be business as usual, certainly!

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

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BRIEFINGNOTES In Whose Interest is the PIGB Veto?

President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent vetoing of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, two weeks after vetoing the Electoral Act amendment bill, is yet another negative presidential action that would weigh heavily against his government, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

N

o power of clairvoyance is required to foretell that the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, (PIGB), will further escalate tensions between the Executive and Legislative arms of government; and that is putting it mildly.

The criticisms of the president’s decline, which is already flying around, will continue in the weeks ahead even as it would assume both economic and political colourations.

Operators in the industry, trade groups and experts in related matters, who have for long been lending their voices to the need to have the bill in place for sundry good reasons too, hinging their arguments on the economic implication for the country, will further question the reason for the presidential decline.

The decline to assent the draft bill is already encouraging political permutations among conspiracy theorists and lawmakers given the frosty relationship between the president and, the president of the senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, (NASS) Bukola Saraki. This is already gathering momentum among the National Assembly members and, a legislative source hinted.

The harmonised draft bill has taken long in coming. After several failed attempts to pass a law to regulate the country’s petroleum industry, the Senate had in May 2017 passed the PIGB. The House of Representatives did same last January, and on June 8, the Senate had sent the harmonised draft Bill to the president for assent into law.

It was initiated to update the outdated Petroleum Act and replace its provisions with a more comprehensive and current legal framework that aligns with global best practice. The PIGB is the first part of the Petroleum Industry Bill to be passed by the National Assembly. It imposes a five per cent fuel levy on fuel sold across the country to be used to finance the Petroleum Equalisation Fund.

Essentially, the PIGB will unbundle the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), and provide for the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated, Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Petroleum Assets Management Company and National Petroleum Company. Unfortunately, all of that and the economic benefits therefrom have now been put on hold.

The Cable, an online news portal first broke news of the President Buhari’s action on Tuesday and reported that the President withheld assent to the proposed law, because he felt there were some sections that sought to whittle down the power of the Minister of Petroleum Resources and vest same in some technocrats. It added that “President (Buhari) equally felt uncomfortable that there were no provisions that covered the Fiscal content of the draft law”.

However, the Presidential aide on National Assembly Matters, Ettah Enang disagreed

President Buhari and Saraki must have to work as a team in ntion’s interest

and stated that “None of the reasons for withholding assent by the President as adduced by the media is true.”

In a media statement, Enang stated that “By Presidential communication of July 29, 2018 (one month ago) addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives, Mr. President did communicate decline of assent to the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, 2018 for constitutional and legal reasons stated therein,” adding that “by convention, it is inappropriate to speak on the content of Executive communication addressed to the Legislature until same has been read on the floor in plenary.”

But the reasons adduced by the Presidential aide do not hold water with political watchers and stakeholders in the sector. Rather, the refusal of the president to sign the draft bill into law continues to generate widespread criticism.

THISDAY findings also suggested that flaks will come the way of the administration from within, however muted, even as it emerged that one of the key players in the draft process currently serves as an aide to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.

The ministerial aide, a legal practitioner with bias for the oil and gas sector has been involved with the clamour for the Petroleum Industry Bill even before the coming onboard of the President Buhari administration. His contributions to the bill has variously been acknowledged and commended, including on the platform of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, (NESG).

Criticisms of the administration ordering of decline play up, the agitations for the bill over

the years and the painstaking contributions by various stakeholders to the processes that culminated in the draft bill. The criticisms will be justified given that many see it, among other valid arguments, as a pathway to reducing the legendary graft in the sector.

This viewpoint will win more possibilities as it will most certainly be premised on the importance of the sector to the nation’s economic development, especially when situated against the background that the country is largely a mono-product economy, whose survival depends on the financial oxygen of oil proceeds The President’s critics will further query the administration’s anti-corruption credentials given that it has long been established that the nation’s oil sector, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is a castle of graft and was long overdue for holistic restructuring.

THISDAY checks have also shown that there is a political twist to the president’s action. Source at the National Assembly have alleged that the refusal was a continuation of the ploy by the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) to undermine Saraki’s presidential ambition come 2019.

The source insisted that the thinking in the presidency is that the Senate President could reap huge political capital from the draft bill if signed into law before the next general election.

According to him, reactions of some hawks in the presidency, in January, to Facebook video post by Saraki was the first sign of what is now playing out. In the Facebook video post referenced by the lawmaker, the

senate president had stated that “The PIGB will also promote openness and transparency in the industry — by clarifying the rules, processes, and procedures that govern the oil and gas sector.”

Continuing, the senate president explained that, “This should eliminate, or at worse, reduce corruption significantly and make the sector more efficient and more productive;” and added that, “Nigerians should know that the PIGB, once it becomes law, will help alleviate those issues that lead to scarcity, such as the limited supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); the poor import planning schedule that leads to fuel importation constraints; the corruption, diversion and smuggling — that leads to artificial scarcity; and the absence of deregulation in the sector.”

But former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, who recently defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and also eyeing President Buhari’s job has also weighed in on the matter and urged the president to revisit the bill.

Whether President Buhari will yield to arguments that highlight the economic implications of his action, including colossal revenue loss to graft in the sector, which the draft bill would have addressed, remains to be seen.

However, what is certain is that criticisms will continue to trail President Buhari’s decline to assent to the bill for as long as the absence of the PIGB continues to hurt the nation’s receipts from the oil sector; and it would be widespread, cutting across operators in the economy and opposition political parties.

NOTES FOR FILE

Trump’s Diplomatic Recklessness

Trump

A recent Financial Times report, which alleged that the United States President, Donald Trump, had told his aides he never wanted to have anything to do with someone as ‘lifeless’ as Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, was as reckless as it was a terrifying low in diplomatic relations.

Although the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, who was in the country last week, did not fare better, when in faraway South Africa, she made snide remarks about Nigeria as headquartering poverty, even when she could have said that here in Nigeria if there was a compelling need; Trump’s alleged despicable and dehumanising comment could certainly not go past him. He had said far worse things about

many people.

However, it could actually be heartbreaking to learn that Nigeria has become such a cheap butt of jokes around the world for reasons bordering on the indiscretion of her leadership and the sometimes reckless disposition of the people.

Even more disappointing are the often shallow responses of government to these undiplomatic punches, which clearly go ahead to embolden more of such disrespect to the country and her people from time-to-time. Trump’s comment wasn’t just an unkind cut, it was a diplomatic recklessness and condemnable in all respects.

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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 ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

CICERO/ONTHEWATCH

2019 Polls: Marking the Flashpoints Evidence of a possible breakdown of law and order in some parts of the country is mounting ahead of the 2019 elections and the concerned authorities must buckle down, writes Shola Oyeyipo

T

he 2019 general election is just around the corner. As the electoral processes draw closer, the fear remains that many of the factors that drive conflict and violence are still inherently prevalent in many parts of the country.

Though going by its long-term preparations ahead of the 2019 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shown more than a passing interest in ensuring a free and fair election, however, two very key areas that will lead to the success of the elections are logistics and security. None of the two can be taken for granted in the run-in to the general election.

While logistics is more of internal INEC arrangements designed to facilitate the conduct of the election, INEC officials are hardly equipped with security training.

They, therefore, rely totally on the expertise of trained personnel in the Police, Department of State Security (DSS), National Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC) as well as other security agencies. Therefore, security issues must be meticulously planned along with logistics for successful elections.

For the purpose of the success of next year’s elections, INEC does not require rocket science to identify and name places that are likely flashpoints because judging from the actions of some major actors in some of these states, the indications are already clear that some opposing political groups are already spoiling for a showdown. Where nothing is done about these places, they could impact negatively on the quality of the elections.

Buhari (middle) with security chiefs at a meeting Members of the European Union (EU) and other friends of Nigeria had expressed worries in accordance with Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010. over potential violence in parts of the country. They Issues of electoral gross violence are commonplace were specifically bothered about states such as Benue, in the oil-rich state. A commission instituted by then Plateau, Taraba, Borno and other volatile states. Their Governor Rotimi Amaechi, to look into politicallyinterest is in how INEC intends to confront the chalmotivated killings and destruction of properties before lenges from these states in the election year. and during the 2015 general elections, and headed Thus, it is expected that for such places, robust stratby Chidi Odinkalu, noted that there was a monthly egies are formulated and implemented pre-election, average of 19 political killings between November 2014 during the election and post-election to complement all and April 2015. other logistical arrangements by the electoral umpire to The factors responsible for violence in Rivers State facilitate credible polls. are still very present. Incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike, who is poised to resist every attempt to take over the state from him, is not joking about his second Pondering the Kano Story term.

The rivalry between the serving Kano State GoverCurrently, Amaechi is not just the Minister of Transnor, Abdullahi Ganuje and his predecessor, Senator portation; he is also the Director General of President Rabiu Kwankwaso has climaxed. It is currently at a Buhari’s second term campaign bid. As a result, more fever pitch. A lot of observers feel it would grow from of the battle royal should be expected and efforts must bad to worse in coming days, as the former governor be put in place to curtail widespread violence for ranks among some of the most prominent contenders which the state is known for. for President Muhammadu Buhari’s job.

The tension was heightened by Kwankwaso’s recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Plateau As Their Killing Field to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The political Since Governor Simon Lalong assumed office on atmosphere of Kano State has been further charged.

May 29, 2015, his biggest challenge has been how to That is complicated by the possibility that Kwankwaso bring an end to the incessant and mindless waste of and Shekarau could work together in the PDP, because human lives and property that precede his coming on of the no-love-lost relationship between the two board. leaders.

Despite the combined efforts of the state government At a point, a video clip went viral. And in it, the and the federal government, the killings which have Kano State Commissioner for Special Duties, Abdulboth religious and ethnic colourations between the lahi Sunusi, was seen asking his supporters to stone Baron people and the Fulani (herdsmen), have not Kwankwaso if seen in Kano. In a nutshell, for a state ceased, even when the government has not rested on considered as President Buhari’s catchment area, and its laurels. Just recently, in June to be precise, no fewer which is strategic to his 2019 electoral victory, and than 200 people were killed in coordinated attacks on a also underscoring Kwankwaso’s fanatical support dozen villages in the state. Plateau is prone to violence base in the state, steps must be taken to forestall any and cannot be overlooked. breakdown of law and other.

A Familiar Rivers of Blood

Rivers State is by every standard one of the bloodiest states in Nigeria and hardly can any well-meaning Nigerian feign ignorance of this fact. INEC was left with no other choice than to suspend the recent by-election for the Port Harcourt Constituency lll State Assembly seat held on August 18 after the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga cited widespread violence.

According to him, the exercise was marred by widespread violence and was consequently suspended

Kaduna’s Heightening Tension

That ethnic minority tensions and conflicts in Kaduna State have stoked unmitigated violence than any other form of communal instability in Nigeria’s recent history is no news. Fear is that these tensions are not abating.

Added to the existing tension is the growing fear anxiety among the residents of Kaduna metropolis, over the trial of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. His followers have continued to threaten violence, particularly over his incarceration and trial.

The unhealthy relationship between the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai and the three Senators from his state is indicative of a state where the major political actors are working at cross-purposes. The governor recently accused the three senators of working against a World Bank loan request by the state government and he described them as “useless and ignorant.”

On the other hand, the lawmakers are not hiding their resolve to oust him come 2019. With the above indicators, showdown should be expected and violence cannot be ruled out. And as often said, it is more strategic to be proactive than reactive in matters of this nature.

Taming Benue’s Killing Sport

Benue State has consistently hit the cover of most of the major newspapers in recent time and the reason is simply due to the mindless killings of innocent residents by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who appear to be savouring official protection.

For whatever it is worth, security must be beefed up in Benue State before, during and after the electoral processes, because the atmosphere of the election period could encourage such mindlessness.

Particularly, in Benue, all eyes would be on the security agencies, because if you recall, a recent killing had fuelled accusation by a former Minister of Defence, General TY Danjuma, that the security agencies were culpable in many of the attacks and killings. This, of course, has further fuelled suspicion in the state about security agencies. But that should not stifle them from doing that which is just and fair in protecting lives and properties.

The Ruins of the North-east

All the North-eastern states need more than the usual security presence. It is worthy to mention that the Nigerian Army has reportedly decimated the dreaded Boko Haram. The insurgents cannot be taken for granted during the elections hence the need to beef up security in the zone.

States such as Borno, Adamawa and Yobe must get sufficient security personnel and modalities must be put in place to prevent suicide bombings and other scare tactics that could prevent the electorate from voting. In summary, security is very important to the success of the 2019 elections and so, it must be well planned and executed.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

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CICERO/REPORT

Abba’s Rising from the Abyss Overthreeyearsafterhewasbootedoutbyex-PresidentGoodluckJonathan,aformerInspectorGeneralofPolice, Suleiman Abba’s revelation that he was sacked because he refused play ball and do the Jonathan administration’s bidding has raised issues that question his motives, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

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former Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, last week came off his closet and enlisted among actors revving up the political momentum in the political ahead of the 2019 election with what many considered curious and ill-timed revelations. In fairness to him, some of his latest assertions are no news. Yet, even his staunchest supporters hauled flaks at him on the score of what his motives were and the timeliness or otherwise of his contentious outbursts.

In a move akin to trying to work the ghost of a long dead issue back to life, Abba, criticised his sack by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan more three years ago, and barely a year to another general election in the country.

According to him, his sacking in 2015 had nothing to do with professional misconduct or the discharge of his job but about his refusal to deploy police personnel to work for the victory of the former administration.

He had disclosed in an interview: “One of the leading stalwarts in the PDP then said to me: ‘IG - you know I was acting then - deliver Osun to us and we will confirm you quickly.’ I was shocked. That was when I knew that I may not last long in the office.

“Immediately, I said to myself, ‘How could I deliver when I am not an electorate? The voters are the ones to deliver. My own was to protect the whole process.’ Of course, I said to myself that what happened to one of my predecessors (may his soul rest in peace), Adamu Suleiman, was going to happen to me, maybe I would never be confirmed. He was Inspector General of Police and till he left office, he was not confirmed.”

Speaking further, he had stated, “As we speak today, there are problems arising from elections in some African countries where declared results are unaccepted. Thank God that in our own case, we forced those who lost elections to accept the results. The Nigeria Police forced those who lost elections to accept the outcome.”

And when prodded for clarification if he meant himself or the force, he added, “I said the Nigeria Police. I didn’t say Suleiman Abba. It was the action of the police that made them to have a change of mind and accept the results. The heroes of that election should have been the police,” he stated, knowing that he superintended over the police at the time.

Categorically stating that the Police force caused President Jonathan to accept defeat, earlier media reports had indicated that Abba was being economical with the truth and rather self-serving.

What political analysts could make of the assertion was a personal attack on former president Jonathan. Many political watchers interpreted the assertion as a queer targeted to undercut the plaudits and accolades showered on Jonathan for accepting defeat and in the process, save the nation the trauma of needless tension if he had acted otherwise.

Besides, what his critics felt, among them a former aide to Jonathan, Reno Omokri, was that the timing and motif were questionable. Those who held the view argued that the motive could not have been in national interest even as they recalled his nine months stint in office.

Interrogating his motive further, political watchers claim that it is easy to describe Abba as a champion of what was right for the polity. However, some of his iniquities while in office obliterated that description.

Contrary to the perception of an astute professional averse to being improperly influenced by the Presidency that he tried to mould and market through the interview, it was under him that the National Assembly was invaded by police personnel in an attempt to unseat then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in November 2014.

In the aftermath of the widely condemned invasion, similar to the recent invasion of the National Assembly by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), which culminated in the sack of the agency’s Director General, Lawal Daura, he had declared without any court pronouncement Tambuwal sacked.

The conclusion that his motives were personal and a hit-back at the Jonathan administration and by extension the PDP draws plausibility when situated against the background of his controversial sack from office.

Unlike any other IGP before him, his sack was announced via Twitter. More than a few hours after it was announced by the then presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, he was not informed, leaving him to remain in

Abba...not knowing when to pick battles office and working for several hours after the tweet had announced his sack.

The widespread media report at the time had suggested that he was disgraced out of office. Even his associates told journalists at the time that he was disillusioned by the discourteous treatment that he received from the administration and by extension, the PDP. Not a few notable voices in the polity criticised the Jonathan administration’s handling of his sack at the time.

Aside from that, there were those who questioned the timing of the disclosure coming barely 10 months to the general election. Those who held this viewpoint suggested that perhaps a better time to have come out was at about the time the Captain Sagir Koli audio tape that suggested military bias in the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State was trending, adding that if he had lent his voice at the time, it would have further validated the captain’s revelations.

The timing of Abba’s revelation to some seems curious.

Whatever the intention might be, those who queried the aptness of his disclosure at this time insisted it was questionable, coming more than three years after he had quit office, leading some to ask: “In whose interest is the revelation – personal or national?”

Abba’s choice of timing was also believed to have betrayed his penchant for wrong political calculation and expediency, adding that except he was intent on de-marketing the opposition party. Shortly after the 2015 presidential election, he played host to the American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle at the force headquarters during which the diplomat reportedly praised the conduct of men of the force during that poll.

Almost immediately after the visit, his media handlers amplified the sound bites from Entwistle’s accolades

into a singsong across multiple media channels. The fact that all that gloating was happening at a time leading figures of the then ruling government were sulking from electoral defeat spoke volume of his sense of timeliness.

“No well-meaning statesman will make statements that would further rock the nation’s boat going to an election year given the way tension soars in the country during election year? We have enough challenges to contend with already, adding more, especially from events of over three years ago at this time smacks of insincerity. I would have hailed him if the disclosures had come within six months and one year into the lifespan of this administration,” said a former member of the House of Representatives, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Even with the flaks that have gone the way of the former IGP, the importance of entrenching structures that guarantee neutrality and independence of institutions of state and arms of government that are critical to deepening the nation’s democracy cannot by over-emphasised.

This is why the core message from Abba’s revelations remains putting measures in place to guarantee true independence and impartiality of institutions like the judiciary and the security agencies.

Not much can be said to have been done or be seen to have been done on the part of the current administration in that regard. Accusations by the opposition PDP and counter accusations from the ruling APC in the aftermath of the last governorship election in Ekiti State, the byelections in Bauchi and Rivers states during which the role of security personnel were roundly condemned lend credence to this.

The same thing goes for the role of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has over the years portrayed itself as an extension of the Presidency, especially as a tool in hounding opposition politicians.

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Oyetola: I’m Not Intimidated by PDP’s Posturing Ahead of the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, the All Progressives Congress’ candidate, Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, let Tobi Soniyi in on how he plans to change the face of the state if elected as the governor. Excerpts:

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school and hospital infrastructure. We have therefore put in place social protection programmes like the Agba Osun (for the elderly poor and vulnerable) and a specific safety net that caters to the widows; and yet another, that looks out for the mentally challenged, knowing that people could flip, not because they are mentally deranged but because of social and economic pressures.

Then for our elementary school children, we set up the schools feeding programme, an innovation that is quite unique, and which the Federal Government has adopted, and is implementing in at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, because our programmes and policies have direct impact on the people, they are rated by many development agencies as the best – in agriculture, tourism, education, health, just you name it.

Again, look at O’ Ambulance, another key component of our comprehensive health policy.

The beauty of O’ Ambulance is that it is operated on a 24-hour basis. Most times, when there are accidents, victims often die, because they don’t get prompt evacuation and immediate medical attention.

Now, with O’ Ambulance, victims are rescued in a matter of minutes. So, the chances of survival are greater. We have dedicated lines; once you call, in a couple of minutes, an ambulance stationed not far from the spot of accident will come and evacuate the victims. This is available for every resident, and even those who are just passing by. O’ Ambulance has saved many lives.

hy did you join the governorship race?

I have been part of this government for almost eight years now and I share the vision that government should touch lives. First of all, the essence of government is the security and welfare of the people. I have seen that a government provides a platform for you to be able to serve a greater part of the society; and having been in government for about eight years, I believe there is need for continuity. We should not stop at where Governor Rauf Aregbesola does after the expiration of his tenure.

The state should continue to enjoy the kind of infrastructure and socio-economic development that have been put in place. I believe I am well positioned to be able to continue to build on the foundations already laid, especially with my experience both in the private and public sectors – private sector, over 30 years; and the public service, almost eight years now.

Combining the experience in the two sectors, I will be able to effectively lead this state.

Though we are growing in terms of infrastructure, we are yet to get to where we want to be; and I know precisely those things that will help the state and things that can impact positively on our people. The people must continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

We have not had this type of development-oriented opportunity until the coming of the present administration.

So, we must ensure continuity of this positive development. I know how demanding running a government is; and that it takes a very experienced hand to manage scarce resources of the state to attend to the numerous needs of our people. But I also very believe that, with my experience in the private sector and in public service these past eight years, I am the best to continue where Governor Aregbesola stops.

The talk in town is that you are being supported by a godfather.

I don’t have one. God is my father.

Oyetola...I’ve no godfather

It is a general belief that to go far in politics every serious politician must have one.

I am happy you must have been around for some time. Through God, I evolved my own structure. Nobody gave me any structure to work with. Whatever you see here is through a creative thinking of very few of us. Nobody funded me. Nobody is going around canvassing for me or with me. Whatever you are seeing is through God, hard work.

So, people should not entertain any fear that Osun will be put for sale with you as governor?

How? I don’t understand.

The insinuation is that if you become the governor, the possibility is there for money to transfer freely from Osun to Lagos.

Where is the money to transfer? We are talking about being challenged financially and you said people are insinuating that money will be transferred. Let me tell you, some of us are here purely for service. By any standard, before I became the Chief of Staff, I had been very comfortable. Rather, we are building a network to bring resources and investment into the state, to be able to continue with laudable works, and also break new grounds for economic prosperity of the state. I have had an extensive contact with the business world, in and outside the country.

We would rather look for opportunities to attract investments into our state, look for people with genuine intention to grow our economy with us. This is part of what we want to bring to the table.

So, there is nothing like a godfather or transferring money from the state to anywhere.

You see, we run a transparent government. If indeed those peddling rumours have facts, they should have made it available to the anti-graft agencies by now. This is just a mere cheap blackmail, otherwise where is the money to be transferred? The governor has been very transparent in his eight years in the saddle. So, godfather?

No. But if there is anything like that, it is God, the Almighty. Maybe they mean God, the Father.

Are you not intimidated by the PDP? I welcome them to the ring. It is going to be a good contest.

Threatened? Not at all! The APC government has done very well these past eight years. There is no threat from any party. I see victory around the corner. We have demonstrated to the people that PDP is not a choice. Our stewardship is evidential. Our commitment to the welfare of the people is unquestionable.

Our developmental strides are unparalleled in the history of the

State Of Osun, because in the past eight years, we have had to make difficult decisions in order to lay a solid foundation for now and the future. We have encountered a few challenges but have never been defeated. The PDP cannot rise from the dead. No, not in Osun! My people are beyond being hoodwinked. They have seen the light and no one leaves light for darkness. Let the people decide. I am confident they know their friends and their enemies.

What is your assessment of the Rauf Aregbesola administration of which you have been part of in the last eight years?

The administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has done very well. Take infrastructure, which had been in decay, before this administration came on board. The Aregbesola administration adequately addressed this decay in many areas – new roads, new schools, better hospitals, revamped agriculture, better security, and so on. We constructed quality major roads, state and federal, as well as built flyovers never seen before in Osun.

This was to ease traffic flow, and ensure faster movement of people, goods and services, to lay a solid foundation for the Osun economy, and expand economic opportunities, for our people. In practical demonstration of this quality road infrastructure, Osogbo now has the Oba Adesoji Aderemi ring road. If you are going to Ilesa or Ikirun or Ila, you can just do a bypass by this ring road, instead of coming to contest the traffic at the Osogbo city centre. In this area, the administration has done very well, far better than all previous administrations.

Talking about education, the kinds of schools that we have built in place continue to surprise most people, given the acute funding challenge that we faced. For every layer of our restructured school system: elementary, middle and high school, the administration has provided a very conducive environment for learning.

In essence, the children of the poor now enjoy the same learning environment as the children of the rich, in these new public schools.

The Aregbesola administration built no less than 100 elementary schools, 60 middle schools and about 11 high schools, all of them sparkling, ultra-modern, and with bigger learning capacity and requisite learning aids.

It is a legacy we are immensely proud of because it had never been achieved in Osun before. That more or less captures the picture on health too, since all the health facilities too have been renovated.

So yes, we have done very well too in health infrastructure.

But our health policy does not start and end with hospitals. It is rather a comprehensive wellness programme to build the human infrastructure that perfectly complements our programme of road,

What challenges are you likely to confront, assuming you won the election?

Well, first of all, there is a challenge of finance or funding. But this is not peculiar to our state.

It is a general problem. But there is hope it will soon be over. All over the country, only a few states are financially viable. All others states have the challenge of fund paucity. But we must think creatively to survive. We must be able to think out of the box. Challenges are actually made for man and we must be able to face them.

One of the ways to address the funding challenge is ramp up Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), through innovative ways. First, we need to block all the leakages, particularly in tax collection. When we talk of increasing IGR, I am not talking of imposing higher or more taxes on the people, no! But we can ensure efficiency in the collection of taxes. If I ensure all other people now avoiding tax pay, because it is a civic responsibility, then the revenue base increases. So, once we are able to do that, we can clearly increase the revenue without necessarily imposing high taxes on people, particularly the poor.

Again, when you go into some other areas like agriculture – we will provide a value chain. For instance, if we encourage farmers to plant cassava and there are cottage industries, where cassava can be processed into starch and ethanol, we will be creating jobs and empowering our people. So, it will not be difficult for the people to pay little taxes, which I will ensure is very insignificant, in proportion to their profit or income.

Thus serviced, the people will be ready and proud to play their own part by paying tax, as their civic responsibility. Government will make the environment conducive for their trade and businesses to thrive. We will support the artisans. We will also ensure we attract investment, both local and international to the state.

Our policies would make products of the manufacturers very competitive and when they enjoy very high turnover they will pay taxes that will bring more money into the coffers of the government. When we empower our people to exhibit their talents and flourish in their trade, they too will not hesitate to pay a token in form of taxes into the government coffers. So, when the people are supported in their trade and in making their income, they will be willing to pay taxes. It is more of a reciprocal gesture if you empower your people and ask them to make the contribution to the funding of the services they enjoy.

How do you react to claims that it is not the turn of your zone to produce the governor?

Usually, I don’t enjoy talking about this but I will be guided by the fact that zoning is not in the APC constitution. So, as long as it is not in the constitution, every zone is free to contest the governorship position. And historically, there was no time that zoning had ever been introduced starting from the day the state was created since 1991. So, it is in line with the constitution of the party that every zone should be allowed to compete and whoever wins should be supported. Having said that, I believe all the zones in the state should compete freely for any elective position.

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CICERO/ENCOUNTER I will then bring on board creative, imaginative ideas that can stimulate labour intensive micro enterprises around tourism, culture, manufacturing as well as agriculture

Makarfi

The Man Striving to Revive the Soul of Cross River Methodical and selfless, Edem Duke, a former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation between 2011 and 2015, is a man of the people. Devoted and dependable, he sees himself as the one that can turn the fortune of Cross River State around. Demola Ojo writes, following an interview with Duke, that it is for this reason the is aspiring to be the state’s governor in 2019 using the platform of the All Progressives Congress

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uccessful and shrewd, Edem Duke is a man for the people. His calm mien betrays his capacity to listen and ability to swing into action in the twinkling of an eye. Stately in an understated way, the former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation between 2011 and 2015 understands the link between governance and the grassroots.

His ambition is to make progress in every endeavour he has embarked upon. It is little wonder that his eyes are set on being the next governor of Cross River State.

That aspiration to be the state’s next governor has made him to pitch his tent with the All Progressives Congress. He is confident that come the September 24 governorship primary in the state, he will emerge the eventual governorship candidate of the party.

The problem-solver and progressive politician sheds more light on his ambition, saying: “I want to be the governor of Cross River State because currently there isn’t a government in the actual sense of it. We, unfortunately, have people in position playing roles and interpreting such roles at their own discretion and not strictly in consonance with the tenets of democratic practice, good governance, and a shared aspiration with the people.”

Therefore, Duke is convinced that the state needs somebody who has the history and pedigree of active involvement in the lives of people in Cross River; and who providence has prepared for the role.

“That person,” the former minister points out, “must have a depth of knowledge and appreciation of the critical challenge of a state with lean resources like Cross River.”

Who else does the cap fit? Is it the incumbent governor? Or, is it any of the other governorship aspirants? Duke believes he is that person as he talks about his local and national appeal, as well as global connections. What that means is that he can – with little effort – pull these assets together for the good of the state.

“We need somebody who can restore the paradise that Cross River had always been in the past,” Duke points out.

Duke was born and bred in Lagos, attended CMS Grammar School Lagos, Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro (in what is now Ogun State) and the University of Lagos.

While he spent the nineties at NNPC where he was the general manager, group public affairs, a large part of his career was spent working in Cross River State in different capacities, starting from the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation and later as press secretary to the governor.

Many may think his passion to become the next governor

is about fame and fortune. He already has that. “My umbilical cord, spiritually, is in the fertile soil of Cross River State,” he asserts. Thus, Duke sees it as his responsibility to step out “courageously” because it is easy to sit back and complain.

“I take the chance because when I meet my creator, he will ask me that having endowed me with certain talents, why I didn’t rise up to seek to utilise those talents to rescue my people,” Duke explains, waxing spiritual about his ambition.

Crossing the Divide

Duke joined the APC from the PDP in May 2017. He sheds more light on the reason behind his defection.

“While in the PDP, I made concerted efforts to contribute in terms of ideas and creativity both locally and nationally. But it was a bit frustrating that those efforts were not appreciated, talk less of being reciprocated. I am a passionate tourism enthusiast and professional. But I worked with people who would never include the word tourism in their economic lexicon.

“For me, that was frustrating. There were situations where my intellectual and cerebral contributions, though respected in my own sector, were actually downplayed,“ Duke says referring to his time as a minister.

In Cross River, he found out that “within the same party,

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CICERO/ENCOUNTER t ‘I’M THE MAN TO TURN CROSS RIVER AROUND‘ tContinued from Pg. 76 even in the same local government where you should have similar aspirations for the party, there was a deliberate effort to sabotage your contributions, so that your eminence or prominence will be downplayed which would ordinarily lead to embarrassment. But somehow, providence was always round the corner to rescue one.”

He believes in politics of ideas. The former tourism minister explains: “I prefer to play the politics of economic, sociocultural development. Not money politics. I found that people thought that the quality of your participation or contribution must necessarily be measured by the quantum of money you spend or share. For me, no matter what you have in the midst of relatively unequal people, playing up your resources is a very cheap way of playing politics.”

A usually suave individual, Duke does not hide his disdain for duplicity, especially when it comes to his name and image.

“I was working with people who know that you bring a certain level of maturity and capacity but rather than consider that to be an asset to the party, they thought it would diminish them as individual members of the party in leadership positions, so it was important to try to cage you.

“But when the leadership in the state desires to do big things, they try very much to associate you with it, whereas there was no sincerity in actually using your competencies to actualise such dreams. These were replicated in very many areas. I decided I would rather not be a pawn on the political chessboard of certain people,” the APC governorship aspirant says.

This prompted his move to a party that is in the opposition in the state. He did so “in order to join the building blocks for restoration.” Speaking further he says, “It so happens that this party is in government at the federal level. For me, that is coincidental.”

With time though, he has realised that his ideas are in consonance with that of his new party.

Duke explains: “I see the federal government talking about growing the creative industry and a digital economy and a vice president who goes out to meet investors in the creative and entertainment sectors internationally. And during the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Afreximbank, the President actually stated that this government is interested in growing entertainment as an economic sector. I was blown out of my mind. Because I worked in a federal government that even a president in four years will never attend your event.”

Continuing, he adds: “However, creative people were led to believe there was critical interest in their sector while their popularity was being harnessed in order to promote the government.”

Cross River and Tourism

Cross River State is a leader when it comes to tourism in Nigeria. But its potential in this aspect is considered underdeveloped. Considering Duke’s background in the sector – especially as a former federal minister – what did he achieve and how does he plan to bring it to bear on the economy of the state?

“As the minister of culture and tourism, nobody believed in tourism as a critical contributor to the economy of Nigeria until they started to see the contributions of the creative sector to GDP. And even then, there was no fiscal policy to back it up.

“But within that contraption, I found that I was able to regenerate confidence in the sector, for them to begin to see that what we have in us is actually something of value; to rekindle in their minds that a nation is nothing without its culture, nothing without its history,” Duke replies.

The APC governorship aspirant speaks about how during a Federal Executive Council meeting, he had to stand up to some foreign experts from the UK who had come to make a presentation on enhancing the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria without talking about the “intangible infrastructure embedded in our culture and capable of generating humongous income.”

Arguing that tourism is a sector where people spend foreign exchange and only take away the experience, he says further, “Even those who contest to be Prime Minister of Britain propagate travel, comfort and safety of people as a major contributor to the economy.”

He is motivated to be governor of a state “the name of which when you mention, the imagery that resonates in your mind’s eye is one naturally endowed and blessed by God...that makes it, potentially, a jewel in the crown of Nigeria.”

Also, Duke promises to “lend all of the networks and experiences I have gathered from my days of travel as a member of top management of NNPC; as the chairman of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; as a former president of Nigerian tourism (the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria); and as a pioneer investor in people, infrastructure and enterprise that promoted culture and tourism in Cross River.”

For him, “It is time to galvanise all of this, to turn around the very disheartening circumstance and situation of Cross River State today.”

Pressed on his specific plan for the state, Duke explains that he does not want to give too much away.

“You must understand that we operate in a state where people are wont to latch on to ideas. We have several months to go to the general election. You can give away a couple of ideas and before you know it, you start seeing things happening around Calabar,” he says.

Yet, he is ready to give an indication of his strategy which hints at a return to plans hatched in the past.

“There’s a letter that former Governor Donald Duke wrote to me and some others in 2006 in which he articulated a vision

As the minister of culture and tourism, nobody believed in tourism as a critical contributor to the economy of Nigeria until they started to see the contributions of the creative sector to GDP. And even then, there was no fiscal policy to back it up...But within that contraption, I found that I was able to regenerate confidence in the sector, for them to begin to see that what we have in us is actually something of value; to rekindle in their minds that a nation is nothing without its culture, nothing without its history

of utilising tourism and agriculture to propel the economy.

While he was doing that as the head of the government, I was doing that as the head of the private sector under the ambit of the Cross River Tourism Development Initiative which I founded to drive the sector,” Duke discloses.

Apart from reigniting that agenda, he wants to look again at the tourism plan of former Governor Liyel Imoke which he had the privileged of writing “with a few other compatriots.”

Duke says: “I will then bring on board creative, imaginative ideas that can stimulate labour-intensive micro enterprises

around tourism, culture, manufacturing as well as agriculture.

“I will use everything within my authority and power to allow the youths and women of Cross River to be the driving force in this regeneration and renaissance of Cross River State.” Duke means business, development and prosperity.

Would APC rather not choose him as its governorship candidate in Cross River State? With his credentials, he is the candidate to beat and actualise the plan to transform Cross River to a paradise.

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW Bishop Mike Okonkwo

Restructuring Nigeria More Important than 2023 Igbo Presidency Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), in an interview with select journalists in Abuja bares his mind on the state of the nation and the potential 2023 Igbo presidency. Adedayo Akinwale was there. Excerpts:

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ome people in the country have been talking about the role of the church in nationbuilding. What do you think about that?

The church is the light of the world and the salt of the earth. In other words, we are supposed to be the role model for the society – that is our position because if the church gets it right, definitely the nation will be positively affected. The truth of the matter is that many people who subscribed to the church have not sat down to be taught what their role should be. There are quite a number of people who believe that going to church and answering Christian names makes them a Christian. Well, that is not true. The first port of call to become a Christian is to subscribe to Christ as your saviour and lord. Until you personally make that commitment, you can go to church in your entire life and still not be a Christian. The second category of people is those who subscribe to the person of Christ but have refused to sit down and be taught to know how they should live their life now. This new life you have, how do you live it? Just like a woman who gives birth to a baby, the baby has to be fed. You have to train up the baby until he grows up to begin to become responsible. That’s the same way the life of Christ is. The majority of people who go to church are excited about the drama and the spectacular

and the things they (pastors) say. But they have not really sat down to begin to say where is Christ manifesting in my own life? These are some of the problems. That’s why the society does not seem to feel the impact of Christianity in this country. There are quite a lot of problems we can attribute to it.

These days one of the issues we have in politics is that several politicians who profess Christianity are quick to say let us pray. Why have they been unable to fix Nigeria’s problems?

I just answered you: the fact that you are answering Christian name or professes Christianity, you call that ‘professors’ not ‘possessors’. They don’t have Christ. They just want to identify with Christianity since they don’t want to worship idol. They will identify with Christianity but it is much more than that. It isn’t just about identifying – have you received Christ into your heart? That is the issue. Once you have not received Christ, there is a problem. The people can never produce the fruit that is expected. Every seed produces after its type. Until you have the seed of Christ in you, you cannot produce it. And then even when you have it, you still need to nurture it. You put a seed in the ground, a good seed and a good soil and you don’t take care of that soil enough, it

will not produce fruits. Most of our politicians say they are Christians; even those who are truly Christians get into the position they don’t understand that they are moving into shark-infested water. Politics in Nigeria is shark-infested water and so immediately they get into power they disengage from the church. You won’t see them again unless during ceremony. At times they will come and think that because they make donations and do some philanthropic works, it will cover up for not living the life – that is another issue.

Many of them are not connected to anywhere. They are not receiving instructions from anywhere. We, in the Pentecostal circle, and most of the church leaders have interrogated this issue and we are very concerned. There is now a strategic and intentional plan that we will begin now to train our Christian leaders who feel called into public services to let them know that when they are going there, they should carry God into that place. Others may do things that are wrong. Christians cannot because they represent God. This stream is ongoing now and we believe God that as we progress for some years we will begin to see the kind of fruits that we desire.

As 2019 approaches, are you surprised by the political turbulence in the country?

No, we will still see more, I’m not surprised, I still believe

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CICERO/INTERVIEW t ‘RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA MORE IMPORTANT THAN 2023 IGBO PRESIDENCY t Continued from Pg. 78 that before the election, if there will be any, that we will still see more of nonsense going on in the polity. For me, I feel abused, I feel insulted by the politicians, and I feel that they are raping Nigerians. You move from this party to the other, then tomorrow you move again, the same people recycling the same people and you are rubbing it on the face of Nigerians, I feel insulted as far as I’m concerned and I believe that through it all, God is up to something concerning this country. And His plan concerning Nigeria will be fulfilled no matter what anyone thinks. We will continue to navigate, in every tough situation God knows how to bring out the good.

At the end of this whole thing that we are seeing, we will see the good that God will bring out of it.

The US congress cited Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places on earth for Christians. Do you agree with that?

Of course (I do)! How else will you say it with all the killings that are going on in the country? You can’t just sit down and begin to clap your hand and say everything is well.

They must have checked their indices and come up with such report. Events in the recent past have shown there is something fundamentally wrong which has to be addressed and cannot be ignored.

Do you think that this current situation of herders/ farmers clash can be resolved in a conference like you had suggested last year?

There is nothing wrong in sitting together and interrogating what is the issue. In my own personal submission I still think we have not really got the true picture of what is going on.

People are not telling us the truth. The truth has not been told. I don’t believe that Nigeria’s security is not strong enough to fish out those perpetrating this evil. We have enough security. I know we may not be sophisticated as the Western world. But I still know that we have what it takes as a nation to do that. With the level of corruption in Nigeria, what if this issue is allowed to drag on so that we keep on asking for security votes? Have we thought along that line because where are people getting all the billions (of naira) they are getting. When somebody is caught, you will now see that he has stolen billions (of naira) somewhere. Where did he get that from? What makes you think that probably the army is not making money -- top brass army officers and all these security people since they know that government will want peace and stability in the country? The only way is to make it as if the thing will never end, and then we will stretch hand (our) and begin to look for more money. There are several issues that are involved in this thing. You can’t just tag it to one thing. If you tag it to one thing, you will miss the whole point.

The Vice President blamed the church for the level of moral decadence in the country, saying church leaders only preach prosperity and that they are not helping President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade. Is that correct?

The Vice President may have a reason for saying what he said. I don’t want to speak for him; probably there is something he knows that I don’t know. He has security information on his table. If he’s saying so as a pastor and a real spirit-filled pastor, not just spiritually born-again. Forget about what people say that he is not born-again. It is a lie.

In this government, there are about eight of them who are spirit-filled born-again. This is the first time we are having spirit-filled Christians in the government. If he really said that, then there must be some iota of truth in it that the church has not played the role it should play.

But in a government that claims to be fighting corruption, it was reported that about N21 billion was found in the residence of the sacked Director General of the Department of State Services (cuts in.)

No! No! That is wrong to say. What do you mean by ‘claim’? There is an Igbo proverb that says, ‘I can only vow for the child in my womb not the one at my back’. That someone is in the government who has decided to follow a different agenda – I mean he might have a different agenda

and planned towards it. That is why I still say we don’t interrogate the right thing. You now said a government supposed to be fighting corruption – are they God to know everything? They are not God. They can only know the ones that you show to them. But when the person’s cup is full, it blows off; that’s what has happened. This might not have happened and he might still be there amassing the wealth and no one would know until Buhari’s tenure is finished. He would then leave, carry his money and go. But because the saints are praying these things are unfolding, so I believe that many more will still happen.

Do you think Igbo presidency is realistic in 2023?

I’m an Igbo man but as far as I’m concerned I don’t believe in Igbo to call for presidency. Igbo should shut their doors and develop South-east. We are fighting for the wrong thing – let’s develop South-east. This nation needs restructuring.

The reason everyone is jostling for the presidency is because of the largesse that comes with it. Let every person go to his own region and develop it. They should make the centre less attractive; unbundle the centre. If you have something to offer, go to your area and get it done. For me, I am not an advocate of Igbo must be the president, unless God supernaturally (makes it happen) because there is something He wants to do.

No doubt Igbo have been marginalised – I’m not speaking out of that. They have been deprived – I’m not speaking out of that. My point is let us not use the presidency as bait as if we are doing Igbo a favour. Vote for me so that I will

This nation needs restructuring. The reason everyone is jostling for the presidency is because of the largesse that comes with it. Let every person go to his own region and develop it. They should make the centre less attractive; unbundle the centre. If you have something to offer, go to your area and get it done. For me, I am not an advocate of Igbo must be the president, unless God supernaturally (makes it happen) because there is something He wants to do. No doubt Igbo have been marginalised – I’m not speaking out of that...We are all Nigerians; everyone is entitled to rule this country – that was my joy when Jonathan became the president of this country. I was excited in the sense that for once let it be said that a minority can rule this country. I was happy that he came on board but unfortunately he played with it and this is where we are. For me, let’s even be thinking about ‘let’s restructure this country

give you the presidency in 2023. I don’t like that. We are all Nigerians; everyone is entitled to rule this country – that was my joy when Jonathan became the president of this country.

I was excited in the sense that for once let it be said that a minority can rule this country. I was happy that he came on board but unfortunately he played with it and this is where we are. For me, let’s even be thinking about ‘let’s restructure this country’. But if God decides that He has something to do through an Igbo man in this country in order for us to get to where we are going, I don’t have any issue with that. But let it not be the bait that we are offering you the presidency.

What makes them think if they say it, they will do it?

Should church leaders make prophetic declarations on political matters?

Anyone who makes a prophetic declaration let him stand by his prophetic declaration. If it didn’t come to pass, let him come and apologise to the church that he lied. There is nothing wrong that you made a prophecy and it went over the bar. Come to church and tell the church that you lied. What annoys me is that you come and begin to paint it: ‘I didn’t say it this way because I said it this way’ – that is nonsense!

You made a prophecy; it failed. You are a human being: come to the church and say ‘I fail’.

Where do you see Nigeria after 2019 general election?

Nigeria is on course for greatness. I will never lose faith in the plan and agenda of God for Nigeria. There is no country in the world like Nigeria in spite of all the mess on the ground. There is no country that is endowed as Nigeria.

We are mightily endowed. Our people are relocating and occupying powerful positions outside this country. If there is nothing in this country, why would they go to other countries and become key people?

To what extent do you think skills acquisition can develop Nigeria’s economy when there is no enabling environment?

We just have to start somewhere. Skills acquisition is the way to go if everyone develops his skills and plays a role. I mean that is one of the things that exploded China. So, when you hear me saying to Igbo, ‘Shut your door! Go back to your South-east and explode. Let other states come and see what you can do.’ That is what I’m referring to: use your gift; stop crying. Little thing, you cry to Abuja. Shut your door. I have been telling them – I have said it to different Igbo groups whether they like it or not. My part is to tell them the truth: shut your doors and stop complaining and use what you have to develop your state. When you develop it others will come and see. The same way you develop other places – rather than complaining and dying. So, skills acquisition is a very good instrument for developing a nation.

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SUNDAYINTERVIEW

Okupe...this government must correct its wrongdoings

Okupe: Siege to National Assembly Is Treasonable

NIGERIA W

Ă&#x153;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;ĂŁĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17D;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2018;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Davidson IriekpenË&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x203A; âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë? hatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your view on the recent siege to the National Assembly by operatives of DSS? In all its ramifications, there are no two ways to describe it. That was pure treason. When you take over an arm of a sovereign government unlawfully, it is treasonable. It was insubordination on democracy itself, a terrible act of infringement on the fundamental principle of separation of power, which is a pillar of democracy. Many people may not be aware that what differentiates a military regime from democracy is the congress that we refer to as the National

happened the president is not aware and the vice-president were not aware? What kind of government are we ruining? And to make matters worse, the Inspector General of Police comes up with almost a ridiculous position, telling Nigerians that he has investigated and he found out that the DSS boss colluded with certain politicians. That is a shameful statement! It is a statement that should never get to the public domain.

It equally means in the future, the DG of NIA can also collude with foreigner and subvert Nigeria and the Inspector General of Police can also collude with some other people! This is what sensible patriotic citizen must be asking. It is beyond what we are seeing on the surface. With this, you cannot draw a line between the Chairman of APC Adams Oshiohmole, the Inspector General of Police Position and the presidency. So, you begin to wonder, what exactly is going on?

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Assembly.

In a military regime, we have the executive, we have the judiciary but we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have congressmen. It is sacred that you cannot violate it. It is a rape and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condemnable, absolutely intolerable and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians, including the government itself. It is a slap in the face of this administration. It is more confounding! First, we weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re told that the DSS did not receive any authority from the presidency, so whatever situation would lead the Director General of the DSS to usurp the power of the presidency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the commander-in-chief â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without the knowledge of anybody in the presidency is catastrophic.

But was the move taken by the acting president not commendable?

That is what I am saying. While it is commendable, the underlining cause of that move is frightening, because the sacking of Daura was because he committed that treason act without the order of any lawful authority. What will make the DSS assume that role without fear and execute it is what we should worry about.

How come we got our system to that level? How did it happen? When something like that happens in the system, those who keep saying the president is not aware, when they killed people in Benue, I mean the managers of information of the presidency who keep saying the president is unaware are giving the president a bad name!

The president is elected to run the country. When things go wrong, we go to bed, if you study the evolution of government, citizen submit their sovereignty to the Central headed by an individual, that is government. When we submit our sovereignty to you, we should be able to go to bed with the belief that you are in-charge. If anything happens to us and you say that you did not know, that means we are in trouble! That is the sadness of this matter.

It is good that the vice-president immediately intervened but deep thinkers must asked how come it

But how did we get here?

Is the same question I sincerely have to ask you too, because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand! By the grace of God, I have been in government twice. This is befouling and I do not understand it. I do not comprehend it and instead of us seriously, critically looking into this matter, people must be concerned. Instead of that, we are distorting facts that it was the leadership of the legislature that created a coup on themselves, when we saw it clearly.

People that are talking have forgotten that social media is in existence. Gone are the days Nigerians had to wait till 9-10p.m. to watch and listen to national events and happenings. As it was happening, we saw the event, it is absolutely impossible for the event to have been staged. Many people who are in the position of authority today maybe because they are not too educated. They assume that most of us they are leading are also not educated as well. Most Nigerians are extremely civilised.

Are you of the view that the report of the IG that the DSS siege to the National Assembly was staged is not correct?

Juxtapose it with what we saw. They are now asking that, why is that no APC senator was there?

APC senators live in different places. Why is that all of them were not seen anywhere? Did they phone each other, were they gathering somewhere, why? There were video clips that showed they were gathering somewhere in Maitama in Abuja. We cannot have deception as official policy for governance.

With the gale of defections, there are claims that the PDP has unruly elements, whose aim

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on Pg. 81

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Okupe: Siege to National Assembly Is Treasonable Continued from Page. 80

is to destabilise this administration and ruling party APC. What do you make of this?

Defection is a political move that happens everywhere in the world. Government and administration is different. The government is different from political parties. The game political parties play to outsmart each other is a different ball game. It should not be seen as enemy moves.

But are such moves good for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democratic system?

It is the practice all over the world. In Britain, in the last five years, 60 members of their parliament have crossed from one party to the other. I wonder why in this part of the world, we make it look as if it is something strange. In India, parliamentarians recently left one party to cross to the other. The incumbent President of France, Emmanuel Macron, was a member of the ruling party, he was a federal minister. He left the ruling party to form his own party. He contested and he won. So, why are we bothered with defections?

We have to be cerebral in some of these things, because there are too many unpalatable arguments you hear from quarters you do not expect and it is extremely embarrassing that the Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiohmole said Senator Bukola Saraki should resign and must be removed. Such statements are very unbecoming for a man of his position. It embarrassing that Oshiohmole will consistently hold on to that view. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what evil befell APC that they brought uncontrollable charlatan to become their chairman, saying things that cannot be backed by law.

The constitution is quite clear on this. For you to remove the Senate President, you require 2/3 majority of the senators, which is sacrosanct, but the argument that he was not elected by the whole house does not hold water. The process of election is different and the process of removal is also different and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clearly spelt out in the constitution. The chairman of a major ruling party cannot just run his mouth on an unguarded gate, because you are coming from labour, where rascality is the order of the day. Governance does not condone rascality. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a game of the noble and not ramble-rousing and filibustering. There should be panache, some sense of decency not just verbosity, unruly, unguarded statement coming from the leadership. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shameful!

President and is from the minority party. Ignorance is a major problem in Nigeria, because our people fail to read and to study history to know their past and the contemporary development in the world before making any profound pronouncement. So, it is pathetic!

What do all these portray for 2019?

I do not want to be the devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocate. I want to hope there would be an election in 2019. It will be a keenly contested election but my position is, I am not APC and definitely I do not wish that APC would win. But I will join forces with other parties that are contesting against the APC. If we lose, the game continues. It is not personal. If I oppose you, it is not because I hate. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because I want your seat and I also want to serve. It is a lawful legal competitive exercise.

People should not look at it as a personal assault that they want to unseat them. If they do not unseat people, how did they get there? But it cannot be by all means at all cost. Politicians must agree to the minimum standard to which we can behave. In my own understanding, you can campaign, propagate manifestos and give the promises of what you intend to do, the day you go to the poll and people thumb-print ballot paper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that is the end. After that, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the will of the people that must prevail.

Bukola Saraki inadvertently has become a symbol for defence of democracy. In recent time, he has become the defender of democracy, because if an attempt is made to subvert democracy instead of keeping quiet, the courageous man steps forward all the time to resist the subversion of our democracy. He could have recapitulated, cowardly and allow anything goes, by setting up bad precedent. Instead, he steps out, he stands firm, he resists anti-democratic forces, and by chance, he wins. I see him now as the defender of our democracy.

NIGERIA How do you see Senator Bukola Saraki and his enormous travails?

How do you then describe his meeting with about 34 leaders of different political parties?

I heard they came on a courtesy visit. The 34 political parties are impotent to do anything about democracy except they now see a defender of democracy, so, they are gravitating towards him and to also encourage him to keep on with what he is doing.

What is your charge for this administration before 2019?

The new DG of DSS when he was making his speech said they are going to review many cases of human right abuses, that already tells you that something wrong was going on before. So, let us rewrite all these wrongs by restoring human rights like the case of El-zakzaky, Dasuki among others. Let us comply with court orders by being a progressive country, without disobeying the rule of law.

All parties must adhere to the confinement of the law. Let us go back to basics. The fight against corruption must be in adherence to the rule of law. For instance, why should I obey a police officer, because is wearing a uniform but when the police officer does not operate according to the law, why should I obey him?

This government must correct all the wrongdoing that are being done before now and restore human rights and contain all anti-democratic forces within them and that includes putting under control the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiohmole, because the man has become a loose cannon that can burst anytime, because he is obsessed and seems to possess an idea that the Senate President must leave, why?

If you want to remove him, go to the law. And the need to strengthen our institution cannot be over-emphasised. Man is temporary but institution must be permanent. Let us encourage institution to work properly. Above all, like the Americans said, security must be neutral in all areas of conflicts and exposure. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so important, because without it we cannot go far as a nation.

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What about those calling on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to vacate the seat on moral grounds?

There is no morality in political position. On moral ground, will you tell the president of the country to resign, because he promised so many things and he has not fulfilled them, so, he should throw in the towel? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not done anywhere! You can resign your position if for instance you find out that the Senate President was involved in a mafia position that will in a way cast a slur but the erroneous thing that is making people talk about moral ground is, because they feel it is compulsory that the Senate President or the leadership of the National Assembly should come from the majority party.

It is a fallacy. We have seen example in the Second Republic.

Umeh-Ezeoke was in NPP and Speaker of the house while the NPN was the majority. Where somebody was the Deputy Senate

Bukola Saraki inadvertently has become a symbol for defence of democracy. In recent time, he has become the defender of democracy, because if an attempt is made to subvert democracy instead of keeping quiet, the courageous man steps forward all the time to resist the subversion of our democracy. He could have recapitulated, cowardly and allow anything goes, by setting up bad precedent. Instead, he steps out, he stands firm, he resists antidemocratic forces, and by chance, he wins. I see him now as the defender of our democracy

But the presidency has tagged this as a battle between the good and the evil. What do you make of this?

It is correct. The good is everywhere. The bad is also everywhere.

I totally agree but the location is where we cannot determine, because we have the good and the bad in the presidency. We also have the good and the bad in the opposition, as well as in the APC and the PDP. There are the good and the bad in the legislature as well as in the judiciary. It is a correct statement but it goes beyond that and the only way we can get over it is by upholding the rule of law. Once we allow the rule of law, it is either the bad withdraws their evil, or they get punished for it.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THE COVER

President Buahri in a group picture at the bar conference

Lawyers Unite in Defence of Rule of Law

NIGERIA

President Muhammadu Buhari, last Sunday stirred the hornet’s nest, when he initiated a rather controversial debate, which attempted to undermine the rule of law in deference to national security. Delivering his speech at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, a week today, the president reportedly said, where national interest and the rule of law clash, national security takes the front seat and the rule of law is relegated in the national interest. He went on to cite a certain Supreme Court’s ruling, which seems to support his argument, albeit without a full grasp of the ruling and the context in which the reference was made. Expectedly, his pronouncement has since generated a heated debate, with many a Nigerian thinking it was a move by the Buhari administration to find the ground to fully transform into a dictatorship.With the help of some sound legal minds, Olawale Olaleye and Shola Oyeyipo compile what is put down as the position of the law as against the thinking of President Buhari

I

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t was the start of the 58th annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last Sunday. President Muhammadu Buhari, who delivered the keynote address, spoke on various issues, chief of which was his view about the rule of law on issues of national interest.

“Rule of Law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest. Our apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard and it is now a matter of judicial recognition that; where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society,” he had said.

The president did not, of course, cite any of the current cases that are still in court and for which his administration views the need to uphold “national interest” above the rule of law, his attorney general, Abubakar Malami, would later give his position above as a reason for the government’s refusal to comply with several court orders for the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and leader of the Shiite sect, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky as well as his wife, Zeenah.

Dasuki was arrested in 2015 for alleged possession of firearms and diverting $2.1 billion while he was NSA. In his case, El-Zakzaky too was arrested in December of 2015, after some of his men had an encounter with the military. Many of his men were killed in the process, while he and his wife were hauled into detention. And in spite of many court orders granting their bail, including the ECOWAS, of which Buhari is now chairman, the government has looked away.

Of course, this is to be one of the campaign issues against Buhari’s re-election next year, the reason many are of the view that he made the statement on rule of law and national interest in order to have the grounds or justification for their continued

detention especially citing the ruling in the case of Asari Dokubo, which was essentially at the discretion of the judge.

But Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and lawyers of all categories had since taken no prisoners on the matter, insisting the president was wrong and that no matter of national interest could displace the rule of law into a second position.

The rule of law, a majority of them contended, is immovable. The following are their arguments.

Wole SOYINKA

Buhari’s Pernicious Doctrine

Here we go again! At his first coming, it was “I intend to tamper with Freedom of the Press”, and Buhari did proceed to suit action to the words, sending two journalists - Irabor and Thompson - to prison as a reward for their professional integrity. Now, a vague, vaporous, but commodious concept dubbed “national interest” is being trotted out as alibi for flouting the decisions of the Nigerian judiciary.

President Buhari has obviously given deep thought to his travails under a military dictatorship, and concluded that his incarceration was also in the “national interest”.

The timing is perfect, and we have cause to be thankful for the advance warning, since not all rulers actually make a declaration of intent, but simply proceed to degrade the authority of the law as part of the routine business of governance. We have been there before. It should be of mere interest, not despondency, that this latest proclamation of dictatorial recidivism has also been made before an assembly

Cont’d on Pg. 84

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Deconstructing Buhari’s Dictatorship: Legal Experts’ Position

Continued from Page 83

of officers of the law, the Nigerian Bar Association. We expect a robust response from the NBA as part of its conclusions.

There is no short cut to democracy. The history of law, even where uncodified, is as old as humanity. Numerous rulers have tried again and again to annul that institution. Sometimes, they appear to succeed, but in the end, they pay heavy forfeit. So does society. The Rule of Law however outlasts all subverters, however seemingly powerful. If the consequences for society in defence of the Rule of Law were not so costly, any new attempt would be merely banal and boring, hardly deserving of attention. We know, historically, where it will all end.

Femi FALANA

Falana

“Owing to the refusal of the civilian wing of the political class to demilitarise the polity there has been unsettled debate over the primacy of national security over the rule of law. The debate over the clash between the rule of law and national security has been reopened by President Mohammadu Buhari at this conference when he enjoined Nigerian lawyers and judges to realise that national security takes precedence over the rule of law.

“A few days before then, the President had threatened to jail looters, who had sabotaged the security of the nation by diverting huge funds earmarked for the development of the country. It is implied in the presidential declaration that the alleged looters cannot be jailed without a trial conducted in criminal courts under the rule of law.

“Majority of political office holders in the country are not committed to the observance of the rule of law.

In place of the rule of law, the political system has enthroned the rule of might or rule of rulers,” adding that placing the security of the state above the interests of individual citizens ‘creates a false dichotomy’ that should be avoided.

“It is therefore important for Nigeria to strive to nurture the synergies between the two and to incorporate human rights into national security strategies. I firmly believe that both security and human rights can fully coexist and are absolutely necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order. I posit that the purpose of national security should be to protect democracy and enhance democratic principles.”

Ebun OLU-ADEGBORUWA

“National Security has no definition, it has no limit; it is amorphous and panders to individual discretion. It is the rule of the Executive Arm of Government alone, being the one responsible for policy implementation and the determination of security imperatives.

“National Security, it is the rule and decision of individuals, such as the Inspector-General of Police or the Commander in Chief. Such rules are always subject to manifest abuses, especially in respect of opposition politics. That has been the experience in Nigeria.

“On the other hand, the rule of law is defined, basic, predictable and even subject to review; it helps to predict and govern human conduct. The rule of law limits and interposes upon the rule of self all forms of arbitrariness and is thus preferable to the whims and caprices of individuals.

“The point of convergence with the President, however, is that those who have prima facie cases of any malfeasance should not deploy the rule of law to avoid liability, especially when it concerns plainly intolerable economic crimes. In such a situation, what constitutes National Security and National Interest should still be determined through the due process of law.

“The daily narration of tales of mind-boggling abuses, under the past administration, should serve as some kind of discouragement, in elevating national security beyond the dictates of law. In Nigeria, presently, our collective wealth and resources are being pilfered by our leaders in the name of national security.

“To postulate that national security should override rule of law consideration may unwittingly portray one as harbouring dictatorial intentions, for preferring national security as a priority for governance.

“It is a dangerous proposition as we approach 2019. Taken to its proper interpretation, it may be taken to be an advance notice to the people of Nigeria, to brace up for likely threats to their rights and liberties, in the coming days. Whereas we all support the President in the fight against corruption and terrorism, it is still necessary to allow the rule of law to have the pride of place in all spheres of governance.

“I, therefore, humbly appeal to the President to accommodate the supreme law of our land, the Constitution, which already contains enough provisions to integrate national security within the due process of law. Nigeria itself as a nation was created by law, the offices of the President and indeed all those saddled with the determination and preservation of national security, were all created by law. Thus, everybody and everything can find their roots and bearings, under the rule of law.”

Olu-Adegboruwa

Mike OZEKHOME

“He (President Buhari) is dead wrong. The rule of law predominates over national interest. Without the rule of law, there can be no nation-state. Without a nation-state, there can be no national interest. The rule of law is the father of national interest.

“As proposed by Professor A.V. Dicey, it means equality before the law by all persons, observance of all laws by persons and authorities and, of course, obedience to court orders made by competent courts of law.

“Once a court of law has made an order for the release of a citizen on bail, the president, government and all authorities must obey the order of the court. It is not for the government to pick and choose which order to obey and which not to obey in the so-called name of ‘national interest’.

“This is because in arriving at a decision to release an individual on bail, the court must have first heard the facts and argument of the case of both the government and the citizen. It is tantamount to executive lawlessness and governmental capriciousness and whimsicality to sit on appeal over a court decision to determine what amounts to national interest. Such a stance is a clear descent into anarchy and chaos.”

Ozekhome

Monday UBANI

“The president is actually wrong to have said that because the rule of law is supreme. In fact, the national interest and national security are even protected by the rule of law. If you look at the present constitution we have, it says those liberties of individuals can be curtailed subject to national interest and national security.

“So, you can curtail those rights but that can only be done when there is an arm of government that interprets that when you present your facts to show why the liberty of an individual that is protected under the constitution should be curtailed, because every liberty is enforceable because the right to life, the right to freedom of movement and the not to be debased are all fundamental human rights.

“The law says wherever there is any threat or even breach you have a right to approach the court in order to have those rights protected. If you are not going to deny an individual those rights as provided by the constitution, it is the same court that will look at the evidence you are presenting to show that this man’s right was abridged because of overriding public interest or overriding national security. You the executive cannot begin to interpret what amounts to national security and national interest over individual’s right. You don’t do that.

“I think what the president was trying to explain to we lawyers when he came to open the conference was to tell us that ‘we have reasons why we are detaining someone like Dasuki and we have a reason why we are detaining someone like El-Zakzaki’s, despite court orders to the contrary.

“So, they are now telling us that the rule of law can be subject to whatever they interpret to. But we have faulted him, because it is the same court, in the case of Asari, that said he should be released on bail, having

Ubani

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SUNDAYCOVER

Rule of Law Vs National Security looked into whatever evidence they had adduced against him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, like the court has said, they should be released on bail, it is not the right of the executive to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;overriding national interestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. That can only be allowed under a military regime, where you have suspended the constitution and other arms of government, but not where other arms of government that are supposed to interpret the law have told you â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is the situation. So, that explanation did not gel at all. It is unacceptable.

It cannot be under democracy, which he came to power.â&#x20AC;?

Kayode AJULO

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The president may need a candid reminder of the fact that the ultimate national interest is codified in the Constitution, wherein the fundamental human rights are given primacy of place and hinged on the rule of law. It, therefore, portends a dangerous trend, where the rule of law now has to play the second fiddle and be at the mercy of a political power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It signals strong dictatorial tendencies and potential trampling on the rights given and protected under our constitution. With this assertion coming from a democratically elected government, there is the founded fear that the president may not be standing on the right footing. It supposes too that the president could be taking the wrong advice by â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;political lawyersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who only perch on his whims and experience as a security and warlord. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no previous decision of the apex court to that effect â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the decision being referred to by the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yes-men was a side comment in the Mahjid Asari Dokuboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case. It is rather unfortunate that no one in the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen cabinet could be patriotic enough to guide him properly. It is even more unfortunate that the leadership of the bar cannot stand up to him for protocol constraints. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more dangerous implication on the commentary is that the president by the statement is equating Nigeria, a federal republic, to a banana republic. The presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement, without doubt, ultra vires our constitution, in fact, it is an attempt to hogwash our constitutional democracy vis-a-vis the constitutional rights of the citizenry and even the very tenets of his claim to the Office of the President of our Federation.

The statement has no legs to stand on! No serious citizenry would and should take the president serious on this. â&#x20AC;&#x153;President Buhari should not lose sight of the transient nature of power. He should note that whatever influence or the rank of enthusiasts cheering him on to the extreme, they would sure abandon him the moment he falls out of grace. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s therefore very important that the President guards against sliding into bad errors, such as trying to build something on nothing by attempting to place emotion above the law.â&#x20AC;?

Ajulo

Kunle AREKE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is highly unexpected of a democrat to utter such statement. Then who determines what national interest is when constituted and constitutional authorities which are the court of law and the constitution, stipulate that we should have rule of law? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Outside of rule of law, then, it means we have the rule in the jungle. So, we cannot afford to let one person determine what is constitutional and what is in the national interest.

Areke

Akinwale OJO

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The position of President Buhari is quite strange. There is nothing known as the supremacy of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security and national interest. What we have is supremacy of rule of law. This is just a position of a dictatorship mind. The country security and national interest are rooted and very well protected under the rule of law. The presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position will give room for anarchy and dictatorship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who determines or what are the yardsticks for quantifying national security to bypass the rule of law. The exercise of any governmental power without rule of law is a corruption of power, which ought to be resisted.

The president is still living in his past and not in the present and that is the reason his government is unable to achieve meaningful change.â&#x20AC;?

Ojo

TaoďŹ k GANI

â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is a misjudgment and it shows that that president has probably not received the best advice from his aides, especially the Attorney-General. In this regard, all departments of government are important. For us to have peace and tranquillity there must be rule of law and there must be adequate security. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As such, no one is subordinate to the other. They all have their equal placements. So, the idea of placing one above the other, it means that such a government is deliberately abdicating its roles in the area they are putting under the carpet.â&#x20AC;?

Gani

Yemi FAROUNBI

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The point is, every society, every organisation, every club, every household, is based on rule of law. And rule of law is the foundation of equity and without the foundation, nothing built will stand. It is only through the rule of law that the country will attain all its potential. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, when the president said the rule of law should be subjected to national security, I want to say national security has its root, its existence and foundation in the rule of law. If that is the case, rule of law cannot be subject to national security. So, the President has the background of a military man, I will not be too hard on him but I will tell the President that national security cannot take precedence over rule of law. It should be the other way round.â&#x20AC;?

Leke OLOWE

Olowe

Faroumbi

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In as much as national security forms the core of national interest, it will take upper hand in a benevolent dictatorship or in a period of war, but in a constitutional democracy, the rule of law must supersede. If bail is refused to an accused, because of the brandish of national security by the state, the court of law must have considered every circumstance before exercising its discretion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, if bail is granted in the wisdom of the court despite flashing security issue, the only option opened to the state is to appeal and if that is explored to finality, the order must be obeyed. To do otherwise is to encourage anarchy.â&#x20AC;?

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IMAGES

R

ecently, an elderstatesman and seasoned politician, Senator Anthony Adefuye celebrated his 74th birthday with a Thanksgiving service and a very grand reception at his Lekki Phase I, Lagos residence.

Here are some of the personalities that graced the occasion

L-R: Rt. Revd Zaccheus Sanyaolu, Archbishop Ade Ademosu, Rt. Revd Oladipo Timothy and Revd Father Francis Anyanwu

Senator Anthony Adefuye and his wife, Sunmisola

L-R: The celebrant, Senator Anthony Adefuye, his wife, Chief Oluwasumisola at the cutting of the 74th birthdayu calecake

L-R: Engr. Segun Akerele, Engr. Sunmade Agbe-Davies and Senator Dr. Femi Okurounmu L-R: Dr. Femi Taiwo, Elder Chief Ola Sunmonu, former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd

L-R: Chief Ben Okeke, his colleague, Mr. Joseph Obi, his wife, Comfort; L-R: Chief Dr. Onikepo Akande and Elder Aramide Tola Noibi

Cross section of the party stalwarts at the event

L-R: Cross section of distinguished guests at the event

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

SUNDAYSPORTS

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

Under Pressure Mourinho Leads United to Burnley

M

anchester United are hoping to avoid their worst start to a season since 1987 when they visit Burnley this afternoon.

Jose Mourinho walked out of his press conference after Monday’s 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham shouting “Respect!” in response to some of the questions he was asked by journalists, and continued his defiance to their poor start ahead of today’s game at Turf Moor.

He warmed up for the short trip to Burnley by telling reporters he remained “one of the greatest managers in the world”.

“I am the manager of one of the greatest clubs in the world but I’m also one of the greatest managers in the world,” said Mourinho.

“I repeat, I have won eight titles (as a manager).

I’m the only manager to win in Italy, Spain and England.”

Insisting mood in his camp is high, Mourinho said: “I was really humbled by the response from the fans and the team really felt that support, too.

“And because of that, this was not a difficult week at all, we feel we deserved more than we got.”

Burnley will have a quick turnaround after dropping out of the Europa League with a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Olympiakos on Thursday night, but Sean Dyche preferred to focus on the positives from the Clarets’ first European campaign in 51 years, ahead of a tough challenge from United.

Burnley have suffered a stuttering start to the season in their opening three league games, drawing 0-0 with Southampton on the opening day before losing to Watford and Fulham.

“I think you saw a team that wanted it to carry on considering how many have been saying that ‘no-one wants it’, but that is the mentally here, we want to win every game that we play,” said Dyche.

“It has been three qualifying rounds but six games.

So we have picked up experience from that,” he added, saying the challenge of travelling to Europe and then preparing for Premier League football at

the weekend was a tough one.

“I think we have learnt a lot. A lot on the pitch, off the pitch, a lot about travelling, about organisation and all the things that come with it.”

Eric Bailly may return to the Manchester United squad following Phil Jones’ injury during Monday’s defeat to Spurs, while Alexis Sanchez may be fit enough for a start. Diego Dalot and Sergio Romero remain sidelined.

Burnley are set to be without Johann Berg Gudmundsson again. Having come off due to a hamstring injury at Fulham last weekend, Gudmundsson missed Thursday’s Europa League clash with Olympiakos, with teenager Dwight McNeil taking his place on the left wing and delivering an eye-catching performance on what was his first start.

Dyche made seven changes to his starting line-up for that match and Chris Wood, Jack Cork, James Tarkowski and Joe Hart are among the players poised to come back in. Ben Gibson is available again after being suspended for the European match.

Burnley have won just one of their last 17 top-flight meetings with Manchester United (D8 L8), with that victory coming in their first ever Premier League meeting back in August 2009 (1-0).

Manchester United have kept a clean sheet on nine of their last 10 visits to Turf Moor in all competitions, with the exception being a 0-1 defeat in August 2009.

Burnley are occupying the bottom three of the Premier League for the first time since August 2016 - however, the Clarets have won three of their last four Premier League matches when starting the day in the relegation zone (D1).

Manchester United have lost two of their first three league matches of a season for the first time since 1992-93 (P3 W0 D1 L2) - they haven’t lost three of their first four league matches in a season since 1986-87, when they were managed by Ron Atkinson.

Burnley have collected just nine home points in the Premier League in 2018 (P10 W2 D3 L5) - only Huddersfield (8) and Southampton (7) have won fewer among clubs ever-present this calendar year.

Mourinho and Man United aim to bounce back today after dropping the ball against Tottenham last week Burnley are still yet to make a change to their starting XI in the Premier League this season, while Man Utd have made more changes than any other side (9).

Manchester United’s goal difference of minus three is their worst since August 1992, when they had

the same negative deficit after four matches of the inaugural Premier League season; this is the first time they will be going into a Premier League match with a negative goal difference since September 2014, when they beat QPR 4-0 following a 0-0 draw away at Burnley in the previous match.

US Open: Federer Through to Fourth Round Pete Sharland

Alisson (in yellow) was robbed by Kelechi Iheanacho for the only Leicester goal yesterday

Liverpool Stay Top, Despite Alisson Blunder Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Alisson’s horrendous error “was clearly going to happen one day”, after his side maintained their 100% start to the season with victory at Leicester.

Klopp’s team looked on course for a comfortable win when, after Mo Salah had uncharacteristically missed an open goal, Sadio Mane pounced in the penalty area to poke Liverpool in front after only 10 minutes.

Liverpool’s position looked even more secure when Roberto Firmino stole in on James Milner’s corner to double their advantage with a header on the stroke of half-time - but they then proceeded to make life difficult for themselves.

And the main culprit was Alisson, the £67m summer signing from Roma, who was embarrassed as he gifted Leicester

a goal after 63 minutes when he was robbed by Kelechi Iheanacho while inexplicably performing an elaborate turn with the ball at his feet in the area, Rachid Ghezzal scoring following the ensuing chaos.

Leicester pushed for the equaliser but Liverpool closed out victory to make it four wins out of four at the start of a league season for the first time in 28 years - and leave keeper Alisson the most relieved man inside the King Power Stadium.

“It was clearly going to happen one day,” Klopp said of Alisson’s error. “I didn’t think it was going to happen in the next match (after his successful showboating against Brighton last time out, when he chipped an on-rushing attacker).

It’s all OK. He knows he could have cleared the situation.

Roger Federer defeated Nick Kyrgios 6-4, 6-1 7-5 in the third round of the US Open yesterday. The blockbuster clash of the day, Federer and Kyrgios didn’t disappoint even if the latter played it true to form.

In the first set, Kyrgios kept pace with Federer, even imitating his opponent’s serve at one point, but he totally fell apart in the second.

Nothing was coming off and the Australian was having repeated arguments with his

box and was clearly struggling with his first serve.

Federer, perhaps riled by that earlier imitation, was in no mood to let up and raced into a 5-0 lead before comfortably finishing off the set.

Federer produced the shot of the match, and possibly the tournament, when he somehow scrambled all the way across court to make a Kyrgios drop.

Once there he directed it around the net when it looked as if he had no angle, leaving Kyrgios stunned.

Federer salutes the crowd after his win yesterday

Italian GP: Raikkonen Breaks Record to Take Pole Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest lap in Formula 1 history as he stole pole position from the title contenders at the Italian Grand Prix.

The 38-year-old Finn triumphed in a thrilling fight at Monza with team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, taking pole with the last lap of the session.

Hamilton was fastest after the first runs and improved on his second lap, but Vettel beat him before Raikkonen pipped both.

Raikkonen’s lap of one minute 19.119 seconds meant he averaged 163.793mph. The previous record 1:19.525 (162.950mph) - was set by Juan Pablo Montoya in a Williams in 2004.

Vettel was not happy, saying “we speak after” as his engineer told him the result. The German

declined to elaborate when asked to say what he meant.

In one of the most exciting qualifying sessions for some time, Hamilton fought to overcome what appears to be a slight Ferrari pace advantage and appeared at one stage to have done it.

On the first runs in final qualifying, Hamilton set a 1:19.390, beating Raikkonen by just 0.069secs, with Vettel third just 0.038secs behind the Finn.

Hamilton improved to a 1:19.294 on his final run, but the Ferraris had positioned themselves behind him, Vettel in front of Raikkonen, and the slipstream the second Ferrari driver got may have proved decisive.

Raikkonen, whose pole was his

first since Monaco last year, was pleased to set the quickest time on Ferrari’s home track.

He said: “I couldn’t think of being on pole in a better race. I am hoping tomorrow I can end up in the same position.”

That remains to be seen, as Vettel is 17 points adrift in his close title fight with Hamilton.

Vettel said: “Not entirely happy with my last run but Kimi was a bit too fast in the end. It is always like this in Monza, for him it was in the sweet spot. My lap was not very good but for now we have both cars on the front row.”

Hamilton said: “Ferrari did a solid job. We gave it everything we could, it is very close between us but they have had the upper hand this weekend. We will give

it everything we can tomorrow.

“It was so intense and that’s how F1 should be.”

Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who has been off the pace all weekend, ended up fourth, 0.362secs behind the Briton.

RESULTS & FIXTURE

Leicester

1-2

Brighton

2-2

Fulham

Chelsea

2-0

Bournemouth

Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Everton

1-1

Liverpool

Southampton Huddersfield

West Ham 0 - 1

Wolves

Man City

Newcastle

2-1

Cardiff City v

Arsenal

Burnley

v

Man United

1:30pm 4pm

Watford

v

Tottenham

4pm

Sunday September 2, 2018

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N400

MISSILE

Falana to Buhari “Majority of political office holders in the country are not committed to the observance of the rule of law. In place of the rule of law, the political system has enthroned the rule of might or rule of rulers.”

– Mr Femi Falana (SAN) reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment that there are times when rule of law has to give way for national security and interest.

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Police as Your Friend

A

t home on Monday evening, I was engrossed in some heavy reading and writing task when I got a desperate call from my driver who had closed for the day. His friend, and some other hapless Nigerians, had just been randomly arrested at Ketu area by the “Lagos State Task Force” for undisclosed offences.

“They have handcuffed him and taken him to the Ketu police station,” he said frantically.

Immediately, I asked for the chap’s name and phone number. I then called a valuable police contact. She instantly swung into action. After hours of trying to trace the boy’s whereabouts, we finally found out he was somewhere in a police van around Oshodi.

His distraught mum was inconsolable.

However, he was finally released around 9pm.

But what really happened? Toheeb is a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. Anytime he is on break, he comes to stay with his mum in Lagos and uses the opportunity to make some income driving his friend’s commercial tricycle, “Keke Marwa”. The little income supports his schooling. He was picking passengers in Ketu when the police swooped on them, arrested, handcuffed and whisked them away. They were beaten black and blue. I was told the police had just killed a young man and a mob attacked them. The officers decided to arrest “suspects” — meaning anybody in sight.

Toheeb and his passengers automatically became suspects for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. That was it. No other evidence is needed in our jungle justice system. They seized their phones, rendering them incommunicado.

My contact told me the Lagos police PRO, CSP Chike Oti (God bless him), personally went there to secure his release. In tears, Toheeb narrated the whole incident. “So this is how innocent people suffer in this country? Some of my passengers are still in detention. They did nothing,” he said, sobbing and sniffing.

The “suspects” were allegedly asked to pay between N50,000 and N100,000 to regain their freedom. This is Nigeria.

I was putting finishing touches to this article on Friday when my electrician called me. This was unusual of him. He would normally send an SMS. I knew there was fire on the mountain. His brother, a vulcaniser at Ojota Motor Park, Lagos, had a dispute with a client over payment. The client went to report him at Ogudu Police Station on Thursday. I don’t know how much the client gave to the police but they certainly over-delivered. The police immediately sent Omotayo to Ikoyi Prisons. By Friday, the poor fellow was fighting for his life. He had not eaten anything. The inmates had battered him to pulp — the traditional welcome party.

Hopefully, we will secure his release this week.

Early 2017, I got a distress call from a commercial bus driver, a friend of a member of our staff. The Task Force van had suddenly crossed him at Maryland in an attempt to force him to stop for an offence he will never know how he committed it. It was too late for him to brake completely; he dented the van. Goodness Gracious! The police officers dragged him out, tore his shirt, battered his bulky frame, handcuffed him, flung him into their van and took him and his bus — his means of livelihood — to their Ikeja yard. Despite all my efforts, including getting a commissioner to intervene, we still had to part with a large sum to repair the police van. This is oppression.

Ibrahim Idris, Police IG After the whole incident, Saheed came to thank me. “I heard many sad tales inside the Task Force yard,” he said. “One person told me his brother was transferred to Kirikiri Prisons because they couldn’t raise the money that was demanded.” Talking about Kirikiri Prisons, my uncle, who went on an evangelical visit many years ago, told me of a young inmate who said he was picked by the police on his own street while running an errand for his mum. “Up till now, my mother does not know that I am inside here, and our house is not far from this place. The police picked me up and dumped me here, and I am now classified as awaiting trial,” the poor boy told my uncle. This is Nigeria.

Only God knows how many lowly Nigerians I have had to help out of police trouble in my journalism career. In most cases, I am heartbroken.

The offences they are accused of committing show that they are mostly victims of oppression and impunity by the security agents simply because these guys are powerless and voiceless. They are poor. In the scheme of things, they do not matter; they are not regarded as human beings.

They have no liberty. We run a society where the ordinary people do not expect any form of justice — they do not even believe they have a right to complain when they are being trampled upon by those who should protect them.

I could write a massive book on the horrible things ordinary Nigerians suffer, daily, in the hands of the police. Every Nigerian has a story to tell.

There is nothing called justice in this country. The heartbreaking stories of police oppression, cheating and brutality did not start today, or yesterday, or the day before yesterday. In November 1987, the Dadowu brothers — Saka and Sule — were shot dead by Ibe Eze, a police constable, at the Anikantamo Square of Central Lagos, over an alleged traffic offence. Two brothers killed on the same day! Not for armed robbery, but for traffic offence! Eze was spared the hangman by the Supreme Court years later. The Dawodu family never got justice.

This incident apparently inspired Majek Fashek’s 1989 song, “Police Brutality”, in which he mourned: “Dem dey suck the blood of the sufferers/Dem dey eat the bread of the wanderers/Instead of killing the armed robbers/ Dem dey kill all the taxi drivers… Dem dey kill all the sufferers.” The oppressed never get justice in Nigeria. Lowly Nigerians have become accustomed to police brutality, so much so they do not even bother to complain any longer. They simply curse their luck or comfort

themselves that it is the “will of God”. It is only if you are “somebody” or the child or friend of “somebody” that eyebrows are raised, because there is someone to fight for you.

After severe and sustained complaints about the abuses by the Special Anti-Armed Robbery Squad (SARS), the police have promised to reform the unit — but it is the entire police force that needs to be reformed, in my opinion. Nigerian police officers appear to have a special training in harassment, torture and extra-judicial killing.

There seems to be no will or desire to rein them in. Any inspector-general that is going to reform the police force will have to start from tampering with the mentality that makes the police think that their primary duty is to terrorise, intimidate and oppress the very citizens they are supposed to protect. It is a mental problem. Other reforms can follow.

Meanwhile, if my article has created the impression that I do not appreciate the Nigerian police at all, then I have not expressed myself properly. In the last 15 years, I have done a lot of study on the police and I know very much that given the conditions under which they are recruited, trained, kitted and compensated, the officers are only a reflection of the system that produces them. They are not genetically bad.

They have indeed demonstrated that they can be as good as any police force in the world under the right conditions — and my key evidence is that they win medals anytime they serve outside the country, particularly on UN missions.

Police officers daily lose their lives defending the rest of us. Most recently, four policemen were killed in Kaduna as they ran into an ambush trying to arrest kidnappers. When robbers strike, police officers are their first target. The Offa robbers wasted the lives of eight policemen. Police officers are human beings like us. They have families and friends too. They deserve our respect and sympathy. Ironically, I understand that no other Nigerian security agency disciplines its erring officers more than the police. But our reality today is that the bad apples are spoiling the whole bunch. We need to completely overhaul or rebuild the factory that produces them.

I agree that the system has also not been fair to the police. That must be said. They are the least resourced among the security agencies, and they have been systemically undermined over the years, especially under military regimes. Even now, we keep creating agencies to duplicate the functions of the police. Yet, police play arguably the biggest role in maintaining law and order. I cannot imagine how the society would be if police officers are not on the road. I, for one, would not feel safe to drive on the road — in spite of the fact that the police themselves have become a danger to the society they are deployed to protect. We need them; we need a better, refined version of them.

I have always argued that democracy is nothing if it does not work for the people.

One of the major links between the state and the society is policing. Any government that wants to really touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians must frontally address police impunity.

It is an indictment on government that people’s rights are brazenly violated and all they can say is “we have handed things over to God”.

That means they’ve lost faith in the state. No citizen of any country should feel hopeless and helpless. Everybody deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Reforming SARS without reforming the brutal mindset of the police at large is a waste of time.

And Four Other Things…

CBN AND MTN The CBN has fined four banks for issuing allegedly irregular certificates of capital importation (CCIs) on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria from 2007 to 2015. MTN itself is expected to refund the $8.1 billion it took out as dividends on the basis of the CCIs. CBN will refund the naira equivalent to MTN at the market rates when the transactions were done. In layman’s language, MTN is accused of using deception to repatriate $8.1 billion dividends. I expect MTN to put up a strong fight to clear its name. However, while some think this sanction could scare away foreign investors, a strong regulatory environment could actually be a positive thing for Nigeria.

Perspectives.

TRUMP’S TONGUE Why do Nigerians rejoice when their leaders are disparaged by outsiders? When the Economist of London called President Goodluck Jonathan the “ineffectual buffoon”, I could not bear it, but many people celebrated as if they just won a lottery. Now President Donald Trump, according to the Financial Times, has said he never wanted to meet someone “as lifeless as Buhari” again and some people are popping champagne. The point we are missing is that disrespect for your president is disrespect for you. I also find it hard to understand the logic of those who rejoiced when the Economist disparaged Jonathan but are now angry with Trump. I hate double standards. Hypocrisy.

RULE OF LAW President Buhari recently said: “The rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.” That actually was a Supreme Court pronouncement in 2007 in the case of Dokubo Asari vs Federal Government, but it was not a blanket verdict.

It didn’t say court orders should be disobeyed.

National security has to be pleaded in court and the court must decide. That is how “rule of law” and “national security” go hand-in-hand in a democracy. I was happy to see Buhari backtrack on the scary Freudian slip. I insist that they need a BS detector in Aso Rock.

There are too many avoidable gaffes oozing forth from the Seat of Power. Judgment.

AND FINALLY… Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Delta state, has defected to APC after almost 20 years in PDP. He is one unlucky governor: he could not install his successor or the deputy and could not even get PDP’s senate ticket. After weeks of speculation, he has finally exchanged the umbrella for the broom and is expected to run for senate in 2019.

The amiable ex-governor said: “I am going into APC as ‘John the Baptist’ to the numerous Deltans that are coming in, soon – very soon.”

I don’t get the John bit though. Is Chief James Ibori, Uduaghan’s cousin, on his way to APC too? And was John the Baptist not the cousin of Jesus Christ that was beheaded by Herod Antipas? LOL.

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